Toddlers in Disneyland?

[Canadian DISNut]

Yes, I have seen toddlers in the parks. None of them are mine though, as far as I know.

 

[Canadian DISNut]

Forgot to say that I think you should go without him, enjoy your daughter for a while. Your ds will have an AWESOME time staying with Grandma and Grandpa and he'll feel special too and won't know what he's missing. I think your trip will be much more enjoyable without a tantrum throwing, potty training 2 year old. Not that you won't miss him, and you will feel guilty, but you'll make it up to him at Disneyworld.

Thank you! You're actually the first person that has said that. I think you understand, living even farther away from the parks than we do. And DS does love visiting his grandparents. DH and I just got back from a week in Las Vegas and Grandma came to our house to babysit. DS keeps asking where Grandma went, ever since she left! Plus, since he's the only boy (4 granddaughters) he gets spoiled there!

DH has family in Perth, what part of Australia are you from?

 

[Butterfly123]

Just a thought...I may be repeating, I haven't read all the responses, but maybe grandma could come with you to help out. She could watch your son while you did some special things with your daughter. Good luck with your decision.

 

[KTR]

My son went to Disney when he was 15 months and 2 1/2. He had a great time both times. Yes, you would have to do rideswitch for the big rides, but I honestly can't imagine going to Disney and not bringing all of my children. He absolutely loved it!

 

[Canadian DISNut]

maybe grandma could come with you to help out. She could watch your son while you did some special things with your daughter. Good luck with your decision.

I actually hadn't considered that one. Auntie might be better than Grandma for that job, but it is a thought. Thanks

 

[the donut]

You can also hire a sitter to come to the park with you. Might be slightly cheaper than the airfare to bring someone with you.

My son just turned 2 and has been to the park many times. I love going with him at this age. He learns a slew of new words every time we go and has recently started singing the pirates song. He definitely remembers going as he constantly talks about the rides. Pirates, Peter pan, Buzz, and the carousel seem to be his favorites. If you do end up taking him, don't even think about not giving him his own gun when you ride Buzz. We made that mistake with my daughter at his age when we put three in the car leaving her without a gun. Only time she's ever thrown a temper tantrum at Disneyland.

 

[marhs]

We've taken our kids a bunch of times to Disney World and Disneyland - at ages 2, 3, 4, and this year at age 5. I think it's the BEST time to take a little one! The 2 year old will love it. So much is very little-kid friendly! The rides in Bugs Land are PERFECt for a 2 year old, and just seeing the sites is a great adventure for them -meeting characters, etc... I would bring them both along for sure! Plus, isn't it free for a 2 year old? Not sure on that one, I forget!

 

[fliplover101]

We just got back from a trip to Disneyland with a 2 1/2 year old, and he was great! He loved the characters and the Fantasyland rides, and spent hours playing in the downtown area of Toontown. While there will be some rides that the 5 year old will enjoy that the toddler won't, it seems totally workable to me. In terms of behavior, I remember when my brother and I were little and on the verge of a tantrum, they told us that since this was the happiest place on earth, no tantrums or bad attitudes were allowed. If we continued with the bad attitude or tantrum, they made us leave and sat with my brother or I outside the entrance for a while until we cooled down, then rejoined the rest of the family. Boy, we only had to leave once or twice till we both figured out that it was best to leave off the tantrums at Disneyland!! Don't know whether or not it would work, but with taking breaks from all the overstimulation, Disneyland can be great for toddlers.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Next week we will be going to DL to celebrate his 3rd birthday. His little brother (aka WDW souvenir) who is 6 months will be going too.

Um, we've looked all over WDW for those "WDW souvenirs" and haven't been able to find one. Where did you get yours?

 

[BeccaG]

Yet another who has taken kids to DL and WDW as toddlers. Our oldest, now 4 first went to WDW at age 6 months (since we are in So Cal, that meant a plane flight and a 6 hour long car ride since we visited relatives on that trip too). Our youngest, about to be 2, went to DL the first time at about 7 weeks and WDW at 5 months, and has loved going ever since. My motto has always been, "have wrap will travel." Of course, traveling to the parks is different with a toddler, so just be ready to go at their pace, and keep to naps etc, whether in the park or back in your hotel room. Heck, I like a good nap when we are in the parks a few days in a row too!

 

[jacs1234]

I'm from Brisbane so waaaaaaaaaay on the other side of the country to Perth.

I don't regret leaving the younger two at home the first time we went. I'm glad we've taken them since and glad we are going again with them all though, but now they're all such great ages. Actually, last year Grandma looked after all our 4 kids while dh and I spent our 15th Anniversary in Disneyland, just us two. Now that was Sweeeeeeeeeeeet. We did miss them (a little). But it was sooooooo much easier. We scooted around from ride to fastpass machine to ride to fastpass machine. We skipped meals, we ate at restaurants, we skipped more meals and we over indulged. We watched shows without having to leave for toilet breaks and there was a total of ZERO spilt drinks at meals. We didn't have to bring changes of clothes for us and we ate our cotton candy and caramel apples without sharing. We didn't have fights about the swimming pools. (Why swim in a pool when you can be in Disneyland?!?!?) And we totally skipped Tom Sawyer Island.

 

[Canadian DISNut]

(Why swim in a pool when you can be in Disneyland?!?!?)

I completely agree

Actually, we went on a (non-Disney) cruise for our Honeymoon and ended up with an extra day in Orlando before flying home. One guess where we spent it!

Now, one day in WDW is not nearly long enough, but still better than none. Our daughter was at home (almost 2 at the time) and I only felt a tiny bit guilty about seeing Mickey without her. She wouldn't remember if she had come. But we did the same thing, lots of fast passes, only stopped for food when we wanted to, got drenched in the rain and just ran back to the hotel to dry off, shoes slopping all the way and laughing about it. It was a blast!

 

[lightweight]

We are from Canada as well and went for our first time last year when our daughter was almost 2 and our son almost 5. They LOVED it and I think my daughter more so. This is not like Wonderland...my daughter went on EVERY ride we did. I often went without my husband (he was there on business) and all of the rides allow for three people so I went with both of the kids. If you can take them then go for it! Mind you my daughter is strong willed but doesnt throw tantrums...your son might be too distracted or you can dead it off with a nap...