Suggestions for 3 year old twins

[arwood82]

We are taking 3 year old twins to Disney World next year. I have never been with children this small. So if anyone has any suggestions about anything I would greatly appreciate the info. I am looking for tips on anything. I am also looking for tips on great photo opportunites. They are both girls. Thank You so much!!!

 

[MermaidMommy]

You're going to have such a great time taking them -- it's so special seeing DW through the eyes of someone who truly "believes." We took DD for her first trip when she was 3.5 and had a wonderful time . . .and she remembers as much of it as I do!

The thing to keep in mind, IMO, is that you have to tour on the kiddos' pace. Our daughter was an early riser, so we were at the parks at opening, stayed till around lunch-time. then back to the hotel for a nap, and back to the parks in the evening until a reasonable time. It worked like a charm for us. The only time we didn't leave to take a nap was the day we wanted to stay for the afternoon parade: instead, we left after the parade for dinner with Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare at 5:00, and were home and in bed by 7:30.
There's nothing sadder than a sobbing toddler who's parents are forcing her to have more "fun."

As for photo ops, you'll have a million of them! I'm going to assume that there's a good chance your DDs are princess fans, so be sure to plan a princess character meal -- pick from Cinderella's Royal Table, Princess Storybook at Epcot, Cinderella again at 1900 Park Fare, Alice in Wonderland tea party at the Grand Floridian, or if you want to go all out, the My Disney Girl tea party with Sleeping Beauty at the Grand Floridian. And if you do go to a character meal, be sure to let your little one dress up in their princess dresses, too. Also, Downtown Disney has Bibbety Bobbety Boutique, where the girls can get their hair and/or makeup done like a princess.

In the parks, you'll have more princess meeting opportunities in Mickey's Toontown, and of course, Ariel in her grotto. There's also Storytime with Belle in the MK, where they pick kids to go onstage and help Belle reenact the story of Beauty and the Beast. And at AK, if you can get your girls onto a first-row bench, they'll probably get to participate in the Festival of the Lion King. Our DD loved the rides, but the meeting characters was just as much of a thrill, so we made sure to check our Times Guide and hit as many of them as we could. Have fun!!

 

[mmmears]

I second the other poster on the nap and rest in the middle of the day. It is so important. Then in the evening, when you take your kids out, they'll be happy and excited (and you can see all the "commando" kids crying, whining, or just plain asleep at the parks.

At 3 my daughter was really into the princesses. If your girls are, I would suggest a princess character meal (so much better than trying to catch the princesses in the parks). Also, you can visit Ariel in her grotto, if you have mermaid fans.

We looked into the rides carefully beforehand and only planned to do the things that were age-appropriate/size-appropriate for her. I told her ahead of time about make-believe and not to be too scared of some of the things in the park.

I think 3 is a great age to go to WDW. We had read that if you plan to go to the parks other than the MK, to go to them first, since some kids are disappointed in them after being in the MK. This worked great, and our DD loved all the parks, not just the MK.

The Pooh and Mickey character meals are fun, too, if you have the inclination. At 3 they really believe in the characters and really enjoy them.

Also, Belle's storytime is great. They often pick really small kids like yours to go up on stage and participate in the play.

Take it slow and easy and have a great time!!!

 

[BlindTyldak]

Strollers, strollers, strollers! Rent or bring! I don't care HOW much energy your kids have, very few youngsters are up for several days of 10+ miles walking in a row. Please trust me that it will be the best money you'll spend in the parks the whole trip. And a tip, bring something to tie to the handle if you rent, so you can find yours quickly, like a colored scarf. Yes, there are double strollers to rent, and they fit kids up to a good sized age 5 or so pretty comfortably and allow them to stretch out a bit, so your girls I would think would be fine.

I also cannot reitterate taking a nap enough, or at the very least a break from the parks and a splash in the kids pool. Even if the kids ride all day in a stroller, being outside in the sun with only massive stimulation breaks is wearing.

I suggest Epcot first; as someone else said, if you start with the MK it sets their expectations through the roof, while Epcot is generallt very well received if done first. Research the rides and let them get used to the crowds, the massiveness of the whole deal, and meet a couple of very spread-out characters. Spaceship Earth is an EXCELLENT test ride for little ones to see what their level of tollerance is because it is dark (but never pitch black), mellow, with moving carts in several directions and lots of different (but not normally scary in any respect) things to see. If that freaks either of them out you'll know up front that you have to choose carefully, if not you at least have a baseline.

Try to get in the habit of early rising as opposed to sleeping in. Fantasyland and child attractions in general are very slow loading, so it is best to try to go before lines build in the afternoon. Then go to bed good and early. BTW, the in-room loop of Disney info on the TV is great for getting the kids to go to sleep because it gets sooooo repetitive. it's like counting sheep.

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

We have brought DD who will be 3 in sept twice before and are going back for her birthday. She loves it. We generally limit our time in the parks to 3-4 hours at a stretch. Theses are things that were her faves:
1. character meals
2. wearing a princess dress all day, everyday
3. meeting the princesses at toon town
4. areil and beauty and the beast shows at mgm (do you see a theme here?)
5. the rides in fantasy land.
6. cartoons in the hotel lobby and the pool

hope you have fun!!!
Holly

 

[arwood82]

I have truly enjoyed getting all of these tips. I have been to Disney World several times but never with toddlers so again any and all information is greatly appreciated.

 

[disnut8]

One my biggest hints is to remember that they are looking at Disney World from a much, much lower level than you. We took our then three year old son a long time ago and as we were walking down Main Street, trying to get organized, he get pointing and saying "look at the horses, look at the horses". I didn't see any horses (back then, they did have the horse drawn vehicles on Main Street). But he was insistant he saw horses. I finally had enough and said "just where are these horses?". He pointed to the hitching posts all along Main Street. I didn't see them but they were right at his eye level.

If they want to run over and see a little bunny in the grass, let them. Out of all of Animal Kingdom, that was the one animal we couldn't pull our five year old granddaughter away from. And her father lives on a farm!