Which are must do for my 2.5yo DS at AK?

[PaulaMurf]

Hi -

Ok - we will be there in a couple of days, and this will be the 1st time for my DS at AK - and I have not seen any of the AK shows - so, what are the not to miss AK stuff for a 2.5 yo boy?

He loves Bugs life, so we will definately do ITTBAB and we have PS for Donald's BF, so what else do you think?

I dont know if he will have the patience to see Tarzan and Lion King so we probably need to pick just one. He is ok once things start, but really not too good at waiting.

TIA
Paula in CT

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Mine is 2 and 3/4 and I was thinking the same thing. I have been to the shows myself but not w/ DS yet and so I don't know what his reaction would be yet, but I can tell you what I have planned. I was going to do Tarzan AND the Lion King. My DS loves the Ice Shows and I thought he would be able to get thru 2 VERY active shows like those. I also thought he would enjoy playing in the Archaelogical/Dinosaur Playground area (it's like the Honey I Shrunk the Kids set in MGM) which looks like fun and he will be able to expend some energy. The AK has a petting zoo via train ride.... a little hard to get to, but may be worth the trip if DS is doing well. And the safari ride seems like something he can handle and then I can frontpack my DD and go along myself. He is learning his animal sounds now and so one of the walk thru trails may be in the cards. That'll be a great educational experience for him. Kali River Rapids and Extinction will be too much for him so we are skipping those. And I hear the Bug's Life show is frightening for some kids. I tend to think my DS will be fine, but I took my nephews a couple years ago when they were 8 and 6 and the 6 yr old freaked. And that is not uncommon. A lot of little ones can't handle that show so be careful w/ your DS. Lastly, I like to drop by the RF Cafe. I like it there and my DS doesn't get bothered by darkness or thunder so he should be fine. Hope this helps. Have fun!

 

[monarchsfan16]

If he isn't apprehensive about character interactions, Camp Minnie Mickey has places to meet some of the characters. Not as good as in Toontown in MK, but the characters are in safari outfits, so it makes for more unique pics.
There are a couple of walking trails that are nice if he likes animals. One you can see tigers and such, the other you can see gorillas. The train to Conservation Station is alright, and once you're at Conservation Station you can pet some of the animals. (unsure of his feelings on something like that, but if he likes it, it might be worth checking out)
The safari is also good. So is the Jammin Jungle parade. Lots of colors and music. Lots of fun.

 

[jennymouse]

Out of everything at AK I think the little ones love the Boneyard the best. Digging up dinosaur bones keeps them busy while you take a rest.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

I would not recommend ITTBAB for a child that age! It is full of creepy crawlies and they are all over you (via special effects in the seats), my boys 3 & 4 were screaming their heads off and crawling all over my husband who was also freaked out (and he doesn't normally have any problems with anything, he picks up snakes all the time!). Luckily, I got to stay outside with my DD. Later in the day we were on the bus back to our hotel our boys were talking to another boy, about 7, and he said, "Don't go in that giant tree, it is terrible!"

My kids won't go near the tree either!

We loved the dinosaur dig and the feeding station, and adored the Lion King so much we went all the way back to AK to see it a second time. For very small kids, I like this park best. It isn't scary and it is laid back and fun.

We didn't do Tarzan because we'd heard it was very loud and a little overwhelming.

Have fun!

 

[momof2inPA]

When my son was 2, he loved the Lion King show. He also liked the safari ride, the dinosaur flyer ride, the parade, and the boneyard. My two year old niece was knocked down pretty badly by kids running around in the boneyard on our last trip, so stick close to your little one, especially if it is crowded; oh, and the medics came for a child who slipped in the sandy area while my kids were playing there.

There were also tons of characters in Camp Minnie Mickie with very short lines.

 

[cooderbrown]

Let me compound things!

Tarzan was great fun for the kids when we went (DD was 2.5). It was the favorite show of the vacation for the wife and I (something we were not expecting)...

Now - here's a tip - if you go there is an aisle that spans across the ampitheater about half way up...Go a bit early to the show and sit in the first row above that aisle. The skaters during the show come up and skate that aisle, one gal dressed as a monkey stopped in the middle of the show, leaned over and kissed our 2.5 year old...she loved it. And there was alot of action to pay attention too.

We would have had a great picture of the kiss but I was too close.

We go back in April and Tarzan is Definitely on the list...Definitely magical.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

We love AK!! Our first trip with children was with my 1 1/2 year old DD. Next trip she was 2 1/2 and her sister was 8 months. Next trip my oldest DD was 4, my other DD was 2 and my DS was 10 months. Here's our must do's for AK:

* Lion King Show!! I think this is one of the best shows in all of WDW and the kids love it!

* Kil. Safari Ride - it's safe for little ones (slightly bumpy jeep ride)

* Both jungle treks (more beuatiful than a zoo)

* The Bone Yard Dig (cute, the kids don't want to leave)

* Affection Section (petting zoo at Rafiki's watch) - It's not that exciting or special but the kids enjoy the animlas and it is a nice break. They enjoy the train ride there, too.

We have also enjoyed these things:

- Breakfastasaurus (I love character meals and this is a nice one, but if you have others booked, it's not a must do.)

- Character Meet & Greets

- Pocohontas Show (cute, but not a WOW)

- The parade - very nice, especially if you like parades

As for Tarzan Rocks, I would have to say it is my least favorite show/attraction in all of WDW. I didn't think it was bad, but I wouldn't need to see it again. Festival of the Lion King on the other hand, I would see more than once in a single trip!)

We did ITTBAB on our last trip and our kids were ok with it (4 year old enjoyed it, nervously, 2 year old managed to deal with it but wasn't thrilled (but didn't freak) and the baby wasn't bothered. maybe he was asleep - I don't remember....)

Hope that helps. We do love AK! Have fun!!

 

[MinnesotaChill]

I just spoke to my husband, who was the one who actually went on Tough to Be...

He said it would have been managable with one kid on his lap. The sensory chairs are what pushed the kids over the edge.

 

[Nhorse]

I worked in Camp Minnie-Mickey as a cp last spring. Little kids loved the Lion King show (and pretty much everyone else too), I've seen more than one dancing along. Don't go see ITTBAB before the Lion King if you go see it at all and if you can avoid it seeing it first, just in case they don't like it. I've seen more than one parent and child leave the theatre early because it got a little dark, and the kids thought it would be like ITTBAB.

Poca is a great show for little kids especially if they like animals, they can even sit up in the very front if they don't mind sitting by themselves. Character interactions in CMM are great too, as of last spring (might have changed) Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy could all be found daily, along with usually Daisy or Donald instead od Daisy on a rare occasion, along with several other characters. I even got a picture with Jimmy Cricket there during a very rare appearance

Natalie