How is SDC for a 3 year old?

[skimom]

We have been going to SDC once each year for a few years because our kids love it. This year my sister and BIL and thinking of joining us down there and they have a 3 year old (she'll turn 4 in September). Is the park good for toddlers too? Our kids have somewhat outgrown the smaller rides and I just haven't ever looked at the park as a parent of a toddler!

Thanks for any opinions!

[Diane1611]

There are some nicer rides for the littler ones in the Grand Exposition area. She should like the carousel there. She might like the gondola balloon ride in Tom Sawyer's Landing and the carousel there, although she would be a little small for the Treehouse. And she would probably enjoy Geyser Gulch. She would also probably like seeing the animals in Homestead Ridge. I would rent or bring a stroller. That's a big park for little legs to walk around. If you could, I would go during Kids' Fest so there would be some shows for her to enjoy.

[longdog]

Originally Posted by skimom

We have been going to SDC once each year for a few years because our kids love it. This year my sister and BIL and thinking of joining us down there and they have a 3 year old (she'll turn 4 in September). Is the park good for toddlers too? Our kids have somewhat outgrown the smaller rides and I just haven't ever looked at the park as a parent of a toddler!

Thanks for any opinions!

Personally, I think it's awesome for kiddos that age. My little tater tot is 3.5, he's been down there 4 times now and we'll be back on Saturday.

He LOVES SDC. He calls it "Dollar City" and has been bouncing off the walls this week because he knows we're going again. Honestly, he talks about "dollar city" all the time - and if he gets out of line I tell him that he's not going to be able to go next time I go. That usually stops the problems.

Anyway, these are our usual activities each time we go: pet the rabbits and goats (no less than 4 times a visit); train ride (2 times); "spinny cups" aka the spinning teacup/saucer ride in the grand expo; the "up and down boats" the small pirate-ish ships in the grand expo; the jumping frog ride (grand expo); butterflies (grand expo); balloon ride and carousel in the landing area; geyser gulch (bring extra clothes!); and the "underwater boats" aka the flooded mine ride.

My son and I alone spent two hours in geyser gulch last summer. Gave his mother and grandparents time to give our credit card a workout.

[lovemycondo]

It is a must go for a 3 year old. My grands only turned 2 and 4 this year. They started going @ 4 mos (a little young) and 2 yrs. Both remember it and the oldest started driving his parents crazy last year asking when can we go. This Feb, when it was accidently told to him, grandma was at her condo (in Branson of course). He about drove his folks crazy. Thankfully it snowed so I could email pics. We told him SDC can only open when it snows if it is Christmas.

The 3 yo can easily play in the tree house and little tots play area but one parent needs to follow along so send the one who can crawl and climb the best. Also by the large swing they can pretend to milk a cow and ride the silo with mom or dad. Go to this area 1st thing @ opening. No shade. Then head to the Grand Expo. Very limited shade. It’s a little more walking but we found if we do this, we don’t have to worry about sunburn or a little one getting too hot.

Grandpa’s mansion and the flooded mine frighten our grands.

By Geyser Gulch she will have 3 stories of balls to shoot with air guns or vacuum up. The slides are a little tight if the parent is over 6’ tall but they will fit. They also have climbing area like the tree house which is fun to watch the adults try to keep up. When you face the building, if you go around to the right they have a toddler area their to take her 1st so she will get used to the balls and noise if there is concern she will be overwhelmed and frightened in the large area. Our grandson had no interest in the toddler area but our granddaughter benefited from about 10 min there 1st. She was one at the time though. She loves putting balls into the vacuum hoses. Water sprayers and water shoots out of the floor also in this area. If warm, like mentioned, take her to Geyser Gulch and all get soaked. We avoid GG because no adult wants to get soaked so far.

We spend about 5 -6 hrs about everyday the grands are with us in Branson at SDC. They think of it as one big play land and mini zoo. (petting area). I would agree, stroller is a must, even with a short day.

We take our grands to some shows. They are short. Shows are also snack time and we sit where we can walk out if needed. Both love Cajun Connection. At the evening show you can spread out and sit away from others so she can sleep or wiggle as much as he wants.

I would take advantage of the discount 2 days for 1 with a little one along. 2 short days are much easier and then they can revisit their favorite activities the 2nd day.

For the record. My gs does not know SDC is open. He won’t know until the day before he goes.

[julieeileen]

Depending on her height and also how easily she scares, when my DD was 3, she rode Fire in the Hole. That's what she calls SDC. She'll say, are we going to "Fire in the Hole" now? She loves that ride. However, now she's tall enough to ride Thunderation, so she may change it!

[ggh]

I have 2 grandaughters, one just turned 4 in December, the other is 2 - they have both been to SDC a dozen or more times/year since their births. They love it! In fact from the 4yo's perspective, the 'year' started yesterday, when SDC opened for my oldest grand, as FINALLY she can go to SDC again.

The atmosphere of music, colors and constantly changing scenery make SDC fun even for infants. YOU will leave SDC with a complete different view of it after taking your neice with you.

Be SURE Mom has at least one change of clothes for the little one with her - as the Tom Sawyers Landing/gulch area is irrestible for them, my grands LOVE playing in the water there, and like someone else mentioned, it's something they could do for HOURS before getting tired of it.

[Southstarz]

The Grand Exposition is very family friendly. You can ride some of the kiddie rides with a toddler like the flying elephants, tea cups, happy frogs and kiddie coaster. The seats can be a tight squeeze but I am over 6 feet tall and manage to ride with my 4 year old daughter. Also, you can control the amount that the tea cups spin and the height that the elephants fly.

[JoLaLaLa]

Our kids LOVE SDC and have been going since they were just months old. I do suggest bringing a stroller or wagon to tote the little one around in, as their little legs get worn out quickly from all the steep hills. You can rent strollers at the park, but I don't know how quickly they run out, so we always bring our own- even if it's just a cheap umbrella stoller- to avoid problems if they were out. I think you'll find plenty to do that'll keep a 3YO occupied and enetrtained. Have fun!

[lorilynn]

I think that there are a few things the child could do. We have a son with down syndrome and we cannot take him on alot of jerky things and he always has a great time. He enjoys the train and the on where you ride in the water shooting at targets.

[HappyPappe]

I am a stay at home mom and I have 3.5 year old boy/girl twins. The twins have been going to SDC since they were 3 months old. SDC is perfect for 3 year olds, they too will be turning 4 in September. We live in Oklahoma and every month I take the twins to SDC for a week on my own if hubby can't go. For us, its the best thing around for them to have fun and get our money worth on a budget. They have plenty to do for a 3 year old, I do suggest renting, bringing your own stroller. The kids have enjoyed Grand Exposition sinsce it has opened up. If you can swing it you may want to go to Celebration City as well, as they have plenty of rides geared to a 3 / 4 year old as well.

Hope you enjoy your vacation and again I would take the 3 year old in a heart beat.

[Davidab53]

I have a 16 mo old, and he loves Geyser Gulch. He could spend hours in the ball area.

Make sure you check it out.

[Zach7777]

Originally Posted by Davidab53

I have a 16 mo old, and he loves Geyser Gulch. He could spend hours in the ball area.

Make sure you check it out.

I totally agree, my nieces and nephews, all four of them, are under the age of 5 and LOVE Geyser Gulch......don't miss it you'll light up her world when she sees it all!!! It's just gotta look huge to a tiny tot, those water spouts popping up from the cement are really neat for them too..........yeah, so I liked it too.....