WDW with a 2 year old...am I crazy?

[DisneyPhD]

I am a big advocate of taking kids places and doing stuff with them when they are young. We took J. at 3 and Ali's first trip was at 22 (?) mo. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything in this world! They were the best trips we have ever been on.

People do say "Why would you take a child so young? They won't remember anything?" We do a lot for kids that they won't remember! Will they remember that book we read yesterday afternoon? No, but we do it! And we should. And I WILL REMEMBER!

My girls rode everything they could height wise. All of Fantasyland, POTC, Buzz, COP, JC, Tiki, Aladdin's, Kilamanjaro, shows, character meals, etc. Those things were the most fun I have ever had anywhere!

I have to say I totally agree. I have to add don't be so sure what they will and won't remember. My DD still remebers and talks about things that happened at the trip when she was 23 months old. (not the 9 month old LOL). Besides all the pictures and viedos help (but she does remember things that wern't on tape or flim.)

Steamboat Girlie, our reaction was the same way. We had been to WDW 6 times a couple every year so why would we stop just because we had a kid? While trips with out kids are very different, I am really enjoy the ones with the girls so much more in a different way. However I am greatful for the times we had before we had kids too.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Which rides and shows are really "kid personality" dependent. I suggest you try some "borderline" ones (Jungle Cruise, Pirates) to see what your child likes. Most stuff in Fantasyland goes over great, most shows are fine, but it can be tough to know from kid to kid--my two LOVED Pirates but freaked at Maelstrom. In Epcot, we skipped most theater shows because they were standing and likely dull and loud for little ones. We did do the American one, though, but again, I have a weird DD who, when told we were returning, said, "Oh goody, I get to go to the Hall of Prsidents again!" Mind you, she was 5. I don't think many moms hear that first thing upon saying "we're going to WDW!"

I'll always have a special place in my heart for "Storytime with Belle" in MK. Bring your video camera!

We also played the Disney CD's quite a bit before going, so the music would be familiar--watching videos can help, too, but I found just the music to be better for my kids--too many storylines are different at WDW (for example, "Circle of Life").

 

[DisneyPhD]

Which rides and shows are really "kid personality" dependent. I suggest you try some "borderline" ones (Jungle Cruise, Pirates) to see what your child likes. Most stuff in Fantasyland goes over great, most shows are fine, but it can be tough to know from kid to kid--my two LOVED Pirates but freaked at Maelstrom. In Epcot, we skipped most theater shows because they were standing and likely dull and loud for little ones. We did do the American one, though, but again, I have a weird DD who, when told we were returning, said, "Oh goody, I get to go to the Hall of Prsidents again!" Mind you, she was 5. I don't think many moms hear that first thing upon saying "we're going to WDW!"

I'll always have a special place in my heart for "Storytime with Belle" in MK. Bring your video camera!

We also played the Disney CD's quite a bit before going, so the music would be familiar--watching videos can help, too, but I found just the music to be better for my kids--too many storylines are different at WDW (for example, "Circle of Life").

That it very true. You post also make me think of another hint. Get some of the sing along songs at the parks. They currenlty came out with them on DVD (for less then $10 most places) I found them at cost co and TRU. Beach party at WDW is good. Disnelyland fun is good (not at WDW, but lots of MK part footage. We really like The AK one too. Lots of park footage and really fun. My kids love them and it is a great way to prepare them how big the charaters actually are.

 

[lil mermaid]

Thank you all for your replies!

Whether or not she will "remember it" isn't playing into the equation. I have never understood that argument against going. I mean, maybe she won't remember it, maybe she will, but I am more concerned if she will have a good time if she is there! We don't go every year so if we go next year it is likely we won't go again for awhile. I am just wondering if people here thought waiting until she was 3 or 4 or 5 would be better.

thanks!

 

[Mimi Q]

We took younger DD when she had just turned 2 yo. It was a wonderful trip. She was great and had a great time. My regret is not taking older DD more when she was younger. She is 13 yo now, and the MK is not that cool anymore.

My brother-in-law's family went to WDW during Thanksgiving, too. Their two year old DD LOVED it. Go and have a wonderful time.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thank you all for your replies!

Whether or not she will "remember it" isn't playing into the equation. I have never understood that argument against going. I mean, maybe she won't remember it, maybe she will, but I am more concerned if she will have a good time if she is there! We don't go every year so if we go next year it is likely we won't go again for awhile. I am just wondering if people here thought waiting until she was 3 or 4 or 5 would be better.

thanks!

If you go this nex time it might change your mind about when you want to go again in the future.

If it is great you might want to go sooner then 3 or 4 years from now. Every age we have brought DD has been good ones, she enjoys it in different ways at different stages of her life. (as do we.)

If you are going to bring her at 2 and not again until she is 7 or 8 years old you might want to wait a few years. However if you bring her at 2 and then again at 5 years old that sounds like a good plan.

My DD is almost 5 and it seems to me this is most magical age to take her. However, I am very glad I didn't wait until now to do so. (Besides she was free before. )

If it is a mater of money there are a lot of ways to save on a WDW trip. I think most WDW trips cost as much as any other family vacation, but we seem to get more out of our money at WDW.

 

[Christine]

Thank you all for your replies!

Whether or not she will "remember it" isn't playing into the equation. I have never understood that argument against going.

A lot of people say this because for many people (not on this board though) going to WDW is often a once-in-a-lifetime event. I know that *most* of my friends plan that one special trip to Disney with the kids and then, that's it. So of course, if that is your plan, you wouldn't want to go when the child is two.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Oh something else to keep in mind. If you don't plan on going back for a while. 2 1/2 is old enough to ask to go back. (at least with my DD.)

 

[Kramer]

I would definitely take her...

We've taken our son to Disney 4 times... when he was 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 18 months.

He had a blast at 1 year and 18 months.... the pictures and video we have are priceless. He was too young at 6 weeks and 6 months to interact with anything, but my wife and I still loved taking him and we had a great time. We are going back in May 2006 and he will 2.5 - he is old enough now to get excited over the trip and we're all looing forward to it. It will also be our new daughter's first trip - she will be 6 months old.

 

[bride03]

I think you should!! How magical. I always see kids there and the looks on their faces and think..."that is what I want to do with my kids".

 

[mom2boys]

I say go. It's a perfect age. My youngest was 23 months for his first trip. His borhter had just turned 3. He loved the characters - once he got past his intial hesitation. He had a great 1st character interaction at a character meal (Beach Club restaurant). It was much less hectic than a park interaction. It was Pluto & DS shyed away. My husband took DS's arm & had DS "pet" Pluto's arm. Pluto then "pet" DS's arm. From then on we couldn't keep DS away from the characters.
We did give up on midday breaks because DH & I would try to nap & the boys were too wound up. They ended up napping in their stollers after that. It worked great for all of us.

 

[florida-again]

I was taken to WDW at 2 and I remember it quite clearly, so there's a chance that your daughter will not only enjoy it, but remember it