BeckyEsq
Mouseketeer.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 1999
- Messages
- 671
Who: Mom, Dad, and our almost-three-year-old Princess. I hesitate to call my daughter a toddler, as she is probably more like a preschooler at this age (just turned two is very different from a few weeks away from 3).
If you are thinking about taking a child this age to WDW, this will be an honest assessment of how it went (for us anyway). I will also include some "Mom Memos" with things that might be useful to those planning trips with small children.
When: August 5-10th, 2013
Where: Port Orleans Riverside
How: Southwest Airways, Magical Express, five day park hoppers, Disney Dining Plan with ADRs at Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Ohana, Restaurant Akershus, and Chef Mickeys.
ABOUT US
DH and I both had our first trip to the World on our honeymoon in 1999. Since DH is a teacher, trips of any length have to happen in the summer. Our last trip was in 2006, when we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. On that trip we had just started the adoption process and we vowed that our next trip would be with a child of our own. That took much longer than we expected and our little princess finally joined our family in the fall of 2010. J I really cant describe what a joy she has been to us, and after all our struggles we are so blessed to have a healthy, happy and bright little girl.
THE PLANS
Last fall, around the time DD turned 2, I started thinking about whether she was ready for her first trip to Walt Disney World. At that point she was talking in sentences and so able to communicate her needs and desires. She was a big fan of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and because of her books and toys she knew the names of all the princesses. She had already watched a few of the Disney movies, including Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast and Toy Story. She was starting to potty train, and I figured by summer shed be well trained. We had gone to Dutch Wonderland the summer before she turned 2, and she did very well with the car trip, kiddie rides, waiting in lines, sleeping in a hotel and eating in restaurants. From what I had seen with my niece, I knew that the princess phase is fleeting. I knew we would want to take her more than once while it lasted. Then I did a little research and discovered that since she was not yet 3 she would not need park tickets and could eat for free at the buffets and family style restaurants. That sealed it and we booked our trip. The excitement set in and I started spending a lot more time on the DIS boards.
Just a few weeks after we sent in our deposit, our world was turned upside down when my DH was diagnosed with a malignant, inoperable brain tumor at the age of 38. The next few months were the worst of my entire life. DH was put on some medication that really changed his personality while he was on it. I was overwhelmed with fear and exhaustion as I basically became a single working parent and caregiver overnight. DH went through six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, then began a twelve month course of follow up chemotherapy. Throughout all of this, I kept making payments on our trip. I figured that if he got better we'd be celebrating, and if he didn't, then it would be even more important to take the trip and make those memories with our daughter.
Meanwhile, DD continued to become less of a baby and more of little girl, talking up a storm and becoming more independent. She discovered Sofia the First and loved it (the inspiration for our trip report title), watched more of the Disney movies including Monsters Inc., and found a favorite princess that she referred to as Tangled.
Thankfully, by March DH was feeling better and back to himself. His MRIs since March have all shown the tumor shrinking, and he has had no more neurological difficulties since he was diagnosed. We pray that everything will continue this way. As the date for our trip approached, I was filled with an often overwhelming sense of gratitude for every minute that we have together. Our little family really is a miracle.
THE STUFF
Ive read many threads discussing what to bring to WDW and so I want to contribute what worked and didnt work for us.
The Stroller: We have strollers at home that we still use frequently but nothing fancy. I thought it was better not to deal with one in the airport since wed have to be hauling our luggage. So we decided to rent from Kingdom Strollers. After much debate I got the insurance and I think the final bill was $75 for the City Mini Elite. DD weighs 28 pounds and is about 38 inches tall and this was the perfect size for her. As a jogging type stroller it was a very smooth ride and very easy to push. I really liked that the canopy completely shaded her entire body including her legs. The lack of a child tray meant she could hop in and out easily. At her age we didnt think it was necessary to strap her in. It was deep enough that she could sit back and we had no worries that shed fall out, and she enjoyed the freedom of being able to climb in and out on her own. There were a few times we had to coax her to sit in it as she wanted to walk. We definitely needed a stroller though. The walk from the busses to the entrances alone is long for a slow walking child, especially at Epcot. It folded very easily by pulling up on a strap in the middle of the seat. The only difficulty we had was with wrestling our bag out of the bottom of it so we could fold it when the bus was coming. We also ordered a case of water for $9. More on that later.
The Bag: On previous trips I have used the much discussed Bagallini Messenger Bag, which is really a sling-type backpack with a single strap. This worked great for me before we had DD, but I have found in using it on outings to our local zoo etc. that when I bend over to assist DD or check on her, it tends to slide forward around my body and almost wack her in the face. It's annoying. So on this trip I bought a Piazza Day Bag from ebags.com. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/piazza-day-bag/94553?lastSearchTerm=piazza+day+bag This is a cross-body bag . It is lightweight and has a lot of organizational pockets. I liked that it had a side pocket with mesh that would hold a water bottle. I don't like to put water inside my bag in case it leaks. I used the main compartment to hold my DSLR in this case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ABIYKA/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I only brought one walkaround lense and left it attached. The Caselogic case protected it as it hung around my neck, but I frequently put it back in my purse. It fit, but it was a little tight and I did get annoyed sometimes with pulling it in and out. The other pockets of the purse held my iphone, small toiletry case, small first aid case, packet of handiwipes, travel pack of Clorox wipes, card case with KTTW, and an extra pull-up for DD.
I also had a collapsible tote that we kept in the bottom of the stroller with a change of clothes for DD, a zipper bag full of snacks, and DDs folding potty seat (more on that later).
The Shoes: I took three pairs of shoes on this trip, all three of which I recommend. The first were a new pair of Skechers Go Walks. I wore these on the plane with socks for going through security, but after that wore them without socks. They were one of the cushy-est pairs of shoes I have ever worn. Very comfortable and lightweight, and they did not make my feet hot. The second pair were Teva Tirra Sandals. These were my everyday park shoes. They are adjustable, supportive, and great on wet pavement or even when getting rained on. Kept my feet nice and cool. Only bad side is the goofy tan lines on my feet. Third pair were Teva Mush wedge flipflops. I put these on during our afternoon breaks and wore them all evening comfortably, even when we went back to the parks. I also wore them when strolling around the resort or heading to the pool. Definitely the most comfortable flipflops I have owned.
The Snacks: We knew our refrigerator would not be working in the hotel during our stay due to the fridge overhaul, so we didn't order any groceries. I did pack snack bags for each day in the parks, plus a few extras. I used about 8 quart-sized Ziploc bags and put the same thing in each one: a single serving pack of goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, fruit roll up, package of fruit snacks, small box of raisins, granola bar, and package of fruit gushers. Anytime DD wanted a snack or needed to be distracted I let her pick something from the bag. This worked great and I could just grab one each morning on the way to the parks. She doesn't eat that much of this junk at home, but it beat having to buy a Disney snack for her, helped pass time in lines and staved off her hunger if we had time to kill before an ADR.
The Outfits: Back in January I had a friend of a friend make a personalized embroidered Minnie T for DD to wear on our trip. I got a size 2/3 Belle dress for $29 on clearance when they changed the styles. I ordered a lightweight Snow White dress from www.littledressupshop.com for $29 (including shipping). I also picked up some character ts on sale on trips to the Disney Store, in Kmart and Old Navy. I packed each days outfit in a separate ziplock bag and included her matching hair accessories with it. I packed her tiaras in a box inside my suitcase so they wouldnt get crushed. She didn't end up wearing them though they are really too big for girls her age.
Okay, enough of all this and on to the fun stuff: Arrival Day.
If you are thinking about taking a child this age to WDW, this will be an honest assessment of how it went (for us anyway). I will also include some "Mom Memos" with things that might be useful to those planning trips with small children.
When: August 5-10th, 2013
Where: Port Orleans Riverside
How: Southwest Airways, Magical Express, five day park hoppers, Disney Dining Plan with ADRs at Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Ohana, Restaurant Akershus, and Chef Mickeys.
ABOUT US
DH and I both had our first trip to the World on our honeymoon in 1999. Since DH is a teacher, trips of any length have to happen in the summer. Our last trip was in 2006, when we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. On that trip we had just started the adoption process and we vowed that our next trip would be with a child of our own. That took much longer than we expected and our little princess finally joined our family in the fall of 2010. J I really cant describe what a joy she has been to us, and after all our struggles we are so blessed to have a healthy, happy and bright little girl.
THE PLANS
Last fall, around the time DD turned 2, I started thinking about whether she was ready for her first trip to Walt Disney World. At that point she was talking in sentences and so able to communicate her needs and desires. She was a big fan of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and because of her books and toys she knew the names of all the princesses. She had already watched a few of the Disney movies, including Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast and Toy Story. She was starting to potty train, and I figured by summer shed be well trained. We had gone to Dutch Wonderland the summer before she turned 2, and she did very well with the car trip, kiddie rides, waiting in lines, sleeping in a hotel and eating in restaurants. From what I had seen with my niece, I knew that the princess phase is fleeting. I knew we would want to take her more than once while it lasted. Then I did a little research and discovered that since she was not yet 3 she would not need park tickets and could eat for free at the buffets and family style restaurants. That sealed it and we booked our trip. The excitement set in and I started spending a lot more time on the DIS boards.
Just a few weeks after we sent in our deposit, our world was turned upside down when my DH was diagnosed with a malignant, inoperable brain tumor at the age of 38. The next few months were the worst of my entire life. DH was put on some medication that really changed his personality while he was on it. I was overwhelmed with fear and exhaustion as I basically became a single working parent and caregiver overnight. DH went through six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, then began a twelve month course of follow up chemotherapy. Throughout all of this, I kept making payments on our trip. I figured that if he got better we'd be celebrating, and if he didn't, then it would be even more important to take the trip and make those memories with our daughter.
Meanwhile, DD continued to become less of a baby and more of little girl, talking up a storm and becoming more independent. She discovered Sofia the First and loved it (the inspiration for our trip report title), watched more of the Disney movies including Monsters Inc., and found a favorite princess that she referred to as Tangled.
Thankfully, by March DH was feeling better and back to himself. His MRIs since March have all shown the tumor shrinking, and he has had no more neurological difficulties since he was diagnosed. We pray that everything will continue this way. As the date for our trip approached, I was filled with an often overwhelming sense of gratitude for every minute that we have together. Our little family really is a miracle.
THE STUFF
Ive read many threads discussing what to bring to WDW and so I want to contribute what worked and didnt work for us.
The Stroller: We have strollers at home that we still use frequently but nothing fancy. I thought it was better not to deal with one in the airport since wed have to be hauling our luggage. So we decided to rent from Kingdom Strollers. After much debate I got the insurance and I think the final bill was $75 for the City Mini Elite. DD weighs 28 pounds and is about 38 inches tall and this was the perfect size for her. As a jogging type stroller it was a very smooth ride and very easy to push. I really liked that the canopy completely shaded her entire body including her legs. The lack of a child tray meant she could hop in and out easily. At her age we didnt think it was necessary to strap her in. It was deep enough that she could sit back and we had no worries that shed fall out, and she enjoyed the freedom of being able to climb in and out on her own. There were a few times we had to coax her to sit in it as she wanted to walk. We definitely needed a stroller though. The walk from the busses to the entrances alone is long for a slow walking child, especially at Epcot. It folded very easily by pulling up on a strap in the middle of the seat. The only difficulty we had was with wrestling our bag out of the bottom of it so we could fold it when the bus was coming. We also ordered a case of water for $9. More on that later.
The Bag: On previous trips I have used the much discussed Bagallini Messenger Bag, which is really a sling-type backpack with a single strap. This worked great for me before we had DD, but I have found in using it on outings to our local zoo etc. that when I bend over to assist DD or check on her, it tends to slide forward around my body and almost wack her in the face. It's annoying. So on this trip I bought a Piazza Day Bag from ebags.com. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/piazza-day-bag/94553?lastSearchTerm=piazza+day+bag This is a cross-body bag . It is lightweight and has a lot of organizational pockets. I liked that it had a side pocket with mesh that would hold a water bottle. I don't like to put water inside my bag in case it leaks. I used the main compartment to hold my DSLR in this case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ABIYKA/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I only brought one walkaround lense and left it attached. The Caselogic case protected it as it hung around my neck, but I frequently put it back in my purse. It fit, but it was a little tight and I did get annoyed sometimes with pulling it in and out. The other pockets of the purse held my iphone, small toiletry case, small first aid case, packet of handiwipes, travel pack of Clorox wipes, card case with KTTW, and an extra pull-up for DD.
I also had a collapsible tote that we kept in the bottom of the stroller with a change of clothes for DD, a zipper bag full of snacks, and DDs folding potty seat (more on that later).
The Shoes: I took three pairs of shoes on this trip, all three of which I recommend. The first were a new pair of Skechers Go Walks. I wore these on the plane with socks for going through security, but after that wore them without socks. They were one of the cushy-est pairs of shoes I have ever worn. Very comfortable and lightweight, and they did not make my feet hot. The second pair were Teva Tirra Sandals. These were my everyday park shoes. They are adjustable, supportive, and great on wet pavement or even when getting rained on. Kept my feet nice and cool. Only bad side is the goofy tan lines on my feet. Third pair were Teva Mush wedge flipflops. I put these on during our afternoon breaks and wore them all evening comfortably, even when we went back to the parks. I also wore them when strolling around the resort or heading to the pool. Definitely the most comfortable flipflops I have owned.
The Snacks: We knew our refrigerator would not be working in the hotel during our stay due to the fridge overhaul, so we didn't order any groceries. I did pack snack bags for each day in the parks, plus a few extras. I used about 8 quart-sized Ziploc bags and put the same thing in each one: a single serving pack of goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, fruit roll up, package of fruit snacks, small box of raisins, granola bar, and package of fruit gushers. Anytime DD wanted a snack or needed to be distracted I let her pick something from the bag. This worked great and I could just grab one each morning on the way to the parks. She doesn't eat that much of this junk at home, but it beat having to buy a Disney snack for her, helped pass time in lines and staved off her hunger if we had time to kill before an ADR.
The Outfits: Back in January I had a friend of a friend make a personalized embroidered Minnie T for DD to wear on our trip. I got a size 2/3 Belle dress for $29 on clearance when they changed the styles. I ordered a lightweight Snow White dress from www.littledressupshop.com for $29 (including shipping). I also picked up some character ts on sale on trips to the Disney Store, in Kmart and Old Navy. I packed each days outfit in a separate ziplock bag and included her matching hair accessories with it. I packed her tiaras in a box inside my suitcase so they wouldnt get crushed. She didn't end up wearing them though they are really too big for girls her age.
Okay, enough of all this and on to the fun stuff: Arrival Day.
