Disneyworld with 2 1/2 y/o twins...any experience?

[2poohbears]

Hi, all! I'm so glad to have found this site & hope to get lots of info here. I am currently trying to convince my husband to take our twin boys to DW the first week of FEB 2006...they will be almost 2 1/2 years old then. Most people think I'm nuts, but I think as long as we keep to the boys' regular sleep/rest schedule it would be ok...right?! Come on...somebody tell me you've done this successfully! The boys are generally well-behaved except when overly tired or hungry.

Most people tell me to wait because they won't remember it - well, I WILL remember it. I'm really looking to get away for a while as a family...we live in Louisiana and although our home and family did not suffer from the hurricanes, the area is really traumatized & depressing right now...it would be nice to have something to look forward to. It would be nice to "escape" for a short time. I'm thinking 6 day tickets and we would stay in all-star resort so we could go back to the room for naps. I'm hoping to go every 2-3 years, so it's not like we would have to rush around making sure we see every single thing. Before the boys were born, we went this same time of year (our honeymoon) and the weather was GREAT and crowds were minimal.

So---if there are particular threads that you feel might be of help, I would appreciate a link or thread title. If you have any experience with bringing 2 y/o twins to DW, I would love to hear from you. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[llp479]

Our girls were 27 mos the first time we went to WDW. It was a great trip! They enjoyed seeing all the characters and riding the rides. It truly was a joy to see it through their eyes.

As long as you have realistic expectations as to what you can do in a day, you will have a great time! I took their side by side stroller and they would take naps when they felt like it. Gave DH and I time to shop and people watch.

They are now 11 and to be honest, I think it was easier when they were little. I know for a fact it was eaiser when youngest DD was small. At 8 she has a very vocal opinion on everything.

 

[rrs_mhs]

We took our twin girls when they were 23 months and we had a great time. We only bought 2 day park tickets and went one day each to MK and EP. We stuck to their schedule and got them a nap each day. We had their front to back stroller and when it was naptime, we strolled them around and found a quiet spot to sit and relax while they napped. (The parks were not open late, so we did not go back to the hotel for naps.) Ours sound like yours - well behaved unless tired or hungry. I think you have the right attitude, by sticking to their schedule.

One thing we noticed was that they were not afraid of the rides like the Pirates at MK or Spaceship Earth at EP. They've gotten more afraid as they have gotten older.

Characters are everywhere - check your park map for places and times. Our girls absolutely loved meeting them, hugging them and taking pictures with them. We had a character dinner at Crystal Palace in MK with the Pooh characters and the looks on their faces were awesome! My one daughter chased Piglet through the restaurant squealing and gave him the biggest hug. We will remember that moment forever. Even if they don't remember things, they will have pictures and video to watch and remember.

If you want any more tips or have any questions about our trips, PM me. I'd be happy to help.

 

[J&ADisneyMom]

I don't have twins but we took our son for the first time when he was 2 1/2. We went with two other families and there was a total of seven kids ages 12, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2 and 15 months. We kept expectations low and took breaks as needed. We had a great trip. Last year our children were 16 months and 3.5. We all had a great time. It's very magical for them and we enjoy watching their reactions to the characters, shows, etc. We're heading back in Feb when my daughter will be 2.5. I'm sure she'll have a blast.

Shell

 

[missymagic]

Don't worry if everyone else think you are nuts....it is all what you make of it. You take your time, breaks, snacks and just enjoy. You know your family and you adjust accordingly.

My sister-in-law has triplets and my oldest dd is 4 months older. At the time this visit they were 2.5 and my youngest wasn't born yet. So we had 4 two and a half year olds my SIL and my MIL. 3 adult and 4 girls we survived!an entire week and had a blast!!!

 

[3littleHalls]

I've been a few times with toddlers. It is a wonderful time to take them! Esp. b/c the are free! They will have fun, see and do things they wouldn't normally get to do. My DD has the memory of an elephant and reminds me of things we did when she was 3(our first trip to WDW) If you do a bit of planning/preparation your twins will have a magical time!

 

[2poohbears]

Thanks so much for your responses. I'm so glad to find others have had a good time while bringing toddlers.

I think I may have my husband near convinced we can go! We just have to find out if his boss will let him off for the dates we are requesting. I can't wait to make reservations!!!

 

[doccath]

My boys are 9m apart and we have been taking them since they were 1 yr old.
Don't plan on seeing everything, no marathon sessions. Make sure you pack lots of snacks, water, fruit etc. Limit the intense rides so you don't overstimulate them. My husband and I constantly did the parent swap. The only thing to be prepared for though is the kids may be frightened by the characters. My boys were. I would introduce them very slowly.

 

[Brina]

My boys were a little bit older - we went in feb of 2003 - it was 5 weeks before their 3rd birthday, but they were preemies, so with adjustment, it was about 3.5 monthes before their birthday.

We stayed at the CR so that when we got close to nap time we could put them in their strollers (we bought 2 singles and a pair of connectors) and walk back to the resort. They were generally asleep by the time we were at the front gate. Had we been staying anywhere else we would have risked waking them to get on the monorail or onto a bus.

We went to all 4 parks, although spent only limited time in EPCOT - we went to the living seas and did the character lunch at the garden grille. this was a big hit, as we had two fo the only really small children in the resturant so they got loads of attention from the characters.

Dark rides scared them a bit at first, but they got through that by riding IASW and pooh a bunch of times - then they were begging for more (we didn't force them on the rides, just allowed them to sit close, hide their faces if they felt the need and to decide themselves when they were ready to try again.

They loved the boneyard and honey I shrunk the kids play areas. lion king and playhouse disney live were huge hits for them, muppets in 3d less so. one loved goofys barnstormer and wanted to ride it over and over, the other not so much. They adored the characters, collecting autographs and choosing pins.

We are just getting ready to return in a little less than a month. Our dd will be the same age the boys were when we brought them. My boys still remember their trip - although it may be from all the times we looked at the scrapbook.