WDW with a Livewire

[drennan]

Hello everyone, I need reassuring really, we go to WDW in October with our 2 DS, 1 is 9 yrs old (no problem whatsoever - angel), the other will be 21 months when we go (and is a complete and utter livewire, into everything he shouldn't - devil). I have been told by loads of people I must be mad to take him so young to WDW for 3 weeks, even my Mum & Dad think I'm nuts..

We have been 3 times before with the older one (he was 4 when we first took him) staying at a villa with friends.

Have any of you lot taken someone so young, and if so was it OK, honest replies only PLEASE then at least I can prepare myself. And if you have any ideas, feedback etc etc, i would love to hear from you.

 

[Madjock]

Hi Sharon,

We were pretty much in the same position last Oct when we went. We have two DDs, oldest at the time was 8 and youngest was 21 months.

I think you'll be fine. There is just so much for them to see and do that they're pretty much occupied most of the time.

Couple of tips though: take your buggy or hire one at the parks or buy a cheap one from Walmarts. This will enable your little one to rest his legs and have a nap when he needs to. Even if he never does this at home he will at the parks, honestly.

Do fastpass for the rides when you can as this saves queuing with a 'little monster'. When you do queue for a ride have snacks and/or little treats and drinks at hand, this relieves the boredom for them and come in handy as 'blackmailing' tool! LOL.

When/if he naps use this opportunity to do babyswap on the bigger rides you and your hubby both want to do. We found this worked really well and gave the older one the chance to do them twice!

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. But as I said I think you'll be fine. I'm sure you'll all have as great a time as we all did.

Annmarie

 

[drennan]

Thanks Annmarie

I really appreciate your positive reply, and your little tips, and if you do think of any more please send them through, as the saying goes "every little helps".

 

[elisebutt]

We took Danny this year in march when he was 22 months old and he was fine.

We gave him a very small dose of Phenegans(antihistamine) on the flights and he slept right tho both ways. He loved WDW, but a buggy is a must for those little legs.

He loved Curious George at Universal as well - in fact anything water related always goes down well with kids of all ages.

The really important things are just common sense and you already probably know about them - plenty of sunscreen, water and eyes in the back of your head!!



So much for watching the parade!!

 

[vernon]

My first visit my younger DD was 18 months and pretty lively, she was fine. Obviously the rides are not SUCH a big thing for them but she ADORED the parades, the nighttime Spectromagic parade @MK in particular. All the play areas that had water were popular, it wasn't open then but if you go to IOA the area in Seuss Landing is going to be a favourite I would guess. These little play areas are a great way for them to burn off excess energy while the water keeps them from overheating. SeaWorld has a great kids area and the digsite at AK is likely to keep them occupied for HOURS. Both BB and TL have great kiddie areas,

With a little one there are going to be a lot of things they can't do so I would suggest using these play areas to amuse the youngest while one parent takes the older off on thge "bigger rides" at 9 they are going to be able to get on most of the thrill rides. My older daughter used to REALLY like it when her sister wa too small to go on things because , when using the baby swaps they have on most rides, it allowed her to get 2 rides ( one with each parant) a lot of the times.

Character interaction can be a bit "hit and miss" at this age, IMHO it's important to let them take it at their own pace, being confronted by a 5 foot rodent can be a little traumatic at that age , even if he does own the place LOL. I've found a character breakfast gets them in the right frame of mind as the characters are well versed in noticing if a child is a little nervous about getting too close and they will take their time to make sure the kids ready. If you're just in a queue to have your photo taken with Mickey ( or whoever) everyone feels under pressure to get in and out as quickly as possible, this can result in a child whose not too sure about it being thrust into the arms of said rodent while they are not 100% sure about the transaction, end result is screams and tears.

Children at this age can get a massive amount out of a WDW trip, buit IMHO it's important to not rush them or overtire them. It does mean the most efficient way to do this is to split up the family at times and let the youngest have some fun on their own but the advent of fastpass has made this a great deal easier as you don't have to amuse them for a couple of hours while the older one queues for 90 minutes for Splash mountain.

 

[drennan]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU....... I FEEL SO MUCH MORE POSITIVE NOW, It will still be hard work but like you said it will be worth it, I just can't wait to see his face light up when he sees all the different things, if It blowed me away at the age of 28 when I first went I'm sure it will do the same to him.......

 

[Wellard Stallard]

Yo drennan

Wellard ere! (u know the one your'e goin on hols with lol) Don't worry about Jack a quick shot of brandy and he'll be fine (ha ha) only joking mate. Not long now Im getting soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited - wow thats a lot of soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

ttfn
Luv

 

[drennan]

Hi Ya Wellard, knowing Jack he'd probably like the brandy and ask for more (he's too much like me). I'm addicted to this site now, its all your fault, i'm really excited tooooooooooooooooooooo. All these ooooo's it's the only place I get them now. Have you booked the character breakfast and Liberty Tree Tavern for the MNSSHP yet..... If not WHY NOT !!!! only joking......

I'm sure too speak to you or see you soon.

TTFN

S x

 

[Wellard Stallard]

Yo dude

No not yet I had to go and have my haircut last night so I promise to remember to do it Friday evenin' - will let u know over the weekend.

c ya soon
Luv