Trip for a 2 Year Old?

[LoriL]

We are traveling with our two year old son at the very end of April to the beginning of May, staying at the Polynesian. Is the Luau a good idea for a child this age, since they discontinued Mickey's Tropical Luau? What about the Hoop-De-Doo Revue? Any other ideas? Can we take him to Cirque du Soleil?

Also, any other ideas for a child this age would be greatly appreciated! We are organizing the trip around him (returning to hotel for naps and rests, etc.).

Thanks!!

 

[David]

Of the three shows you mentioned, I feel that the Hoop-de-doo Revue is the best choice. It is very lively and a lot of fun. I don't know about a two year old, but we carried our little one when he was four and he enjoyed it.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

On our 1st trip our youngest was two, we made great use of the Kiddy handover it meant we could both ride all be it on our own, while not having to stand in line for twice the time.
get a stroller it makes it more exciting for them, though the new ones dont have the same character, it does provide a logistics centre for all the accesories that a 2 yr old requires. Dont be surprised if they go off on 1 when they meet a character as they can appear quite intimidating to little people.

 

[gepetto]

Are you staying onsite? That's a plus with small kids.

The dinner shows are pretty long so I guess I'd suggest just planning naps accordingly so he won't be tired.

I preferred renting the strollers in the parks rather than bring one.

 

[Lance]

I don't think you should be planning on any dinner shows with him. I mean at 8, I was getting restless at the Hoop-dee-doo. I think their is an age limit for the Hoop-dee-doo, I could be wrong?

If your trying to organize the trip around him, don't even think about dinner shows, waste of money for everyone. I'd stick with character dinners, don't do the shows.

 

[lynnkatherine]

We've traveled with 1-8 year olds for the past several years.
DON'T go to the Luau. It's very expensive and long even for adults. He will not be entertained at all.
It's not a traditional luau. You sit theater style around a stage while the dancers perform traditional dances from around the tropical world. The best place for the two year old is the character meal at the Magic Kingdom with the Pooh characters.

 

[TURKEY]

Cirque de Soleli is DEFINITELY A NO!!!!

I wouldn't take him to Hoop-De-Doo either. I don't know how late boats run to FW. I think the boat would let you off near Hoop-De-Doo. Even if you did, you would have to change boats back at MK and take Monorail back to Poly.

If you take him to any dinner show, I would say the Luau just because it is performed at the location you are staying.


I really wouldn't waste the money on any of the three though, because you will have to pay attention to him and not the show.

I'd stick with some character meals at the parks.

 

[Debbie]

I would try and stick with character dinners. The luau is not for little ones and if you really want to go try the Neverland club babysitting deal. You and your honey need some adult time too. I would try to find different dinners that showcase various characters. You will get some great pictures and they are only little once.

 

[Pan]

After a recent trip with a 5,3, and 1 yo, I would highly recommend against trying to do any of those 3 shows. They will be bored out of there minds. If your 2 yo likes meeting characters, you should check out the character dinner at the Crystal Palace with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. Otherwise a 2yo will love most of Fantasyland, seeing animals at AK, watching parades, playing in fountains, chasing the seagulls and ducks around, getting candy from the Candystore on Main St, etc.

 

[lynnkatherine]

All excellent suggestions!
Are you staying on property? Perhaps someone can help you with ideas at your resort.

 

[LoriL]

Thanks for all the info! I've been to Disney many times, and we are staying at the Polynesian, so we are planning on lots of "quieter" time at the pool, etc. I guess the dinner shows may be a waste of time, but I was planning on character dinners. I've taken him to a show featuring Sesame Street characters, which he really liked, and we recently saw Disney on Ice, which he loved also, although he really only wanted to see Mickey and some of the darker moments (Ursula the sea witch) were too scary for him and we went outside during those times. That was why I thought he might like HDD Revue. I remember the luau being boring-- so I'll skip that. I'd hoped since they eliminated Mickey's Tropical Luau for kids that maybe the show had changed to be more appealing to little ones, but I guess not!

Other than the obvious ones (like Snow White, Alien Adventure, etc.) anyt attractions to avoid because of scary moments? Any things that toddlers particularly loved? We know he'll like Disney Playhouse, Muppets 3D, Tiki Birds, Country Bears, etc. Anything off the beaten path that he'd love?

Thanks again for all the help!!!

 

[lynnkatherine]

Of course, Small World is the #1 favorite of our 2 year old! Toon Town is great and they now do face painting around the parks which is something our grandkids look forward to now.
Building sand castles...chasing the ducks and seagulls on the beach...
You will run out of days...before you run out of things to do.


Have a great time!

 

[Beauty and the]

We've taken a two year ol to Disney three times (not the same one I may add) and actually found it was a wondeful age to take them. We've always taken our own stroller it can be a nuisance having to carry then exhausted and asleep at the end of the day from the parks. I've also found they tend to sleep better during the day in their own stroller especially if it reclines. We didn't leave the parks so they could nap, they just went in the stroller. As for the Dinner shows, I think only you will know what your two year old will enjoy or put up with, my three have all been pretty laid back kids and have behaved and enjoyed most things we've taken them too. I always kept a few liitle treats in my handbag to pasify them when ever they got restless.
Make use of the baby swop facility it works wonderfully well, but take your little one on every thing they can go on, a cuddle from Mum works wonders for those scary half moments.

 

[mej]

I have both my kids at WDW at 2 years old. The first one screamed blue murder when a character came within sight! The second one had to virtually be surgically removed from every one he saw - with handfuls of fluff from Tigger at one point!
They both loved all of the rides and went on everything that they possibly could. Dumbo and Peter Pan were big favourites at the Magic Kingdom.


PS - not that I should mention it here, but they both loved Sea World at that age. They thought that the louder thay squealed, the higher Shamu would jump!

 

[Sansaarai]

I wouldn't even take him to WDW at all. He will not remember the trip. Wait until 5 or 6 when he will remember. You wont have to take all the gear, and he can last a little longer without taking a nap. I went when I was 3 years old and have 2 memories of the whole 2 weeks.

 

[2much2do]

MICKEY'S BACKYARD BBQ!!!!!!

How come nobody mentioned this one???????? Doesn't anybody know about it??????? I thought you guys were the pros!!!!
Anyway.....there is a WONDERFUL character dinner show called Mickey's BAckyard BBQ that takes place Tuesday and Thursdays at Fort Wilderness. Mickey and the characters are there and play games with the kids (yes, PLAY GAMES). There is a really good country music band that plays and they have cast members come out and teach country line dancing to everyone. It is an all you can eat buffet style meal. It is cheaper than the other two dinner shows (Luau and HDD) but it is excellent! I don't understand why Disney doesn't promotte this one more. No one ever seems to know about it. Priority seating is a must as you can't just walk in. GO DO IT WITH YOUR TWO YEAR OLD!!!!!!!!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Re: MICKEY'S BACKYARD BBQ!!!!!!

Originally posted by 2much2do
How come nobody mentioned this one???????? Doesn't anybody know about it??????? I thought you guys were the pros!!!!
Anyway.....there is a WONDERFUL character dinner show called Mickey's BAckyard BBQ that takes place Tuesday and Thursdays at Fort Wilderness. Mickey and the characters are there and play games with the kids (yes, PLAY GAMES). There is a really good country music band that plays and they have cast members come out and teach country line dancing to everyone. It is an all you can eat buffet style meal. It is cheaper than the other two dinner shows (Luau and HDD) but it is excellent! I don't understand why Disney doesn't promotte this one more. No one ever seems to know about it. Priority seating is a must as you can't just walk in. GO DO IT WITH YOUR TWO YEAR OLD!!!!!!!!

Responses are half and half about this show. Some people love it and others hate it. It really depends on your taste.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

in my humble opinion theres no such thing as good country music. BBQ would be nice though

 

[lynnkatherine]

Being the mother of three and grandmother of four...I've never thought that it was all that important that the child have memories of the trip, so long as they had an incredibly good time while there. Our two year old granddaughter continuously watches the video of last year's trip and is insanely excited about going back! She couldn't remember any of the trip...she just thinks she does!

 

[Lance]

Re: MICKEY'S BACKYARD BBQ!!!!!!

Originally posted by 2much2do
How come nobody mentioned this one???????? Doesn't anybody know about it??????? I thought you guys were the pros!!!!
Anyway.....there is a WONDERFUL character dinner show called Mickey's BAckyard BBQ that takes place Tuesday and Thursdays at Fort Wilderness. Mickey and the characters are there and play games with the kids (yes, PLAY GAMES). There is a really good country music band that plays and they have cast members come out and teach country line dancing to everyone. It is an all you can eat buffet style meal. It is cheaper than the other two dinner shows (Luau and HDD) but it is excellent! I don't understand why Disney doesn't promotte this one more. No one ever seems to know about it. Priority seating is a must as you can't just walk in. GO DO IT WITH YOUR TWO YEAR OLD!!!!!!!!

I don't think a lot of people on here are big Fort Wilderness fans mainly because they haven't experienced the magic of FW. I'm a huge FW fan, stayed there a good 7 or 8 times, I grew up in FW. I've only met a handful of people who love FW on here. So don't get all blue, I think FW is the most under-rated place in WDW.

I've been to my share of Chip N' Dale campfire movies, and they aren't anything special. I haven't stayed in FW since 98, and I don't remember any Backyard BBQ, I think it's fairly new.