Best age for twins 1st trip...toddlers?

[Fall1]

DH and I really want to go back to WDW, we are used to going every year and haven't been in 2 1/2 years. We've never been with kids and now have 19 month old twins.

I'm looking for advice for what would be a good age for their 1st trip. We are thinking either October '09 (they'll be 28 months) or May '10 (they'll be 35 months.......

We'd stay onsite and either have a car or be on the monorail, if that matters.

PLEASE HELP....since I've never been with kids, so I'm clueless.

 

[arielmomma]

I do not have twins, but I do have little ones. In February my children will be turning DS-5 and DD - 2. We have been taking them both since they were infants. As a matter of fact, we are leaving in 2 weeks to go down again. Both of them have always done very well. If you want to take them this year, then I say do it. Make sure that you have a good double stroller, plenty of little snacks, and plan a table service ADR just prior to their usual nap time (since we do not return to our room for naps, it always makes the infants and toddlers comfy and sleepy to take a nice nap in the stroller). Have fun!

 

[pjzkent]

We took our twins the first time at 35 months and it was fantastic...Much like doing ANYTHING with twins, it is a lot of work. However, the kids had a great time, they could not wait to go back. Plus, if they are under 3, they don't need park passes. Saves some $$ for the next trip.

Just be prepared to not see everything, take lots of breaks, and look at the world through their eyes. It is truly amazing

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

We took ds to Disney when he was 13 months old -- that was the first major trip (and only, for that matter) REAL VACATION we've taken since becoming parents. Not because of how badly the trip went -- as a matter of fact it was WONDERFUL -- but since then I've had my twins and one thing leads to another......well, you know.....

As I said, IT WAS WONDERFUL taking Daniel to WDW when he was a baby. He got to meet the characters on the streets (took him a minute to warm up to each of them); we visited all 4 major parks; brought him on SEVERAL rides; the only problem we had was at Epcot because there is less for the younger kids there. We ended up spending only a partial day there (planned) and we were rushed to get the things done that dh and I wanted to do. And this was in the afternoon which meant there were lines for the more popular stuff...this was dh's and my learning experience.....spend the day and get the popular stuff before the lines come......not the fault of travelling with a baby......

As for the twins, I can't answer that yet, but we are really looking forward to this trip. They will be 26 months when we go in March and we have the stroller and are training them to be "herdable" so we don't need to use a leash (CAN'T STAND HARNESSES) or the stroller full time. We are planning every detail, but making sure there are always alternatives if things don't work out -- we're getting a couple of extra vacations in that way (making up for lost time).

DH and I are compulsive planners, so that may be part of that, but I'm really hopeful it will be a great trip. The only real worry is about getting there and back -- we live in the DC area and will be driving to Orlando over 2 days -- that's another planning task.

Good luck planning and be sure to have fun doing it!!!!!!!

 

[Ariel on Land]

no advice, but we're wondering about the same thing! With the new military promo, it's just too good to pass up. Our guys are 21 months today. Part of me would love to take them, but the other part of me wonders how on earth it would work?!?!

Good luck- I hope we both can make it work and have a great time!

 

[twinmom06]

We took our twins the first time when they were just under 1 and again when they were just under 2. They really enjoyed it at 2. We're going back again next year.

 

[**eeyore**]

We have taken our twin DD's several times -

First trip @ 10 months old - fun, but the trip was definitely more for my husband and me, but we got lots of video and pictures so the girls "think" they remember the trip. My parents were also with us on this trip - keep in mind they are kind of "hands-off" grandparents though. It was still helpful to have them at there to help with carrying a diaper bag onto/off the bus, etc. Unfortunately our daughters each had colds during the trip, which meant that none of us slept very well - the 4 of us were very tired and getting a little cranky by the end of the trip.

2nd trip @ 27 months old - just the 4 of us this time. Very fun! We stayed at the BCV in a 2 bedroom - very nice to have all the space. Also, we loved that we could walk to/from EPCOT and MGM. Sometimes we would even use the monorail to/from EPCOT/MK to avoid using buses. We did rent a car on this trip, which was a nice conveinence.

3rd trip @ 40 months old - most fun trip so far! DDs have started to remember everything, so they really look forward to it all and get into the excitement.

4th trip upcoming for DD's 4th birthday - we are all really looking forward to this one.

So, I guess I think that any age is a great age for Disney - we have had lots of fun each time we have taken our DDs and seem to be progressively having more and more fun each trip. If you are only planning to take your twins once or twice to WDW, then I would say wait until they are a little older. But, if you are looking to get back into the "trip every year or two" mode, then I would say don't waste anymore time and start planning that first trip!

 

[2poohbears]

We took our boys for the first time when they were 2 1/2 years old. It was the best trip we've ever taken. Every single thing was magical to them, and it was so much fun to see their faces light up over it all.

We stayed at AS Movies resort, and used the bus transportation. The kids enjoyed the bus ride as much as the attractions in the parks! We also used 2 umbrella strollers instead of a double. We just find it's easier to get around in the parks with the singles, especially when it's more crowded.

We stuck to their usual schedule for naps and bedtime, and I brought snacks and juice with me into the parks. I used the freebie diaper bag I got from the hospital for diapers, wipes, snacks, old change of clothing---and left it with the strollers when we went into the attractions. This way, if someone stole it, I didn't really lose much.

About the characters---my boys were afraid of the characters until the very last day. They were happy and excited as long as they could watch the characters from a distance, but as soon as any approached them, they started crying. The last night we had an ADR character meal, and they completely warmed up to the characters at Garden Grill. I think maybe because it was a more quiet restaurant, and the characters were able to take a little more time with them there.

About the 3-D movies, Fantasmic---these are very LOUD. If you have a child who is sensitive to noise, you may have issues. One of our boys would not sit through the 3-D movies, while the other loved them. So, I usually sat outside on a bench or walked around with one, while dh went into the 3-D movie with the other. It was actually kinda nice to have one-on-one time with one of them. We had to completely ditch Fantasmic - the darkness combined with the loud sounds was too overwhelming for them.

Tip---eat lunch and dinner at early times so you don't have as long a wait. We usually eat lunch around 11:00-11:15am, before the long lines start to form. We usually try to sit for dinner before 5:30pm as well to avoid longer waits.

This can really be the most fun you've ever had, but you have to go into it knowing you will not see every single thing you want to see, and that you'll have to let the children guide you as to when they need some down-time. As long as you stick to their usual schedule of sleeping/eating - you'll be fine. And know that they are bound to have a tantrum at some point...just about every kid who goes to WDW does...don't sweat it. it usually happens when they are tired or over-stimulated. we've all been there.

Have fun!!!

 

[mcgrawfan]

We took DD for her 1st birthday and again when she was 2 1/2. Both trips were wonderful. It is fun to see what she enjoyed at the different ages. The parades were a hit both times and the characters and the autograph book was a hit at 2. She also really loved riding IASW last trip! Many times. One of the favorite things from her 2nd trip was when we rented the surrey bike at Boardwalk and rode it around. DH and I pedaled and she rode in the front basket and had a bell to ring. It was hillarious. She rang the bell and waved at everyone! Well.... we told her if she did that she could have ice cream. Now we will be taking her on her 3rd trip and she will be going on 4 1/2. I really am looking forward to this one!

Another BONUS of going before 3......they are free! Park tickets and buffets!

 

[The Disney Bunch]

We went when my twins were 10 months, 20 months, 33 months (with a 6 month old also) - each time was different and special - there is no good or bad time to take kids - you just need to plan and take it easy. Enjoy it!

 

[lindal]

We took our twin girls when they were 3 1/2-it was great. It was so great that we are going back again in 3 weeks when they are 4 1/2. We stay off property so we can all have our own space and that works well for us. I think it will be great no matter what age!

 

[chrisw127]

We just took our twins in December. They had just turned 22 months at the time. It was a disaster, so much so that we are not going in December 2009 (I'm taking our older child for a short trip) for a big blowout trip we'd planned. We'll take them when they are almost four.

Twins, as you know, are just a unique situation and it's one that you can't compare unless you've done it. It's just not the same as taking care of two kids who are different ages. We took ours when they were 10 months old and it was fine. One of the best trips I've ever had. This time, they had minds of their own but hadn't yet figured out that there are rules that they have to follow. That's fine with ONE toddler, but when you have two doing that, it's pretty impossible. Really, I won't bore you with the details, but none of us had any fun, mostly because in addition to everything else they didn't sleep well; even our six-year old was miserable.

Having said this, I think you'll be fine because your kids will be older. There's a huge difference between 22 months and 28 months.

Good luck.

 

[Hillbeans]

If you can squeeze a trip in sometime around the 2 1/2 age to just before 3, I think that's a great time for a first trip. Because they are not 3 yet you don't have to pay admission for them (if money is a consideration) and they are old enough to really take things in and enjoy themselves.

Our last WDW trip was when my youngest was 2 years 10 months and he had a wonderful time.

Enjoy!

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

We just took our twins in December. They had just turned 22 months at the time. It was a disaster, so much so that we are not going in December 2009 (I'm taking our older child for a short trip) for a big blowout trip we'd planned. We'll take them when they are almost four.

Ugh -- don't tell me this -- our twins will be 26 months and they are relatively immature for their age.......and then we'll have the not-quite-4 year old as well......

YOIKES!

 

[disny_luvr]

We are taking our twins for the first time in May. They will be just shy of three - their birthday is in June.

 

[Poohbear5]

I vote for 35 months as well.
We took our twin sons around their third birthday. Just plan some downtime in the middle of the day for a swim and nap. It was a long time ago for us, there were only two parks at that time, so we did two days at MK. It was a blast!

 

[chrisw127]

Ugh -- don't tell me this -- our twins will be 26 months and they are relatively immature for their age.......and then we'll have the not-quite-4 year old as well......

YOIKES!

After I wrote that, I felt like a huge party pooper. I think it's all very individual, as you can see here. For my twins, they just weren't ready. They're on a pretty tight schedule and even though we tried to maintain it at WDW, we failed miserably, mainly because they didn't sleep well. It completely threw them off. Also, there's just twice as much opportunity for something to go wrong anywhere, even a trip to Target, so Disney was just a bigger version of that. It always seemed like one twin was happy and the other wasn't.

I also think my twins are a bit immature, as most twins are simply because they get less practice being out and about than singletons do. Something as simple as holding a singleton's hand and walking from the car to the store is really difficult with twins.

If I had it to do over, I would have stayed on-site and I would have hired a sitter from one of the services (we've used one on previous trips and have been happy with them) once I saw things were going downhill; they would have been perfectly happy to play at the condo. As it was, we were probably in the park at the most 3-4 hours a day.

Good luck. You might be pleasantly surprised by your twins.

 

[starrynyt]

We have triplets that will be 5 in April and they have been at 7mo, 14mo, 3 yr, and 4 yr; plus when they were 3 and 4 we had our other son who was 10mo, and 28 mo. I personally love taking them, DH would prefer to vacation somewhere else but does think they enjoy it when we take them. But we never travel just us and them, we always have others in our family with us. I think if it is just you 2 and the kids you probably won't have as much fun as if it were you guys and others. That way you can take turn riding the things the kids can't and do the child swap with it. My kids were so entertained by all the people and things going on that unless we were having nap meltdowns (which we have at home too) they loved it.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[Twingle]

Another multiple mommy here! We took our twins for the first time when they were 27 months, and really, it was a very nice time. We've been numerous times since, and every trip is special and unique (and not without hardships at some point in time!).

No matter when you go, try to remember to go at their pace as much as possible. My DH had a huge proplem with that the first time we took our son (he was 3), and ended up having a hard go of it at first since he was still in commando mode. Once he lightened up and realized that this trip was not the one where we would go from opening to closing with no breaks in between, we had a much better time.

With some of the promos that Disney is running right now, I'd go for it. Have fun!

 

[Jumba17]

We took our twins for the 1st time for their 4th birthday. We all had a great time! And of course there were days when they had meltdowns - just know that they are inevitable at some point. Disney is so overstimulating, and most kids just want to keep going, the hard part as a parent is knowing when to say it is time to take a break!

Like several PP have said, if they are younger than 3, they are free! My girlfriend has taken her twins for their b-day every year since they were 2. She has had a great time every time, but of course each age has its ups and downs.

Just be prepared, take breaks when needed, be flexible with your plans, and know that everything is going to take you a lot longer than you anticipate! I am sure you and your kids will have a great time whenever you decide to go.