WDW with 2.5 year old?

[normmo]

Hi - My DH is dying to take our DS to Disney and wants to go next year. We were thinking about November when Sam will be two and a half. My question is, is it worth going with a toddler? I know that we'll have to do half days in the parks, go back for a nap and swim plus do kid friendly rides. We are also going with Grandma, my sister and her husband and will probably be there for ten days. I know that people go with every age and size of children but just wanted to know that I'm not crazy if we do this!
Thanks,
Mo

 

[turnlisa]

No, you are not crazy to do this! This is absolutely one of those things that everyone should do when their child is small. The memories and pictures that you get at this time are priceless.

We started taking my older DS (who is now turning 7) when he was 2.5. Some of those early trips with him were the greatest since everything seemed so new, big and magical to him. Last year we took my younger DS (who is now 2) who was 9 months at the time. I would not have missed him playing peek-a-boo with Piglet for anything and it made the whole trip worth it.

This is a trip for you, more than him, since he won't remember it. But the looks on their faces and the joys you can experience watching them are magical! I say, "Go for it!"

 

[Disneyolic]

We'll be going in November with our 4-yo and 2½-yo boys. It will be their first trip. Both boys are definitely ready for WDW. They are both excited. I brainwashed them but good.

We do plan on taking a rest in the afternoon but we will definitely be winging it. Remember that in November the parks close very early. With that in mind, we are going to try to leave the parks by 2 pm-ish and give them a short nap (hopefully). Not too long though so we can go to dinner and do some more evening things. Epcot stays open later.

I will definitely be posting after our trip.

Good luck in your planning...GO FOR IT!

 

[pezheadval]

Absolutely!

We took my daughter at 6 months and another time when she just turned 1. We are going in October and she is 2 1/2. She is so excited and can't stop talking about the trip. I know she will have a blast. I'm sure she doesn't remember being there was she was only 6 months old, but it was a great family trip, she really enjoyed everything when we were there and likes to look back at the pictures. And now, at 2 1/2, she is at a great age. I can't wait to see her face when she sees the Castle for the first time, rides Dumbo, meets Mickey etc. It will be magical for you and your child. Go for it!

 

[normmo]

Thanks for the feedback! Now I can start planning - I've only got fourteen months so I'd better get cracking! LOL

 

[Disneyolic]

Fourteen months is nothing...I've been planning since my 2½ was born (probably even before).

 

[huey duey & luey]

We will also be going next November with our 21/2 year olds All 3 of them.

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

Speaking from experience , a big consideration is your DS's personality/temperment.

My DD3 has always been very shy, does not like loud sounds. While in public, she is a very quiet and not terribly social child.

She has been to WDW three times. Trip 1 she was 13 months old. It was that magical trip we parents all hope to have. Her awareness was not keen enough to interfere with the things we wanted to do. She participated in all the attractions where there were no height restrictions. Great trip!!

Trip 2 she was 2.5 years old. She acted like a crazy person when I tried to put her on the Pooh ride. She did not like for the characters to approach her. As long as she could ride in her stroller and take in the sights with no other expections of her, she was okay.

Trip 3 was last week. She turned 3 in August. She really looked forward to the trip. Talked about it, demanded it, watched the vacation planning video as if it were a movie. Reality played cruel tricks on the girl! The parks are loud, there are people everywhere, the characters can be overwhelming. It was really too much for her.

We're going to wait a couple of years (if I can wait that long) before going again. Hopefully, she will blossom socially a little by then. Compared to a year ago, she's come a long way.

Speaking of cruel jokes - to think WDW is my favorite place in the world and I was handed a child who does not like the place. Not fair!!

 

[SpyMom]

Absolutely GO!!!

We took two trips before our kids were school age and they were the best!! The first time they were 3 1/2 and 18 months, then almost 5 and almost 3. Both trips were happy fun memories for all of us. They may not have real memories of the first trip, but they love looking at the pictures. And They did remember the first trip while we were planning the second.

Also, we are now planning our first trip where we will have to take them out of school -- what a pain!!!

Don't worry about getting your "money's worth". Don't expect to ride the big rides. Stop for the little things like Belle's Storytime, and enjoy the magic through their eyes. You'll never forget it!

Have a great time!!!

 

[normmo]

Originally posted by SpyMom
Absolutely GO!!!


Don't worry about getting your "money's worth". Don't expect to ride the big rides. Stop for the little things like Belle's Storytime, and enjoy the magic through their eyes. You'll never forget it!

Have a great time!!!

This is absolutely our plan. I want to take him for a few hours each day and if he wants to spend the time looking for bugs on the ground or whatever that's fine. I see too many parents hauling their screaming, tired children around because the parents want to do the rides or keep going all day. Besides, since we'll be going with so many family members, my DH and I can spend an afternoon doing the parks while Sam hangs out with grandma or his aunt. Luckily too, our little guy is very outgoing, doesn't mind loud noises, is happy all the time, big people in costumes make him giggle and he loves to try new things. Sounds like a good candidate for Disney! Anyway, it's nice to know that toddlers can enjoy Disney and we're not crazy for doing this!
Mo

 

[Kimberle]

2 1/2 was one of our best trips. Much easier than when she was 3.5 (didn't want to sit or wait, wanted to do her own "thing".)

You might not have to go back to the hotel for naps. Dd just napped in her stroller. We'd just park it in the shade & dh & I would take turns going on rides.

 

[MinnieGi]

2 1/2 can be a blast in the World!!!!

It sounds like you have the right attitude for a trip with a toddler - half park days, nap and swim time - just a relaxed trip. Our DD has been at 14 months, two and 2 1/2 and all have been very fun and relaxed trips. She's all set for her fourth trip at the end of this month at the age of 3.

Little ones can make a trip so magical. Its fun to see and hear what they find intresting and they help slow the trip down in a good way so you really enjoy your surroundings. We have such precious pictures and video of DD during her toddler years at WDW. Even though she won't remember these trips - I do!!!!!! And I have very fond memories of each! I also think WDW is one of the easiest vacations to take a toddler to. They are used to tons of kiddies and cater to them.

My best advice is to see what intrests your toddler. We found out right away DD LOVED the characters. She loves to hug and play with them. We also found out she LOVES the pools! We spend lots of time at the resort pools when we go. Sometimes we do afternoon and evening after dinner b/c DD wants more of the pool. We also found out right away she does not like any of the "dark" moments or characters and will close her eyes to avoid them. So we avoid characters and rides of that nature.

Have a happy 14 months planning!!

 

[Princesa]

Just got back with my DD who turned two while there! She had a blast!! We finally reached the point that we had to skirt Fantasyland unless we wanted to ride Dumbo one more time. She would see it and bounce up in down in the stoller "Dum Dum, fly high!!! Oh, Mommy! Dum Dum!!! ME fly high!!! " She loved it!!

She adored the characters....from a distance. She would approach...halt....hand them her autograph book...and prepare to bolt if they got any closer. They were so great though, they can tell when to keep their distance from the little ones. She did make up with Minnie at Chef Mickey's though. Minnie played peekaboo, clapped, etc. until DD ended up throwing her arms around her and giving her a big old kiss!! (Minnie gave me a big thumbs up after that---ahhhhh, Disney magic!)

She liked the fireworks (Boom Boom!) but didn't like dark rides--would either close her eyes or just fall asleep. POTC turned out to be a great nap starter! IASW however....dance, dance, dance. The other passengers in our boat were laughing to see how much she was enjoying it......every time......

Definately go at this age...they have so much fun, and are too little to be aware of the rides they are too small for. We had a great time. Disney is so geared for young children it's easy to just watch them enjoy themselves.