A toddler, preschooler and Disney - Oh My! Pretrip Report

[hollisterluva92]

I'm in! I love the theme nights!!! I am considering doing one for my birthday...but i'm torn between that and twilight...hmmmmmmm...Your boys are adorable! Can't wait to hear more!!!

 

[Macduffy]

I'm in! I love the theme nights!!! I am considering doing one for my birthday...but i'm torn between that and twilight...hmmmmmmm...Your boys are adorable! Can't wait to hear more!!!

I love Disney and all but Edward Cullen has my heart! I'd go for a twilight night I went to 4 twilight DVD release parties when the movie came out (sheesh!) you can have alot of fun with it!
Happy Early Birthday!

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Just found your PTR and I love it. I have 3 boys and the youngest is almost 26 months old (will be almost 27 months old when we go). He is also in the "I don't want to sit still stage" so we don't do sit down restaurants much at all for now and I'm a little worried about how he will do at disney. Here's hoping we both have good luck and a little pixie dust. We are doing disney nights as well and my boys love them. We haven't done as much with them as you but I am going to start to try and do more. Tomorrow night is our Monsters Inc. one and I am definately going to have to do the cupcake thing and the blue kool-aid. Thanks for that. Can't wait to see and hear more about your trip. Bummer that we will just miss eachother.

 

[pixie_mtl]

I love Disney and all but Edward Cullen has my heart! I'd go for a twilight night I went to 4 twilight DVD release parties when the movie came out (sheesh!) you can have alot of fun with it!
Happy Early Birthday!

Another vote for Twilight! Edward Cullen is so hot

 

[loritemp]

Just found your thread and I love it! We are heading to WDW in Oct, taking my son for his first Disney experience! He will be 18months when we go and seems like every day I have a new worry about the trip. So glad I am not alone in that! Looking forward to following your thread!

 

[Macduffy]

Thanks to my WONDERFUL mother's Disney Donation I went out and got all of our last minute trip stuff! Don't you just love shopping with someone else's money!!!!

I bought the boys snacks, diapers, wipes, shampoo's etc. and kicked my TO DO's list butt this weekend. It felt awesome. Don't get me wrong there is tons more to do but now I can focus on Logan starting daycare/preschool on Tuesday.

He's been doing pretty good lately and I'm starting to worry about him less and less. He seems okay in the stroller when there is alot to look at and I'm assuming there will be alot for him to look at in Disney. I'm starting to wonder if there is any place in the World where he can get out and stretch his legs, you know, run free so to speak! If anyone knows of a place he can burn off some of his, ahem, energy please let me know

I verified that Logan seat can be used on a plane although being from Canada that was rather tricky. All Canadian seats are approved for planes (otherwise they cannot be sold in Canada) therefore they don't say anything on the seat. So I had to track down a document from Transport Canada stating this fact. I wonder if the FA will even check?

We are using Cosco Scerena which is a really light seat and hopefully help when we lug it through the airport It's the car seat for our second car so it's in great shape but still needs to be cleaned That screams DH to me!

I brought Loggie to the Doctor for a check up and asked about flying with him. I asked about using Benadryl just in case he had fluid in his ears but she said not to bother as only a decongestant would help and he can't get that until he's 6! I asked about Gravol but she said that kids his age (20 months) don't get travel sick. Go figure! We have EarCheck (http://www.earcheck.com/) and LOVE it so I'll use that on ALL of use before we leave. If there is some fluid I'll use the benadryl

I'm still not sure what park bag to use and hoping I'll find something in Bangor before we fly out but can't imagine leaving that to the last minute. I LOVE sling bags but they are so hard to find here. I should have order that Baggallini months ago

We still haven't decided on a video camera. I just want to use the video feature on our photo camera but DH is thinking about the new Kodak pocket flash drive camera being released next week.

This weekend I'm hoping to finish my treat cards for the boys, thank you cards (w/ lifesavers) and wash my shirts to make them next week!!!

Tonight we are having our Toy Story Night. It's pouring rain and in this house that means Pizza and Movie

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

I'm in!! Better late than never, right?? LOL

I'm so excited for you! Your trip is ALMOST here!

DH and I will be headed to Pop Century in December with our three kids - DS will be (almost) 4 and we leave three days after our twin DDs second birthday. So it should be fun! We went last year as well for two weeks, but my Mom and Aunt were there to help the second week.

As far as a place for YDS to burn off some energy, might I recommend Pooh's Playful Spot in the Magic Kingdom? My three absolutely LOVED playing around in there last year. I have wonderful memories of DS finding a new friend to play with one evening at the Magic Kingdom. DDs weren't walking yet so they crawled around and tried to keep up with their brother. Should be interesting to see what they do this year...

Anyway - I'm looking forward to hearing all about your trip when you get back!

 

[Macduffy]

I just googles Pooh's Playful Spot! It's exactly what I wanted THANK YOU!!!! I figured Disney would have to remember their littlest guest when designing the park Since we'll be spending most of our time at MK this will be priceless!!! I feel so much better LOL

A 4 year old (well almost) and 2 two year olds - you will be submerged in Magic!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

I know what you mean about shopping with other peoples money. I love shopping with my mom cause she always wants to pay for everything. Guilt free shopping is the best.

I also wanted to comment on your benadryl idea. I am a medical asst. and have been working in a pediatricians office for 13 years so this is professional information not just mommy advice. Ill give it to ya for free Benadryl definitely will not take care of any fluid behind the ear with one dose and the same goes for the decongestant. It may help temporarily for nasal congestion but these meds only work on ear fluid if given over a period of time. With that said what you can use the benadryl for would be to make your YDS sleepy while on your flight. Although try a dose at home prior to vacation because in some kids it has the opposite affect and makes then crazy with energy. So thats why you would want to use it about 30 minutes prior to take off. Hope this info is helpful

We also have been struggling with the video camera idea. the one we have is still a little bulky, and still uses cassette tapes. So we really didnt want to lug it along. Although I am afraid I will regret it once we are there. The camera does take video so I am thinking anything very special we can still capture. I wish I had money to but a new and improved one before we leave but that doesnt seem to be happening.

 

[pixie_mtl]

I wouldn't recommend using a digital camera for both pictures and videos. Tho' they make great videos, you will lose a lot of memory on your stick when you'll want to take pics.

Unless you buy many memory sticks card I would suggest you bring a camcorder for capturing videos. Some even allow you to add a memory sticks which u can use to take pictures. That way, your camcorders can do both without comprimising space on your memory sticks.

 

[Macduffy]

Benadryl definitely will not take care of any fluid behind the ear with one dose and the same goes for the decongestant. Hope this info is helpful

YES it is! Thank you )

We also have been struggling with the video camera idea. the one we have is still a little bulky, and still uses cassette tapes. So we really didnt want to lug it along. Although I am afraid I will regret it once we are there. The camera does take video so I am thinking anything very special we can still capture. I wish I had money to but a new and improved one before we leave but that doesnt seem to be happening.

~sigh~ DH wants to buy one on credit (equal payments deal) but I'm not sure what to do! We should be a little more responsible

I wouldn't recommend using a digital camera for both pictures and videos. Tho' they make great videos, you will lose a lot of memory on your stick when you'll want to take pics.

Unless you buy many memory sticks card I would suggest you bring a camcorder for capturing videos. Some even allow you to add a memory sticks which u can use to take pictures. That way, your camcorders can do both without comprimising space on your memory sticks.

We are looking at borrowing one from a friend but I HATE doing that. DH is looking through the flyers seeing if we can get a good deal and justify it as "new purchase" I find that taking video on your photo camera takes up battery power too!

 

[Macduffy]

OMG 17 days!!!! Really it's like 15 since it's late AND we are leaving a day early for the airport so time is of the essence. I got my transfer paper in the mail today and have tons to do but am I doing it? Nope.

I started back to work today and planned on using the kid free time to tackle my list and get some WDW stuff done (model employee I know!) but I caught up with co-workers ALL day. Spent QT with the kiddos at the park tonight and after they fell asleep I indulged myself in my new addiction. True Blood

I feel like I need a virtual slap to get me going again

Loggie's first day of preschool/daycare is tomorrow and I'm hoping they can mold him into a talking (he's speech delayed), obedient, calm toddler in the next 15 days LOL NO PRESSURE!

Ben is starting a new preschool class and I told him tonight "tomorrow is a big day you know" and he replied "am I finally going to Disney" awwwww... broke my heart

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

OMG 17 days!!!! Really it's like 15 since it's late AND we are leaving a day early for the airport so time is of the essence. I got my transfer paper in the mail today and have tons to do but am I doing it? Nope.

I started back to work today and planned on using the kid free time to tackle my list and get some WDW stuff done (model employee I know!) but I caught up with co-workers ALL day. Spent QT with the kiddos at the park tonight and after they fell asleep I indulged myself in my new addiction. True Blood

I feel like I need a virtual slap to get me going again

Loggie's first day of preschool/daycare is tomorrow and I'm hoping they can mold him into a talking (he's speech delayed), obedient, calm toddler in the next 15 days LOL NO PRESSURE!

Ben is starting a new preschool class and I told him tonight "tomorrow is a big day you know" and he replied "am I finally going to Disney" awwwww... broke my heart

I have the same problem with distractions. I think its that we are close to our trip but yet so far that it still seems like its never going to get here. I have to keep re focusing too.

So cute about your son asking if your going to disney. Mine did the same think last night. I said do you know what day it is tomorrow. He said no what with this big anticipating smile on his face. I said its september. He jumped up and was like yeah we go to disney world tomorrow. I was like oh no not tomorrow but we are now in the same month. He's like do we have a week, and again I had to break his enthusiasm. No still 19 days. Which to him probably means nothing but he at least realized that we still have a while. Poor guy just got a sad look on his face and went back to watching his cartoons. I cant wait until the day is here when I can say yes, yes, yes, we are going tomorrow!

Hope preschool goes well and good luck with being back to work.

 

[jana616]

For some reason I wasn't subscribed to your PTR, so I missed all these updates! You have been SOO busy, that's awesome! And I am so glad you got the ADR for T-Rex! I'll let you know what we thought when we get back, but I'm sure it's awesome! If he's getting into dinosaurs and you're making t-shirts, check out the T-Rex design someone made for me in my PTR. It's so cool looking-totally looks like a souvenir you'd buy.

That's so sweet that Ben is so ready to go! Trust me, the time will fly by! Oh, and I hear you on the little costs adding up. I've decided I don't even want to look at our credit card bill this month. We've been using our Disney Visa to earn rewards and paying it off each month, so every little thing is on there. Ouch...it hurts to see it all on a list like that! Awesome that your mom helped out and you were able to cross a bunch of stuff off though!

 

[Macduffy]

I've been a bad PTR'er - sorry! But I have good reason - DH and I discovered True Blood and have been having mini marathon's when the kids fall asleep! ha ha ha... we're still not caught up to the latest show so we have more to watch and Disney is suffering LOL!!!

Logan's first week at Daycare went OK. He did a lot of crying but I'm hoping next week will be better. I hope taking him out for a week won't derail his progress I picked him up on Thursday and his preschool teacher said they found some chicken pox on him. WHAT????? "but he had the vaccine" I said. I guess it doesn't mean they won't get it - just that if they do it won't be bad. I almost started to cry but she showed me that there weren't many pox and that he'd be cleared up by take off. So far she seems to be right - his pox are VERY minimal.

So here I am practically bathing in hand sanitizer at work (I work at a University with lots of students) and Logan gets sick.

Surprisingly Ben had a hard time adjusting to his preschool class. His teachers are strict and there are a lot more rules to follow as he is preparing for Kindergarten *sob*.

We had a pre-birthday party for some family weekend since we won't be here for his real birthday. We sang and had cake and Ben said "this isn't Disney World Mommy?!" I told him we were just practicing for Disney - this seemed acceptable LOL!

I finished my t-shirts, thank you cards with life savers, suckers and invitations. Next step is packing and it is finally cooling down so I can steal some summer clothes out of the drawers and throw them in the suitcase.

I'm still stressing about Diapers and a park bag. I'm taking 100 pull ups (he can take diapers off) and three packs of wipes. Where am I going to find room???? I was following the whole "take it with you to make room for stuff you are bringing back" but I'm not sure this is a good idea. So. Many. Diapers!

I'll post pictures soon. Logan is literally clawing my leg for something in the kitchen - oh my I can't WAIT until he can communicate with words and not pulling, scratching or crying

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

wow you really got alot done. thats awesome. I am sure the pox will be gone by take off so dont worry about that. Speaking from experience of daycare (my kids both have been in daycare since 3mths of age) it usually takes a good 2-3 weeks and then they get better with less crying. You may have a little set back with the week off for disney but after another week or so he should be fine. Even now if we are off a week my kids have a hard time going back. Even on mondays when we have off the weekends sometimes are tough.

Well only 10 more days to go! Are you doing online check in?

 

[Porphyro]

Hey, I'm new to this thread - it caught my eye because we just got back 2 weeks ago from our trip with our two little boys - 4 years old and 21 months! You are going to have SO Much fun. We found that the key to a relaxing trip was to go-go-go in the mornings - get there for rope drop every day - and then relax all afternoon. We'd planned to go back to the parks in the evenings, but since we got there at opening we got 95% of our list done then, and the boys were fine with just hanging out, relaxing at the pool in the evenings.
I shared your doubts about whether or not the boys were old enough for this to be worth the money - and honestly, if it were just the little one - I don't think it would be. But FOUR is perfect. They're old enough to recognize how cool and out of the ordinary this is, to appreciate the adventure - and tall enough to ride some really neat rides. But they're also young enough that they are still innocent and believe in the magic. My older son believed he was actually talking to the REAL Mary Poppins and it made his entire year. By 6 or 7, they're old enough to understand how much is "fake" and a lot of the magic will have faded.
I'm in the process of finishing up my trip report this week (it's called "Will it hurt when you staple the mouse ears to my head?"). I'm trying to add lots of other tips for this age group there. Besides getting there early, my other big trip is PARENT SWAP passes. There's a lot your older son can do that the toddler can't, and you and your husband can both ride it with him - seperately, with only one of you having to wait. And he gets to ride it twice, so it's a win-win!
Best of luck!

 

[Macduffy]

Well only 10 more days to go! Are you doing online check in?

This is going to sound pretty pathetic but DH and I are waiting to check in on-line tonight when the kids are asleep! We want to actually sit down and be able to get excited about it and not breaking up fights or chasing the kids around. LOL We're true Disney Geeks I guess!!!!

Hey, I'm new to this thread - it caught my eye because we just got back 2 weeks ago from our trip with our two little boys - 4 years old and 21 months! You are going to have SO Much fun.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! DH and I were downstairs with the kids - Logan was rolling on the floor over his stuffed bears and Ben was crying b/c his hot wheels track broke and DH looked at me and said "I'll be honest... I'm seriously scared about taking these guys to Disney now" It can be a little over whelming to go with kids this age but like you said - the magic they're going to experience will be unbelievable! Looking forward to the Trip Report!!!!!!

 

[Pirate Chica]

OMG -- when I found this, I could've SWORN this pre-trip report was about my family!

My family will also be at WDW w/free dining on 9/22-9/27 - staying at AMu, visiting MK and HS. In my crew is myself, DH, DS(4) and YDS(18mo). We've taken DS4 to MK two years ago, which was a nightmare. He cried at every ride! But I laugh looking back at that. Now I get to tell him how much he was so scared of IASW!

But this time around, he is going to flip. He knows all his characters/movies. He loves Peter Pan so that will be a great ride for him to experience. He's extremely into pirates so I signed him up for the Pirates League. I think I am more excited than he is! I can't wait to visit that "secret room"! We're ALL going to be dressed up as pirates coming into the park!

We also did the paper chain -- but 30 days out. He does look forward to cutting it every night (hee-hee, so do I!).

YDS (yup, I'm stealing it too) has no clue, and I HOPE and PRAY that he will be a good little monkey. He's pretty good at restaurants, as long as there is food in front of him. So I have to take a few snacks to tide him over until the meals arrive. We chose not to do any buffets b/c I find it harder on me and DH to eat! I prefer TS which is why we did our character breakfast at Ohanas.

Looking forward to hearing how your trip went! Have tons of fun, and go with the flow with the kiddies.

 

[Macduffy]

As promised here are some pics of all my handy work ! The posters/DISigners on the Creative DISigns board are so talented and thoughtful and www.amymickey.com has the BEST transfers for t-shirts and I know this to be a fact because I can the least crafty person in the world and never screwed up ONCE!