Any suggestions for taking a 3 yr old to Disney?

[David]

November 24, 2002 at 07:24:40:

I am in the beginning stages of planning a vacation with my 3 year old to visit Disneyworld. Any suggestions (for or against)? Thank you

[Rachael]

March 17, 2003 at 00:16:11

David

We have been to Disneyland twice on the last three months with our 12, 8, and 2 1/2 year olds. I have a ton of advice on this subject, so I am going to list email address, if you want to correspond about this but I'll give you the skinny here:

If your little one still takes naps, try to stay at the Disneyland hotel, I know it's exspensive, but let's say he/she falls alseep in thier stroller, you can just walk them back to the hotel. That is priceless!

There are a couple of places you can get healthy food in Dland. In Fantasyland, in between the Matterhorn and Alice in Wonderland, is a place where you can get this huge smoked turkey leg. And in Adventureland, right near Jasmin and Alladin's show area, is a place where you can get fresh fruit or fresh veggies with ranch dressing.

At the end of Main Street, around the corner from the Photo Shop, is this totally unprecedented baby changing area. I mean, they hand you a hot towel to wash your hands when you are done! And they have little changing tables and every amenity imaginable.

The Tiki Room is a blast, and you can get a pineapple flavored soft serve yogurt while you are waiting. My kids love that!

Pirates of the Carribean is a blast, but make sure you reember there is a bit of a drop when you first start and hold the toddler tight!

Make sure you use the Fast Pass system. Take your ticket and go to the area designated "Fast Pass Distribution" and have the machine scan the bar code on your ticket. The machine will issue a Fast Pass telling you to come back at a later time and then you can go straight to the front. 3 year olds hate waiting in lines!

If you and your wife want to both go on a ridde your child can't, they have a parent system. You just go thru the line (Fast Pass or otherwise) and they will tell one of you to wait at the exit with the child. When your spouse comes off the ride, they will let you go on while your spouse waits at the exit with the child.

California Adventure is a lot quieter then Dland, so visit there when Dland is busy. They have a whole area called "It's a Bug's Life" for the little ones. Be forwarned, if you go see the 3D It's a Bug's Life movie, they have mehcanized seats that will poke your back at one point, so I would keep a three year old on my lap.

Geez, there is soo much stuff!

[garj]

November 27, 2002 at 15:19:35

David

I dont think you can be too young to see Disneyworld! We took our first child at the age of 18 months and she loved it.

My son went at the age of 3 and he also loved it.

I can tell the rides they liked best if you like.

Garj