First timer, nervous about our trip

[mokih]

Hi all! I have been reading and learning a lot. Can I ask for some advice, please and thank you?

We will be taking our first family trip to Disneyworld in June. I have never been, but my husband went a couple times as a child. My kids will be 17, 9, 6 and 4 when we travel.

My youngest has ectodermal dysplasia. He does not sweat efficiently and can overheat quickly. We live in hot and sunny Texas, so we are used to dealing with the heat and the problems it can cause him. We usually do outdoor activities (zoo, Seaworld, etc) in the morning, take along mist bottles and ice packs and frozen water bottles. Will there be plenty of shady or air-conditioned places to duck into if necessary? We are already planning mid-day breaks in our room if necessary.

He also has hand and foot differences that make long distances tiring for him. (He walks, runs, jumps like a pro, but wears out quickly) He usually walks around a bit when we are out, but spends a lot of his time in a stroller. Will we be able to take his stroller everywhere we go, or are there places we will need to leave it behind? I'm trying to decide if I need to take a baby carrier, too. (worried about overheating him with that, though).

My six year old has spina bifida and also has trouble with tiring during long walks, but will probably not want to ride in a stroller. I am trying to decide if I should rent a double, bring a sit and stand, or just swap the boys in and out of one stroller. He is definitely too big to carry for any length of time. Any advice for me there? We are driving there, so I don't have to worry about flying with strollers.

On top of all this we will be dealing with latex, bee sting, shellfish and nut allergies (and I have the epi-pens to prove it!). I am pretty nervous about our chances of making it through this trip with everyone healthy! The kids are beyond excited, though, and so is my husband. I'm the worrier of the bunch, it must come with being the mama.

 

[lanejudy]

I'd suggest either a double-stroller or even 2 umbrella strollers for your younger two. To take the stroller through lines, you will need to stop at Guest Relations and get a stroller-as-wheelchair tag. Nearly all lines are accessible, and if not, you'll be directed accordingly. This will allow the kids to conserve some of their energy, especially later in the trip that tends to wane quickly.

As for your youngest and the heat... are you used to a dry heat, or humid? It will be hot and humid in Florida. There are air-conditioned shops and dining areas. Most line queues are indoors or shaded. You might look into some Frogg Toggs cooling scarves, and/or a mister for him to carry while moving about the parks. Also, keep hydrated; we bring reusable water bottles, and the QS locations will provide free ice water on request. A mid-day break at your resort is probably a good idea. You can also ask at Guest Relations about a DAS, though again, most of your heat will be encountered outside of lines so that may not help much.

Make sure the food allergies are noted on your ADRs. You'll get to speak with the chef about safe foods.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[powellrj]

Since I have been on the DIS, I have had a stroller education! If your 6 year old may not want to use a stroller because of his age, in WDW, kids at 6 in strollers are very common. If you check out stroller threads, they will direct you to stroller rental companies that have all different makes and models.

 

[Bete]

The average walking day in Disney World is 6 miles. This is not continual walking, but this is quite common for a day. There are not too many six year olds that want to walk 6 miles, day in, day out. Get the double stroller. It can stay empty when one of them wants to walk, but I'm sure there will be plenty of times both of them will be in the stroller.

Luckily, there are plenty of shows were you can go into air-conditioning. Just alternate rides and shows and this should help. Of course, staying hydrated is most important. You can get cooling vests and cooling bandanas that can help to stay cooler. You can freshen them up with water when necessary. You can get free water with ice almost everywhere.

There is a first aid station in every park where you can get into air-conditioning and they even provide cots for a rest if anyone gets overheated.

 

[mommyofsamson]

The average walking day in Disney World is 6 miles. This is not continual walking, but this is quite common for a day. There are not too many six year olds that want to walk 6 miles, day in, day out. Get the double stroller. It can stay empty when one of them wants to walk, but I'm sure there will be plenty of times both of them will be in the stroller.

Luckily, there are plenty of shows were you can go into air-conditioning. Just alternate rides and shows and this should help. Of course, staying hydrated is most important. You can get cooling vests and cooling bandanas that can help to stay cooler. You can freshen them up with water when necessary. You can get free water with ice almost everywhere.

There is a first aid station in every park where you can get into air-conditioning and they even provide cots for a rest if anyone gets overheated.

This is a good idea. There are also baby cares in every park (right near the first aid). It might be a good idea because most do not just have a changing station and nursing. They also have tvs/playrooms. I know a couple even have a place that you can eat lunch (if you want to, if there are no indoor places to eat). It could also be nice because they do have water coolers. (I used to work in one and all ages went in there. It was really nice for a quiet cool down.)

 

[mokih]

Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

as pp have said you will need to get the stroller as a wheelchair tag to take stroller everywhere, esp if doing EPCOT to be able to take stroller inside buildings and ride lines in all the parks. will only need to get once and use it for rest of trip, do not have to get each day. a clip on fan for stroller might also help. I would have either 2 single or one double stroller/s as I think both of the younger are going to need. if doing the 2 singles you will need a tag for each one, you can not use one tag for both. I also agree with first aid centers or baby centers if you need to get out of heat but at MK it can be a problem getting to either during afternoon parade. if parade time if would I would grab a snack at an indoor C/S to eat as it is not always easy to push a double stroller in shops. it would also be hard to leave the park at that time as the side you can walk thru will stop you as the parade goes off stage and you can not cross.

 

[Southerndisney]

Mouse Planet has a helpful article "Keeping Cool on Attractions in the Summer Heat." It tells some of the best places to cool down in the parks. There are a few rides and shows that have outdoor queues. These can get hot. You might be able to get a DAS from Guest Services for your youngest. You would need to explain what could happen to him in the queue. If you had the DAS it would not shorten your wait but allow you to wait someplace cool. As lanejudy said Florida has a humid heat which I find much worse that a dry heat. Since you will be prepared, I'm sure you will have a great trip.