Traveling with baby and toddler!

[arthur06]

Me, DW, DMIL, DS2, DS11months will be going to WDW in Oct. (11th to 15th)

For those that have traveled with small children (flying). Any tips, pointer, or general suggestions would be appreciated! We will be in a 2br at SSR and using ME! We are stressing!

 

[mrsswat]

don't stress - your kids will pick up on that. And you have an extra set of hands, can't go wrong with that!! Just remember you have to go with the flow, and it will be the kids' flow at that. Our 2 DD are in their 20s now, be we began taking them to DW when they were 2, also with my mom. At first we were doing commando to get them to see everything, when in fact they didn't want to see everything. I'm assuming you are DVC members, which means you WILL be going back! So relax, go slow, and enjoy the moments!! PS - take at least one night to put the kids to bed, let grandmom babysit, and at least take a stroll with you other half! It would be helpful to find a bar on that stroll

 

[Deb & Bill]

Practice getting on and off the bus carrying two strollers, sleeping kids and all your stuff. You'll be doing that a lot if you will be riding the WDW buses to the parks.

See just how fast you can remove the sleeping kids from the stroller(s), empty the stroller(s) and fold them up. Kind of like calf roping.

 

[stefanospops]

We did WDW twice last year with children who were 3 and 1 at the time. The first time we went to WDW then New York City before coming home. Not sure if you are bringing your car seats onto the plane, but we did. We only brought one sit-and-stand stroller, but two car seats that we used on the plane. Both my boys slept for most of the flight because I figure the car seats made them feel at ease - something familiar. I never thought I would pay for the extra seat on the flight, but I did and it was worth it. I couldn't imagine us trading off holding the 1 year old the entire flight.

If you are bringing your stroller and car seats on the plane then get there early. You need to get everything scanned through security and doing that while juggling two kids takes time!

For us, the most stressful part was getting to the airport and onto/off of the plane. Once we got to the parks we went at their pace. The stroller was a great two since the 1 year old slept a lot. Too much heat and excitement. But we had our moments. So don't forget to bring your patience and have fun!

 

[wulfekamp]

When the kids get tired head for the room. Take a nap and go back out later. Take a easy pace. You can't do the whole place in one trip it would kill you. Have fun.

 

[LGS33]

We just got back from a trip to BCV/AKV with our 3 year old and 14 month old. My mom went with us and it was so nice to have her help- we already asked her to come with us next year! We had a two bedroom and it worked out great- lots of space for everyone.
I definitely recommend a car seat on the plane- it's really nice not to worry about holding the baby while trying to entertain him/her!
Make sure to bring lots of little toys and snacks and a DVD player for the plane. (I saw a thread on the family board earlier today that had a lot of ideas for toys for little ones on the plane.)
We brought two umbrella strollers and will do the same next time- we felt we could get around easier that way.
You might want to consider taking a taxi to the parks- we didn't use any of the buses and it was well worth the extra money for the cabs. (From what I've read the BCV buses make a lot of stops and we didn't want to be on the bus longer than we had to!)
On ME we took the back row so there was a little extra space to pass the baby back and forth.
We were at the parks first thing and left around noon so we could get lunch for the room and have an afternoon nap.
Hope that helps!
Have fun!

 

[JoRo]

Doesnt look like a very long trip if I am reading correctly. We were there with our 2 year old and 6 month old last Dec 08 for 8 days and didnt get to everything which is fine we will be back.

Be patient with the bus we had lots to carry including sleeping kids at night so it was a little challenging but ok.

Enjoy the parades get there early let your kids play in street and run around a bit - we pack a neet sheet yes we pack a lot.

Enjoy the baby rooms for quiet breaks.

We spent a lot of time at meals so the kids could see the characters, our two year old love to follow them in the dances.

Enjoy ....we are doing DL at the VGC this Oct with our will be 3 and 1 1/2 year old - we love DL more kiddie rides.

 

[mrsswat]

you might also want to consider shipping down items to your resort ahead of time. When we took our 6 month old grandson last year, we shipped down a box with baby items - diapers, wipes, formula, snacks - you get the idea. It didn't take long to fill the box and we shipped it FEDEX. When we checked in the CM told us we had a box waiting for us, and we just called down to bell services when we go to the room and they brought it to us. Saved a lot of luggage room.

 

[Arthur27]

There is a lot of great advice on this thread!
1. Do pace yourself and go back to your room for naps, it's the great thing about staying on property.
2. The baby centers at the Disney parks are great and have saved me and my fam a bunch. Do use them. They are very clean!
3. When going to the airport it might be a good idea that the kids not wear shoes that have blinking lights in them. They set off the detectors. This happened with my three year old and getting him to walk back through the detectors wasn't fun. (It's funny now though.)
4. Umbrella strollers work great and can cut through the crowds a lot better than those big SUV strollers.
5. Have fun and try not to spend the kids college funds.

 

[eporter66]

Hey - we will be in WDW right after you - coming in on the 17th of October. I hope you have a great trip, here are some ideas that worked well for us, we took our daughter for the first time when she was 1.

1. If you can - rent a car. It is much easier than waiting for the buses, especially if you have a kid who has hit the wall.

2. Bring the stroller - huge help in the parks, airports etc..

3. Take it easy. Don't try to run the kids all day.

4. Do breakfast in the room. Great way to get an early start and not have to worry about the kids being hungry

5. NAPS - We would go to the park for a few hours in the morning, and bring out daughter back for a nap. I would stay with her one day, and my wife would go to the pool. The next day we would reverse - this worked very well and made for a great relaxing trip.

6. Get Groceries. In case you cant get in or have waits at the restaurant - get food you can cook quickly in your room. Having the 2 bedroom again makes this very easy for you.

Just take it slow, and go with the flow. You may not get to do everything you want, but you will be surprised at how much more enjoyable it is. Maybe DMIL will watch the kids so you guys can hit the parks one night and get in a bunch of rides!!! ENJOY

 

[5forDiz]

idk what size villa(s) you've reserved but my best advice is with 3 kids

and MIL along, get MIL her own studio because no matter how great she is

and how well everyone gets along it is often a blessing at the end of the day

for everyone to have their " own space ".

bet ya can tell, been there - done this

And don't try to do it all, you're members so you'll be back plenty ! some

of our best DVC memories are exploring resorts, pool time and kids enjoying

themselves at Community Halls.

 

[tractortippin]

All kids are different so its hard to say....

We went to Disney w/ our DS 2 last yr for his 1st trip. Like you I was worried but my Mom was coming along so I knew there would be extra help. We took a stroller but not a car seat. We did take a trip before he was 2 and didnt get him a seat on the plane - big mistake. Get the little one his own seat. And I am a big fan of the dvd player on the plane!

Our son is not a "fall asleep in the stroller" kind of kid and he does NEED naps so I figured we could take turns going back in afternoon for naps.....On the 2nd day we had breakfast headed over to AK to meet friends - by the time we got off the bus and to the meeting spot he was fast asleep!! No one could believe it. He napped like this the whole trip. Again - SHOCKED!

We thought the bus system was ok. We rented a car for 1/2 the trip and took the bus the other 1/2. plus about the bus is they drop you off right in front of the park. W/ the car your in a lot and have to take a tram to the gates. I wouldnt stress too much about the bus.

If you have any questions feel free to ask. I think it went pretty well and way easier than I was thinking...

 

[deva]

Didn't read all the responses here, but this mom of three recommends some "new" but cheap entertainment for the flight. (wikki stix, magna doodle etc.) Also, take a lollipop for landing. My little one had trouble with ears popping on the way down the first time we flew and we could not get her to swallow or pop her ears. Have some sort of YUMMY candy or drink that will keep them swallowing. Have fun!

 

[mousygirl]

We took our 5 year old son and 18month daughter last October. I did not buy a seat for our daughter and she cried the entire way down and back. The only thing I can say is thank goodness it was to Orlando. The majority of the people on the plane had kids. We apologized a lot and were grateful it was only 2 hours.
I liked not having to lug the carseats bc we took ME. It was easy and fast and she was ok on the bus. We brought our stroller and stored snacks and drinks.
We went back for naps and pool time and my husband and son went out a few times and I just stayed at the BWV and played with my daughter.
The restaurants that were buffet style worked well with the kids and we did more lunch rather than dinner ressies.

Good Luck!

 

[CapeCodFam]

Watch out for heat related illnesses. Little ones can't tolerate heat like adults. Allears has some good info on beating the heat. http://allears.net/pl/sunsurv.htm