Last trip I was a mom of 1, next trip I’ll be a mom of 3😱

[WVTinkGrl]

So, I just realized that the last time I was able to go to Disney, I was only a mom to my DD (who was 6 at the time). Our trip last year was going to be our first trip as a family of four with my DH, DD (7 at that time), and DD (who was only 9 months) I was so excited for that trip. We had everything planned, dining reservations made and fast passes booked. I’m still bummed.

but....we are now going in either January or February 2022!!! I’m so excited to be planning a trip again!

and wouldn’t ya know it, I’m pregnant! Lol! DD will be 9, DD will be 2, and baby to be will be about 4/5 months. I feel like I am out of my norm with trying to plan a vacation for 5 people. Where do I stay? Am I taking on too much? My in-laws will be coming with us, and I absolutely love them, but it just adds a bit more to the planning too.

I do want to use a vacation planner. Will they be able to help me decide n where to stay when to go?
Any advice/tips/suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

 

[Disneyfan754321]

First of all congratulations on the baby!!
I think it will be awesome after all the last two years have been. The good thing is now days you dont have to plan as much as the past. A year should be more than enough time. I have never used a vacation planner before but read great things. I know they have planned for familes your size before and know just what to do. I'm just too budget minded and my first couple of quotes were more than I had in mind.

You should start by adding a sit and stand stroller to your wish list they are awesome for toddlers/ preschoolers.

 

[Rory607]

Congratulations! While 3 kids will be different, the baby will be super easy at that age. I would get a double stroller that will work for the baby and the toddler, as well as a carrier for the baby. The weather should be good in February, so you won’t have to worry about them overheating.

A planner should be able to help you plan around your budget and give you various lodging options. It definitely can’t hurt.

And as far as your in-laws go, I would be upfront about how you want the trip to go. Do you think they will be willing to help out by watching the baby so you can go on rides? Or will they want to do their own thing and meet up for meals? We’ve gone with different sets of family members and I find it’s best that everyone lay out their expectations beforehand.

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

I’ve got three kids (all boys) and the next time we go they will be 9, 7 and 5. Last time I went was right before my youngest turned 3. Absolutely agree on the stroller and the baby carrier - never underestimate the value of both. One thing we’ve done for each trip is to ask the kids a few things they absolutely want to do (in laws included) and make sure we get everyone on board. For your two year old, I suggest having her watch some you tube videos of rides you aren’t sure she will like - this could backfire in the even she refuses, but this was a way we’d gotten the kids set up / excited for rides and able to deal with longer lines.

 

[WVTinkGrl]

First of all congratulations on the baby!!
I think it will be awesome after all the last two years have been. The good thing is now days you dont have to plan as much as the past. A year should be more than enough time. I have never used a vacation planner before but read great things. I know they have planned for familes your size before and know just what to do. I'm just too budget minded and my first couple of quotes were more than I had in mind.

You should start by adding a sit and stand stroller to your wish list they are awesome for toddlers/ preschoolers.

thank you!

ive been on Amazon looking today, and think I like the graco duo glider, but I’ll keep looking to make sure I get the “best” one for us.

 

[WVTinkGrl]

Congratulations! While 3 kids will be different, the baby will be super easy at that age. I would get a double stroller that will work for the baby and the toddler, as well as a carrier for the baby. The weather should be good in February, so you won’t have to worry about them overheating.

A planner should be able to help you plan around your budget and give you various lodging options. It definitely can’t hurt.

And as far as your in-laws go, I would be upfront about how you want the trip to go. Do you think they will be willing to help out by watching the baby so you can go on rides? Or will they want to do their own thing and meet up for meals? We’ve gone with different sets of family members and I find it’s best that everyone lay out their expectations beforehand.

Ooohhh...the baby carrier is a good idea! My 2nd one liked being in it at that age too.

My in-laws are amazing. They would be up for pretty much whatever. We’ve gone to smaller, local parks with them before and have always been helpful with watching a kid so we could go on a ride. (And I’m in luck- my sister-in-law’s serious boyfriend get motion sick and can’t ride much of anything. The kids also love him and he likes the kids too. Automatic baby watcher! Lol )

And I do plan on asking them what their must do dining/rides will be. I feel like this trip won’t be a “let’s do everything!” trip, but a “let’s just see what happens today” type trip.

 

[WVTinkGrl]

I’ve got three kids (all boys) and the next time we go they will be 9, 7 and 5. Last time I went was right before my youngest turned 3. Absolutely agree on the stroller and the baby carrier - never underestimate the value of both. One thing we’ve done for each trip is to ask the kids a few things they absolutely want to do (in laws included) and make sure we get everyone on board. For your two year old, I suggest having her watch some you tube videos of rides you aren’t sure she will like - this could backfire in the even she refuses, but this was a way we’d gotten the kids set up / excited for rides and able to deal with longer lines.

Thank you for the suggestions! We love watching Disney world content on YouTube. I’ve tried to have her watch a Winnie the Pooh ride thru before, but she didn’t show much interest yet. She did like the parades though. Those got her up and dancing! We'll keep trying every once in a while with ride videos to see how she does though.

 

[Rory607]

Thank you for the suggestions! We love watching Disney world content on YouTube. I’ve tried to have her watch a Winnie the Pooh ride thru before, but she didn’t show much interest yet. She did like the parades though. Those got her up and dancing! We'll keep trying every once in a while with ride videos to see how she does though.

I don’t know if it’s still on YouTube or not, but my son was obsessed with this Disney World singalong show as a toddler! It’s super-old and WDW has obviously changed a lot, but it has the characters singing and dancing. When I say obsessed, I mean he watched it everyday for over a year! That was the only way I could get dinner made for a while

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

One other thing re:strollers, if you don’t want a double, we’ve also taken two singles, and we have purchased a super cheap umbrella one at target one time (I think that’s the only time we flew). We hung it into our double when we didn’t need it. The two strollers allows a grandparent/parent to take one of the kids back on their own without leaving one party without a stroller.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

thank you!

ive been on Amazon looking today, and think I like the graco duo glider, but I’ll keep looking to make sure I get the “best” one for us.

You can also rent strollers ( and other gear) in Orlando, its big business

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

Congratulations! We have 3 kids and took them yearly as infants and toddlers. One suggestion is to watch a few recent park videos on youtube by Tim Tracker, they have a 1 year old.

As far as where to stay, my suggestion is stay somewhere you can walk to the park you will visit most often such as Grand Floridian or Contemporary for Magic Kingdom or Beach/Yacht Club/Boardwalk for Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Dealing with collapsing stroller(s) to get on and off the bus every day, especially if you have a sleepy child can be more taxing than it is worth. You can still stay in a resort that sleeps 4, one child under 3 doesn't count towards occupancy requirements. You can also look into a 2 bedroom DVC room to fit all 7 of you (once we hit 3 kids that's when we bought DVC).

Our favorite sit and stand stroller was the Joovy Caboose, I much prefer the single width double stroller instead of a double width double stroller - with the double width (side by side) double stroller our oldest wasn't easily able to walk next to the stroller, it takes up too much room. The single width double stroller like the Joovy Caboose is also easier to get in and out of doorways in my experience. Also, get a raincover for your stroller, there's less rain in January/February compared to other times of the year but a quick shower can still happen.

When our kids were toddlers/preschoolers they loved the Disney singalong DVDs, especially the Disneyland Fun one.

Become familiar with child swap if all adults want to go on rides.

 

[LovesTimone]

Congrat's on the new baby on the way...

I would think about getting a 1 or 2 bedroom DVC, for a full kitchen, more space... with 3 kiddo's this will be much easier all the way around... or for just your family a Family Suite at AOA, would nicely fit a family of 5...

On the strollers - Yes Please - I would go the 2 stroller route, this way if you need to go back to the resort or stay put and take a break, you can use one for yourself and other can stay with the other little one, or even if you want to split up... you can easily do it ... and one is easier to push around, and those double strollers are harder to maneuver around..plus in the airport they are much easier to deal with, when trying to get around all the carry on's plus seating while waiting... Rain covers no matter what you decide...

I personally would bring my own pack and play for the infant to sleep in...

 

[SilverSnakeMama]

So, I just realized that the last time I was able to go to Disney, I was only a mom to my DD (who was 6 at the time). Our trip last year was going to be our first trip as a family of four with my DH, DD (7 at that time), and DD (who was only 9 months) I was so excited for that trip. We had everything planned, dining reservations made and fast passes booked. I’m still bummed.

but....we are now going in either January or February 2022!!! I’m so excited to be planning a trip again!

and wouldn’t ya know it, I’m pregnant! Lol! DD will be 9, DD will be 2, and baby to be will be about 4/5 months. I feel like I am out of my norm with trying to plan a vacation for 5 people. Where do I stay? Am I taking on too much? My in-laws will be coming with us, and I absolutely love them, but it just adds a bit more to the planning too.

I do want to use a vacation planner. Will they be able to help me decide n where to stay when to go?
Any advice/tips/suggestions are greatly appreciated!!View attachment 560084

This has me thinking how last Disney related trip I was a mom of 1 and now I am a mom of 5 through adoption of 3 kids and having my rainbow baby who was a complete surprise,We are so excited for our trip in June to Aulani for 2 weeks and then heading to WDW In Orlando for a week and a half!

 

[WVTinkGrl]

Small update for everyone: I just found out yesterday that I’m having a little prince!!!

 

[Rory607]

Congratulations!