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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

UK to the USA with a 2.5 year old

23 replies

PizzaMeCheesy · 17/06/2019 15:25

Myself and my partner are looking to book America for our 30th birthdays in two years time and we will have a then 2 and a half year old accompanying us on the trip, It’s our first time to the states and we would love to visit either New York, California or Disneyworld Florida, we’re really indecisive tbh. We would love some advice from any of you who have either already done it or are planning a trip on where you’re going and at what time of year with a small child?
Thank you.

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sleepismysuperpower1 · 17/06/2019 17:13

disneyworld in florida is amazing. it takes planning to make sure you get the most out of it, but it is definitely worth it. we went in the summer.

when you fly, i would suggest bringing your dc's carseat with you on board and booking them a seat, then installing the carseat. it helps them fall asleep and they are buckled in etc

BubblesBuddy · 17/06/2019 17:17

The 2.5 year old won’t have much fun a Disney! Do you want an inclusive holiday the DC will enjoy? Is flying to the USA compulsory? The time difference won’t be fun! Mine liked sand and water at that age! Pay for grandparents to come with you somewhere nearer for babysitting and have nice meals and experiences! I would leave USA for a bit. California would be best though as a 2.5 year old won’t like NY much either. Can DC stay at home?

sleepismysuperpower1 · 17/06/2019 17:19

sorry forgot to say we went when my youngest were 2 x

BarkandCheese · 17/06/2019 17:26

I’ve been to all the places you’ve listed, and traveled frequently to the US with my daughter from birth.

By far the easiest trip with a toddler would be Disney, it’s very much set up for families, and once you’re there you’re pretty much in their bubble full of helpful staff unlike going it alone in a city. However travelling in the US isn’t exactly trekking the Amazon basin, so if you really want to do NY or California it’s still fun with a small child, just a bit more work.

If you chose Disney I’d go either in November (avoiding thanksgiving) or January (avoiding the first week) or February. Those are the quieter and cooler times of year. If you pick one of the other Destinations avoid July and August because it’s high tourist season and v hot, and NY gets really cold in the winter.

Original poster

PizzaMeCheesy · 17/06/2019 17:33

Did your little ones do okay in the heat? Partner seems to think Florida is the best option but I’m leaning more towards waiting until our daughter is older to really get the most from the experience... Did you stay in one of the hotels at a park or a little outside?
Thank you for suggestion re car seat, we will definitely do this .

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BarkandCheese · 17/06/2019 17:35

A toddler can absolutely have fun at Disney, as long as you go at their speed and accept that you have to sacrifice some of the bigger rides for hours spent in the playgrounds and riding it’s a small world five times in a row 😆.

Original poster

PizzaMeCheesy · 17/06/2019 17:38

@BubblesBuddy We are looking at the USA for definite and I couldn’t bring myself to leave my daughter at home. Grandparents could be an option.
I personally would stay clear of Disney until she’s a little older but partner seems keen on the idea.

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BarkandCheese · 17/06/2019 17:40

We stayed with family so I don’t have that experience. Staying on or off property is a hugely debated topic. Are you planning on hiring a car? That’s a huge factor and where you stay.

Heat wise just avoid high summer. Everywhere has air con so it’s easy to get out of the heat for bit.

Original poster

PizzaMeCheesy · 17/06/2019 17:44

Thank you for your insightful information @BarkandCheese! I would love to do Disney but I’m just thinking that realistically for us, it could be our only chance at Disney and I would prefer if the little one could get more out of it, it’s such an amazing experience and she’s not even going to remember it, I’d like the trip to be as much for her as it is us. If we decide on Florida will definitely keep those dates in mind. Thank you!

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holdingonbyathread · 17/06/2019 17:47

We took our 2.5yo to Florida. It was so easy. Best holiday ever and ds had an amazing time. He may not re,eyebrows a lot now but experiences shape a person. He loves the photos and we were going back next year when he'll be 9.

Original poster

PizzaMeCheesy · 17/06/2019 17:49

I personally would rather stay off park as it’ll be cheaper and we won’t be spending all our time in the parks anyway, I would rather have some down time too.. We will be looking to hire a car although it’s not set in stone as yet, it just depends on where we’re staying and what our itinerary consists of.

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Original poster

PizzaMeCheesy · 17/06/2019 17:51

@holdingonbyathread a lot of people leaning towards Florida!

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BarkandCheese · 17/06/2019 17:52

I get you want to do something for your birthdays, but having read your updates I wonder if you should wait to go to the US for a few years. We traveled with DD a lot when she was tiny, but one of the best and most relaxing holidays we had was to Minorca.

We mostly traveled because of family and DH’s work. I’m not sure I’d we would have done the trips we did if it wasn’t for those factors.

Gruzinkerbell1 · 17/06/2019 17:54

We took our DD to Florida Disney World just after she turned two. She had the best time, it was truly magical to her. We took her again last year and it wasn’t the same. She knew people were dressed up in the costumes etc. When she was two she believed it all. I have the best memories of that holiday.

mummyrocks1 · 17/06/2019 17:55

We are planning on doing SF to LA next year down the California coast. My dcs are a bit older, they will be 5 and 7 when we go but you could do a smaller trip with less travelling

Gruzinkerbell1 · 17/06/2019 17:56

Plus kids are free at Disney World when they’re under 3... bonus!

Original poster

PizzaMeCheesy · 17/06/2019 17:57

It’s a case of we wait a few years until little one is of school age and then we are limited as to when we go but with the possibility of the three of us enjoying it more or go now when the kids are at school but limited as to what we can do with a toddler.. swings and roundabouts I suppose.

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Original poster

PizzaMeCheesy · 17/06/2019 18:07

This sounds brilliant @mummyrocks1! I hope you all have the best time.
To be honest I hadn’t even thought about something like this.. might be worth looking into. Thank you.

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Original poster

PizzaMeCheesy · 17/06/2019 18:09

@Gruzinkerbell1 sorry your daughter didn’t have as much fun as the first time, I’m pleased you went and are now left with some magical memories though.

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MrHaroldFry · 17/06/2019 21:15

We have traveled extensively with our twins since they were six months old. We had them in Florida at 2 and a half (May time of the year) and we had a villa close to Disney. They had a great time in Disney and they truly believed all the Princesses and other characters were real! We have super photo and video evidence. However as others have said, you go at their pace, take regular breaks for water and snacks, stay out of the midday sun and go on all the 'baby' rides, including Small World about a gazillion times.
Florida especially Orlando and Kissimmee are so well set up for kids. Flight will be easy enough if you have snacks, games, books and a full loaded iPad
It's not exactly a relaxing holiday, for that you need an AI near the beach in a closer destination like Spain.
I found that California was great for us adults but a lot of car journeys for the children, I would probably wait and do CA when they are a little older and need less entertaining on journeys.
Both the Disney and Spain options have their merits, it depends on what s good holiday looks like to you and what your child is like at 2.5 good traveller, bad traveller, only time will tell.

Zm2019 · 20/06/2019 19:51

My daughter was exactly 2.5years when we took her on her first flight to Florida.
I had so many people slant me saying that's in appropriate she wouldn't remember it, it's a waste etc etc....however I am so glad we did it and she had a blast.

Seeing her face with all the characters brought tears to my eyes she wouldn't leave Anna from frozen alone. She forgot about her naps as she was so excited.

We didn't plan anything and just did what we could when we could. She did so much at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

We flew with Virgin and we got a hotel the night before at the airport. We kept her up as late as possible and she slept most of the flight over.

Only problem we did have was America doesn't sell squash so I would take those robinsons squeeze squash which you just squirt into water.

Remember it's not about what she can remember it's also about you making memories. Take lots of photos. We still talk about it today and we have been fortunate to be able to take her back in a couple of months when she will be 6.

If you have the opportunity to do it, do it, make those memories.

Also. Park tickets are free for the under 3 so an extra bonus 😀

Original poster

PizzaMeCheesy · 20/06/2019 20:35

@Zm2019 aww that’s so cute! I’m pleased you took her despite what others said and that the both of you had an amazing time. Thank you for the tips of keeping her up late and the juice also, I’ll definitely take them on board!
I think we will probably do Florida to be honest, the heat and long flight are the things that worry me but it’ll be so worth it.

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WickedGoodDoge · 20/06/2019 21:13

We went to WDW when DD was just about to turn two and DS was five. DD loved it! Except the characters. She was terrified of the characters.

She especially loved the shows and the fireworks. I would hold her up for the fireworks and she would shriek, “Bang bang! More bang bang!” as she madly kicked her legs.

She did not sleep at all on the flight home. Until we were coming in to land, that it. Instead she ate an awful lot of butter and cleaned her seat with a baby wipe over and over and over again.

It was a great holiday and a very easy holiday with a toddler.

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