[MickeyRon]

Okay... so we are heading to WDW the first week of December...

Any suggestions to ensure a successful trip for a 6 & 2, almost 3 year old???

The 2 year old really needs to warm up to stuff and the 6 year old is a Daredevil, but apprehensive at times...

Okay... I'm waiting for the suggestions... this place is SO HELPFUL!!

[MerlinMatt]

Ron:

I think it's really going to depend on their personalities. And BTW, I'm not sure if anyone said this before in your post about staying on-site, but with a 6yo and 2/3yo, you REALLY need to be on-site. Having the option of being back at the resort in 45 mintues could very well be a life-saver, if not at least a sanity saver. In fact, I think that you're going to be better off by doing this every day.

Be prepared to "read" each kid. Don't let them dictate enything by whining to get their way, but at the same time, try to anticipate any meltdowns they might have and try to get them to a quieter place: either back to the resort or a quiet show (Hall of Presidents, American Adventure are two great examples of places where you can nap without leaving the park. )

[MickeyRon]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

Having the option of being back at the resort in 45 mintues could very well be a life-saver, if not at least a sanity saver. In fact, I think that you're going to be better off by doing this every day.

Why does it take 45 minutes to get back to the resort... That seems like a long time to me???

or a quiet show (Hall of Presidents, American Adventure are two great examples of places where you can nap without leaving the park. )

I never thought about that option! Awesome... However, last year we went to COP thinking that 5 year old would be bored... it was her favorite!!! She even asked if we could go back to that this year!!

[roxie]

Matt is right. You really have to read each kid. Mine are the opposite - my littlest just turned 4 and she is the daredevil....Tower of Terror, BTMR, HM...you name it, she did it. If she were only tall enough for the big rides!
On the other hand, I have one (7 year old) that HATES ToT and the HM. We just take turns riding and sitting out.

I have 3 kids (10, 7 and 4). My best advice is Go with the flow. You'll figure it out quickly and don't stress.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by MickeyRon

Why does it take 45 minutes to get back to the resort... That seems like a long time to me???

OK. I'm thinking like a Project Manager here. Think of it this way.

You're in Canada and the 6 yo pitches a fit. "Daddy, I don't like Epcot. It's boring and I'm tired of walking. Aren't there any rides here? Can we do Test Track again?...." You know the drill.

So, you and DW decide that it's time to head back.

10-15 minutes walk to bus stop.
Up to 15 minute wait.
15-20 minute bus ride.
5 minutes to room.

The best you'll do is 30 minutes, if everything is timed perfectly. It could actually take up to an hour. But also consider that the bus is a great place to grab some shut-eye as well.

[MickeyRon]

So if we do a 2 - 3 hour nap mid-day... how long do the parks stay open??

[CaraMia]

As I stated in a previous post...we learned alot when we went to WDW in February with my 2 year old. Previous to that trip, we had been there 3 other times with him (12 mths old, 18 mths old, 22 months old) and we never had a ounce of trouble with him. Then at 26 months old he was horrible! Could not even begin to explain it all. By sunday morning we learned that sometimes when you go to someplace out of the norm with toddlers you not only have to be flexible, but sometimes allow things you normally wouldnt (i.e. giving him a lollipop at breakfest that he had been askign for for 2 days to get him to eat a little before going to the park ). I am sure alot of people disagree and prior to that trip I did also.

I also think we had tried to plan too much. We always had a fast pace schedule in the park so that we could let ds get to see and do everything. We learned to go more on his cues and not to rush so much. At that age they get overtired and overstimulated. It definitely backfired on us.

So overall, all I can recommend is to go by the kids cues. Go at their pace. We are going back Nov 5th. We swore we werent going back til ds was 18 yrs old (lol) but we decided to give him another chance.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by MickeyRon

So if we do a 2 - 3 hour nap mid-day... how long do the parks stay open??

Check the schedule. You're going the first week in December?

As far as I know, Epcot FW is open until 7pm and the WS is open until 9.
AK closes at 5 every day.
MK generally closes at 5 or 6, but is open later on the weekends.
MGM closes at 7pm.

Those are general times and you should check the Disney site for actuals. December hours should be up soon.

[roxie]

Originally Posted by CaraMia

we learned that sometimes when you go to someplace out of the norm with toddlers you not only have to be flexible, but sometimes allow things you normally wouldnt (i.e. giving him a lollipop at breakfest that he had been askign for for 2 days to get him to eat a little before going to the park ). I am sure alot of people disagree and prior to that trip I did also.

LOL!!! Ain't that the truth!

[CaraMia]

Almost forgot....the best part...DS was sooooooooooo horrible his own grandmother named him "The Prince of Darkness". And we swore his picture would forever be posted at the entrance to the park and on the walls near the monorail saying "do not allow this child into WDW parks". It was so bad the monorail cm gave us our own monorail car because his tantrum was so bad...and then we had to walk to our car in the parking lot rather then using the tram. We were those parents who everyone else says "can you believe they go out with that child...nevermind to WDW" Sooo embaressing. And honestly, we have never had an incident in public like this before or since that trip.


We can laugh now but at the time I was almost in tears with stress!

[MerlinMatt]

Wow. Well maybe others can learn from your tough lesson.

Don't over-plan when you've got a toddler. Only bad things will happen.

It's funny, in an earlier thread (about 2 months ago), I vented about kids having meltdowns and affecting other people, but honest to God, I never considered the above scenario.

It's good to have perspective. Thanks for sharing that.

[MickeyRon]

Originally Posted by CaraMia

Almost forgot....the best part...DS was sooooooooooo horrible his own grandmother named him "The Prince of Darkness". And we swore his picture would forever be posted at the entrance to the park and on the walls near the monorail saying "do not allow this child into WDW parks". It was so bad the monorail cm gave us our own monorail car because his tantrum was so bad...and then we had to walk to our car in the parking lot rather then using the tram. We were those parents who everyone else says "can you believe they go out with that child...nevermind to WDW" Sooo embaressing. And honestly, we have never had an incident in public like this before or since that trip.


We can laugh now but at the time I was almost in tears with stress!

You are scarring me! Please don't let my DD wig out on me!!!!

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by MickeyRon

You are scarring me! Please don't let my DD wig out on me!!!!

Ron:

BREATHE!!! Relax. It'll never happen if you're expecting it.

I think so long as you allow the days to define themselves and provide enough structure with breakfast and dinner PS's, I think you'll be fine.

[CaraMia]

I am sure you will have a great time. Just be patient with the kids and remember to pace yourself. If your little one doesnt want to see a character or go on a ride, dont push it. Go with the flow...

[llama]

Also, remember that some of the characters are VERY BIG to a little person. Don't press your kid to say "hello" to Goofy, if she's nervous of him. She'll loosen up as the trip goes on. Start out slow, (I'd recommend Fantasy Land and ToonTown) with the most benign of rides - Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, the Carousel. See how it goes and slowly ease into Peter Pan and Mickey's Philharmagic. (You might want to miss Snow White's Scary Adventure, all together). You know your kids best. And I'll add my 2 cents: When they've had enough - take a break. You'll all benefit from it.