Need Advice on taking a 2yr old and 10 month old...

[lovingmy2boys]

We are planning on going back to DIs in late July beginning of Aug. My oldest will just be turning 2 in July and I also have a 4 month old (will be 10 months when we go). Please give me some advice as too what to expect. I have been to disney many times but never with children this small.

 

[HappyLawyer]

i wish you luck i vowed to never take small children they are not able to apprecite it, we booked a land sea package for thisdecember and i post poned a scheduled pregnancy until after the vacation, i would not take a small child and i would not want to leave my child here so after this year we won't be gong back for 4 years until the new baby turns 4
best of luck to you

 

[sarahsmom73]

DH and I will be taking dd 2 1/2 in April! We are so excited! Right now in our twon we are having Winter Carnival. Yesterday she got to see characters including Piglet! She just loved him and all the characters! There were lots of squeals and big hugs! I think you will be just fine! Good luck!

 

[Vanryan]

We have gone twice:

April 2000 DD was 5 and DS 3 and I was 8 months pregnant

April 2001 DD was6 and DS 4 and the baby was 10 months.

April 2004 were are headed back ages are 21/2 6 and 8. (Thought I'd save you the math!)

Obviously we love Disney with little ones! I had a friend once tell me you take them at 2 for you, and go back when they're 4-5 for them. I think that is so true! I know it is not for everyone however, so I completely understand why some don't go.

Hardest part about our trips has been the heat. We missed narrowly missed breaking the record temps both times. It was in the 90's. So for you I would say your biggest concern would be to keep your kids hydrated, and sunscreened. 10 month olds might be getting to the crawl out of the stroller stage so I would practice stroller time a bit before. Also the characters might be intimidating, so remember it is ok to step away with the 10 month old if the 2 year old is meeting characters.

Keep some high protein/fat snacks with you to keep hunger at bay. Most of my kids melt downs happen when they have to wait to eat. Having a plan of what to do that is out of the sun and hoop-la is important. Over stimulation is another stress factor. For example, The bone-yard at AK was a great place for my kids. I have never been a vacation planner, I always thought to be spontaneous on vacation was better, but not with Disney. Now I am guide-book guru!

The last thing I think is good to think about: don't worry about squeezing it all in. Our first trip we had 5 day park hoppers. On our last day I figured we would go to MGM. My kids wanted to go back and ride "It's a Small World and the Honey Pots" again, so we went back to MK. Familiar is so important to kids, think of how many times they watch the same video. So, I didn't want them to remember that they didn't get to do something, even if they loved MGM they would have gone home remebering we didn't get to go back to the honey pots. Sorry to go on and on, my kids are so busy playing right now, I got a few minutes alone and got carried away!

 

[campingcorgi]

While we have not taken two children of those ages, we have taken our little one when she was about that age. We took her at 8 months old at exactly the same time of year. She had a great time! Yes, it was hot so we just kept handing her liquids. We had plenty of wet diapers so I knew she was hydrated!! She ate her first puffy Cheetos on this trip She loved the characters and the rides--especially the merry-go-round and the Carousel of Progress. I had asked her peditrician about sunscreen and he okayed it.

Yes, she may not remember the exact events, but all experiences go into the make-up of her personality. If we had waited till 4 or 5 or 7 she still would not have made her first trip and instead she has made 7 trips and is thrilled to be looking forward to her next trip in April. And I can remember her trips and have the photographs to prove it!

Take your stroller, lots of diapers, wipes, snacks, and pictures!!

 

[HappyLawyer]

that is why each person has their own views, there is not right or wrong choice, just the choice that fits best for u and your family, everyone does not all agree and u don't know if there would or would not be a difference if u waited

 

[lovingmy2boys]

Thank you for the tips! I will make sure that I have plenty of snacks and plenty of liquids. I think one thing I have going for me is that my 3 sister in laws will be there with there children too. The girls are 11 and 12 and are always a big help with the boys. DH is not going to go. He wants to wait until they are older. So we will go back again in 2 to 3 years with him. I just love Disney and he thinks I am nuts for taking them at this age but oh well! We are also going to be going to Universal. The last time I was at Disney was when I was pregnant with my oldest Alex. I was about 6 months along and had a great time even though I could not get on all the rides. Just being there was fun enough for me.

I hope that the kids will have a good time.

Any tips on strollers, car seats ect... I am getting a very lightweight double stroller to take to make things easier. I am a little concerned about car seats though. I will be taking at least one for Alex will have his own seat on the plane. I don't believe we are renting a car so do I really need to take 2? Also Alex will be sleeping in bed with me but the baby will need to be in a crib. Should I take our pack n play or just use the cribs at the hotel? We haven't decided yet where we are staying. It will most likely be the Swan ot Portifino Bay at Universal.

Thanks again!

 

[escapetodisney]

We took a 1.5 and 3 year old to WDW. It is manageable and can be a great family time.

Call the hotel and ask if they have porta-cribs. I know the on-site hotels do but not sure about the ones you mentioned.

As for the car seat if you use a airport limo service they can usually provide at least one car seat for your 2 yo if arranged in advance.

Let the kids set the pace, find some shade and rest during the midday. Have fun. A positive perspective can make a world of difference.

 

[keriannhoward]

I have 4 children, my youngest is 15 months and my oldest is 17. We just got back on Monday from WDW with the baby and the 16 year old, the baby did everything at MK, with the only exceptions being the mountains. My bil and sil were with us and since my sil doesn't ride roller coasters, she kept the baby while the rest of us rode.

Jason was VERY blase about the whole thing. He didn't get excited about anything or anyone he saw, he just quietly watched everything. We took him for us, to be honest. I was one of those parents that always felt a child should be 5 for their first trip to WDW and to be honest, the reason we take Jason now is because we want to go and we don't like being away from him for more than a day (can you tell he's my late in life baby?).

I would also really reconsider doing Universal or IOA with children that young. Your sil's will love it, but aside from Barney and the Curious George play area, there's not much small children can do at Universal. Seuss Landing is great for the kids at IOA, but that's about all they can do there. I took Jason in July and we ended up spending most of our days in the room in tears because it was so hot that even walking around was miserable for both of us.

If you're looking for any way to cut some costs, I recommend staying at Royal Pacific at Universal instead of Portofino Bay. I've stayed at all 3 onsite hotels and when dh and I go alone we go to PB, but with the kids we do RP. The rooms are just as nice and the same size as a standard PB room, but much less expensive. PB is sooooo romantic though! Perfect for a grownup trip!

 

[disneymama73]

Our oldest dd took her first trip at 6-mos, and our youngest took her first trip at 4-mos. This coming October, we will be travelling with a 3-yo, 5-yo and a 3-mos-old!

On one of our trips to WDW, my girls were 2 and 10 mos (it was my 2-yo's 3rd trip and the baby's 2nd! LOL!). I think it was our best trip yet. They enjoyed it so much.

A lot of people have said to me and my husband that the kids don't enjoy it/appreciate it, but I disagree. True, they will not *remember* it, but that does not mean they did not have fun. Our pictures and video prove that. And my now 4-yo can tell you things about trips we took when she was as young as 18-mos. Even my 2-yo asks frequently when we're going to "Mickey's house" again. They love being there and can't wait to go back.

One thing I have to mention is that I am SO glad I didn't wait until my kids were 4 or 5. My 4-yo has already figured out that the characters are people in costumes, and I'm glad she got to experience Disney while that part of it was still magical for her. Just a thought...

HAVE FUN!

 

[JennHales]

last year we went with a one year old and a 4 year old. And I can honestly say that the trip was smooth, no problem, no tantrums (except by my dh) my kids had so much fun and didn't complain once. They were just taking it all in, and so happy to be there.

Have fun, enjoy your angles while they are small they grow up too quickly.
Jen

 

[treesinger]

Take Your Time! That is the best advice.

We've taken our three yr old, gosh, five times now. She loves Disney and remembers more than I thought. Our newest child is one week old. Yesterday, she blurted out, "I want to take 'Livia on the Peter Pan ride. She wants to fly!" And people say kids don't remember...

We took 2 at 2 yrs and 6 mos. They both had a great time! The 6 mo. old could only take in sights and soun ds, but I swear she carried a look of wonder with her the whole trip. She won't remember anything that we don't help to reinforce. But doing so creates a bond between the memories, the happiness and, through continued indoctrination, the place itself. The six month old has last visited WDW at just over one yr old. We'll put in the WDW trip planning tape and she goes nuts! We don't know what she's remembering. Perhaps it is only the feeling she remembers. Regardless, she is bonkers for Disney! My three yr old talks about Disney all the time. She sees pictures of the Haunted Mansion and says, "That's a scary ride daddy." Etc.

Bring kids, take your time. Enjoy yourselves and enjoy the happiness your kids experience there!

 

[treesinger]

And, I'm wondering. Do people who think their kids won't remember...

Well, when you take your kids to the playground, do you take them because they will have a good time, or because they will remember it?

The kids will have a good time at WDW, whether they remember it or not. Isn't that the most important thing?

 

[disneymama73]

VERY well said!

Originally posted by treesinger
And, I'm wondering. Do people who think their kids won't remember...

Well, when you take your kids to the playground, do you take them because they will have a good time, or because they will remember it?

The kids will have a good time at WDW, whether they remember it or not. Isn't that the most important thing?

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

We took our DS to DL for the first time at 3 (for his 3rd birthday actually) Then he did DLP at 4 and again at 6! For our last trip to DLP we took DD who was almost 2 and she LOVED it. She's STILL talking about the trip - she had an amazing time. Everytime she sees a picture of one of the parks she begs for "more mickey please" So we're taking them back in November This time we're going to WDW though (I haven't been in almost 15 years!) we'll have a 4 month old too (our present from DLP )

Even if they don't remember it, you'll have pictures and memories! We look at our pictures every day it seems, Belle just has to see them! If it's not our pictures it's a website about the parks, she's started her obsession early I'm so proud

 

[lovingmy2boys]

Thanks everyone! It looks like we will be there for my 2 yr 2nd birthday! That should be so much fun.

I am looking forward to it and I know the kids will have a good time.

 

[treesinger]

FTR, my first trip was on my fourth birthday, and I STILL have vivid memories of Cape Canaveral and MK.

 

[spr0m]

My kids are 3.5 and 18 mths. The older my DD first trip was at 16 months she had a blast. My DS the youger was there at 5 months old , 1 year and 14 mths he still doesn't talk yet but we we asked him if he wants to go again he gives us a big nod and the sign for yes in sign language. My wife works with deaf people so she started teaching the kids sign at an early age. My advice is take them seeing him smile on small world at 5 mths was priceless. Just be sure to take lots of pictures with them. My daugther still will look at the pictures from her first trip and show them to visitors telling everyone what a good time she had. I let her choose some of the proiority seatings for the end of april trip her selections were (Cinderella Dinner)1900 park fare for dinner. Ice Cream with Mickey (Ice Cream Social EPCOT), The Tea Party w/Alice (1900 again kids only) Lunch with Pooh (cyrstal palace) & The Princess breakfast at CRT. I'll add some in but not a bad set of choices coming from a 3.5 year old

 

[geffric]

I took my kids for the first time when the oldest was 2 years and the second was 4 months.. they had a great time and so did we.. Just make sure that your expectations are realistic for the age groups.. we spend a lot of time in the baby care center between nursing and diaper changes.. rode small world 6 times because they both loved it so..The older one was awestruck by the characters because they were so big... the baby was taking in all the sites..We didn't do a lot of things but that was okay.. we were at WDW. and we stayed at MK the entire time, which was fine for the kids.. rode the carousel, train around the park, played in the water at Toon town. We brought our own double stroller so they could nap.. take it easy .. we had a great time..

 

[garettdoyle]

We took both of our daughter Nov of 2002. Our oldest was 2 years and 9 months. Our 2nd daughter was just 3 months. Just to give you an idea of our perspective, we had been to WDW about 5 times in the past dozen years. Up until this trip, always without kids.

First, going with kids is much different than going by yourself (or just with adults). You will not be able to cover near the ground you could without kids. With kids, you will have to sacrifice your agenda for your kids. Our 2 year old and 9 month daughter would occasionally decide that she was just tired. And she slept thru dinner at Cinderella's castle (tried to wake her, but she would not move), Dumbo (actually was asleep on the ride!!!), and found some of the simpliest things amusing. She loved riding the bus from Port Orleans to the parks. She would have been satisfied riding the buses, monorail and boats all day. She loved the parades, the characters and the shows.

Will they remember the trip? Our 3 month old certainly won't. Our oldest daughter, now 4 still talks about it. But she also confuses a trip we took to a carnival with the WDW trip. There is a good chance that neither will remember the trip, especially if we go again (which we are tentatively planning, falll 2004).

I am not a WDW freak. I love to go but we also go on vacation to other places and enjoy them as well. WDW is great for an active vacation, horrible if you want to relax. Even worse if you have kids and want to relax on vacation. I was so happy to get back to my high stress job and work some long hours. To contrast things, we in 2003 we spent a week at the beach in Hilton Head (Marriott Grande Ocean).

My advice, know what you are getting into. Your kids will be tired. You will tired. You will be cranky. Your kids will be cranky. The look on my daughters face when she met Cinderella at Toon Town is precious. He description of the singing dolls on Small World is unforgottable.

If you bring your kids, let them enjoy it. If you put their interests above your own, everyone will enjoy it more. If you want to take in WDW and all the grown up attractions, bring a grandparent or leave the kids. For me, I'd have a hard time explaing to my kids that I went to WDW without them.

Regrets? No. We'd do it again.