Taking nephews to Disney.. need HELP!!

[Principessa1284]

I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I agreed to this, but DBF and
I are taking his nephews (2yr and 3 yr) to the parks for a long weekend. Cute little boys, and they're fairly well behaved. I work for Disney so I know the parks backworks and forwards, but I'm suddenly remember that I don't know ANYTHING about children!!! Oh lord, please help! DBF's sister doesn't have a lot of money so I know she doesn't have strollers or even bathing suits for them. I don't think they've ever been swimming either. Like I said, I know what rides and there and which ones are good for kids (I think), but what do we do to keep them occupied while waiting in line? Should we buy umbrella strollers for them or maybe a double stroller? Should we get them those little leashes for them? I know the little one is a runner! They've never really been anywhere (their town doesn't even have a mall) so they don't know how to act around lots of people or crowds. Do you think they'll be afraid of the characters? I know they love to watch their Disney movies so they've seen them, but I don't know if their size will be a bit frightening. Also.. how long of a day should we make it? I don't know how long they can go without getting cranky and tired.

Even though we live about 30 minutes from the parks, we are thinking of getting a hotel room for a night so we don't have to worry about traffic and in and out of the car seats and stuff, as well as having somewhere to rest in case they get tired in the middle of the day. What resort has the best pool for kids? Like I said, I don't think they can swim / have even been swimming. Should we get them those floaty rashguard things? I always hated those arm floaties when I was little.. do they have life jackets we can borrow?

Sorry for all those questions, I'm just having a small panic attack. I haven't babysat in probably 10 years or so and my brain has gone totally blank! Any advice would be fantastic!! TIA!!!!

 

[daleswife]

Ok, so you are taking a 3 yr old and a 2 yr old to disney. You DEFINATELY need a stroller. I know you said you worked for disney and I dont know if they give you a discount on strollers, but a double stroller for $31 per day is outrageous. So If the mom dont have a stroller then you should think about getting at least two umbrella strollers. You can even get those little hook thingys to hook the two together. Maybe borrow one even.

To keep them occupied in line, maybe get them some bubbles. Do LOTS of fast passes....My DS2 was really good in line. He just played with the rails. not climbing on them just going under them and back.

We dont go back to our room cause we have a mammoth stroller that lays back and my son just naps in it. But if you have umbrella strollers they may need to go to a room to take a nap. Just depends on the type kids they are.
Id say stick to a value. That way you wont be spending a fortune on a room if the kids dont need to come back. The values have cute little kiddie pools that my son LOVED to play in. Make sure you get some little swimmers if they are in diapers. They wont allow diapers in the pools. AND they do have life jackets for you to borrow. and since they are boys, Id just do little swimmers if needed and maybe a pair of shorts. Not cotton though, they will weigh them down.

A leash is a good thing. Especially if one is a runner. That way when they do want to walk, you will have them attached to you at all times. I have one with a monkey on it that my son loves to wear.

Weither or not they are afraid of the characters again depends on what kind of kids they are. My DS was 21 months when he first saw mickey and LOVED him.....didnt care for goofy though. Just depends on their take on the character.

DONT panic and what ever you do dont let the kids see you panic. Its a piece of kelp, Nemo. You'll do fine.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I agreed to this, but DBF and
I are taking his nephews (2yr and 3 yr) to the parks for a long weekend. Cute little boys, and they're fairly well behaved. I work for Disney so I know the parks backworks and forwards, but I'm suddenly remember that I don't know ANYTHING about children!!! Oh lord, please help! DBF's sister doesn't have a lot of money so I know she doesn't have strollers or even bathing suits for them. I don't think they've ever been swimming either. Like I said, I know what rides and there and which ones are good for kids (I think), but what do we do to keep them occupied while waiting in line? Should we buy umbrella strollers for them or maybe a double stroller? Should we get them those little leashes for them? I know the little one is a runner! They've never really been anywhere (their town doesn't even have a mall) so they don't know how to act around lots of people or crowds. Do you think they'll be afraid of the characters? I know they love to watch their Disney movies so they've seen them, but I don't know if their size will be a bit frightening. Also.. how long of a day should we make it? I don't know how long they can go without getting cranky and tired.

Even though we live about 30 minutes from the parks, we are thinking of getting a hotel room for a night so we don't have to worry about traffic and in and out of the car seats and stuff, as well as having somewhere to rest in case they get tired in the middle of the day. What resort has the best pool for kids? Like I said, I don't think they can swim / have even been swimming. Should we get them those floaty rashguard things? I always hated those arm floaties when I was little.. do they have life jackets we can borrow?

Sorry for all those questions, I'm just having a small panic attack. I haven't babysat in probably 10 years or so and my brain has gone totally blank! Any advice would be fantastic!! TIA!!!!

Hopefully somebody will chime in with more advice, but I would definitely bring strollers or rent. I know there is a nearby service that rents, but not sure of the name.
Hard to say about the characters as kids can vary widely at that age. Just play it by ear and don't push it if they seem scared.
As far as swimming, if you stay at a WDW hotel, they all have child size life vests and kiddie pools so you don't have to bring floaty things. If it is in your budget, you may want to consider a place with a zero entry pool. I know CBR has one. I know some deluxes do as well.
Also, I know you didn't ask this, but I suggest bringing some snacks with you. (Find out what they like.) Kids aren't always hungry at meal times and it's nice to be able to just pull out some crackers and juice if the need strikes.
Have fun!

 

[miprender]

I would definately use strollers... their link to a double stroller swap is on my signature that is only $10 for the whole time you would use it.

As for characters you will just have to play it by ear and remember to go at their pace. It was a learning experience for us when we went with the kids for the first time. And I live with them 24/7.

As for staying at a hotel, could you get an employee discount at one of the values so you would only have worry about traveling on property?

And by the way I think that is great that you and DBF are taking them since it seems they may have little chance of going anytime soon.

 

[Principessa1284]

Thanks for the tips so far!! I don't know why I'm freaking out - I'm generally not a panicky person and I've been with kids before. Heck, I have 8 nieces and nephews of my own, but my brothers & sister are so much older than me, we almost grew up together. I was 6 when my first niece was born! I've just never been in charge of any toddlers for more than a few hours.

I think I'm going to go with the umbrella strollers - we can get those for the cheapest, and we can store them away in case we take the boys again. And thankfully, the oldest is potty trained and the youngest is in the process of learning, so he is still in diapers. Oh lord.. I just remembered that DN3 likes to pee on trees . They live out in the boonies with really no neighbors, and that's how he learned to go outside of his diaper. Would that make him tree trained?

Anyway, I know DBF will step up and do most of the "work". He really loves those boys to pieces and relates to them SO well. I just want to keep them happy and entertained and show them some of that disney magic!

 

[billwendy]

You guys are so wonderful - just go at their pace, and enjoy seeing Disney through their eyes - its really magical.

I just went with some neices and nephews, and learned these things....

You definately need a stroller, one that reclines is really good for if they crash - otherwise you end up proping them up some how cause their head falls over

Snacks are HUGE - make sure you have plenty - goldfish, pb crackers, some cheese sticks if you have alittle cooler in the stroller - just little things that they like to munch on - when you get meals, maybe get them 1 to share, or have them share with you guys - my DN and DN ate lots of little meals instead of 3 square meals a day - lol! Also - lots to drink - we pretty much kept Hannah's sippy cup full of water, and then got her milk at meal times - but once again, if you have a little cooler, you could pack some juice boxes. I also pack some special lollipops or candy for during a special time or parade....it was a very special treat for them, and they didnt care that we didnt buy it there!!

They loved the train ride around the park and Mickey's Toontown fair - the houses have a few things they can open/close etc - the kids really enjoyed that!

Dont forget a jacket/sweatshirt for at night - little kids sometimes get chilly!! Bring some glowsticks from the dollar store - they are so fun!!! If its in your budget, little kids seem to love those light up things they have for at night!!

I wouldnt go in stores unless you are planning to purchase something - the kids have NEVER asked to go into a store - lol - but if you take them in, thats another story!!

If you could make them matching Tshirts (creative Disigns board), maybe even the 4 of you, its easier to keep track of them (bright color) and for people to see that you are a "unit" - lol - makes the group shot look really good too!!!

Take LOTS of pictures!! What magical memories for them!!!

I think the POP would be great for you guys - they have a kiddie splash area that is fun for non swimmers....and a food court too which makes meals simple.

Whew - Im so excited for ya - it will be FUN!!!!!! Wait till you see their little faces the first million times you take them on the buzz lightyear ride!! oh, little kids also seem to really like the shows (especially playhouse disney in HS)

Have fun!

 

[mlynn]

I also want to add.Even though the oldest is potty trained to bring extra clothes for him/her too. My daughter was potty trained and she was so excited when we got to MK she wet herself because she didn't want to miss anything and didn't tell me she had to go until we were already 1/2 into Snow white. I didn't have extra clothes and had to buy her shorts.

 

[Darcy03231]

I took my niece (4) for her first trip in October 2008. You will definitely need a stroller for both of them. Its a lot of walking. We stayed on site and I found that what worked best for us was to get up early and hit the parks for opening. After about 3 hours we'd go back to the resort for lunch/swim/rest and then go back in the afternoon.

One of her favorite things was to play in the various parks (Winnie the Pooh in Fantasyland, Chip n' Dale in Toon Town, etc). When you ask her what she liked the best her reply, in order is: Swimming in the pool, playing in the playgrounds, getting made up like Ariel (Bibbity, Bobbity Boutique), the fast roller coaster (Test Track), Splash Mountain, the trail roller coaster (Big Thunder Mountain) and then on from there.

With little ones like that its best to take your cues from them. While we did/saw a lot, we didn't do and see everything. I planned for quite a bit of down time with swimming and playing in the playgrounds as WDW for the first time can be quite the sensory overload for a little one. I went with the theory of quality over quantity (plus it gives me an excuse to bring her back to see the things she missed). It made for a much more enjoyable vacation to do and see things at a slower pace and do what we could, than to frantically be rushing all over the park with a tired/hungry/cranky toddler trying to cram everything in. We were there for a week, had a great time (only had tears once and that was on the way out of the park - she didn't want to leave even though the park was closing down) and there were no meltdowns.

Hope this helps.