Who's traveled with a 2 year old???

[RN01]

We are going to DW Dec 2-10. It will be me, DH, DD12, DD9, and DD2. I'm not worried about my older girls but my 2 year old is a different story. She is a really good natured kid untill you mess with her routine. I know we have to make sure she takes a nap at the same time everyday. Now I've added the DDP to my package and I'm worried. I love the fact of being able to eat at all these different places but I'm afraid of her getting fussy from being too tired from running everyday. I'd love to hear from other family's of 2 year olds and how did you manage to keep them from having a total meltdown?

 

[mdhkitten]

I went in May right before dd was 2 (she was a couple weeks shy of being 2), and that trip she was a really good one. If she got tired she just fell asleep in the stroller. She was excited to see all of the different people and characters, so maybe that helped some. We only stayed at the MK until 4 that day, and didn't get there until around 11, so it's not like we kept her going all day, either. When we went when she was a year old, it was a totally different story. We HAD to leave when she was tired. We're going again at the end of November, and she'll be 29 months, but she's not napping so much anymore. My biggest problem this last trip is that I chose to take her on rides such as Winnie the Pooh, and the fact that much of it was in the dark scared her to death. Who would have thought that ride would scare anyone? I certainly learned my lesson, and had to stick with rides with more light for her. I would say go and don't expect to make it all day or see every single thing. I used to try that until my dd came along, and now I stick to her schedule. She also really has enjoyed taking a break and doing the character meals. Good luck!

 

[Tumblwd501]

We took our DS for his first trip to WDW when he was about 2.5 yrs. The first two days we tried to go without naps, and while he did alright, he was pretty fussy and cranky towards the end of the day. The rest of the trip we would head back to our room after lunch so he could nap and he would do much better, even staying up later then his normal bedtime without becoming too fussy.

As far as rides and meeting characters, he was kinda timid at first, but we eased him into things. Things like holding him in our arms to go up to the characters. DS first ever ride at DW was actually the Winnie the Pooh ride and he loved it. Of course, he's been enamored with Winnie & Co right from the start, so I'm sure that had something to do with it! By the end of the first day he was going up to characters and giving them bear hugs and telling us he wanted to go on everything!

Obviously every child is different, so I would say take it slow the first day or so and just see what your daughter can handle and go from there.

Have a great trip!!

 

[mom2triplets]

took my trio when they were 2 1/2. We went with the attitude that we go at their pace and try to keep them on a schedule. After the 1st day of returning to the resort for a nap,that they didn't take, we just let them fall asleep in their stroller when they were ready for as long as they wanted. We also keep them out so they were exhausted when we returned, not to the point of breakdown, but that we could just put them in bed and off they would go till morning. if we didn't we would spend hours telling them to go to sleep.

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

I went to Disney world with a 2 year old (actually 23 months). Like you, I was concerned about naps, but it was not a problem at all. We did not bring the reclining stroller because of weight, but they make lightweight strollers that recline and I would recommend bringing one. She just feel asleep in that FL sun and slept there with her head on her shoulder and she slept for a good 2 hours. We would let the older daughter go on the bigger rides with Dh while I stayed with DD2. Now as far as eating, we were not on the dining plan when we went so, I can to provide any advice there. My biggest advice is play it by ear, if you think she needs to go back for rest, do it, it will make everyone a happier camper in the end.

 

[kldmom2000]

We took our girls in Dec. '04 when they were 4 yrs old and the younger DD was 26 months old. I was worried as well with my younger DD... but she did better than the 4 yr old!LOL! She ended up crashing every afternoon in the stroller for 1-2 hours and just went with the flow (she's normally so much like her dad in needing to stick to a routine every day, so this was suprising!) With the meals, I tried to stick to character meals and buffets because you were entertained by the characters if they were there and with the buffets, you didn't have to wait for your food-made it much easier for a 2 yr old that doesn't like to sit for a long period of time! We also would take an afternoon break every day so that the girls would get rejuvinated.... and because of the time of year you're going (we went that same time frame too), none of the parks really stays open very late since it's off season (unless it's an EMH night or MVMCP) so it helped that they were in bed generally by 9pm most nights

GL! Have fun!

 

[Twingle]

I've gone with my twin 2 year olds - twice! We went in December, 2005, and they were 28 months. We went again this past June, when they were a little over 2 1/2.

Our girls are VERY used to their schedule, so I wasn't sure what to expect. They did very, very, well. We let them sleep however late they wanted to in the morning (which with them meant maybe 7 a.m. - usually closer to 6:30 - all three of my kids think that they are roosters). We very much went at our kids pace (I have an older DS that just turned 7 yesterday). I made a point out of offering food and/or drinks every hour or so, even if it was just a quick sip of water. I know my kids well enough that if they get sidetracked and get hungry or thirsty, they are much more likely to have meltdowns. I made the grand mistake of taking them on POC, which absolutely terrified them because it was so dark. After that, they pretty much only went on rides that I knew were either out in the open or had plenty of light.

My girls did VERY well with all the characters, mainly because big brother is their idol, and everything he did they had to do also. The Pooh's Playful (Thoughtful? I can't remember right now) Spot was great, they really enjoyed running around.

As far as naps, when they were tired they just fell asleep in the stroller. Mind you, if they are anywhere other than their beds at home, they absolutely will not sleep. They don't even sleep in the car! So, the fact that they were sleeping in the stroller was amazing to us.

We used our double stroller, since our girls are so used to riding in it. I tried a harness on them before we went, and they absolutely hated it. Heads spinning around type of hate. Maybe if I'd used it when they were younger it would've been a non issue, but there was no way they were going to wear that harness and be happy about it.

We didn't have the dining plan either time that we went, but we did go to a few sit down meals. My girls did not do well at all at the Crystal Palace, but they don't like Pooh & Co. We went there for my mom's birthday, and the girls really didn't like it. However, the LOVED Chef Mickey's, and really enjoyed the singing, waving their napkins around, etc. When we were at the Crystal Palace, my DH and I took turns taking the girls for a walk around the resturant while the other one stayed with our DS.

Does your little one look up to her big sisters? Our oldest was a HUGE help with our little ones - it was very sweet the things he would do and say to help keep them entertained.

We're going back the end of October, and looking forward to it. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[flortlebap]

Ask me in 3 weeks

 

[Camden'smom]

We just got back with our 2 year old (will be 3 in 4 weeks). He did very well. I bought a light weight stroller that reclined, had a basket, a tray for him and cup holders for us. Worked well because he normally will take a nap in the stroller. While he slept we were able to ride the rides that he wasn't tall enough for. If he didn't take his normal 2 hour nap there were some evenings that he fell asleep early or on the bus back to the hotel.
He did very well with the characters. He LOVED getting autographs and having his pictures taken with them. He always wanted to stop and give the characters a hug.
As for dining, he loved the character meals and ate his normal amount of food. There was one evening that he feel asleep during dinner. We did have to use a counter service back at the hotel for his dinner that evening.
My son did not like the 3D movies or MGM's Indiana Jones stunt show. As I was discovering things that he did not like I would stray away from them. Of course he love the rides in FantasyLand and Tomorrow Land. We rode Buzz 11 times during our stay.
Each child is different so you have to watch how your child is reacting and work appropriately for your child. Expect a few meltdowns. They are two.
Enjoy your vacation! My son is now asking us "When are we going back?"

 

[shafke]

We took DD when she was 2 yrs 3 months.

We made sure to allow for down time. Not necessarily at the hotel but things like playing in the water play area in Epcot or the playground at the Studios. Things where she could run, play, climb, etc. This way she was not overwhelmed by going ride to ride. More important than napping is to try to keep to their feeding schedule. At that age they probably will not tell you that they are hungry but just get cranky.

 

[susykt4]

Our son was 2 years 5 months our first family trip. He is VERY dependant on schedules and not flexible. DH and I agreed before we left that this trip was all about princess-loving DD4 and that we'd take turns taking DS back to the resort when he got cranky. We assumed that would be often.

We were SHOCKED!!! The kid was fantastic! He absolutely loved everything about Disney World, including the characters we were POSITIVE he'd be terrified of. We did take both kids back to the resort every day for a nap, but that wasn't too big of a deal because we were there during a busy spring break week.

We went back when he was 3 years, 2 months and he was great again. He was no longer taking naps at home and we went during a slow, cool time in January so we'd get to the parks at opening and stay until between 4 and 6 and then back to the resort for the rest of the evening and an early bedtime. Eight straight days of this schedule with NO meltdowns! If only he could be so good at home!!!

 

[Love the Mouse]

We just got back with our 2 year old and it was definitely a VERY different trip for her this time than it was when we went in May when she was about to turn 2.

We got to the parks early, after eating breakfast (We went to a character breakfast buffet at the Beach Club...she LOVED it.) and made sure to get her back to the room for some quiet time and a nap. We all slept for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours each day. Then we got up and ready for dinner and fireworks. She did stay up till 9 - 9:30 each night (bedtime is usually between 7 and 7:30 normally) but since she had such a long nap, it worked out well on this trip.

We also made sure that we always did something for her each day...rides that she liked. Took her to the MK to run around and play with all of the other kids in Pooh's garden. She loved that place, and we actually spent about 1 1/2 hours just letting her get her energy out.

Overall for us, it was the most pleasant trip this time around. The last time we just seemed to go and go and hoped she would sleep in the stroller. She would, but not for long. That's why we opted for the room and quiet time each and every day.

Hope you have fun.

 

[Lil'DisneyMom]

We just got back from taking our 2 year old, and we had no problems at all. Some days we went back tot he room for a nap, but he did better when he fell asleep at the park in his stroller. He loved the characters. He was a bit timid of the face characters, and Rafiki for some reason, but everyone else he would run right up too. He went on all the rides he could, and wasn't scared of anything. His favorite was the Buzz ride. I think it all depends on your child. Every child will react different, and deal with schedules differently.

 

[skuttle]

We went to WDW last December when our DS was 2.5. We never left the park for a break. DS took all of his naps in the park in his stroller. We rented a stroller from www.abbf.com . Sometimes we had to force the nap...find a quiet spot, away from lots of people, etc. He actually fell asleep one night DURING Wishes! lol!

He loved all of the characters...he was a little scared of Buzz and Capt. Hook at first, though.

One thing we weren't prepared for is that DS cried at the end of almost every show, parade, ride, etc because he didn't want them to end!! We rode a few rides twice in a row. We tried our best to explain that it was over and we were going do other fun things, but sometimes he just didn't get it. I'm hoping in January he'll understand better and not cry!

 

[belle&beast]

Our Ds turned 2 on our trip in January and like the other posters have said, he was great! We had planned in time to go back to the hotel to rest if needed, and we never did because he fell asleep in the stroller almost every day. We also planned meals at the time we normally eat, so we wouldn't have an over-tired or extremely hungry child. The restarurants we chose were very kid friendly- mostly character meals for table services so there was a lot to keep him busy. We had a great time and I hope you do, too!

 

[dorymom67]

Great to hear from all of you who have done the Disney Scene with a 2 year old I also will be traveling with my 8 yr. old DD and 2 year old DD who will be 2 years and 10 months when we go in April '07. I'm worried about taking her to Disney but MORE worried about the plane flight from BOS to MCO. How is she going to stay still for 2 1/2 hours? I can't get her to stay still for more than 5 minutes (except for naptime and bedtime, of course). My 2 year old is...well..."when she's good she's very good, but when she's bad she's very bad." I stole that from Mae West. She's goes into the 2 year old meltdowns. Her way or the highway. Hard not to give into it...but I pick my battles. Anyway, back to Disney. I'm going to try it. I'll have DH, DD (8) and Grandma and Aunty there to help. I'll let you know how it goes in 7 months.

 

[SnowWhite]

We went last year when my son was 2 (he turned 2 in May and we went in Oct)
When we booked our ADR's we did a few breakfast ones as we knew he would be in his best mood for these. We also booked a few dinners as well and made sure he had a nap so that he would be in a good mood. Overall not a bad idea. To make matters worse was that he got sick just the day we were leaving and wasn't holding food down well. (we had a few embarrassing moments at some of the restaurants) I won't elaborate!!!!! You know your daughter the best so just do what you think will be the best for her and your vacation.

Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

 

[mtemm]

Ask me in 3 weeks

we'll be there in 3 weeks, too, along with our 2 year old twins. we'll see how it goes. we are definitely planning to go at the kids pace, and plan to spend a lot of time at the resort. trying not to have that "do everthing" attitude, because I know it will overwhelm them. I'll be shocked if they sleep in their stroller, heck, I'll be shocked if they ride in their stroller. we are planning to leave the parks by 1 and hopefully they will take a nice nap at the resort. time will tell!

 

[disneymom225]

We've travelled a lot with our 2 1/2 year old and she is pretty good- she does like her naps though! The nice thing about WDW is that there is so much to see and do and look at- so if she gets fussy, you can always take a walk (especially if there is a long wait) which can help. Plus- Disney is so kid friendly- they understand meltdowns and so do the parents who will be sitting next to you (they might give nasty looks but that's b/c they are just glad it's not their kid!!). Have something for her to play with- ours loves little figurines and she can tell stories with them and play with them for hours (ok, minutes but in toddler world that is hours!). Good luck and have fun-- 2 is great for WDW because they really believe in the magic. WHen DD saw CInderella- she just ran into her arms and hugged her and almost a year later she still talks about meeting CInderella and Mommy still gets tears in her eyes thinking about it!