2 1/2 vs. 3 1/2 year olds question

[Disney Pal]

We just came back from Disney with 2 1/2 year old triplets and it was a little tense. We thank God we had a couple extra pairs of hands to help us through. We were able to go out a couple of nights. Has anyone gone there when their kids were 2 1/2 and then 3 1/2? Does it get easier? or should I wait a couple of years? I guess we were a little disappointed that we could really only stay 3 or 4 hours at the parks. Sometimes they were good and sometimes they were screaming their heads off. We went back to the rooms in the afternoon and they napped for at least 2 hours. They also slept great at night. I don't know to plan for next year or not. What would you do?

 

[smazarluvsdis]

All I can say is God bless you. I have 2 kids and they are 18 months apart. I would imagine it can be a challenge to go anywhere with triplets. In my experience the terrible 3's were worse than the terrible 2's but...if you can take extra hands with you...and if you remember that the trip is for them...then I say why not! So what if you spend 4 hours at the park then go back for naps/lunch/swim then go back. If they have fun then that's all that matters. However, if everyone is miserable then I say wait till about age 4 when they've calmed down a little. Life was much easier for me after that age. Good luck!!

 

[brymolmom]

Even with tense moments - you must have had TRIPLE the Disney Magic - what a magical family you have!

Personal opinion on the 2.5 vs. 3.5 question - I think a lot of that is based on the childrens' personalities. We got back a month and a half ago with our almost 2 year old dd and 3.5 year old ds. We had also been when that 3.5 year old was 2.5. For him - there was a HUGE difference and he had a ton more fun at 3.5. He was tall enough to make it onto Splash Mountain - which he loved and he really got into the whole thing.

For my 2 year old though - she has a much more challenging personality than ds - and I'm certain that if we go back in a year we will likely have just as many 'tense' moments as we did this time with her. I would still do it if the opportunity presented itself, but I wouldn't expect as much a change in her behavior between this year and next. About the most I'd expect is that with a 3.5 year old vocabulary - it would give her more words to hurl at us when she's upset - LOL.

I'd say if you enjoyed your vacation even with the iffy moments - go for it again soon. But if it really made the whole thing less-than-ideal for you - you're more likely to enjoy it more the longer you wait.

good luck.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I am the mothor of a 10 yrs old son and 5 yr old twin sons. We took them to Disney when the twin were 3.5. We had a great time but they ran the schedule. We let them wake up when they wanted and they napped in the stroller or we went back to the room. We are leaving on Wed. for our next trip and would be glad to tell you how it goes now that they are 5. But since we are on our own, no night out for us.
I did find 3 yr old twins much harder than when they were 2. I seem to be enjoying each year they get older. 4 was great , but I love my 5 yr olds. They can buckle their own seat belts, take care of themselves so much. going shopping or running around twn is now fun (well most days)

 

[crazywig]

big difference for us.

we went in january when ds was 2yrs 9m and again in sept. at 3yrs 5 months. a big behavioral difference with him...he was less whiny, had less tantrums etc. he also seemed to 'get it' more this last time. definately more enjoyable for us.

of course as he gets better, dd age 1yr seems to be getting worse

 

[HappyMommy2]

DS was 2.5 when we went last year, and 3.5 when we went this year. I hesitate to even try to compare to your situation, since you have triplets
but since you asked...
Like someone else said, a lot probably depends on personality. Our DS was probably just as easy and just as difficult at 3.5 as he was at 2.5, just in different ways. At 2.5 he was more willing to go with the flow in terms of which rides to go on, etc. but he tired fairly easily, and we did not do any nighttime entertainment (fireworks, etc.). At 3.5 he had strong preferences about what to go on ("Mommy, I want to ride the Indy Speedway again! Right now, Mommy! We only rode it 3 times today! Please!"), but his stamina was greater and we were able to do longer days (though we still took the afternoon break). This year we were also able to do some sitdown meals since he is better able to sit nicely through dinner.

Overall I think 3.5 was probably a little easier (and actually quite a bit more fun) than 2.5. The main difference was that DS had hit 40" this year and was able to go on almost everything (your kids may or may not be 40" by next year) which made it extra fun for him. I think if I were you, I'd wait 6 months and re-assess the situation, and plan from there. I'll bet if you do go next year it will be easier for you simply because you will have accurate expectations and a better understanding of what it is like to do the parks with small kids. But there's no harm in waiting another couple of years, if you feel like that would be a better bet.

You are so blessed to have 3 little ones!

 

[BlueBayou]

I do think 3.5 is a lot better than 2.5 in terms of sleeping at the hotel and understanding guidelines.

My oldest DD just turned 5 and my youngest is 2 1/2. My oldest is a great traveler. My youngest doesn't like to be away from home. She gets constipated and then she gets the runs. After we did everything the Unofficial Guide tells you not to do this summer on a one day marthon trip to DL (we were traveling with other people - we knew better) she just had a meltdown. On day three of the trip, she would just walk to the hotel room door and kind of whimper, 'I want to go home Mommy.' It was beyond sad. She had been fine in December when it was just our family and we paced things for her at DL. We were there for 5 days so we did not go commando. She was also okay on a week long trip to see the grandparents, but once again we did not push her at all. Very much the case of you are only as strong as your weakest link.

We are waiting on my dream trip to WDW until she is a better traveler. I would like to go next October (when she would be 3 1/2) but I am waiting to see how her traveling skills develop. Hopefully we will be able to do a Disneyland long weekend test this December.

I do think the 40inch mark is an important one. I have very small girls and my oldest (now 5) was barely tall enough this summer. Even if my youngest is a decent traveler by next fall, I might delay the trip based on the 40inch thing. I would hate to have to do the whole you can't ride on 'Splash Mountain' thing. But it doesn't sound like you have older siblings, so height is probably not that much of a factor for you.

Good luck on your next trip, whenever it may be!

Sher