Toddler Question and Shows

[Brumeiser]

I would like some feedback from parents of toddlers and the parks. We want to Branson and tried a show with our son and it was a terrible experience at Christmas last year. Should we be realistic and pick one or two shows at each park and that will be it for attempting to go to shows? And is it the same for movies at Epcot World Showcase? My wife and I would like to see what parents encountered and what they recommend. We know each child is different but we would like some feedback. Thanks.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Brumeiser
I would like some feedback from parents of toddlers and the parks. We want to Branson and tried a show with our son and it was a terrible experience at Christmas last year. Should we be realistic and pick one or two shows at each park and that will be it for attempting to go to shows? And is it the same for movies at Epcot World Showcase? My wife and I would like to see what parents encountered and what they recommend. We know each child is different but we would like some feedback. Thanks.

I would be realistic, pick one or two show and see how it goes, you can always try more. I can tell you they have a tendency to be very loud.

 

[Eander3]

We went in late January with my 16mo. old daughter. She LOVED Playhouse Disney Live at MGM...we went 3 times in 2 days. We literally had to hold her back from trying to run onstage to see Bear in the Big Blue House etc...

She also enjoyed Country Bear Jamboree...

Other than that, we didn't try any other shows...

 

[jcemom]

We took our DD last month at 16 months old. She is very calm and patient by nature and that made it easier, but I would say definitely be realistic. We saw the 3D movies and though she wasn't interested, she did just fine as they are not very long. They are very loud though. I heard quite a few crying children.

We also saw Cirque du Soliel. It was 1 hour 50 minutes long including the pre-show and she was fine until about 15 minutes before the end, then she got antsy.

At Epcot: I doubt she would have done well in the WS movies. I saw them alone and was glad I didn't take her in. I wouldn't recommend them for toddlers. The street performers though went over well, as that's only a few minutes and still outside--lots to look at.

At MGM: Playhouse Disney was a big hit, she also enjoyed Beauty & the Beast. She sat through Indiana Jones, but it was very loud with explosions, so some toddlers may be scared. She enjoyed Fantasmic.

At AK: Festival of the Lion King was so-so with her. She seemed to like it at first, then lost interest, but we went to it last after touring all morning, so she may just have been tired. She liked the street performers in Africa who were playing drums and dancing.

At MK: Cinderella's Celebration would probably be entertaining for a toddler, but unfortunately we kept missing it--next time!

How old is your son?

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Most of the shows at WDW are much shorter than the one you went to in Branson. Many are only 15 minutes or so. I would try a few and you can alway leave if necessary. At Mk the country bears should be a hit and maybe the Goofy line dancing show (forgot the name). MGM has several good ones such as playhouse disney, the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast. Ak has Lion King and Tarzan . I would skip the Epcot movies for a few years. Remember that a lot of the show are quite loud so that could be an issue. Most exit doors are directly across from the entrance so position yourself for a good spot to escape if needed.


Jordans' mom

 

[Alice28]

My 20 month old son sat through the following shows and seemed to enjoy them:
Illuminations
Festival of the Lion King
The Enchanted Tiki Room
Indiana Jones


I don't think I would have even tried the Epcot movies...I think he would have enjoyed the Little Mermaid & Beauty and the Beast though...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

It really depends on your child. My son was not able to sit through a meal at that age, but his older siblings probably would have been fine watching a few shows. Have one show picked out in each park and see how it goes.

T&B

 

[tink2]

This totally depends on the child, but here are our experiences.
We've taken DD- very calm child, at 2 1/2 and 4.
We've taken DS- very not calm and high- strung, at 2 1/2 also.
Now, totally opposite children. We've never had a problem and we've seen many shows. As an above poster said, the shows at WDW are much shorter than those at other places- most are around 15 minutes. My kids favorites have been:
MK- Philarmagic, Country Bears
MGM- Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, Beauty and the Beast, Muppets 3D (DD isn't crazy about 3D though but DS loved them all), Indy show, and Fantasmic
Epcot- Honey I shrunk the kids- again, DD doesn't love this b/c it's 3D but DS loved it
AK- Festival of the Lion King
I suggest trying a few. If you have to get up and leave- you wouldn't be the first or last to do so! But you never know until you try! Some of these are my children's favorite things at WDW! They are all entertaining and a great length for children to sit through and enjoy. The only 3D show DD really liked was Mickey's Philarmagic at MK. THe others have something that jumps out at you that is a little scary- a snake in HISTK and something in the muppets scared her a little- but she took her glasses off and got OK.
Good luck and have a great time! WDW is so magical when your children are little!

 

[Brumeiser]

when we go in July will be 2 years and 4 months old when we go.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

May I suggest DO NOT try "It's Tough To Be A Bug" in AK. Everytime we have seen this show there are little ones TERRIFIED!! It is LOUD and the special effects are intense!

It's really a great show, just too much for the little ones!!

 

[slo]

If your son loves the Disney Channel do the Playhouse Disney show at MGM - he will love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outside of that you know your son better than anybody. My daughter at that age had "ants in the pants" and therefore we knew to not attempt anything that would require a lot of sitting.
Even at age 4 when we went there was a couple of shows that she didn't like (anything 3D). We were able to get her to sit through the Muppets, but when it came to "It's Tough to be a Bug" at AK we had to leave, she was in tears.

Go with your gut feeling about what you should do, if you feel like he will be difficult and you will leave the show crabby, then just skip it and find something else to do. Afterall, you don't want to be aggravated on vacation, and believe me, my DD was a master of getting me aggravated at that age when we had to sit still for any length of time.

Good luck

 

[alloyd1170]

We took our 2 yr old son last month to all the parks. We started with MGM, MK, Ak, and Epcot. Our son loved Playhouse Disney. However, he hated the 3d movies (Muppets 3D, Mickeys Philharmagic). He did try to grab the bubbles, but once stuff came at him (and the water sprayed in his face) that was the end of it. He was grabbing our hands and shirts and crying. Taking off the glasses did help though so we were able to sit through it. The other thing you might want to avoid-the Haunted Mansion, the Universe of Energy, and Ive heard Snow White. Our son has never been bothered by the dark, but he is now! He loved Dumbo, Carousel, Indy cars, Small World, Living Seas, Safari ride, Fantasmic (though he shyed away from the bright flashes). We geared our trip around him too, so whatever he wanted to do, however many times, it was up to him. We also saw Cirque du Soleil and he loved it. He did let out a scream when the lights first went out, but then he sat still on my lap for the entire show. He tends to be very observant so he was occupied by all the lights, and stuff going on everywhere.

alison