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Is 2 years old too young?
- Thread starter fargosteve
- Start date
ilovemykids
New Member
Just got back
from WDW three days ago with my hubby and 2-year old DS (b-day on 12/14). We planned a 5 day, 6 night trip. I'm a MAJOR planner when it comes to fun stuff, and in my book, there's NOTHING more fun than WDW!
I had mapped out all of the rides that DS could ride and even used a cheat sheet from touringplans.com so that we'd be able to experience as much as possible. I forgot the most important thing, though: Know Your Child!!! Long story short, I forgot to factor in the things that I know about my DS into our plans. If I may give some advice, try to plan on not riding many rides or visiting many attractions at all. This won't be the case, but you will enjoy your trip much more if you aren't counting on riding certain rides, only to realize that your child is ready to go back to the room, or doesn't want to be in the park anymore that day. It's interesting that I learned a lot about my child that I didn't already know just by watching his behavior at WDW. He hasn't watched many Disney movies, yet he wasn't afraid of the characters at all which was awesome! We took him to Character Museum in Mickey's Toon Town Fair to get photos with Pooh Characters. I loved watching his eyes light up as he recognized the character that sits on his bookshelf in his bedroom. He seemed more enthralled with MK in the evening than during the day. The lights were amazing to him! Although, the spectromagic parade began after his bedtime, so he was already over it before it even started.
I'm sure you'll have a blast, especially if you don't expect too much too soon! I wish that I had done this in hindsight! LOL
from WDW three days ago with my hubby and 2-year old DS (b-day on 12/14). We planned a 5 day, 6 night trip. I'm a MAJOR planner when it comes to fun stuff, and in my book, there's NOTHING more fun than WDW!
I had mapped out all of the rides that DS could ride and even used a cheat sheet from touringplans.com so that we'd be able to experience as much as possible. I forgot the most important thing, though: Know Your Child!!! Long story short, I forgot to factor in the things that I know about my DS into our plans. If I may give some advice, try to plan on not riding many rides or visiting many attractions at all. This won't be the case, but you will enjoy your trip much more if you aren't counting on riding certain rides, only to realize that your child is ready to go back to the room, or doesn't want to be in the park anymore that day. It's interesting that I learned a lot about my child that I didn't already know just by watching his behavior at WDW. He hasn't watched many Disney movies, yet he wasn't afraid of the characters at all which was awesome! We took him to Character Museum in Mickey's Toon Town Fair to get photos with Pooh Characters. I loved watching his eyes light up as he recognized the character that sits on his bookshelf in his bedroom. He seemed more enthralled with MK in the evening than during the day. The lights were amazing to him! Although, the spectromagic parade began after his bedtime, so he was already over it before it even started. I'm sure you'll have a blast, especially if you don't expect too much too soon! I wish that I had done this in hindsight! LOL
CMTinkerbell99
New Member
go for it
My 2 year old loves to go to the parks. We were suppose to go today but DS woke up with a tummy virus and we ended up not going. But he kept asking if we were going to Disney. He knows what it is....and will ask to go see Wishes, EPCOT, Mickey and so on. He remembers many of our trips even after several months. He goes on almost any of the rides and shows that do not have height requirements. The only show I did not let him see was Universe of Energy. He was not keen to the idea of dinosaurs and I knew once you got on the ride portion of the show that there was no way out. But we have never had him get really upset on any ride. He has been going to the parks since he was 5 weeks old.
My 2 year old loves to go to the parks. We were suppose to go today but DS woke up with a tummy virus and we ended up not going. But he kept asking if we were going to Disney. He knows what it is....and will ask to go see Wishes, EPCOT, Mickey and so on. He remembers many of our trips even after several months. He goes on almost any of the rides and shows that do not have height requirements. The only show I did not let him see was Universe of Energy. He was not keen to the idea of dinosaurs and I knew once you got on the ride portion of the show that there was no way out. But we have never had him get really upset on any ride. He has been going to the parks since he was 5 weeks old.
dvcnut39
Well-Known Member
The 1st time we took our littliest, she was 6 months. It was DEC of 2001 and we went for Uncle Walt's 100th b'day. We spent "The Great One's" 100th (5DEC01) in MK and EPCOT and had a great time. The rest of the trip we went to MGM, AK, and USF/IAO. All in all, we had a great trip.
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
My youngest was 2 years old the day after we returned from our first ever trip. She was able to enjoy the entire experience in her own way and concessions were made so that she could do things. A word of warning - the characters completely freaked her out, she wouldn't go anywhere near them (even in my wifes arms)
tigsmom
Well-Known Member
CAPTAIN HOOK said:
We had that with our oldest, it took her hours before she would even look at them and she was 4 y/o! Now our little one was just 18 m/o and she ran up to all of the characters as soon as she saw them... you just never know!
Do not try to make your child visit with the characters if they don't want to, everyone will be miserable. You may want to try to find the "favorite" to make that first approach.
browniebee said:
We have a one and a half year old son and for the reason mentioned in the quote, we've vowed not to go until he is at least 4 years old.
Sure we could go before he turns 4 and we'll make due with the diaper changing and the naps, and he'll have a great time. But he'll never remember any of it.
My wife and I feel that WDW is such a special place that we would like him to remember his first visit. We wouldn't want to take him now, and then when we go back later in life (when his long term memory has developed) and have to explain to him that he had already been there, he just doesn't remember.
We also feel that without the need for diapers and (possibly) naps at 4, we'll have a better experience as well.
I certainly understand that if older siblings are in the picture, that you wouldn't want to keep them from the experience. We just have our son to be concerned with, and we've decided to wait.
Scott
pixel-dust
New Member
IMO, Disney is for children of all ages. We did a family reunion, and had many little ones around. My favorite memory was when my daughter, age 2 showed Minnie Mouse her 'Big Girl pants' with Minnie on them. We were fortunate, as we had older siblings cousins aunts and uncles that would entertain the babies while older members would go on non baby friendly rides. A map with all bathroom locations is a must have.
Do you have a teen aged family member that would join you on a trip to Disney? That would give you a little more flexability.
Have a wonderful time!
Do you have a teen aged family member that would join you on a trip to Disney? That would give you a little more flexability.
Have a wonderful time!
Monty
Brilliant...and Canadian
- In the Parks
- No
pixel-dust said:
Just a quick comment: Taking a teenager to add a measure of flexibility is a great idea - so long as the teenager in question enjoys spending time with your child and is willing to occasionally act as babysitter while you exercise "flexibility". A teenager that accepts an invitation to accompany you on a trip to WDW may not make the connection that you're looking for assistance.
Suggest that you want them to entertain the young one
saltmom1
New Member
My daughter was 4 the first time she went and she doesn't remember anything from that trip. She was very freaked out by the dark rides ( Snow White's Scary Adventure, etc). Let the kids get used to being on the rides and avoid the rides in the dark until they acclimate themselves. We brought grandparents with us who were too tired to go back to the parks at night so my husband and I could do some of the " scary rides " (Haunted Mansion,Pirates), kinda the flip side of the teenager idea and they are not at all resentful of spending time in the room.
DisneyPhD
Well-Known Member
DH and I have become somewhat of experts of bringing small children to WDW.
We took a trip there every year before we had kids. We continued it (but started increasing trips thanks to DVC and AP's.)
DD #1 went to WDW at 9 months, 23 months, 28 months and just under 3 years old, again a few times when she was 3. I think in 2 weeks it will be her 7th or 8th time (she is under 5 years old.) She loves it. Every trip was different, every trip she got something different out of it. Yes no naps or dipers was nice, but so not worth waiting at home for her to be done with. Besides that, as soon as she was done we had another baby.
So in 10 days my 2nd child will go to WDW for her 3rd trip. This will be my 1st time with a baby between the ages of 1 and 2 years old, so it will be different too. However this baby is a very easy going and felixible child. She loved WDW at 7 months and 9 months old. At 17 months old she can walk some, but when she wants to get somewhere fast she tends to scoot. I am a little worried about people stepping on her.
One word about strollers. They are your friend. Even if you child can walk around a mall fine, having one at WDW is really godsent. It really cuts down on worrying about getting seperated from them in a crowd to, and a good place to put things you carry around the parks.
The only time I recomend waiting is when parents don't really like WDW themselves, don't plan on going again in the next few years, and don't want to stay on property (and sometimes that works just fine, it depends on what you like.) Also the time of year maters. I don't recomded it during very hot rainy busy times (height of the summer.) If you have a small kid, more then likely you can go when schools are out (unless you are a teacher and or have older kids too.)
In saltmom1's case sometimes kids actuall do better if they go eariler then 4 years old or older. They are more "used to it". Also if this isn't a once in a lifetime event you feel much more relaxed about going at a slower childs pace, and maybe even skipping some of the adult things for a later date.
We took a trip there every year before we had kids. We continued it (but started increasing trips thanks to DVC and AP's.)
DD #1 went to WDW at 9 months, 23 months, 28 months and just under 3 years old, again a few times when she was 3. I think in 2 weeks it will be her 7th or 8th time (she is under 5 years old.) She loves it. Every trip was different, every trip she got something different out of it. Yes no naps or dipers was nice, but so not worth waiting at home for her to be done with. Besides that, as soon as she was done we had another baby.
So in 10 days my 2nd child will go to WDW for her 3rd trip. This will be my 1st time with a baby between the ages of 1 and 2 years old, so it will be different too. However this baby is a very easy going and felixible child. She loved WDW at 7 months and 9 months old. At 17 months old she can walk some, but when she wants to get somewhere fast she tends to scoot. I am a little worried about people stepping on her.
One word about strollers. They are your friend. Even if you child can walk around a mall fine, having one at WDW is really godsent. It really cuts down on worrying about getting seperated from them in a crowd to, and a good place to put things you carry around the parks.
The only time I recomend waiting is when parents don't really like WDW themselves, don't plan on going again in the next few years, and don't want to stay on property (and sometimes that works just fine, it depends on what you like.) Also the time of year maters. I don't recomded it during very hot rainy busy times (height of the summer.) If you have a small kid, more then likely you can go when schools are out (unless you are a teacher and or have older kids too.)
In saltmom1's case sometimes kids actuall do better if they go eariler then 4 years old or older. They are more "used to it". Also if this isn't a once in a lifetime event you feel much more relaxed about going at a slower childs pace, and maybe even skipping some of the adult things for a later date.
theRIOT
Active Member
HaHa. That's funny 2 years old.
I took my nephew when he was 5 weeks old.
I know it sounds crazy but I was down in Orlando on vacation so had my sis who just had him in May join me at the world.
He slept through most of it but he had his first fourth of July at WDW. Lucky kid it, took me 25 years to be able to get my first trip there.
irv out.
I took my nephew when he was 5 weeks old.
I know it sounds crazy but I was down in Orlando on vacation so had my sis who just had him in May join me at the world.
He slept through most of it but he had his first fourth of July at WDW. Lucky kid it, took me 25 years to be able to get my first trip there.
irv out.
DreamDelta
New Member
I took DD to WDW this year a few months after her 2nd birthday. EVERYDAY she asks me are we going back to WDW!!! She is totally hooked. She had such a great time, it made my time even more enjoyable !
I really think it depends on the child and the child's temperament. I say go for it! Disney magic is awesome!
Angela:sohappy:
! I really think it depends on the child and the child's temperament. I say go for it! Disney magic is awesome!
Angela:sohappy:
Dragonrider1227
Well-Known Member
As long as you take frequent breaks and keep him on the slow rides, he should be fine. Tower of Terror = BAD IDEA! :lol:
OliveMcFly
Well-Known Member
My nephew just went to WDW with us and he was 5 days shy of turning 2. He did great in the parks. When he met the characters he would smile so big. I almost cried when he looked up at me and smiled while meeting Stitch. Partly because my baby boy is a big boy now and partly because I have trained him well...he LOVES Stitch. He loved the rides. He just took everything in. He can have quite a temper so if he can be good in WDW any 2 year old can. HeHe