11/13-Single Mom w/3 DSes 3-day Wonder (One DS Autistic)

[pershing]

Since I had a pretty atypical trip, I am gonna start by listing the helpful hints given on the forum that really helped me out. Then I will probably edit my post with more stuff as I can grab time away from the kids.

Hints that Helped

1-Bring a permanent big marker for the characters to use for their big hands when autographing books.

This permanent marker was wonderful to use on the many Disney things you buy your kids that look like all the other toys other kids have. Right when you buy that item, pull out that marker and write your last name on it (even stuffed animals). 2 reasons: if you lose it, it's more likely to be turned in when your names all over it, instead of being kept. AND Central Lost and Found will hand it over more readily when you have no idea where you lost it.

2-Let your kids arrive in swimsuits, so they can swim when your lugguge and your room are not ready or near.

My kids arrived in their bathing suits with wave shirts on and they were able to swim right away AND use the mickey slide. They were the first ones in the pool and the first to use the slide. I felt bad for the kids that were looking on enviously at the kids froklicking in the water while they sat waiting.

3-Tie brightly colored bandanna's to your suitcases so they stand out on the luggage carousel.
With three kids to watch while watching for your luggage, it was a god-send to be able to just glance back and forth. Also my oldest could help out, even though he hadn't a clue what our suitcases looked like; he could recognize the bandanna.
I used those bandannas EVERY DAY in WDW tied to our stroller in the center of the handle part. In a sea of strollers, our stroller stood out easily. Even though the strollers now have a last name placard in the back (or an ineffective tag in Animal Kingdom). It's so much easier to look for the bandanna then read all the name signs to see which one was yours.


A DOUBLE STROLLER IS A MUST WITH MULTIPLE CHILDREN 7 and UNDER! It keeps them from wandering and whining.

4-Arrive early. I would say around 11:15 with your paperwork all filled out. Use a towncar service instead of Disney transfers.
Especially if you are a single mom like me. Cheaper and so much easier.

5-Bring DUCK TAPE and HIGHLIGHTERS

You are handed so much paperwork in the beginning. If single mom like me-get 2 Navigators from the kids club and lab. Duck Tape one set to your mirror and keep one set in your purse, backpack etc. I would also tape the Daily Navigator to the mirror too, along with the movie list you get. (we only got that once in the first day's navigator, so hold on to it.) I also duck taped the maps of WDW to the hotel walls/mirror and highlighted what we had done and what we were going to do. (Again I had two sets of maps and the days schedules.) It really helped me and helped the kids too!

6-Pack less clothes and more bathingsuits.

If going to WDW, add MORE SOCKS to that list. For DCL, definately bring flipflops, sandals for the kids. They didn't want to take the time to put those sneakers on and off.


I'm running out of time right now, but I'll be back to edit later.

I would add for single mothers with kids in the club and labs-say three of more kids, I would suggest getting a cabin midship level 5. The same floor as the lab and club. You and the kids will save alot of walking back and forth time if you are near them. I was midship level 7 and I knew those 2 flights of stairs forwards and backwards by the end of the trip! (

That's all for now.(Beep, beep, beep! Your 5-7 year old would like to be picked up from the Oceaneer's club. )

 

[Frieda]

Hi! I wonder if we ever ran into each other and never knew it? I hear you about running up and down to the lab. We were on deck 2 and there were times when I had to pick up my son and I used the stairs instead of the elevator. I'd really be huffing and puffing by the time I got there. I've got to get more exercise. I can't wait to hear more about your trip.

 

[pershing]

I wonder if we bumped into each other, too. It was such a mob scene at the Oceaneer Club and Lab most of the time with the kid checking in and out.

Here we thought there was no one on our cruise and all those kids. Did you see the kid performance? It was cute, but soooo scripted if you know what I mean!

Well, I have five minutes so I can start:

We arrived around 11:15 or so and the kids went right to the TV's in the waiting area of the terminal. I got kudo's for having my paperwork all filled out. First, you go to the round desks in the middle of the terminal room and then she/he sends you to the desks on the left side of the room. Then, you get in line to get on the ship.

People lined up pretty early, 'cause they were told that we would be boarding at 11:45. (I, myself, never heard that.) It was actually 12:00 on the dot that they started boarding.

First thing they do, is take a family picture on the gang plank. I wasn't expecting that and was loaded down with carry-ons. The kids fussed 'cause they were over-excited and I never looked for that picture as I knew it was dishelveled.

They announced us and sent us up to Parrot Cay. I asked to go to Beach Blanket and the main guy said to go ahead 'cause Parrot Cay was already pretty filled.

The kids were so not interested in eating so we went out to the Mickey Pool. (Side note regarding the Soda Program: By-pass the first stand they have to sign up for the soda program as you head towards lunch 'cause there are like 2 more stands past that one with no lines.)

The kids could swim right away, but the Mickey Slide was closed until a quasi-lifeguard appeared. (Side note: the entrance to the Mickey Slide as you're standing by Mickey's Ears looking at the pool is behind the slide itself. Its a normal stairway with a wooden door.)

So, while the kids splashed, I buffeted and brought my tray out to a table next to the pool. After ten days with those rugrats in WDW, I needed those minutes to re-coup.

That pool is pretty shallow and even though my kids are only 8, 7, 5, they are strong swimmers and take lessons all year long. The lifeguard was there and my kids would really have to work on trying to drown themselves in order to get in trouble, so I left and went to the club and lab, signed them up, went to the spa-signed up for what I wanted. (It really helped that I had already chosen what I wanted from the list I read on the DCL TRIBUTE website.) Signed up for Palo's (which I never got to go to.) and returned to the pool. It hardly took any time at all.

I had to drag the kids away from the pool to check out our room. They watched TV until the Drill, which was more of a hassle than anything else.

I must say I'm glad that I kept the early seating. We normally eat around 5 and for this time of year with the sun setting early, I couldn't have imagined eating later. First night Parrot Cay. With 3 kids, dinner is something to be endured. Next time, I would just eat with my oldest child and let the 2 younger ones eat with the clubs. The restaurant kids' menue would be comparable to what they would get with the clubs without the wait and dinner china. (Not to mention those wine-like water glasses-yikes!) My oldest ate from the adult menu every night-some kind of steak, and he even ordered half from the adult and half from the kids menu sometimes.

After dinner, my kids checked out the clubs and I went to see 'Pirates of the Carribean' with my oldest. Very nice to spend some time-just him and me-we don't ever get that. BUT I got beeped towards the end and had to leave him to find the cabin himself. That's when I decided to give him check out priviledges at the lab. After seeing the ship and how the kids could ask for their own food and see maps by the elevators, I knew my son could handle getting around on his own.

That's all the time I have for now.

 

[Daisy5115]

Thanks for the tip about deck 5. We are booked for cabin 5513 which is pretty close to the clubs and my travel agent seemed to think deck 6 would be better. Glad to hear that deck 5 really does make more sense! (I have a 2yr old and a 6 yr old)
Karen

 

[pershing]

I was only on the three day cruise, so I imagine a week's cruise would make even more of a difference!

I think one child would be manageable, but if you're talking about 2 or more kids and/or a mixture of clubs and labs you'll be heading mid-ship 5th floor quite often. That's not to say that you won't have time to yourself, you will. But they only ever beep you with the message to come, so have the time by the time you show up the child has changed his mind.