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

[lil mermaid]

My DD will be two next May and I am seriously thinking of planning a family trip for DD, DH and I for early next December. I am thinking of that time of year because I would like to see the Christmas decorations and also because from what I understand it is one of the less crowded times of the year. She will be 2 1/2 then. DH and I have not been to WDW since May 2002 and I really feel that I want to go back there soon. I can't wait for DD to see it.

So here is my question - am I crazy? What is WDW REALLY like with a toddler that age? Would it be a mistake to take her so young? If we go next year, we probably won't go back for several more years because there are other places that we want to visit first. Should I wait a couple more years before we take her?

If you have gone to WDW with a two year old, I'd appreciate it if you could give me your opinions - good, bad and ugly.

She is generally a very easy going child and does well in restaurants as long as she is well rested (she DOES NOT do well in restaurants when she is not well rested!!) We took her on a DCL cruise in May when she was about a week short of her first birthday and did very well. She loved the characters and all of the attention she received from the cast members aboard the ship. She had no problems going to Flounder's Nursery.

I would appreciate hearing anything that you have to say on this topic, as well as any tips! Thanks!

 

[Christine]

Yes, you're crazy, but so what. Just kidding.

Personally, if you are waiting for the "best age" to take her (i.e., you're not going to go year after year), then two is probably not the "best" age. I guarantee you, you will all still have a wonderful time and I don't think you will regret doing it. I have taken my kids at all different ages, and I have to say that I think ages 4-7 are the "ideal" ages. So, if that part of it is your concern, then I would tell you to wait. If you don't care and you just want to go--then go for it. There are TONS of 2 year olds there and she will love it.

 

[soccerchick]

GO! It's a wonderful age. They think it's all real and if you go slow w/characters to make sure they aren't afraid, it'll be perfect. Plus, it's free for them! We took DD when she was 2 1/2 and just took DS this fall - he was 26 months.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Well, the first time we took the kids, we had DD4 and DS2. We plan to go back 8/06, when we'll have DD11, DS9, DD3, and DS6 months. So, if you're crazy, then clearly, I'm crazier, so save me a strait jacket!

So, having been there, done that, going back, here are some random thoughts:

Plan on the entire vacation focusing primarily on your DD's needs. We did use the Fairy Godmothers for one night of babysitting for "parents night out", which was nice, but beyond that, we were on the kids' schedule pretty much all the time. Ditto for meal choices, etc.. We did some nicer restaurants, but chose ones with kid-like interests (i.e., Teppanyaki, Coral Reef). We took the kids out of the parks daily for naps--we have the added bonus that kids #2 and 3 can lose conciousness if overstimulated, so I tend to be a real Schedule Nazi. Also, I have yet to have one that will nap in a stroller (crossing my fingers on #4!), so the nap was mandatory.

If you've been there on an "adult" vacation, you'll find it very different going with kids, but in a nice way. We did Epcot, then AK, then MGM, then MK last. We found this worked well at holding their interest for the more grown up parks, if you will. We also did a lot of switching off, where one of us would have the kids while the other rode alone. Not optimal, but keep in mind, singles lines are real short for, say Mission:Space. We also alternated letting each adult have their own "park time" during naps or in the evenings.

The hotel pool will be your best friend.

While I'm a big fan of character meals, you can get overloaded. I personally wouldn't knock myself out to hit, say, Chef Mickey's if I'm staying at Port Orleans, or schlepping all the way to Donald's Breakfastasaurus. Just a thought, esp. if you have to get up early and drag a hungry/sleepy toddler to them. Some favorites, aside from Cindy's, are: Crystal Palace (consider dinner--very uncrowded, and walk out to see the fireworks after!), O'hana's, Garden Grill.

Mostly, plan to go with the flow and do things at her pace. She may LOVE the Kidcot stops, which got our DD4 around all of World Showcase (DS at 2 and 3, not so much, but girls are different). Don't force any rides. Mostly, appreciate the age she's at--it's so magical to them at that age, it's tough not to get caught up in their joy!

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!

 

[DawnCt1]

We have gone to WDW over the last 20 something years with babies. If we waited until the youngest got to the "right age", what ever that means, we wouldn't have gotton there. Its wonderful going with children of any age.

 

[HOGFAN]

I wouldnt take any child under the age of 5. We took our son when he was 3.
We either had to hold him or push a stroller the whole time. When he was tired, everybody in the park knew it. And he doesnt remember the trip. All that money to be miserable and no memory(for him). Now, he does remember his trip at 5. We were all happier, he walked the whole time and didnt get tired.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

We went with DS 7, DS 5 & DD2 1/2....it was awesone. She was the energizer bunny! She couldn't get enough of it. As long as we let her get her sleep at night (she doesn't nap). Know that you won't see or do everything and just enjoy the magic for what it is. She talks about WDW all the time. We are going back in January and I can't wait!

I would suggest you bring your own stroller. Just a cheap umbrella style. Then you have it no matter where you are (hotel, airport, DTD, waiting for the bus) and you don't have to wait in line to pick one up all the time.

Good luck and ENJOY!!!

 

[vald1977]

We took DS when he was 2 and a half and it was wonderful . There is no better place, imo, for a family vacation with young kids. He had already stopped naps at that point so that wasn't and issue but we did make sure he kept to his regular bedtime and waking time.

However, we went to Disney in early December and it was very crowded to me. Everyone says how it's one of the least crowded times of year but it didn't seem so to me. I'm not saying don't go at that time, just be prepared for crowds.

 

[CharlesTD]

Our kids started to take trips to Disney with us at the age of 8 months old. We have continued to take them each and every year since then. So no you are not crazy and you will just love it.

 

[aprilgail2]

Nope, you are not crazy,,,I took my daughter to Disney for 10 days at the age of 2 1/2 followed by a 4 night Disney cruise....I find it so much easier when they are at the age where they would rather sit in the stroller than walk so that was a big help....we just went on a different type DIsney trip than I used too...we used to do up at dawn, in the park till closing etc...for that trip we got up early and did the parks till noon, came back, went in the pool and napped, then back tothe parks in the evening..she was great the whole time!! I would not wait until they are older because you NEVER know whats going to happen in the future...as soon as I found out my godson had cancer at 2 I booked a trip to DIsney for us in between chemo treatments....he did get to go about 5 more times afte that but I never owould have forgiven myself if I said "oh thats to young, lets wait" and he died before we could go!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

We started going with our kids when DD was 2 1/2 and DS was just 6 mos. Those were great years! Heck, I think it was easier then than it is now that they are 8 & 10!

 

[pixiemomma]

UMM, NO. yOU'LL BE FINE. IF IT WAS 7 2 YEAR OLDS I WOULD SUGGEST SOME EXTRA HANDS. AS LONG AS YOU TAKE A BREAK IN THE AFTERNOONS AND DON'T SWERVE TOO MUCH FROM THE CHILD'S REGULAR SCHEDULE IT WILL BE A DELIGHT.

 

[lil mermaid]

Thanks all of your for your replies!

How about rides, shows, etc - did any of your toddlers go on any of the rides, and how did they do??

 

[PA DISNEYLOVER]

We took or daughter when she was 2.5 and she had a blast. We worked around her. When she was tired we rested. When she was hungry we ate. We had no problem what so ever. We actually went back 6month later in June since it worked out so well.

 

[diznygirl]

Go - have fun!

We have been going to Disnyland and WDW for years and years and years - and we have never considered the kids ages. Eat lunch and dinner early to avoid the rush - and it will keep the little ones happy as well!

 

[DisneyPhD]

It really depends on the parent and the kid, even a little bit the time of year. (don't go when it is too busy or too hot, but even then you can do it ok if you are careful.)

We took my DD when she was 9 months old, 23 months old and then 2 more times before she turned 3 years old. (we had AP that year.) This next trip she will be 4.5 and it will be her 8th trip.

She was really fun when she was 2 actually. We called her PAL Anna because she knew so much about the parks. My SIL and BIL took her one night so we could go out to eat for our 10 year aniverisary. They said she told them just were to go and what rides to go on. She was 28 months old. Girls sometimes seem to not do the terrible 2's as much, they save that for the 3's and 4's

If you want to go for it. No you aren't crazy. Your 2 year old will not be alone there. You guys will have a great time. Enjoy yourselves. Parents (and 2 year old) deserve vacations too.

(BTW I am taking a 17 month old nex month.) That might be a little crazy.

 

[aprilgail2]

Thanks all of your for your replies!

How about rides, shows, etc - did any of your toddlers go on any of the rides, and how did they do??

My daughter went on pirates of the carribean, all the rides in fantasyland, the haunted mansion, almost every ride where she made the height requirement she went on....she saw all the shows, even bugs life, at times she took off the glasses but for the most part she kept them on...she loved the Indiana Jones stunt show...

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

This is a subject that always strikes a nerve with my husband and I. We were married for 10 years before we had a child, and went on several trips to Disney. Disney is a passion of both of ours. Two years ago we had a son. We decided to take him on his first trip to the World seven days after his first birthday. Whenever we told anyone this, we were met with the same reaction.... "are you crazy, why are you taking him, he is too small, he won't remember anything....."

Why, when we go to Disney every single year, are we suddenly going to stop going just because we have a child? Isn't that why Walt created Disney World in the first place? It just didn't make sense to me. So we took him. And do you know what, we loved it and so did he. Of course, we couldn't keep up the pace we usually did. We took nap breaks, and didn't try to see everything. We know he won't remember, but we sure will. I will never forget seeing my son and my husband march around the Crystal Palace with Pooh. I get teary eyed thinking of it. We have awesome pictures and video to show him when he is older.

That being said, we will take him again this December. I know it will be harder than when he was one, but we aren't expecting him to be perfect. I think that if you plan well, and know your child's limitations, you will have a great time!

 

[MoniqueU]

I think you would be more crazy NOT to take her. What a wonderful magical age to experience WDW. I would rather go with the wonder of a 2 year old then a 12 year old that has been there and done that.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

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!