Trip with 2 yr old

[wraunch]

My wife and I are taking my 2yr old son and our 15 yr old daughter a week before easter to WDW. The 15 yr old has been 2 times before. My son adores all things Disney Jr. and also like Shrek, Monsters Inc, etc. I am wondering which parks will be best for him? I'm thinking MK, AK, and HS. Also, what are the can't miss shows for that age? We typically skip all shows and go hard on rides but obviously things are different in a great way this time around. What else do I need to know/do/see with him? We're very excited and I know he will be.

 

[superdiz]

So fun! I will say - 2 was the most difficult trip we took so far with our son. We found naps and breaks in the day really helped but there were still tantrums and the moment where the binky was offered up to the waters below Dumbo when he learned that we had to do the line again to ride again.

MK and MGM are good parks for kids. I found Epcot was awesome at night to walk and get him to fall asleep while we could still enjoy a little nighttime Disney. Animal Kingdom is great too but I think we spent the majority of our time at MK and MGM. Disney Jr show is at MGM.

The princesses spend lots of time with your kids, as does Ariel, so if your kiddo is a fan of them, those lines are worth it.

Rope drop is your friend.

As are baby stations in each park.

Bring PJs and bedtime diapers with you to the park, that way he can fall asleep in the stroller and transfer is easier.

www.abbf.com rents full size cribs - huge help with our son as the Disney options weren't as cozy. He definitely slept better!

Move it Shake it Celebrate it was huge. Hoping it is still going on when we go this year

Philharmagic was so monumental for him that he makes me recite it to him each night and we've had to watch it so many times on YouTube I've lost count.

Have fun!!

 

[kellyjeanie]

Sounds like a ton of fun!

When we went, my 2-year-old really enjoyed the Disney Jr show in HS. He was tall enough to ride Barnstormer and all the rides over there in New Fantasyland, he loved it. I agree with the previous poster, if you can get there at rope drop he will be able to ride a lot with no waits! He enjoyed the character M&G's. He liked boat rides like Pirates and Living with the Land.

Rider swap was great for my bigger kids, since the 2-year-old couldn't ride they got to go twice in a row.

 

[jrtoastyman]

Good advice from superdiz. I'd also add a couple of observations having taken two trips to WDW with a 2 year old:

-With a child this age, you really need to be flexible in terms of what you do. You will find that they might be completely bored by a multi-million dollar attraction, but completely enraptured by some flowers they see along the side of a path. Take each moment as it comes and enjoy it for what it is.

-On a similar note, when you're considering whether or not to take a child that age on something, strip away all of the Disney magic, theming, etc., and just try to look at it on its most basic level -- what is it, and what does it do? Many rides that seem completely benign to adults and older children involve darkness, unexpected movement, and loud noises, and not all 2 year olds are on board with that.

 

[wraunch]

All great points! Where is a good place to read more about rider swap and what has changed with the fast pass system? We haven't been in two years. Great point about Philharmagic. I think my son will love that. He loves Fantasia. I think we'll have to try to catch the nighttime shows at HS and MK, possibly Epcot also, we'll see.

 

[phoebusII]

The Hollywood & Vine restaurant at HS (MGM) has a Disney Jr. character buffet. It might be worth having breakfast or lunch there. Also, Sully and Mike greet at HS.

 

[pemberley]

We just returned from a trip with our DD who is 2. This was her 3rd trip to WDW so we were kind of seasoned in touring with such a young one.

I agree with PP about rope drop. We were able to get so much more accomplished before the crowds strolled in. We'd have lunch, go back to our resort for a rest, and then come back for dinner ADRs. As far as parks she loved MK, AK, and HS. I don't know that I'd go back to AK with her again. There wasn't a whole lot there for her but your 15 year old might see it differently.

One thing I learned about traveling with a 2 year old is you have to go with the flow. We had our days planned out but we made changes on the fly when it was warranted. Because happy baby makes happy mommy and daddy.

 

[AHawkins80]

All great points! Where is a good place to read more about rider swap and what has changed with the fast pass system? We haven't been in two years. Great point about Philharmagic. I think my son will love that. He loves Fantasia. I think we'll have to try to catch the nighttime shows at HS and MK, possibly Epcot also, we'll see.

HI! We went last year when my youngest was 2 1/2 and my son was was 4, I also have a 14 yr step daughter. We utilized the child swap pass all the time where it was available. Basically you get this ticket where you would get your fast pass ( I believe you have to ask the CM for one) You can ride the ride (using the fast pass line) get off and give your spouse the child swap ticket and go through the fast pass line to get on the ride. It was great for my 4 and 14 yr old..they got to ride the ride twice (once with mommy then daddy) Oh Yes they give you the same amount of child swap tickets thats in your party. you can read about this under the WDWinfor.com/childswap

Have a blast! My youngest still remembers everything and talks about the rides as if it was last week. Even though she's 3 1/2 and was 2 1/2 when she went, she remembers!!!

 

[wraunch]

This is all very helpful. What is the deal with the fastpass system now? I hear it has changed??? Also, I was looking into the character meals and I completely agree my son would most likely enjoy the meal at Hollywood and Vine. Which meal is the best deal? Is the food good? We typically do a decent breakfast at the condo then eat sandwiches we pack for lunch and go back for early dinner then hit more rides and catch the night shows. What is the nighttime show at HS now?

 

[lakoda]

Hi,
We took our 5 year old for her first time when she was 22 months, and we still say that was our best trip with her! In addition to the other recommendations - please make sure that you work in some time for free play and opportunities to burn off energy. It is really easy to keep them in a stroller going attraction to attraction, then confined to a line while waiting. This definitely can lead to tantrums & frustration! Tom Sawyer Island is great space to take a "break" from the stimulation overload that can sometimes happen with younger children in the parks. We also loved both the trails at AK - we ditched the stroller for a while & let her lead & explore.

Her favorite rides/shows at that age: dumbo (we rode it 5 times that trip!), carousel, Disney jr show, philharmagic, & meeting mickey!

Also don't let him get too hungry, stay on top of snacks & hydration...time flies when you're having fun!

You can get tons of handy tips & ideas on the family board as well

Have a great trip!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We took my ds7 for the first time when he was 3 and he actually loved Epcot. It was his fav park besides magic kingdo. He loved all the simulator type rides. This year he's into world showcase more I think. He is fascinated with other countries and their traditions. We also took him when he was 5 his fav ride was soarin he thought it was incredible to fly through the air on the simulator. He wants to do mission space this time around but I have horrible vertigo and my hubby is claustrophobic lol so we will have to pass this time around lol

 

[nfggirl5454]

This is all very helpful. What is the deal with the fastpass system now? I hear it has changed??? Also, I was looking into the character meals and I completely agree my son would most likely enjoy the meal at Hollywood and Vine. Which meal is the best deal? Is the food good? We typically do a decent breakfast at the condo then eat sandwiches we pack for lunch and go back for early dinner then hit more rides and catch the night shows. What is the nighttime show at HS now?

When we do character buffets, we usually prefer a slightly later breakfast. My just turned 3 year old nephew will eat a light snack, maybe a banana and buddy fruit. We'll get to the park at rope drop, do a ride or two, and then do the breakfast. That way we don't really need lunch, maybe just a snack, and we're good until dinner. And for what it's worth, we really liked the breakfast at Hollywood and Vine! My nephew loves dinner at Chef Mickey's. He still talks about their mickey-shaped macaroni and cheese every time we see the Contemporary!

As for not to be missed shows, the Disney Jr. show at DHS is good, of course. My nephew hasn't seen Finding Nemo, but he was really into the Nemo show at AK last month.

I saw the recommendation for boat rides - if your son is scared of the dark, beware! Maelstrom is dark and kinda creepy with the trolls, my nephew flipped out last time we rode it. He's refused to go on Pirates for about half a year now because of the "waterfall drop," as he calls it, but I have high hopes he'll be over that soon. The princesses really are great with kids. We met Cinderella and Aurora last month because there was no wait, and Aurora especially was so sweet talking to him.

 

[wraunch]

I booked a 10:20 breakfast at Hollywood and Vine. What should we try to hit at rope drop at HS?

 

[jms]

Its a Small World was my daughters favorite ride when we went last year. She was 20 months. My 8 and 9 year old son did not agree with her though

 

[linzbear]

See, I'm confused. I've done 2yo twice now, and DHS is my least favorite park for toddlers. All there is is Disney Jr show. Can't do ToT, RnRC, Star Tours, they don't keep the glasses on for the 3D shows (including TSMM, where the ball/string was too hard for him to pull and aim at the same time), Great Movie Ride is way too scary. That leaves Indy, LMA, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and then One Man's Dream & Animation Tour. Animation Tour if you want to meet the characters is fine, Little Mermaid is scary. So if you think your little one would like shows, then it's a great place to go.

We once walked in at rope drop, TSMM was down, Disney Jr show wasn't starting for 2 hours, playground wasn't open. We did Muppets (where he didn't keep the glasses on), then got on the boat to Epcot.

Epcot, by the way, has Figment, Mexico's ride, Nemo, (all three of which, you can ride over and over again with little to no wait), Spaceship Earth, a splash pad, and a ridiculous amount of characters. Not to mention Innoventions where there is a Fire Truck, and a lot of mini games (there's a giant shape sorting game they always loved). They also loved the shows in the countries (Mime in France, Drums in Japan), and the hedge maze in the UK. Oh, and the Jammitors. I've never understood the "Toddlers don't like Epcot" thing - it's been their favorite park every time.

 

[World Showcaser]

See, I'm confused. I've done 2yo twice now, and DHS is my least favorite park for toddlers. All there is is Disney Jr show. Can't do ToT, RnRC, Star Tours, they don't keep the glasses on for the 3D shows (including TSMM, where the ball/string was too hard for him to pull and aim at the same time), Great Movie Ride is way too scary. That leaves Indy, LMA, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and then One Man's Dream & Animation Tour. Animation Tour if you want to meet the characters is fine, Little Mermaid is scary. So if you think your little one would like shows, then it's a great place to go. We once walked in at rope drop, TSMM was down, Disney Jr show wasn't starting for 2 hours, playground wasn't open. We did Muppets (where he didn't keep the glasses on), then got on the boat to Epcot. Epcot, by the way, has Figment, Mexico's ride, Nemo, (all three of which, you can ride over and over again with little to no wait), Spaceship Earth, a splash pad, and a ridiculous amount of characters. Not to mention Innoventions where there is a Fire Truck, and a lot of mini games (there's a giant shape sorting game they always loved). They also loved the shows in the countries (Mime in France, Drums in Japan), and the hedge maze in the UK. Oh, and the Jammitors. I've never understood the "Toddlers don't like Epcot" thing - it's been their favorite park every time.

I guess it depends on what your toddler is in to? I thought DHS was a great park for my toddler because of all the shows, the slower pace, the great character interactions, the ambience, and the specific attractions geared toward him like Disney Junior and Honey I Shrunk the Playground. There were lots of places to stroll around, like the Streets of America and land speeders and drive-in cars to sit in. The only rides or shows we didn't do with him were ToT, RnRC and Fantasmic.

 

[wraunch]

Would I be better off hitting a ride or a show, then my breakfast at HS at 10:20, a few more rides/shows then leaving for Epcot? We could do most of the rides and watch Illuminations instead of staying for Fantasmic. If that is better should we drive over to Epcot? I just worry about riding the boat after Illuminations with a 2 yr old that will be asleep most likely.