First Trip with Grandkids

[disney junky]

In exactly one month, we are taking our first trip with grandkids. As the time approaches, I'm becoming more and more excited, but I'm also unsure what to expect. Our granddaughter is 2 and our grandson is 1, so we expect things to be a whole lot different than the commando style of our previous trips.

What are some experiences others have had with kids this age? BTW, both sets of parents are travelling too. We aren't crazy old people. Just old people.

 

[Caseheidi]

In exactly one month, we are taking our first trip with grandkids. As the time approaches, I'm becoming more and more excited, but I'm also unsure what to expect. Our granddaughter is 2 and our grandson is 1, so we expect things to be a whole lot different than the commando style of our previous trips.

What are some experiences others have had with kids this age? BTW, both sets of parents are travelling too. We aren't crazy old people. Just old people.

Sounds like fun. We took DD when she always 19 months, and had a great time. We went understanding the trip was not for her, but for us. We really wanted the photos of her with the characters, which she adored (as long as it was not a real person, like the princesses, which scared her). It was an entirely different trip from what we had ever experienced, which made it special for us. Some of the differences we noticed:

* slower pace. We still needed nap time each day. DD napped in the stroller, and we would take turns on the high powered rides while she slept
* noticed more of the little things. DD was a new walker, and was fascinated with the changes in ground cover. We had never spent so much time noticing the details Disney puts in the ground
* for us, days off became even more important. We tend to do every third day out of the park. There is just so much simulation in the parks that DD would get overwhelmed. The down days were needed to just be a little more normal
* we noticed we ate differently with a little one. As a couple we tended to do two meals a day with snacks. With DD, we needed to eat three meals and snacks. We brought our own snacks, which helped to keep her with what she was already use to. We did discover that the weather difference( we are from the Pacific NW) effected her appetite. All she wanted to eat the whole trip was fresh fruit.
* the baby centers are great. Take advantage of them. Changing tables, rocking chairs, quiet away from crowds.

I think that overall we were blessed. DD traveled well, and didn't have any meltdowns. We were prepared to have meltdowns, and realize that it would just be because she was over stimulated and out of her norm. We were lucky we didn't have that, but you really need to be prepared as Disney is so out of the ordinary for the.

 

[ajwolfe]

We took our youngest for the first time at about 18 months. He was a super easy lil' guy that napped in the stroller occasionally and was able to snack on the run. So really it wasn't that big of a deal for us. Just be easy going and go with the flow of it. When our kids were smaller we kinda let them tell us when they were done or wanted to keep going.

Here's my tip...If you think your grandkids will be going back to Disney several times I would pick something to take their picture beside or on (that you think will consistently there) that way every time they go you can take their pic and see their growth and changes. It would make for a cute collage! I so wish I would have done this with my boys after I seen it somewhere else!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

We also are taking our grandkids for the first time this fall. They're 2 and 3 yo. Although I can't help, I share your excitement, and I'd really appreciate a report from you about a few tips you discovered. I'm just starting to panic because I think they'll run us ragged and I'll be exhausted when we get home! But please do post any tips you find.

 

[rapunzels]

We went understanding the trip was not for her, but for us.

This is exactly what I tell people that have young kids that want to go to Disney. This does not mean, they are young, spend all of your time doing all grown up things, they are too young to enjoy anything, much less remember...

..it means you will get to see Disney through the eyes of a child. Take things slow. The things kids enjoy the most, are usually the things adults walk by fastest... The real magic of Disney is the way a child sees all of the wonderful things Disney has to offer. One of my favorite trips was when my daughter was just shy of 2. I will always remember her toddling down Main Street in her Minnie Dress, like she owned the place. It is a sweet memory and those ages, 1 and 2, are great ages to go to WDW. Have so much fun!!

 

[Leveretttltl]

I took my daughter for the first time when she was 2. We also traveled with a friend that took a 6 month old. We had a wonderful time. I made sure to bring a comfortable stroller that reclined so that she could nap. My friend did not do this and ended up having to use my stroller a good bit for her infant. We also took a soft side cooler with us so we had plenty of juice and snacks on hand if she started to get cranky. She loved the characters and the rides that she was able to go on. She was fascinated and just took it all in. We were prepared to let her lead the way and go back to the room and rest if we needed to, but she was such a trooper! We were able to stay in the parks all day and do all of the things we wanted to. Rider swap was wonderful to have so that we could experience the rides that she was not able to go on without having to wait in line twice. Have a great trip!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

with taking juice boxes in, I assume it is still true, no plastic straws at AK. I remember having the straws taken from the boxes at AK. we had to buy a special cup from a store at Disney prices to use our boxes. sippy cups with nonremovable straw were okay, just no loose straws

 

[TreeSapp]

We just took my niece (2.5yr) and nephew (15mo) and it was a very different experience. Having extra adults around certainly helped. Parking and relocating strollers can be a bit of a pain, but we were glad to have two singles and not a double cause other than the way in & the way out - rarely were both used at the same time. One child loved characters, the other not so much. They napped at different times, but were both awake for the parade. We started each day a rope drop & left each day at about 5pm. For us alone that would be a half day - with the kids it felt like two! You'll get less done than normal but be far more worn out - the kids have a blast though so it's totally worth it!

The kids are coming back in early May & I can't wait!

 

[Wood Nymph]

In exactly one month, we are taking our first trip with grandkids. As the time approaches, I'm becoming more and more excited, but I'm also unsure what to expect. Our granddaughter is 2 and our grandson is 1, so we expect things to be a whole lot different than the commando style of our previous trips.

What are some experiences others have had with kids this age? BTW, both sets of parents are travelling too. We aren't crazy old people. Just old people.

We went with our grandchildren aged 3 and 5 about a year ago and it was stressful, exhausting, and magical. The little ones would get crabby. The adults would get crabby. The parents wanted to go, go go, and the kids wanted more time to enjoy things. They wanted more time at the pool rather than at the park, for example.

I loved being around the grandkids. It was so cute to see them interact with the characters or get excited about so many things. We have great memories and lots of pictures. But we also needed to spend some time without them. We needed a nap, too.

 

[AppleSister1]

I agree with everything above. We've done extended family trips for years, so my nephews (now 12 and 14 and Dis vets) have been going since they were babies. What I remember most about their early trips (once they were 1 or 2) was their fascination with really little things ….as an earlier poster said, even with the landscaping. I remember spending an hour in the MK while my nephew ran around chasing ducks. He was delighted (and he was the first grandkid, so we were all delighted to watch him.) I remember holding him on my hip and watch Goofy's Barnstormer over and over. I remember them both being fascinated by fireworks and parades. I remember him at DL being on Winnie the Pooh on my lap and not wanting to get off …he gripped the bar so hard I had to pry his fingers off to get off the ride!

Long story short….great memories, and we just learned to slow down and enjoy whatever they were enjoying. And now,of course, they know their way around the parks and like to plan their rope drop strategy, and then go to the pool or arcade before heading out for the evening. And I love that...

But I still miss carrying them around and watching the birds.

 

[Simba's Mom]

with taking juice boxes in, I assume it is still true, no plastic straws at AK. I remember having the straws taken from the boxes at AK. we had to buy a special cup from a store at Disney prices to use our boxes. sippy cups with nonremovable straw were okay, just no loose straws

Thanks so much for that reminder! Note to DS-Bring sippy cups for AK day.