Nitpick my plan!

[Mama Who]

Because there's always someone with ideas I've missed...

We are taking a desperately need family vacation to DL in May. It's me, DH, DS (13) and DD who will turn 1 on our trip.

Thursday we (I, really, as the only driver in the family) drive down (6-7 hours) and check in. We're thinking Goofy's Kitchen for dinner as a pre-park Disney exposure.

Fri, Sat, Sun in the parks.

Monday at Legoland to take advantage of an awesome discount.

T,W in the parks. Drive home Th. morning. possibly stopping in LA to do lunch at Olvera Street.

DS's first Disney trip was when he was 5 so the last time I did Disney with a stroller was when I was in it. We're planning on taking our regular stroller, not huge but not a tiny umbrella model either. I'll also be taking a carrier of some sort but that won't do for the entire day.

DS is looking forward to taking advantage of the parent swap feature for rides. He's also looking forward to a little time alone with his baby sister in the park- we figured while we ride Matterhorn (he hates it) the kids could do something in Fantasyland. I think he is overly optimistic in thinking he can take the baby on the tea cups but Casey Jr. or Alice ought to be fine.

We will want to fit in dinner at Storytellers somewhere in the trip but will avoid some of out other nicer favorites because they aren't baby appropriate. This will NOT be the trip on which I finally try Napa Rose.

We plan a leisurely pace. This trip is a recuperation from a really nasty year.

What are your best tips for enjoying a trip with kids of widely different ages? What's the best thing about Disney with a baby? What have I missed?

 

[suzy021372]

My babies both LOVED small world. There is so much for them to look at, and I secretly believe that they can relate to the dancing kids! When he was one, my son loved the Tikiroom. I had never been a fan, but I saw it in a whole new light after seeing how excited it made him. Pretty much anything with music was good.

There are benefits to haveing the baby. Baby swap rocks!!! Your 13 year old will love it, because he will get to ride twice (once with you and once with dad). Nothing beats walking in the exit of space mountain!!! Also, there are great benefits to the stroller. For example, I now always take an extra pair of shoes and water bottles in the stroller. I would never carry those around all day. For this reason, I may keep bringing a stroller when my kids are teenagers...just to carry my stuff. Afterall, you could park it all day, and go back to it like a locker, right?

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

even better- a portable locker!

 

[Jana0326]

Don't forget about the Baby Center off of Main Street. It's great for baby changes and feedings.

 

[skiingfast]

I hate to be a naysayer, (if that is the correct spelling).

Legoland.....Somewhere around 7-8 you get too old for it. 1yo is just along for the trip but 13yo may be way past it. Discounts are great, but it may be time spent better elsewhere. If legos are inporant visit the lego store in DTD.

 

[goldies 5]

I just wanted to pipe in and say, what a wonderful, helpful teenager you have. Your concern about the teacups is legit in my opinion. My 1 year old went on it with my boys last December and didn't like it at all. She did love just about everything else, she could ride on though. Dumbo was a favorite. I talked her through the scary lobby entry on the HM the first time by whispering in her ear that it isn't scary over and over, just becasue I could feel her tense up a little. After the first time she rode it repeatedly with no problem. Toontown is always a good place to let the little one's run around, explore and exert some energy.
I too, like to just throw what I need in the bottom of the stroller. Diapers, wipes, water in the toddler bottles are great. I have lost far too many sippys in my years so I don't take those into the park anymore. Make sure to take a small bottle of hand sanitizer.
Make sure to have plenty of dollars for the shooting range, in case your 13 year old wants to do that. This is a must do EVERY SINGLE DAY for my crazy boys.
Most importantly, have a great trip!
Kim

 

[Mama Who]

I hate to be a naysayer, (if that is the correct spelling).

Legoland.....Somewhere around 7-8 you get too old for it. 1yo is just along for the trip but 13yo may be way past it. Discounts are great, but it may be time spent better elsewhere. If legos are inporant visit the lego store in DTD.

We did consider this but DS is absolutely heartset on Legoland. He has a couple friends his age who still enjoy it and he's young at heart, so we're going to let him have the day. It may be the only time he ever wants to go but I think we'll get enough enjoyment out of the trip to be worth it.

 

[Mama Who]

I just wanted to pipe in and say, what a wonderful, helpful teenager you have. Your concern about the teacups is legit in my opinion. My 1 year old went on it with my boys last December and didn't like it at all. She did love just about everything else, she could ride on though. Dumbo was a favorite. I talked her through the scary lobby entry on the HM the first time by whispering in her ear that it isn't scary over and over, just becasue I could feel her tense up a little. After the first time she rode it repeatedly with no problem. Toontown is always a good place to let the little one's run around, explore and exert some energy.
I too, like to just throw what I need in the bottom of the stroller. Diapers, wipes, water in the toddler bottles are great. I have lost far too many sippys in my years so I don't take those into the park anymore. Make sure to take a small bottle of hand sanitizer.
Make sure to have plenty of dollars for the shooting range, in case your 13 year old wants to do that. This is a must do EVERY SINGLE DAY for my crazy boys.
Most importantly, have a great trip!
Kim

He's the best- he does diapers, baths, snacks, whatever needs doing, he'll pitch in.

We thought we'd try the kiddy version of tea cups over in Bugs Land and see what she thought of that.

We're giving HM a pass this time around. I was totally traumatized by it when I was 2 and won't risk it.

DS has never done the shooting gallery- we may have to give that a try!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We did consider this but DS is absolutely heartset on Legoland. He has a couple friends his age who still enjoy it and he's young at heart, so we're going to let him have the day. It may be the only time he ever wants to go but I think we'll get enough enjoyment out of the trip to be worth it.

How sweet. My DS9 and DS11 are still young at heart too, and I'm making sure to enjoy that because I worry that they will just suddenly "grow up." We have been to Legoland several times; I think the last time was about 1 1/2 years ago. Both my sons would be willing to go back still. They know that Legoland isn't Disneyland and choose to enjoy it for what it is. My boys spend considerable time in miniland and other parts of the park just admiring what can be done with legos. There are a few rides that are a little more thrilling, but they are happy to go on "baby" rides too. Since your DS is so good with your little one, those they should be able to enjoy together. Also, I highly recommend that your DS go to one or both of the Lego mindstorms sessions if they're still doing them. I think he will need to be accompanied by a parent and the one year old will not be allowed to go in, so it will require that you split up for a while. If your DS is a lego and/or robotics fan though, these sessions are totally worth it. They really inspired my sons. When we were last there, you needed to sign up for those early in the day since space was limited, so you should find out about those first thing.

 

[Mama Who]

How sweet. My DS9 and DS11 are still young at heart too, and I'm making sure to enjoy that because I worry that they will just suddenly "grow up." We have been to Legoland several times; I think the last time was about 1 1/2 years ago. Both my sons would be willing to go back still. They know that Legoland isn't Disneyland and choose to enjoy it for what it is. My boys spend considerable time in miniland and other parts of the park just admiring what can be done with legos. There are a few rides that are a little more thrilling, but they are happy to go on "baby" rides too. Since your DS is so good with your little one, those they should be able to enjoy together. Also, I highly recommend that your DS go to one or both of the Lego mindstorms sessions if they're still doing them. I think he will need to be accompanied by a parent and the one year old will not be allowed to go in, so it will require that you split up for a while. If your DS is a lego and/or robotics fan though, these sessions are totally worth it. They really inspired my sons. When we were last there, you needed to sign up for those early in the day since space was limited, so you should find out about those first thing.

Excellent! Thanks. DH is a Mindstorms fan so maybe the guys will need to go check that out. I'll go check the web page.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

He's the best- he does diapers, baths, snacks, whatever needs doing, he'll pitch in.

We thought we'd try the kiddy version of tea cups over in Bugs Land and see what she thought of that.

We're giving HM a pass this time around. I was totally traumatized by it when I was 2 and won't risk it.

DS has never done the shooting gallery- we may have to give that a try!

We did the ladybugs at Christmas...Just me and my DS6 since my hubby can't handle the teacups he didn't go for the ladybugs. IMO the ladybugs actually spin faster than the teacups do I was a little queasy after riding them and spinning doesn't usually "bug" me.

 

[starshine514]

... There are a few rides that are a little more thrilling, but they are happy to go on "baby" rides too. Since your DS is so good with your little one, those they should be able to enjoy together...

I wouldn't plan on the 1 year old being able to ride much of anything at Legoland. We went for one day, the lines were really long, so I can't say that we saw everything in the park. However, we only found two rides my 2-year-old could ride (the train, which I don't think had a height requirement and an airplane ride, with I think a 32" height requirement). I think she could have ridden the boat ride, too, but we didn't make it there... Anyway, get familiar with the little kid park guide, it may help you set your expectations for a day there with a tiny one. http://california.legoland.com/Documents/pdf/LLC_what_to_do_when_you_are_2.pdf

 

[jernysgirl]

We did the ladybugs at Christmas...Just me and my DS6 since my hubby can't handle the teacups he didn't go for the ladybugs. IMO the ladybugs actually spin faster than the teacups do I was a little queasy after riding them and spinning doesn't usually "bug" me.

I actually don't care for the lady bugs either. I think they are rough compared to the tea-cups.

As far as rides your kids could do together in DL, I would definitely consider Tiki Room, IASW, Pooh, Alice (although the line is always long), Pinocchio, Snow White, Casey Jr, and maybe Buzz.

Have fun!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I wouldn't plan on the 1 year old being able to ride much of anything at Legoland. We went for one day, the lines were really long, so I can't say that we saw everything in the park. However, we only found two rides my 2-year-old could ride (the train, which I don't think had a height requirement and an airplane ride, with I think a 32" height requirement). I think she could have ridden the boat ride, too, but we didn't make it there... Anyway, get familiar with the little kid park guide, it may help you set your expectations for a day there with a tiny one. http://california.legoland.com/Documents/pdf/LLC_what_to_do_when_you_are_2.pdf

Your comment surprised me and made me curious, so I looked it up too and see what you mean. Gee, Legoland has gotten strict! When we took DS9 to Legoland for his first time, he was 2 1/2 and pretty short and was able to go on lots of rides. Now some of those very same rides have minimum height requirements or age minimums of 4 and up! I guess there may not be much for a 1-year-old to ride, so I guess there will be a just a lot of walking and looking for little ones. Bummer.

 

[FANOFALLDIS]

You mentioned you were going in May. If it is the first week of May, I wanted to give you a heads up that on Sunday, May 8th, it is "Bats Day" at the park. Last year about 4000 Goths were at the parks. I have nothing against Goths but when 4000 show up at the park, some of the Disney magic disappears. Just wanted to let you know if you were going to be there at that time in case you wanted to plan on doing something else that day.

 

[Mama Who]

You mentioned you were going in May. If it is the first week of May, I wanted to give you a heads up that on Sunday, May 8th, it is "Bats Day" at the park. Last year about 4000 Goths were at the parks. I have nothing against Goths but when 4000 show up at the park, some of the Disney magic disappears. Just wanted to let you know if you were going to be there at that time in case you wanted to plan on doing something else that day.

We're going later than that, but thanks for the heads up. You're right, it isn't quite the Disney experience we're shooting for. (Although having our Honeymoon coincide with "Gay Days" was awesome!)