6.5 Month Old Twins on Disney Magic

[nyisles84]

Hi Guys, I've searched high and low but can't seem to find many articles, if any on this topic.

My wife is due with twins on 2/1/19. Doctors seem to think more likely than not she'll go a couple of weeks earlier than that.

My mother in law has booked us all and paying for a 7 night cruise on the Magic, doing the Northern Europe itinerary on 8/18/19.

My wife and I have sailed a lot on Disney, and 3 years in a row on the Magic. In the past, we always booked the standard inside rooms, but for this one we have an Oceanview booked on deck 2. I can't seem to remember the way those rooms look size wise, but does anyone have any advice on the set up for the pack n plays for 2 kids this age in the room?

Obviously, it seems Disney could accommodate it as they are listed on the stateroom and their ages but wanted to see if anyone has had past experience with this type of setup.

Thanks!

 

[lovin'fl]

Wow...as a mom of twins I just wanted to say that you are one brave couple taking baby twins on a cruise. My twins were 4 months old when we went to the beach and it was the most miserable trip. Good luck. But also, we had an OV on the Magic many many years ago. Our twins were 8 at the time and we had lots of space. I am sure the pack and plays can fit. Though, mine shared one for many months so that might be an option. Mine were born 4 weeks early. Good thing the in laws will be on the cruise too....for more pairs of hands.

 

[nyisles84]

Wow...as a mom of twins I just wanted to say that you are one brave couple taking baby twins on a cruise. My twins were 4 months old when we went to the beach and it was the most miserable trip. Good luck. But also, we had an OV on the Magic many many years ago. Our twins were 8 at the time and we had lots of space. I am sure the pack and plays can fit. Though, mine shared one for many months so that might be an option. Mine were born 4 weeks early. Good thing the in laws will be on the cruise too....for more pairs of hands.

Oh we have got the whole crew going! 8 adults total. One couple will have a 4 and 2 year old of their own to worry about so not counting on them for any help!

The cruise she originally had booked for us was the Alaska itinerary, but after looking at all of the excursions, they seemed to be mostly adventure based where we would have to leave the kids in Small World all day or just not leave the ship. We have done a couple of the European sailings and when looking up this one its nice to have ports that we can roll off the ship with them, stroll around the city for a bit and then bring them back on board in case we want to do something else.

We currently live in a one bedroom (will be looking at houses after they are here) so they will most likely be sharing a pack n play here for sleep as well so they should be used to it. Are the Disney ones large enough for two 6 month olds to share? But good to know two should fit if need be.

 

[gotomu212]

We traveled with our 6 month old and opted not to use a pack in play once we saw it in the room...it was really tight and would have blocked the veranda door. I’m not sure how you would do 2 pack in plays unless you had them side to side blocking the window and desk area.

One possibility is to put one of them in bed with you so you’re only dealing with one pack and play or Would it be possible for your in laws to take one at night so you’d just have the one to maneuver around?

 

[lilsonicfan]

I've got 3 kids and only had a pack and play for a very short time as it took up so much space. For travelling, we got two Kidco Peapods which are basically small tents with an inflatable mattress. Disclaimer, i am not sure if they will work for babes that small. But we used them up till my youngest was almost 3yo including on a cruise (not DCL). They are compact and don't have a huge footprint.

 

[aggiedog]

Mom of twins here, myself. Ours slept together until around that age, but at some point, when they could roll better, would start to wake each other up - frequently by getting close enough to try to start nursing off the other one's head, or other body parts. LOL

Since you're in an OV, you don't need to get to the verandah, so while the pack and play will be bulky, it probably won't be horrible. The only other option is a family verandah, as they are longer, but more expensive.

I think your biggest issue is going to be diapers and clothes, and cleaning bottles/nipples if not nursing exclusively. The sheer volume of diapers, and the numbers of clothes that two little ones go thru is mind boggling. Since you're flying, you may need to dedicate a suitcase to diapers, or plan to buy them there. I'd also budget some money for laundry.

The northern Europe ports are not very stroller friendly, so plan on wearing the babies. The cobblestones in most of the old towns would eat most strollers.

 

[nyisles84]

I've got 3 kids and only had a pack and play for a very short time as it took up so much space. For travelling, we got two Kidco Peapods which are basically small tents with an inflatable mattress. Disclaimer, i am not sure if they will work for babes that small. But we used them up till my youngest was almost 3yo including on a cruise (not DCL). They are compact and don't have a huge footprint.

Ah I just looked that up and got super excited, but it says ages 1-3 on it. That would have been perfect though!

 

[nyisles84]

Mom of twins here, myself. Ours slept together until around that age, but at some point, when they could roll better, would start to wake each other up - frequently by getting close enough to try to start nursing off the other one's head, or other body parts. LOL

Since you're in an OV, you don't need to get to the verandah, so while the pack and play will be bulky, it probably won't be horrible. The only other option is a family verandah, as they are longer, but more expensive.

I think your biggest issue is going to be diapers and clothes, and cleaning bottles/nipples if not nursing exclusively. The sheer volume of diapers, and the numbers of clothes that two little ones go thru is mind boggling. Since you're flying, you may need to dedicate a suitcase to diapers, or plan to buy them there. I'd also budget some money for laundry.

The northern Europe ports are not very stroller friendly, so plan on wearing the babies. The cobblestones in most of the old towns would eat most strollers.

Thanks for the input! I am thinking of just doing an Amazon order to our hotel in London before the cruise for diapers and other disposables as to not worry about taking up luggage space on the way there. We will definitely budget for laundry as well. Our room isn't too far from the room I believe.

We do plan on wearing the babies a lot as well. We haven't finalized a stroller option yet but we are leaning towards the Bumbleride Indie Twin, and that looks like it should handle the cobblestones pretty well if we opt for that stroller in the end.

I didn't realize the family verandah rooms themselves were longer. I thought it was just the balcony itself. Not sure I will be able to ask our MIL to foot that bill, but maybe we should budget for it ourselves if we need to upgrade.

Did you happen to know what brand pack and play Disney uses?

 

[aggiedog]

No clue, my twins were 15 when we did that cruise.

The family rooms have just enough extra room for a twin sized murphy bed that folds down in front of the verandah door. A pack and play would take up even less space.

Good lord, that's an expensive stroller! I hope you get a good deal on it. It may handle the cobbles, but the babies maybe not so much. These are not standard cobble stones, the sort that are flat on top and fit together. Many of the areas instead had tall round cobbles that felt like I was crossing a stream, stepping from stone to stone. Hopefully this link will work to show an example.

http://nkpxv44v81c37wr753vdgve1.wpe...ads/2015/08/narow_street_tallinn_old_town.jpg

A stroller is nice for airports and Copenhagen which was not so cobblestoney and very flat, and even getting around the ship with the two babies.

 

[eva2015]

We do plan on wearing the babies a lot as well. We haven't finalized a stroller option yet but we are leaning towards the Bumbleride Indie Twin, and that looks like it should handle the cobblestones pretty well if we opt for that stroller in the end.

FYI-- That is a large stroller and you will have to store it in your stateroom or the Magic has stroller parking behind the mid-ship elevators (IIRC).

Depending on how mobile they are, you could make a "crib" on the fold down couch putting bed rails along the open end. They would have more room than sharing a PnP.

 

[nyisles84]

No clue, my twins were 15 when we did that cruise.

The family rooms have just enough extra room for a twin sized murphy bed that folds down in front of the verandah door. A pack and play would take up even less space.

Good lord, that's an expensive stroller! I hope you get a good deal on it. It may handle the cobbles, but the babies maybe not so much. These are not standard cobble stones, the sort that are flat on top and fit together. Many of the areas instead had tall round cobbles that felt like I was crossing a stream, stepping from stone to stone. Hopefully this link will work to show an example.

http://nkpxv44v81c37wr753vdgve1.wpe...ads/2015/08/narow_street_tallinn_old_town.jpg

A stroller is nice for airports and Copenhagen which was not so cobblestoney and very flat, and even getting around the ship with the two babies.

Based on that picture, yea probably a lot of carrying the babies on us! lol

And yea not is pricey! But its one of the few side by sides that have the features we want AND can take 2 infant car seats side by side with the adapter. Not too many of those out there.

 

[nyisles84]

FYI-- That is a large stroller and you will have to store it in your stateroom or the Magic has stroller parking behind the mid-ship elevators (IIRC).

Depending on how mobile they are, you could make a "crib" on the fold down couch putting bed rails along the open end. They would have more room than sharing a PnP.

Yea it is very large. It's one of the reasons we haven't fully committed to it yet as the size and weight are a bit worry-some, but every other aspect we love. We would most likely utilize the stroller parking mid ship for it if we get it.

And thats so funny about the makeshift crib! I wondered if there is anyway to pull that off somehow and still be safe for them at that age.

 

[AnnaS]

Wow - you are brave to go on a cruise with twins. We went in May with our 13 month old twin grandsons and 4 yr. old granddaughter. There were 9 adults total in helping out and it was a lot of work. Double stroller, single stroller, three car seats, two pack and plays, etc. etc. It was great but a lot of work..............and everything took a lot of space (2BDR BCV). My DIL delivered natural very close to her due date. One never knows. I am not sure about six months of age, but I know many have made a bed out of their luggage for their infants..........very true. We have never done it but I can definitely picture it. Have fun and come back and tell us how it all worked out!!!!!

 

[apple9117]

Wow cruise with twins at 6.5 months? Gluck!

 

[aliceinvunderland]

I am surprised at how much opposition you are getting about taking your babies on a cruise! I think babies are so much easier to travel with than toddlers—they kinda just go with the flow, pretty much stay where you put them, and don’t need a lot of entertainment. As long as you are realistic with your expectations for the ports (which it sounds like you definitely are), you’ll have a great time. Good for you. Take those babies and have a great trip!!

 

[Dug720]

Any way you could get one of the first 5 or so cabins on either side? As I understand it, those will be slightly bigger because of the curvature of the ship. It would give you a little more room for the pack and play and stroller (I've never heard of a stroller parking zone on the ships).

 

[nyisles84]

Any way you could get one of the first 5 or so cabins on either side? As I understand it, those will be slightly bigger because of the curvature of the ship. It would give you a little more room for the pack and play and stroller (I've never heard of a stroller parking zone on the ships).

We actually have the very last room aft on deck 2. I wonder if that applies that that room as well!

The stroller parking zone I think is like deck 6 or 7 by the mid ship elevators. I’ve always noticed going up and seeing a bunch of strollers parked through the glass elevator

 

[nyisles84]

I am surprised at how much opposition you are getting about taking your babies on a cruise! I think babies are so much easier to travel with than toddlers—they kinda just go with the flow, pretty much stay where you put them, and don’t need a lot of entertainment. As long as you are realistic with your expectations for the ports (which it sounds like you definitely are), you’ll have a great time. Good for you. Take those babies and have a great trip!!

Thanks! Yea we aren’t really too concerned about it. For me, cruising is ship first, ports secondary. So we will take it easy, enjoy the ship and what ports we can, and utilize Small World when we can. I’m sure it’ll be a ton of work but worth it!

 

[Dug720]

We actually have the very last room aft on deck 2. I wonder if that applies that that room as well!

The stroller parking zone I think is like deck 6 or 7 by the mid ship elevators. I’ve always noticed going up and seeing a bunch of strollers parked through the glass elevator

Nope - the curvature is only in the front.

Interesting. I never heard of any such place and figured that when I saw strollers in the elevator area they were illegally parked. Everything I've seen and read has said they have to be in your stateroom.

 

[nyisles84]

Nope - the curvature is only in the front.

Interesting. I never heard of any such place and figured that when I saw strollers in the elevator area they were illegally parked. Everything I've seen and read has said they have to be in your stateroom.

You know what, it may be possible that those are illegally parked lol! I’ll have to call and find out if that’s actually allowed. If not, we can probably keep a suit case of ours under one of the other beds in the 4 staterooms we have and keep the stroller under there when not needed. Maybe. Lots of stuff to figure out.