BTDT MOMS: Taking DS to disney.. What do you suggest

Taking my son to disney in march he will be a year a old. I know he wont remember it but i know he will be the happiest kid ever while he is there and im willing to see that besides we are paying nearly nothing. We are looking into different dinning experiences and the meal plan we can use for different meals with characters. Wanted to hear what peoples feed back on them is. Thanks in advance.

Re: BTDT MOMS: Taking DS to disney.. What do you suggest

We will be taking DS in Feb...he will be 2.5.
He is kinda young, but I figure even if I were to wait, I will godwilling have another DC so I will be taking a "younger" child along anyway??

Anyway, I recommend you use a Disney Travel Agent to book your trip. I just booked mine through this website: DISNEY
You dont pay them anything (they will get a commission from Disney) but they give you so much info and help you with all your planning (including dining reservations and your itinerary).

You can also post this on the Travel board and I'm sure you will get some info there...

HTH

Re: BTDT MOMS: Taking DS to disney.. What do you suggest

We went the past 2 years with our boys (my son was 14 mos last year and just over 2 this year and he loved it - maybe he won't remember but he loved it esp the characters!! seeing Mickey was like seeing best thing ever for him 2 years is not too young at all it was a great age for my son to go!! 14mos was harder since he is a crazy man and hated the stroller).

As for character dining....
I love Chef Mickey...not for the food but the character experience.

We did Crystal Palace this year - loved seeing Pooh and the gang but I think since we had a center table and 3 kids to see him (my neice and my boys) it was awkward and hard to spend time with them and my pictures came horrible since we were crammed in (table for 9 people).

Boys loved the Little Einstein one last year (Hollywood Studios) - wish they would phase out JoJo and Goliath though (even though I got great pictures with them) but my kids loved it and it was a nice place to have lunch. Kids danced and had a blast. Got great pictures.

This year we did Garden Grill (in Epcot) with Chip, Dale, Mickey and Pluto. Cute and worth it. Again awkward table set up but we had a table for 13 people so I guess that can be why.

My neices did the princess breakfast at Epcot and they loooved it.

We did lots of other places too non charater. Let me know if you want my reviwes on them....and for us disney dining is so worth it!

Message edited 10/28/2009 8:01:31 AM.

Re: BTDT MOMS: Taking DS to disney.. What do you suggest

Breakfast with Little Einsteins/JoJo's Circus was great!!! My 2 yr old loved it

Re: BTDT MOMS: Taking DS to disney.. What do you suggest

We took Genevieve for her 1st birthday and did tons of character meals. She LOVED it and only got scared in one restaurant where the sang Happy Birthday and used a cowbell

Your DS will love it at that age. I would schedule at least one character dinner - the Crystal Palace has a winnie the pooh character meal (breakfast or dinner).

BUT, book your meals at least three months in advance because it can be tough to get in to some places.

ETA: We go to Disney every year for 10 years and my 4 year old daughter has been there 4, almost 5!!!, times, so feel free to FM me with any questions.

Message edited 10/28/2009 8:34:35 AM.

Re: BTDT MOMS: Taking DS to disney.. What do you suggest

We have taken our 17 month old to Disney four times....We have a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) and use it frequently. My advice is to stay on property! It will entitle you to the Magic Express (Disney bus from Orlando airport to Disney resorts-Luggage will also be picked up from airport and brought to your room.) Another advantage to staying on property is being able to return to your room quickly for resting/naps.

I love not having to lug the luggage from the airport! Just get off the plane and head to the Magic Express Bus! (This is a free perk and requires reservations)

Visit this site for great planning tips It has a message board similar to LIF.

http://www.disboards.com/

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance...We have stayed at every Disney resort and eaten in almost every restaurant!

Message edited 10/28/2009 8:33:58 AM.

Re: BTDT MOMS: Taking DS to disney.. What do you suggest

Re: BTDT MOMS: Taking DS to disney.. What do you suggest

We just went with our 6, 3 and then six month old. It was a great time! Our six month old LOVED the characters.

I suggest Crystal Palace for Winnie the Pooh characters, Chef Mickey's for Mickey/Minnie/Donald/Pluto and Hollywood & Vine for the Little Einsteins. You need to book all of these reservations as early as possible or you won't get one!

Hope you have a great time!

Re: BTDT MOMS: Taking DS to disney.. What do you suggest

We have taken several trips to WDW. Right now we are planning to go in May to celebrate DD#2's 1st birthday. It will be DD#1's 2nd trip (we took her when she was 15 months). I have helped a number of people plan - and am busy planning our trip now.

Yesterday they extended the timeframe for ADR booking to 180 days - so you should try to call ASAP or go online (I think the online option was down yesterday) and make some ADRs asap. Places like Chef Mickey's, Le Cellier etc go as soon as dates are released. If you call and don't get what you want - keep trying esp say 45 days before b.c that is the time frame for final payment and when some people cancel their trips. Also try a few days before you leave and hope someone cancels.

Good character meals -
Chef Mickeys (breakfast and dinner)- mickey and friends
Crystal Palace (B, L & D) pooh and friends
Hollywood and Dine (has some playhouse disney -characters - little einsteins, jo jo circus)
garden grill - mickey and friends

Take advantage of the really nice baby centers - they are very helpful. They have nice changing stations that are kept clean,additionally there are areas if you want to feed your child and you aren't at a restaurant (high chairs and movies), nursing areas if that is needed, and a store with supplies (diapers, wipes, clothes, medications, baby food, gerber juices, suntan lotion etc) in case you forget something or run out of something.