Sorry...Jeff put my e-mail address and his message.

When we were at WDW Jeff definitely pulled his fair share in the caretaking and actually pulls a little extra since he doesn't get to spend as much time with her when he is working. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

WHAT A BUNCH OF WHINERS!!!!

If your kid is a brat than don't take him/her. If he/she is well behaved then go ahead and take him. Don't listen to anyone b/c everyone's experience is different. There are plenty of thing in Disney that your child can enjoy. Just keep in mind that you have to go at a child's pace not at an adult's. Take a comfortable stroller or rent one there so he can take naps when necessary and have a great time!! I'm going with my 18 month old and intend to have a great time. JUST GO!!!!!!!!!!

Mary must be childless or crazy!

You know your child best and whether or not he or she will be overwhelmed or take it in stride. We also went to Disneyland at age 1, but that was for me (my 40th b-day) rather than him. We took our son to WDW at 2 (almost 3) and had a fabulous time. We stayed on site so that we could get in early and then come back for afternoon naps, then back to the park at about 4:30pm until we were all pooped. Then a quick swim at the pool before bedtime. One of my best all time memories was at WDW with him. He LOVED Snow White at the time and while waiting patiently in the Dumbo line (long line) he saw Snow White walking around and went crazy. We would not let him get out of line since we had been in it so long -- there were some tears over that, but as soon as the ride was over, we let him walk over to her. She was just walking away and he took off after her and hugged her knees. She bent down and kissed him and said, "I love you, honey". He was dazzled. We have also enjoyed story time at the fantasy land gift shop where a princess tells 'her story' and an assistant acts it out in a very slapstick, comical way. My son was nearly hysterical with laughter over this - this might just be available on weekends. afterwards there is a very orderly autograph signing and picture taking time. He was scared of the loud noises at the shows, but loved all the children's rides in Fantasy land as well as the characters. He also cornered sleeping beauty (at her castle) and gave her a very detailed description of his day. He also loved the parades. You must get a stroller, even if you don't normally use one, it is way too much walking for a 2 yr old. Have fun!

One more thing - there is a great book called WDW with Kids that has wonderful tips and age appropriate itineraries. I have found the info to be very valuable.

Dear XX,

How about brushing up on your reading comprehension! Didn't I say I'm taking my 18 month old?!?!

Also what the heck is XX?

You don't have a name?

Dear Mary,

I think XX thinks we are one and the same Mary. I posted just a bit above you. I also am neither childless or crazy!!
My kids, however, are 10 and 14. We have been to Disney World 4 times. (We have had several conventions there). Twice we took children age two or younger. I agree with you - Follow your kids lead and have a great time!

Ignor the cynics and the whiners!

Looks like there are more nays than fors. And to the Mary #1-Big difference between a terrible 2 toddler and a 10 and 14 year old!!! I love people like you who give advice when in fact you have no clue. Same goes to Mary #2.

Dear XX:

As Mary #2 noted, you seem not to be able to read. I noted above that we had taken toddlers twice to Disney World. Our oldest was 2 the first time we went. She was 6 and our youngest 20 months the second time. We have also been two more times since they were older. The only trip that wasn't terrific was the last because frankly we were all a bit sick of Disney. We have all agreed to boycott anymore conventions there.

Our kids may be 10 and 14 now but they haven't always been.

Mary 1 and 2, self-absorbed parents who care more about their own needs and wants than what's best for their kids! Let's take the kids to WDW so all our friends and neighbors will be soooo impressed! Who cares if the kids are cranky, tired and overwrought when we can brag to everyone what wonderful parents we are to drag our kids along!

Dear XXX.XXX

How incredibly rude and pathetic you are. I cannot understand how you could think our posts were "self-aborbed" or in any way related to "what the neighbors think." We happen to like to travel and if you don't that is your business. Don't judge me. I feel so incredibly sorry for your kids for having such a hateful, ugly example of a parent. As my youngest would say in a wonderfully appalled voice "how rude and highly unexpected."

The world is a great big wonderful place and I refuse to hang out in a small corner and blame my kids that we are not experiencing it!

It can be done and it can be a good experience! We took our daughter when she was 2 years 10 months and she had a great time! In my opinion this is what made the trip so successful:
1) We stayed at the Polynesian, an easy trip by monorail or boat to the Magic Kingdom -- we came back to the hotel for naptime and a swim in the pool, then returned to the park later.
2) We concentrated on Magic Kingdom -- we only went to EPCOT to have dinner at the Coral Reef (big fish tank, she loved it)
3) She loved River Country
4) We did what she wanted to do (which meant seeing the Lion King show twice but that made her happy)
5) She loved the character breakfast but she is not a timid kid, some kids might be scared.
I did see lots of parents dragging tired, cranky kids around and this did not look like fun. The only way I would take a kid this young is to stay "on the property" as we did so naps are possible. Good luck!

Big difference between a kid just hitting 2 and a 2 and 10 month old kid. We took our daughter when she was 2 and it was not easy. We stayed on WDW property so we could go back in the afternoon and she could nap. She was so overstimulated by the crowds, noise etc. she would not nap. And the hotel, one of the All Stars was so darn noisy anyway, who could nap. My child cried at the characters because they scared her and was generally ornery from not taking her nap. Thank goodness we were only there for 2 days! We spent the rest of our vacation on the beach, and she was content and happy to play in the pool, the waves and dig in the sand. She was a much happier child and we were much more relaxed. I agree with the above poster, save WDW for when your child is older and will appreciate it, instead of dragging a tired, unhappy toddler around the park.

But can't parents take kids on their vacation? Why does a two year old need a vacation? Disney World in general is for 5 year olds and above. Why is there such a rush for toddlers to grow up. Let them enjoy their very short baby, toddler, and child time. Before long they will be temped by drugs and worried about the kid next to them carrying Daddy's handgun.

Paul-Good question. I think there are parents who think they can take their kids anywhere without giving much thought to the child and if it is age appropriate. There is one upmanship among parents with their peers and what they do with their kids. Parents think it impresses the heck out of their family, friends, co-workers to say they've been there, done that with their kids when in reality they are not thinking of their kids at all. Add to that guilt 2 working parents feel that they compensate by going on expensive vacations etc. It seems parents today, want children to be instant adults. Look at all the 5 and 6 year olds dressed up in makeup and going to see Brittany Spears in concert. What a screwed up world!

Where does the poor poster above imply that she and her husband are both working parents. Lots of at home moms and dads like to travel with their kids. In my case, we went to Disney because my husband had conventions there - Should I have sent him alone? Should we have left the kids at home with a sitter and gone just the two of us? What's wrong with a little family time - following the child's lead and needs in a different enviornment?

For goodness sakes, she wants to take her mother with her. We have been traveling more and more often with my mother - not only for the kids sakes but for mine - I have suddenly realized that neither I, nor my children, will have her forever. If she passes away tomorrow, I will have wonderful memories of our travels together.

Where does the poor poster above say that she is trying to impress the neighbors or that she will violate her childs needs. Please give her a break and the benefit of the doubt.

We took our 28 month old to Orlando Disney this past summer and she LOVED it. As we arrived some of the characters were out front and Cinderella picked her up and hugged her. MADE HER DAY. The rides are so tame if you stick with the little stuff, such as Dumbo, Small World, Peter Pan, train, etc. Much better than the 6 Flags chain with fence-to-fence roller coasters. I highly recommend it.

I brought my 2 1/2 year old last October. Luckily, he enjoyed the characters because there were not too many rides for him. I would wait until kids are around 7.

I wasn't going to weigh in on this debate, but I think I will now. I am thoroughly amused by the people who say things like "Disney is for children 8 and up, 5 and up, etc." If you knew anything about Disney, or Walt Disney's vision, you would know that he designed a place meant for families of all ages. Also, Disney is very doable with toddlers if you have a plan. If you don't have a plan, and your kid is miserable, then you have only yourselves to blame. However, if you are cognizant that you are with a child whose needs are different than your own, then you should be fine. Each child is different in temperament and only the parents can make the decision about where and when to travel. I know my child adjusts very easily to crowds and noise; at 16 months she already has been to amusement parks and the like. She has experienced large characters similar to those at WDW with no problem. We were originally supposed to take her at 19 months to WDW this November, but that will not happen. We are definitely going in January, and I can't wait.

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAVE A GREAT TIME!