WDW with a 2 year old

[jvz82]

We just went with our 4 kids, my youngest son turned 2 a few days after our trip. He seriously loved EVERYTHING he went on. He did great with the characters too. Dumbo and Aladdin's magic carpets were probably his favorite rides. But he also sat on Ellen's Energy ride for 45 minutes and was absolutely mesmerized the entire time.

Our first family trip was when my oldest son had just turned 2 and his favorite ride was the carousel by a landslide. We rode that one several times. He was not thrilled with characters.

Tom Sawyer's Island is also great for little ones to run around!

 

[NYEmomma]

The Monorail is a ride.

The bus is a ride.

Waiting on a line for food is a ride when you're 2.

My child typically slept in her stroller when fireworks were booming and she likely ruined every chance we had for a good meal.

The most common answer is, "Hotel swimming pool," when asked to give an answer about their favorite part of Disney their vacation. Thankfully, cocktails are served near many of the pools.

Break most every parenting rule - because a 2 y.o. has none - because it's your vacation, not the 2 y.o.

Bring your sense of humor - is the best advice I can offer.

My daughter is 8 now.... what does she remember of her first Disney World trip at 2yo? The pool with the dragon slide (POFQ) and the friend that she made there.

 

[elaine amj]

My daughter is 8 now.... what does she remember of her first Disney World trip at 2yo? The pool with the dragon slide (POFQ) and the friend that she made there.

My DD was 12/13 when I first took her to DC. A year later, I asked her what she remembered - a strip of grass along the sidewalk was her main memory! Your DD at 2 had a wayyy better memory than mine!

For that matter, neither of my teens have much memory of life before maybe 7/8. A few memories stand out, but that's it.

 

[dreiwhit]

My only tip would be to bring or rent a good stoller. Your two year old isn't going to be able to walk as much as you will, and they will need somewhere to sit and rest.

 

[Lucys dad]

Some great advice, thanks very much

 

[NYEmomma]

My DD was 12/13 when I first took her to DC. A year later, I asked her what she remembered - a strip of grass along the sidewalk was her main memory! Your DD at 2 had a wayyy better memory than mine!

For that matter, neither of my teens have much memory of life before maybe 7/8. A few memories stand out, but that's it.

My oldest (and the younger of my twins) have my memory. I might be a little ditzy about remembering to switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer or to take a letter to the post office, but I can tell you what my dad's softball uniform looked like the one summer that he played softball when I was 2 and a half. My almost 5 year old talks about Pappy (my dad) losing his sunglasses in the water while in line for Small World when she was 2 at LEAST once a week. She still thinks it's the most hilarious thing that she has ever witnessed.

 

[abinormal]

My son was an older 2, and the only things he didn't like were the Mine Train and Great Movie Ride. I recognized the Alien scene in time but the whole thing was generally overwhelming for him.

He and his older sister freaking loved Spaceship Earth.

We decided to play it by ear as far as daily routine. It turned out that we did best keeping to our normal schedule, so we went from rope drop to dinner time, then back to the hotel for dinner, bath, and bed. It worked great.

 

[Koogs]

Taking DS for his first trip in June when he will have just turned 2. Despite being on numerous occassions this will no doubt be a different type of trip for us as we never took DD until she was 6.

I apprecaite all kids are different but I'd love to hear any thoughts on what rides, or attractions etc a 2 year old may like and also any that may be seen as not suitable. This could be anything, rides, parks, play areas etc.

Thanks

This is totally kid dependent. Our first we took for the first time at 2. He did love being there... However, he was scared during any of the dark rides. Very scared on winnie the pooh, we had to leave the tiki room almost at the start.

definitely a good stroller, definitely have a plan for eating with them bring/order snacks. Also make sure there are toys/activities handy for the waiting times. Honestly, although we had fun on the trip, we wouldn't do 2 again. When they're younger they are portable and easy going, when they're older, you can reason with them...

 

[tlmadden73]

My tips: I took my son when he was 2 .. and then again when he was 3 . .and soon taking my 5 month old daughter.

1) Go early .. DON'T stay late. Even if you think they will like the fireworks, it is just a long day and odds are the loud noises will scare them and they could be tired/cranky the next day. Just don't risk it.

2) Get Fast Passes early in the morning so you can start grabbing 4th (or more Fast Passes) as soon as you can . .then get them for ANYTHING that is close to the current time (and your current location). The less in line the better. If there is a Fast Pass available for Jungle Cruise or Aladdin in 5 minutes, grab it as your 4th fast pass and keep moving.

3) Good rides: Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Teacups, Buzz lightyear, Small World, Dumbo and Aladdin. (Dumbo especially with the "play area" inside it). My son in particular enjoyed Buzz .. so much we had to go on it THREE times on our next trip.
We purposely avoid rides like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, etc. because of the scary images. (Nightmare maker!)

4) Just nap them in the park .. kids that young easily fall asleep in a stroller no matter what's going on around them (depends on the weather though, of course).

5) Character Meals! - Hit Crystal Palace for Pooh and Friends. Easy, fun pictures without having the child wait in line or be too scared. Plus, odds are a 2 year old will love dancing with the characters when they have those moments during the meal. And hey .. the 2 year old is free!

Just know you won't get as much done as you are used to. A stroller helps move things along, but there is naps, diaper changes, breaks for snacks .. etc.

 

[Dakota731]

Can a two year old do pirates and frozen?

 

[starjazz]

Can a two year old do pirates and frozen?

I can't address Frozen, but our 2 yo was oblivious to any of the scary aspects of pirates. It wasn't until she was 3 that she didn't want to do it because she could process the things that we meant to be scary.

 

[roxymama]

Probably obvious but: Sunscreen, Snacks, Water, good sippy cups, stickers or small toys to occupy them. End up being life-savers! You can never have enough little snacks for line fidgeting.

Also never assume how they will react until you are there. I assumed mine would HATE face characters based on her reaction to Santa so scheduled none. And then I accidentally got in line for Ariel M&G instead of the ride first thing (duh) and she LOVED her. And from then on out she was fine with face characters and that became a priority over rides. We had a great character meal and I was literally shocked. Just never know.

 

[roxymama]

Oh and also probably obvious, but unfortunately the more a small child LOVES something the more they will get UPSET when it is time to be done doing that thing. So you may end up riding the carousel multiple times or sitting next to them on a bench while they climb it over and over. Basically just try not to rush since they will like to experience things at they're own pace. I had to learn myself that ripping my kiddo away from things over and over to get to the next thing was really pointless.

And take A MILLION pictures. They may not remember their whole trip but they will like to look at their pictures for years to come. (It's a good bribe too...be good and we may go back)

 

[linzbear]

It's so subjective! Each kid is different (and I've done 3 2 year olds now!) Favorites are carousel, Peter pan, small world, teacups, dumbo (and all dumbo like rides), Mexico ride, figment, living w/ Land, nemo, Disney jr show, safari, festival of lion king (nemo show is too long). Skip 3D rides/shows, they won't keep glasses on. Dark rides like pirates I always tried but did not always get a good review!