Traveling with a 2 year old and a 6 year old - options?

[KateP85]

My family is coming to DLR at the beginning of next month, and it's starting to look like my husband might not be able to come because of work. This will leave me to bring the two kids (2 & 6) by myself, and while I'm used to traveling with them by myself, I'm worried about how this is going to affect the rides.

My 6-year old is 45 inches but my 2-year old is only 38 inches. Since my eldest is only 6, he can't ride alone - I'm trying to come up with options so he can ride some of the bigger rides, but I'm coming up with nothing, is there anything I might be missing or any suggestions anyone has? He's a trooper and I know he'll say it's ok to miss the bigger rides, but he'll be disappointed.

Additionally, are there any family style rides (that you can ride under 38 inches) that we're not going to be able to do because three people won't fit across? Trying to be prepared for those too!

 

[yesdnil]

Other than hiring a babysitter for the day to escort your older son on the big rides, you'll be limited to rides that the 3 of you can ride together. Nothing should be an issue as far as fitting the 3 of you together.

 

[KateP85]

Follow up question: has anyone used a babysitter in any of the Disneyland hotels? It's just occurred to me that once the little one is asleep, I could sneak out with my eldest to try to get on a ride or two.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Follow up question: has anyone used a babysitter in any of the Disneyland hotels? It's just occurred to me that once the little one is asleep, I could sneak out with my eldest to try to get on a ride or two.

We've had good reports from people here on the service which the on site hotels recommended. Found Care.com and https://www.destinationsitters.com. Both were recommended in an older thread. That thread had posters who said that the DLH recommended two services for child care, so you might want to call the hotel to see if they still use these services or if they recommend someone else now.
I know that others recommend Nanny in the Kingdom if you want someone to accompany you all day.
Is it possible to invite a relative or friend to take your husband's spot on this trip? Having another adult on hand will help so much with the rides issue.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

I believe Gadget Go Coaster is a 2 per seat, so that one might not work. Dumbo is 2 per seat. Sadly I haven't been on PP so can't say about that one. Alice is 2 to a seat but 4 to a car. I'm going on memory from 2 years ago, so someone with more current info should chime in

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I believe Gadget Go Coaster is a 2 per seat, so that one might not work. Dumbo is 2 per seat. Sadly I haven't been on PP so can't say about that one. Alice is 2 to a seat but 4 to a car. I'm going on memory from 2 years ago, so someone with more current info should chime in

Dumbo is three to a seat as long as you all fit and it’s pretty roomy.

I think in DL the only rides that won’t work are Gadget’s Go-Coaster, Autopia and possibly Buzz Lightyear and the Astro Orbiters (if you fit you can have three on these two rides but it can be a tight squeeze).

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Sadly I haven't been on PP so can't say about that one...

PP is 3 to a seat/ship if you fit. As stated above, Dumbo is also 3 to a seat if you fit. (Put the grown up on the outside and the smallest on the inside.) Tea cups can fit 3, but that wheel in the center can make it a tight fit.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

I guess we must have had bigger kids with Dumbo last trip!

 

[Jaina]

We were able to ride Gadget's Go Coaster with the older child in the same car but in the seat directly in front of me when they were 6. So that one might depend on the cast member. We've put 3 in Autopia before (when the kids were 2 and 5 and my husband was/is slim), and I fit with my 6 and 3 year old in Astro Orbiter but it was snug. (I'm like a size 12 and 5'3) Buzz Lightyear fit 3 (when two were small children) okay but there are only two guns, obviously. Same with Toy Story Midway Mania, Luigi's, Mater's.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Technically this was WDW but 3 can definitely fit on Dumbo

 

[DnA2010]

I happily volunteer to come accompany your son on the bigger rides
Lots of good advice here, fingers crossed your DH can go!

 

[Malcon10t]

Have you considered asking a teenage relative or close friend to come along? I'm fortunate to have friends with teens (in LA area) and a teen niece who enjoy coming along and assisting with my granddaughter. She is 8 now, but they have been "helping" since she was 2.5yo. It is wonderful because they can take her on Incrediacoaster 10x, and I can watch.....

They even ran her 5Ks with her.

We call them the girl squad

[ig]https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...737751af0dfaf1f01f6e5bda13a&oe=5CE20835[/img]

And now my grandson is joining in...

In a year, they will be going on a cruise with us!

 

[Karyanne]

Look up nanny in the kingdom. She was wonderful.

 

[KateP85]

Thanks so much for everyone's advice. It seems like fitting us all in one car for rides shouldn't be too much of a challenge.

I was tempted to cancel the trip (especially when I saw the state of the castle) but I've been really looking forward to going and I'm super excited that WOC will now be back in time. I'm going to look into the suggested babysitters to see if maybe I can find one to hang out with the little one once he's in bed so my oldest and I can try to squeeze a ride or two in. Also keeping fingers and toes crossed that hubby can come, even if it's just for one day!