I have two kids 2.5 and 5.5....here is what I have learned.
1) Learn to use the Ride Swap for rides where the little one isn't tall enough. This allows one parent to take the older kid in the regular line and the second parent to take the older kid back on the same ride at a later time that day in the fast pass line.
2) DLR has lots of kids foods, the power packs make for nice snacks and kids meals are easy to share.
3) Are your kids "nap anywhere" kids or are they routine kids? For nap anywhere type kids, you can stay in the park all day and they will sleep in the stroller when they are tired. For routine nap kids, you better plan hotel breaks and stay close to the park.
4) Bring a big stroller that is nap friendly and has some storage for snacks and/or souvenirs
5) Plenty of rides for the little kids, about 60% of the park is available to the smallest ones and if you are 42" tall almost everything is open to the older one.
6) Prepare yourselves for the following things to happen:
- everyday around 1-2 pm there will be at least one meltdown from one or both kids (this is whiny hour in the park), also known as pre-nap time.
- on day two, prepare yourself for a massive temper tantrum and overall emotional overload from one / both kids
- your kids to get bored in long lines
- beyond all of that, some of the most incredible positive experiences you will ever have on a vacation, making you forget all the challenging things that happened.
7) DCA has beer and mixed alcoholic drinks at the restaurants and counter service locations. Helps take the edge off sometimes. There is also a Starbucks in DCA