[lisalovesmickey]

Hi all.

OK for those of you that know me you know that I have been rallying for my son's first WDW trip since he was in the womb. You also know that DH does not want to take DS till he is 5 (DS will be 2 in Aug.). Well, you all know that is unacceptable. It's not that DH does not like WDW, in fact he loves it, but he just has this thing about spending the money on a kid that won't remember and says that there is not much for him to do at such a young age.

I have saved money on the side (I quit smoking and put the money that I spent on smokes away, I have been putting every single piece of change in my WDW jug etc.) I am also compiling a package with everything I can think of to get him to say yes. I think he is kinda' starting to bend as he sees DS's love of Playhouse Disney and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

ANYWAY......

What are your favorate things for a 3 year old to enjoy. I have done my research and know what WDW says is good for a 3 year old but I need to hear from the experts! I posted this in "theme parks" b/c I figured that was where most of the stuff to do is but anywhere on WDW property is great.

Sorry about the long missive and I hope to hear from you!

Love,

Lisa

[pumouse]

Well, we have actually never been to WDW but at DL my baby loved IASW! That was her favorite. She loved the parades and the shows, pretty much all of the Fantasyland rides. The characters were the highlight of our trip, she just couldn't get enough of those.

[tiggerfan74]

Lisa,
We have been taking our daughter since she was 14 months old. Obviously, you will want to hit Fantasyland in MK. It is agreat place for the little ones especially with the little Pooh park that is there now. DD has loved IASW as long as I can remember. If he is loving Playhouse Disney, then you have got to hit MGm and take him to see Playhouse Disney. They also have The Honey I shrunk the kids play area here. Hopefully they will still be doing that Magical Beginnings in a year. If he likes animals, AK would be good too. Plus some of the parks have fountains for the little ones to play in. Also, bring your camera and video the trip. That is what we did and showed it to DD over and over and she thinks she remembers stuff just because she watched that tape and knows she did it. Plus, you will both remember it !!

[Disney=Life]

First of off, Congradulations on Quiting Smoking, That was a great thing fro you to do.
Now lets get to the fun stuff, PLANNING!
I think taking a 2-3 yr old is the PERFECT age to take a child to WDW. He will enjoy the characters/picture taking (that most teens, including myself ,couldnt be bothered with. So take advantage fo these moments in your childs life while you can. As for Resturants go, you wanna pick Resturants with atmospheres that are welcoming and they encourage talking, Character Meals are perfect so book as many of thoses as you possible can, another resturant that would be good for you would be The Liberty Tavern in Liberty Square, MK. This is also a family resturant. The Sci-Fi Dine-In, is another good selection for the children.The ESPN Place on the Boardwalk is a GREAT selection cause it is full pakced with screaming spots fans :TIP: If you go there for lunch in mid week you will be the onyl ones in the resturant. Then the rest fo your time you can always do Counter Service which would be no problem for noise cause they are out side.

Attractions-
MK- First thing you do when you get there get a stroller, you will regret this later on in the day if you dont, even get one if your child can walk, you child will be exhausted. Then immediatly after get your child strapped in husband close behind you and RUN (this is where the agressive mother in you is unleashed) to FantasyLand. First thing you do is Peter pans flight. This Line Gets sooooooooo long its not funny. So after that, then you Should do Winnie the Pooh, those are the two most crowded rides there. After that take your time maybe get a snack or so, but make sure you hit Mickey's ToonTown Fair.
Epcot- May be a little boring for a 3yr old, but there are still things for them to do. Space Ship Earth is what I call a "cool down ride" its where i go to get out of the sun. Other attractions for you to do would be, slow relaxing rides for your child, ie:universe of energy, imagination,Mexican boat ride, Malestrom (may be ok).
Resturants- I really havent eaten in Epcot that much, but I HIGHLY SUGGEST "The Electric Umbrella". I LOVE IT THERE!!! but thats just me. HeeHee.

MGM

Attractions- There are a few great attractions for the kids here
The Great Movie ride is borderline, dependin the braveness fo your child.
The Lil Mermaid is a Great thing for the children to do. Fantasmic is a MUST for your child and anyone.Another is the Beauty and the Beast Show

Resturants- Sci-Fi Dine-In is good, along with the Counterservice place near Rocking Rollercoaster. The ABC PRIME-TIME Cafe is another good one.

Animal Kingdom- is probaly thr best park for a child, not because of the attractions, btu because of the thing for a child to lok at all the animal exhibits are great for a lil child.

Attractions- The DINO-LAN USA is a great place for a lil kid, all the rides there are pretty tame and would be great for lil ones , minus the Triceritop Twirl. If you want your child to be scared for life take your child on DINOSAUR. I highly suggest not taking your child on this ride. Other Great rides would be The Kailimangaro Safari Ride-:Tip do this first thing in the morning: The Fesival of the Lion King is GREAT for everyone. Its tough to be a bug is good a few jumps here and there, but i think you childwould like it.
And a borderline atttraction would be Kali River Rapids. But use your better judgement for that.

A HUGE TIP for your family would be to get the Dining Pplan Package. its soooooo worth it.

For hotel-
You wanna pick an Hotel that has a great pool complex ie: Port Orleans, Wilderness Lodge.... there are a lot. But make sure its a kid friendly resort, places like Grand FLoridian, Polynesian i tihnk you can skip. my tip for you would be either a Value Resort or Port Orleans.

Well i hope you have a great time. HAVE FUN

[momofaprincess]

Lisa, Much congrats on quiting smoking!

I myself have a dd who will be 3 very soon. We took her to WDW last year for her first time (she had just turned two--the day before we left actually) and she loved it and still talks about it to this day and cannot wait to go back this year, Mommy is turning her into a Disney addict!

Since your son love Playhouse Disney definatly check out the Bear in the Big Blue house show over in MGM. Not only did they have Bear and the gang, but Pooh and friends, JoJo's circus, and Stanley. Depending on your son he may also like the Little Mermaid show, there are some loud noises in it though, but my DD thought it was the greatest when it was "raining" on her.

In AK, he may like the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, especially if he loves the animals! And over in Camp Minnie Mickey the Pocohotas and her Forest Friends show has a lot of animals (live) in it also. And also over in that area is where you can find alot of characters, and the Festival of the Lion King show, which is also great!

MK--Dumbo of course is a must for most kids, for the most part it really depends on your child. For example, some kids are deathly afraid of the Haunted Mansion, but my dd at 2 liked it. Over in Mickey's Toontown, there is Goofy's Barnstomer (kiddie roller coaster) and more opportunies for character meetings. In MK there are a lot of rides for kids and adults alike, It's a Small World, Cinderella's Carosel, Winnie the Pooh's adventures, Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White (fright factor again--my dd was ok on it but it all depends on the child)

Epcot-- I hate to say it but for a 2/3 year old there really isn't much to do here. Spaceship Earth is a great ride to go on when you need to rest for a bit...My DD fell asleep on it last year! And for us, The Living Seas were closed last year for refurb. But I'm sure in there are some great things for kids, I think Crush is in there .

As far as meals go, A character meal is always a great bet!

Have lots of fun planning and a great time on your trip!

[alicefan]

Hey Lisa - congrats on quitting smoking! Our DS went at 15 months and he went on everything without a height restriction. It was actually pretty cool that he would go on PotC and Haunted Mansion and not get scared because he didn't know any better. It was a very plesant trip! Of course there is a ton to do all thorughout WDW for a child of any age. Just being there is a joy. Even if you took it easy and did parks in the morning, lounged by the pool in the afternooon and did whatever in the evening that is enough. WDW with a child is very different (obviously) than when you and DH used to go by yourselves - you really don't get to do AS much because the kids can hold ya back a little! (more stops for snacks, diaper changes, etc.)

[PrincessBelle]

We did DL last year when DD had just turned 3. She absolutely adored it and still asks every couple of days when can she go back. She talks about everything she did and seems to remember all of it. I think they get something different out of it as a 3yr old. Somthing different than they would as a five year old etc. We are now in the process of planning dd no. 2's 3yr old trip, this time to WDW as I have told DH (and he believes it) that everychild should have a 3yr old trip to WDW or DL.
PrincessBelle

[mickeymommy]

Congratulations on quitting smoking! We took DS to WDW when he was just over 2 and to DL just before he turned 3. He still talks about both trips and loves to look at the pictures. He loved Playhouse Disney at both places and of course Fantasyland. He really liked everything, everywhere. I think just the fact that there's so much going on and everything was great for him! I agree, he won't remember everything, that's what pictures and future trips are for! But, we won't forget the experience of seeing Mickey for the first time and experiencing his excitement. Besides...he's free until he turns 3!

[Cavey]

Go BEFORE DD turns 3yo. Then she's 100% FREE!!!

Baby Boy will be 34 months in January, and I hope it will be his 3rd trip to WDW. Sure the first year, he was basically a bag of drool and poop to haul around. But last year, at 23 months, he was beginning to take notice (He pointed and said "Mickey Mouse" at every mouse head we saw.)

Our DD has gone twice as well, and at age 3 she LOVED WDW. She still talks about it all the time. The other night the two of us were driving down the road and she suddenly asks, "Daddy, why can't I go on the dinosaur ride? I want to go on it!"

[bribert]

I agree, this is a perfect time. My DW also didn't like the idea of going when our 2 are young, DS just turned 3 & DD wwill be 5 in Oct. This Sept. will be their 4th time, 3rd since last Sept, & most likely the last for a year or 2.
At this age, you don't have to ask the "do I pull them out of school" question & he's free until he's 3!!
My wife's biggest argument was that they wouldn't remember anything...WRONG!! My reply was, even if they don't, we will.
15 years from now, when your son leaves for college, you'll have these memories from his first trip to Disney!!
As far as rides & stuff, the kids love Figment, doing the Kidcots, turtle talk, beauty & the Beast show, &, of course, Dumbo.

[millermouse]

I agree, this is a perfect time. My son will also be 2 in August. We have traveled with him twice to WDW (at 5 months and 17 months) and had so much fun! I mean come on, he's free!!!! Wait until he's 5? Why? I mean it's just my opinion, but disney is magical at any age. If you want to go just remember your child takes cues from you and when you are happy, they feel it and they are. So why not give your son a happy magicial time. BTW this post is great practice for me talking to my husband for why we need to go back NOW!

[gingles]

Originally Posted by lisalovesmickey

Hi all.

...It's not that DH does not like WDW, in fact he loves it, but he just has this thing about spending the money on a kid that won't remember...Lisa

We took DD#2 when she was ten months and when she was three as well, and, well, if had I had a dollar for everytime I heard "she won't remember anything", I could pay for a trip to...well, Disneyworld.

Think...if you based what you did with your child only on what they would remember, why do we do anything with them? They won't remember it! Just lock them in the closet until they get old enough to remember things and then take them out to enjoy life. When I looked at that way I saw how silly that logic was.

Our DD had a blast at 10 months (lights, colors, movement, all those great things babies are supposed to be exposed to!) She also had a blast at three years old (and she still laughs watching the video!).

Well, enough preaching. Think Fantasyland, the obvious place! IASW is great and not scary, Pooh's ride is the same. SW has a witch, but is really scarier for 5-7 year-olds than threes. The advantage of three is that they are usually less scared of most things the older children (5-10). They totally trust their parents to take care of them, so enjoy!!!

[alandjen]

We took our twin daughters last year when they were 20 months, and we weren't sure how they'd react to the characters. We'd heard that the "life size" fluffy characters might be scary for them. But we were pleasantly surprised when they went crazy for them!

The first ones they saw were JoJo and Goliath at MGM, and from there I don't think they missed a Pooh or Tigger.

We're going back this September when they turn three, and they're really into the Princesses now.

Whenever they see those Magical Beginnings spots on Playhouse Disney, they scream, "that's where I'm going!"

You're little one will love it!

[chottsy]

Originally Posted by gingles

Think...if you based what you did with your child only on what they would remember, why do we do anything with them? They won't remember it! Just lock them in the closet until they get old enough to remember things and then take them out to enjoy life. When I looked at that way I saw how silly that logic was.

I AGREE!!


a bit off topic ~ but my SIL uses this philosophy to the extent that she has yet to give her kids birthdays...her DD is 4 and has asked for one this year, so i guess her mom will give her one now that she has finally asked. but i have always thought that it was absolutely rediculous that just because the kids "won't remember" she has't done it. my DD has always had great b'day parties (small, family parties, with cake and presants) and trust me at 2 she knew what it was all about!!

~~~look out WDW....my DD, megan (3yo.) knows she's coming in jan. 2007 (first trip) and she is already talking about it!!!

we are going to be doing MK over 3 days & staying at ASMo resort. i have touring routes laid out for AK and MGM if we think we have had enough of MK after 2 days. but we are not likely to get our fill. our main objective is not to cover as much ground as possible, but to really enjoy the experience of seeing WDW through our DD eyes.

can't wait!!!!!

[queensmama]

I went with "This trip is for my memories not his/hers. I will remember these smiles and giggles."
BTW DD does remember her first time at CP. She still talks about how eeyore tried to hug her silly. She was 2.
Pictures help encourage the memories.