Heading to WDW for first time with the twins

[DbleTheFun]

Hi All, I stumbled across this forum and am so thankful I did! So much great advice, just by browsing... and know I have come to the right place to ensure we have a GREAT trip.

We will be heading to WDW for an unexpected holiday from Dec. 13-20th, as my DH was invited to play in the Disney Baseball Classic at Wide World of Sports over that weekend. This will be our first trip to Orlando since the boys came along, and we are wanting to make the most of it, despite being somewhat limited in terms of time. (DH still hasnt recieved his game schedule, so we arent sure if our days will be broken up.) In addition to Disney, we wanted to get in some last minute Christmas shopping and even hit Universal if we found the time. We are staying off site (Horizons by Marriot), and will be renting a car. We are actually travelling with another couple who also have an infant. My boys will be 11 months at the time, while our friend's son will be 8 months old.

Hope you dont mind, but I have a few questions for you all...

1) We are thinking a 3 day park hopper, is that enough? Or should we opt for the 4 day pass?

2) We will be buying tickets to the Magical Christmas at MK, do you suggest we do this on a seperate day than a day we have scheduled for the parks?

3) Do you think we can put MGM and Epcot into the same day? I know we did this last trip out, and then spent a full day at MK and AK, but that was before the kids. (We had a 4 day Park Hopper, but only ended up using 3 days since we only did 1/2 days at MGM and Epcot)

4) Do you think a character meal is a necessity with kids these ages? Will they be missing out on something truly magical if we forego this?

5) Do you think we should bother with Universal for 1 day (both parks)? I know the rides are more grown up... but there will be enough of us to watch the kids if the adults want to take turns.

6) How busy is it at this time? I know it's right before Christmas, but I am hoping that it is before Christmas break, and we may be lucky with it being a wierd week where parents are waiting to arrive until the FOLLOWING week? Am I only wishful thinking?

7) Are there any MUST DO's while in Orlando/WDW with Infants?

Thanks in advance everyone... I am usually all over this kind of stuff really early, but since we just got told we are going, and we didnt plan on this holiday at all (We are in Maui 2 weeks earlier), I want to try and be smart about the money we spend, and the time we have!!!!

Cant wait to hear answers to these questions, and any other "tips or advice" you all may have for us!!!

 

[DbleTheFun]

Anyone?

I could really use some advice, and this seems to be the place to get it! Hoping someone out there can help make this a memorable trip for us!!!!

 

[mericletwins]

We are staying off site (Horizons by Marriot), and will be renting a car. We are actually travelling with another couple who also have an infant. My boys will be 11 months at the time, while our friend's son will be 8 months old.

Hope you dont mind, but I have a few questions for you all...

1) We are thinking a 3 day park hopper, is that enough? Or should we opt for the 4 day pass? I would go for the four day. With that many babies, your pace will probably be slower.

2) We will be buying tickets to the Magical Christmas at MK, do you suggest we do this on a seperate day than a day we have scheduled for the parks? Is that the same as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party? If so I believe you need to use one day of your park ticket in addition to the party ticket, but hopefully someone that has actually done it has more info and the correct answer.
3) Do you think we can put MGM and Epcot into the same day? I know we did this last trip out, and then spent a full day at MK and AK, but that was before the kids. (We had a 4 day Park Hopper, but only ended up using 3 days since we only did 1/2 days at MGM and Epcot) We usually do MGM and AK as half days and then hop somewhere else. I guess it depends on which parks your group likes the best.
4) Do you think a character meal is a necessity with kids these ages? Will they be missing out on something truly magical if we forego this? No, I don't think so. I would only do this if the adults really wanted to do a character meal.
5) Do you think we should bother with Universal for 1 day (both parks)? I know the rides are more grown up... but there will be enough of us to watch the kids if the adults want to take turns. I would skip this and go for a more relaxed, Disney focused trip. Shop on Main street, shop in Down Town Disney, etc.
6) How busy is it at this time? I know it's right before Christmas, but I am hoping that it is before Christmas break, and we may be lucky with it being a wierd week where parents are waiting to arrive until the FOLLOWING week? Am I only wishful thinking? I haven't been before, but my bro goes every year in December and he reports that crowds are low.

7) Are there any MUST DO's while in Orlando/WDW with Infants? I can't think of any. Just relax and enjoy whatever you decide to do. You can tailor this trip to the adults must sees because the babies are so portable and don't really have anything on their to-do list. Just go slowly and keep the babies schedule in mind.
Thanks in advance everyone... I am usually all over this kind of stuff really early, but since we just got told we are going, and we didnt plan on this holiday at all (We are in Maui 2 weeks earlier), I want to try and be smart about the money we spend, and the time we have!!!!

Cant wait to hear answers to these questions, and any other "tips or advice" you all may have for us!!!

We went when our twins were 9 months old (I was pg again) and my bro took his 12 month old and 2 yr old. We had a blast. The babies were easy. We went back to the room for naps in the afternoon. Although the babies would fall asleep in the stroller, it wasn't a good solid nap. More like cat naps. I wanted to make sure they go a "regular" type of nap so things wouldn't fall apart. We also followed their normal bedtime and eating schedule. Have a blast and congratulations on the twins. They are really a lot of fun!

 

[mousescrapper]

I just had send a quick post before I log off and feed my 8 mo old.

I'm a twin Mama too!

I have not traveled to WDW with kids that young before, but have with diapers...

But my only thoughts would be ditto on skipping Universal, too much running around on your part take your time and enjoy a leisurly trip at WDW.

Bring a stroller from home more comfy for them and no $ out of your wallet.

Be prepared to do most diaper changes in your stroller with a mat underneath, not that Dis restrooms are bad, but it was just easier.

Epcot does not have as many "little" kid options so just pick yours and your DH's top favories from the parks and do that. Utlize the extra adult help it sounds like you'll have and use the "parent switch" on rides the babies can't go on. If your boys like shows and music AK has many to offer. Get in line early to get front seats too.

Have a ton of fun on your first trip with your kids. Live in the moment, it will be a great memory for you and your DH.

 

[DbleTheFun]

Thanks all.... this is what we are thinking right now...

Things are a bit up in the air, since my DH wont know his ball schedule for the tournament at WWofS until December 7th!!! ACCCK!!! But he thinks that Friday-Sunday will be pretty chaotic.

Thursday: Travel and arrive late to Horizons Marriot

Friday: Other Couple we are travelling with will go to Universal (We may join them for a 1/2 day or something... but more than likely we wont!)

Saturday:Shopping during Day, Downtown Disney at night? (Since my DH wants to do the parks, he doesnt want to miss out... that way he will be able to join in the fun when games are over.

Sunday:MGM & Epcot? (I am thinking that since we are "hopping" this day, we will do MGM without DH and then we could take a mid-day break to watch some ball and have naps, and then go back for Epcot at night?) If DH makes it into the finals, we will be definately spending that time at the ball diamond chearing him on.

Monday:Animal Kingdom

Tuesday: Resort Relaxation and Shopping during Day. Dinner at MK (Still deciding where... need to decide quickly, to make reservation!!! Very Merry Magical Christmas at night.

Wednesday: Magic Kingdom (Break up the day with an afternoon Reservation at Crystal Palace? Or is there a better place for this?)

Thursday: Leave Early

We are used to doing diaper changes in the stroller, so that isnt a problem, and we will bring our own stroller, since it is a great one... and I cant imagine renting something else and then it not working the way we are used to.

Does this schedule seem totally nuts? Hardest part is not knowing when my DH will be playing ball, while keeping him involved in all the fun!!!

 

[mericletwins]

We didn't have a schedule planned for what we would do and that worked out fine. We woke up each morning and decied then what we wanted and what we thought would work w/ the babies schedule. That approach may work for you also, since DH's ball schedule is so up in the air. The only thing that you must have scheduled ahead of time is the MVMCP. Other than that I would do what feels good that day.

 

[MATCAR]

We went last year and my twin sons were about 1 1/2 yrs. They had a blast. Character meals a definite. They loved them. As far as doing EPCOT and MGM in one day, personally I think is a little much. If you want to do two parks in one day I would recommend EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. When we go to Animal Kingdom we usually do not stay past 1 or 2 pm b/c there is not a whole lot little ones can do and AK is only so big. Just my thoughts. Hope your trip is good. We leave in eight days for trip # 2 with the twins.

 

[rgribik]

We have taken our twin boys to Dis since they were 1. We just got back 3 weeks ago(they are 4 now). It all depends on how good they are at travel and being upset in their routine. Ours never had a problem being on the go and sleeping in their stroller. I agree with using your own stroller. Remember, the biggest part of your time will be taken up in getting to where you are going, so plan travel time in. We always stay in the Dis resorts, so I don't know how far away you will be. Remember Orlando is a very busy area, when we drive sometimes we get stuck in so much traffic, and it's terrible if there is an accident. We have done the charater meals, and to us(we have 3 other girls) it was no big deal. The only one that they really liked was the castle(way pricey), but since your boys are still free, and if they aren't afraid of the characters, you can try it. Animal Kingdom is the hottest and it seems to be the longest walk, our kids love the lion king show, but we usually don't spend a whole day there. Magic Kingdom will be your best bet, and the Crystal Palace is a decent charater meal. Epcot has Imagination, and Nemo and the "big ball" as my kids call it. We love to walk the countries, little guys won't care. We don't do Universal(my girls are waiting for the new Harry Potter area, though).