Next Friday, we are taking all three kiddos to Disney for four nights! We know there is no way to even scratch the surface for all there is to see and do, and that's ok because we have low expectations since Emma will be with us. With that being said, do any of you have any words of advice for taking a 2.5 year old to Disney (yes, crazy, I know)!!! Or...anything you think is a MUST SEE or MUST DO???
We will be going to Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom only on this trip!
Here are a few more photos from two years ago when we took the boys at Halloween!
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!!
11 comments:
Your boys are so dear. I went to Disney for the first time when I was 2 and had a great time! hehe... :)
We love love love Disney!! We took Sam when his was 2.5 and Sophie was 5.5. We had a great time. I can just think of few things off the top of my head - I would definitely rent or take a stroller. I would also take advantage of the rider swap and fast passes. That way when your boys want to ride something Emma won't have such a long wait. If you plan on seeing the fairies get there when it opens and walk fast. It is in Toon Town and the line can get very long. We took a nap just about every day (we stayed a week). Sam was so happy in the stroller and taking it all in that his age really wasn't an issue. It will be great!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!
Make dinner reservations early. . .can do it on line for your favorite restaurants. My kids all loved Chef Mickeys at The Contemporary for breakfast. Great Character breakfast. If you have time. . . take a boat over the Fort Wilderness. They have the Hoop Dee Doo review. You have to make reservations of course. Also, your little one can ride a pony for only 5 dollars. Toon town may not be open because they are adding another castle in that area and I believe toon town will no longer be there. Some parts of toon town may be open but when we were last there in May then in July, they talked of closing it down for the addition. Also, the castle would allow her to dine in the evening with all the princesses and fairy god mother. That is an awesome experience. During this time, I think they have the "Not so scary Halloween Party" which is extra tickets u would have to purchase, but they close the park to only guess that have purchased the tickets. The kids dress up, trick or treat and there is a parade and special fire works show. Unfortunately, that is one event my family has not been to. Also, the original Electric Light Parade is back in Florida which is awesome and they have an incredible fireworks show. Check that out at least one of the nights. Hope you have a blast!!! We LOVE DISNEY!
Make dinner reservations early. . .can do it on line for your favorite restaurants. My kids all loved Chef Mickeys at The Contemporary for breakfast. Great Character breakfast. If you have time. . . take a boat over the Fort Wilderness. They have the Hoop Dee Doo review. You have to make reservations of course. Also, your little one can ride a pony for only 5 dollars. Toon town may not be open because they are adding another castle in that area and I believe toon town will no longer be there. Some parts of toon town may be open but when we were last there in May then in July, they talked of closing it down for the addition. Also, the castle would allow her to dine in the evening with all the princesses and fairy god mother. That is an awesome experience. During this time, I think they have the "Not so scary Halloween Party" which is extra tickets u would have to purchase, but they close the park to only guess that have purchased the tickets. The kids dress up, trick or treat and there is a parade and special fire works show. Unfortunately, that is one event my family has not been to. Also, the original Electric Light Parade is back in Florida which is awesome and they have an incredible fireworks show. Check that out at least one of the nights. Hope you have a blast!!! We LOVE DISNEY!
Have a great time and don't forget the stroller! HA HA!
We took Meg last year when she was just 2.5. It was really no big deal, honestly. She was fine, she hung tight all day, sometimes she fell asleep in the stroller or the Ergo (carrier) and that was fine too. You'll make it fine. Just have low expectations, know that you can't run as fast as you could with the two boys, and you'll be fine.
When you arrive at the Magic Kingdom, push your stroller straight to Dumbo. Ride it twice. Ride any other rides like Winnie the Pooh or It's a Small World while you're there. Take the train around the park when you need to get off of your feet for a bit. If the big boys want to do Splash Mtn & Thunder Mtn, take Emma to Country Bear jamboree and cool off. Buy water bottles and snacks and take a cooler w/ you in the park. Keep it under the stroller. Buy princess gummies or other junk you wouldn't normally buy & let the children enjoy those things. It'll keep you from paying high Disney prices. If you can get a good deal on the meal plan and you're staying at a Disney hotel, do it. Otherwise, have the children share meals and bring snacks as fillers. Peanut butter crackers, apples, cheese sticks, are all good snacks. Put a blanket under the stroller w/ an umbrella in case it is cool (it won't be) or it is raining. When she is tired, go back to the hotel and let her nap. Everyone can use the break!
Pack a princess dress if you have it and let it wear it to the park one evening. Princess dinner at Norway is GREAT and Cinderella Dinner at the Grand Floridian is also fun. If you can get in chef mickey's do, it! It's always booked!
Space Mountain was always my fave, but entirely inappropriate for your average toddler :)
Is Sea World not still there? Last time I went (6th grade) we visited Disney, Epcot and Sea World. Abby has always loved aquariums. Hope you guys have fun!!!!! Travel safe.
We took our 2.5 year old to Disney and he loved it. We did things at his pace, took lots of snacks and water and he napped very well in his stroller.
To avoid the character lines we scheduled lunch at Crystal Palace (I think it was Pooh themed) and breakfast in Animal Kingdom. That last one was a winner bc we were allowed into the park before it opened and right after breakfast we strolled over to the safari and pretty much avoided the crazy lines!
Have fun.
Lucky you!! October is a fabulous month to visit the Mouse's House - not too too hot and not too too crowded ~ always crowded really but thats part of the fun!! Hoping you are staying ON property ~ it's key to a painless trip!! Rent a DISNEY stroller ... they are large so Emma can see everything, easy to manuver, def worth the money!! ... sometimes sleeping in is almost better than mid day nap, parks tend to thin mid afternoon (THIS time of year)(guess everyone else is taking the kiddo's to nap!) ... and dining plans are FABULOUS and at this age Emma may still be young enough to share w/Mom and Dad - as you know the meals are huge! Lastly, we have visited Disney every other year since our daughter was 2 (she is 18 now) and for the last 3-4 visits we have eaten at Ohana at the Polynesian!! (short boat road from Family Kingdom)... not a dinner show, however has entertainment while you eat and the BEST food anywhere in the park!! ... also Whistle Stop Cafe' at Animal Kingdom Lodge is a TON of fun, great for kids of ALL ages!! (and fantastic BBQ - we are from the south ~ so BBQ is a must!) Enjoy ~ your family is beautiful~~ Thanks for sharing!! Cara Kenney ~ Virginia
I have no advice since we have never gone with a little one but love reading the advice as we go Oct 22nd for a week:)
Post a Comment