What not to Miss with three kids under three

[kellykc]

We are taking our first trip to WDW the first week of Feb. and I just want some advice on what we should not miss. We have 2.5 year old twins and a 10 month old and we plan on going for 6 days. I know that we will spend alot of time at MK, but what are some not miss things to do at the other parks. Open to any odvice from others who have also gone with three young children. Will the 10 month old be able to ride the rides that do not have a height restriction or is there an age limit? Also, we are staying at the Best Western there on the Resort, anyone have any experience with this place?

In the planning stage now so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kelly

 

[gottalovethem]

You will have so much fun!

You can do all the boat rides from Pirates and it's a Small World to the boat ride in Mexico -- there are many more too! There are lots of fun play areas. Character meals where a hit with the kids too and they allowed you a break (which I'm sure you need with three munchkins! I know I was concerned if we could actually do rides, and we could )

Disney Studios/MGM has all the preschool characters - the cars and motorcades parade was a huge hit for my then-three year old. In fact, there were lots of things in that park the kids loved.

All the animal activities in AK are great too.

Heck, it's all great! Have a blast!

 

[awaldo]

We took our almost 3DD last summer at 2.5, and just before her 2nd birthday. From experience, plan on spending a LOT of time in Fantasyland. Dumbo, Carousel, and TeaCups were her favorites. She didn't like the dark rides, except Peter Pan, as she is a big Pan Fan. Also Pirates, Jungle Cruise, etc. The twins will love taking it all in!

As for the other parks, a lot of time was spent simply walking and looking. I would definitely say hit the Playhouse Disney show at MGM, she loves it. At AK, the Safari was great. Plan on getting over to the Dino ride at AK, it's a lot like Dumbo.

Epcot, was a lot of looking and walking. She liked Nemo in the Living Sea, the countries were fun to look at, but under 3 is not the main demographic for them. Let me know if you have any specific ride or attraction questions.

As for the 10 MO, there are no specific restrictions on other rides, so should be ok.

 

[brandylouwho]

We took our daughter when she was 2.5 and again when she was 3.5 w/ her 4 mo old lil sis. Just about everything wihtout a height restriction is fun. Here are her highlights:

EPCOT: The living seas, the Nemo ride, Turtle Talk w Crush, and surprisingly enough Living with the Land (boat ride). She was alseep in the stroller as we walked around the worlds...but woke up for Illuminations, which she also enjoyed.

the Studios: Playhouse Disney, the parade is her FAVORITE parade, meeting characters (esp Lightning McQueen & Mater), Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, posing for pics on the Star Wars speeder & in the Sci Fi car. She really wants to see the stunt show, but it has not fit into our schedule either trip.

Animal Kingdom: Dinoland in general was a hit, Nemo musical was a big hit, the safari and walking around the paths looking at the animals was fun.

But the Magic Kingdom is still the best in our opinion and Fantasyland is the best of the best for the little ones. She has also enjoyed walking through Mickey's & Minnie's houses (a little boring for us parents though). There is nothing like watching her ride Dumbo with her dad to get me all choked up--to help me believe in the magic again.

 

[awaldo]

Stick with what Brandy just said! I forgot about half the things she mentioned, but they worked for us too!

 

[TJA]

Great ages for kids in Disney! Everyone above gave excellent advice. I just wanted to recommend that you take a very comfortable stroller(s) from home. Something that the kids will love being in, reclining seats, large canopy, etc. We also have twins and took them to WDW several times before turning age 3, and what we discovered was that any sort of schedule was shot out the window once we got in WDW. The twins learned to nap in the stroller because they simply got worn out and needed to rest. And it was never at a specific time -- they took cat naps on and off all day and at different times each day.

As everyone above said, all your kids can go on the rides without height restriction. This includes most rides in Fantasyland in MK. And several other rides and shows as noted above. There are also play areas in each park. During the day if you are at Epcot and your kids want to blow off some steam, you can go in the back of the park in the countries through International Gateway and walk around on the boardwalk and around the lake where the Epcot resorts are located, stop for some ice cream or a snack or even eat a meal on the boardwalk. It's a great area to unwind. Then just walk back in to Epcot the same way you left. We discovered that area when our twins were just learning to walk and since then we just can't stay away!

Have lots of fun!

 

[everylastbreath]

Don't stress about seeing anything specific, at their ages, they will not even know they missed it. Enjoy the little things that they will notice, but you might be too focused on the "rides, parades etc" little ones see wonder in everything, big and small. When we brought my GS last summer (he was just 2 years old) he got the biggest kick out of the hotel hallway and elevator! go figure! Just watch their little faces and I guarantee you will enjoy that more than any fireworks display! See the fireworks if possible, there is a great spot right in the Contemporary resort (on the same floor as Chef Mickeys) to watch without the crowds of MK. Go with the attitude, If we see it fine, if not don't stress. ENJOY!!

 

[SandrainNC]

One thing that really surprised me that my 16 month old liked was Turtle Talk with Crush. He pointed to it and talked back the whole time. It was soo cute! But he HATED Dumbo and anything like it. Go figure.

Sandra

 

[zoomouse]

Don't miss the Spectromagic parade at the MK. My kids still talk about it and want to see pictures and listen to the music.

 

[kellykc]

Thank you all for your advice. It has really helped me plan our trip and feel better about taking our kids at such a young age. Most of our family members think we are crazy because the kids will not remember the trip, but my husband and I will remember the look in our kids eyes when they see Mickey for the first time.

 

[jeffnpa]

Thanks eveyone, After reading this it elimainated me from posting the same message. We will be in DWD atthe end of April with a 3.5 yr old and a 11 month old as well. Seemed like great advise.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Don't miss the Spectromagic parade at the MK. My kids still talk about it and want to see pictures and listen to the music.

I agree. It's one of my son's favorite parades (The Halloween Boo to You Parade is still number one for me though)
I actually came home from my trip last week with the soundtrack. And the Wishes soundtrack. And the "Party Music" soundtrack that has Boo to You and Hallowishes. I'm such a geek! I tried to pretend it was for my son, but really...I'm listening to Spectro right now.

 

[everylastbreath]

Thank you all for your advice. It has really helped me plan our trip and feel better about taking our kids at such a young age. Most of our family members think we are crazy because the kids will not remember the trip, but my husband and I will remember the look in our kids eyes when they see Mickey for the first time.

When we took my GS (turned 2years @ WDW) I head the same things- Please read the post I made after we returned, you will not be sorry.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1565254&referrerid=&highlight=please+read

 

[mericletwins]

We also have twins and another 14 months younger. We went to Disney world just about once every 18 months starting when the twins were 9 months old. This is what I would say not to miss. Don't miss taking your time and visiting all the parks. We have never been ones that think you spend all the time at the MK. There is something for this age kid at everyone of the theme parks. Don't miss the playground at your hotel. Don't miss splashing around in the pool. Don't forget to take your time, relax and enjpy yourselves. Your kids are so young, they don't know what they are missing if they don't see it. Take some time and do and see some of the things that you and DH want. Don't miss taking breaks mid day if you need them. Don't miss watching the kids for tiredness/crankiness and if you see it, go back to the hotel and nap or swim or just chill out.


If you have some specific questions, please let me know, I'd be happy to answer.

 

[GoinToDisney]

I haven't read the other responses, so sorry if any of this is a repeat. I took my dd at 2.5 last year. My best advice is to prepare the 2.5 year-olds for the dark rides. My dd was never afraid of the dark, but was wary of the dark rides at first. She hated pooh at first, but by the end, she loved it. This time (feb. 8-13) , we will show her videos of the rides on youtube and be sure to explain that they make it darker in there so you can see all of the pretty colors better. I also told her when she was afraid that she could sit on my lap and if she was afraid, I would hug her and she could hide her eyes. She only had to do that with the scary fish on the Nemo ride at Epcot.

Her faves were Pooh, Mickey's Philharmagic, Small World... this is a good first dark ride not quite as dark as some and very happy and mild. I think we did pooh first and there is a part where your honey pot bounces along with tigger. She didn't like that part until we explained that she was bouncing with tigger and then found it didn't move her around as much in her seat if she sat on my lap. By the last day, she wanted to ride Pooh 3 or 4 times that day. Dd is a big pooh fan, so we make sure to go to crystal palace for dinner. Wishes is a MUST for us, and multiple times and we must be in front of the castle for it and in a place where we can see Tinkerbelle fly from the castle (off to the right).


At AK, she loved the Nemo show and Pocohontas. If your kids are playhouse disney fans, then Studios has a show that is supposed to be revamped and I think it will be open at the time you'll be there. I heard they are adding mickey and some of the more recent characters. The lunch with jojo and little einsteins was good and had a lot of kid-friendly veggies when we were there. Our dd got sick of carrots last trip, but they had corn there and some others. She loved jojo.

We are not huge fans of Epcot, but like the Nemo ride (if eyes are covered during the scary angler fish part) and Turtle Talk with Crush. We can miss Illuminations, but love LeCellier for lunch or preferably dinner. This was a last minute trip, so they only had lunch ADR's for LeCellier this time.

2.5 was a great time to go, but don't feel discouraged if they are afraid of anything. I found that explaining why they do something and pointing out how silly things are really helped my dd. I will make sure to remind her this time befor ewe go. She remembers a lot about last year's trip, and it was in Nov, so a full year ago. She still tells me things that she remembers... very random things sometimes! LOL!

 

[abbyandjj'smom]

We are gong to Disney the end of Feb with our 3 year old and 18 month old.
Any advice on making reservations for the Princess Breakfast or any other shows? Do you have to make reservations for shows? I have been several times, but never with my kids....so not sure what to do. We are staying in a corporate house near Disney. So this will be the first time we haven't stayed on the property, but it was free so we are trying it out!

Thank you!!

 

[ajcolorado]

Animal Kingdom is a wonderful park - "Finding Nemo - the Musical" and "Festival of the Lion King" are great shows. You can do the Safari, Triceratop Spin, the Boneyard play area, and the train out to the conservation station. There is a character breakfast available too.

I never thought that Studios was particular great for little ones but my 3 year old goddaughter loved it. They do have Playhouse Disney Live, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, etc.

Here's a good article on doing Epcot with little ones: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/article-epcot-with-young-children.html