WDW with a 22 month old

[LSUmiss]

We are on our way home from our recent trip with a 14 month old. There were some challenges as expected, but we had a blast. His first trip was when he was 7 mos &, of course, each trip has had its own positives & negatives. Wondering what to expect on his next trip when he will be about 22 months old. I’m wondering if anyone has specific experiences with this age (although I know all kids are different). Some things from this trip is that he loved the characters, but I understand that can change. He was also apprehensive about all rides at first, but then really enjoyed them at the end. He HATED waiting for anything even sitting on the monorail which I thought he might enjoy. And security lines were especially brutal b/c they didn’t move fast at all. Anyone have any experiences/tips to share as we look forward to planning our next trip.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Every kid is different. Our youngest has been at 11 months, 15 months, 23 months and 26 months(Disneyland). Yes we may have a problem. He's pretty good in long lines, he likes pretty much every ride he's allowed to go on, and he enjoys meeting most of the characters. We always take him back for a nap around 1pm. Or if we are luckily he'll fall asleep in our stroller which reclines, if that happens, and its not too hot, we make a full day of the park. One thing we CANNOT do is have a nice meal. He has no patience for it. We rush through our character meals and we completely avoid non-character sit down restaurants. Other than that he's pretty much a trooper. We have another trip coming up at 35 months so we will see how that goes! He's still not great in restaurants.

 

[LSUmiss]

Every kid is different. Our youngest has been at 11 months, 15 months, 23 months and 26 months(Disneyland). Yes we may have a problem. He's pretty good in long lines, he likes pretty much every ride he's allowed to go on, and he enjoys meeting most of the characters. We always take him back for a nap around 1pm. Or if we are luckily he'll fall asleep in our stroller which reclines, if that happens, and its not too hot, we make a full day of the park. One thing we CANNOT do is have a nice meal. He has no patience for it. We rush through our character meals and we completely avoid non-character sit down restaurants. Other than that he's pretty much a trooper. We have another trip coming up at 35 months so we will see how that goes! He's still not great in restaurants.

Lol! Same here. He does well eating out at home, but had no patience for it at WDW. I think it’s b/c he knows there is more to go do! So do you recall any major differences in the trips when he was 15 mos vs 23 mos? Our experience sounds similar minus the long lines tolerance lol!

 

[Brett Wyman]

Just much more awareness of where he was, and asking to do or see certain things. Before that it was more of just taking it all in with wide eyes but not really knowing he's "at Disney".

 

[LSUmiss]

Just much more awareness of where he was, and asking to do or see certain things. Before that it was more of just taking it all in with wide eyes but not really knowing he's "at Disney".

Well that sounds like more fun then!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Our son first went at 24 months and character meals were great for us because we could sit down and eat while he had entertainment. We didn’t do naps at the resort since he usually passed out in the stroller. That’s been key for him, even now at 3.5 he uses the stroller for some quiet time. He likes to pull the shade cover all the way down and have a few toys in there. I’ll even let him watch a show with my phone when he needs some quiet time. He was NOT into lines at all at 24 months, we always had to be moving. He was also really into the pool then so I make sure to schedule more pool opportunities in trips now.

 

[Tink_83]

This past time my son was 22 months. He is pretty chill and would nap in the stroller. It was hot when we went and he ended up eating a bunch of apple sauce for lunch and nothing else (that surprised me because he is normally a big eater). Beyond that we didn’t wait in any long lines. I got early morning FP and then managed to get a FP for every other ride. The only line we waited in was HM, and that was because we were in between our first 3 FP and I didn’t want to mess with them since I had 7DMT, splash, and thunder for our first 3 (for DD - 6). Anyway, the best part about the trip was that we used the refresh method and it worked well. Sure I had to spend the time in the FP line on my phone lining up the next ride but that was to me far better then waiting in line. It was also our most successful trip since I did that.

 

[sponica]

My daughter was about 20/21 months. She hated rides, so at least you've already figured that part out. She had a love/hate relationship with her stroller. There were times when she wanted to WALK. The trails at Animal Kingdom and the World Showcase were a hit with her (and climbing on park benches). As long as we timed our meals earlier than her normal meal time, we were fine.

Honestly my in laws probably slowed us down more than she did. We didn't get a lot done, but it wasn't the toddler's fault.

As far as the security line, I would send my husband through the bag free line with the stroller and I would be the pack mule.

 

[westie55]

I have taken toddlers at 18 mos, 21 mos, 23 mos, and just over 2. As you mentioned, be prepared for changes as toddlers can be fickle. Characters may be a no go, or they may not like dark rides. You should definitely use fast pass to your advantage to avoid waiting in lines. Stroller naps were great for my kids. For the most part they never minded riding in the stroller, but we were there last week and my nearly 2 year old didn't want to ride in it a lot. Overall I have taken my kids to Disney at all ages and we always had a great time!

 

[stephk1981]

We are on our way home from our recent trip with a 14 month old. There were some challenges as expected, but we had a blast. His first trip was when he was 7 mos &, of course, each trip has had its own positives & negatives. Wondering what to expect on his next trip when he will be about 22 months old. I’m wondering if anyone has specific experiences with this age (although I know all kids are different). Some things from this trip is that he loved the characters, but I understand that can change. He was also apprehensive about all rides at first, but then really enjoyed them at the end. He HATED waiting for anything even sitting on the monorail which I thought he might enjoy. And security lines were especially brutal b/c they didn’t move fast at all. Anyone have any experiences/tips to share as we look forward to planning our next trip.

So glad you all had an amazing time! We got home a couple of weeks ago with DD( was a few days short of 21 months then.) This trip was a little different than the previous 5 with her. We have hit the tantrum phase It came out of no where while outside of Teppan Edo. This trip she had more independent thinking of what she did or did not want to do. Unlike previous trips where we said....we are doing this now and she just went along with it. She enjoyed the rides a lot more....and wanted to play in the play areas/ interact with other children. She LOVED the play area in Epcot ( between test track and mousegear.) She also was much more into chatting with characters at Cape May. We brought longer bibs for her to eat......she is kind of messy...ordered long disposable ones on Amazon....that worked well. She did not use the stroller very often. My DS was 2 on his first trip and always wanted to be in the stroller. DD was opposite....never wanted to be in the stroller. I brought our carrier, but never used it....she definitely didn't want in it and it was much too hot.....Plus she weighs a lot more now! She has always loved the pool, but definitely wanted to swim off on her own( with lifejacket on.) That was new....I had to chase after her A LOT more this trip. I hope you all have another magical trip in a few months!

 

[Jacq7414]

The first time we went my daughter was 23 months. She had so much fun. She actually didn’t mind sitting in her stroller - I think that’s because her cousin borrowed it before our trip and she became very possessive over it .

We did a bunch of character meals. She was in awe of them. She also liked the rides. For waiting I had a backpack with some little toys and I let her play with them if she got antsy. although for the most part she was fine.

Have so much fun next trip! I thought her trip right before she turned 3 (34 months old lol) was better than the one at 23 months. She was just way more talkative and into everything.

 

[Aj1129]

We took our son at 23 months for the first time. He loved the characters, loved the rides and the fireworks. He had a hard time waiting in long lines. We had a lot of toys and things in our bag to help him. He also hated the stroller at that age and it was a battle to get him in one. He also was teething while we were there. His two year old molars were coming in and he was a grouchy mess one day. His nose was running and you could see the teeth about the break through so keep that in mind! Bring Tylenol or other teething things if you think your child may have the same issue we did. Overall, we had such a great time and took him back right before he turned 3 and we are taking him again this year right before he turns 4. Each trip just gets better and better!

 

[Mmouse1588]

We took our son at 18 months, 26 months and 3 years old.
18 months was great. He was fine with being in the stroller it was January so weather was mild and we just did 9 am to 4 pm in the parks and dis not hop. It was small group of him my husband my mother and father and i. He took naps everyday for 2 hrs in the stroller.
26 months was hard! August so heat was intense. We did 6 park days with hopping and a group of 8 ppl. He didnt want to be in the stroller hardly at all. He hated the monorail and bus lines and rides and made sure we knew it. He didnt wanma sit down and eat hardly anywhere. He waited in lines for characters no problem but if a ride line was longer then 5 minutes it was a challenge. He refused to nap the whole week. By the time night rolled around he was miserable from no nap. (He is very active and strong willed). He loved the play areas any play area. The splash mountain play area and dumbo circus play area as well as the water fountains at epcot to play in.

3 years old: Did great! Traveled party of 10. 6 day hopping at parks. Hardly any complaints except no naps again so was done after 7 pm. Still very busy so hard to get him to sit down and eat anywhere but waited in lines very well.


Every kid is different but splash and play areas. There may be more then you think so look into it. I didnt know there was one at the mission to space exit. Characters were his main excitment so i tried to plan some meetings and character breakfast. I recommend tusker house for sure. Take breaks and cater to your kids needs. I tried to force my kid at 26 months to do things on "itinerary " and it failed many days. I learned the hard way on that one.