Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD My little one had turned 3 two months before we went last December and her favorite ride was Buzz Lightyear. If I remember correctly, on TSMM she had to be buckled into her own seat, but she liked that one too. Her first trip was when she was 17 months and her favorite that trip was Alice. With you arriving later in the day, probably Dumbo and Peter Pan would not be good choices since the line gets so long. She loves Pirates, but I know that first dip scares her a little bit as she holds onto me pretty hard during that part so I wouldn't recommend that as the first ride although now that I think about it, that was the first one my little one went on. She had seen in on youtube before we went. It is so much fun seeing the park thru little eyes. You will have a blast!
Originally Posted By noahbear2008 Thanks so much! I know I cant wait to see the park thru his eyes! I am so excited only nine days to go! I started packing this AM and I am working on the itinerary which I am trying to keep at one page (its not easy but I am trying).
Originally Posted By MerryMouseWife You might also think about Casey, Jr. as a first ride. It has those cool cages as well as open cars. It goes fast enough to thrill a 2 year old but not so much dark so as to scare him. It might help to watch Dumbo before you go as well. How "much" 2 is he? Closer to 3 or closer to 24 months. I found that when my girls got closer to and past the 36 month mark, they were scared of the dark rides. Up until then, they were fine. Having said that, my middle daughter was 3-1/2 when we took her to the Tiki Room and she loved it. After the first song, she asked, "They gonna fly now?" Well, I thought it was cute.
Originally Posted By avatarmickey115 It's a Small World Casey Jr. Train Mark Twain Winnie the Pooh Astro Orbiters Tea Cups Finding Nemo Submarines Shouldn't have too long of lines. Not too scary. I'd go with Small World as a first though. Unless if he doesn't like creepy dolls
Originally Posted By chickapin We took little nephew on the carousel first--I know, not a real "Disney" experience, but it was familiar and got him in a really great mood! Nemo submarines were mentioned above--judge that one by your own child. We sat by a little person who was pretty unnerved by the dark and explosions.
Originally Posted By noahbear2008 MerryMouseWife too cute about the Tiki room love it. He is going to be 2 1/2 in December. He has just started figuring out the light and dark concept so I have been trying to talk up the fact that the dark is fun and not scary. I like the Casey Jr ride idea and also the carousel is a great idea too. He has been on carousels before and has liked them so that is a safe bet. I am a little bit worried about Nemo too, it's a long ride and if he starts freaking out you have no options for getting out. He likes Nemo, be we will have to see how he does on other rides. So now the front runners are: Disneyland Railroad Casey Jr. Storybook Boats Small World Carousel I took Pooh out of the running because it is so far away for the entrance, I figured we should just launch right in and get his feet wet. The line for Dumbo and Peter Pan will be too long.
Originally Posted By Sparrow First stop I always make is Space Mountain to get a Fastpass. After that, whatever has a semi-shirt wait! Usually HM or Pirates.
Originally Posted By Sparrow *semi-SHORT wait Although I've seen people there with semi-shirts. Some should be wearing them, some shouldn't.
Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD lol, I'm guessing Sparrow is just answering based on the topic and not the actual question. Now don't try and get your 2 year old on Space Mountain first thing based on Sparrow's recommendation. I think the best at that time of day is the railroad especially as you can get on that right at the front and start your day off right.
Originally Posted By noahbear2008 Sparrow that made me laugh thinking about taking my two year old on Space, I don't think he would like that too much. I think we will save that one for the big kids. I may take him on Gadget's Go Coster if he is handling the other rides okay, he is tall enough and has watched it on you tube and says, "Noah go on that Mommy." Saying and doing are such different things=) I think I am leaning towards the railroad too TXDISNEYNERD, it seems like a good idea.
Originally Posted By Sparrow Pshhh, take him on Space! It'll put some hair on his chest! You don't want no mama's boy, do you??? Just kidding. I totally was answering based on the topic name and not the question. My bad! My NEW answer is Peter Pan or Dumbo because those are ALWAYS longer as the day progresses!
Originally Posted By avatarmickey115 Haha. You should have seen me when I was in line for Indiana Jones for the first time in my life. I still remember the exact place where I started crying. I was four, and yeas, 12 years later I remember what I said. I thought it was a roller coaster or something. After I got off, I wanted to go back on, and then again.... If your child doesn't scream and cause a scene before they board the ride, he may want to go on it again after they get off. That happens a lot with children.
Originally Posted By Sparrow The first time I stood in line for Indy, I waited 2 hours and then it broke down. But I digress... ;-p
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin With Sparrow, my adult first would be Space. With getting there at opening, Peter Pan and then Dumbo (although I don't really know two-year-olds opinions of Pan). With not getting there at opening, DLRR first. Then IASW, Casey Jr, Storybook Land and Carousel in some order.
Originally Posted By Sparrow I'd say the Jungle Cruise is a definite stop, too! My niece is almost 3 and she loves it!
Originally Posted By noahbear2008 We are going to do the Jungle Cruise is a definite, we have to make sure we do it early in the trip too because it goes down for rehab the last three days we are at the park.
Originally Posted By Mauison I'd vote for a non-dark ride. Our last trip to DLR, my wife's cousin's two year old son cried for half of Pirates and we kept getting the look-back stares from the other riders up front. IASW would be a good one, especially with the Holiday theming. Whatever you choose, have fun!
Originally Posted By noahbear2008 Well we take off early tomorrow morning for our trip. The car is packed and we are ready to go. We are heading to San Diego for a couple days and then its off to Disneyland! Thanks for all the help and suggestions, I will post a trip report to let you all know how it went. Very excited to show my little one my favorite place!
Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD Have fun. I can't wait to read your trip report. I really can't wait to see how your little one like Space.
Originally Posted By mhartman47 I would vote DLRR, however if your young one has a fear of darkness or loud noises as I did as a young child, warn them about the trip to see the dinosaurs. This terrified me so bad (I was 3.5) that I would not ride the RR between tomorrowland and main street until I was a teenager (15/16).
