Our notes for next time...

[hanna-nana]

We have been to DLR twice with our kids now. 2 1/2 yrs ago we did 3 days with kids ages 3, 5, and 7. And now just returning from 4 days with kids ages 3, 5, 7, and now 10. We've had great trips. Loved them. Just thought I'd share our 2 "next time we will..." thoughts in case it helps anyone.

4 day hoppers are great, we did the kids' favorites MANY times (5yr old likes to brag that she did racers 8 times!). I wish someone had strongly suggested to us that we take a rest day in the middle. We walked those kids to complete exhaustion despite the double stroller we had and a few breaks for long lunches, snacks, and shows. They were troopers and did well, but they slept in until 9 this morning when we told them we had to pack up and drive home.

Use a cross body bag. Just do it! I can't handle a lanyard around my neck. I had a backpack with diapers, wipes, and a few snacks, which I also kept my wallet in (so I couldn't just leave it behind). It was a hassle to put it on and off for rides, and it bothered me and made it even warmer out. Next time, small backpack for snacks and diaper stuff that I can leave in the stroller, and a cross body bag for wallet and tickets, and a few snacks for little lines (we never had a line more than 30 minutes, so I wouldn't need a bunch of snacks at a time).

Overall, a wonderful trip. Planning our next for in 2 more years when we will take the newest baby for her first trip!

 

[HydroGuy]

We have been to DLR twice with our kids now. 2 1/2 yrs ago we did 3 days with kids ages 3, 5, and 7. And now just returning from 4 days with kids ages 3, 5, 7, and now 10. We've had great trips. Loved them. Just thought I'd share our 2 "next time we will..." thoughts in case it helps anyone.

4 day hoppers are great, we did the kids' favorites MANY times (5yr old likes to brag that she did racers 8 times!). I wish someone had strongly suggested to us that we take a rest day in the middle. We walked those kids to complete exhaustion despite the double stroller we had and a few breaks for long lunches, snacks, and shows. They were troopers and did well, but they slept in until 9 this morning when we told them we had to pack up and drive home.

Use a cross body bag. Just do it! I can't handle a lanyard around my neck. I had a backpack with diapers, wipes, and a few snacks, which I also kept my wallet in (so I couldn't just leave it behind). It was a hassle to put it on and off for rides, and it bothered me and made it even warmer out. Next time, small backpack for snacks and diaper stuff that I can leave in the stroller, and a cross body bag for wallet and tickets, and a few snacks for little lines (we never had a line more than 30 minutes, so I wouldn't need a bunch of snacks at a time).

Overall, a wonderful trip. Planning our next for in 2 more years when we will take the newest baby for her first trip!

It is pretty standard advice around here to take long breaks every day. Especially with younger kids.

To make that even easier to do, a close by walking distance hotel really helps.

Hope all goes on the way home!

 

[Cholula]

I don't have any little ones, but I had read so often here about people taking mid-day breaks that I didn't think twice about "missing time" to go back to the hotel when it got hot. My sister, on the other hand, wanted to keep going and thought breaks were unnecessary.

Flash forward a few hours when she is dead tired by 8 and I'm ready to keep going until midnight. For this next trip she is absolutely on board for rest breaks in the middle of the day. Sometimes stuff just has to be experienced first-hand so you know for next time.

 

[Nonsuch]

...a cross body bag for wallet and tickets, and a few snacks for little lines (we never had a line more than 30 minutes, so I wouldn't need a bunch of snacks at a time).

I have tried various small bags (backpacks or fanny packs), but ScottEVest travel vests are a better solution. Everything zipped into vest pockets, and nothing in pants pockets.

Tropiformer Jacket is the lightest model, and sleeves are removable
30% off for Father's Day

 

[LizzyS]

On a day that the parks are open late, a break in the middle of the day is so AWESOME. We did that for the first time on our last trip and it really worked out well. We still didn't make it until midnight, but it increased our amount of time in the parks overall.

 

[sweethannah]

I have tried various small bags (backpacks or fanny packs), but ScottEVest travel vests are a better solution. Everything zipped into vest pockets, and nothing in pants pockets.

Tropiformer Jacket is the lightest model, and sleeves are removable
30% off for Father's Day

I can't imagine wearing a vest during the summer months. Heck it was 105 my last two trips ( in May and late Sept ) and the fewer items I had to pack on my body the better. Very interesting product otherwise, a brand I had never heard of so thanks for the link

 

[bakerudall]

Use a cross body bag. Just do it! I can't handle a lanyard around my neck.

My wife was kind enough to wear a small cross body bag for our last trip. It worked great! I was just big enough for two water bottles, id's, tickets, fp's, snacks, medicine, etc. We always had quick access to our stuff and I didn't have to be paranoid about her leaving a tote or purse behind on a ride or seat somewhere. A slightly larger one that holds four or five bottles would be just as convenient for family trips, but you might have to switch shoulders occasionally or make the man carry it (it's not a purse )for a while.

 

[Pucka1378]

I have older kids and a pool break is always a must! We usually break around 2pm and go for a swim/lounge at the pool/hotel room until dinner then we go back to the parks after we eat dinner.

 

[lk2500]

My wife was kind enough to wear a small cross body bag for our last trip. It worked great! I was just big enough for two water bottles, id's, tickets, fp's, snacks, medicine, etc. We always had quick access to our stuff and I didn't have to be paranoid about her leaving a tote or purse behind on a ride or seat somewhere. A slightly larger one that holds four or five bottles would be just as convenient for family trips, but you might have to switch shoulders occasionally or make the man carry it (it's not a purse )for a while.

Could you post a link to the cross body bag you used?

 

[hanna-nana]

It is pretty standard advice around here to take long breaks every day. Especially with younger kids. To make that even easier to do, a close by walking distance hotel really helps. Hope all goes on the way home!

We did take some breaks through the day. Swimming 2 days. Shows and long lunches the other 2. But I think we needed an entire day to relax for day 3 before we finished 2 more days at the parks. Sleep in, leisurely breakfast, Etc. The kids just wanted to go go go so they didn't miss anything, but then it finally caught up to us all. Don't think we missed anything though LOL

 

[musicmom3331]

This is a crossbody very similar to the one I use. The style I have looks like it's been discontinued. I absolutely love it!

http://www.ebags.com/product/lug-life/aerial-cross-body-bag/220937?productid=10199698

 

[bakerudall]

Could you post a link to the cross body bag you used?

I don't have a link to our exact bag, but the one we used for this two-person trip was similar to this one (ours may be 2-3 inches deeper):

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/terrace-mini-bag/94557?productid=10117894&rlid=DETAIL

(thanks to musicmom for the the first link to this website)

We just kept refilling our water bottles throughout the day.

 

[GatorChris]

I'll be honest, all the walking wasn't too bad but we're used to WDW. That place is HUGE! DLR was much easier for us. As long as we add in shows, the kids didn't wear out too much.

As for breaks, we usually go when the parks close early so breaks just don't make sense for us. I think we took one pool break on a 4 day trip last year. I guess the park hours dictate what you should and shouldn't do.

 

[RichP1269]

If you are looking for a heavy duty, cross body pack, look at the Gearslinger or Versipack line from Maxpedition. A little on the expensive side, but well worth the cost.