I will be taking my daughter to WDW for her second birthday in September. Just the two of us! We are staying at AoA for 4 nights and plan on attending MNSSHP. We have the Deluxe dining plan (I plan on using some credits for her to have her own meals/snacks.) Anyone have any advice?
I have taken our DD to WDW once to twice a year since she was 8 months old. Technically, if I were a kangaroo, she has been to WDW in my belly at 5 months preggo! LOL
This year, I will newly be a single parent (WOO HOO) and doing the Disney thing with just her and I, and I cannot WAIT. She is now 5 years old.
What kind of advice are you looking for? (And she's been to the Halloween party every year since she was born. We LOVE it.)
At 2, my DD stayed up until midnight at the party. It was CRAZY. We were all like, holy smokes look at her go! We were exhausted, she was having the time of her life.
As far as the party day goes, here's my advice/schedule to that:
We do a very early breakfast to get our day started and make sure DD is tired enough for a nap. So, though we like to chill in the morning, we have a 7 something breakfast somewhere. Then straight to the pool (well, really the room first to change and get our stuff, and then the pool).
We have lunch, then I lay in bed with DD- she knows what's to come that night and to stay up she has to nap.
Then I have to wake her-
Because I like to get to the park, if possible, by 4 pm. Because though the ticket says 7, you can enter at 4.
But after nap, I get her dressed in costume, crazy hair and all (see my avatar). People always stop and tell her how amazing her hair looks- I buy glitter hair spray and use a curling iron and buy a cool tiara and voila- she looks amazing. Just like the BBBoutique!
Then I get MYSELF dressed. Yes, I dress up also! So there's another tip- it's so fun to dress up, I never do it at home for Halloween, but at WDW I feel left out without one. I will try and post a picture.
Here are my tips, both for MNSSHP and everything else.
Bring ponchos. It has rained on me twice. Literally ruined the HOUR I spent on my hair. I almost cried. LOL
Bring a change of clothing for you both (don't forget socks!), in case the costumes get bothersome.
Bring a pair of Disney pjs (you can get cheap at Target) to change her into, in the later hours- so that when you get to the room after that LONNNNG evening, that part is done, OR in case she falls asleep before you get back. It's so NOT fun changing a tired toddler once they pass out! And she won't fight you on changing her if she thinks she's just changing into another costume. We have a super cute Jasmine 2 piece one that looks JUST like a regular costume, I think I paid $5 off the sale rack.
Bring zip lock bags. FOR EVERYTHING. I pack a few quart and gallon sizes.
And WIPES.
I'm assuming at 2, she's not potty trained? If so, then GREAT. If not, pack 3-5 wipes in a sandwich sized zip lock bag and seal it. Then put that in a quart sized bag with one or 2 diapers (I did just one). Sometimes I even put a disposable changing cloth to lay down on the tables, or even a few connected paper towels should do the trick. Do this about 5 times. This way, when you have to change a diaper, you just grab a pack and go to the changing station. WAYYY easier and faster than a big ole diaper bag.
Bring your own flat trick or treat bags. Disney will give you little plastic ones, but we are more comfortable gripping the felt style, plus it's a nice memento and she uses it on the real halloween. Keep the little bags Disney hands out when you first walk in, in case your felt ones get heavy and you need to redistribute, and put under the stroller.
Bring water bottles- fill half with water, freeze overnight- then fill the other half with fresh water. You should have nice cold water for the most of the day.
Bring whatever snacks for you and your DD with you, Disney doesn't mind.
We collect the smashed pennies, so in a cute change purse (or like, a bag you get from makeup counters free gifts lol) or even a zip lock bag, start collecting quarters and SHINY (they look better) pennies. They pennies cost 51 cents, 2 quarters and a penny. By the time September rolls around you will build a nice little collection and not feel the loss of money.
I think that's it for now- I will try and think of a few more things, and post the pic of me and the Madster all dressed last fall.