Toddlers at Epcot, AK, HS?

[jacknsally19]

Also, I wanted to reiterate the love for Biergarten at that age. My DD LOVED dancing there! Its really easy to get reservations so something to consider if you are planning quite a few evenings at WS

 

[jacknsally19]

LOL - my DD first word was outside too! Poor kid we live in Boston. This year was not good for the outside

 

[DeniseR]

Also, I wanted to reiterate the love for Biergarten at that age. My DD LOVED dancing there! Its really easy to get reservations so something to consider if you are planning quite a few evenings at WS

Okay, yes, someone else said their child that age loved Biergarten. Since we will be right there by Epcot staying at the Beach Club and it is withing walking distance, I will probably plan several meals in the WS. Thanks!

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I'm taking my 2YO DD for the first time in September as well. All of the suggestions I've been reading are the ones I'm going to be using as well. The Kidcots stations at Epcot, the different playgrounds at AK and HS. My DD ADORES Disney Junior so we are taking her to Live On Stage and doing the H&V lunch. She's also big into Frozen, so the stage show at HS will be a big hit. She loves animals so anything at AK will go over. Just tailor it to the kids' interests and it will be a whizz bang of a time (to borrow a phrase from Sofia the First)!

 

[DeniseR]

I'm taking my 2YO DD for the first time in September as well. All of the suggestions I've been reading are the ones I'm going to be using as well. The Kidcots stations at Epcot, the different playgrounds at AK and HS. My DD ADORES Disney Junior so we are taking her to Live On Stage and doing the H&V lunch. She's also big into Frozen, so the stage show at HS will be a big hit. She loves animals so anything at AK will go over. Just tailor it to the kids' interests and it will be a whizz bang of a time (to borrow a phrase from Sofia the First)!

Your DD sounds like our granddaughter too! Loves Disney Junior and Frozen! We are still trying to get an H&V lunch ADR but hoping that as it gets closer and people get their FP+s then we will see some ADRs released for our time there. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[disneydremr]

Oooh, you've gotten such good ideas! Even though my daughter will be turning four by the time we go, I am watching this thread and taking notes

 

[DeniseR]

Oooh, you've gotten such good ideas! Even though my daughter will be turning four by the time we go, I am watching this thread and taking notes

Yes, I love this place! I am feeling better about our plans now and that we are actually making plans! Glad it helps you too!

 

[disneydremr]

My husband and I have a relaxed vacation/Disney style, which is awesome, but it seems things have changed and in order to make this a magical experience for *her*, I have to actually do some planning.

 

[NotTheBatesMotel]

I have done some research and reading on different threads but thought I would ask here since many of you might have been in the same situation as me recently.

We are taking our twin grandkids (boy/girl) who will be 2 on our trip (turn two this month and we are going in September). I am wondering how many days to plan in these two parks for them considering there aren't a ton of things they might enjoy? If you have taken 2 year olds to WDW, and have visited these two parks, can you tell me which attractions (shows and rides) that they did and enjoyed or didn't enjoy? I know this can vary based on the particular child, but I just need some starting points. I keep seeing plans "out there" that talk about ages 3 and up, but not for younger. Thanks!

We took my 2 year old in Feb/March of this year. We only set aside 1 day (the last day) for EPCOT and ended up regretting it! He loved EPCOT. The play area at the exit to Mission:Space, the Figment ride, Donald's boat ride in Mexico, The sea with Nemo and friends (loved the ride and the aquarium area), and all of the interactive exhibits were all huge hits with him.

HS-He LOVED the Disney Jr. show. He was begging to watch it again so I really wish I would have set aside more time for that. He loved Toy Story even though he didn't understand the arcade game, he loved the spinning and the colors. He would have spent the entire day in the Honey I shrunk the Kids play area if we would have allowed him to.

AK-this park wasn't a huge hit for him but he has never really shown much interest in animals. He didn't care about the safari, the park felt really crowded because of construction walls, and I swear that park always feels so much more hot than the others. We never made it to the boneyard playground and didn't catch the shows, so I feel like his disinterest was more of a lack of planning on my part as opposed to a fault of the park.

I feel like EPCOT is so often overlooked for little kids but there really is a ton for them to explore there.

 

[DeniseR]

We took my 2 year old in Feb/March of this year. We only set aside 1 day (the last day) for EPCOT and ended up regretting it! He loved EPCOT. The play area at the exit to Mission:Space, the Figment ride, Donald's boat ride in Mexico, The sea with Nemo and friends (loved the ride and the aquarium area), and all of the interactive exhibits were all huge hits with him.

HS-He LOVED the Disney Jr. show. He was begging to watch it again so I really wish I would have set aside more time for that. He loved Toy Story even though he didn't understand the arcade game, he loved the spinning and the colors. He would have spent the entire day in the Honey I shrunk the Kids play area if we would have allowed him to.

AK-this park wasn't a huge hit for him but he has never really shown much interest in animals. He didn't care about the safari, the park felt really crowded because of construction walls, and I swear that park always feels so much more hot than the others. We never made it to the boneyard playground and didn't catch the shows, so I feel like his disinterest was more of a lack of planning on my part as opposed to a fault of the park.

I feel like EPCOT is so often overlooked for little kids but there really is a ton for them to explore there.

Great information! I think our twins will be like your 2 year old also and like the same parks. I am taking notes on the Epcot information. It is the park that I have the least memories of myself and need to know what little ones tend to like. Thanks!

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Your DD sounds like our granddaughter too! Loves Disney Junior and Frozen! We are still trying to get an H&V lunch ADR but hoping that as it gets closer and people get their FP+s then we will see some ADRs released for our time there. Thanks for all the advice!

Don't give up on that! I just scored an ADR to 'Ohana after trying for 2 weeks. Perserverence is key!

 

[Crystal824]

At 2, my daughter enjoyed various things at Epcot, AK, and DHS.

Epcot: She loved meeting characters so we met quite a few around the world showcase and Character Spot. She also enjoyed Nemo and Friends and Turtle Talk. She really enjoyed the Boat ride in Mexico. She really enjoyed Splashing in the Fountain in Future World. Surprisingly, she did like Living with the Land. She didn't care for Spaceship Earth. It was a bit long for her at that age. She wasn't afraid of it just not really her thing.

DHS: She LOVED the Disney Jr. Show, Beauty and the Beast Show, and the Ariel Show. She enjoyed the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground. She did not care for the Great Movie Ride (while she liked the Wizard of Oz section- it was just too long for her). She really liked meeting the Disney Jr. characters.

AK: She loved the Boneyard play area especially the sandbox. She liked the Safari and the petting zoo at Affection Section. She really enjoyed the Lion King. She got to dance in the show, which she loved. She liked the Nemo Show. I was afraid this show would be too long for her. Since she loves the movie, it actually held her attention. We didn't try It is Tough to Be a Bug.

For us, we found enough stuff to do to fill an entire day at AK, a day at DHS, and two days at Epcot. However, we did also have sit-down meals at all parks and we tend to move slowly.

 

[DeniseR]

At 2, my daughter enjoyed various things at Epcot, AK, and DHS.

Epcot: She loved meeting characters so we met quite a few around the world showcase and Character Spot. She also enjoyed Nemo and Friends and Turtle Talk. She really enjoyed the Boat ride in Mexico. She really enjoyed Splashing in the Fountain in Future World. Surprisingly, she did like Living with the Land. She didn't care for Spaceship Earth. It was a bit long for her at that age. She wasn't afraid of it just not really her thing.

DHS: She LOVED the Disney Jr. Show, Beauty and the Beast Show, and the Ariel Show. She enjoyed the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground. She did not care for the Great Movie Ride (while she liked the Wizard of Oz section- it was just too long for her). She really liked meeting the Disney Jr. characters.

AK: She loved the Boneyard play area especially the sandbox. She liked the Safari and the petting zoo at Affection Section. She really enjoyed the Lion King. She got to dance in the show, which she loved. She liked the Nemo Show. I was afraid this show would be too long for her. Since she loves the movie, it actually held her attention. We didn't try It is Tough to Be a Bug.

For us, we found enough stuff to do to fill an entire day at AK, a day at DHS, and two days at Epcot. However, we did also have sit-down meals at all parks and we tend to move slowly.

Thanks for sharing that! I think I am planning the same thing now. I have an "extra" day that we will use in case we find that the twins had more to do at AK or DHS or if it rains or something. And I have a day and a half planned at Epcot. We are staying at the Beach Club and will be eating some evenings at Epcot so we can always do a thing or two then.

 

[DeniseR]

Don't give up on that! I just scored an ADR to 'Ohana after trying for 2 weeks. Perserverence is key!

Will do! I read that things can change when people schedule their FP+ at 60 days out so I'm holding out for that! Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Wosmama6]

Great ideas in this thread. I didn't even know about the boat ride in Mexico~!