If you've been to DisneyLand w/ a 3 yr old

sara_c

Can you share your experience with me?  Was it worth it?  Did you feel they really "got" it and enjoyed it as much as you had hoped?

We're planning a trip to SoCal next year and DS #2 will be just over 3.  DH and I are going to back on forth on whether or not we want to take a day or two to do Disney.

Most of the trip will be in San Diego and we'lll for sure hit up Legoland (big Lego fans in our house).  We may or may not do Sea World (depends if we do Disney).

Thoughts? 

shouldbworkin

DS has gone to Disney World at 2.5 and 4.  he had a much better time at 4.  DD went at 2.5 and had a blast.  Totally got "the magic" of Disney.  At those ages, being there for parades is probably the most important, especially at night.  my kids love the light up parades.

bubbs147

She totally got it and loved it!  She's actually been several times and likes it more and more each time!

trixiebelden

We have gone once a month since my oldest turned 2 and he LOVES it. We have the annual pass and live 20 minutes away so it is easy to go on a weekend. Even my one year old (almost 2) loves it! There are plenty of rides they can go on and they recognize the characters.

We have yet to take them to California Adventure, so I can't really give you too much info on that. It sounds like you have a great trip planned.

 

audrey79

I went with a 7 month old and 3 year old.  It was pure torture... my 3 year old wasn't big into sharing or taking turns- which was definitely an issue at a huge theme park.  He didn't like to wait and was impatient- lots of that too.  It was effing hot too... I was constantly worried about heat stroke, sunburn, lotion in eyes and screaming, not drinking enough water, etc...  We also didn't keep him on a nap schedule, which made him extra difficult.  He liked a few of the kiddie rides, and we went to California Adventureland and watched a live playhouse Disney show, which he loved, but all in all, it wasn't worth it- and we even had help.  My parents came with us!  4 grown-ups to 2 kids and we were still miserable 75% of the time.  Then again, the other 25% of the time was fun- we got to see & do fun things take good pics, bond w/3 generations of family, etc... 

My son, now almost 5, loves to look at the photo album, but he can't remember a darn thing!!

ceecee31

We took our daughter, who was exactly 2 1/2 at the time, to Disney World in FL and she had a great time.  She enjoyed the night parade the best and she liked the performances on Main Street in front of Cinderella's Castle the best.  We did a few rides, easy ones like Cinderella's Carousel and It's a Small World and she did well on those too.  She enjoyed the sights of the park--the buildings, the parks, seeing the characters; she had a wonderful time.  We will bring her again when she's older, maybe 5 or so and I'm sure there will be more for her to take in as she'll have a better understanding of things.  

Shelly203

We started taking DS to Disneyland when he was about two and a half (we got annual passes).  He loved it.  There is so much to see, and he was fascinated by it.  Obviously he can't go on all the rides, so we go on certain ones over and over.  It's a Small World is a big hit!!  California Adventure also has a great area for kids (Bug's Life themed) and several other rides that DS likes.  We also have passes to Legoland and Sea World.  DS loves both of those as well.  He can go on almost every ride at Legoland, and some of them he can even go on by himself, which is very exciting for him.  Sea World has a ton of things to see, and even has a few cute little Seasame Street rides.  I don't think you can go wrong with any of these places!

mbritto4

We took our daughter to WDW last May when she was 2.5 and she LOVED it.  We'll be changing planes in LAX on our way back from Maui in February and plan to spend 2 days in DisneyLand because we've never been and will help ease her back into time zone changes.  DH says they have a lot of things for their age to do, things with Cars, Toy Story, Nemo, etc.