Just back from AKL w/ 2 toddlers...?s? (long)

[ksmarper]

We just got home from our stay at AKL June 18-21...it was so wonderful!!! (here is where I'd insert one of those smiley face things if I knew how!)....we have 2 boys ages 2 and 4...we used Magical Express and thought it went "ok" considering it's new...it has a few kinks but it's such a great service, we were fine with it! the best was being able to check our bags with the airlines from our hotel lobby on our departure day. we were a bit concerned when we got our letter on our door for our hotel pick up 3 hours prior to flight time but AKL is a bit further out so there are a few stops and actually was nearly an hour before we got to the airport---but that was still ok...
the hotel was great and everyone was so helpful--got an upgrade from savannah to deluxe savannah and had room service on the balcony every morning watching the giraffes and other animals---this by the way is a great way to get the kids out of bed...
i guess my best advice is to take in all of the advice you hear and make your own plan....getting to the parks at open and taking a break just didn't work for us---and for such a short trip like ours, we did as much as we could and let our boys tell us when they'd had enough...as it was, we closed the parks every night and got up the next morning around 8:00...did EMH at MK Monday night and we didn't think the crowds were bad at all-but, keep in mind with little ones, we may not have been looking at the "big rides"-we did wait 40 mins for Peter pan but the line moves quickly...
i was worried we wouldn't be able to see the spectro parade but i guess we just got lucky when i remembered it 10 mins prior to starting (we were also wondering where the swarm of people was going!)-we got up there and boys on our shoulders could see everything...
illuminations at epcot was GREAT!
i thought i was mrs. prepared with my bag packed for the park with everything I'd learned here...we didn't use the sunscreen...the ponchos--i got ours at target for 4.99 (i know there are cheaper ones but i read here that they get sticky)--they're only $6 and $7 in the park for children and adults respectively---that's not as much $ as I had thought and would probably been ok to get them at the park----
we rented strollers...2 single strollers and not a double...at 2 and 4, our boys pick on each other about everything and each having their own stroller was a lifesaver-it also allowed DH and i to split for a couple of hours with each of them---it was only $1 more...much less than a bottle of Xanax-haha!!
we had an awesome time!
feel free to ask any questions you may have!
sorry this is so long!
kell

 

[the kabuki]

Glad you had a good trip.

BTW-to attach a smilie, just click onto the smilie you want from the list on the right side when posting a message. It will be added

 

[krismom]

REally, no sunscreen? I was planning in dousing my kids next week with the stuff. Was it overcast or something? Sounds like you haad a great trip... I know what you mean about the side by side stroller scutchies my twins invented it!

 

[ksmarper]

didn't use the bug spray....used the sunscreen (the new coppertone in aerosol spray worked great!) a ton!!!

 

[Jakesmom504]

Glad to hear that your trip was so nice! Please tell me how it was for the 2 year old. We are taking my DS who will be just turning 2 and my DH keeps saying, "He's not going to remember it, what's the point, he's too young, what if we have problems with him, we will have spent all that money for nothing, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!!" My son is for the most part a really good baby, and just kind of goes with the flow. I don't think we'll have a problem with him, but as far as everything else, can you please give me some info about how your 2 year old was so I can tell my DH that he's nuts! Thanks!

 

[yyzgurl]

We're bringing our 2 year old and he's use to sleeping in his own bed. I don't know how he's going to do with mommy and daddy in the same room as him. How did you handle it with TWO little ones?

 

[ksmarper]

well, I'll tell you our 2 year old is a "typical" 2 year old...he is very strong willed (read: stubborn!)....i think he had a great time...yes, he is probably too young to remember it but he really had fun and that's the most important part---i kept telling dh "remember, his ticket is free" and would quote what the trip would cost if we had to pay for his ticket -- he is talking about it all the time and it may seem selfish but we had the most fun through his fun---ds4 had so much fun too...he LOVES indiana jones and afterwards, the actor came over and let us have a picture and spent lots of time with him and was very patient answering questions like "what did the treasure feel like"...too cute and again, he may not remember it but most importantly, he had a great time...
as far as sleeping, by the time we got back to our room, ds2 was usually crashed out from the bus ride so it was a just a quick diaper change and we split them up and each slept with one of us....it worked out fine...he's used to his own bed too...we were actually able to watch some tv and he usually doesn't like any noise or light---the heat, excitement, etc....really takes it out of them! it was actually kind of cute the first morning, ds2 woke up and said "are we at grandma's?"
good luck with all your planning---i lurked here mostly since february and got lots of hints (wouldn't have done philharmagic if hadn't seen it here---it's a don't miss for sure--both boys loved it!) but quickly learned that the kids will really be the ones who plan for you when you get there...go with the flow and have a great time!
kelly

 

[Jakesmom504]

Hi Kelly,
Glad to here your 2 year old had so much fun. Now I have a lot to tell my husband. I also don't think it was selfish of you to have fun through them, I think that makes it even better as long as their having a good time! I've noticed with my son that when I get excited because he enjoys something, he gets even more excited. Well thanks for all the info, if you have any other tips, please let me know.
Jen

 

[alicenwonder99]

How was the pool? Was it a long walk to the bus stop from your room? How did the children like the food at the restaurants at AKL?

Mary