Which park is better for 2YO?

[merela]

My sister is in town for a couple of days and wants to do Disneyland with her 2YO (she also has a 6M old). We were wondering which park is better (more rides) for 2YO--Disneyland or California Adventure?

Are there rides 6M olds can go on? My sister plans to Baby Bjorn the 6M old baby, but we weren't sure the baby can get on some rides that way?

They only plan to spend a day at Disneyland, so it's either Disneyland or CA adventure.

TIA.

 

[LeftCoaster]

Disneyland will definately have more to do for the 2yo. You've got all of Fantasyland, Toontown, more shows, more character meet & greets.

 

[Minderbinder5]

Most definitely the Magic Kingdom! There are a couple rides that young children can go on at DCA, but for the most part, that park is designed for 6 yrs and up. The Magic Kingdom, though, has lots of stuff for little kids, and lots of rides themed after their favorite Disney movies, so they will relate and enjoy!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I have to hand it to DL for that one- DCA is far better for the over 40 inch crowd

The infant can ride everything without a height requirement -em

 

[dgdisney]

My second child has always loved DCA more than DL - she could ride the carousel all day (and no line ever- and we always go in the summertime!). She loved the play areas in the Bug's Land and across from GRR. She could see Playhouse Disney over and over again. And, at the Animation Building, she could sing songs with Disney characters forever! Not to mention that more than once we have found very lonely "real" princesses in the lobby - dying to talk to little people. Abby finally had to tell Sleeping Beauty and Snow White that she "had to go now." Can't beat that - in the middle of the summer no less! She even like the Muppet Show (although only lately has she used the glasses)

Of course this all occurred after she turned 3 - and decided that all "inside" rides were awful!

So - beauty and fun is in the eye of the beholder!

By the way - when my kids were 2 they would have absolutely nothing to do with characters other than princesses - too freaky! And even though they loved the stories of Peter Pan, Alice, Snow White and Pinocchio they would no way go on any of those rides Just another side of the story. I guess if the wait for Dumbo was not so long we would stay on that side longer!

 

[BlueBayou]

I have taken my daughter to the Disneyland Resort twice. At 7 months and at 15 months.

At those ages it really did not make a difference which park (and this was before bugs land was build). I think the most fun she had on her second trip was at DCA. The park was nearly deserted and we wandered into the farm area. Even though it was December, we let her play in the water a little bit. The farm area that my DH and I thought was TOTALLY lame was such and unexpected joy for her. Plus my husband fell in love with the Baby Center when he went to change her out of her wet clothes. The one at Disneyland is very nice, but frequently crowded. We had the run of the joint at DCA.

Sure there is much more for a 2-year-old to do in terms of rides that a 2-year-old can go on at Disneyland.... however if you are talking a Saturday, you might want to choose DCA because of the crowds.

Little kids can get a kick out of just about anything. My oldest is almost 4 now and just loves to ride the bus from long term parking at the airport. Just a huge smile on her face.

Also at DCA we kept running into characters where there was not a crowd to see them. She did not like the idea of going up to them... but loved to look at them from a good distance. The park was so empty, that even though we were standing back, Donald, Mickey and Max each at a different time walked over and gently tried to get my daughter to play with them. She would just bury her head into our bodies.

We are planning a trip in December with our two girls (will be 4-years and 20-months) and we think we will leave Disneyland when it gets crowded and enjoy DCA.

 

[Charlotte D]

Hi there my family and i have just got home from california and we have a 2 year old and a 3 year old and i have to say that disneyland was far better for them they enjoyed most rides and attractions and so we even vistited the park on several occations we only went to the adventure park once as didnt find it that exciting for them.

Hope this helps
Charlotte

 

[CrazyDreamer]

If this is their first time to DLR, then they'd probably have a better time at the Magic Kingdom, not just because of the more age-appropriate attractions, but because of the familiarity. Every child (or almost every child...) has heard of the Magic Kingdom, seen clips of it on TV, ads for it in the newspaper, pictures on billboards, etc. And since children tend to love things that they know, being at this famous location would make their one day all the more special.