Disneyland for a 22 Month Old?

Ugh. Go by yourself. Or get a sitter. We went when my first daughter was 2 1/2 and it was too hot, too sunny, too loud, $15 for a crummy cheeseburger, lines were too long, the characters scared her, she constantly had to use the potty, etc. When you have a free ticket, the temptation is to stay the whole day, but they can't handle that. I have decided the only way to do Disney with kids is to get a pass, so you can go just for 1 or 2 hours and come back another day. I still refuse to even do that. I haven't been back since then (5 years ago!). But I guess some people have fun!

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Hi J.:
Because you want to go and have a good time for your birthday,I'd get your hubby or someone to sit,and go with A relative or friend. This is your day,and if your little one does get tired and cranky,you'll feel bad,that you had to pack it up and leave. Brett has plenty of time to enjoy and take in Disneyland, when hes a little older.Right now, I think all the noise and crowd,would be more of a bother than fun for him. I hope you have a great birthday. J. M

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Hi J., I'm glad i checked my e-mails today so i could respond to your situation. My mom works at Disneyland. My husband and i both used to work there. We have a 7 yr. old son. I grew up in orange county and went to Disneyland many times during my chidhood and even had an annual pass the years that i wasn't working there. My advice to you would be not to bother taking your son yet. We didn't take our son till he was in kindergarten. He'll get much more out of it and not be as overwhelmed or get cranky and tired halfway thru the day. Even when we go now,if we spend the whole day, it's exhausting for everyone!! and we still rent a stroller for our son because he can't last a whole day of walking. Believe Me, You'll all have a much better time if you wait till your son's older. Disneyland's not going anywhere! If you really want to go now because of the birthday deal than get a babtysitter for your son so that just you and your husband can go and have fun! My husband and i do that once in a while and it's great! It's a different kind of fun than when your with a child. Also remember, the weather plays a big factor on how your day goes. Disneyland can get really hot which can add to everyone geting cranky! Good Luck!! Happy Birthday!!! C. D. Long Beach,CA.

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I think Disneyland is a bit much for a 22 month old. Since your husband doesn't want to go, ask him to watch your son and invite some girlfriends to go with you on your birthday. I would.

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Hi

DEFINITELY go, even if it's just for a couple of hours.....that was about the age I took my daughter..remember to see it thru THEIR eyes...everything is magical.....she was so enthralled with the sights and sounds...I don;t think we made it past the castle and small world....on our first visit we did Small World maybe twice, Carousel probably 5 times, Enchanted Tiki (a little scary) and I think the Jungle Cruise....that was a FULL day...remember just the walking around is enough for them....my daughter hasn't napped since before 2...but MOST of the kids are sleeping in their strollers so just walk around and enjoy the atmosphere while they are asleep....or go to the California Grand Adventure Hotel in Downtown Disney and sit in the Lobby while he sleeps.....bring a book or buy a magazine and coffee and enjoy the down time.....and LEAVE HUBBY at home...my hubby doesn't care for amusement parks and just brings the whole day down....so why ruin it....take LOTS and LOTS of pictures, and be a kid again!!!!
Have a wonderful time...

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oh i took my daughter who was 24 months in april. she usually takes a nap and didnt until we rode finding nemo. i would suggest that you bring your own stroller so you dont have to pay for one. i took my daughter on a lot of rides. heres what we went on -
haunted mansion, snow white, alice in wonder land, dumbo, pinnochio, the carroucel, fliks flyers, himelecs chew chew train, nemo, the story book cruise, autotopia, whinnie the pooh.
we walked through - mickey house, minnies house, donalds boat, chip and dales and goofys house.
we would have went on the farris wheel (in the stationary cars) but it was being painted. we also ate at the hungry bear restaraunt (because my daughter loves chicken nuggets) and i think they have chicken nuggets at most places there. they have great toddler meals too (chicken and rice and apple sauce i think lol). we also bought our daughter her first mouse ears it was a lot of fun i would take your son if you dont mind missing out on the big rides.

Hello!

I've been taking my girls (almost 8 and 3) since they were 4 weeks old. And we go every 6-8 weeks!

If you think your boy will take a nap in the stroller, I say you should go for it! Chances are he might just pass out from exhaustion at some point anyhow, but you might get some crankiness just before as he fights to stay awake...

There's a child care center behind the photo shop on main st. that is a quiet place with high chairs and coloring books and such if you need him to "chill out".

Use the fastpass system as well as the child swap system, so you and your hubby can get on a couple of things just for yourself!

Check out micechat.com message boards as well as mouseplanet.com and mousesavers.com for more tips.

If everyone stays hydrated and fed, you should have a great time!

If hubby doesn't want to go, why don't you ask another family member to go along (I think you and your tot alone might be too exhausting... you need a 2nd person to take bathroom breaks, stand in food lines, hold a table, etc). Does Grandma or auntie or a friend want to go along? You could offer to buy their ticket for them, split their ticket, or cover the food and drinks all day as an incentive.
We are going this weekend with my 23 month old for the first time (same reason, husband will get in free cuz it's his b-day!). We've decided to just keep our expectations low and enjoy the park just being there- not worry about getting on every ride etc. If my kid decides to spend an hour in the gift shop, we'll spend an hour in the gift shop. If she wants to stand and look at some ducks in a pond for an hour, then we'll just roll with it.
I too wonder how our afternoon nap is going to fit in at Disneyland- I assume she'll fall asleep strolling around at some point and I'll sit in a shady spot with her and people watch while my husband goes on a grow-up ride, or I'll souveneir shop while he sits with her or whatever. We're just gonna play it by ear!
I don't think it's too young to go at all, find someone who will enjoy it with you and Have Fun! Take lots of pictures because he won't remember it ;)

I would get a sitter or wait to go. Otherwise you and your husband will have to take turns going on the rides.

It is hard to say if your son will have fun. Our didn't have fun and she was about that age. Someone else that I know took his kids and his the two younger ones and the oldest had a lot of fun. The second oldest did not. The second to the youngest was about that age and had a lot of fun. That is a really great website that you can go to for tips about bring babies and toddlers to disneyland it is babesindisneyland.com. Our daughter ended up falling a sleep in her stroller.

If your husband doesn't want to go then you could leave your son with him and then you wouldn't have to worry about anything. Then you could have a carefree day.

Bring your own stroller that reclines for nap time, a favorite blankey and plenty of food for him that you can easily pull out of a cooler bag you can store in the bottom of the stroller. He will probably enjoy it but won't remember it. Try to go at a time when it is not tooooo crowded. The most exhausting thing about Disneyland is that you have to stand in line for everything, even food, and there is no place to rest. Save up, and plan to eat at one of the expensive sit down places. The Restaurant in the New Orleans area is nice, they have a fruit salad and a bowl of clam chowder in a bread bowl that is not too expensive. The rental strollers are not as comfortable, and they have stroller parking areas for every ride. Put a luggage tag on your stroller with your name on it. And scale down your expectations, you won't get to do as much as you would without a toddler, and you will have to take turns on the scary rides. We always took our babies there and had fun. If you can afford a hotel and get two day pass for the price of one, you won't feel like you have to do everything in one day. Oh, you're getting in free anyway. If your husband really doesn't want to go, take your babysitter, sister, or a good friend.

I go all the time with my 2 girls by myself. I've gone since they were 6 mo. Either go from open till nap time or go just after till close. He can go on all the rides in fantasyland, pooh, storybook, pirates, small world, buzz astro blasters, plus at night you have parades.

I'm sure he will have fun... but not be able to get on all the "rides" because they have height requirements.

For his naps...well, go back to the hotel room, for his nap. That is what we did on a trip once. But this is per MY son...because he will not nap anywhere else while on the go or on the road... and only will nap in a room/bed, with QUIET.

If it were my son, he'd get tired, and not last the whole day, at that age, without a nap. Or he'd get over-stimulated and fussy and when he gets fussy/tired, he gets CLINGY and wants to be carried and NOT be in a stroller. That's my son.

How would your son be? That would indicate to you about planning your trip or not, and activities once there.

All the best,
Susan

Your son will love Disneyland......it is colorful, full of sights and sounds....he will, of course, be limited to rides , etc. But plenty to do. Carry plenty of snacks and liquids....very expensive there......Calif. Adv. has a water area for the little ones to get wet...so carry swimsuit and towel also.....with birthday can only go in one park, I believe. Hard for me to tell you which one....Calif. Adventure has Bug's Life area....smaller rides, but main park has trains,monorail, cars, Fantasyland, probably more to do....more to see.....take him...have fun....can always leave it's on their dime!!!!

:) P.

Funny you should ask. We went today! I have been taking my 2 by myself since the oldest was 2 and the youngest was less than 6months (now 3 and 5years old). Go and have fun! It will be a different day with the little one, than when you were a teenager trying to ride Space Mountain 15 times in a day (maybe that was just me...) Anyhow, take it slow and easy, start with gentle rides, like Small World, the train around the park and see how he does. If he loves it, try out some of the more stimulating rides. Hopefully he will take a timely stroller nap that will allow you to eat and just relax a bit. We have a great time on the Pirate (formerly Tom Sawyer) Island and over in California Adventure where there are several unstructured play areas. Load up on sunscreen and snacks (yes, you can bring them in) and be ready to go with the flow!

Well, it all depends on what your son is used to - do you take him out a lot, or are you home a lot? If he's used to being out on the go, then he'll have a fabulous time. We started taking our daughter for her birthday when she turned 1, and she LOVES it! And she was well-behaved the entire time. What we did is have one of us stay in line and the other one stood nearby with her until we got to the front - it worked out well. If you have another person to go with you, that'll make it all the better, since you'll have company!

However, keep in mind that you'll be spending a lot of time in Fantasyland, since most of the other areas have height requirements. I love Fantasyland, so that wasn't a problem for me, but it all depends on what you're wanting to do!

Take a stroller that reclines - my kids have both just napped in their strollers when they were ready. This is a great time to stand in line to visit a character (we waited for the princesses, but maybe you could wait at Mickey's house for your son - great photo opp!)

At any rate, have a great birthday! We just got back from visiting for my daughter's 4th birthday with her and our 18 month old - a great day as usual! :o) Have fun!

Why don't just you and your son go alone that way if it doesn't work out no money lost. I always took my daughter who is 21 know since she was 1 years old monthly and she loved it. My friends take their kids monthy and everyone enjoys it(all have season passes). One has a 5 year old and 22 month old and are in disneyworld this week for 10 days. I think parents limit themselves to what they can do with their children it is what you get them use to. Just take plenty of snacks and comfort item and have your lunch during his nap time in the stroller so that way you get to sit and enjoy time to yourself to on your birthday and you have the best of both worlds. If you can choose a weekday for less crowds do it. Have fun and Happy Birthday.

Go; Have a Happy Birthday! Along with the Baby Care Center (a haven for sure!), try the Hungry Bear Restaurant near Splash Mountain. It's quiet there with views of the lake and the island. My kids seem to really rejuvenate there every trip (and the food is pretty good, too!). Enjoy!

If you live locally or not that far away I think it would be okay to go. If you're getting a hotel nearby, you can always get your hand stamped and go in and out...so you can leave for naptime. You can also just bring a comphy stroller and he can nap right in the stroller. The baby might enjoy looking around and might be totally overwhelmed, it's hard to tell. You might have a better time if just you and your husband go and you get a babysitter and take the baby when he's older. Lots of options.

Yes! Go! You'll have a blast and so will he. I was worried about the same thing when I took my son but he fell asleep in the stroller and took a nap. He didn't take his normal 2 hour nap but he got what he needed and then was excited to play.

I really thing you'll have fun. :)

Jennifer:
Go and have fun with your child. There are hundreds of things to do at Disneyland with a baby or toddler. It is amazing to see their little faces light up when they see a character or go on the rides. You'll have more fun than you can imagine.

Hi J.,
I live really close to Disneyland and have a pass for myself. My 17 month old son has gone 4 times already. He enjoys the rides and all the people watching. We were having a grumpy day so I took him to Disneyland for the afternoon. He was an angel. There is so much to look at. As for naps, it depends on how well your son can sleep in a stroller. Do you think he would just crash from exhaustion? My son desperately needs his morning nap, so we go once he wakes up. Hope this helps!

S.

Hi J.,

GO!!! It's a blast! My lovely daughter has been going to Disneyland since she was 6 weeks old. Now at 14 months she can enjoy more. Fantasyland has a lot of rides geared to the little ones and there is Toon Town over by Small World. Plus check out the Pooh ride over by Splash Mountain. Also if you go into California Adventures there is Flik's Fun Fair which is a play area for kids (but I suggest you skip the 3D Bug's Life show, a bit scary for little ones). Take a stroller that he can nap in and plenty of drinks and snacks. For my daughter we walk down to the waterfalls by the hotels and sit there for her nap, the sound of the water is soothing and there are places for you to sit in shade and relax.

My daughter's favorite rides are the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland, the Big Carousel and Dumbo in Fantasyland, Small World, and Pooh. She likes to people watch so lines aren't too bad for us if they are short. Ask any of the cast members where Characters are greeting guests. Make sure to take sun block and hats. Have fun!

Hi J., I too am getting ready to go to disneyland for my birthday and my daughter's first trip. I also posted a questions regarding disneyland and got lots of great responses. I am not sure whether you want to go for you or for your son. If for you, I like the earlier suggestion of maybe finding a sitter and taking a friend or relative. If you want to go to see your son enjoy it... I say go for it. If dad doesnt want to go ask a friend or relative. Maybe even a friend that has a child your son's age. It might help standing in line if there is someone to play with. You could even offer to pay half the ticket (since you would have if your husband was going). Also, if you go without husband and your little one gets overwhelmed and too cranky..leave. If it is just the two of you it is basically a free trip. Unsure how the nap might work. Perhaps consider leaving the park mid day. Drive around and find a shady tree to park under or a mall while he naps. If you decide to go... have a great time.

personally i think people over think it when it comes to kids and disneyland.

i actually took my son when he was just barely 2 years old. he had a blast!
as long as you arent forcing them all over the place and just take it slowly (you wanna get there really early in the morning, like when it opens) he will have such a fun time! and remember, you dont have do EVERTHING the first time, disneyland will be here for a long time. although if you are going for you and not to enjoy your child then you should probably get a sitter. especially because he wont be able to go on very many rides, mostly the ones in fantasy land and toon town is really fun for kids, that closes early so if you are going there it should be first. the only problem with that is its at the back of the park, you can take the little red train to toon town though!

anyways, i hope you guys have a blast! we all love disneyland! we went for april fools day! we took all three of our kids, ages 14 months 3 years and 6 years

If you want to go for yourself then get a sitter. Like others are saying it depends on what he usually does. We just took our eleven month old and she napped in the stroller.

He will love it. Most likely will take a nap or two in his stroller during the day, and that will help. Do be prepared to accept he might not be able to hang all day long, though, and you may have to leave earlier than you would normally like.

We took my daughter for the first time when she was around his age, and her favorites were the carousel ("horsies"), Dumbo, Jungle Cruise, and Tiki Room.
Oh, she did have a rough time with the lines and getting off the rides at first. We had to keep reminding her that everyone needs to get a turn, so we have to get off when the ride is over so others can have their turn. After a couple of rides she was fine.

Just make sure he always has water available to drink, and he never gets hungry - protein throughout the day will make a huge difference. Take little breaks in a (relatively) quiet and shady area once in a while (maybe when you eat), to get away from the huge crowds and heat. The kids that you see having meltdowns are often just raw from being overwhelmed with people and lines and not having anything substantial to eat all day.

Hi J.,

I did the same thing as you on my birthday, when my son was 19 months old. I was wondering if it would be a huge disaster, but decided to take a chance - and we had a really great time! Because I'm neurotic, I actually gathered lots of info from different websites about the best rides for little ones his age and compiled them into a Word document so that I could plan which rides we wanted to go on, and which should be first. I can send it to you if you want.

My son still takes a nap in the afternoon, so we just went as soon as they opened and stayed as long as I could, till about 1:00. He fell asleep on the car ride home. Disney was exciting enough that he really wasn't fussy or anything like that.

Email me with any questions - I'm at ____@____.com fun!

R.

We took our Daughter at 25.5 months and she loved it!!!!!! I was amazed at how much she understood and enjoyed. She napped at her regular time in the stroller, we sat and had a snack while she napped, good time for all. Go and enjoy the day with your Son worse comes to worse you go home early with a tired toddler.

I took my son with me on my birthday and he was 14 months. It was ok, but the lines were long for him so I was only able to go on three rides with him before he pooped out on me. Oh and he ended up getting the stomach flu too! However, my son enjoyed the few rides that he went on.

I think going to Disneyland is a great idea especially if you and your son will be free. We just went last week. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old (he just turned two). They both did great. I was surprised that the two year old did great even in the long lines. Sat. and Sundays are usually packed. If you could go on a weekday, I'd suggest that. Also bring a stroller. Neither of my sons slept in the stroller, but my nephew took an 1 1/2 nap in his. There are so many great rides that kids your son's age can even enjoy. Also, don't forget that there is some type of pass that you can get where either your husband or you could wait in line for an adult ride. One person goes on and right when they get off, they watch the child and the other parent gets to go right on. Have fun!

If I were you I would go by myself with the baby. Park in the Downtown Disney lot so you do not have to pay for parking (3 hrs). Take some great photo's and leave before the 3 hours is up. Visit Toon Town and the Princess Castle area for story time and great photo's. Your baby is way to young to remimber any of it so just keep it short. You can bring in a backpak with food and bottled water. Your husband will just be miserable and why pay the extra money.

GO! If your husband REALLY doesnt want to go even if you got a sitter. Take your son by yourself or get a sitter and go with a friend. My kids are 4 yr. and 18 mos. we go ALL THE TIME. they Love, Love , love it.

I used to work at Disneyland, so my daughter's first trip was for a Cast Member party at the age of 4 months! She did great, and slept a lot. I got a pass when she wasn't quite a year old, and have been going about once a month since then. She loves it (She's 2 1/2 now) and has enjoyed it for quite some time! She still naps in the stroller for about an hour or so during the day, and we are able to stay all day sometimes, even til park closing at times. She'll just fall asleep in the stroller, noise and all! There's a great Baby Care Center on Main Street that is very helpful, and you can go there to get some quiet time, change diapers, feed (they have high chairs and a microwave as well as a curtained off portion for nursing mothers) they even have a short little toilet for potty training when the time comes for that. I say go- it's a lot of fun! And Happy Birthday!!

J., I think you should go! it will be free and you guys will have a great time. At took my daughter at 18 months and we went in some rides and left after 5 hours...she was soo happy!

I think it depends... if you want to go to Disneyland for you... then get a sitter and go with your husband. If you want to go to see your son experience Disney for the first time, then go with him and let your husband decide if he wants to experience that too. As for the nap time - yes kids need a nap. He'll fall asleep there - if he won't sleep in the stroller, walk to Downtown Disney or California Adventure and relax at a restaurant and eat lunch while baby sleeps! It can be great just as long as you don't have expectations that the day will be this great thing. Maybe do a practice run at Adventure City because it is only $14 a person so it is easy to let yourself relax and enjoy a theme park for kids. This way your son will have experienced the crowds and excitement already.

If your intentions are to go on all of the rides then you shouldn't take the little one unless there others going with you that can switch off with you.
We have been taking our son since he was 2 month sold. My hubby works there so it has been a cheap date night for us. We take him and helove sit. Take hand sanitizer and sun block for sure. They have a Mother's room on main street where you can change,nurse,feed, and rock him if you need to. If he naps in his strolle rthan bring uit rather than rent one that he is unfamilliar with.
Around nap time you can always put him in the stroller and walk around the hotels. It is usually quiet back there.
What ever you do HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY!

Not too soon at all! My daughter has a great time there - we just went Monday and she is 20 months. My son always napped in the stroller, but she doesn't. If your husband is really against it then you could just take your son by yourself. Then there would be no pressure to stay all day since you were both free!

If you go, just be relaxed and stick to things your son will like. Stay away from the really dark rides (ie Snow White) and keep it fun.

I don't know how you feel about this, but we have a little bear that he wears like a backpack, and it has a tail attached, which we can hold onto. Kind of like a leash. Which is perfect for big crowded places like this as long as you remember it's only there to make sure he doesn't run off. My little guy (just two months younger than yours) does well in it, because I usually just walk and run beside him at his pace and don't have to use the leash action unless he takes off. Even then, I just try to run behind him instead of using the leash to hold him back... But in a big crowded place like Disneyland and even malls, I will not allow him to walk without the leash. Why? Grandma had a near-death experience when we were at Crystal Cathedral and he ran straight for the end of the lawn area that ends in a big cement wall and about a 12 foot drop onto more cement. Grandma almost had a heartattack and if he hadn't tripped, he would've gone over the edge. Gramma vows never to take him without the leash again!

I took my daughter when she was 3 for the first time.. i thought it was the perfect age to introduce Disneyland. We did breakfast witht he characters in the morning and went to the Disney Princess 'fair' and did a couple of rides. She napped in my arms as we went around the park on the train and in the stroller.
That being said -- if you're getting in free... i'd do it. Even if just for a few hours -- make it low key, leave hubby at home and enjoy some fun quality time with your little one. No stress of the lines for rides -- just do the carousel, maybe do the breakfast with the characters in the morning -- and small world (though the line is pretty long on this, it usually goes quickly) -- hang out in toon-town, go on the train -- he'll get tired and fall asleep - either while you're holding him or in the stroller. Don't make it too long of a day, so you don't have him cranky... but go and enjoy!

Hey J.,
We took my 2.5 yr old and 4.5 yr old to D-land in November and I think they are still a bit too young; maybe another year. There is a place called Adventure City that's near Knott's Berry Farms that is supposed to be fabulous and have rides and such that are more in tune with the under five age group. =0) Hope that helps!
L. =0)

Hi J.
I say "go for it"!!!!!!! Just so you know, Older chidren get cranky when they're tired too~~so if you wait for that, you'll never make it to Disneyland. Just go prepared with little snacks and H2O. Take the husband or a friend~~you shouldn't miss out just because he doesn't want to go. Have fun!!!!

They learn young! I started taking both of my boys around 9 months. It just so happened that D-land is between some of my friends and I so it makes a great meeting spot. When my first son was a yr he would go nuts just on Disney way(before entering the park). He automaticly notice the street. The second who is 18 months loves it just as equally. They can ride pretty much everything in the park. It's very stimulating for them and they love it. Of course whats not to love. J.

I thought Julia M had the best advice but if you can't get hubby to stay home with the baby or get a babysitter or you simply want to share the experience with your son...

Take snacks (LOTS of little things: raisin packs, nuts, fruit rollups, grapes, cereal bars, trail mix) and a water bottle (you can refill it with cold, filtered water at the Baby Care Center at the hub-end of Main Street). Everyone has a different opinion about lunch but my goal has always been to eat a great breakfast and snack through till dinner... it's a huge time-waster to trek out somewhere for lunch and everything is deathly expensive. We only do a sit-down if the kiddo is exhausted and HUNGRY.

Bring a few new small toys that he's never seen before (flashcards, a touch-n-feel book, a laser pointer, and a spinning light-up Buzz Lightyear toy have been past faves with my own son). Dole them out and put them away judiciously throughout the day and you'll minimize meltdowns, reprimands, and a lot of angst.

Use the FastPass system and remember that even though they give you an hour window, you can actually use them anytime after the printed starting time. My son loves Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland and we generally just load up on the FastPasses for that, LOL... Haunted Mansion also offers FastPass. Check DL website if you need to learn how to get and use them.

To go on bigger rides that your son can't, take him and hubby to the entrance and ask for a Rider Switch Pass. Once one of you has stood in line and ridden, the other can bypass the line. This works particularly well if you have a FastPass for that ride.

Rides he can go on and what you need to know: While Haunted Mansion is obviously spooky and Pirates has a couple drops and a lot of noise and skeletons & pirates, my son has never had as much problem with these as the more simplistic but equally scary "dark rides" in Fantasyland: Snow White, Mr Toad, and Alice... use your judgment... Peter Pan, the carousel, Storybookland boats, and Dumbo are your best bets. Do not miss the newly-refurbed It's a Small World and keep your eyes peeled for the Disney movie characters they've added! Toontown is great for some free-roaming fun both outside and in both Mickey and Minnie's houses. Gadget's Go Coaster is fun if he's tall enough and you can talk him into it. Adventureland's Jungle Cruise is absolutely great and the stupid jokes make it fun for everyone. If you just need to blow off some steam, take the rafts to the island and run around! Autopia is always a winner with little boys and their daddies, for some reason (I detest it and this is when I leave the guys and head for Space Mountain, generally). Innoventions is surprisingly fun and pleasantly COOL on a hot day. When he's slowing down, put him in the stroller and head for the always-long line for Nemo (submarines)... you can take the stroller in line most the way and if he falls asleep, you'll at least be stuck holding him sitting down in a cool air-conditioned space. It can be claustrophobic so use judgment and take him only if he's tuckered out or a naturally calm person. The Pooh ride is always popular but it is another "dark ride" and the long walk makes it a rare one for our family. However, there are almost always characters out there so you might want to trek out to Bear Country.

If he's potty-trained, ask before getting on every single line whether he needs to go!

Wow, this ended up being really long. Hope some of this helps and you enjoy your birthday!!

I have been taking my youngest since she was 3 months old..
She is now 21 almost 22 and we just went on Thursday. She loved the rides and took a nap in the stroller. I say just go for it. It is just one day. Good luck!

Go! Are you planning on having a wonderful time? This is what i would do. Go early. Plan on getting to the park before it opens. You need to park/tram/bday line/entrance line/walk down main street. Okay, do rides,and then leave at nap time. It wont be a full day, but, you'll be less agrivated. Or, if you have a kid that will fall asleep in a stroller, let him. and you can have a cold drink, people watch, shop, criuise aroun while he is sleeping. and when he wakes up do more rides. Disneyland will let you bring in snacks and water. but, a whole meal you need to put in locker. (they are pretty lax w/ kids in strollers, but, dont try a cooler and a big bag o' chips). WAe have passes so, i frequently go for just a few hours.

I would say he will enjoy it probally won't remember it but I have taken my kids at that age will your son nap in the stroller? I would suggest getting a room(doesn't have to be at Disney Hotel) so you could always go back and rest if needed. Go first thing and be flexable. If your child & or husband get to cranky call it a day and be done your not putting that much money out. Another idea would be to bring a sitter with you my daughter is 17 and went with a family they just paid for her day and she watched the baby so they could also enjoy and have some alone time that way the child is still with you but not holding you back from doing what you want to do. Good luck I say go for it!!

You will all have a wonderful time. You'll need a stroller for nap time, you can use the Disneyland stroller and you don't have to worry about it getting stolen, but be sure to have a little blanket or two for shade or cushioning, and don't forget the sunblock lotion. If Dad doesn't want to go, maybe taking a friend or grandma would be more fun.

You should go. I think this is the only year where they are doing the free birthday thing and it is so expensive! Is there someone else you can take instead of/in addition to your husband to help you? My 18 month old LOVED Disneyland - we went last month on my birthday. My husband and mom came too to help with the kids - I also have a 4 & 1/2 yr. old. My younger one especially liked the carasel and Dumbo rides. She was scard of the Mr. Toad's Wild ride. When she was sleepy, we just let her nap in the stroller while my mom stayed with her, and then my husband, son and I went on a couple of rides. It was a great day - but we were definitely tired! Bring lots of snacks for when you're waiting in lines. Oh - they really liked Small World too, and Pirates of the Carribean.
Good luck!

GO! My kids both had their first visit when they were a week old. We love Disneyland. Go and have fun. There are places to change your little one and feed him too. Have a great time...