Florida Orlando help please

[SassyCrab]

I’m looking to take my 2 year old to Florida next year on my own am I being impulsive? I’ve been wanting to go since I was little but never had the opportunity but now I can afford it I want to take my little boy. Is there a lot to do there for toddlers and if so what would you recommend and where would be the safest area to stay and best for restaurants/ shops nearby? Before people say “wait until he’s older” I don’t know how my finances will be and I don’t want to take the risk and whilst he’s free to get into the parks I want to make the most of it. He’s also been to Thailand and was fine on the flight so the flight doesn’t bother me as much, it’s more just when we are there, I don’t want to feel unsafe & overwhelmed. If anyone else has done it being single etc please let me know and give tips. Thank you!

Safest area - stay in a Disney resort- use the transport, get the early entrance etc. it is overwhelming and full on though so will be a lot for a 2 year old. Depending what he's into you will find a park for him whether it's the Star Wars stuff at Hollywood studios or fairytale stuff at Magic Kingdom.

Totally unsuitable for a two year old.

Are you on Facebook? There’s a brilliant page called It’s Orlando Time. There’s something like 250,000 members. All big fans of Orlando with an absolute wealth of experience. Get yourself on there and ask the same question. You will be inundated with lovely people telling you exactly where to go and what to do. Honestly, it’s brilliant. They can get you discounts from FloridaTix for park tickets too.

You’ll have a fantastic time. We’re hoping to go again this summer for our second ever trip. It’s such an awesome place. You certainly won’t regret it!

Absolutely loads to do for toddlers! I’ve no idea why anyone would say it was unsuitable for a 2 year old 🤷🏼‍♀️ So much of Disney is set up for little ones. Mine were both under 2 the first time they went and they loved it! Lots of little rides/shows and character meets. No they won’t remember it but they will have a blast while they are there.

I would agree with pp that staying onsite is best - I love Pop Century which is a value resort so not horrifically expensive but also has the skyliner which is amazing.

To be honest I was just going to do stuff at his pace, I’d of probably only gone to the parks a few times as it would probably be overwhelming for me on my own as well. Do some shopping, I was going to do just the week and then if I liked it then go back another time for 2 weeks! I took him to Thailand version and he loved it so that’s what made me, I’m also going Disney Paris in September for his birthday so that would give me a great idea on how he would be like

We took our dds aged 2 and 6 and they both loved it. We did Magic Kingdom and Epcot. There are plenty of rides for a toddler, some of them are aimed more at older kids but it's safe for them to go on so we all just went on. You would have to give the faster rides (with height restrictions) a miss. We had a DAS pass so we didn't have to queue much - I'd definitely suggest paying for Lightning Lane or whatever. Bring a comfortable buggy he can nap in.
We stayed at a Disney hotel and got early access (which is good for fewer crowds), but then they were too tired to stay late for fireworks etc so you might miss out on that.
I was with my DH so we shared the load - it will be harder on your own so just pace yourself. We went in April which was still hot - we wouldn't consider going in the summer.

We took our then 3yr old son to Universal (we’re not Disney fans) and he loved it. Minions, Harry Potter (this was more for us), Shrek, Kung Fu Pamda, Spider-Man and all the Marvel characters. 2 days there was enough, and we then went to St Pete’s beach for some beach and pool time.

@SassyCrab whats the name of the theme park in Thailand please?

If he likes animals definitely do animal kingdom and do the safari and the avatar rides and the lion king show. At Hollywood studios the “Frozen ever after” musical is magical with the fake snow. And you have to story land there.

I agree there is plenty to do for toddlers and the dumbo ride in magic kingdom has a soft play inside the queue where they give you a buzzer, you go and play then come back to your place in queue when it’s moved on. There are lots of rides at magic kingdom for toddlers plus the Disney parade which is usually on about 3pm is fantastic but get a good spot early on for a good view - it starts on Main Street and finishes up in Frontierland - has so many characters and they all wave or are doing something in the parade. Fireworks are good too so if you are staying on site you could go home for an afternoon nap/chill then come back for fireworks.

The only thing that might be hard on you being alone with a toddler is if you like the big rides yourself and you can’t go on them!

Just seems like a massive waste of money if you don't know what your finances will be like in the future save up and including the money from this holiday you can take him when he will remember it.

Its free for under 3s because you're missing all the best stuff.

Otherwise you are just going for yourself. Sure he will have fun but the same is true at any theme park.

BTW efteling is really good fun for littleies but even then 2 is too young to get much of it.

Also one of the best things is the magic kingdom fireworks which will be too late for a toddler.

What’s the Thailand version?

OP slow down, you seem a tad erratic about it all, he’s 2, he’s still so little. There will be so much you can’t do, stash the money away and research properly, even in 2 years he’ll be a much better age for it.

First things first, do your ESTA’s before you book.

I’ve done Disney with children of all ages. With small ones I think on Disney property is the easiest and like people say the transport all included once there. make sure you take a buggy even if they don’t use one much at home. people said to me it was a waste of money, but honestly watching their little faces getting excited by the music colour and fun all around is something I’ll never forget, so I think it’s worth it for that.

I have been to Florida many times and to be honest I Disneyland Paris would be a lot better at that age, it's much smaller and not as hot. Keep the money aside and go to Florida in a few years

Otherwise you are just going for yourself.

What's wrong with that? OP says she has always wanted to go. Just because she's a parent now doesn't mean she shouldn't go on holidays that she'd like as well.

OP, go for it. You and your boy will have an absolute blast - there's loads for toddlers. Safari in Animal Kingdom, toy story land in Hollywood Studios, Frozen and Remi in Epcot, and pretty much everything in Magic Kingdom.

Definitely stay onsite at a Disney hotel. You'll feel safe, and there is free transport to get round the parks and other hotels. There's also the free dining plan offer on at the moment for 2026 bookings.

Staff members at Disney are amazing, so friendly - they'll make you and your toddler feel really special.

You can get an Uber or Lyft to the Premium Outlets for shopping - they're only a 10-min car journey from Disney - or Florida Mall.

Timing wise, I'd go for earlier in the year and avoid summer, as the heat can be brutal. Just avoid Presidents day and Spring break, as it gets really busy.

@Star81it doesn’t sound like OP will be in a position to go multiple times, or certainly can’t predict that now at least, on that basis her money would be better spent going at a more sensible age.

Did you mean me ? I didn’t say she could go multiple times. I was giving her my experience with a young child ??

I have done it with my other half and it took planning together .You could do it but understand your child at that age would have a lot of tantrums not from misbehaviour but from the heat,long travel ,how big and overwhelming

Yes could be a lot of fun but i'd wait till they are 5 save more then go for a few weeks .Stay in a nice airbnb ,rent a car explore disney parks,water parks ,legoland,orlando maybe even take him to clearwater beach

Take longer to plan have more fun

ask for advice on the dibb forum to

Yes, if you could only go once, what age do you think would be the best time? Would you choose 2 years old?

yeah back when we had one child we picked 7 and it was a really good age .Shes 14 now she still has fond memories not many but still.If they are older they appreciate it more

Who said I could only go once? You misconstrued what I said

No one, not even me, but you said you want to go now as you don’t know if you’ll be able to afford to do it in future. I’m merely saying that if unlike that poster that has been multiple times you likely want to consider the age carefully, if knew you know you’ll be going multiple times I assume you wouldn’t be asking? It matters much less and in which case why wouldn’t you crack on?

Florida cost us in excess of £10,000 so we knew it was something we’d only want to do 1-2 times and as such chose the ages very carefully to get a compromise between young enough to enjoy the magic, old enough that it wasn’t stressful, and hopefully memorable (although our memories count too!) as such we went much later than 2 years old.

carnival magic, which isn’t the same but he still loved it and face li

It’s because I found a good deal on next year, for a week with a decent hotel and flights it’s £575 each for me and my son that’s why I’m contemplating as it’s pretty much the same or even less than going Europe. I’d only go for the week so I’m not expecting to do everything but it would be just nice for a small experience and insight on Florida so when I go again I know what to expect ☺️

That’s a great deal, I hope you have a lovely time.