Magic Kingdom w/18 mo old & Pregnant Wife (Twins)!?!!

[ChesapeakeTechie]

We're heading to the Magic Kingdom for a day at the end of March and staying at the Pop Century the night before and after. We decided to keep the room for two nights so we can go back during the MK day as necessary. My wife will be 23 weeks pregnant with twins, and our son will be 18 months old when we go. A couple of questions:

1) What is the procedure for getting a wheelchair if deemed necessary? Do we need to bring a medical note with us? Are there any provisions for meeting up in line in that scenario?

2) Anyone have ride suggestions, what did your ~18 month old like, dislike?

3) Any other insight would be appreciated!!

Thanks!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

We're heading to the Magic Kingdom for a day at the end of March and staying at the Pop Century the night before and after. We decided to keep the room for two nights so we can go back during the MK day as necessary. My wife will be 23 weeks pregnant with twins, and our son will be 18 months old when we go. A couple of questions:

1) What is the procedure for getting a wheelchair if deemed necessary? Do we need to bring a medical note with us? Are there any provisions for meeting up in line in that scenario?

You don't need a medical note.
There is information about how to get a wheelchair or ECV (power mobility scooter) in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can rent from the parks, but then you would not have it for at the resort. If you rent from one of the off-site rental places, she would be able to use it at the parks and the resort.

An ECV might be a better choice for you. With a wheelchair, your wife would probably have to hold the 18 month old so that you can push the wheelchair. I can't imagine a lot of 18 month olds who would like to do that for the whole day.
If she used an ECV, she could drive it and you would be able to push the stroller.
Most of the lines are wheelchair and ECV accessible, so no need to meet up later. For shows, she would be able to stay in the wheelchair or ECV for the whole show.

Besides fatigue, it's important to avoid dehydration when pregnant. Since you already know she's pregnant with twins, I'd suggest she talk to her doctor before going. That point in pregnancy may not be a problem for someone pregnant with a single child, but her doctor may have other recommendations for her because of the twins.

 

[laceemouse]

You, your wife, and your son should be able to ride and enjoy a lot of things. Babies are allowed on anything that does not have a height limit. Also, Disney has so many great shows and parades for the whole family. You will have a great time, and it will probably be the last time you will be getting away for a while!

 

[jenseib]

WOW. No way would I go if I was 23 weeks along with twins. I had a hard time walking with one kid! LOL Byt my thrid child it felt like he baby was going to shoot right out at any moment! Just take it slow. I think there wil be signs for anything that is not recomended for pregnant women. We went to Niagr Falls when I was pregnant with my last one and it was surprising how much stuff said that it wasn't recommended for pregnant women. I just stood out and shopped while my Dh and kids went in.

 

[ChesapeakeTechie]

Thanks everyone for the info! We actually went to the OB today. He said he didn't see any problems with the trip, as long as she takes it easy and stays well hydrated. I'll check on the wheelchairs / ECV's, thanks for the link.

We'll take it easy on the trip during the day, we've both been to WDW before, so we won't feel we're missing things if we don't get to see everything this trip.

We're going to be meeting up with my sister, her husband and their kids (2 yr old and 7 month old) we'll all be in the same boat


Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

I think there wil be signs for anything that is not recomended for pregnant women.

You are right. There will be signs outside of the entrance of each attraction with any warnings.
The park maps also have a red triangle icon to mark the attractions with warnings. Most of those are not ones people would be taking an 18 month old on anyway (many have height requirements).
Some of the 'gentle' rides without any warnings may be somewhat of a challenge to get into. For example, Small World boats involve a step down into the boat where the pregnant woman may need a hand to steady with to get in and out.

 

[bless7ings]

Just wanted to say that your childs age is one of my favorite ages for going to disney! The expressions at that age are priceless, so bring the camcorder and camera and utilize photopass.

 

[ChesapeakeTechie]

Just wanted to say that your childs age is one of my favorite ages for going to disney! The expressions at that age are priceless, so bring the camcorder and camera and utilize photopass.

At first I didn't really think he would be old enough to enjoy it. But now since we've been watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse he's been learning his Disney characters (Mick = Mickey, DooonalD = Donald, Doooog = Pluto) I am thinking he'll have a great time!

 

[Twingle]

Just wanted you to know that I went to Disney when I was 22 weeks with my twins, and I had a blast! My son was older (3 1/2), but we did have a very good time.

Make sure your wife takes plenty of water breaks, and sits in the AC when she feels overheated. In Magic Kingdom, the best places I found were the Baby Care Center (I was able to take my son in with me), Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, and funny enough, the Hall of Presidents. The nice CM at the HoP let me stay through two shows, since I was on a very comfy padded bench and they weren't busy.

Also, I was fine walking, I didn't need a wheelchair or a scooter. I may have just been lucky, but as long as I made sure to rest when I was tired, I did fine.

As far as your 18 month old goes - I agree with the above poster, that is an AWESOME age at Disney! Lots of fun stuff for little ones that age.

Have a great time!

 

[ChesapeakeTechie]

Since we really haven't been to WDW with young kids before, can someone give a rundown of the best things to see / do with them? Both at MK and around the WDW property in general would be awesome. I know there are some off-the-beaten-path things that we sometimes miss!

Thanks!!

 

[TJA]

Since we really haven't been to WDW with young kids before, can someone give a rundown of the best things to see / do with them? Both at MK and around the WDW property in general would be awesome. I know there are some off-the-beaten-path things that we sometimes miss!

Thanks!!

We have been taking our twins to WDW since they were 7 months old. We used to bring the baby bjorn carriers and put our babies in them and we could go on most of the kiddie rides at MK (Its a Small World, etc.). We went on basically every ride where there were no height restrictions, and there seemed to be quite a few rides. Also, there are Baby Care Centers in each park and they are great for changing diapers and feeding if you wish. When our twins would nap in the stroller, we found a nice sit-down restaurant and brought the stroller right to our table and had a very relaxing meal. If one or both babies woke up, then we'd feed them and they'd fall back asleep. It was great! I can say you'll feel like you're moving in slow motion with the little one along (+ pregnant mommy!), but it's a lot of fun seeing WDW in a different, slower way.

 

[bless7ings]

It's nice to get personal opinions, but on the disney site for preschoolers there is a lot of information. Make sure you look to the sides for all the downloads!! There are downloads for tips, packing, recommendations of what to do, height restrictions etc... http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/experience/experienceLanding?id=PreschoolersExperiencePage Once there make sure you hit on the link for attractions and when that page up loads hit the button to the right for park map and attractions for preschoolers! Now for a personal opinion: My 1 1/2 and almost 3 yr old liked probably Pooh, Dumbo and the carasel the best for rides. It really wasn't the rides for my kids it was being w/their older siblings and all the sites and characters. They take on the enthusiasm of those around them! But Pooh and his house was the biggest hit because they love Pooh! Oh, I can't forget Minnies house is always a favorite!!!!!! (they still talk about the "surprise in the oven" Don't just run through the house, enjoy it! I always take some of best pictures there!! The house has a lot of bright colors and fun stuff in it to take pictures!!) My almost 3 yr old fell in love w/Mickey and Minnie by the end of the trip and it's all she still talks about. So next trip we will try Chef Mickeys or somewhere where they are together. Now I can't leave w/o saying this because it was the most important thing I wanted to say besides the links. Be warned that even though Disney recommends the show Fantasmic in MGM some kids are scared by it!! I read that before we left on the boards, but decided I had to try it because of all the rave reviews and it was just some kids. Well my two little ones fell in that catagory. The music was loud and there was a lot of fire works. They were crying. We calmed them down by turning them facing us and cuddling them and talking softly to them. My husband had one and I had one, they were both scared! The rest of the kids enjoyed it. Also Disney doesn't recommend the Snow White ride and I agree. It is scary for little ones. There is the evil witch in almost every scene! I wish they would change it. When I think of Snow White, I think of a sweet young lady, but they emphasize the witch. She's one of my favorite characters and I hate the ride. Just my two cents.

 

[jenseib]

We did snow white with my 2 year old and she had no problems, but it is mainly the witch in the whole ride. She rode anything should could get on too. She really liked pirates of the carribean alot as well. We rode that twice. Its a small world was mesmorizing. She loved the Dumbo and Alladin rides as well. But my little girl seems to have no fear either. She rode in the first car of the goofy barnstormer twice out of the 3 times she rode it.