1 Day trip to WDW with 2.5 yr old dd

Avatar for boo099
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Registered: 03-27-2003
1 Day trip to WDW with 2.5 yr old dd
4
Tue, 05-09-2006 - 3:54pm

I am so excited about taking my DD on her first trip to WDW. We are staying on the gulf coast next week and we are planning a day trip to the Magic Kingdom. I have been there 3 times as an adult and 2 times as a child myself, but I have never taken a young child before and I have a few questions.

Would it be best to avoid the days the park opens early (or stays open late) for people staying on Disney property? I am wondering if it would be extra crowded those days.

What would be a few must see/do things for my DD. She is not afraid of people dressed up as characters.

Should I bring my stroller or rent one. I will have my simple, cheap, no storage umbrella stroller.

Can I bring my own water and snacks inside the park?

Any recommendations on where to eat. I'd like something semi-nutritious. Should I try call ahead seating for a place, or just a walk-in place? Do they allow call ahead seating if you are not staying on site? That maybe a non-issue for us if I cannot call ahead.

Some other basic information: It will be me, DH and DD and I am 5 months pregnant.

Thank you in advance for any advise you are willing to share.

Ruthie




Edited 5/9/2006 3:56 pm ET by boo099
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Tue, 05-09-2006 - 7:31pm

Hi Ruthie--Oooohhhh, someone I can sort of help! I'm new at planning our whole weeklong Disney trip, BUT, 6.5yrs ago we did a one day trip to the Magic Kingdom w/ our ds, who was 2.8yrs old--and I was 3 mo. pregnant. Here is what we did, & I'm sure others will have lots of more info for you. We brought our own umbrella stroller & used it--however it had a canopy & a storage basket underneath. Can you hang a diaper bag over the back of yours, or does it tip? Maybe renting one would be your best bet. We also brought in our own water & snacks in the diaper bag, no problem. We were there right before the opening time & walked in. I wasn't sure how ds would do w/ the characters, but he loved them! He went right up to Tigger(who we saw first) & posed for pictures. Let's see, we did the Jungle Cruise & he liked it, Pirates of the Carribean scared him--& I had forgotten about the little "drop" when you first go in the boat--not a big deal. He loved Toon Town & the Mickey show. Opps--I'm ahead of myself. We stayed until lunchtime & had an early lunch. Can't remember where we ate--but do remember he didn't really eat. He was then on the cranky side, so we left for a nap & a dip in the pool(dh's aunt lived 20 minutes away). We stopped for a quick "treat" at McDonalds on our way back, & went straight back to see Mickey. It was great to be able to be in the room w/ him & take all the pictures we wanted! He signed ds' hat--& we have the cutest picture of it happening. We stayed until ~8pm--it might have been a bit earlier, as he has always had an early bedtime. I know we did not see the fireworks.

I did drink tons of water & did stop every chance I got to put my feet up(lots of swelling w/ the temps). Oh--& on the plane, we brought along a pair of ear protectors--the kind that someone would wear when cutting trees down, you know, for loud noises? They fit on ds' head & he did not complain once while the plane was taking off or landing. I did see other people w/ kids having them put plastic cups over their ears to help w/ the pressure.

Have a great time!!! And like I said, I'm sure others will have more to help:)
~Chris

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Tue, 05-09-2006 - 11:54pm

Wow! Chris totally had the "been there, done that" experience that will match your own! LOL She gave you some good advice.

Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations

Avatar for boo099
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 05-12-2006 - 2:50pm

Chris and Val - Thank you for all your advise! I have lots of good ideas from both of you. I tried the backback on the stroller. Works perfect when she is in it, otherwise I can just put it in the seat. I think we are going to eat one of our meals at the Columbian Harbor House, that is exactly the type of meal/place I was looking for when I asked! We are going to try and get there before the park opens. My daughter is a slow mover in the morning so hopefully I can get her out the door in time. I'd love to get there early and hope on a few things quickly.

Thanks again for you input. You helped me very much!

Ruthie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Sun, 05-14-2006 - 2:35pm

We just returned last month from Disney World with my 20month old daughter!

She absolutely loved it!

We went on a day where the park opened early and quite honestly I would not have noticed any real difference on how busy the park was...so my answer would be "watch the forecast & go on a day that best suits you & your family"

I would suggest:
1. Mickey Philar (the attendant didn't recommend it for 2 yr olds but Alyssa loved it...she kept the glasses on the whole time...we loved it too).

2. I'd also suggest the Cinderella show at Cinderella's castle...if you can book a Character Breakfast & your DD likes Winnie the Pooh I'd try that (I forgot the name of the restaurant but it was a great buffet & they're open for lunch too...you'll have to book it in advance though...there's a Princess one too but you have to book at least 150 days in advance)...you should call ahead for Character meals...you don't have to be staying onsite

3. Storytime with Belle is very cute & quaint (go at least 15 to 30 mins early to get a seat...the area is rather small)

4. Winnie the Pooh ride

5. It's a Small World

6. I wouldn't do the Snow White ride...I heard it's pretty scarey and we met one family that decided to do that first with their 2yr old daughter & she was still crying & didn't want to do anymore rides

7. Minnie & Mickey's house is neat...you get to walk through & see how they live...at the end of Mickey's house we got to meet him & take pics

8. Use the Disney Photopass people so you can get some decent pics of the whole family...although keep in mind that they charge $12.95 for a 5x7 (mind you, you can get a nice border with that but still)

I can't think of anything else...we had dinner at Tony's (Lady & the Tramp) Restaurant..the food was good.

If your stroller doesn't have a visor or a place to store stuff then I'd probably rent a stroller there...I'm not sure how much they were but they covered the sun pretty good & you can carry things in them too!

Where comfortable sandals...I was 6 months pg & wore running shoes but my feet got too hot, luckily I brought my sandals...I was much more comfortable in those! Bring water bottles (you'll need them) & snacks for children are ok but I'm not sure about anything more than that. And lots of sunscreen too!!!

Have a great time...HTH,

Laura
Alyssa 07/05/04
EDD 07/18/06

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