New Daddy at Disney questions (Twins)

boomhauer

When the world gets in my face, I say - Have A Nic
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Aug 17, 2005
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My wife and I will be the proud parents of 4 months old twins for our next Disnsy trip in August of next year. We also have a 6 year old.

This will be our first time to Disney with infants, though we've both been over a dozen times each.

One of my concerns is, what do parents do to get formula heated up for their tikes? Not just at the parks, but at your resort as well.

As far as flying, would you recommend bringing car seats and buying seats for the babies or just having them sit on your lap? Stroller - Would you bring your own or rent one for the week? I'm just thinking, carrying all that stuff could make getting there (and leaving) very difficult.

Any other suggestions you may have, please put them down. We could use all the help we can get. Thanks!
 
boomhauer said:
My wife and I will be the proud parents of 4 months old twins for our next Disnsy trip in August of next year. We also have a 6 year old.

This will be our first time to Disney with infants, though we've both been over a dozen times each.

One of my concerns is, what do parents do to get formula heated up for their tikes? Not just at the parks, but at your resort as well.

As far as flying, would you recommend bringing car seats and buying seats for the babies or just having them sit on your lap? Stroller - Would you bring your own or rent one for the week? I'm just thinking, carrying all that stuff could make getting there (and leaving) very difficult.

Any other suggestions you may have, please put them down. We could use all the help we can get. Thanks!

Questions, one at a time :goodvibes

~formula: either teach them to drink it cold(nothing wrong with that,it doesn't hurt them) or use bottled water and individual baggies of formula; Shake well and serve. You can ask for a large cup half full of hot water in which to submerge your bottle, if they just have to have hot milk

~car seats on the plane: yes

~stroller: bring your big one from home. Your 4month olds will be small and not sitting up, therefore you will want a bed on wheels.

Bring one extra bag just for the babies stuff. You won't believe how much they will need to get through a vacation. Disposable everything. Low expectations :teeth: Hats & sunscreen for everyone. Extra water. Good luck and congrats :sunny:
 
I am a twin... have a brother... and I know that you will have your hands full! But Congrats!!!
In terms of seats on the plane, we have always bought our kids seats as I just feel safer knowing if anything did happen, they would be secure. Now that being said, we did travel to Europe and didn't get our 6 month old a seat (BIGGEST mistake of my life!), but did bring her infant carrier (Baby Bjorn) on the plane. Some planes allow baby to stay in them, some ask you to hold them during takeoff/landing... but having them in a carrier during flight gives you piece of mind as you have your hands full and can eat, read, play with other child...you can even grab a bit of "shut eye" and not worry about baby slipping off you lap.
I think if it's a short trip 2.5-3 hrs, go with carriers for you and your wife since they are soooo young. Or purchase one seat and take on one infant car seat... that way you can take turns holding them and having them in the seat to nap. It'll be cheaper but also easier on you in the long run!
Good Luck!!!
We will be taking our almost 4 mth old son, 2yr old dd and disabled 10 yr old dd in May! Only 2 adults - should be challenging! We are going th carrier route this time as 2 yr old has a carseat on the plane!!!
 
Defintely buy a seat for the baby on the plane -- think of this way -- would you drive down the highway holding your baby on your lap? I know this is a controversial subject and some here will tell you to just let the baby ride on your lap. It is much cheaper, but it is NOT safe. Though airplane accidents are relatively rare, even in turbulence the baby can fly out of your arms and get hurt. If he/she is strapped into their car seat, they will be perfectly safe and will likely sleep part of the ride!

Most airlines offer special rates for children under 2, (generally it works out to 1/2 fare or less) -- call them. Nowdays you can't rely on the seat next to you being available (most are booked solid) and they won't let you bring your baby's seat on the plane unless the baby has a ticket. Also, when flying with a baby, be sure to feed the baby a bottle on the way up and down (or give a binky) unless they are sleeping. It is much easier on their ears. Our pediatrician also told us to give our son Sudafed before we flew to ease the pressure on his ears -- check with your pediatrician to see what he/she says.

Disney hotels have pack n plays for cribs for the baby -- just ask when you are making your reservation!

I'd definitely bring my own stroller. The strollers at Disney are set up for toddlers (some would say even older children than toddlers can fit too), but they aren't the best for a baby. Yes, it will be more awkward, but your baby will be comfortable. Taking your own stroller may also make getting through the airport easier -- you can just gate check your stroller and it will be waiting for you at the other end.

As far as heating up formula -- I got a large drink cup and filled it with hot water in my hotel room and changed it a few times to get the formula warm. At the parks I can't remember, though I do recall that Magic Kingdom has a baby care center that is near the Crystal Palace.
 

:wave: Mom of 19 month old ID twins here! First, I'd like to say congrats on the twins and I hope everything continues to go well with the pregnancy! :wizard:

Regarding formula, I'd use powdered for the trip. You can get containers that have 3 individual compartments and the lid rotates to let out that portion. Carry a bottle of distilled water and mix it when it is time for the babies to eat. Another option is to get a container that will fit in your bag and dump some of the powdered formula (enough for the day) into it and use the formula scooper. Portion the water out as above. This method eliminates the need for heating.

Definitely take your own stroller. We found the side by side models work best at Disney.

Definitely take your cars seats to use on the plane. We've never flown with our twins, but I wouldn't even question putting them in their car seats.

Yes, it is alot of equipment to carry. We just took our first trip with our twins a few weeks ago. Besides their health issues (due to prematurity), the amount of equipment we would need to take just made it feel like too daunting of a task. We stay in a 2 bedroom condo. I couldn't imagine doing it in a hotel room. :crazy: Besides DD13 needs her own bathroom - we refuse to share with her. :rotfl:

I know someone from another message board named Jovidan (he's also having twins and has a 6 year old). You wouldn't happen to know him would you? :)

boomhauer said:
My wife and I will be the proud parents of 4 months old twins for our next Disnsy trip in August of next year. We also have a 6 year old.

This will be our first time to Disney with infants, though we've both been over a dozen times each.

One of my concerns is, what do parents do to get formula heated up for their tikes? Not just at the parks, but at your resort as well.

As far as flying, would you recommend bringing car seats and buying seats for the babies or just having them sit on your lap? Stroller - Would you bring your own or rent one for the week? I'm just thinking, carrying all that stuff could make getting there (and leaving) very difficult.

Any other suggestions you may have, please put them down. We could use all the help we can get. Thanks!
 
OK, maybe not with twins...but lots of airplane and Disney travel with two very little ones.

Regarding the airplane. We NEVER bought our little ones seats when we didn't have to. I'm not sure what the current status is, or how far you're flying, but we did a couple of things that might factor in for you. The first was to ask if there were any empty seats on the plane when we checked in at the gate. If there were, we never met a gate agent who had any trouble giving us the seats "next to" the empty ones. They even allowed us to bring the car seats on for the kids in those circumstances (had to do a little juggling with checked baggage in those cases-so just make sure you get a gate check for the car seats. That way, they're available pretty easily if you need them last minute).

In addition to the "empty seat" plan, we purchased a product by Baby Bjorn called Baby B'Air. It's essentially a lap based harness that you can put on the babies, and still hold them safely on your lap. Yes, "safely" is a relative term, but it worked very well for us. Just do a Google search for it, and it comes right up. For whatever reason, they're not allowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing, so they really only provide additional safety mid-flight for turbulence, etc. Sure, the "right" thing to do is to buy a seat and safely strap your child in. But then again, if there's a serious problem on an airplane.......well, you get the picture.

Either way, have a blast with those babies and take a million pictures!!!!
 
im the mom of 3 year old twin girls and they'll be taking their first trip to disney this year. as far as formula- i would bring formula already measured in their bottles and i would bring along room temeperature water, not cold, so all i had to do was shake it and serve. im sure if they will only drink it warm, anyplace that serves coffee will probably serve tea so you can get warm water. iw ould probably bring your stroller from home.i dont think the disney ones have those huge baskets under them like the doubles do. have fun!
 
We learned something a while back that sounded kinda silly, but saved our youngest's eardrums on one flight out West....

If the baby seems to be having some difficulty, extra fussy, etc......ask a flight attendant for two small paper cups. Soak two paper towels with hot water, and stuff them down into the bottoms of the cups. Place the cups over the babies ears. Apparently, the cup/hot water combo helps to equalize the pressure, and alleviates pain. We were stunned at how well it worked for our little one. Coulda been a fluke, but maybe not, right? Can't hurt to try it!

And on the stroller issue....just take your own. You'll need it absolutely everywhere, and personally, I think the ones at the parks leave a lot to be desired.
 
I would get the kind of stroller that 2 infant carrier car seats can snap on to, and gate check it. Then you could just have them in their seats and put the seats on the stroller as soon as you exit the plane, so you don't have to worry about how to juggle everything. I flew with both my kids not in car seats when they were under 2, but they got an empty seat and were big enough to sit up with the seatbelt on. (Not a perfect situation I realize, but it's what worked out for us at the time. I always had the same attitude as DisneyMet, if something happens, chances are none of us are making it out anyway. I have very little flight experience though and have never been through bad turbulence.) With 2 young infants though, I think you'd be much better off to get them seats. It could make for a VERY long flight if you don't!

With the formula, I agree with the other posters, take water in their bottles and add powdered formula. Even if they prefer it warmer than room temp, it's August, so the water in the bottles will probably be warmer than room temp anyway! You can even buy nursery water in 8oz bottles if you just want to take 1 bottle/baby to the parks each day and just wash it out at the baby care centers between feedings. I used the disposable cloths with the dish soap already in them for our refillable mugs, so that would probably work well for the bottles too.
 
Stroller.... have you thought about investing in a double snap and go? It's a light weight stroller frame that you just snap your infant car seats in and go. It is great for malls, short trips, vacations... wehad a singleton one and used it the 1st 9 months religiously!!! It was the best investment we bought!
www.twinsmagazine.com has a load of stroller opinions on their message board. You might wanna go there and see what advice they have for travelling with twins.
Another option is renting a twin stroller from www.abbf.com
They rent baby eqipemnt out to vacationing families in Florida. Stuff is waiting at check-in when you arrive! Great service!!!

We used the Baby B'air also but when child was 6 months. Before that we used an infant carrier and therefore, didn't have to worry about baby "flying out of our arms". They were actually safer because its a proven fact that if something were to happen (God Forbid), the impact will force a child out of your arms whether you want to hold on or not. We have done both... used a carrier & bought a seat! It is personal choice.
 
FIRST CONGRATULATIONS!!!!WHAT A WONDERFUL MIRACLE.

I have 26 month old twins and we have flown 6 times. Two vacations and a move from the NE to the SE.

I TOTALLY agree with TIGGER2ON about the double snap and go. It is light weight, easy to travel with, and has a large basket. It carries several infant car seat models and with 4 month old twins they will proably like to nap in thier car seats. You will also want your stroller when you are lugging through the airport and the stroller is wonderful to hold the carry-ons. The other strollers that carry the infant car seats are too heavy and by the time they use the stroller without the infant seat, you will probably want to move to a side by side stroller.

I also agree with whoever mention the formula dispenser. I used it all the time. Buy two..twins lol. It is great because it is pre-measured for you so no scooping while you are out and about.
go to babywise and go to feeding accessories.

About warming the formula...I never warmed mine and always used room temp water. Think about this....is breast milk warmed? If you start them using room temp then you will already have one thing taken care of by the time you travel. We learned this from the nurses at the hospital. This is what they do with the babies who have to stay in the hospital longer. My girls stayed VERY long.

PLEASE make sure that mommy takes it easy. My girls were premature and never would have been ready to travel at four months. Dont over do it like i did :guilty: .

You have more experience at WDW than I do, so any advice for me? We are going Thanksgiving week...i know, I know busy week. We are only a drive a way since our move to south florida and no family here so we thought it would be a nice holiday for the girls.

Congratulations again and enjoy every minute.
 
When my girls were that little I also brought the car seats!! So much easier on the plan and it is a security for them because they are used to them.

Definitely bring your own stroller also. As the rest said the disney strollers will not work right for infants.

Formula:
this is what I used to do I used to fill the bottles in the morning w/ the hot water from the marketplace and put the bottles in the tube warmers. They cool off in just enought time when you are ready to use them if they are still too warm just dump some out and add bottle water to cool. I had pre measured my formula and just dumped it in it worked out perfect for me!!!
 
congratulations... multiples are their own special miracle!

My twins are older now (4 1/2) but I remember the baby days well. One thing I might suggest is boxing up diapers, formula, bottles etc... and shipping it to your resort a few days before leave, allowing enough time for you to be sure it was delivered before your arrival. Just the diapers and wipes for two babies for that length of time will take up a good bit of space and this way you won't have to carry it with you.

The only other sugggestion I would have is to keep a very open mind and not to set very high expectations for this trip. Traveling with one infant can be slightly challenging, traveling with two can be daunting. Like another parent said earlier, my twins would not have been able to travel even at an adjusted age of four months. With one infant, one parent can be caring for the infant while the other parent is able to occupy the older child, with twins, there are times when two sets of adult hands are needed at the same time just for the babies. After they are here, you may consider giving them (and yourselves) a few more months before embarking on your first family adventure with twins.

that said, I'm just dying to know.... do you know if they are likely identical or not? will find out the sex of the babies before delivery? twins are sooooo exciting!!!!
 
I am also the mom of twins and an older child. My twins are turning 3 in a few days. I took them to Disney for the first time when they were 14 months and my older child was almost 7.

Formula - I agree with others that have said use room temperature water and either bring the one serving size packets (I loved those) or the container where you can premeasure your formula for the day.

Stroller - I second the snap-n-go stroller option. It is SO light weight. I LOVED that stroller - cried the day they out grew the car seats.

Definately buy seats for them on the plane. I travelled with my older child once without buying him a seat. Never again. He could not get comfortable enough in my lap on the plane to fall asleep and he was SOOOO tired. Most miserable flight I ever took.

I know it is a bunch of stuff to lug to Disney. Depending on your situation, you may be able to buy the diapers and formula once you get there. We started doing that when we travelled with my twins to avoid filling the luggage with all that stuff. The stuff is what made us decide to drive to Disney last time. My dh does not want to spend 2 days in a car with 3 children this time so we are flying down this year. We still have all the stuff since my twins are not yet potty-trained. We will still have 2 car seats, a double stroller, gobs of luggage..... Only 39 more days.......... :cool1:
 


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