So what are the "must do" attractions for small kids (an almost 1 year old and a 2.5 year old)? I'm not so concerned with the 1 year old as I am for making this trip great for the 2.5 year old. We are only going to MK (2 days) and AK (1 day) so what do you recommend we do? Anything we should absolutely skip?

The big "must do" when we took our then 3 y/o was Dumbo, and The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh. At that age, I would reccomend NOT doing Snow White (my son was terrified). Toon Town is another must-do, IMO, as it gives the little ones a chance to "do" things. In DAK, I would skip Tough to be a Bug, also pretty scary for little ones. Your 2.5 y/o will most likely love Triceratops Spin, and the Bone Yard, another spot great for burning off some of that "I've been waiting in line and sitting in my stroller" energy.

At that age, I would reccomend NOT doing Snow White (my son was terrified).

That was a given since I remember it terrifying me when I went as a 5 year old. Yes I am still traumatized, lol.

Small World, I think, would be great! Lot's of colors and music -- perfect for that age. The carousel, Dumbo, Aladdin's carpet ride, the train, Tom Sawyer's Island. Just lots of stuff really, but go slowwwww. The kids will tire fast with all that stimuli and they'll get cranky. Just go at their pace and you should be fine. Take lots of breaks.

Just returned with a 22 month old ... and have been with a 2.5 yr old previously. For the 2 1/2 yr old, characters meant more in the long run than any ride. She loved collecting autographs, getting hugs and photos. The 22 month old loved looking at characters but didn't want any touching. At DAK, she loved Triceratop Spin and generally seeing all the animals. At MK, she loved the Carousel and Small World, Winnie the Pooh and Aladdin Carpets ... and Toontown.

If you've got 3 days I'd be tempted to spend some time at Epcot for the Finding Nemo Ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, the tanks at The Seas, Space Ship Earth, the dancing fountains, the boat from Future World to World Showcase and Figment. After this both would enjoy and possibly nap through a stroll around World Show case if you got a double buggy.

As for your question (!) - my son at 2 1/2 would have loved Conservation Station at AK, all the animal trails and the Tree of Life. I agree with the other suggestions above.

A character meal would be fun too - Crystal Palace seems to go well with pre-schoolers.

If it is not nap time for your kids, the afternoon parade in MK is a great place to "see" the characters. My two year-old loved to watch the parade and wave to everyone. She thought it was great she could "announce" to us who was coming next! She loved the music and dancing too! A great place to sit is on the corner in front of Casey's...it is in the shade...and the dancers stop and do a little performance right there!

She enjoyed riding the train too! She also loved the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. I am not sure when you are going so this may be closed due to the refurb of Space Mountain.

Have a magical time!

When we took our daughter the very first time, she was just over 2 1/2. She loved breakfast w/Cinderella in the castle; the caroussel, Dumbo, Small World (:eyeroll:); Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, and Goofy's Barnstormer rollercoaster.

When we took her on The Haunted Mansion, she laughed all the way through it, but when we took her back at about 4 yrs old, not so much :eek: .

In AK, she really enjoyed the safari, and just walking around and looking at all the animals. I can't remember if we rode the Triceratop Spin or not, but I'm sure she loved it if we did.

Our boys did everything in Fantasyland at that age. As well as POTC and HM. They've been brought up on Disney. The love it all! AK was awesome for them when we went in Jan. LOVED the Nemo show, LOVED character meet photo trail (can't remember the name of it), LOVED Donald's Safari breakfast. DS1 was tall enough to ride Kalai RIver Rapids and was in awe.
Bottom line is, every kid is different.....just have fun.

Take the kids to the Lion King show at Animla Kingdom. All 5 of my boys loved it but the baby was just enthralled.