What to do with 2.5 year old from 6-8 p.m.

[MartDM]

I'm looking for ideas of how to entertain our son during the evening hours before bedtime.

We'll be staying at the BWV so we'll no doubt spend a few eves at Epcot or in the pool, but I'd love to hear all your ideas of some non-park related things to do that would be fun for a toddler.

What worked for you?

 

[Bren's Mom]

My (at the time just turned 3 years old) son's favorite thing to do at Disney was the Goofy Sprinklers at Pop. We spent HOURS there. He would have been happy if we'd skipped the parks altogether and just done that! LOL

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Our DS loved the toy store on DTD; they have a table w/potato head parts he could have played for hours...and he loved walking around and just looking; luckly he has not started to gimme stage yet! He loved the pool!!!

 

[Disneychix]

We took walks around the resort (CSR so there was lots to see!) and let DS play in the playground. Bathtime before bed was good to relax him. One night we did DTD and he rode the little attractions there.
Honestly he was so pooped from the long days that he didn't even mind bedtime. A couple of times he fell asleep for the night before we made it back to the room!

 

[TiggerStac]

You're staying at the boardwalk...just walk downstairs to the boardwalk they have entertainers on the boardwalk at night. They do all kinds of magic tricks, etc. my sons love it....it's one of the main reasons we like to stay at the boardwalk. At night...we can go right downstairs and walk around, have some ice cream, watch the performers!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

You're staying at the boardwalk...just walk downstairs to the boardwalk they have entertainers on the boardwalk at night. They do all kinds of magic tricks, etc. my sons love it....it's one of the main reasons we like to stay at the boardwalk. At night...we can go right downstairs and walk around, have some ice cream, watch the performers!

My kids love the performers on the BW. First time we stayed there my DS was about as old as yours is now. He would run from performer to performer all night long. He is 11 now, DD 5, and they still do it. We have to take at least 3 nights off a week from the parks so we can go to the BW.

You can also rent a surrey bike. DS is old enough to help pedal now but DD still loves to ride in the basket and ring the bell.

 

[puffkin]

Well we are almost always at the parks during that time.....but at depending on the time of year you can see if the Beach Club is doing a movie on the beach. Also, grab some ice cream and walk on the boardwalk.

And to the PP who said about the Goofy area at Pop....we had a hard time keeping DS out of there too. He loved it and made all sorts of friends there, LOL.

 

[MartDM]

Duh! I've stayed at the Boardwalk twice & sat on the balcony watching the performers & surrey bike riders...you'd think I would have thought of that myself (did I mention I have a two year old? Keeping up with him is apparently eating my brain!).

Thanks for the ideas, I really appreciate it!

 

[clc053103]

We've also stayed at BWV there is plenty to do- performers on BW, quick walk around the countries in Epcot, surrey ride, BW playground or dip in the pool, take the boat over to Beach cLub (sure you could walk but the boat is fun) and also, they have movies on the beach at night at Beach club.

 

[lauraj333]

Does anyone know if they run the movies at the Beach Club all year long?

 

[dis-happy]

Boardwalk also has a Commuity Center. By 6-8 pm it may be used for evening childcare (??? but I'm not completely sure of this). However, at WL they let us go in and borrow some puzzles and games to take back to our room. You can also rent dvd's there (free to DVC members). Sometimes my kids crave a couple of quiet hours before bed after a busy day at WDW.

 

[laughinplace199]

We usually made dinner ADR's for around 6:00. By the time we're done with dinner and get back to the resort, it's usually time for pj's and bed for the little one.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Boardwalk also has a Commuity Center. By 6-8 pm it may be used for evening childcare (??? but I'm not completely sure of this). However, at WL they let us go in and borrow some puzzles and games to take back to our room. You can also rent dvd's there (free to DVC members). Sometimes my kids crave a couple of quiet hours before bed after a busy day at WDW.

No childcare at BW.

How about riding the Friendship boats between DHS and Epcot?

Or playing in the sand at the BC?

 

[natnelliesmom]

When we are in WDW we stay in the parks all day! We don't stick to bedtimes or naps. Our kids are very good about napping in their stroller and they sleep like rocks when they hit their beds.
I'm confused about why you have that set time as needing an activity. Why not just stay in the parks? Go do something!! You will be in Disney World!
-Sarah

 

[dis-happy]

No childcare at BW.

Does that mean the Community Hall closes early or stays open for anyone to use? I really can't remember their hours, just know that my gang really enjoys hanging out in there, lots of things for all ages to do. Anyway, OP, check it out if you get a chance.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Does that mean the Community Hall closes early or stays open for anyone to use? I really can't remember their hours, just know that my gang really enjoys hanging out in there, lots of things for all ages to do. Anyway, OP, check it out if you get a chance.

It probably stays open, but you can't drop off kids there. You have to stay with your kids.

 

[Gretchen3ajoshmom]

I stayed at BWV when my oldest was 2.5!! He's now 13.... He loved the magician and jugglers on the BW at night as we walked back from Epcot...One of my favorite memories is getting breakfast earlier than everyone with us at the bakery- I sipped my coffee, enjoyed my pastry, and watchend Anthony growling at and chasing seagulls....I love the Boardwalk!!!

 

[MartDM]

When we are in WDW we stay in the parks all day! We don't stick to bedtimes or naps. Our kids are very good about napping in their stroller and they sleep like rocks when they hit their beds.
I'm confused about why you have that set time as needing an activity. Why not just stay in the parks? Go do something!! You will be in Disney World!
-Sarah

I'm glad that worked out for you but for the vast majority of 2.5 year olds, an all day park haul is pretty ill advised. I know that we'll all have a much better time if we stick to something more closely resembling his day to day schedule rather than pushing him unnecessarily (we've been many times and we'll be back many more so there's no need to "do it all" this trip).

That's why we're planning to do some park touring in the a.m., have some pool time late a.m./early p.m., then have a restful nap in a bed and then head back out for a few more hours of fun in the evening.

Not that I really care, but I don't get why you are confused by me looking for something fun to do with my kid in the evening hours? What's so difficult to comprehend about wanting your child to have some fun?

To everyone who provided productive and helpful advice, thank you very much!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm glad that worked out for you but for the vast majority of 2.5 year olds, an all day park haul is pretty ill advised. I know that we'll all have a much better time if we stick to something more closely resembling his day to day schedule rather than pushing him unnecessarily (we've been many times and we'll be back many more so there's no need to "do it all" this trip).

That's why we're planning to do some park touring in the a.m., have some pool time late a.m./early p.m., then have a restful nap in a bed and then head back out for a few more hours of fun in the evening.

Not that I really care, but I don't get why you are confused by me looking for something fun to do with my kid in the evening hours? What's so difficult to comprehend about wanting your child to have some fun?

To everyone who provided productive and helpful advice, thank you very much!!!

Your schedule sounds pretty reasonable. I know on our first trip, our son was just four. His most favorite part of the trip (and we did all the main character breakfasts) was swimming in the pool at the resort.

 

[MartDM]

Your schedule sounds pretty reasonable. I know on our first trip, our son was just four. His most favorite part of the trip (and we did all the main character breakfasts) was swimming in the pool at the resort.

I suspect we'll find a similar situation with our son. I'm sure he's going to be far more interested in the non-park activities than in the rides, which is fine by us