Help! 1st trip with a 3 yo and 1 yo :)

[ARmomof2]

Help! I am preparing to book our first family trip to WDW for Feb. 2010. We are very excited. We will be traveling by air from Memphis with DH, DD (3), DD (14 mo.), and my mom. I am the only person in our group that has been to WDW. I need your best tips to make planning and executing this trip great! I am OCD, and cannot stop planning! I am overwhelmed and driving my DH nuts.

 

[aidtrismommy]

Hi, I also have a 1 and 3 year old and have been to WDW with them this past January (and a million times before that) Where are you staying? What are the sleeping arrangements? During our last trip, we had a 2 bedroom villa at SSR. The boys and I stayed in one room while my parents and sister stayed in the living room and second bedroom. I made sure and rented a full size crib for the little guy and a bed rail for my oldest. The crib was an added expense, but he slept through the night like he did at home so that was worth it for me. There is nothing worse than being exhausted and having your baby roll around and not be able to sleep when you have to get up early the next day!!! I also rented toys for the kids (from the same company) so they would have something to do while we were in the room. You may think that you won't be in the room long enough, but believe me, you will not regret it. It will keep them busy while you dress, organize and pick up at night, etc. Make sure you have a good stroller that lays back all the way for naps. My kids napped in the parks after lunch in their stroller so we didn't have to go back to the room. My little guy ate off peoples plates mostly, I did pack some of those Gerber yogurt melts and stuff so he would have snacks. I used the baby care centers for breaks to let them play on the floor and just have some free-time. Some of the centers have toys to play with, others don't so make sure and packs some cars and small toys. Any other questions, just ask...I have a million tips.

 

[ARmomof2]

Thanks so much! We are planning to stay at ASMu in a family suite. We will be there from 2/5 to 2/9. I thougth this would be a good length with two little ones. My 1 yr old sleeps in a pac n play at daycare so I think she will be okay at the resort. (I hope!) Where did you rent the toys? Did you rent a stroller at the park or from an outside company? We will not be bringing ours on the plane.

 

[aidtrismommy]

Hi, I brought my own double Maclaren techno. It is a side by side lightweight kind that reclines fully. I rented the toys, crib, bedrail from a baby's best friend. It is www.abbf.com. The stuff will be delivered to your hotel and waiting for you when you arrive, just go to bell services to get them (or have them delivered) They are super clean and a great company. I would get the age group 2-3 (I think it is) The toys didn't have any small pieces in them so they would be safe for your baby (except mega blocks but I didn't have a problem with them with my 1 year old) They also rent strollers. I would probably get 2 singles that recline because I think all they have are the front-back doubles which are bulky and a pain on busses. But that is my opinion, other families have done fine with them I am sure. You will love having a kitchen. It really is a neccessity with 2 small kiddos. I am an obssesive planner too, so I can relate. I pack only what I need for 1 day in the diaper bag and then re-pack it after I put the kids to bed, that way I carry less into the parks, that helps too. And also bring a change of clothes for the 3 year old too because there are splash areas that he/she will be drawn too and it is easier to just let them play and get wet than it is to say no. With that said, crocs are good because they won't have wet feet afterward. Sorry about all these random thoughts, but they just keep coming to me.

 

[Macduffy]

I'm going with a 20 month old and an almost 4 year old with DH and my mom Like you I'm a huge planner and even bigger researcher! We have two rooms in ASSp. I'm super excited and super scared.
We decided about a month ago to buy a seat for DS on the plane and that is probably the biggest relief I've had since planning this thing. I also think DS will have no problem with a pack n' play.
My plan is just to be patient and don't go commando through the parks. Take our time and enjoy what we can. We planned everything for the kids - the hotel, meals (all character) and nice long afternoon breaks.

Good Luck!!!!!

 

[ARmomof2]

I am very scared and excited! I think once I actually book it, waiting on my mom to make her final decision, I will feel more in control. Right now I am a research nut!

 

[bankgirl05]

I too, am traveling with a 13 month old and a 3 year old, along with my 14 year old"walking attitude" and my DH!!! I am worried most about handling luggage, car seats, strollers etc. at the airports. I have decided to let the rest play itself out day to day (except for ADR's) I know that my youngest won't ever even know if me miss alot of stuff, I am just looking forwrd to those moments that I'LL treasure, like when thier faces light up when they see something, or even the frightfilled tears at the characters (sure we'll have them)I'm just gonna try focusing more on those moments than on the "GOTTA HURRY HURRY HURRY" Disney lover/planner that I have been in the past. Now if only I can get my 14 year old to leave her attitude at home... or maybe she can bring it with and leave it in Florida for the rest of time

 

[dayzemair]

I am in the same boat and we will be there in a few weeks, I will try to remember to come back and post any tips. My son will be just turning one while we are there! We plan on taking it very slow and easy - it's not our first or even second time there so we won't feel like we have to go commando style and we invested in a really good double stroller. I also picked up a backpack harness thing for my daughter because she is in full on dart mode lately and I am terrified of losing her in the parks - we already lost her a couple of times at the fair

fortunately she loves the backpack and even pretended to be a puppy when I put it on her with the leash part on it - oh well, if it saves me some gray hairs at the parks its worth it - embarrassment and all!

We also bought a seat for our 1 year old and its def. been a good investment in my sanity, not having to worry about that aspect of the trip.

We are also on the dining plan and are doing a lot of buffet type dinners so that there won't be a ton of waiting around for food to come.

That's about all I can think of so far - we won't have separate rooms, its just all one room at CSR so we'll see how well the sleeping arrangements go

 

[pairaberries]

We are making our first trip this fall with a 3 year old and a 4 month old. I'm making my list of must sees but also realizing that at this age we are going to keep it very low key. Lots of snacks and definitely time for naps are things I am hoping keep the kiddos pleasant and refreshed. We'll see how it goes...