Calling all parents of twins!

[quandrea]

We took a combi umbrella stroller. Then as they got older we switched to a city mini double. Would you consider renting a car? We always love that freedom. No fighting with the stroller, no waiting. Always use a backpack for diapers and such. We would always keep to bedtimes. Still do and they are now nearly five.

 

[rebekahsd]

I think that depends on your child. I could get my kid to nap anywhere, because she was so used to a schedule. DH's aunt was so amazed when we were doing our "farewell tour" (before we moved away to a different part of the country, we took a month and visited with 5 or 6 different family members)... we went to a loud tennis match one day, and a zoo on another day, and when it was time for DD's nap, I pulled the blanket down hanging over the canopy - to make it dark and less distracting, told her her story (so routine by that point, I had it memorized - still do!), and she went straight into a 2-4 hour nap, depending on how long I let her sleep before waking her up. She would wake up fresh as a daisy. I was able to do this from when she was 6 months old until she was in pre-school. It was AWESOME! My nieces on the other hand, couldn't even nap on a plane or in a car seat... they had to be in THEIR cribs with the door closed, black out shades drawn and a specific cd playing (andrea boccelli - ha!). try setting up your routine well ahead of time, and sticking as close to it as you can when you're on vacation. (time the naps around the same time, no matter if you're in a restaurant, walking path, etc.) The trick is being consistent BEFORE the vacation, so even if they are overwhelmed or overstimulated ON vacation, they have the comfort of the routine to trigger "ok, rest time now" thoughts.

Holy cow!! Lucky you! Yes, our twins have really never been super sleepers, but then again, we haven't really been strict with nap/bedtime enforcement. That sounds much more awful than it really is—bedtime is GENERALLY around the same time—but naps are much more free form (put them down when they seem tired). This reeally works best for us since our twins couldn't be more different from each other in terms of temperament and sleep needed! My husband and I were talking about fitting in some after-dinner stroller time to get them used to it...

 

[rebekahsd]

Thinking back, yes, the connection piece for the umbrella stollers is great to use if needed. Re: naps. Now, naturally, those of us with twins know how important it is to get them on the same schedule. Ours were pretty good for the most part at home. But on vacation, forget it!! DD could bunk out pretty easily just about anywhere, but at Disney, there was NO WAY DS was going to sleep unless he was absolutely and completely exhausted! We have tons of pictures with DD passed out and DS wide awake, wanting to do more. It was kind of classic in our family, lol. In fact, it was like he'd go into overdrive - he'd keep going and going, but if he stopped, he'd be done. Even as he got older. (Thinking now of a trip at age 13 - 2am, begged not to go into Country Bear Jamboree, but the rest of us wanted to go. Within a few minutes of sitting down, look over and BAM, DS fast asleep. Fortunately just a power nap and able to keep going once the show was over!) So just something to consider - that they may not always nap at the same time amidst all the excitement of WDW.

That sounds like my twins now!! My son is generally much easier to settle, but my daughter goes and goes and goes and then WHAM! She's done!

 

[Mikie]

I don't have twins, but have gone with 2 in strollers - the umbrellas with connectors sound ideal to me! Well, maybe not umbrella, but a small simple stroller without the bulk of many "systems", but still reclines for nap. We had two separate strollers and preferred it very much over a double, but there were a couple times when connectors would have been nice. No matter what exact stroller, I'd say practice folding/unfolding if you use disney transport! Even at off times, I wanted to be reasonably quick about it and I had one stroller I just couldn't bring because it was so unwieldy to fold and then heavy to carry. Definitely use a backpack so your hands are free once you're folded up with no storage basket to use.

Have fun!!

 

[surferdave]

Never let the evil twin decide what to have for lunch.

 

[btk2333]

(my advice: head to epcot as they're getting tired. Ours would fall asleep along the way and we could enjoy a nice cold adult beverage while they napped).

We are staying at the Beach Club Villas for just this reason

 

[TinkerKeeks]

Our twins will be 10 months when we go in November. I also have a 3 year old. I am going to take my twin maclaren and an umbrella for the 3 year old. I'm thinking if my 3 year old wants to do some walking I will fold it up and stick it under the other stroller. I need to check if it fits under there, that's on my list of things to do.
I'm a bit nervous to have 2 strollers but we will be traveling with 2 grandmas so we should be okay and not outnumbered lol.
Right now my twins who are 6 months are still in the nap anywhere phase. My 3 year old still takes one afternoon nap but has gone without it on a few occasions and is okay. I'm not sure how this will effect us in terms of leaving the parks for naps everyday. I'm leaning towards afternoon breaks though, I guess we will play it by ear.

 

[DavidNYC]

Been there every year with my twins since they were about 10 months old.

We always had a car and drove to park with the AAA parking pass (we were there off-season so usually had no issues with parking). I prefer that to dealing with stroller on bus (if staying onsite possible exception of Magic Kingdom where the bus is better than having to go to TTC).

Until they were about 4 we did have a City Elite since it made it very easy to lay them back to take nap in the stroller to give them some down time with nice shades. From 4 onward, we still use a stroller (it's the only place we use it now) but traded the big heavy one for a much more portable and lightweight one since they're really only in it here and there when they're getting tired of walking.

I prefer the side by side. And the heavy duty ones are good to store the diaper bag.

Take advantage of the baby rooms - good for some downtime. We usually saved doing rider swap for the periods they're napping. For rider swap, remember that you can make a FP+ for one ride and your wife for another ride and use the rider swap. Don't both make a FP+ for the same ride.

Just remember at that age, the vacation is still more for you! We went every year for 10 years before they were born as well.

Not all are comfortable with it but you might also consider one of the babysitting services you can learn about if you search to give yourself a dinner or evening alone. (We often had our nanny with us so we usually took a few hours each day on our own . . .)