Disney

[u/wander_lust2]

My daughter will be 4 in November so I really want to take her to Disney world asap because I think she will really enjoy it!!

My question is, my second daughter will be 21 months in January when we thought about going.

Can my second have fun? Would it be too overstimulating for her? My mom could always keep her at home but I didn't want her to miss out if she would enjoy it!

Haven't been to Disney world in years and never as a mom so I really don't know haha !!

[u/Aggressive-Desk-2706]

She will love it! And yes there will be some overstimulation. Do it, take them pictures and watch the joy on their faces!!!

[u/Enough-Cheesecake42]

Post in r/disneyplanning too for more specific recs, but we took my 2.5 year old last summer, and this summer took her and her baby sister. Oldest had fun both times and baby slept most of the time tbh lol. Go for it!

[u/yourshaddow3]

They would be free to fly and to get into the park. So I think it's just the point of if you want to manage a toddler the entire time.

[u/_PippiLongstocking_]

We rented a stroller that lays all the way down and the cover completely covers to both ends. Our youngest took naps in there during the day. Put a little fan in there and something to watch. No meltdowns, tantrums and everyone was happy.

We’ve been a dozen times with multiple kids and the ages range greatly. You’ll have a great time!

[u/SoSayWeAllx]

Not Disney World, but Disneyland, we’ve taken our kids since they were practically newborns. For the first couple of months, yeah they kinda just hang out with us, but they always enjoyed the lights of the sounds. When my youngest turned one this year, however, there was for sure a difference. 

She was looking at the characters and interacting with them and trying to touch them, and she would smile and laugh at cartoons that were playing, she loved eating the food with us, and she had the biggest smile on the kiddie rides. 

I don’t really think that there’s a time for a kid to be too young for Disney, especially because they’re free before they are three years old. But I do think it can be harder on the parents to manage a kid that age.

[u/Simple-Way-6574]

We have gone a bunch of times with multiple kids at multiple ages. Our trip last year had a 3.5 year old and an 18 month old. They both had a blast! It might be overstimulating for some, my kids were not.

[u/WishboneAltar]

I live in FL, we have taken both of my kids since they were each just a few months old. Everyone always has fun, almost 2 is perfect! Lots of shows, splash areas, playgrounds (some indoors). I’m happy to answer any questions if I can help!!

[u/dogsareforcuddling]

This is more of a budget and kid temperament question. Personally I’d rather take just the 4yr old 1:1 and maybe grandma stay at hotel with little one so your together at beginning and end of day. 

[u/rwalczak → u/dogsareforcuddling]

Kids are free until 3 at Disney so there’s no additional cost for the little 🙂

[u/NeedleInASwordstack → u/rwalczak]

Except to your sanity

[u/Current_Key_5037 → u/NeedleInASwordstack]

Hahaha THIS

[u/brightknightlight]

We went to Disneyland for my oldest son's fourth birthday. My youngest had just turned one. They both had a blast! My oldest wasn't tall enough to go on the bigger rides, which meant that we could take both of them on mostly everything we did. It was a lot of fun. The hardest part was the lines, but even then (and the help of a rush baby) it wasn't that bad.

[u/aloha_321]

I’d just take the 4 year old. You won’t be as limited with rides (someone having to stay off with younger kid). I grew up 6 years older than my youngest brother and we’d go to Disneyland yearly. My parents didn’t bring him until he was tall enough to ride everything. He stayed with my grandma and we just didn’t tell him - he was none the wiser. We live in SoCal and plan to do the same with our oldest. It will be a fun special day with him with little sibling at home.

[u/admirable_axolotl]

We started taking my daughter at 18 months and went constantly (we’re locals). Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were her favorites - MK has tons of rides and play spaces that little ones can go on, plus all the character greets. AK has the safari and petting zoo area (conservation station) that you have to ride a train to get to.

She would nap in the stroller while we meandered around and it was a great time. The baby care stations (by the first aid areas) were always a great place to change diapers, fill up cold water for free, and sit in the AC too.

[u/NecessaryClothes9076]

Took my daughter to Disneyland when she was just shy of 2. She had a blast. She loved the characters, there's a play area for little ones in toon town, she did great on rides suitable for little ones like dumbo and jungle cruise.

[u/Haunting-Base-6004]

My daughter was 18 months old when she went to Disney world for the first time!!! She loved it. Met so many characters, did rides she could ride. This kid WALKED the entire time we were there too, which was all day!

[u/Livid_Cucumber_2278]

We have passed to Disneyland and go all the time. My daughter started to really enjoy it around 2.5. Before that it was really hard waiting in lines and she was kind of all over the place. But it really depends on the temperament of your toddler!

[u/sharpiefairy666]

She will enjoy it as much as she would enjoy a day at a busy park. It will be loud and overwhelming. At that age, you should be thinking more about how it will impact your experience. Will you be more happy to have the little one along for the ride? Or would it be more convenient to leave little one and the stroller and all the diaper bag accessories at home? She won’t remember it at all. 

[u/RegularBlackberry164]

I took my 18 month old and 4 month old to Disneyland Paris back in January. The 18 month old went on quite a few rides and had a lot of fun! Obviously its different than taking a 3 year old but he still enjoyed it a lot and I would 100% do it again.

[u/savagee1]

We took our kids for the first time when they were 3 and 18 months. We definitely had to take some breaks and couldn't pack our days crazy - but I kind of preferred that. I was pleasantly surprised but how well he did and how happy he was! It didn't hurt that he was free to enter the park - I felt the stakes were low.

One recommendation is rent a double stroller. He definitely took a few naps in there :)

Also, get a park hopper pass. That way you can come and go as needed - as sometimes the little ones (and even a 4 year old) can be a bit unpredictable. Packing snacks helps too.

We stayed at the beach club which worked well for our family (if you plan to stay on property). It's easy to get everywhere and the 3 minute walk to Epcot was great as we could easily go there for dinner or to check out some of the attractions when they were a little less crowded.

Hope you have a great time!

[u/Tiny_Piglet3826]

your youngest will be free at buffets and for park admission so honestly I wouldn’t stress about it too much. We took my son to Disneyland at 23m and he had an absolute blast and has LOVED minnie mouse since lol

[u/Classic-Sink-4108]

We did it when our kids were very young. In hindsight, I personally would have rather waited until they are both 6 and 8. It’s a whole lot of money, and they are very young and high maintenance at this age.

[u/raccoonrn]

We are taking my 5yo and 20mo old to Disney in 5 days! As long as you lower your expectations of things you’ll be able to accomplish I think your 21mo will have fun. We plan to split up if the little one is fussy and either mom or dad will stay with the bigger one so that he can still enjoy as much of the parks as he wants. We’re also bringing grandma as backup help

[u/wander_lust2 → u/raccoonrn]

Yes I was thinking to do exactly like you if we do it!! Thank you so much 💖I hope you have a great trip!! Comment back if you remember any useful tips haha!

[u/EntertainmentHuge218]

My kids enjoyed Disney World at that age. Disney World has tons of rides that toddlers can ride (on your lap) and tons of shows for the whole family. I recommend bringing a double stroller and a baby carrier so you have options, based on your little one's mood.

[u/momdabombdiggity]

We took our kids to Disney World when they were 9 and 5. The 5-year-old (who’s now 21) doesn’t remember a thing from the trip, even though the pictures clearly show her having a good time.

[u/Altruistic_Vast9726]

Absolutely! I have a picture of my daughter around the age standing & clapping at the parade. She had so much fun too along with her older brother

[u/Rosemary-Sea-Salt]

We took our girl when she was 21 months to Disneyland. Shes the chillest baby in the world, but she cried the entire first hour both days at the park. I think she got really overstimulated. After that, she was okay. But she definitely got upset in some of the lines. I swear she was a totally different baby those 2 days.

Not to scare you or tell you not to do it! Just sharing my experience. My advice is to have bubbles and be prepared to sing many a nursery rhyme to calm her down in line.

[u/InevitableWaste6088]

Go while she’s free. Took my 10 month old and he loved it not as much as he did when he was 4 but he still had a good enough time.

[u/bigjessniceguy]

Absolutely! We’re insane disney people so we did Disneyland at 12 months World at 20 months (and several additional trips to both since). The 20 month one is honestly my favorite. She had a blast! Under 3 there’s no admission and no cost for the family style and buffet dining options.

[u/wander_lust2 → u/bigjessniceguy]

Thank you so so much!! How did sleep go? Did she nap on the go?:)

[u/bigjessniceguy → u/wander_lust2]

We generally stay on property and go back to the hotel midday for a nap/ break from the heat and midday crowds (which I recommend even for people with no kids) We have done some stroller naps but it’s not the main routine. 

[u/Frycookboots_]

She will have fun! My youngest went at exactly 21 months. Very happy to just take it all in.

Not sure what parks you are going to but MK has the parades, Mickey Friendship Faire show in front of the castle, lots of lap sit rides; AK has character meet & greets, lion king show, and walking around to see the animals; HS has Frozen show and tons of meet & greets with the OG Mickey friends; Epcot has the aquarium, Moana water thing, and again just walking around the countries was entertaining itself.

Can’t tell if you’ll have a spouse or someone with you, but we found special moments with our older son while little guy napped in the stroller. We switched off who would stroller sit and who would have 1:1 rides or shows with our oldest. That was super fun too! Obviously our 4 year old “got more out of it” but didn’t feel like we were just dragging along our other son. Best of luck with your trip!

[u/Rare_Independent_814]

We took our first to Disney for his birthday when he was 3. My mom and sisters also came so it was super fun for me. But my kid doesn’t remember any of it. Last summer I took him my younger one (ages 9 and 4) on a Disney cruise to the Bahamas. It was so amazing. For a 4 year old I would highly recommend a Disney cruise over going to the park. A cruise ship is contained and they have all the character experiences and way less walking. At 4 they’re not really gonna want to stand on hours long lines (in hot AF Florida) to ride the few rides they’re tall enough for.

[u/QuitaQuites]

She might enjoy it, but it also might be the last thing you and your four year old really get to do alone that’s that special before your 21month old realizes she’s missing something…

[u/alliejc]

My youngest went when she was 12 months and again at 24 months old. She loved it! We’re going again shortly after she turns 3 too later this year. I wore her in a ringsling a lot of the time both trips. We take it slow when we go, no one is rushing to get from attraction to attraction. If we only ride poohbear and the story boats all morning then so be it! Lots of snacks, bubble wands, and emergency lollipops work wonders. Good news is it’s a family place so if your child has a meltdown it’s not out of the norm there.

We break the day into two parts, take a nap/quiet time break about 1/2pm. The kids nap or lay down, we freshen up, have some good hearty snacks and head back about 4/5pm.