OMG were leaving TUESDAY!! Last minute ?? and HINTS PLEASE!

[Rebeccapaige!]

Hi!! My girls and I leave on Tuesday for Florida!! We are spending a week with my grandparents and doing St. Augustine FL, Sea World and Cypress Gardens!! plus any little stuff like flea markets etc.

Our second week we are doing DISNEY!! We are staying at the POR and have a sit down almost every night. I am going to change from Teppanyaki though to Crystal Palace cuz I made a mistake and made a reservation for Teppanyaki on my MGM day which is fine i have hoppers but I think that might waste too much time. So I'm going to skip a sit down on MGM day and do one on Magic kingdom day. so that will be our one day without a sit down!! Anyhow here are my last minute questions! answer whatever you can and ANY OTHER hints would be awesome!

1. I'm scared to death to check in my $300 stroller when we fly on the airplane meaning gate checking it, they lost mine last time, please assure me that, that was rare lol!
2. any hints on flying with two kids age 5 and 2 1/2, like bathrooom etc. the little one is potty trained as well, should the little one use her car seat on the plane or just check it in, she'll be three in april.
3. Bus system hints from POR to places?? give it 30 minutes or an hour to get places?
4. any used the Fairy Godmothers babysitting service? I want to have a 4 hour riding the big girl rides time with my 5 year old!

I also want to take the time to THANK everyone on here I could have never thought of doing this alone or have planned all of this without your help!! I've appreciated everything from helping me get the best room prices, ticket prices, buying a stroller, where to eat, where to stay, you name it you guys helped me!! Thanks again!! we are so excited now that we are leaving tues. a.m after little dd gets out of preschool at 11 am!! woohooo!
Becky, Paige and Hailey

 

[carol1231]

You and the kids are going to have a wonderful time! I have only done the gate check with the stroller a couple of times, and have not had a problem. If I remember they just take it and give you a receipt for it and then right down to the luggage compartment.

My kids are pretty good with the potty breaks on the plane. Of course have them go before getting on the plane, but they will have to at least check out the one on the plane (mine always do). I'm guessing your 5yo will be able to stay in the seat while you take your 2.5yo and 2.5yo can come with you when you take the 5yo, I just wait outside the door. It all works out. If you have a friendly looking person sitting across from you, they would probably give you a hand if you ask.

For the car seat on the plane. Did this once, never again. Too much hassle carrying it thru the airport, down the plane aisle, and then my son didn't want to sit in it. It seems more fun to sit in the big seat belts. But of course if you feel more secure about it for safety reasons, do it.

Have not used the babysitting. Have only used the kid's clubs (over 4). So if you need some time with your younger one, that is a nice option for 5yo. My kids love going to the kids clubs, only time during the week to get away from mom and dad and play with toys.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[disneygals]

Is this your first trip with the kiddos? Relax, have fun, if your kids are cranky, candy and ice cream are good. ...hey it's vacation! When my dd was 4, a churro could always get her back on track.

 

[canwegosoon]

#1 Wanted to say have a great time.
#2 MAke sure you take children to airport bathroom...way easier (larger)etc, than on the airplane. Make sure you have a change of clothes in your carryon bag in a ziplock(for the 2 1/2yo). You could give the children gum or something to drink on takeoff to help with the ear pressure. A hand held game for your 5 yo will be great. (my 5yo's slept on the planes).
#3 Busses at Disney were great. Leave about 45m to get places. Take breaks.(get lifevests for your kids for the pool) POR has them at the Marina, you just show your room card.
Have a great time!!!

 

[CEO]

You look like you're ready for a great time at the park. Since it's the Budget Board I guess it's worth pointing out that Cypress Gardens will let you come back a second day for free (within 7 days of your first visit). Just go to Guest Services before you leave for that. Sea World used to do that too but I don't believe they still do.

Cypress Gardens has changed quite a bit -- and in a good way. There will be plenty of rides for the kids (with short, if any, lines).

eCypress.com has some pictures of the park and all of the rides on the site.

As for gate check strollers, your case was a terrible fluke as they are usually pretty good about that because that's the last thing to go on the plane (and the air traffic controller would notice if it wasn't on -- or whoever pulls back the boarding ramp).

 

[LauraR]

Actually, I think Sea World is still doing the second day free thing, too. Wouldn't hurt to ask, anyway! Hope you have the best trip ever (can you tell I've been watching too much Spongebob?) Sounds like you have lots of fun stuff planned

 

[LoriMistress]

1. I'm scared to death to check in my $300 stroller when we fly on the airplane meaning gate checking it, they lost mine last time, please assure me that, that was rare lol!

That is rare. So far, DH and I have never lost our luggage (knock on wood.)

2. any hints on flying with two kids age 5 and 2 1/2, like bathrooom etc. the little one is potty trained as well, should the little one use her car seat on the plane or just check it in, she'll be three in april.

I would suggest to keep your kids entertained as much as possible with a Disney themed goodie bag. Get them a Disney coloring book, some crayons, small Disney toys to play with, some snacks (trail mix, cookies, etc.) and if you have a tourguide book of WDW, have the kids look at all the pictures of WDW. As for the whole bathroom thing, I would suggest taking one kid at a time in those small airplane bathrooms.

 

[jennwdw]

Just wanted to comment on babysitting. We used the service that Disney is currently recommending on the tv info channel. Can't recall the name of it at the moment but it was FANTASTIC!!!! They sent a man over (they did ask if we minded a man and I didn't at all) He was wonderful! An older gentleman who brought toys and such along for the kiddos. I remember he worked PT for Disney as "Goofy" and other various tall characters. My kids really enjoyed him and asked if he could come back. I would not hesitate to use the service again. I was a little nervous about it and quizzed the heck out of them before hiring them but I was thrilled with the man they sent and would request him again.

*I looked and it's called Kids Nite Out. They were great!! Now if I can find the name of the sitter I'll add that here later.

 

[Rebeccapaige!]

Thanks you guys! those are great hints so far!!! we are just so excited!!! does anyone know park closing times for feb.? we'll be in disney the 8th through the 15th. it'd be nice to do two days at those parks but i doubt we'll be able to!! we get into sea world for free cuz my dad is a a Anheiser busch employee lol that saves me over $100 kids under three get in free right? just so i bring her a ticket if I need to, that's for sea world. ??
Becky

 

[EAP'sDAD]

I have used the Fairygodmother service twice and must say they were great. The nice lady who came read books and played games. My 3 yr old DS wanted here to come back. we used Kids nite out once and wasn't overly impressed. they didn't read or play with the kids. They watched a movie and put them to bed. Again I highly recommend Fairy Godmothers.