jd99
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2001
- Messages
- 6,230
Just returned from five days at WDW -- our first trip with our DD, age 3. Our expectations were pretty low because we know how overwhelmed we are by Disney, so it has to be nuts for a 3-year-old. Tried to balance the "showing her some fun things" with "not overwhlelming her" Some days we won that battle, others we failed miserably.
We had a great time, but it was a challenge as she decided that she was afraid of pretty much everything. We had thought we had done a good job preparing her, even going to a mall last week to meet Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert & Ernie. She gave them big hugs and was excited as heck. But the first morning at the Cape May Breakfast Buffet, she scared the bejeebers out of Goofy by screaming at him as he approached. Same with Chip/Dale. Minnie got some kisses blown from afar, however. Had fun at MGM in the morning, but we had to leave Bear in the Big Blue House early due to it being "loud, daddy" Oh well, she's three. We had a lot of fun on the trip just hanging out as a family. We did have a very successful breakfast at the Crystal Palace, where she didnt' want Tigger to come to the table because he bounces too much, but was thrilled to see Piglet and said "daddy, I want to hug him" Piglet got his hugs and then so did Pooh. She loved the Cinderella show at the MK (even though it also was too loud!
) and really enjoyed the Lion King show at the AK.
Stayed at the Yacht Club for the first time and will likely stay there for all future visits. It was fantastic. The housekeeping staff did something fun every day...either arranging all of our stuffed animals, making bunnies of washcloths, etc. It was so cool and a neat surprise when we returned to the room.
For those going with a three year old for the first time, here are other things she really liked:
The Boardwalk was her favorite overall place at Disney. Laughed HARD at the jugglers and performers...loved riding the Surrey bikes around the boardwalk...had her face painted as a princess which was a big hit and was thrilled when Daddy sank a basket to win her a doggie at a boardwalk game. She also loved the Carousel in the MK and was okay with Small World.
Couldn't get near Dumbo for less than a 30 minute wait or the Pooh ride for less than 45.
For anyone who has been saying the parks are not crowded, I say 'ba" This is our third trip at this time of year within the past five years or so and this was the MOST crowded time I've ever seen -- and it was packed at EVERY park, including AK and MGM. Last time at MGM, I walked onto Tower of Terror twice in a row. This time, I did it once which was a thrill..but by the time I was done, the line was already at a 20 minute wait and building quickly.
Dinner highlights: The absolute best (as it always has been) was Artists Point. Kona Cafe was surprisingly good -- we had not expected it to be so good. Biggest dinner disappointment was Spoodles. The service was the absolute worst I have ever had at a WDW full service restaurant.
The flights were pretty easy, though on the way home, my daughter, who is obsessed with the story of the three little pigs, said in a very loud voice... "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your airplane down." Yikes, were we embarrassed that she would innocently say something so inappropriate. I guess we better get used to that. Waits at the Orlando airport were minimal...no line at security. We wound up with over two hours of waiting time after getting to the rental car return with almost three hours to spare before the flight at the Yacht Club's advice.
As always, the best part of the vacation was just being together as a family and having fun. Should have taken a little more "down time" during the trip coz now I'm exhausted. Thinking about the 7 day Disney Cruise this spring for that purpose.
Feel free to email me with any questions! (jd99@sgi.net)
Cheers!
We had a great time, but it was a challenge as she decided that she was afraid of pretty much everything. We had thought we had done a good job preparing her, even going to a mall last week to meet Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert & Ernie. She gave them big hugs and was excited as heck. But the first morning at the Cape May Breakfast Buffet, she scared the bejeebers out of Goofy by screaming at him as he approached. Same with Chip/Dale. Minnie got some kisses blown from afar, however. Had fun at MGM in the morning, but we had to leave Bear in the Big Blue House early due to it being "loud, daddy" Oh well, she's three. We had a lot of fun on the trip just hanging out as a family. We did have a very successful breakfast at the Crystal Palace, where she didnt' want Tigger to come to the table because he bounces too much, but was thrilled to see Piglet and said "daddy, I want to hug him" Piglet got his hugs and then so did Pooh. She loved the Cinderella show at the MK (even though it also was too loud!
) and really enjoyed the Lion King show at the AK. Stayed at the Yacht Club for the first time and will likely stay there for all future visits. It was fantastic. The housekeeping staff did something fun every day...either arranging all of our stuffed animals, making bunnies of washcloths, etc. It was so cool and a neat surprise when we returned to the room.
For those going with a three year old for the first time, here are other things she really liked:
The Boardwalk was her favorite overall place at Disney. Laughed HARD at the jugglers and performers...loved riding the Surrey bikes around the boardwalk...had her face painted as a princess which was a big hit and was thrilled when Daddy sank a basket to win her a doggie at a boardwalk game. She also loved the Carousel in the MK and was okay with Small World.
Couldn't get near Dumbo for less than a 30 minute wait or the Pooh ride for less than 45.
For anyone who has been saying the parks are not crowded, I say 'ba" This is our third trip at this time of year within the past five years or so and this was the MOST crowded time I've ever seen -- and it was packed at EVERY park, including AK and MGM. Last time at MGM, I walked onto Tower of Terror twice in a row. This time, I did it once which was a thrill..but by the time I was done, the line was already at a 20 minute wait and building quickly.
Dinner highlights: The absolute best (as it always has been) was Artists Point. Kona Cafe was surprisingly good -- we had not expected it to be so good. Biggest dinner disappointment was Spoodles. The service was the absolute worst I have ever had at a WDW full service restaurant.
The flights were pretty easy, though on the way home, my daughter, who is obsessed with the story of the three little pigs, said in a very loud voice... "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your airplane down." Yikes, were we embarrassed that she would innocently say something so inappropriate. I guess we better get used to that. Waits at the Orlando airport were minimal...no line at security. We wound up with over two hours of waiting time after getting to the rental car return with almost three hours to spare before the flight at the Yacht Club's advice.
As always, the best part of the vacation was just being together as a family and having fun. Should have taken a little more "down time" during the trip coz now I'm exhausted. Thinking about the 7 day Disney Cruise this spring for that purpose.
Feel free to email me with any questions! (jd99@sgi.net)
Cheers!
