Tips for traveling with a 2 and 4 year old

[cwnhokie]

My husband and I are going to Orlando in May with our 2 and 4 year old ds and my parents. I need advice on how much to plan for us to do. I don't want to overdo it for them. I'm planning on a few days at the Disney resorts and I would like to get to Universal and Sea World also. Any tips on must see attractions and ones to leave out. I am swinging back and forth between wanting to see and do it all and taking it slow and easy and coming back another time to do the rest. Would a 2 day Disney ticket, a 2 day Universal, and a 1 day Sea World be good? too little, too much?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

My husband and I are going to Orlando in May with our 2 and 4 year old ds and my parents. I need advice on how much to plan for us to do. I don't want to overdo it for them. I'm planning on a few days at the Disney resorts and I would like to get to Universal and Sea World also. Any tips on must see attractions and ones to leave out. I am swinging back and forth between wanting to see and do it all and taking it slow and easy and coming back another time to do the rest. Would a 2 day Disney ticket, a 2 day Universal, and a 1 day Sea World be good? too little, too much?

I also have a 2 and 4 year old, as I realize that all children are different - your itinerary sounds like a bit much for my family. I say - just do the Disney stuff this trip. Do the Magic Kingdom; and maybe MGM as it sounds like you like movies. Lay around the pool, rent bikes; enjoy the little ones - there is plenty of time for the rest.

 

[SleepingUgly]

We are going to be in Orlando in May as well, with our 5-year-old and 2-year-old (who will turn 3 on the trip). We've got at least a couple of days planned for "quiet activities" during our eight-day trip.

For instance, we will arrive late morning on Saturday, and we don't plan on hitting the parks that day. We'll just relax by the pool or go to downtown Disney and walk around.

Another day, we will drive to the coast and enjoy the beach.

And then another day, it's a "free" day, which means that we can just lounge by the pool. Or, if the kids are up for it, we will revisit one of the parks.

We've got a day at Sea World planned too, so we're not doing all Disney. However, I think it's good to at least plan some "down days" in your schedule. You don't have to use them -- you can visit parks instead -- but at least you have them in case the children (or you) are just completely pooped from all that walking!

Best of luck!

Linda

 

[timandlesley]

We are busy one's too. Last year we went and our daughter was 6 months and our son was three. This summer they will be four and 20 months. We had a blast last year and will do similiar things this year. Basically hit the parks three days in a row (all disney parks, we don't do Universal and Sea World, maybe next year) and then the middle day we take a "day off" lounging at the pool, downtown Disney,etc. The final two days we go back to the parks. We do take a break EVERY afternoon after lunch and go back to the resort for naps and a swim. We head back for dinner and stay until an evening show and then are in the room by around 9 or 10 every night. We had a blast last year and the kids didn't seem run down at all. Good luck to you.

Lesley

 

[Sleuth]

We went to DW last May with our 2 & 4 year old DS (1 & 3 at the time) and my in-laws. My suggestion: leave the parents at home! LOL, we had such a crummy experience with them. We were ready to be on the go, see all of the stuff- the boys were in a double stroller and were at our whim! DH's parents wanted to stop and look at every single store, blah blah blah. We even bought walkie talkies so we could split up and they didn't like that idea- who knows why.

So I guess a good suggestion (if you have to go with the folks) lay some ground rules before hand, make sure you all know each other's expectations. Set up a daily itinerary, and don't be upset if you can't do all of the things.

Our boys were excellent at Disney. We were concerned that they would need lots of naps, breaks etc. But it wasn't really like that. Most of the time they napped in the stroller and didn't want to leave the parks. We did a lot of sit down shows like Beauty & the Beast / The Voyage of the Little Mermaid at MGM and The Living Seas at Epcot. The boys loved them all and we got some air conditioning and a little breather. I'm sure you'll have a great time as long as guidlines are set BEFORE the trip with all the adults. The kids will be a piece of cake!

BTW, we went in May last year and it was really hot to us Michiganders. It got over 100 degrees the day we went to Epcot. Other than the heat / inlaws it was a great trip.

 

[cwnhokie]

Thank you for all the suggestions. We are going with my dad and his wife. I am afraid we will slow them down, actually. So I am hoping they will venture out on their own a few days and just leave us to hang out at the pool. I am leaning towards just Disney Parks and one Sea World day, do Universal next time. I hate to miss Suess Landing though, my 4 year old loves Dr. Suess, especially Green Eggs and Ham (which I think I could recite by heart) and Nick. My in laws want to go next year along with the sister and brother in law and their kids, so maybe we'll do Universal then. I'm beginning to wonder how many theme parks my kids can handle in a week and really enjoy it. I think we'll scale back a bit.

Does anybody know if you can do the things at Ft. Wilderness if you are not staying at a Disney Resort. I was thinking the pony rides and petting zoo might be some nice away from the park time.

 

[twojo21]

even if you're not guest of that resort. we have done this before & had a good time doing the horse back riding, hoopdedoo revue dinner show, the campfire sing along with chip n dale, hayride at night & a fishing excursion. the easiest way to get to ft. wilderness from another resort is from the boat at the magic kingdom dock, just take the bus/monorail from your resort to mk.

as for traveling with children & grandparents just make sure you leave some down time to rest & some time for yourselves. we have done family get togethers/reunion at wdw, and always plan acouple of fun group activities like a group dinner, day at the theme/water park, adults only PI, wdw tours, & ladies spa treatments. best advice for wdw group travel be flexible & have fun!

 

[the kabuki]

IMO, skip US and sea world. While I love US, there's just not so much for that age to do there. Plan it for when they're a little older.

Don't be surprised to find your little ones with more energy than you. I always worked into my plans time for rest & naps, and no one wanted them when we got there. Just too excited to be at Disney.

Go over some of the basic plans with your dad, but emphasize to him that it's ok with you if he wants to split up and do other things. He may feel expected to stay with you. Meet up for meals or have certain days where you do your own things. If he's like my dad, he'll welcome a break from little kids once in a while.

 

[moopdog]

If you're not planning on going to the parks more than 2 or 3 times, I'd opt for staying someplace with an awesome pool (stormalong bay at Beach Club?) I know it's pricey, but maybe if you're not spending the $$ on the 5-7 day pass it will even out?? And don't forget about renting points on this website... I did it and it's amazing how much you actually save. We're staying two days in ASM (mostly because my kids will LOVE the theme) and then moving on to a 1-bedroom at Old Key West. I is huge and will sleep all of us (5) and we'll be spending less than the rack rate at POR, which is where we had originally planned for.

Anyway, my kids are also going to be 2 and 4 when we go and we're getting the 7 day pass, because it literally only saves us $15 between the 5 day and the 7 day pass. That's $15 for the total family!! I think I'd rather be sitting at the hotel and relaxing knowing I could be at the parks but choosing not to go, rather than sitting at the hotel, but wanting to be at the parks - only not having the ticket!! I guess you can always buy more days when you get there, but it's more expensive that way!

Have fun!!

 

[becky7953]

I agree with "the kabuki" save Universal for another time. We went when my kids were 2 and 4. I felt that universal didn't have alot for the little ones to do (except the Dr. Seuss). We are planning to go back in 2006 and I still am leaning on not doing universal. Sea World would be cool. I live in Ohio we used to have a Sea World. I miss it.

 

[cwnhokie]

Ok, I think I am coming to terms with leaving Universal off of this trip. I broke the news to my husband. He is still thinking we can do both, wants the kids to see Barney, Nick, and Suess Landing. I told him they won't know what they are missing. I have my son doing his homework. I have switched the TV from Nick Jr. and PBS kids to the Disney Channel to get ready!

 

[Sleuth]

Ok, I think I am coming to terms with leaving Universal off of this trip. I broke the news to my husband. He is still thinking we can do both, wants the kids to see Barney, Nick, and Suess Landing. I told him they won't know what they are missing. I have my son doing his homework. I have switched the TV from Nick Jr. and PBS kids to the Disney Channel to get ready!

I also think it is a wise idea to leave US off of your trip itinerary. You simply will not have the time to do both. And if you tried to do both you wouldn't be able to enjoy either as much as if you did one. The kids will absolutely love Disney!

 

[DisneyDW]

We did Universal last Nov, kids were just turned 3DD and DS4. We spent one day at Universal and they had a nice day but it was more relaxing, playing in the play areas - not too much for them to experience since DS4 isn't into thrill/scary rides and DD3 was not tall enough for too much. They did enjoy IOA more but we probably won't go back for awhile - until they are older and can enjoy more. They have a great Dinosaur area at IOA so if they like dinosaurs, that is worth it. I have to say the FOTL access was great so if you do go to Universal, that is a great perk for staying onsite there. We do enjoy Sea World and plan on taking a day and going there on our next trip. Both kids really enjoy all of the animals. Sounds like you are planning Universal for another trip which seems like a good idea. At a minimum, you may want to put it at lowest priority and if everyone is ready for more and you have time, go for it! Also, you can get multiple day tix that save you money if you want to concentrate on Universal and Sea World for a future trip. Sounds like you guys will have fun either way!

 

[mommi97]

I would suggest if it's your first trip with that many days to just stay at Disney, there is just so much to see and do there, especially if you aren't used to the surroundings. Our first trip was 7 days and we still missed some things and did alot of things we learned we won't be doing this time. This year is 12 days we added the extra time to do Universal and Seaworld and have a day to totally relax and do extra stuff like Pirate Cruise and Parasailing at Disney.

 

[MCK588]

Last time we went DS was 2 months shy of 3 and DD was 9mos. We did WDW parks and a day at Seaworld. My DH and I love Seaworld and he was so excited to share it with the kids. WELL, it didn't turn out to be the wonderful day exploring the animals of the sea that he had hoped!

The first mistake was keeping it for the end of the trip. DS3 had been experiencing Disney parks all week, and then all of a sudden he was expected to sit through long shows about conservation and animals that were too far away for him to see. Don't get me wrong, we still love Seaworld and I'm not knocking it, but now that I think about it, we should have either brought the kids there first so that they weren't tainted by the Disney 'fantasy', or just skipped it altogether.

We're heading back down in 3 weeks and will just stick to Disney parks this time with lots of rest in between.