Taking a toddler to Disney??

[md4958]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Just saw this after my post.
Seems to be exactly what I said.
Few realize this when taking small children there.

Thanks for your input Carlos

Gregs daughter was probably under 2 if it was last year.

Im really not concerned with him remembering for the rest of his life, because if he does well we would take him regularly.

My bigger concern is we will have to leave the park after 45 mintues because the giant Goofy scared the chit out of him. So, I was hoping if somebody could offer advice on how to avoid that it would be great.

He ususally does very well when we take him out all day say to the outlets or to the mall or something. We would be giving him naps in the afternoon, so that he wouldnt be a monster for the rest of the day. I AM concerned with sensory overload I think. There is so much going on at the parks.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by md4958

Thanks for your input Carlos

Gregs daughter was probably under 2 if it was last year.

Im really not concerned with him remembering for the rest of his life, because if he does well we would take him regularly.

My bigger concern is we will have to leave the park after 45 mintues because the giant Goofy scared the chit out of him. So, I was hoping if somebody could offer advice on how to avoid that it would be great.

He ususally does very well when we take him out all day say to the outlets or to the mall or something. We would be giving him naps in the afternoon, so that he wouldnt be a monster for the rest of the day. I AM concerned with sensory overload I think. There is so much going on at the parks.

Very, very legitimate concerns.
My daughter freaked out totally on the Snow White ride.
When younger, the characters really scared her too.
The good thing is they forget quickly as soon as you distract them with something else.
I tell you what, to a great degree, you will enjoy it as you will live through them. You can have an excuse to be a kid again for a while.
It is just a painful ordeal overall unless you happen to be one of the lucky ones.
The parks are much too expensive to go in for a while and have to leave soon after.

[md4958]

Originally Posted by Blueface

The parks are much too expensive to go in for a while and have to leave soon after.

This is my biggest concern Carlos, since the hopper passes are no longer good forever.

I guess if the wife really wants to go we can always see how the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom goes and if its a nightmare pay extra to have the passes good forever and just sit by the pool and relax.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by md4958

This is my biggest concern Carlos, since the hopper passes are no longer good forever.

I guess if the wife really wants to go we can always see how the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom goes and if its a nightmare pay extra to have the passes good forever and just sit by the pool and relax.

There will be plenty of warmth, sun and things to do in June in the Orlando area.
That is a great way to go. See how things go in one park or two and then go from there. Meantime, lots to do or not do so the vacation will still be a great one.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by md4958

This is my biggest concern Carlos, since the hopper passes are no longer good forever.

I guess if the wife really wants to go we can always see how the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom goes and if its a nightmare pay extra to have the passes good forever and just sit by the pool and relax.

Hey Moe-sy, I always bought my hopper passes from the people outside 7-11. It was a little scary the first time and seemed a little shady, but I got my tickets at a decent discount.
Disney scalpers rock.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by shilala

Hey Moe-sy, I always bought my hopper passes from the people outside 7-11. It was a little scary the first time and seemed a little shady, but I got my tickets at a decent discount.
Disney scalpers rock.

Holy crap. Never even dawned on me.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Holy crap. Never even dawned on me.

They aim to please, too.
They'll cater to whatever you want. The girl I bought from last time gave me extra hopper cards so I got just what I wanted and just asked that I return the cards (they had more days at different parks on them).
So then she could sell the passes that were still on the cards to other people.
I bet I got 30% off on park passes at least. Maybe 50%.

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by shilala

They aim to please, too.
They'll cater to whatever you want. The girl I bought from last time gave me extra hopper cards so I got just what I wanted and just asked that I return the cards (they had more days at different parks on them).
So then she could sell the passes that were still on the cards to other people.
I bet I got 30% off on park passes at least. Maybe 50%.

Wow, and all those suckers lining up at the gate to buy tickets.......

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by shilala

Hey Moe-sy, I always bought my hopper passes from the people outside 7-11. It was a little scary the first time and seemed a little shady, but I got my tickets at a decent discount.
Disney scalpers rock.

worst advice ever.

The tickets now require a bioscan. In other words, you need to put your finger on a blue light entering the park. If they aren't the same persons who bough them, you are outta luck and outta money and they don't feel sorry if you say you bought them at 7/11. I deal with this every day and know.

The only way this works is if you buy a hopper then take it to Downtown Disney's store and upgrade it to to more days, which may be complicated for a first timer.

More misinformation here as well; Hoppers only expire if you don't add the no expiration option on them. You start with a base, then add the options you want, like hopping, water parks, and no expiration. If you will return at some point of your life, adding extra days after 5 days only costa a few extra dollars. Make sure to put on the no expiration option.

[md4958]

Originally Posted by floydpink

worst advice ever.

The tickets now require a bioscan. In other words, you need to put your finger on a blue light entering the park. If they aren't the same persons who bough them, you are outta luck and outta money and they don't feel sorry if you say you bought them at 7/11. I deal with this every day and know.

The only way this works is if you buy a hopper then take it to Downtown Disney's store and upgrade it to to more days, which may be complicated for a first timer.

More misinformation here as well; Hoppers only expire if you don't add the no expiration option on them. You start with a base, then add the options you want, like hopping, water parks, and no expiration. If you will return at some point of your life, adding extra days after 5 days only costa a few extra dollars. Make sure to put on the no expiration option.

Floyd, all great advice, thanks!!

My son is sitting on my lap and flipped when he saw the pic of Mickey!

Im intrigued about the non-expiration and adding more days later thing you were talking about... I was wondering if you could expalin that to me in a bit more detail. Im pretty familiar with downtown disney.

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by md4958

Floyd, all great advice, thanks!!

My son is sitting on my lap and flipped when he saw the pic of Mickey!

Im intrigued about the non-expiration and adding more days later thing you were talking about... I was wondering if you could expalin that to me in a bit more detail. Im pretty familiar with downtown disney.

Ok here is the current situation. concerning Disney tickets.

You start out by picking your number of days, let's use 3 for example.
You pay about 80 bucks a day for an adult and about 70 per child ages 3-9. Under 3 is free, over 9 is adult.

For 3 days, you would pay about $240 adult, $210 child ages 3-9.

From there, you upgrade. To visit more than one park on the same day(waste of time and money), you pay a one time fee of $50 and the ticket becomes a hopper.

For about $40 extra, you get a couple water park visits anytime you chose. (bargain, considering the one time visit costs 40 bucks)

Depending on how many days you bought, there is a no expiration option ranging from 50-100 bucks. The tickets expire 14 days from your first use unless you do this.

If you figure out your cost per day on a 10 day ticet with the no expiration option, it comes out to about 30 bucks a day. Awesome if you will return at some point of your life, and Disney isn't taken under by the depression.

Whatever you chose, make a photocopy of the back of your tickets and put them in a safe place.
If you ever lose your tickets or run them throught the wash, the number on the back saves your ass and you get issued new tickets and don't have to buy new ones outside the Chucky Cheese.

Forgot to mention; the no expiration option can be put on ANY time before you use all your days up. Also, you can add extra days before you use up all your days.

In other words, if you buy the 3 day ticket and want to add another day, you pay the difference between a 3 and 4 day ticket, which is cheaper than a 1 day ticket. Also, a 3-7 day ticket is a small fee, so if you had a lot of fun and want to come back, add the extra days and put the no expiration option on.

[md4958]

Originally Posted by shilala

Hey Moe-sy, I always bought my hopper passes from the people outside 7-11. It was a little scary the first time and seemed a little shady, but I got my tickets at a decent discount.
Disney scalpers rock.

Me neither

Arent we all lucky to know Scotty?

[floydpink]

I talk to a few thousand tourists a week. (thus my high blood pressure)

One of the things I tell them is that if you would feel comfortable buying discounted airline tickets outside a convenience sore, go ohead with your Disney tickets. The Disney tickets prolly cost more.

Years ago it was ok, but with the bioscan, it's a thing of the past,

Originally Posted by md4958

My bigger concern is we will have to leave the park after 45 mintues because the giant Goofy scared the chit out of him.

Moe, bring him tonight, I'll bring my goofy outfit and we'll see what happens.

[md4958]

Originally Posted by TRicker

Moe, bring him tonight, I'll bring my goofy outfit and we'll see what happens.

Originally Posted by TRicker

Moe, bring him tonight, I'll bring my goofy outfit and we'll see what happens.

If Leo can handle you he sure as hell can handle goofy.

[Sailkat]

Thought I'd throw my in..

I was in the travel business for over 20 years and booked alot of trips for people to Disney World. I discouraged people with children under 5 from going there. For many of the reasons already mentioned, kids don't remember it, there are limited rides they can go on, they often are frightened by the characters, sensory overload, etc. Not to say that you won't have fun, but it's a much better vacationn for older children.

That said, if you do go, stay in the park or on the park transportation system. If after two hours in the park you need to go back to the hotel it makes life much easier. Stroller is a must for little ones.....even if you just use it to carry the junk. Take a change of clothes with you....accidents happen. Bring a favorite book or toy, or both. A familar story or "Mr. Bear" needing a nap can be a good distraction if sensory overload happens. Take water and snacks that are your child's favorites....especially if they are picky eaters. Things are expensive...to find out after one bite that they don't like it and there is not an abundance of PB & J with no crusts

As a suggestion, check out Sea World. I got lots of positive feedback from people with young children regarding visits there.

Have fun....whatever you do!

Originally Posted by Sailkat

Thought I'd throw my in..

I was in the travel business for over 20 years and booked alot of trips for people to Disney World. I discouraged people with children under 5 from going there. For many of the reasons already mentioned, kids don't remember it, there are limited rides they can go on, they often are frightened by the characters, sensory overload, etc. Not to say that you won't have fun, but it's a much better vacationn for older children.

That said, if you do go, stay in the park or on the park transportation system. If after two hours in the park you need to go back to the hotel it makes life much easier. Stroller is a must for little ones.....even if you just use it to carry the junk. Take a change of clothes with you....accidents happen. Bring a favorite book or toy, or both. A familar story or "Mr. Bear" needing a nap can be a good distraction if sensory overload happens. Take water and snacks that are your child's favorites....especially if they are picky eaters. Things are expensive...to find out after one bite that they don't like it and there is not an abundance of PB & J with no crusts

As a suggestion, check out Sea World. I got lots of positive feedback from people with young children regarding visits there.

Have fun....whatever you do!

We took our 5 year old son and our daughter who was 3 at the time.. He had a grand time! but she is like what are you talking about? and I had to carry her most of the time..she did not did the stroller either.

We went with the total Disney package, that included room at the Disney "Movies" hotel, and parks passes, and we added the "FOOD" option to the package and that gave us a breakfast or lunch on the go,or in the hotel or park, and 1 sit down meal that we used for dinner and went to "character meeting" places.. also it comes with a "snack" every day too! that I used mine for stuff like a turkey leg and loaded baked potato at the parks
We went through Disney.com
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[Tenor CS]

As a WDW cast member, (Disney-speak for "employee") I thought I'd throw my as well.

Honestly, I'd advise against it. But ...

If you do this, remember who the trip is for. I have seen countless sets of parents who fall into the "We're paying a ton of money for this trip and you will have fun whether you like it or not!" mentality. With this mentality, you wind up with crying children and parents who are a hair away from a stroke.

With a toddler, you will most likely NOT be able to be at the turnstiles at the crack of dawn (say 8am) for early entry, and stay till the bitter end to see the fireworks and parade at 10pm or midnight without the little guy experiencing a meltdown, or multiple meltdowns.

You can do this trip and have a ton of fun, get lots of great pictures, and maybe even make some great memories for your family. But it will NOT be a bargain. Even with discounted child tickets, you will pay a lot and, if you want to maintain your sanity, you will probably wind up only doing 6-8 hours in the park each day, tops.

Also, bear in mind, you're talking June. It will be hot. It most likely will rain most of the days, so it will be humid. And it will be crowded. Lines at popular "kiddie" rides in Fantasyland will easily be in the 60-90 minute range. You're gonna wind up pushing a stroller all day. Nothing will deflate you faster than realizing "I spent all this money on this trip and this kid is sleeping in his stroller for the better part of the day."

One last tip: if you're gonna have to skip a park, skip Epcot. Not a whole lot there for the little ones.

You MUST hit Magic Kingdom and will likely spend most of the day in Fantasyland. If you want the pic with Mickey, hit Mickey's Toontown Fair.

Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) is a good bet, especially the Playhouse Disney show. The thrill rides are not kid-friendly. The night show, Fantasmic, may be a bit too intense for a 3 year old.

This post is too long already, if I can be of further assistance, PM me.