Advice needed from parents with young children....

[crisi]

Don't get hung up on your plans. Play it by ear. Some kids are too hyped up to nap and will push through the day to collaspe exhausted at 7pm. So you don't see fireworks this trip. Others will want to sleep from noon to four, but be good until 10pm. Some will only tolerate two hours in the parks.

Start with rides in the open, and then move slowly to dark rides. i.e. Dumbo, Small World, Pooh, Peter Pan..... Don't start with Snow White's Scary Adventure.

Know your kid's triggers - and pay attention. If they don't like loud or dark or thunderstorms, know what attractions are like that. Challenging them to move a little outside their comfort zone is fine - dragging a screaming kid into the Haunted Mansion isn't pleasant for anyone.

Consider toddler leashes - not everyone like them, but its easy to loose track of two. And there will be times when your spouse runs to the restroom and unless you have two heads, tracking two can be hard.

We liked sit down dinners - the kids were tired enough to be well behaved, and we needed the "sit down, relax and have someone take care of us" time.

Take characters slowly. My son at three didn't like characters. He was willing to get close enough to take pictures, but I have really funny pictures of him standing three feet away from Tigger (while my daughter gives him a bear hug).

 

[simmons_m]

If they like pools, take the monorail to the pool at the Polynesian on your off day. Walk around the resort, then walk to the Grand Floridian, and take the monorail back to the contemporary.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

In the be prepared category...if they are potty trained, be prepared for regression. The excitement can cause brain and body conflicts....
Absolutely agree with having small, new toys. Hit the dollar store or the like for Disney coloring books, figurines, etc., that can be brought out at meal time.

Most of all, relax, have fun.

 

[DenLo]

My DSIL insures a break for a nap each day. Often by scheduling an early lunch at a character restaurant. The perfect one for your little ones would be the Crystal Palace, with the Winnie the Pooh characters. You can distract the kids from the rides and the parks by saying lets go see Winnie or Tigger etc and then afterwards return to the resort for a nap for the whole family. Then after a nap they can swim and after dinner return to the park for some evening fun.

 

[ChickieToo]

I didn't see this one, and it may be obvious to some, but on the plane, bring their car seats, and buckle them in and treat it like a typical car ride, in that nobody unbuckles and wanders around. We did this with my DD when she was about 22 months on her first plane ride, and it was really smooth sailing.

We told her that no one can be unbuckled or can get out of their seat except to use the bathroom. She got it. We fly usually 2-3 times a year, and even now, at 12, she has pretty good plane habits, and stays in her seat and isn't disruptive.

Give them each a backpack with their favorite toys, books, coloring books, juice boxes, fish and pretzels or whatever snacks they enjoy and keep them occupied. I still let DD pick out some new stuff for the plane ride--books, video games--whatever. The custom in our family is that I pick a snack for everyone and they get surprised on the plane.

Before I had a child I traveled a lot for business. I remember how I would feel when I was seated next to children. Sometimes their parents really had a handle on it and it was a pleasure to be near them--I would even tell the parents that as we deplaned. Other times it was a nightmare. Not because a child had pain in his ears or anything really physical like that, but because their parents couldn't or wouldn't control their behavior. I never wanted my DD to be that child.

 

[quandrea]

We have 18m old twins who have been to disney three times. We also have a dd 6. We always have a great time. Here are my two cents:

--get to the airport early. You don't want to be stressed about missing a flight. We allow plenty of time to change diapers, grab a snack and run around before the flight.

--pack light. My dh says the twins are luggage. We bring one large duffel for the five of us. Dh and myself carry separate diaper bags as our carry on. Easier than one big bag (learned the hard way). Dd carries a small knapsack. Remember you'll have laundry facilities.

--We never go to the parks on day one. With the travel behind us the kids are happy to just relax in the room. We do plan a really fun dinner (characters, 'Ohana, etc. although we don't always get there and end up at our resort's restaurant)

--We always get an early start after breakfast in the room. We leave the parks about 11:30am for a break and head back about 4pm. We leave the parks again about 7pm and maintain their usual 8pm bedtimes.

--We ask the servers to bring their food ASAP.

--We don't worry about seeing everything. We are DVCers too and know if not this time, next time. Sometimes just hanging out and enjoying the details is wonderful.

--spend some time at DTD. My guys love this place. We have ice cream, they play and they all love the shops. Earl of Sandwich is a must do.

--think about what stroller you bring. We bring the Baby Jogger City Select. It has tons of storage, folds easily and is comfy. Might be hard on the buses though.

--bring snacks to the parks. We always have yogurt, cheese, trail mix, etc. It's healthier and the kids can nibble when they want. Keeps everyone happy in lines, etc.

Hope this helps. We've been travelling with the babies since they were three months old. Last year we even went to Europe for two weeks. If you plan well (ie luggage, airport strategy, itinerary, etc.) you can have a great time. We love travelling as a family. People say they think we should just stay home, but it is wonderful. Have fun.

 

[mnra]

Ok We had three kids that we took to disney and still do even though they are now 24 21 21.

their first trip full all was when the youngest where 18 months.

I think a lot of the items people have mentioned are great.
We stayed at the contemporary back then in the early 90's and came back for the naps at midday. all of us got naps lol.

the time as i look back and it was so great. The most important thing for me was it was our happy place and to relax and go with the flow realizing we didn;t need to see or do everything that trip since we knew we would have many more trips. One thing that I remembered doing was being patient with the kids since it is suppose to be fun and all I can say is we had a blast and continue to have a blast each and every trip.

 

[RobPickles]

We took our (at the time) 9 month yr old Daughter down for her first trip last July/Aug.

It was definitely all about the pictures! LOL! We took our time...enjoyed the things that we would probably have passed up being just adults. We did all the character spots and meet n greets, took pictures with every Photopass Photographer we saw and saw Disney World in a whole new light thru her eyes.

Best advice I can give is:

1) Be fully prepared to leave or stop at any given moment. You are now vacationing with your children and must be accomodating to their needs. If they start getting cranky, take a breather somewhere cool, get some liquids and rehydrate. The Baby Care centers are a nice cool, quiet spot to veg if they need a quiet place.

2) Be fully prepared and stocked with your baby items - food, diapers, binkies, toys, whatever they might require to keep them entertained and happy. A happy baby makes things go smoothly. (I realize your twins are three and might be beyond some of these..but whatever they are using at this time - goes the same)

3) When you have to go into a restaurant... make sure they are set up and allow yourself time to eat as well. Switch off with your hubby and take turns if need be, but dont forget to take care of yourself too.

4) Most importantly...enjoy yourself. Your whole Disney experience changes when you share it with your children. It is amazing!

 

[stitch1094]

At the airport...

* Realize that your stroller will need to go through the scanner.

* Realize that you can push your stroller right up to the airplane door. You can then fold it up and leave it. The airline will then store it underneath for you and when you land, it will be waiting for you on the jetwway.

At Disney...

* Let the kids lead. Your best laid plans will be thrown out the window. Let the kids explore and follow their leads.

* Have things ready for the kids to do when waiting (in lines for rides, at restaurants, for transportation etc).

* Get to the parks early. Leave at lunch. Go back to the hotel. Cool down with a swim. Get a nap in. Relax. Between Disney, all of the people, the sun/heat the kids get overstimulated and exhausted. This break will help.

* Dont plan out your entire day to the minute. It wont work and you will only stress out you and the kids.

* Always have a camera and/or video cam ready. You never know when a magic moment will occur.

* Have fun and enjoy seeing Disney through your kids eyes! Its priceless!

 

[Eventer98]

The best advice anyone ever gave me was to plan for downtime. Plan to go back to your room midday for a nap or even a quick swim in the pool. Also, give yourself a day or two to rest midweek. My family loves "pool days". My DD is 8 now and we still plan for downtime. The parks are awesome and tons of fun, but are exhausting.

I agree with this! My kids are 1 and 3. We have been working in naps since DS's first trip at 5mon. Even if they don't sleep you can relax or go in the pool. It's hard to get as much done as we did when we were childless but it's worth it. My kids have never had any meltdown in the parks b/c they were overtired..knock on wood! lol
Also...it's a pain but if you bring their carseats on the plane it's easier to keep them still. Didn't bring it once for DS and he was a wiggle worm the whole 2.5 hr flight. Next trip we are going to try driving!
I only do 1 TS a day b/c I can't ask my kids to behave in a TS more then once a day...has worked great so far.
If the park has a playground area use it! I know AK and DHS do for sure. Boring for us but it gets some of their energy out.
And like a PP said...use those strollers!!!
Have a great trip

 

[disneymath]

At the airport...

* Realize that your stroller will need to go through the scanner.

Reading this reminded me of one more in the airport preparation category ... your children will likely need to go through the "people scanner" at security on their own. A bit of strategy can be useful here - send one parent, then both kids, then the other parent. (I only mention this because even the 16 month olds were required to walk on their own through the scanner at MCO on our flight home ...)

 

[Eventer98]

Reading this reminded me of one more in the airport preparation category ... your children will likely need to go through the "people scanner" at security on their own. A bit of strategy can be useful here - send one parent, then both kids, then the other parent. (I only mention this because even the 16 month olds were required to walk on their own through the scanner at MCO on our flight home ...)

Wow..is this new? We didn't have to do this with our kids in Oct...I was able to carry them.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I have twin 8 year old boys, we will be taking them on their 6th trip this August. My best advice from their 1st trip when they were 3, is have a double stroller with good seatbelts! Plan lots of time at the digsite at AK, Honey I Shrunk the playground at HS, the water play area at Epcot and Downtown Disney, and plenty of pool time.

 

[yitbos96bb]

DH and I are taking our "just turned 3 year old" twins to WDW in April for our first family trip. I am SO excited- but also nervous as this is the first big vacation with the kids. I am really wanting some great advice/tips from those who have done this before. So, what essential tips/advice do I need to know about flying, taking the Magical Express, staying at BLT and visiting MK for the first time with the kids??

Prayer and alcohol works wonders ;-)

Ok seriously...

We took my now two year old at 9 months (no real issues) and at 23 months (worst trip ever, although NOT her fault. We all got that 24 hour stomach virus that was going around and it was really cold half the trip). Since they are 3, they will be in seats on the plane... a lap sitting kid who can walk is just something I will NEVER do again. Bring change of clothes for the plane and for yourselves... we had a diaper leak and my wife had no clothes to change in too... yuck. Bring something to occupy them with... the standard going out with kids routine.

No issues on Magical Express except she was tired. I'd say just have the distraction stuff like on the plane.

Here is the thing that I didn't think about from our trip.... They may not really be all that into anything big at the parks... not in the way you want them to be. She though Pooh and Small World for fun, was indifferent to Peter Pan, like the carosel and didn't care too much about the rest. She LOVED the playground area in Toon Town Fair, but I'm not sure if it is still there. She loved Figment at Epcot and really had a blast with the Epcot after ride items that involved running around, stomping, etc. She especially loved the musical instruments one where people step on the squares.

Overall, if it looks like they couldn't care less, don't force them. You'll end up regretting it or leaving (That was the fun of Turtle Talk with Crush... and she is a HUGE Nemo Fan). Be prepared for reactions you didn't expect (she was terrified of Haunted Mansion, but loved Pirates). Go on a relax pace... doing the gonzo, sun up to sun down finish the park will make you hate... well everything... by the end of the day with young kids. Take breaks, go back to the hotel, let them nap, maybe go to the Pool, etc.

It will NOT be like any trip you made with just the two of you. Unless other family is going, you won't ride a lot of rides together such as TOT, RNR, etc. but if you want to go on these rides then use Baby Swap. Know where the childcare offices are as well as they can be very useful.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Wow..is this new? We didn't have to do this with our kids in Oct...I was able to carry them.

We were there in December 2010 and carried our 23 month old daughter through the metal detector as well.

The OP is Canadian, so perhaps International flights got a stricter security measure or maybe they just had a TSA person who forced them to do it. if there is ONE thing I've noticed in my travels is that the TSA people don't always do the same things.

The OP also may have been referring to the Full Body Scanners, which according to news articles are in place at MCO, but I never saw them when I was there in December; people pulled aside were searched instead. Could be they were off, could be I didn't notice them... who knows.

With a kid that young, I would NOT have them do that since it just seems like a disaster waiting to happen. I'd choose the patdown for the child (and probably myself).

 

[Davids-Coco]

After a trips with a 16 mo old, a 28 mo old, and a 4 yr and 19 mo old, my best advice is to keep with what is normal for you. Do what works at home at Disney (only with some pixie dust)

 

[disneymath]

Wow..is this new? We didn't have to do this with our kids in Oct...I was able to carry them.

We were there in December 2010 and carried our 23 month old daughter through the metal detector as well.

The OP is Canadian, so perhaps International flights got a stricter security measure or maybe they just had a TSA person who forced them to do it. if there is ONE thing I've noticed in my travels is that the TSA people don't always do the same things.

The OP also may have been referring to the Full Body Scanners, which according to news articles are in place at MCO, but I never saw them when I was there in December; people pulled aside were searched instead. Could be they were off, could be I didn't notice them... who knows.

With a kid that young, I would NOT have them do that since it just seems like a disaster waiting to happen. I'd choose the patdown for the child (and probably myself).

It happened to us in August 2010 ... yes we were headed directly back to Canada ... the boys had to get out of the stroller and we were told that since the boys could walk, they needed to go through the scanner on their own, one at a time. (This was not the full body scanner, just the regular old one.) Try explaining that to a 16 month old who isn't really talking yet! (Fortunately, we were five adults, 3 kids, so we just sent 3 adults through, then the three kids, then the 2 other adults.) In the commotion we ended up losing the rainshield for the double stroller ... but I guess it could have been worse - neither of the kids set off the scanner! In 6 flights with babies/toddlers (all between Toronto (YYZ) and Orlando (MCO) - this was the first time it happended ... at least we'll be better prepared if it happens again on our next trip in December.

 

[dbs1228]

Down time and pool were what my kids enjoyed the most at younger ages, now they are in the park later and longer then us!

 

[emjeanwood]

My son has been to Disney since he was 3 months old. We had strict rules about never missing naps since we were pretty sure he turned demonic if his nap was interrupted. And we didn't let the trip interfere with that plan. As a result several cast members stopped us afternoons to comment on what a happy baby he was. Other childen didn't nap and were making their whole party unhappy as a result. We napped in Hall of Presidents, Country Bear and American Adventure. Chose an aisle seat in case he didn't cope, but right time of day, temperature controlled room, mommy's lap and the lights went down - he was down for the count. Had a nap once on a little side path facing the castle behind Liberty Tree - I watched a castle stage show in the distance, my husband went on rides and David had a nap (with random characters in costumes walking past on their way to meet and greets).

 

[mellormousee]

If your potty training make sure you have pull-ups. I had to go get them because we spent more time getting out of line to run to the restroom.