Touring Plans needed w/2yo's in mind...

[disneyfan551]

Hi everyone! We will be headed to the World in a few weeks, and only have 1 day to spend at each park. There will be 3 families travelling together, with 3 2yo's. We would like to focus on fun for the kids, so if you have a great touring plan that you would like to share, we would greatly appreciate it!!

 

[WDWLinda]

We just returned after taking my 2 yr old son for a week. All I can say is, the only plan you should have is to be flexible, especially with 3 two yr olds! They'll each want to do their own thing and I doubt you'll all stay together too often. Take walkie talkies or cell phones so you can meet up with your party at different times & places.

We had planned on getting to the parks early and heading back to the room for an afternoon nap. Turns out my son napped pretty well in his stroller, so we didn't need to go back to the room. But there were some mornings when we tried to rush him out and all he wanted to do was stay in the room and play. He had a great time with the simple things - chasing lizards, playing in the pool, watching the Monorail and calling out the color of each one, riding the train, etc. Don't expect to cover as much ground as you would with all adults - just slow down and enjoy the simple stuff.

Some of the kiddie rides were still too loud or dark for him - I had to take him out of The Little Mermaid show and Mickey's Philarmagic. Plus I found it easier to just take him on rides rather than ask him first - take away the opportunity to say his favorite word, "No!".

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[castlegazer]

Plan on less is more.

In MK all we did was CRT, IASM, Belle's story time, got a Mickey hat, ate some Mickey bars, played in ToonTown, rode the train, and watched the parade. Oh and we slept in Country Bears Jamboree. We spent tons of time running through the rose garden, changing dialers in the Baby Care centers, and finding cool spots to sit for a minute and let the wee ones out of the strollers.

In Epcot we did the WSC, but I gotta tell you, this was too much. We rushed through each country and played a little in Italy and Japan, but that was it - it was a speed marathon punctuated by trying to find the best restrooms for changing - having both mothers not on the same changing schedule really screws up your day so try and coodinate the changing routines - but sometimes this just isn't possible. We should have not done so much and stayed longer in Living Seas which the wee ones loved. Same story for MGM - we tried to do too much in the heat.

 

[Lesley]

Plan to make changes in your plans as needed....

I found with a 2yo that we needed a lot of down time, both in and out of the parks. Time for the little one to take things in at her own pace instead of being overwhelmed by it all.

If you can manage, I'd try to hit an early entry morning at the MK (if you're staying on property)....because you can ride all the best stuff for little ones without waits. But then again, don't force it either.

The best thing is to really know the kids and know their signals about when its getting to be too much. Some kids do fine napping in strollers, others won't. Some kids thrive on all the action....others get overwhelmed.

As someone else said, I wouldn't plan to keep everyone together the whole time....2yo's with other 2yo's can be tricky at the best of times! Make sure all the parents involved feel free to meet the needs of their child as necessary...and the trip will be much more enjoyable!

 

[Madi100]

When I read the title to your thread, I laughed. I have a two year, and we tend not to plan. Her "plan" is to go against whatever we have planned. When I have plans, and they don't work out, I get stressed. With our trip, I have what day we are doing what, I have a few PS's, but otherwise, our leaders are going to be our two children. Please don't think that I'm being rude when I say I laughed. There might be people who can plan with their two year olds. Mine doesn't allow it for a bit. I was laughing at my own personal situation.

Seriously, though, if you are different families, you might want to split up. I seriously can't see my two year old enjoying Epcot that much. She'll enjoy Kidcot. She might like some of the shows. However, personally, I think that is an older age park. Maybe you could split up and some of you stay in MK and do more there, and the others can go to Ecpot without the two years olds.

I always have planned each day WHERE I want to go. If we are done at one park, we will certainly go to another. Animal Kingdom is one that we don't spend the whole day there.

Just go with the flow and make some great memories

 

[swilphil]

Make sure you hit the playgrounds in all the parks: MK's Toontown play area, MGM's Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, Epcot's Viking Boat in WS, and the Boneyard at AK.

AK--Actually if you only have one day in each park, I would skip AK. The only good ride it has for little ones is the Triceratops Spin, which is a nice alternative to Dumbo in MK if the line for that is too long.

MGM--Don't miss the Bear in the Big Blue House show, which also has Pooh, Tigger and some other Disney Playhouse characters. It's an interactive show, which works better with toddlers. They sit on the floor and can stand to dance if they want. Our toddlers also liked the Little Mermaid and Muppetvision show, but they wouldn't keep their glasses on.

MK--Fantasyland will probably have the most rides that the kids will do. Tomorrowland also has Buzz Lightyear ride. You might also want to go over to the Tom Sawyer Island to let the kids run around a bit. Do early entry here and head to Dumbo first.

Epcot--World Showcase is a nice place to leisurely stroll with your kids. There are several pavilions that have an area where the kids can just play. Read up on WS as there are all sorts of little hidden attractions that you don't see when just walking through.

Other tips:
GO EARLY. We made PS's for character meals in the parks before the park opened on non-Early Entry days.

Be prepared to split up with your group.

Make sure you ride the monorail, MK train and even the boat that goes between MGM, Boardwalk and Epcot.

Ask for the Child Watcher Pass on some of the Fast Pass rides. That way some adults can go on the fast pass rides while the others wait with the kids, then the group can switch. If you have any older kids they can go on twice. This is preferrable to the Baby Swap in that you don't have to make the kids wait in line with you.

 

[QuickGold]

For touring guides with kids for MGM, try http://www.mgmstudios.org/kidsguide.html

 

[Lesley]

I disagree with the AK assessment....lots of times little ones particularly enjoy just seeing the animals. And with the Boneyard, the Safari, and Rafiki's Planet Watch there are plenty of options. I never met a 2yo who didn't like a petting zoo! And to a 2yo the train ride out there is a "ride" not just how you get there. I will warn parents that the playgrounds at the parks...particularly at AK and MGM are a bit difficult with younger kids (toddlers, 2yo...) because you really have to stick with your child and some of the spaces are definitely more kid sized than adult sized. And they won't let you go down a slide with a child in your lap. But if you're adventurous, you can have fun too. With older kids I find it easiest to just park myself near the exit and wait for them....knowing that they can find me if they need me. That's totally not the case with the tiny ones!

Oh, yeah, I didn't mention....my dd at 2yo considered all the WDW transportation to be a ride! Even now at 3yo+ she begs to ride the bus. Go figure! I think its the novelty of not being in a carseat. But we always have to make sure we get on busses, boats and the monorail when at WDW. I think the kids even like the parking lot trams!

Some of my best times with my dd when she was about 2yo were just wandering at her pace around the parks and taking in whatever we happened to come across....character greetings, a show if we happened to walk past at the right time. Not that its never appropriate for the adult to lead...I mean, its probably the best thing to do as long as the child isn't requesting something different because the sheer number of choices at WDW is overwhelming even to adults....but it keeps the peace and makes everyone's time better to just go with those side-tracks that toddlers always find and enjoy them when they start making different plans from yours.

 

[disneyfan551]

Thanks for all of the responses! These are great! I will be making my notes for the not-to-miss kiddy things!

 

[mmeb144]

Dumbo! Dumbo! Dumbo!

Ok, the kid in me wants out! The first time we took the kids, my DD was 2, almost 3. We made a beeline to Dumbo because I'd heard that little ones just love this ride. She loved it! Try to ride Dumbo at least once.

Marie