Toddlers and Disneyland

[Jynxed]

It will be me and my 18 mo plus a part-time hubby who will be there for work but will be able to spend a few bits in the park with us.

Serious, I go from excited to anxious in a matter of minutes thinking about this trip.

I have been to WDW several times with my twin nephews, but the youngest they were were 5yo. I know the pace to take with a young one and I do not want to cause burn out for either one of us. Breaks in the afternoon, days off to just hang at the pool. I would however like to get in 1 or 2 night time shows. I will have his stroller and he can nap as we wait for the shows. (I hope?)

Will a 18mo freak out on Pirates? WOC? I know every child is different, but what is your experience?

For sit down restaurants, are the accommodating to sharing food with your LO's? I know they have kid meals, but I rather not have to pay 18 for 4 bites to be eaten!
Can you share all your tips? Must do's with LO's, must avoids? Anything you can think of really.

I hate the unknown, so being my first time in DLR AND first time with a toddler is a bit much for this obsessive planner!

 

[DahliaRW]

I've done DL with a 15 mo and a 18 mo. Not a problem either time. They weren't scared on rides. Restaurants were fine with me sharing, I would just ask for a small plate for my toddler and they always brought one.

 

[Jana0326]

We've been taking our kids (now 6 and 4) to DL since they were about a year old. My biggest tips would be to make use of the baby center (with changing stations, high chairs, toddler size toilets, etc.) and the rider switch pass (if you and your DH want to go on rides that you can't take your child on).

As far as whether Pirates and the night time shows will scare him/her, I guess it really depends. Our kids didn't like dark rides at that age and also didn't really like getting close to animal characters - something about giant animals really freaked them out (especially Chip and Dale).

 

[dmked]

I have taken all of my kids at different ages, the youngest being 10 weeks old. My kids were not scared on Pirates at all, they loved It's a Small World too. I think it if it just you and the 18 mo. old I would mostly stick to the smaller kid rides and maybe check out the shows.

I don't have a clue about sit down restaurants, we always do counter service because it is quicker.

I think you will still have a blast, maybe go back to the hotel in the afternoons for a nap or swim to break up your day a bit.

 

[kailuagirl]

You are going to have a blast!! We took our DD the first time when she just turned 2 and she loved everything, wasn't scared of any rides, except she was slighly scared of roger rabbit, she even liked Haunted Mansion. We just went again a few months ago and that was her favorite ride at 3.5 and the matterhorn of course. Every child is different, so I would recommend starting out on real mellow rides and then go from there depending on how he/she is doing. Take lots of pictures, breaks, snacks and beverages and go at your child's pace and you'll have a great time. Have fun!!

 

[fairycat]

DS is 18 months and has been over 30 times

POTC only the drops seem to bother DS, sometimes he doesn't mind them, but as of late they make him cry but he gets over it and just loves the rest of the ride. Nothing else has scared him ride wise.

They have no issue with food sharing, as long as the child is under 3 they don't charge you at buffets either. The ony place we got charged was Club 33

I agree the Baby Care center is great! I like the chaging tables there, because some of the bathroom one's seem to put you in the walk way and just get too crowded.

Right now Buzz Lightyear and IASW are DS most favorite rides. You will have so much fun as long as you give him time to rest and play. We found the Brother Bear Area and the play area in Toon Town were great places to let DS run around and let off some steam.

 

[nemofans]

There are tons of little kid rides so there's plenty for you to do. Take it easy & make time for down time. Avoid the monorail b/c you can't keep your 18 mos old in the stroller on it. I was by myself w/my little one & tried to fold up the stroller & hold my little one & the diaper bag was a terrifying moment. I thought for sure my little one would end up on the monorail w/o me. Thankfully another mom helped me get the stroller onto it.

 

[BecomingObsessed]

I took my girls to Ariel's Grotto at Christmas when my youngest was 21 months. They brought her a plate of mac & cheese with grapes on it for free. If you find yourself at a table service restaurant, ask about the toddler meals. I don't know how things are at other table service restaurants, but the toddler meal was not listed on the menu.

She had a blast at Disneyland! Her favorite ride was the carousel, but there wasn't any ride that she didn't like, including POTC. You're going to have lots of fun, don't worry!

 

[jennilouwho]

Both my boys went at 18 months and weren't scared of any rides. They didn't seem to know to be scared yet. When my oldest was three, he was scared of EVERYTHING! I think 18 months is a great time to go!