WDW with young child

[kenny]

Do you think a 2 year old would enjoy WDW or are they still too young. My wife and I want to plan a trip (partly to take our dd and partly because we NEED TO GO TO DISNEY). At what age did you first bring your children?

Thanks

 

[disneyandme]

We brought our DD5 the first time when she was about 2 1/2 and she still talks about it. Our trip totally centered around what she liked to do-- only kid friendly rides and shows-- and we had a great time. Remember to plan in breaks and naps!

 

[nyyankees5]

We took our DS when he was 11months, 2 yrs, 4yrs. I'm not sure he actually remembers anything from his first trip, he is always looking at the picutres and says he remebers. We took my DS when she was 3 months, and almost 2. she remebers the second trip.

I also find that if you talk about the trip before it happens, (we got the vacation planner dvd, and an Unoffical Guide book) the kids are aware of what they are going to see and be doing.


hope this helps.

 

[MilouPA]

We took DD3 when she was 18m. She still remembers parts of the trip -- we were at WDW as part of a convention, and had a private character dinner as part of the convention. Since DD was one of only 5 children at the dinner, she was able to spend a lot of time with the characters and remembers a LOT of that -- Chip and Dale played peek-a-boo with her and she still talks about that despite us not having any photos of it!

Anyway, we found that lowering expectations (not seeing much in the parks, taking a long nap each afternoon) helped us all have a good time. I honestly believe that toddlers can get a LOT out of a trip to WDW, and the photos/memories for parents are fantastic even if your toddler forgets everything eventually!

 

[FOV]

We brought our kids when they were babies and toddlers. There is *nothing* more magical than the look in a 2 y/o's eyes as the parade passes by. Winnie the Pooh, Small World, Cindy's Carousel, Dumbo, water fountains in Epcot, Chef Mickey's, Bear in the Big Blue House..... (I could go on and on!) Our camera never stopped when we had a 2 y/o with us.

This year will be our first trip when none of our kids will be babies - our youngest will be 4. Exciting in some ways (no diaper bag either!) but sad in other ways.

Oh, please bring your dd!!!! You won't regret it!!! I promise!!!! (Disclaimer: we also thought it was great fun to take a 5 y/o to London!)

 

[swilphil]

We have taken both our kids at age two. In some ways, I think they become a little more difficult the older they get. On our last trip, our son had just turned two so he had his first haircut at the Main Street Barber in MK. They really do some extras for the first haircut--Free Mickey Ears, a certificate, a lock of hair wrapped up to take home, and TONS of stickers. He also was in heaven at the Crystal Palace character breakfast. He loved all the rides he went on, but was young enough that he didn't get upset if there were rides he couldn't go on.

 

[verchad]

Definitely go! We took our daughter when she was a month shy of her third birthday. It was great.

Take pictures and some video. We were surprised at how much she talked about it even after a year or so. She loved to look at the pictures and videos. We taped some of the rides and fireworks/shows. She would constantly say, " I remember when ..... ".

We went back just this month, she turned 5 at the end of Spetember. She would sometimes comment on how we saw this or did that the last time we were there. Plus we were able to go to things we couldn't before. Then and now it was a great time with great memories. When we met Mickey at the Toontown fair, we waited in line, when it was our turn, she ran up and gave him a big hug. I have it on video and can hear the teenage girls behind us saying, "Oh, isn't that so cute."

We took her to the princess breakfast in Cinderella's castle, a huge hit. Many of the cast members were great, we bought her some mouse ears. Some of them greeted her with, " Hello princess " or " Hi mouseketeer ".

Only you can judge how your child will react to the characters, walking some, the attractioins, etc. If you go, definitely bring or rent a stroller. It will make some great memories for you and her.

Also a side note, if it still hasn't changed, when we went in 2002, children under 3 did not require a ticket, a big savings depending on the length of stay. We did use the baby swap to ride some rides she couldn't.

 

[kimlooman]

We took our youngest baby last Dec. 2003 when he was 4 mo. old, then in Jan. 2004 when he was 6 mo. now we are going in Nov. (in two weeks!) and he will be almost 16 mo. old. Call us crazy but we have a great time no matter what age our kids are. We just remember to be flexible with our plans and just enjoy what every we can with our kids. Our oldest child now 7 first went to Disney when he was 16 mo. old and I doubt he remembers it but still looks at pictures of him with the characters and we as parents remember all those precious moments. I guess it is a choice of what you want to get out of your trip, if it is just to enjoy with your kids then by all means take them no matter what age! Enjoy!

 

[shafke]

We'll let you know in 6 months... DD will be 2years 2 months for the trip. I have recently started training her to recognize the shape of a Mickey Mouse head (silhouette).

 

[alloyd1170]

My dad and I took my 2 yr old son (daddy had to work) and we had a blast! We didnt do much (only there 3 days), but it was all about what my son wanted to do. We arrived around lunch time, checked into CR, took our bags to the rooms, had lunch, then headed to MGM for the afternoon. We did Playhouse Disney, Muppets 3d (mistake as the effects scared him), I Shrunk the Kids set, the parade, Fantasmic, and met some characters (hint: get the Sing Along videos Beach Party and Small World to help kids prep for the characters. Also, the planning dvd that was free helped prep him for WDW). The next day we rode up front in the monorail (big hit since son is a train fanatic) to MK. We headed right to Fantasyland and did Dumbo, Carousel, Small World (big hit-he now sings the song), Peter Pan (not great for him), Philharmagic (another mistake since he got scared), Haunted Mansion (really big mistake). Then we rode the train around, headed back to CR for lunch and a nap, then back to MK to reride some things, do the Indy cars a few times (major hit), Spectromagic and Wishes. Next day we spent some time at AK and Epcot (wouldve rather have gone back to MK), and then Cirque (great show, son sat through it all). Checkout morning we ate at Chef Mickeys, rode the monorail one more time, then shopped at DTD before heading home. Be sure to take lots of pictures (our son loves looking at his), snacks, bubbles, etc (for waiting in lines). I rigged up a "leash" to his pants which was a big help while standing in line so he didnt bolt away. We also used his stroller quite a bit (mark yours so you can easily pick it out in a field of strollers). The best part is that until they turn 3, theyre free at the parks and buffets! We're all going back after a New Years cruise to get one more free trip out of him!

alison

 

[ILMOUSE]

We went in March with our DD who was 17 months. Prior to that I had gotten the Sing a long video Disneyland Fun to help her learn who the characters were. She was already into Pooh and friends but called most of them Pooh. She could say Mickey when we went. I had read to wait to introduce characters later in the trip. The first night we ended up eating at Liberty Taven which has characters. From that night on, she was hooked. Every character got a hug and a kiss. A few months ago she asked to turn on Mickey. Now we have to watch something with Mickey almost everyday. We are going back in December and I am sure she is going to have a blast as now she can call Mickey and the gang by name.

Just make sure to do it at her pace. Have snacks on hand and watch for signs of melt down. DD usually fell asleep in the stroller but one day she fought it hard. We forced her in the stroller screaming at 3 pm and she cried for 2 minutes and then suddenly was asleep. This was the only time she got really upset.

Take her and enjoy the time with her and seeing it through her eyes.

 

[judben821]

We took our DD when she had just turned 2. We all had a blast. The most important piece of advice is to go realizing that you will be doing the things a 2 year old wants to do and going at a 2 year old's pace. We did this and had a wonderful time. She is 3 1/2 now and still talks about this trip.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

My youngest son went on his first trip at age 21 months and he had a BLAST! He was a HUGE Pooh fan at the time and I will never forget seeing how excited he was when we went to Crystal Palace for breakfast. We had the latest possible time for a breakfast PS and the place was just about empty. When he realized there were characters there we thought he was going to flip the highchair over in his excitement. When Pooh finally came around towards us (we were, honestly, the only people in our section) we put him down and he RAN across into Pooh's arms for a huge hug. He may not remember it, but it's one of those memories etched in MY heart forever! He's 2½ now and he and the 2 year old daughter of a friend we just went with had the time of their lives together on our trip earlier this month.

My oldest was 3½ on his first trip and he talks about it constantly. Little details we don't have pictures of so he definitely remembers it.

I totally agree that there is nothing like seeing the magic through the eyes of a toddler and a preschooler!

 

[sarahsmom73]

Oh you must go! There is nothing like watching the expressions of your child the first time they see "Mickey's Castle"... DD was 2 1/2 in April and talks about our trip daily!