Kidtums Orlando Experience Tips for 22 Month Old

[denning]

Doing a blitz to Orlando with free tickets but we only have 5 days and a toddler who will be 22 months old - loves rides - and may just hit 36 inches

 

He has survived full days at Canada's Wonderland without complaint and Kennywood in the summer until midnight. Naps in stroller when needed.

He has been initiated. Did his first ride ever at LEVIATHAN Bash

He has insane parents who love rides even more and want to best take advantage of child swap for big rides

 

Would love tips on how to attack each park. First for us with a plus one. Staying at Nick Hotel for Friday-Tuesday. But would love tips on where to stay between BGT and legoland? Clean and good value are really needs it is just one night.

 

The plan right now is

 

Thursay - BGT

Friday Legoland - late show at Nick Hotel

Saturday - Universal/Islands

Sunday seaworld

Monday - Hollywood Studios in morning, MK for rest of day/night

 

It sounds crazy

[SharkTums]

Would love to give you some tips. What time of year are you going as that will influence a lot of what I suggest?

[robbalvey]

My first tip would be just to stay the additional night at Nick. Yes, I know it's annoying to drive all the way to Orlando, then drive all the way back to Lego, but it's also annoying to have to switch hotels. Just make a base camp. It's not THAT far. And if not, I'm sure any decent hotel (La Quinta, Holiday Inn Express, etc) off I-4 would be fine.

 

As for other plan of attack, I would most certainly try to get to each park early, for opening even a little bit before as younger kids tend to tire out earlier, and you'll also beat the crowds. Don't rush, take things at a relaxed pace, and don't get too frustrated if there is something the little one doesn't want to ride. They have plenty of time in their life to ride later on!

 

As for things to do at the parks:

 

Thursday - BGT

Remember BGT has lots of animal areas, the Sesame Street area, and Jungala. All are for different age/size kids, but there should be a bit for him to do in all of those areas. I don't think there are any coasters he could do here, *maybe* the kiddie in Sesame Street, but I don't remember the height restriction off hand.

 

But there is most likely plenty to see and do otherwise.

 

Friday Legoland - late show at Nick Hotel

Here's the disappointing thing. Up until just a few weeks ago, if it was 36" he would have been able to ride Coastersaurus, but thanks to the new GCI trains, that went up to 42". There won't be any coasters here he can ride either, but there should be a decent amount of other stuff. With a 36" child, I can't see Legoland being more than a 4-5 hour stay.

 

Saturday - Universal/Islands

If he's 36" he can do the two kiddies, a couple of flat rides, Cat in the Hat, and some of the shows and movies at Universal, but that's about it. Everything is at least 40" or more for the major rides.

 

Sunday seaworld

Lots to see and do, but again not many rides. The kiddie and Antarctica.

 

Monday - Hollywood Studios in morning, MK for rest of day/night

Other than Toy Story Mania he won't be able to do Tower and obviously not Coaster. You can do things like Muppets and go to the Animation Building.

 

My suggestion might be to consider spending more time at MK since that is a park designed for his size. At 36" he can do Barnstormer, Pirates, Mansion, Buzz, Autopia, Peoplemover, Carousel of Progress, Country Bears, all the dark rides, tea cups, small world, Philharmagic, Magic Carpets, Jungle Cruise, Mermaid, Dumbo, Astro Orbiter, etc, etc....

 

There would also be a lot for him to see and do at Epcot - Spaceship Earth, Imagination, Land Boat Ride, Nemo, Grand Fiesta, Maelstrom, etc.

 

If this trip is more for him, then my advice might actually be skipping Universal and doing BGT, Legoland, SeaWorld, Epcot, MK.

 

That's just my thoughts....

Edited December 12, 2013 by robbalvey

[denning]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the quick help.

 

We are going during high season. We are flying out of Orlando on Jan 7th. Have Nick Hotel booked for four nights 3-7th. Not ideal but what can you do.

 

Couple of more questions.

 

We are staying with family in West Palm Beach for a bit before. Would you recommend instead doing two separate trips?

 

We could hit up BGT stay one night hit LEGOLAND and then go back to West Palm for a few days and then go back the second week for the Orlando parks and have some more dedicated time at the Nick Hotel waterpark. The only downside is the four hours of extra driving. We could do that the Christmas Day and the 26th if you think the crowds will be better than Jan 2nd/3rd

 

Generally agree with you comments about epcot being great but we will save it for next. Doing a surgical strike on Hollywood. Toy Story, Jedi Show (one of his first words is darth vader) and the mickey mouse clubhouse show. Hoping we can selflessly sneak in a Star Tours 2 ride through the child swap and maybe a tower but I doubt it. Rest of the time will be MK for him for sure.

 

In terms of Uni - the tickets (with express) were comped - so it would be a shame to skip it. Figure even if just for suess and meeting spider-man in person it would be worth it. Of course the selfish parents would have to try Forbidden Journey.

 

Speaking of selfish parenting - any tips on how to best do the kiddie swaps?