I am able to get into Disneyland for FREE on my birthday this year... and I really want to go!! But there are several questions/concerns.... my son will be 22 months at the time... is this too young? Will he actually enjoy it? What about naptime? Should I wait till he's a little bit older and maybe not taking naps? So I don't have to worry about a REALLY cranky toddler? My husband doesn't really want to go... I don't want to force him to go and then end up having a cranky little boy... The only person we'd have to pay for is my husband because my son get's in free at his age. Hmmmm.... any thoughts?
I would say he will enjoy it probally won't remember it but I have taken my kids at that age will your son nap in the stroller? I would suggest getting a room(doesn't have to be at Disney Hotel) so you could always go back and rest if needed. Go first thing and be flexable. If your child & or husband get to cranky call it a day and be done your not putting that much money out. Another idea would be to bring a sitter with you my daughter is 17 and went with a family they just paid for her day and she watched the baby so they could also enjoy and have some alone time that way the child is still with you but not holding you back from doing what you want to do. Good luck I say go for it!!
I'm sure he will have fun... but not be able to get on all the "rides" because they have height requirements.
For his naps...well, go back to the hotel room, for his nap. That is what we did on a trip once. But this is per MY son...because he will not nap anywhere else while on the go or on the road... and only will nap in a room/bed, with QUIET.
If it were my son, he'd get tired, and not last the whole day, at that age, without a nap. Or he'd get over-stimulated and fussy and when he gets fussy/tired, he gets CLINGY and wants to be carried and NOT be in a stroller. That's my son.
How would your son be? That would indicate to you about planning your trip or not, and activities once there.
All the best,
Susan
Hi Jenifer:
Because you want to go and have a good time for your birthday,I'd get your hubby or someone to sit,and go with A relative or friend. This is your day,and if your little one does get tired and cranky,you'll feel bad,that you had to pack it up and leave. Brett has plenty of time to enjoy and take in Disneyland, when hes a little older.Right now, I think all the noise and crowd,would be more of a bother than fun for him. I hope you have a great birthday. Julia M
oh i took my daughter who was 24 months in april. she usually takes a nap and didnt until we rode finding nemo. i would suggest that you bring your own stroller so you dont have to pay for one. i took my daughter on a lot of rides. heres what we went on -
haunted mansion, snow white, alice in wonder land, dumbo, pinnochio, the carroucel, fliks flyers, himelecs chew chew train, nemo, the story book cruise, autotopia, whinnie the pooh.
we walked through - mickey house, minnies house, donalds boat, chip and dales and goofys house.
we would have went on the farris wheel (in the stationary cars) but it was being painted. we also ate at the hungry bear restaraunt (because my daughter loves chicken nuggets) and i think they have chicken nuggets at most places there. they have great toddler meals too (chicken and rice and apple sauce i think lol). we also bought our daughter her first mouse ears it was a lot of fun i would take your son if you dont mind missing out on the big rides.
I took my son with me on my birthday and he was 14 months. It was ok, but the lines were long for him so I was only able to go on three rides with him before he pooped out on me. Oh and he ended up getting the stomach flu too! However, my son enjoyed the few rides that he went on.
Well, it all depends on what your son is used to - do you take him out a lot, or are you home a lot? If he's used to being out on the go, then he'll have a fabulous time. We started taking our daughter for her birthday when she turned 1, and she LOVES it! And she was well-behaved the entire time. What we did is have one of us stay in line and the other one stood nearby with her until we got to the front - it worked out well. If you have another person to go with you, that'll make it all the better, since you'll have company!
However, keep in mind that you'll be spending a lot of time in Fantasyland, since most of the other areas have height requirements. I love Fantasyland, so that wasn't a problem for me, but it all depends on what you're wanting to do!
Take a stroller that reclines - my kids have both just napped in their strollers when they were ready. This is a great time to stand in line to visit a character (we waited for the princesses, but maybe you could wait at Mickey's house for your son - great photo opp!)
At any rate, have a great birthday! We just got back from visiting for my daughter's 4th birthday with her and our 18 month old - a great day as usual! :o) Have fun!
Bring your own stroller that reclines for nap time, a favorite blankey and plenty of food for him that you can easily pull out of a cooler bag you can store in the bottom of the stroller. He will probably enjoy it but won't remember it. Try to go at a time when it is not tooooo crowded. The most exhausting thing about Disneyland is that you have to stand in line for everything, even food, and there is no place to rest. Save up, and plan to eat at one of the expensive sit down places. The Restaurant in the New Orleans area is nice, they have a fruit salad and a bowl of clam chowder in a bread bowl that is not too expensive. The rental strollers are not as comfortable, and they have stroller parking areas for every ride. Put a luggage tag on your stroller with your name on it. And scale down your expectations, you won't get to do as much as you would without a toddler, and you will have to take turns on the scary rides. We always took our babies there and had fun. If you can afford a hotel and get two day pass for the price of one, you won't feel like you have to do everything in one day. Oh, you're getting in free anyway. If your husband really doesn't want to go, take your babysitter, sister, or a good friend.
I have been taking my youngest since she was 3 months old..
She is now 21 almost 22 and we just went on Thursday. She loved the rides and took a nap in the stroller. I say just go for it. It is just one day. Good luck!
I thought Julia M had the best advice but if you can't get hubby to stay home with the baby or get a babysitter or you simply want to share the experience with your son...
Take snacks (LOTS of little things: raisin packs, nuts, fruit rollups, grapes, cereal bars, trail mix) and a water bottle (you can refill it with cold, filtered water at the Baby Care Center at the hub-end of Main Street). Everyone has a different opinion about lunch but my goal has always been to eat a great breakfast and snack through till dinner... it's a huge time-waster to trek out somewhere for lunch and everything is deathly expensive. We only do a sit-down if the kiddo is exhausted and HUNGRY.
Bring a few new small toys that he's never seen before (flashcards, a touch-n-feel book, a laser pointer, and a spinning light-up Buzz Lightyear toy have been past faves with my own son). Dole them out and put them away judiciously throughout the day and you'll minimize meltdowns, reprimands, and a lot of angst.
Use the FastPass system and remember that even though they give you an hour window, you can actually use them anytime after the printed starting time. My son loves Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland and we generally just load up on the FastPasses for that, LOL... Haunted Mansion also offers FastPass. Check DL website if you need to learn how to get and use them.
To go on bigger rides that your son can't, take him and hubby to the entrance and ask for a Rider Switch Pass. Once one of you has stood in line and ridden, the other can bypass the line. This works particularly well if you have a FastPass for that ride.
Rides he can go on and what you need to know: While Haunted Mansion is obviously spooky and Pirates has a couple drops and a lot of noise and skeletons & pirates, my son has never had as much problem with these as the more simplistic but equally scary "dark rides" in Fantasyland: Snow White, Mr Toad, and Alice... use your judgment... Peter Pan, the carousel, Storybookland boats, and Dumbo are your best bets. Do not miss the newly-refurbed It's a Small World and keep your eyes peeled for the Disney movie characters they've added! Toontown is great for some free-roaming fun both outside and in both Mickey and Minnie's houses. Gadget's Go Coaster is fun if he's tall enough and you can talk him into it. Adventureland's Jungle Cruise is absolutely great and the stupid jokes make it fun for everyone. If you just need to blow off some steam, take the rafts to the island and run around! Autopia is always a winner with little boys and their daddies, for some reason (I detest it and this is when I leave the guys and head for Space Mountain, generally). Innoventions is surprisingly fun and pleasantly COOL on a hot day. When he's slowing down, put him in the stroller and head for the always-long line for Nemo (submarines)... you can take the stroller in line most the way and if he falls asleep, you'll at least be stuck holding him sitting down in a cool air-conditioned space. It can be claustrophobic so use judgment and take him only if he's tuckered out or a naturally calm person. The Pooh ride is always popular but it is another "dark ride" and the long walk makes it a rare one for our family. However, there are almost always characters out there so you might want to trek out to Bear Country.
If he's potty-trained, ask before getting on every single line whether he needs to go!
Wow, this ended up being really long. Hope some of this helps and you enjoy your birthday!!
Hi Jenifer,
I live really close to Disneyland and have a pass for myself. My 17 month old son has gone 4 times already. He enjoys the rides and all the people watching. We were having a grumpy day so I took him to Disneyland for the afternoon. He was an angel. There is so much to look at. As for naps, it depends on how well your son can sleep in a stroller. Do you think he would just crash from exhaustion? My son desperately needs his morning nap, so we go once he wakes up. Hope this helps!
Stephanie
He will love it. Most likely will take a nap or two in his stroller during the day, and that will help. Do be prepared to accept he might not be able to hang all day long, though, and you may have to leave earlier than you would normally like.
We took my daughter for the first time when she was around his age, and her favorites were the carousel ("horsies"), Dumbo, Jungle Cruise, and Tiki Room.
Oh, she did have a rough time with the lines and getting off the rides at first. We had to keep reminding her that everyone needs to get a turn, so we have to get off when the ride is over so others can have their turn. After a couple of rides she was fine.
Just make sure he always has water available to drink, and he never gets hungry - protein throughout the day will make a huge difference. Take little breaks in a (relatively) quiet and shady area once in a while (maybe when you eat), to get away from the huge crowds and heat. The kids that you see having meltdowns are often just raw from being overwhelmed with people and lines and not having anything substantial to eat all day.
They learn young! I started taking both of my boys around 9 months. It just so happened that D-land is between some of my friends and I so it makes a great meeting spot. When my first son was a yr he would go nuts just on Disney way(before entering the park). He automaticly notice the street. The second who is 18 months loves it just as equally. They can ride pretty much everything in the park. It's very stimulating for them and they love it. Of course whats not to love. Jenn
If you live locally or not that far away I think it would be okay to go. If you're getting a hotel nearby, you can always get your hand stamped and go in and out...so you can leave for naptime. You can also just bring a comphy stroller and he can nap right in the stroller. The baby might enjoy looking around and might be totally overwhelmed, it's hard to tell. You might have a better time if just you and your husband go and you get a babysitter and take the baby when he's older. Lots of options.
Yes! Go! You'll have a blast and so will he. I was worried about the same thing when I took my son but he fell asleep in the stroller and took a nap. He didn't take his normal 2 hour nap but he got what he needed and then was excited to play.
I really thing you'll have fun. :)
Hi Jenifer, I too am getting ready to go to disneyland for my birthday and my daughter's first trip. I also posted a questions regarding disneyland and got lots of great responses. I am not sure whether you want to go for you or for your son. If for you, I like the earlier suggestion of maybe finding a sitter and taking a friend or relative. If you want to go to see your son enjoy it... I say go for it. If dad doesnt want to go ask a friend or relative. Maybe even a friend that has a child your son's age. It might help standing in line if there is someone to play with. You could even offer to pay half the ticket (since you would have if your husband was going). Also, if you go without husband and your little one gets overwhelmed and too cranky..leave. If it is just the two of you it is basically a free trip. Unsure how the nap might work. Perhaps consider leaving the park mid day. Drive around and find a shady tree to park under or a mall while he naps. If you decide to go... have a great time.
I used to work at Disneyland, so my daughter's first trip was for a Cast Member party at the age of 4 months! She did great, and slept a lot. I got a pass when she wasn't quite a year old, and have been going about once a month since then. She loves it (She's 2 1/2 now) and has enjoyed it for quite some time! She still naps in the stroller for about an hour or so during the day, and we are able to stay all day sometimes, even til park closing at times. She'll just fall asleep in the stroller, noise and all! There's a great Baby Care Center on Main Street that is very helpful, and you can go there to get some quiet time, change diapers, feed (they have high chairs and a microwave as well as a curtained off portion for nursing mothers) they even have a short little toilet for potty training when the time comes for that. I say go- it's a lot of fun! And Happy Birthday!!
I don't know how you feel about this, but we have a little bear that he wears like a backpack, and it has a tail attached, which we can hold onto. Kind of like a leash. Which is perfect for big crowded places like this as long as you remember it's only there to make sure he doesn't run off. My little guy (just two months younger than yours) does well in it, because I usually just walk and run beside him at his pace and don't have to use the leash action unless he takes off. Even then, I just try to run behind him instead of using the leash to hold him back... But in a big crowded place like Disneyland and even malls, I will not allow him to walk without the leash. Why? Grandma had a near-death experience when we were at Crystal Cathedral and he ran straight for the end of the lawn area that ends in a big cement wall and about a 12 foot drop onto more cement. Grandma almost had a heartattack and if he hadn't tripped, he would've gone over the edge. Gramma vows never to take him without the leash again!
We took our Daughter at 25.5 months and she loved it!!!!!! I was amazed at how much she understood and enjoyed. She napped at her regular time in the stroller, we sat and had a snack while she napped, good time for all. Go and enjoy the day with your Son worse comes to worse you go home early with a tired toddler.
I took my daughter when she was 3 for the first time.. i thought it was the perfect age to introduce Disneyland. We did breakfast witht he characters in the morning and went to the Disney Princess 'fair' and did a couple of rides. She napped in my arms as we went around the park on the train and in the stroller.
That being said -- if you're getting in free... i'd do it. Even if just for a few hours -- make it low key, leave hubby at home and enjoy some fun quality time with your little one. No stress of the lines for rides -- just do the carousel, maybe do the breakfast with the characters in the morning -- and small world (though the line is pretty long on this, it usually goes quickly) -- hang out in toon-town, go on the train -- he'll get tired and fall asleep - either while you're holding him or in the stroller. Don't make it too long of a day, so you don't have him cranky... but go and enjoy!