WDW with a toddler (9/13-9/20) one word, HOT

[soontobeatdisney]

I live in Seattle, nice mild weather during the summer (although this summer was a little warm). So every time I plan a vacation somewhere else I forget how hot the rest of the country is. Intellectually, I knew Florida would be hot, but I conceptually I didn’t really get it until I got there. It’s very, very hot and humid in Florida, FYI.

So other than the heat, we had a great time, although I think our 7 day trip was 2 days too long for our 17 month old son. I keep reminding myself how I need to slow down for my son, and I did, but it’s hard at WDW because there is so much to do and who knows when we’ll ever be back. Here’s our summary:

Day one, flew from Seattle non-stop to Orlando, not a bad flight at all. DH, DS and I met my brother and sister in Orlando airport and rented a car from Dollar. We had “fast lane” reservations which I recommend because everyone else stood in line for at least an hour. We got to BWV, 2 bedroom at about 8pm. We ate pizza and watched MGM fireworks from our windows.

Next day, Sunday, we were going to do EMH at MK, but DS needed sleep so my bro and sis went without DH, DS and me. My family made it to the park at 9am, so we did everything we shouldn’t: MK on Sunday and not take advantage of EMH. Oh well. We drove to MK and my son’s favorite ride was the tram from the parking lot to the transportation center.

We had fun in MK, DS was terrified of Pooh ride although he loves Pooh. The tigger part of the ride scared him. So then we did small world and he loved that. Bro and sis. did all of E ticket MK rides before we got there. We were very conservative with rides I’d let DS do, he liked the boat rides a lot. It seemed to me to be very crowded by 3pm when we left. We still walked onto all the rides.

Monday we went to Epcot. I love the world showcase, I could spend my whole vacation there. We did all E ticket rides, walked on to all of them. Mission Space is good, but I’m glad I didn’t wait 1 hour to ride. Test track is OK, my bro loved it. We ate lunch at Morocco, very good. Bro was board with Epcot, he went to MGM. We did some more of world show case and walked back to BW. Sister took DS and DH and I hung out by the pool for two hours, heaven. I love BW slide. DH, DS and I had dinner at Mexico, very good! DS loves the boat ride in Mexico.

Tuesday, DH and my anniversary. Sister skipped parks that day, her friend who lives in Orlando came to BW to visit. DH, DS, bro. and I went to MK again. Rode Small World for the 5,000th time. I’ll have nightmares about little people singing that song over and over, but DS loves the ride. We’re here for him, so we did it. He actually liked Dumbo and tea cups. We didn’t even try Snow White or Peter Pan. That night bro and sister babysat and DH and I went to Cal Grill for dinner, very very good. I’ve decided that I like eating and I’m glad I have taste buds. After dinner DH and I take monorail to GF. We got to ride in the front of the Monorail, I think this was DH’s favorite part of our vacation.

Wednesday we go to MGM. The highlight of the day (and the trip really) was that bro made the hot seat during Millionaire. He came two questions away from winning the cruise. He didn’t know where Oscar de la Renta was born, but now we do. He was born in Dominican Republic, whoda thought? It was very fun. I wanted bro to win the cruise because I told him he would have taken me. He won 13 pins, a hat and a shirt. DS started melting down after that, so DH and I took him back to our room. DS took a very long nap. We went to Fantasmic that evening, DS loved it, not scared at all.

Thursday we go back to Epcot. Bro is board with Epcot and decides to go to Universal. Sister, DH, DS and I linger in world showcase. We ride the Norway ride after lunch in Norway. Yum. We eat, drink and were merry. I like people watching and this is the place for that. Some men were walking around the showcase drinking a beer from every country, in Morocco they were on 8. DH is English, and our son seems to be drawn to England. He likes Pooh, but too afraid to go near him. He says “Hi” from 10 feet away but panics if we get too near Pooh. In Canada there’s a totem pole carved by someone I know. I went to Epcot 5 years ago (Disney few me there) as part of a group of Native people who dedicated the totem pole in the Canada exhibit. DS was also drawn to the totem pole. The totem pole still looks good 5 years later. I love the world show case, did I already say that? Thursday evening we went to dinner at Boma, yum. Some of the staff started playing drums in the lobby. The band was a hostess who looked like she was from Africa, a dishwasher who was white, probably American, and a maintenance worker who looked Mexican. What fun, it looked like anyone working at AK lodge just picks up an instrument and starts playing. The African employees started singing, very very fun. That night sister and I go to Pleasure Island. It was very crowded and we were tired, so we only stayed a few hours. I liked the Adventurers Club but sister thought it was dumb. After a few drinks it starts to get funny.

Then Friday, DS gets a fever. We were going to go to AK but it’s so hot and DS is sick, I just don’t want to take him. So bro and sis go without us. We let DS sleep and then take him back to Epcot. We do as much indoor stuff as we can because it’s so hot. We eat at US exhibit because it was just easy, what a mistake. I can eat that type of food any day, it’s just a glorified McD. Sister and Bro. finish AK in about 3 hours, bro didn’t want to do any of the trails because his feet hurt from too much walking. That afternoon bro, sister and DH all go to DisneyQuest. DS and I go back to Epcot where I’m going to buy a condo in the world showcase. I got back to England, watch fake Beatles band, go see Pooh again, DS still scared. BTW, DS would go up to Mickey, Pluto and other smaller characters, but not the really big ones. (Pooh is kind of big) He would also start shaking when we got too near scary characters. Funny that. That night, DH and I go to Epcot Illuminations and then to Bellevue Room for a drink. DS has meltdowns while we were away from him and I think, DS is ready to go home.

Next day, Saturday, we check out. Bro leaves us with good memories. Sister, DH and I go back to Epcot. We ride as many indoor rides with air conditioning as possible. Sister leaves for home and DH, DS and I spend a few more hours at Epcot before we go home. Direct flight back to Seattle.

Overall impressions: being the heat wimp that I am, if I ever go back I’ll go in December, January or February. I just can’t take that heat…

I can’t help but compare to Dinseyland, which I love. I’ll admit it, I like Disneyland better! It’s closer to home, and it’s smaller so I don’t feel overwhelmed. And I can do it in 2-3 days. We’ll probably go to Disneyland in March.

My son’s favorite rides were the WDW transportation system. He loved the trams and buses. He enjoyed this vacation very much, but I think it was two days too long for him. I also think the heat and him being sick for a day wore him out. He’s been a little difficult for the last two days and hasn’t slept very well. Hopefully we’ll get him back on track again.

What I like best about WDW, the hotels! I’d like to stay in every one of them and compare them all. Hotels are the best part of WDW, in my opinion.

I’ll go back to WDW if I have a conference in Orlando, or if they offer another FTP. I think I could do WDW once every 5 years. I also feel like it’s a better park for older children that don’t need naps. It was too hard for us to get DS back to the hotel room for naps so he slept in the stroller. If you have hardy children, especially pre-teens to teenagers, WDW is the place for you. However you have to go during the busier seasons so kids don’t miss school. Everyone said we were there during the slow season, but if this was the slow season crowds I can’t imagine the busy season crowds. It was crowded in my book. Again, I liked the world showcase because it had more room to walk around and you could find quite places to enjoy.

Anyway, if you have a question, please ask. I was glad I went and I’m glad I’m home.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Sounds like you had a great trip - thanks for posting!

 

[Alice28]

Thanks for writing your report! I'm from the great NW as well (Portland) & I know exactly what you mean regarding not only the FL heat, but the HUMIDITY killed me. I also went with my toddler (20 months at the time) and while I don't regret it, it was definitely trying at times. (Hence while I am going back with just my mom in a few days--my hubby knows I am a Disney Dork and wanted me to have a really good time at the World with a fellow Disney Fan- my Mom). And I also know what you mean about Disneyland- it definitely captures a certain quality that the Magic Kingdom at WDW lacks (MK is in dire need of a Fantasyland makeover if you ask me- too carny looking compared to DL's Fantasyland- but that's a whole separate thread!!!). That being said, I am becoming a WDW convert- while I think DL is the best overall park, I think WDW is a way better experience and truly feels like a vacation. I like how WDW is literally it's own world- miles and miles of undeveloped & landscaped land, beautiful hotels, gorgeous parks and waterparks....DL kills me in that you cross the street and there are dumpy motels and tacky liquor stores and domino's take out.

 

[Minniespal]

Wonderful report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[soontobeatdisney]

Alice28-
Have fun during your girls trip! I think I would like to go back without my son, just me and hubby or me and sister. I think my son would like DL better, hotels are much closer, but I know what you mean about going one foot outside of DL. Hubby grew up very near DL (although he was born in England) so he went to DL just about every year as a child.

One can't help but comapre MK to DL, and DL is just better. However the entire WDW is more of a vacation resort, DL is a stop on a road trip.

Have fun, hope you survive the heat!

 

[rlduvall]

I appreciated your honest and positive trip report. I catch myself getting caught up in Disney fever from these boards and think I would love to go every year. Then my husband reminds me that our DS (who is only 4 now and getting ready for his first Disney trip) needs to experience a variety of places in the U.S., i.e. Yosemite, San Diego Zoo, Charleston, Boston, etc. Makes sense; but is sometimes hard to do. Also, I was concerned in that we are only going for 4 nights because everyone (family and friends who I usually don't listen to) told me that would be plenty with a child. I have second-guessed that decision and thought I really messed up listening to them, but now think it was right for our DS's sake. I could vacation for months, lol, but they need their routine. Also, we are staying at BWVs in a studio. Did you enjoy the resort?

 

[soontobeatdisney]

rlduvall-
sorry it took me so long to get back to you.
Studios are great, we had 2 bedroom, one of the bedrooms are a studio. I think that would be perfect for a small family, only no stove, only microwave, but we hardly used the stove anyway. Eating out is half the fun there.

I think 4 days will be plenty, remember to slow down for your little one, don't push them too hard. And next trip can be when he's 10 or so, then he'll really be into it. We wound up missing AK all together and I'm OK with that, I love epcot anyway, I think your little one might like epcot too. Lots more room and character sightings, and you're very close so you can walk back and forth.

Have fun!

 

[wilderness01]

Thanks for the trip report. I know what you mean about the heat and humidity. Plus a very little one in tow. That is hard.

The next time you go maybe you should try the "colder" months like you said and when your son is a just a little older. After the age of 3 or so it really makes a big difference in their character interactions, tolerance, not needing a nap or else attitude, etc. We went the first time in the summer and when the kids were little. It was in a word MISERABLE! Maybe that is a little too harse because we did have some priceless moments but also had alot of meltdowns. I didn't want to go back for many years if ever! Well we did wait 3.5 years and that trip was MUCH better. Now we go back once a year. The kids love it and it is fun for adults. Some people can tolerate both the heat and crowds. Not me, I want no crowds and very little heat! Good luck next time.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Thanks for posting. With a 15 month old daughter and another on the way, I'm trying to decide when the earliest return trip will be possible. (DD was born 4 days before what was supposed to have been our 5th anniversary trip to WDW...but she's got me wrapped too tight around her fingers to complain.) I'm thinking it may be more prudent for us to leave the young one's with grandma for a few days once the new arrival is a year old. Especially if it is summer time. We live in SE Texas where 100+ temps are the rule all summer and have learned that a heat and babies are not a good mix!

 

[DisneyBug1995]

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. We went the week after you 9/27. Both my children daughter (7 yrs.) and son (23 mos.) came down with fevers while we were there. Must be something going around. I agree with you, taking a toddler to Disney can be difficult. My son wasn't scared of the characters or the rides but when he didn't get his nap when he needed it or when he got to hot he made sure none of us had a good time. He is also very active and had a hard time sitting still waiting in line or while we were trying to eat.

 

[IMISSDISNEY]

What a great report , thanks for sharing.