Family with three kids 16, 12, 2. Advice please

[1589 mom]

Hubby and I are taking three kiddos to disney world. (16, 12, 2). Staying at polynesian. First question would be is this a good choice for our family? Wanted to make it a special trip and wanted to make sure we had plenty of room and an easy trip to magic kingdom. We don't visit the other parks but about one day each. We did take older kids but the were both over the age of seven. So this is the first trip with a two year old. So my other question is how to make sure everyone has a good time?And what things will a two year old especially enjoy?
By the way, the two year old is VERY outgoing and use to busy days chasing two older siblings. And they are great about taking time to enjoy things with him!

 

[Yellowstonetim]

You can't go wrong, and that is a wonderful resort! If Magic Kingdom is your park of choice, being on the monorail will be great. Take a stroller and all the necesary gear. If you don't want to travel with a stroller, there are local rentals that are very reasonable. I took a 1&1/2 and 3&1/2 year old and had a blast. (I didn't have any teens to help either!) Just be cognizant of the age & speed differences and all will be well. But it sounds like the three are already great together! 2 is young enough to have fun anywhere. And the others are old enough and sound nice enough to help and be a little understanding.

You will have a blast!

 

[johnsonet]

Polynesian is a great choice for any and every family

I would just say let everyone pick out a couple of must-dos before you leave (look at Disney site, guidebooks, Dis, etc.) Check out opening hours and extra magic hours and try to get to the parks early some/most days, if possible. You can accomplish SO MUCH in those first couple of hours.
Make use of Fastpasses.

Split up if need be, so that everyone can remain happy and active

Build in plenty of pool and down-time so you're not constantly rushing around (unless that's what you want )

You will have an amazing time.

 

[kmb584]

Seeing that MK is your family's park of choice I think that the Poly is a fantastic choice. Being on the monorail line is going to not only make it a quick trip but a heck of a lot easier traveling with a toddler in tow!

My DD is 4 and has been to WDW 6 times. On her first trip we stayed at POFQ but for the second and third I chose monorail resorts: CR and GF. As you well know, little ones don't travel lightly, and as a single parent I found that the convenience of having the monorail on our doorstep to be well worth the higher cost. It made traveling to MK and EP incredibly easy as I didn't have to fold and lug her stroller onto a bus while also toting her, a diaper bag, etc.

As for making sure that all have an enjoyable time, pace yourselves. The little one is going to bouncing with excitement but, if your son is like my daughter, by mid afternoon a nap is a requirement. My DD naps in her stroller (I've tried going back to the resort numerous times but she's always either been too excited to do so or too upset because we had left the park.) for about 1 1/2 hours each day and I take that time to relax, do a bit of shopping, etc. If you're willing to do so, maybe let the older 2 go off on their own for a little while to do the attractions that they want. Essentially, go with the flow and know from the start that plans may deviate.

Your son will probably enjoy EVERYTHING! There's not much that he won't be able to experience and since it's all new to him, he'll be wanting to discover everything.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hubby and I are taking three kiddos to disney world. (16, 12, 2). Staying at polynesian. First question would be is this a good choice for our family? Wanted to make it a special trip and wanted to make sure we had plenty of room and an easy trip to magic kingdom. We don't visit the other parks but about one day each. We did take older kids but the were both over the age of seven. So this is the first trip with a two year old. So my other question is how to make sure everyone has a good time?And what things will a two year old especially enjoy?
By the way, the two year old is VERY outgoing and use to busy days chasing two older siblings. And they are great about taking time to enjoy things with him!

I think you made a great choice with the Poly . Everything about the Poly is awesome, IMO. If it were me, I'd take it a day at a time and play each day by ear as far as what to do when. For instance, if the little one needs a nap, head back to the resort for some down time (i.e., swimming, napping, etc). You can always split up as a pp suggested with one adult taking the little one back to the resort while the others stayed in the park. I wouldn't plan too much of an itinerary each day as you never know when someone might need/want a break or just want to do something other than a park. With that said, my suggestion is to just go and have fun and don't try to squeeze everything in as you will not be able to everything in one trip. Have a great time and enjoy the Poly......it's a fabulous resort .

 

[1589 mom]

Thanks for all the advice. I think the resort looks beautiful. After a crazy year of life's ups and downs, I think our family will enjoy some wonderful family time together.

 

[Missytara]

I mostly go solo, but got a chance to go with my neighbors, their best friends and two children, age 5 and 15 months.

The 15 month old really interacted with the characters. He spent some time sleeping in the stroller. I sat with him and read, while the rest of the group went off to the attractions.

He did get fidgety in some of the attractions, like Muppets 3D and It's a Small World, but he did get a kick out of the character meet and greets.

He also had just discovered fruit; he loved fruit. We think it was because he may have been teething and it was cold and easy to "gum". His mom gave him her piece of pineapple the first night from her pina colada, and from then he was hooked. Every night, the minute he drink arrived, he would squeal (almost sounded like a dolphin) and try to reach for it. By the third night, we just asked the server to bring us a plate full of pineapple and that horrible sound would stop. We had a great laugh over it!

Have a wonderful time!

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks for all the advice. I think the resort looks beautiful. After a crazy year of life's ups and downs, I think our family will enjoy some wonderful family time together.

Enjoy......I'm sure you'll have a fantastic trip .