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Taking a toddler to the Magic Kingdom
- Thread starter bertg
- Start date
mouselvrmom
Well-Known Member
I don't think it's too young. There are many things at the magic kingdom they can do. Any ride without a height restriction, plus at that age they are not always scared of the characters and can get some really good interaction with them. There is also Pooh's playground across from the pooh ride that they can blow a little steam off on- also look for a playground in Toontown.
It's up to you, but we have been bringing our youngest since she was 11 months (almost 4 now) and she is a total disney girl.
It's up to you, but we have been bringing our youngest since she was 11 months (almost 4 now) and she is a total disney girl.
tigsmom
Well-Known Member
That would be the best place to take him!!! :sohappy:
We took our youngest when she was around 20 months and she had a blast!
She wasn't afraid of any of the characters and stayed on line to meet them all, we couldn't get her away from Minnie. :lol:
She laughed on every ride we took her and cried when we had to leave.
She loved going thru all the photo albums when we got home and practically wore them out.
Just remember, let the little guy set the pace - rest when you need to and carry snacks with you because kids that age don't know from waiting on line to buy food or drink.
We took our youngest when she was around 20 months and she had a blast!
She wasn't afraid of any of the characters and stayed on line to meet them all, we couldn't get her away from Minnie. :lol:
She laughed on every ride we took her and cried when we had to leave.
She loved going thru all the photo albums when we got home and practically wore them out.
Just remember, let the little guy set the pace - rest when you need to and carry snacks with you because kids that age don't know from waiting on line to buy food or drink.
The answer to that question is entirely up to you! I've taken two different two year olds and had a great time. The only drawback is that you MAY have to forego a few of the more thrilling attractions, but that really depends on how you party prefers to organize things.
Sadiebird
Member
It is absolutely worth it to take him! My son will be 2 1/2 in March and he'll be taking his 5th trip this April. We went this past fall when he was 2 and he had an amazing time. The look on his face when he was on the carousel was absolutely priceless. And he loves all the playgrounds in the MK. And don't miss the new playhouse disney show at DHS. If your son watches the Disney channel, he's going to be thrilled with the new show. It has all the characters from playhouse disney. I can't wait for my son to see it in April!
mouselvrmom
Well-Known Member
Oh, yes, tigsmom. I don't know how I could forget about that one! My daughter is strange about being hungry and will suddenly decide in line that she is starving and can't go another second without food! :lol: She was also the one who wouildn't eat her lunch, but wanted snacks all the time. My hubby beat her at her own game last trip, though. He would wrap her chicken nuggets up in a napkin after she wouildn't eat them at lunch. Then when she was hungry in line, he would unwrap one and give it to her. It was amazing to see her finishing her lunch! :lol:
I totally agree with tigsmom. Your child is probably not going to remember the trip, but YOU will. I have so many priceless photos of my daughter at that age with characters, and the look of absolute joy and wonder on her face was worth every penny I spent on a trip "she won't remember or enjoy."
Now, my son didn't really care for the characters at all, but still enjoyed all of the colors and diversions of the parks. Just remember that they may have more fun playing in the fountains than riding Pooh, and just go with the flow.
You will have other chances for commando touring when they're older. :lol:
Now, my son didn't really care for the characters at all, but still enjoyed all of the colors and diversions of the parks. Just remember that they may have more fun playing in the fountains than riding Pooh, and just go with the flow.
You will have other chances for commando touring when they're older. :lol:
happymom52003
Active Member
It is definitely worth it. Just go into it with a very open mind and NO expectations. All kids are different, and you really will not know how your child will react to rides and characters until you get there. I would suggest starting him out on a ride such as It's a Small World, and then work your way up to the darker rides. My DD did great on all of the rides (even HM and POTC) when she was 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months....but on our last trip when she was 33 months, she freaked out on the dark rides.:shrug: She also loved every single character on her first three trips, but was scared of many of them this last time, but by the end of the trip she was riding POTC and doing great with the characters again. So just take it slow and do not force him to do things. Chances are he will do great!
Not necisarily. Back in 2005, we took our youngest when he was 18 months along with my other son who does not live with us most of the time. Even though he has been back several times with just us since then, he can remember the things he did with his older brother. And he is excited to go back this summer with him.
durangojim
Well-Known Member
Our son is 2 1/2 years old, we live in Michigan and he's been there seven times. We took him the first time when he was 8 weeks, then 3 months, 9 months, 13 months, 16 months, 2 years, and then almost 2 1/2. We'll be going again in May with his new baby brother or sister (hasn't been born yet)who will be 2 months. It has been awesome seeing how his reactions have changed each visit. I think two is a great age to take a child. Our son loves the "yo-ho" ride and will sing the pirates song around our house, he also loves "ghost ride" and Goofy's barnstormer. If anything, the rides provide stimuli to a child's mind and allows their already amazing imagination to come up with even more wonderful things. I think that many people who think a child is "too young" would be surprised at the reactions the child would have a WDW and many times I think it may be because the parent doesn't want to make the effort. There's nothing wrong with that attitude. It is hard work and you have to take things slow -- don't try to cram a lot into the day and try to take a mid-day break, but if you do I think you'll be rewarded with many wonderful memories. And your child will too, at two, the human brain begins to form long-term memories and there are things you can do as a parent to encourage the formation of those memories. Even if your child doesn't remember when is an adult, he will still as a child.
Besides, who can pass up the chance to capture memories like this:lol:?
1 y/o
2 y/o
PS. Also, don't be afraid to hire an in-room sitter and have an adult evening out. We've used Kids nite out a number of times and have had excellent results. Have a great trip and make sure you take lots of pics!:wave:
PanfanAL
Member
Definitely take him. Your schedule will be set by the child, but we took our 2yr old son in October, and he did great. We were a the parks from open to close everyday. He woke up each morning asking to go again. Magic Kingdom is obviously the best park for the kids but loved all of them. Like others have said he may not remember it, but you will. And it will be memories you will cherish forever. And you might be surprised by what he does remember. It has been since October for us, but when he sees he castle on TV he says "Disneyworld, let's go find Disneyworld!" My wife and I just smile. We are going back this October, and can hardly wait.
sublimesting
Well-Known Member
Here's the DW and my 2 cents: We decided we would never take a child less than 5 and even then it would depend on their maturity level. It's pointless if the kid is too scared to do anything as they won't enjoy it or won't remember it...you would be going just for the sake of "going to WDW". Also, keep in mind the intensity of alot of the rides not at MK or AK. If you feel the child can enjoy most of the rides and would remember it go for it. We made our decision on seeing so many parents hauling around sleeping babies in strollers. What is the point of hauling around a child who is sleeping. But keep in mind that my wife is a child development specialist and insists that research shows that as soon as kids can walk the stroller should go bye bye - even if it means your going really slow all day - so that's how I'll be rolling. Also these parents looked exhausted and not having any fun...and most people with really small children (under 3 or 4) are back in their rooms around 7 or 8 as is evidenced by the way the children in the park and crowds in general thin out at night.
durangojim
Well-Known Member
I can understand your point of view, but there are a great deal of us parents who have a blast with their young children at WDW. And not all of us are taking our kids to WDW just because we want to have fun. If you ask my son where he wants to go on vacation, he'll definately tell you the Magic Kingdom. As usual, people or children who are not having a good time are the ones who get noticed the most. As for the research regarding the stroller I'm a family physician and have no qualms about letting my two year old ride in the stroller at WDW when he wants. The funny thing about medicine is that what is considered research today is considered nonsense tomorrow, and it will probably always be that way. I respect your choice but I can't tell if you actually have kids or if this is a hypothetical for now. If you have children now congrats on sticking to your convictions, if you don't revisit this thread when you do and see if you still feel the same way.
joanna71985
Well-Known Member
Our son is 2 1/2 years old, we live in Michigan and he's been there seven times. We took him the first time when he was 8 weeks, then 3 months, 9 months, 13 months, 16 months, 2 years, and then almost 2 1/2. We'll be going again in May with his new baby brother or sister (hasn't been born yet)who will be 2 months. It has been awesome seeing how his reactions have changed each visit. I think two is a great age to take a child. Our son loves the "yo-ho" ride and will sing the pirates song around our house, he also loves "ghost ride" and Goofy's barnstormer. If anything, the rides provide stimuli to a child's mind and allows their already amazing imagination to come up with even more wonderful things. I think that many people who think a child is "too young" would be surprised at the reactions the child would have a WDW and many times I think it may be because the parent doesn't want to make the effort. There's nothing wrong with that attitude. It is hard work and you have to take things slow -- don't try to cram a lot into the day and try to take a mid-day break, but if you do I think you'll be rewarded with many wonderful memories. And your child will too, at two, the human brain begins to form long-term memories and there are things you can do as a parent to encourage the formation of those memories. Even if your child doesn't remember when is an adult, he will still as a child.
Besides, who can pass up the chance to capture memories like this:lol:?
1 y/o
2 y/o
Awwwww! Too cute!
MouseMadness
Well-Known Member
I would give anything to be able to take a toddler to WDW again. Some of my all time favorite memories!
And I would carry them/hold their hand almost the entire time and love every minute of it and not give a darn if I got to ride Splash Mountain or if I thought we all "got our money's worth" out of it.
Go and have a WONDERFUL time and know that I'll be sitting here feeling extremely jealous of you :lol:
And I would carry them/hold their hand almost the entire time and love every minute of it and not give a darn if I got to ride Splash Mountain or if I thought we all "got our money's worth" out of it.
Go and have a WONDERFUL time and know that I'll be sitting here feeling extremely jealous of you :lol:
happymom52003
Active Member
You MUST not have kids yet if you believe this! I too have a major in child development, and my SIX year old still uses the stroller occasionally at Disney World! And I do not know how on earth I could have gotten any Christmas shopping done at the mall if my two year old was not in a stroller, or how we could have surrvived a day at the zoo in the middle of summer without a stroller, or how I could take my daily 30 minute walks in the neighborhood without my two year old in a stroller....I could go on and on! Not trying to be rude, but I keep on top of things regarding childrens health and development to the point where I am almost obsessed, and as long as a child is getting the proper amount of daily exercise, riding in a stroller occasionally is not going to hurt anything. I assure you that both of my children have developed just fine, even though they used strollers past the time they could walk. I PROMISE you it is okay to use a stroller. But, you are entitled to your own opinion of course.....but I have a feeling you might just change your mind someday (assuming you do not have kids yet). If you do have kids already and are living life without a stroller, then I REALLY admire your patience!
tigsmom
Well-Known Member
There is the ideal world and then there is the real world! :lol:
mouselvrmom
Well-Known Member
I prefer to live in the real one. :ROFLOL:
durangojim
Well-Known Member
Reminds me of when a mother and her 18 month old transferred into my practice. She told me that her daughter's prior pediatrician told her that she should stop using sippy cups after 18 months, because it can stunt the child's development. As a father of a 2 1/2 year old I told her that was rediculous and that I would have asked her former doctor to do all of her daughter's laundry from the spills that would be occuring. They are both now some of my best patients.