Single Parent with Twins -Random Questions 2nd Part

[edgarjcs]

Hi again,

This is my second thread with specific questions.

Facts that could affect or not your kind answers and replies are:

a. I am a single parent traveling with 5yrs twins (a girl and a boy)
b. We have a booked reservation in Pop Century
c. We are staying on September 14-21
d. 6 days of Park Tickets have been booked
e. This will be the first time in Disney for my kids, second time for me, but first time staying on property.

Now, the questions:

1. Magical Express:
We are traveling from Panama, via Copa Airlines. As far as I have read, others than USA travelers do not get that service offered by Disney where your tagged luggage is taken directly to the Disney Resorts. I understand then that I will have to take all my bags with us (3 maybe) and then go to a Disney Counter at Orlando Airport. Is it how it will work? It means also that we wont get the Disney Luggage tags as part of our package?

2. Luggage:
How is the luggage handled. For example, I am calculating around 1 1/2 - 2 hours from the time we should arrive to Orlando (at noon) to the time when we will arrive to Pop Century. When the bus arrives to the Resort I have to look and wait for my luggage or it is delivered to some specific area inside the building?

3. Strollers and Groceries:
Being the first time of my kids in Disney, I am decided to rent a City Mini Double stroller for them. They are not used to be in one and they left theirs at 1 1/2 years, but... I have been before in Disney and I know that the walking is heavy and must be even heavier for a kid not used to walk that much. I know they will be strong the first days, or at least for the beginning of the days, but they will be tired sooner or later. They are in the mood of "dad, if you carry my sister/brother, you have to carry me", so rent a stroller is a must for me.
The question here is if someone has some inputs about Stroller and Groceries. They offer free groceries delivery through the rent of a stroller from Kingdom Strollers, so I could rent the stroller and save some with the groceries delivery.

4. Pools:
I have seen some pictures of the Pop Century pools. I don't know if they were taken on purpose showing open areas but with practically nonexistent shelters from the sun. Has Disney covered areas near the pools? I am dreaming with at least on afternoon to spend pool time with the kids, but the sun exposure is a real danger nowadays.

5. Pools 2:
Planning to get some groceries, it is allowed for Resort guests to take to the pools area sodas, snacks or even beers or you are required to the use of Petals Bar? (I think this is the name).

6. Downtown Disney:
I hope my kids can take a nap in the plane (3+ hours trip) My plan is arrive to Pop Century, go to lunch and do the check-in. After everything be settled at the room, I want to take the kids to Downtown Disney to introduce them to the environment, probably I will get their ears there too. I read that having purchased a Disney package we would have right to 2 entrance tickets for Disney Quest. I also read that most of their attractions are for older kids, but would be a good place to take them and do some if the investment for the other ticket is not so pricey. Do you think that for kids of their age is still worthy to make the purchase of the third ticket? Where else do you think we could go? I am thinking so far in World of Disney and Legoland. (Sorry, Lego Store is the correct name)

7. Park Crowds:
There are some sites that publish information about park crowds. I used them to plan my visits in my last trip with some success, but there is something on them that now call my attention: they do not recommend parks with Early Magic Hours, because you will find a lot of Disney guests when you walk in, but this suggestion seems to be based in the fact that you are staying off of property. How different the story could be for guests on property? Now we could take advantage of this Disney Guests benefit or this is simply too complicated?

Well, this is the second part of the thread, it is far away of being the last, hehe.

Again, I appreciate so much all your replies, suggestions or recommendations.

Best Regards,
Edgar

 

[happymommy]

I can address a few of your concerns!

First of all, yes you can take snacks and beer to the pools. We do it all the time; just make sure the beer is in cans not glass. Juice boxes are great for the kids too!

A double stroller is great - my kids used strollers at Disney for years after they had stopped using them at home. Bring it every day; even if they start off walking, they will end up in it (possibly napping too).

I would just get your bags from the baggage area yourself (I don't know - do you have to clear customs?) then bring it with you to the Magical Express bus and have the driver load it under the bus. That way, when you get to the resort, you'll have your bags with you. I personally like to unpack right away myself if I can rather than wait for luggage.

When you arrive, you may decide to just hang out and enjoy exploring the resort rather than go to Downtown Disney. If you do go, see what places there are to eat that appeal to you - we like Wolfgang Puck's Express place.

Disneyquest is fun but to me it's more fun for a bit older of kids. I'm not a huge shopper, so the resort shops carry plenty of Disney type stuff. I don't know if it's worth buying a ticket for Disneyquest.

I've used Garden Grocer for grocery delivery - they did a good job. You can get snacks, breakfast things, bottled water, beer, juices, etc...

Good luck planning! I'm sure you'll have fun! First time I took my kids without my DH they were 4 and 6, and it was an easy and fun trip!!

 

[SEA333]

I love reading about your trip with your kids! They will love it and you will be their hero!

I cannot answer everything, but some of it I can:

1. DTD - this was the first experience my kids ever had with Disney world as well. I think it is a good first because it sets the tone for what the rest of the parks will be like.
We went to Disneyquest in 2012, and our youngest had just turned 6 - he was in Kindergarten. He loved it as much as the 7 and 11 year old. There may have been one or two things he couldn't do (the build your own virtual rollercoaster comes to mind), but for the most part, he did everything we did. I think for the price, it's a good deal if you don't want to pay for an extra park ticket. We were there on a bigger florida trip, and only planned on going to the MK for a day. It was a lot cheaper to do Disneyquest than another park the 2nd day! And with two free tickets, you would only be paying about...$45? Not sure if the prices went up or not.

2. LEGOLAND is just a lego store, unless there is one that I don't know about....a couple play areas set up, but we didn't spend much time in there.

3. We have gone in late March (during the week) and in mid-November. Both times the crowds were fine...we rarely waited more than 15-20 minutes for a ride. We did not need a lot of preplanning time. We did what we wanted, when we wanted. If a line was too long (which I don't think ever happened), we agreed to come back later and check again. We never took EMH's into consideration.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

at DTD there is a Lego store with small play area but in the Orlando area, not at Disney there is a Park called LEGOLAND. not sure which you mean.

 

[lovetogowdw]

DisneyQuest - Check the height guide and you may find your twins can "ride" a few things there. My 3 and 8 yo boys love DisneyQuest. Also, they have cartoon drawing lessons that are great fun at that 5 yo stage, plus nearby a sound mixing booth, individual interactive games/drawing boards that even my 3 yo enjoys, etc. Definitely worth some time there. Be aware that this place can get packed during rainy afternoons, but we went on a Friday evening during Spring Break and find the crowd was actually quite light. Yeah!

The PopCentury pools are not all that shady, as I recall. But you can explore all three pool areas plus the grounds and maybe you'll find some lounge chairs that are shaded by one of the buildings. Plus, there is plenty to see just walking around and you can walk along the edges of the buildings in the shade. Also, while you aren't allowed to use the pools over at Art of Animation, you can certainly walk across the bridge and check out the grounds there, too. Lots of fun in the Cars area getting photos with Mater, Sally, Lightning McQueen, etc. And both Pop and AofA have great arcade areas!! My oldest son actually looks forward to a rainy evening at least one night during our trips because he knows we'll skip the parks and head back to the hotel to hit one (or both) of these arcades. We just take whichever bus comes first (AofA or Pop) and dash into the arcade area and hope that it quits raining before we head back to our room.

 

[edgarjcs]

Hello,

Thanks so much for your answers.

I made some mistakes in my post (so excited? ). I believe I fixed them all for reference only.

Yeah, its not the Legoland Park, but the Lego Store. You know, a simple store, but surrounded for some great figures. I know my kids will love them. They love Lego, btw.

I also used a link in my post. I didnt know it was not allowed. My bad. Changed it to the name of the site.

SEA333, I really love you love my post This is going to be most planned trip of my entire life and trust me, I use to plan a lot.

Again, its very nice to have people jumping in to try to help.

Last post? Nah. I already have new doubts. I am trying to google about them if nothing clear is found, I will get in here for support.

Regards,