Are We CrAzY?!?

[rbarkc]

First off I apologize for the length of this post.

My DW and are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to WDW during Spring Break 2007 (3rd week in March).
We will have our DD (6yrs old) and our DS (2 yrs 11 months). NOTE: Ages are what they will be at the time of the trip.

Are we insane for trying to go with a two year old and a 6 year old? I recently saw that they are opening Family Suites at the All Star Music resort. The suites I think would be perfect. We were looking at the “Moderate” resorts but the extra room offered in the suites would be well… sweet!

So, are we CrAzY? If not I have some questions. I realize that some of these items are covered in separate boards but if they can all be covered in one spot it would be beneficial to me and most likely some other people.

1) How long should we plan the trip for if we are NOT going to do the water parks but will do all the other Disney Parks?

a. Does anyone have any opinion on how long we should plan for each individual park? We were thinking 2 days at WDW, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at MGM and 1 day at Animal Kingdom.

i. WDW
ii. Epcot
iii. MGM Studios
iv. Animal Kingdom
​

b. What is the best way to get from park to park?
​

2) Renting a stroller?

a. Could a 6 year old and a 2+ year old fit in a double stroller?
b. Are they worth it?
c. What do you do with them while you are on rides?
​

3) Are backpacks allowed inside the parks?

a. If so what do you do with them while you are on the rides? Do they take them away from you for safety reasons?
​

4) If we are ordering just some milk, juice and other perishable grocery items is it worth ordering from a delivery service or should we just get them on the Disney property?

a. Which grocery delivery services ones do people recommend? I have seen several people recommend Goodings but it appears that they have a $50 minimum and I have seen that they are the most expensive.
b. Are there any places that don’t have a minimum but still have a reasonable delivery fee?
​

I’m sure that we’ll have more questions later but for now this will get us started. Thanks for looking at my post. I apologize for going on but I want to make sure that if we do the trip that we do it right..

Thanks in Advanced!!

 

[amarberry]

First off I apologize for the length of this post.

My DW and are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to WDW during Spring Break 2007 (3rd week in March).
We will have our DD (6yrs old) and our DS (2 yrs 11 months). NOTE: Ages are what they will be at the time of the trip.

Are we insane for trying to go with a two year old and a 6 year old? I recently saw that they are opening Family Suites at the All Star Music resort. The suites I think would be perfect. We were looking at the “Moderate” resorts but the extra room offered in the suites would be well… sweet!

So, are we CrAzY? If not I have some questions. I realize that some of these items are covered in separate boards but if they can all be covered in one spot it would be beneficial to me and most likely some other people.

1) How long should we plan the trip for if we are NOT going to do the water parks but will do all the other Disney Parks?

a. Does anyone have any opinion on how long we should plan for each individual park? We were thinking 2 days at WDW, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at MGM and 1 day at Animal Kingdom.

i. WDW
ii. Epcot
iii. MGM Studios
iv. Animal Kingdom
​

b. What is the best way to get from park to park?
​

2) Renting a stroller?

a. Could a 6 year old and a 2+ year old fit in a double stroller?
b. Are they worth it?
c. What do you do with them while you are on rides?
​

3) Are backpacks allowed inside the parks?

a. If so what do you do with them while you are on the rides? Do they take them away from you for safety reasons?
​

4) If we are ordering just some milk, juice and other perishable grocery items is it worth ordering from a delivery service or should we just get them on the Disney property?

a. Which grocery delivery services ones do people recommend? I have seen several people recommend Goodings but it appears that they have a $50 minimum and I have seen that they are the most expensive.
b. Are there any places that don’t have a minimum but still have a reasonable delivery fee?
​

I’m sure that we’ll have more questions later but for now this will get us started. Thanks for looking at my post. I apologize for going on but I want to make sure that if we do the trip that we do it right..

Thanks in Advanced!!

I'll try to respond to as much of your post as I can...

First of all, most people on these boards are not going to think that you are crazy for going to WDW with a 6 year old and an almost 3 year old (good idea to go right before he turns 3 and you'd have to pay for him!). I think it's more crazy to go during spring break, but I hate crowds. My DD is only 21 months old and has been 3 times. We've had a great time on each trip and we have met many, many parents of young children who seem to be having a wonderful time as well.

The Family Suites are a wonderful addition to Disney's accomodations and it sounds like more are planned for the near future. We've stayed at Pop Century twice and thought that it was perfect for a young child, so I would go for it if you are able to reserve one.

Your other questions:

1. I think that a week is good for a first trip. You will not feel like it is too long because there is a lot to see. As for days in the park...it's tough to say. We like to park hop and usually only go to Epcot in the late afternoon/evening. I like mornings in MK and AK myself. You might want to invest a few bucks for Tourguidemike.com or touringplans.com for iteniary planning suggestions. They are definitely worth it.

2. Can't comment about two kids fitting in a double stroller since I only have one, but you'd probably want to bring a stroller for your 2 year old so you have it for Downtown Disney or the walk to and from the bus stops. There are designated stroller parking areas when you are on rides. For the most part, strollers don't get stolen.

3. Backpacks are allowed in the park, but are searched before you enter the park. We take ours on the rides with us if the whole family is going or the parent staying with our DD holds the backpack.

4. Try doing a search on these boards for gardengrocer.com or wegoshop.com. A lot of people have used them.

Good luck!

 

[KimberlyC]

Not crazy but perhaps a bit overly ambitious. I'm taking my DS for his 2nd b-day in June, but its a short trip to not exhaust him. I'm not saying a short trip is necessary but 6 full days of parks over Spring Break (assume you have a week of break time) may be quite exhausting for your DS. Personally I don't like the spring break crowds but if its the only time you can go (and for some it is) it can be managed with careful planning and fastpasses. Others with more experience may be able to suggest which parks but I think I'd want to add plenty of down time at the resort (naptime).

I prefer to take my own stroller. I've seen 4-5 yr olds in strollers but I don't know, 6 may be too big. If you don't go commando, take breaks etc the 6 yr old may not need a stroller.

I can't answer the grocery question as DH and I have rented a car and will be doing so again this June despite the monorail convenience.

Enjoy planning. It can be lots of fun.

 

[Jacksmom99]

I'll try to add my 2 cents as well. Spring Break will be crowded, plan for that. If you do your research, and keep asking us questions here on the Dis, you should be fine. I agree that taking DS before he's 3 is a good idea. My DD got 4 trips in before we had to pay for her.

Time for each park: Be flexible and know that you will not come close to seeing everything. 10 trips and I still have yet to see everything. 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot are really stretching yourself thin. With kids that young, I'd plan to go to MK another evening or morning. Also, you may want to plan a day just to hang at the pool, and MAYBE go to a park in the evening. We always get to a park at opening and are headed back to our hotel for naps and pool time shortly after lunch.

Strollers: I have DS 7 and DD 3.9 (I can't bring myself to write 4 yet...) We have always brought a stroller for DD because she does best when she's corralled. For DS, we have always rented a stroller in the parks for him starting at age 3.5 when we added DD to our trip. At this point we only rent a stroller for AK and Epcot because that's where we seem to walk the most. They could fit fine in a double, but it's much more peaceful when they're separate! Also, by bringing your own stroller for DS, you can use it outside of the parks when he's tired, very beneficial!! The strollers are absolutely worth it!!!!!!! You do a TON of walking at WDW. Adults get sore feet and blisters. Small children have little legs that definitely tire more easily. As for what to do with it on rides, Disney has stroller parking outside every attraction and restaurant. If you decide to bring your own, mark it with something brightly colored so you can pick it out in the sea of strollers. Last trip I just used the gate check tag from the airline as it was bright lime green. If you rent one from disney, they will put your name on it. Also, your stroller rental is good all day from park to park. I think there is even a multi-day discount, I forgot to check on our last trip.

Groceries: I used wegoshop in the past. They've changed ownership, but you could do a search on these boards. Also gardengrocer was another one I heard about here on the DIs. We always either rent a car or have our own if we've driven. So, most of the time, I've gone to the grocery store on my own. Which leads to my next comment, transportation.

We prefer to drive or walk (depending on where we're staying) to the parks except for MK. Parking here is a pain, take the bus. Disney transportation is good, but I prefer not to have to deal with my tired kids + stroller on the buses squished in with everyone else's tired kids.

If you have anyother questions, as I'm sure you will, post them and I will be happy to try and help!

Kim

 

[mommyintn]

Are we insane for trying to go with a two year old and a 6 year old?

Not at all, we just took our 1st trip 4 weeks ago with our 6 year old and just turned 3 year old and we had a great time! The one difference, we stayed off-site and only did the parks 4 days out of the 7 we were there. Our next trip we'll do the same except 3 nights onsite at the end of our stay and more time in the park. I will say that close to 1:30pm our 3 year old would have a melt down which meant back to the condo for rest and then we went back to the parks in the evening.

We were thinking 2 days at WDW, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at MGM and 1 day at Animal Kingdom.

I think that is a good plan, but make sure you have a plan once you get into the parks so you don't just stand around wondering "Where do we go?". Also with the kids make sure you are flexible but have something written down such as attractions you want to see etc. (I'm a planaholic and DH said it paid off in the park).

2) Renting a stroller?

a. Could a 6 year old and a 2+ year old fit in a double stroller?
b. Are they worth it?
c. What do you do with them while you are on rides?

Our boys fit in fine and our 6 year old was excited about riding (and he is 53 1/2 inches tall!). We thought it was completely worth it and made getting around easy, and the boys loved sitting in the stroller watching Wishes at MK with their fleece blanket over them (we went in March). Next time though I will purchase the amount of days we need the stroller rental instead of doing each day seperately (there is a small savings) and then you hang onto your receipt and don't need to wait in the pay line your next day at the park. As far as where do you leave the stroller, there are areas marked stroller parking in each area of the park near rides etc. (the CM will give you a card to write your last name on to put in the stroller flap so you can identify your stroller).

3) Are backpacks allowed inside the parks?

a. If so what do you do with them while you are on the rides? Do they take them away from you for safety reasons?

My DH carried a backpack with change of clothes for our 3 year old, pull ups, our small fleece blanket and hats for the boys. You keep them with you on the rides(on the floor, in your lap, at Soarin in Epcot they have netting under the seat for you to place backpacks etc).

recently saw that they are opening Family Suites at the All Star Music resort.

The pictures of those look great and that would afford plenty of space for your family and a room for the kids to sleep (so you can stay up if you want too!).

One key to our sucess was planning which means not just showing up to the parks and walking around in circles (it can be overwhelming!). Make Advanced Dining Reservations so you can eat at the restraunts you want to eat at. Also TourguideMike made our vacation flow and gave us a plan to avoid long lines etc. Like I said we went in March this year (3rd week) and will be there the same time in 2007 and while it was busy at the parks we never felt like it was crowded, and we never waited more than 15-20 minutes in stand by lines. Plan, plan, plan it is so worth it!

 

[budbeerlady]

I would avoid spring break if you can, we pulled DD out of school in December and it was wonderful. But if you cannot be at the parks when they open and hope to head back to your hotel for a break around 2-3pm. That way the kids dont get so tired.

We went for a week. We didnt do it all so we are going back again. We did our first half day in MK. Next day was Epcot, then Mgm, then MK again. Then AK for 2 half days. Then finished up at MK for the last day. DD did alot of extras that took up time. She loved the wonderland tea party at the GF, the Perfectly Princess Tea, She got her face painted like a tiger at AK, we went to Cirque, MVMCP. So that cut down on park time.

We did not rent a stroller. I hate to spend that money on something I already own. We gate checked our stroller and had no problems on our connecting flights. And it was easier to spot our own stroller in the moving sea of strollers in the parks. We even had a hard time finding it when the cms had to move them around. (ex. the land at epcot)

We took a backpack in, It is security checked as you enter the parks. We kept a sweatshirt in there for DD and i, some fruitsnacks, a drink for her, etc. And it was great for the autograph book in the front pocket with the pens. Just hook it around your ankle on the rides to you dont forget it.

We did the dining plan, it was very worthwhile for us. So DD got a chocolate milk every morning for breakfast, it was a big bottle. So she drank half and the other half went into the fridge for later at night. We had in room fridges free at POFQ. The resort store had adult drinks we purchased that didnt seem as expensive as I had thought they would be. With the dining plan, DD and I shared a breakfast and a lunch. So we didnt even eat the pop tarts I had brought. We had them the morning we left since we had an 8am flight out.

Have a good trip, maybe check out tour guide Mike, his children suggested tour plans were wonderful for us and i plan to purchase it again for our next trip!

 

[ms.ojo]

First off I apologize for the length of this post.

1) How long should we plan the trip for if we are NOT going to do the water parks but will do all the other Disney Parks?

a. Does anyone have any opinion on how long we should plan for each individual park? We were thinking 2 days at WDW, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at MGM and 1 day at Animal Kingdom.

i. WDW
ii. Epcot
iii. MGM Studios
iv. Animal Kingdom
​

b. What is the best way to get from park to park?
​

Taking the kids when young is magical. To date we've been 4 times w/ kids: ds2.5, ds4 and dd1, ds5.5 and dd2.5, ds6 and dd3

2) Renting a stroller?

a. Could a 6 year old and a 2+ year old fit in a double stroller?
b. Are they worth it?
c. What do you do with them while you are on rides?
​

Each trip we brought a stroller or strollers from home that were easily collapsible for the Disney transportation. They are great around the hotel and at Downtown Disney. Also waiting for buses at the end of a long day!!! Not to mention the airport! Next trip we will have to rent a stroller for ds7. (there's just so much walking) I think we'll rent a single and bring one for dd. We tried sitting themboth in a double our last trip in Dec and that would work..but I sometimes you do end up splitting up and having 2 strollers is nice. As others have said, plenty of "parking" spots in the parks for strollers.

3) Are backpacks allowed inside the parks?

a. If so what do you do with them while you are on the rides? Do they take them away from you for safety reasons?
​

Yes, but I find them hot...and I'm also in the minority that fanny packs are hot too! I like to bring an over the shoulder "purse" that is insulated, has special pockets for "wallet" items, credit cards, etc, easily accessible pockets on the outside for tickets and being insulated, can hold a few drinks. We toss it in the stroller when we're walking around and bring it on all rides w/ us.

4) If we are ordering just some milk, juice and other perishable grocery items is it worth ordering from a delivery service or should we just get them on the Disney property?

a. Which grocery delivery services ones do people recommend? I have seen several people recommend Goodings but it appears that they have a $50 minimum and I have seen that they are the most expensive.
b. Are there any places that don’t have a minimum but still have a reasonable delivery fee?
​

I’m sure that we’ll have more questions later but for now this will get us started. Thanks for looking at my post. I apologize for going on but I want to make sure that if we do the trip that we do it right..

Thanks in Advanced!!

We use Tiffany Towncar to get to our hotel and make a grocery store stop to pick up the items you mention, and end up getting a few more snacks too. Next trip I"m thinking of skipping the stop and just buying at Disney. I have to say, the Goodings Market we stopped at was VERY expensive. The only thing I can't get at Disney that my kids really love and might keep me making this stop is the Gogurts!

If you have any more questions, feel free to send me a message and I'll do my best to help.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

No, you are not crazy at all!!! Traveling with children to WDW can be a wonderful experience. Just don't expect to do everything! Go with the flow of what the kids are up to. Don't push them too much or things can backfire quickly. Everything is possible with proper planning and organization!

We went to WDW for our first family trip with 2 kids (4 and 2 at the time). Two years later, we went with 3 (6, 3, 6 mos.), and are looking forward to our October trip with 4 (will be 9, 6, 3, and 1). I am a huge planner, which is why I basically live here these days. I always think everything through, and try to cover all my bases.

As for some of your questions, I'll try to help.

I would recommend at least 5-6 days. You want to have enough time to do the important things, and still have time to relax and enjoy the moments.

We generally only do 1/2 day at Epcot (plus an evening just for Illuminations). 1/2 day for MGM (not a whole lot for the kids), but again, another evening just for Fantasmic. Probably one day for AK, and the rest at Magic Kingdom.

AS for the stroller, we've always brought our own. The line to rent those strollers in the morning always seems so long (especially during spring break time). I like having our stroller to use at the airport and resort. They have stroller parking outside of each attraction, but don't be surprised if it is relocated when you return. The cm's are excellent about having the stroller areas extremely organized!!! If you do rent one, I'm sure your two kids could fit in one.

We always have some sort of bag, in addition to our fanny packs (each kid and adult has their own). I don't keep anything that can't be replaced in the bag, and therefore, don't worry about leaving it in the stroller. We put the cameras and other valuables in our fanny packs, which can easily stay on for each ride.

As for the groceries, we've never used a service. The last time we went, we used a towncar service, which gave us a 30 minute stop at the store on the way. Other than that, milk, juice and other essentials can be purchased at resort food courts or gift shops.

We had toyed with using a moderate this time, which would fit us all. But the extra space (and two t.v.s) at the values (two rooms, for us) is going to be so nice.

Oh, and you had asked about transportation to/from the parks. We've always used the bus system. The only time we've had problems is at the end of the day, when everyone iis trying to cram on the bus at once. Just be prepared for that, and perhaps don't rush right out after the firework shows. Linger a bit.

During a busy time like spring break, I would recommend using some sort of plan, such as the Unofficial Guide or use Tourguidemike.com. I love TGM!!!

Good luck with your planning.

 

[llp479]

Our Spring Break is always the 3rd/last week in March. As long as it doesn't coinside with Easter it's been a great time to be there. We were there again this year and the crowds were very managable, especially if you use fast passes.

I've been taking our 3 dds since our youngest was 18 mos. Having a plan of attack when you get to the parks is key. Also, being flexible is a big help. Identify the "must do's" and the nice to do, etc. That way you can be sure to do what you wanted to and everything else is icing on the cake.

We usually do AK in 1/2 a day, and spend the afternoon at the pool. MGM never seems to take a full day either, so there is some down time you can take advantage of.