Typical "week" with toddlers at Disney World?

[Picabo]

I'm sure I'll get plenty of different answers - which is GOOD! haha But I'm wondering what schedule people keep while staying 7nts when you have 2 toddlers. I've been to DW SEVERAL times (grew up near there) but have never been with kids and never stayed onsite. My girls will be 2 1/2 and almost 4 when we go in early December.

We will be at the Polynesian and I would like to try to keep a fairly easy pace - I don't want to tire the girls out too quickly. So we really would like to get back to the hotel in the afternoons (at least most days) to rest a bit. But now I'm wondering if we want to go at a slower pace - is 7nts enough time? I imagine we'll only spend about 1/2 day each at Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios. And I'd like to be able to get to downtown disney at least once so we can go shopping, eat there, etc.

So I'm curious to see what other's schedules are like with toddlers that age. How fast (or slow) of a pace do you see things? And how well do the kids hold up? How much down time do you schedule in and how late do you stay out in the evenings? I was planning to try to get back to the resort by 730ish each night so as to keep their schedule as close to home as possible. (Except one night for Mickey's Christmas Party and one night for Fantasmic!)

THANKS!!!

 

[Belle72]

We usually do 2 park days in a row, one non park day and repeat the pattern. We return for naps. The night before a non park day we stay for fireworks or late entertainment if everyone can hang. That way everyone can sleep in the next day. You have to go at the child's pace or risk a bad time for eveyone in your party (and possibly for those around you!)

 

[verlee]

my ds3 did pretty well. We tried to get to the parks in am as soon as we could. The earlier we got to the park, the more we saw and did. We got fast passes for when we returned in the afternoon, after nap. In the am, we took advantage of the shorter lines. We took one day off for just swimming and relaxing. We only did one late night (9:30), then slept in the next day. We were in the room every night by 7:30-8pm. We tried to stick as close to their home schedule.

One important thing that we needed to remind ourselves (ok... I had to remind dh ) was to go at their pace. Don't have too many expectations. One morning ds did not want to wait in lines. So he and I just took a walk and explored. He lead the way and it was really great. One of my favorite memories. After the unstructured time he was ready to wait for rides again. We did get FP for some adult rides (we needed to have our rides too) but we used them when the kids were eating lunch or at a playground.

It is very doable. I would do it again in a heart beat! Have a great time!!

 

[ashlansmom]

Well, I think that 7 days is plenty of time. I really wouldn't spend too much time worrying about Epcot because although it is MY favorite park, it is really tough to keep young ones interested in the World Showcase. Next time we go, we may skip it altogether, or just hit the rides in the front and a couple of our favorite countries.

I don't know about DHS, we didn't do that with our 2 year old. We didn't even do Animal Kingdom, she just loved Magic Kingdom so much and we were only there 4 days so we did Magic Kingdom and Epcot and sacrificed Animal Kingdom.

I can say that my 2 year old NEEDED the down time and even with a nap was too exhausted to be stretched to the spectro parade that I was dying to take her to, which at the time of year we went was at 9pm. I really hoped we could take it easy one day and get a good enough nap in to get her to that, but she was beyond exhausted. It was just so much stimulation for her! The heat takes it right out of them too, although that might not be so bad in December. We went in April last year.

I highly recommend getting them to bed early and getting to the parks early. Kids this age (esp. the 2 year old set) don't do well waiting in lines, so the earlier you hit Fantasyland the better, take advantage of the fast passes, etc. Once the lines build up, it's very tough to make a young one understand what they are waiting for.

Bring snacks and water, low blood sugar and overstimulation=tantrums!

I think Fantasmic might be too much for the 2 year old, the 4 year old might be fine. I was just reading a trip report of someone who said her husband had to take the 2 younger kids out 15 minutes in because it was just too much for them.

I say take your time, take breaks and naptime, and don't do too many sit down DINNERS that would occur without a nap prior. This is a recipe for disaster! Sit down breakfast or lunch might be better. We did order groceries and did a lot of meals at the resort counter service, breakfast from our room or quickly at teh Main St. bakery.... it's definite that the kids will run the show and the plans you make have to be flexible, they are young and it's hard to tell how they will react to such fun and all for so many days. That being said, it was the most magical thing we have ever done with our 2 year old and if I can convince my husband to book again this spring, I WILL! OH, the daytime parade was a big hit, although I still wished we got to see Spectro, she loved the daytime parade and it was amazing watching her face throughout it! Just remember that your plans have to be made knowing they might have to change, and remember that it doesn't ALL have to be done in one trip if the kids can't handle it. It's better to keep them happy and rested than have a miserable day at the park that no one enjoys. As much as we all want to cram it all in, it's most magical with little ones when you take your time and try to keep them happy and with their schedule. ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!!!

 

[ashlansmom]

Sorry... one more thing. I meant to also say, as you know, you will be on the monorail line which will be FABULOUS for convenience of coming and going to Magic Kingdom and Epcot! We were on site at the WL last year and had the boat service and I wouldn't do it any other way..... unless maybe it meant the difference of not being able to go at all. LOL. BUT, really, being onsite with that transport ease, makes it SO great with little ones as well! Our little girl loved the boat rides and the monorail, we never got in a car the whole time we were there and only rode the bus once to get to dinner at the AKL. I hope you enjoy your resort, i woul dlove to stay there one day!

 

[ktlm]

My DD was 2yrs 10 months when we went in December for her 1st trip. She is fairly high energy at home and she did great at WDW. We did one sit down table service meal a day which was a good rest break (even if they were character). Lunch seemed to work best as that would calm her down and then she would get in the stroller and take a nap. I expected we would leave the parks for an afternoon break/nap, but quickly found that all attempts to leave for that purpose were met with kicking and screaming and the one time we did it all I got was an angry child that refused to go to sleep. Of course a couple hours later when we finally gave up and went to MK, once she was sure she was there, she got in her stroller and took a nap. She did best just napping in her stroller when she was tired. We got there as close to park opening every day as we could, but she did not adjust to the one hour time change and is not a morning person, so we only made rope drop one day (and that was the ONLY day that she was cranky in the morning at the park, so we should not have pushed her to get up early). We stayed at the parks until after the evening parade/fireworks/ entertainment. I think the fact she did not adjust to the one hour time change probably helped her stay up for the evening stuff. The first night she looked tired so I suggested we leave Epcot before Illuminations and she said "NO! I want to see the fireworks"- so we stayed. She watched half the show and then said- okay I'm ready to go to bed now. Spectromagic was a HUGE hit and one of the highlights for the trip for her- she still talks about it and wants to see it again. The Christmas parade at MVMCP was another big hit. Fantasmic was too intense for her. She was terrified during the scary part and says now that she won't go see it again unless it is ONLY the first part and the Princess on the boat part- I told her she was out of luck on that one as WDW wouldn't be changing the whole show just for her. We were towards the front. I would recommend sitting in the back with kids that little. That way it is not as intense and you can leave if they are too scared.

I completely disagree with avoiding Epcot with 2 girls. It was DDs favorite park, other than MK of course. We spent a full day at Epcot and did not have enough time. She loved WS because there were a lot of Princesses outside (and we did the Princess lunch), and she loved watching the entertainment outside and going to the Kidcot stations. She loved the Nemo Ride and the Figment ride and the areas when you get off those 2 rides, but
we really didn't get to spend that much time in future world because we couldn't get her out of world showcase.

Whether you can get by with a 1/2 day at DHS depends on what you want to do. DHS is show heavy- so how long you take may depend on the show schedule. DD loved the Beauty and the Beast, Ariel, and Muppet shows. Also, unless things change by then, if you want to ride Toy Story Mania (one of DD's absolute favorite rides from her trip, second only to Peter Pan and Small World) you will have to get there 1st thing in the morning as the fast passes are gone in a couple of hours and the line gets long quick- so if you plan to see Fantasmic and the Osborne lights too, then unless you leave and come back- you are talking a full day. For us, because DD likes shows, DHS was a good slow day. We spent most of the day sitting and watching shows instead of running around like crazy. It was probably the most "rest" we got in a day at WDW.

 

[AmyMama2AvaNtheo]

I am wondering this as well ... We are traving in May with a 2 1/2 and a 4 1/2yr old (omg when did my kids get that old? .. anyway)

We will be there 8days 7nights ... I have planned 1park each day. Leaving as soon as the kids are up and staying until after lunch. Returning for a nap/rest period and then going back in the evenings for dinner or just to browse some more. We also have a day with no *real* activities planned and another day where we can return to whatever park the kids want.

Since both Dh and I have been to Disney previously, this trip is truely for the kids so whatever they want to do .. goes. Def. move at their pace .. if they want to stop and smell every flower rather than ride the rides .. so be it. They will not regret that ...

 

[Goofy'slady]

I'm sure I'll be in the minority with this response but I'm a mum of 2 girls ages 10 and 3. I've taken both my girls to WDW as toddlers; especially our youngest her first trip was back in 2007 when she was one month shy of turning 2 and last year when she again was a month shy of turning 3 and this year she'll be a month shy of turning 4. We're a sun up til sun down kinda family. If she gets sleepy then we just recline her seat in her stroller and let her take a nap. Sometimes she could be out for 15mins or as much as 30-40mins; they're mini versions of her normal naps back home but they give her enough energy to keep up with the rest of us.

With that said we schedule at least 2 non-park days in our vacation where the kids (and adults) can catch up on their sleep if they want, swim in the pool and just move at a slower pace; it is a vacation after all.

T.

 

[tzolkin]

My kids were almost 2, 4, and 9 last year when we went. Our "typical" day was get up for amEMH and stay in that park until lines/crowds started to form (usually by about 11:30). We headed back to the hotel and ALL got in bed for naps. My two older kids and DH & I have really never taken naps in our lives, but every time we all slept for several hours. We got up around 4:00 and headed back to a different park for the evening. We usually left by 8:00-8:30 and the kids were bathed and in bed by 10 or so. (Much later than at home, but it worked since we got so much rest in the afternoons.)

Getting to the parks early was the most valuable thing for us because we were able to do pretty much everything we really wanted to do in that park in those first two hours or so. During our afternoons/evenings in the parks we found very long lines, so we used fastpass, did the less popular attractions, or just walked around.

Our kids were even more well behaved than at home and we had no crying/tantrums. I think that was because we avoided lines, didn't stress about fitting everything in, and only spent 3-4 hours in a park at a time, so they never got tired or over-stimulated. We also really valued the naptime because it was nice to snuggle up in a cool, dark room when it was 100degrees outside.

 

[Picabo]

I'm really REALLY enjoying reading all these responses! It's giving me many different ideas and, making me feel less worried about meltdowns! haha We do definately plan to take advantage of the EMH in the AM. So having a sit down lunch and then heading to the room for a long siesta sounds like the right way to go!

THANKS!

 

[brandylouwho]

We had a 19 month old and a child who turned 5 while we were at WDW this past year. I had planned a fairly relaxation heavy trip, but they wanted to rest even more than I had planned.

They would awake bright and early (too early) so we made it for rope drop most days. We'd stay in the park until noonish or 1:00 pm, then go back to the room and rest, swim or do resort activities. Some late afternoons or early evenings we'd ventrue back out. This was almost always a bad idea for us as the girls were ready for bed by 7:00 pm almost every night. We did venture out a few times at night--we let them sleep in the stroller while we wandered through the world showcase.

We had a few non park days in there (which drives me crazy, but thats me). We still did cool stuff on those days like a Fort Wilderness Carriage ride and a Pirate Cruise for the 5 yr old.

We had an 11 night vacation and this pattern of get up early and go...but go to bed early really worked for us. I missed most fireworks, but I have seen them before and will see them again...taking the kids cues of when to go, go, go & when to rest made our vacation so much more pleasant.

I tried & tried to force afternoon naps on them. The baby usually took one, but the 5 yr old just would not fall asleep. One night hubby and I were feeling stuck in the room (one of us had to be there with the kids) so we ordered room service from Jiko. Best idea we ever had! We enjoyed a wonderful meal with the kids sleeping nearby.

 

[olivia's mommy]

This really is a great thread!

We took our 18 mth old last year and it was great! Our plan was to get to the parks early, leave after lunch for a nap and relaxing at the pool and then go back for dinner/evening. We had a reservation just about everyday so that also "ruled" our schedule but it worked really well. There were two days where we didn't go back to the room for a nap and DD napped in the stroller. She has always been a great stroller baby so we had no problems. And it gave me and DH time to ride the adult rides! The only bummer about going back to the room for a nap is that you will almost always miss the afternoon parade...we never saw one during our trip. But it is really great to go back and sleep, DH and I would also always fall asleep. Then we usually woke up, had a snack in the room (I ordered groceries) and then take a swim.

We were usually back in our room around 8 or 8:30pm. We stayed for evening fireworks once and for the evening parade once. It was just easier to leave the parks before closing time to get a spot on the bus!

The waterparks were a HUGE hit with DD. I thought it wouldn't be as fun because we couldn't take her on the big slides but she was having so much fun in the kiddie park and in the lazy river that it was worth it. The first day at Blizzard Beach, she had so much fun and worked herself up that around 1pm, she got really crabby and I stuck her in the stroller, reclined the seat and she fell asleep about 10 seconds later! Dh and I enjoyed the next two hours, taking turns doing our own thing and taking naps too!

I also made sure that TS dinners were made around 5 or 5:30. 6 would have worked too but we had one meal at 7 and it was almost a disaster because they were 30 minutes late! Luckily we kept her occupied and the food was quick!

Oh and character meals are a must!!!!!!! And carry lots of snacks with you!!

Another thing I would say is to remember to just enjoy the simple things besides the rides and shows. One of my favorite memories is taking Dd out of her stroller and letting her run around after the birds and bunnies that hang around the water at Epcot. She just had a blast and we didn't even have to stand in line!

Also, don't forget to grab fast passes for everything you can! They are a lifesaver.

I think you mentioned that you weren't sure about DHS. While we only spent half a day there, we would go back. There is the Little mermaid show, Mickey mouse playhouse show, new toy story ride and lots of characters that appeal to toddlers and other little ones.

Those are some of my thoughts but many others have raised really good points. I hope to bring DD again later this year or next and I am sure it will be even more fun!

 

[ashlansmom]

Quote:
I completely disagree with avoiding Epcot with 2 girls. It was DDs favorite park, other than MK of course. We spent a full day at Epcot and did not have enough time. She loved WS because there were a lot of Princesses outside (and we did the Princess lunch), and she loved watching the entertainment outside and going to the Kidcot stations. She loved the Nemo Ride and the Figment ride and the areas when you get off those 2 rides, but
we really didn't get to spend that much time in future world because we couldn't get her out of world showcase.


Our daughter was 10 months younger, there were no characters in World Showcase the morning we were there... maybe bad planning on our part? Maybe there is a character schedule I didn't know about? In any case, my daughter DID enjoy kidcot, but it got a little tiresome halfway through.... it is a nice touch though. Maybe if we go back we'll check into these character appearances so we are in the right place at the right time. She liked Future World, but not World Showcase so much.... someone who said they had their child there at night and asleep in the stroller while they browsed World Showcase has the right idea! I might try that!

 

[bellebud]

my kids are now 9 and 7, but our first trip was when they were 3.5yo and 22 months. we stayed at the GF for 12 nights. we mainly did 1/2 days in the parks, going in the mornings (extra magic hour for mk and mgm), having lunch ressies at a character meal (usually) for 11:30am, then leaving the park to go nap. after naps, we did a variety of things... went to an afternoon parade and grabbed an ice cream at that park (but didn't try to ride any rides), maybe had dinner somewhere, saw a show, checked out other resorts and had dinner at that resort, or went swimming at our hotel. AND we usually did every other day or so off - just swimming at our hotel and hanging out, taking monorail rides (to epcot and back), visiting playgrounds around WDW, etc. We took it super-duper slow, and our kids never once had a tantrum, whined, or anything. We didn't do any baby swap or anything - we only did the rides for little ones, so we had plenty of time to do everything we could in all the parks. we went in May, so the parks weren't crowded, and we had perfect weather! I remember having "picnics" on our GF balcony at night to watch the water parade - we sat on a sheet, had snacks and waited for the parade. it was always a perfect ending to the day. we'd sleep-in the next morning if we stayed up that late. we never got to see the spectromagic parade, because we couldn't stake out a spot an hour before the parade w/ the kids - so we had plenty to still experience, and we've been back anywhere from 1 to 3 times each year since then because it was such an enjoyable, relaxing vacation! We still do our vacations like that (not AS slow since the kids are older), but we do lots of down time and don't come home exhausted.

enjoy your trip!

 

[Fall1]

I am loving this thread!! We are planning an October or November trip when my twins will be 28/29 months old. I'm loving all the suggestions!! Thanks OP!!

 

[marriedtothebeast]

When you're talking toddlers and Disney, an afternoon rest is great, but if you plan on going back to the parks in the evening, you MUST have them nap. The biggest mistake I hear people make is they go back to the resort to "rest," but the kids wind up spending the afternoon in the pool. We all know that water and sunshine tires us out, so even though the dip in the pool feels refreshing in the heat, don't do it unless you don't plan on returning to the parks that night. OR head for the pool when you first get back to the resort, let the kids swim for a bit, then go back to the room and let them catch a nap. Because some of the best stuff happens at the parks at night, and you don't want to miss it!

 

[brandylouwho]

The more I think about this, the more I remember...

I have never had much success with keeping the kids up in the evening at Disney, nap or no nap...mine are tired relatively early. They are early risers and that may have a lot to do with it. When we had only one child, we just let her sleep in the stroller while we were out & about in the evening. This was a good time to try the big thrill rides, as she couldn't go on them anyway. This past year, with 2 kids & the ages they are (1 1/2 and 5) it was more of a bother to get them back (using Disney transportation, carrying 2 kids, a big stroller, etc). We could do it, but didn't want to every night.

We learned to make early ADRs if we were eating dinner out. Like as early as possible, 4:30-5:30 pm range.

The world showcase was a bomb for the last couple of years. Bad timing, the kids ages, I am not sure why, but it didn't go over well with them. But it has always been a hit with me...so we kept trying and this year it was pretty fun. The 5 yr old loved the kidcot stops (a bit time consuming and silly from my point of view--kids coloring with PERMANENT MARKERS!?! but if it keeps her happy). The baby is easier going than the eldest and was easily entertained with all that was going on around her.

HS is probably our least fave park right now (we like it...just less than the others). Playhouse Disney was a hit, sitting through shows was tough on our youngest. Eldest is too short for the trill rides yet (& too scared anyway). We've done most of the attractions on other trips and didn't LOVE them enough to HAVE to do them again. This year we went to see the Osborne lights, Toy Story Mania & Playhouse Disney. I think that is it. Oh, and we met Mater & Lightning McQueen. But we do usually go to WDW at least once a year, so seeing everything every time is not a priority to us.

This year we are going with another family, 4 girls ages 5 down to 2. It shall be interesting to say the least.

 

[hubb1972]

Great thread as we will be going the end of March for 8 days with 3 kids, 5, 2, and 7 months. It will be a challenge to say the least but my wife and I are used to it and up to the challenge (I hope!) Lots of good advice here.

I am at odds with the the whole "going back to the hotel thing" in the afternoon. With 3 kids, it seems like such a hassle to go and come back even if you drive to the park. The 5 year old probably won't nap anyways. The 2 year old "whild child" girl will definitely get a nap or I am leaving anyways lol. She really is irritated when going without a nap. She can nap in the park in the stroller I hope. The baby naps whenever he wants to wherever he wants to, very unpicky so he will be fine. If we drive to the park and get close to the entrance I could see maybe walking to the van for a nap and lunch maybe but that presents other challenges (heat for example, burn gas for AC, etc.)

We went a few years ago when my son was 3 and my daughter was about 6 months. We stayed at the park all day and it worked out fine. The baby slept whnever she felt like it and actually was ok during the rides she could get on. My son napped during the waiting time for the afternoon parade and actually slept through part of the parade and was fine thereafter.

This time we will definitely take days off from the parks to recuperate, or have a very light day at a park on off days. 2 parks in a row is enough, 3 or more are tough and you just get worn out. We did a 6 day straight one time just as a couple many years ago and my feet still hurt just thinking about it!

 

[LisaNJ25]

I am also a sun up-down type of person. The kids adapted fine. They turned 2 and 3 on the last trip and will turn 4 and 5 on this one.

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

Most importantly we go back to the hotel before, or after, lunch for the afternoon nap. When they wake up, we can go to dinner, or back to the parks for some of the awesome evening entertainment. You will be at the Poly so you can see Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach area I believe. Easy access to MK and Epcot since you are right on the monorail line. Also, we take at least one day off from the parks to sleep in, hang out at the hotel, and tour DTD. Has worked really well for my family. But I cannot stress enough the daily nap/time away from the parks. You all have some downtime and can go back if you want to later that way. We would bathe the kids after nap time if we were going to stay out for Spectromagic parade, Fantasmic! or fireworks. We did not do this every night but did try to do at least 3 nights out to see these things. DGS 3 at the time and DGD 18 mos at the time, loved all of the evening festivities. We would plan at least 4 hours for time at the hotel in between though. Have a blast. You know your children best so go with what you know. You will be able to go back when they are older too.