Hello,
I am a frequent lurker to this board and am finally able to post a question :)
We have finally gathered enough courage to bring our 2 year old down to experience the Disney magic. My questions to you are:

1. Will the Christmas decorations be up?

2. What to do with a 2 year old?

I have been to the park before but not with a 2 year old so any advice on food, diaper changing, and rides would be great!!!

Thanks


Lisa D

1. When in November.

2. I do everything with my 2 YO (now 3) that does not have a height restriction. Use your own judgement as you know your child. My kids have no issues with the scarier rides (HM, Snow White, Pireates, etc.) but I know many kids do.

Read up on child swap if you want to go on the height restriction rides!

Edited to add: bring plenty of diapers as they are expensive in the parks. Bring snack foods. If he is on baby food at all still, bring that too, we used the ones in the plastic containers as they are much lighter. I also put several inexpensive toys in my backpack to entertain in line if needed. Biggest bit of advise is know that your 2YO will slow you down and to make this trip your child's and go at their pace...take breaks if necessary. I am in the minority I think but we get started early, skip nap time or let our kids nap in the reclining stroller, and end the day early at about 5 or 6pm. This makes our kids tired so that they fall asleep easily after dinner. Otherwise our kids get so wound up in hotel rooms that getting them to sleep is a major challenge!

THANK YOU so much for the advice. We are going to be there November 14-17th. I can not believe I forgot to post that. Ugh....

My husband and I plan to work around her. We are lucky in the fact she is a little party animal and will probably have more energy then us :)

Thanks again...I am so excited to be going this year

Lisa

We went with our 2 year old and 7 year old last November, and it was a lot of fun. The 2 year old liked many rides, including Astro Blasters, Dumbo, Mr. Toad's, Teacups, the Merry Go Round, It's a Small World and Pooh. Surprisingly, she didn't like the Jungle Cruise, I think because the misting at the beginning irritated her. Tiki Room and Haunted Mansion were OK, but not her favorites. She liked the Bug's Life stuff OK, but it was a little boring for the rest of us, so we stuck mostly to Disneyland.

The parades were something she liked, and the characters were interesting, but she didn't pay them that much attention. We saw the Reindeer, and got mouse ears- the little ones have elastic to keep them on. For rides that she was too little to go on, we did the baby swap- you just go to a CM and they will tell you what to do. The baby swap was something our seven year old really liked, because then he got to ride everything twice :)

We took her stroller, and it really was fine. just keep what you need in a bag that isn't too heavy, and then you can park the stroller and wander. The only times the stroller can be more work is after a parade or something, but if you hang back, then not as many people will try to cut around you (which means they end up getting bumped and then at like it was your fault).

Have fun on your trip- takes lots of pictures!

Thanks Candibell...I appreciate all advice at this point.

Lisa

PS: Any advice on the changing of diapers or are all the bathrooms pretty good.

I have been taking my daughter since she was 4 weeks old. She is now almost 2 1/2. Make sure you take a stroller. You can rent them there but then that leaves you leaving the park carrying your child. I much rather bringing my own stroller.

As for the bathrooms and changing your child, I don't find any problems. They have lots of areas available. If I do find the bathrooms crowded I find a quiet spot away from other people and change her right in her stroller.

I make sure to have lots of drinks on hand for my little one. I bring lots of snacks for her as well. I never even knew they sold diapers in the park but I am sure they are pricey. I always pack more than I need anyway. :)

As for rides and entertainment it's really up to your kid. My daughter loves the characters. She will go up to all of them. She also does not have a problem with the scary ones (HM, POTC, etc). And the child swap is great if you want to ride the height restricted rides.

I go about 3 times a year and that means my daughter has been about 7 times. I have never had a problem with her in the park. She absolutely loves it as much as I do! I am raising her right :D

Thanks Alisonsmom :)
I had no idea there was a "parenting in the parks" forum. They moved my post and I had no idea where it had gone

Lisa

Thanks Alisonsmom :)
I had no idea there was a "parenting in the parks" forum. They moved my post and I had no idea where it had gone

LisaYou might also note the Baby Centers are great! Check the map for their locations in the 2 parks. I know the Disneyland one, its back by First Aid (by the Plaza Inn.)

Thanks Candibell...I appreciate all advice at this point.

Lisa

PS: Any advice on the changing of diapers or are all the bathrooms pretty good.

We never found a single restroom without a nice changing area. We never made it to the baby care center but it apparently real nice.