traveling with multiples!!

[Pea-n-Me]

I am always thinking about future cruises. We're going to WDW and then on our 4th Disney cruise this summer with a group of 30. My DH refers to it as the "What Was I Thinking" trip, LOL, since I'm the "travel agent". We've been thinking about whether or not to rebook while onboard - we've done that the last two times and it's worked out well - but I hate tying up all that money if we're not absolutely sure about what we want to do. We'd like to try the Western, but we're also interested in a week in Key West or something like that.

Did anyone see the Travel Channel special on RCCL's Freedom of the Seas cruise ship? I hate to (gasp) try something other than DCL, but that looked very nice also, especially for when our kids are a bit older (in reality, I don't know if I could do it - my heart would absolutely break if I saw a DCL ship in our travels and we weren't on it). I also like the ability to just be care free about it all. Like right now, I'd like to book the WDW special offer for May or so, but can't because we have the other trip (and possibly another quick trip shortly after that).

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Our posts overlapped, but welcome MamaKto3. There are lots of nurses on this thread, including myself.

We brought umbrella strollers and also rented in the parks, but we only had just the twins. You'll get better advice from others who had additional children. Enjoy the planning, it's half the fun!!

 

[LisaGoeke]

Welcome Elin!

Regarding stroller for three, if you can bring a cheap umbrella stroller and somehow attach it to the back of your double (for when you don't need it) that's what I would do. There will be times when all three of your kids will be wanting to ride in a stroller. We have rented double strollers and the last time we were there (in November, my boys were 5, 5, and 7) we brought our double jogger and there were still times when all three of them wanted to ride in the stroller, so we just had to have them take turns walking.

Now, regarding the Voyager class ships, I say go for it! I love to cruise Disney, but I am also a huge fan of RCCL cruise line, our last cruise was on their voyager class ship, the Mariner of the Seas. There was soooo much to do for everyone, including the kids, and we had a great time. Don't be hesitant, I know you won't regret it.

We are actually booked to go on the Freedom of the Seas (which is similar to the Voyager ships) next October but we're just waiting for next years school schedule to come out to see whether or not that's the week the kids will be off of school (we're hoping it is).

Here are some pictures of our Mariner cruise.

http://community.webshots.com/user/goekefamily1997

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Lisa, I think I meant to say Freedom of the Seas - was that the ship on Travel Channel with Samanth Brown? That looks great, can't wait to hear about your experience on it. Do you think your boys will be disappointed they're too young to go on the surfing thing (that Sam could never quite master, LOL)? I know my DS9 would, that's why I figured we'd wait until they were older. I'm going to look at your pics, thanks for posting them.

ETA: those were great, Lisa, thanks for sharing. I love the picture of a chocolate-mouthed Nicholas asleep at dinner! I have one like it of my sunburned DS asleep in his pizza and veggies! Were you booked in the royal suite? How do you generally book your larger sized family?

This is one of my favorites from our first cruise, kids ran up in their PJs to see sunrise...

 

[kritter]

WELCOME ELIN!!!!

I have added your information to the first page....


I am still debating the whole Cruise to Cozumel and Cota Maya any thought????????

 

[hdmonkeybug]

Is anyone with older twins(7-10) planning on doing the pirate and princess party? I would love to hear about it if anyone goes. We are going to WDW in March and I think we are going to the P&P Party. Just want to hear some reviews before we go. My kids are 8 and are boy/girl twins.

 

[Disneytwinz]

Hi there. Checking in on the T.W.multiples thread. Glad to see alot of the same posters here. I couldn't log in for the longest time but I finally have it straightened out, I think.
Anyway, I do have a question for all you that have already experienced Disney with twins. I'm sure this may have already come up. I bought a double stroller for my girls just for the trip. Anyway, my husband says he really doesn't think we will need it. Our girls will be age 4 1/2 when we vacation. They are about 39 lbs. now. So, is it worth taking? 3 months to go!!

 

[Manatee]

Disneytwinz,

I would say yes you do need it, they may be getting on for 5yo, but WDW is a big place, you would be surprised how much ground you cover just strolling around the parks, last time we went my boys were 5yo and we found by the end of the day their little legs needed a rest(even their 8yo brother tried to hitch a ride), perhaps you can leave it behind on some days, we did, but when doing park days we found that when we did not take one we ended up hiring one anyway, hope you have a great time, we will be going in August the boys have turned eight now so no more strollers for us this time.

 

[Disneytwinz]

cmp1111 - welcome. Here is an answer to your stroller question. Of course it totally depends on the child or children involved, but we took our 5 year old (almost 6 year old) grandson to WDW in September. Of course he hasn't used a stroller for years. He didn't hesitate one little bit to ride in the stroller. He was actually upset the day we decided NOT to take the stroller with us. He liked to walk some, but he loved the comfort of the stroller. WDW is BIG and after the first day of walking the kids wear out. Keep in mind though....if you push the stroller and they ride, guess who is going to have the energy late at night....it won't be you! The one day we didn't take the stroller was because the grandsons were bouncing off of the walls at 10:30 each night when we were worn out. We wanted to wear them out for one day! Have a great trip!

Ahhhh thanks for posting this. Just the exact information I needed to know. My girls have not been in the stroller since they were around 1 1/2. we used the plastic double seated Radio Flyer wagon most of the time. I am sure the stroller will come in handy.

 

[Disneytwinz]

Disneytwinz,

I would say yes you do need it, they may be getting on for 5yo, but WDW is a big place, you would be surprised how much ground you cover just strolling around the parks, last time we went my boys were 5yo and we found by the end of the day their little legs needed a rest(even their 8yo brother tried to hitch a ride), perhaps you can leave it behind on some days, we did, but when doing park days we found that when we did not take one we ended up hiring one anyway, hope you have a great time, we will be going in August the boys have turned eight now so no more strollers for us this time.

Thanks Manatee!
I have 8 year old twins too. Boy and girl. I'm sure they will use the stroller for their storage spaces. ha I don't think Dh realizes just how big Disney is. I know how the girls are and when they get tired- oh, look out they are simply miserable. Enjoy your planning for August!

 

[LisaGoeke]

Cute sleeping picture and I love the sunset one.

Yes, I'm sure it was the Freedom of the Seas ship. I have not seen her special on it but that is the one that has the surfing onboard. My kids willl be o.k. with not surfing. They will be perfectly happy with the cool swimming area that they have for the kids. It looks really neat!

The newer ships on the Voyager Class and now the Freedom and their other new one, they now have "family" type staterooms that are reasonably priced. They're not the huge suites that cost a lot but are made specifically for families and you must have at least five (or six) people to reserve the room.

When we went on the Mariner we all went for $3,200. If we went on Disney we unfortunately would have to get two rooms which would cost a lot more.

 

[jlstwinmommy]

I too have cruised RCCL and loved it. I haven't done a Disney cruise. Partly because I'm afraid it would make me want to be at Disney World too much. I would love to do a 2 week vacation - one week on the ship and then 1 at Disney World, but I'm afraid that would be too much Disney for dh. We took Voyager of the Seas when my older ds was 4 and he loved it. We have plans to cruise on Adventurer of the Seas this August if all works out well.

 

[kritter]

I too have cruised RCCL and loved it. I haven't done a Disney cruise. Partly because I'm afraid it would make me want to be at Disney World too much. I would love to do a 2 week vacation - one week on the ship and then 1 at Disney World, but I'm afraid that would be too much Disney for dh. We took Voyager of the Seas when my older ds was 4 and he loved it. We have plans to cruise on Adventurer of the Seas this August if all works out well.

HI,
We just did the two week vacation. One week well six days at WDW and then the seven night cruise on the Magic.
Dh and I said it was the best vacation ever. When WDW was over we still had the cruise to look forward tooo..It was not tooo long. Just wish my kids were not starting school next year so we could do it again at a slower time of year. The kids still call the vacation a trip of a lifetime.. I would love to do this again...

Anyone else thinking of booking an 08 cruise??
We have officially decided not to do the alternative western cruise, even though the double dip is enticing but we love the eastern ports....
Kristin

 

[llp479]

HI,
We just did the two week vacation. One week well six days at WDW and then the seven night cruise on the Magic.
Dh and I said it was the best vacation ever. When WDW was over we still had the cruise to look forward tooo..It was not tooo long. Just wish my kids were not starting school next year so we could do it again at a slower time of year. The kids still call the vacation a trip of a lifetime.. I would love to do this again...

Anyone else thinking of booking an 08 cruise??
We have officially decided not to do the alternative western cruise, even though the double dip is enticing but we love the eastern ports....
Kristin

We're booked on a 7 day western over Easter 2008. Planning on switching to DVC points when they are released. Hoping that our Spring Break is a week later, because then it would be cheaper points, but the Eastern ports. DH really wants to do the Western ports.

So, we're in limbo waiting for DVC and the school to determine when Spring Break is in 2008. If Spring Break is Easter in 2008, the twins will celebrate their 14th b-day on the Magic. Celebrated their 12th on the Wonder, and will celebrate their 13th in Hawaii. Youngest DD isn't happy because we're always home for her b-day.

 

[kritter]

We're booked on a 7 day western over Easter 2008. Planning on switching to DVC points when they are released. Hoping that our Spring Break is a week later, because then it would be cheaper points, but the Eastern ports. DH really wants to do the Western ports.

So, we're in limbo waiting for DVC and the school to determine when Spring Break is in 2008. If Spring Break is Easter in 2008, the twins will celebrate their 14th b-day on the Magic. Celebrated their 12th on the Wonder, and will celebrate their 13th in Hawaii. Youngest DD isn't happy because we're always home for her b-day.

I have to pay my deposit tonight... I got a three hundred dollar onboard credit and a great price sooo I am good tooo go...!!!!!!!!

 

[kritter]

Hey,
Where has everyone been???

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

I'm here. I think my fingers are just frozen from all of the frigid weather we are having. I'm ready for SPRING. Hope all of you are doing well. I sure envy those of you that are planning your trips to Disney World and the cruises. I WANT TO GO BACK!

At least tomorrow is Friday, I hope you have a good weekend!

 

[flipflop]

I am hoping to gain some wisdom from the multiple moms on this thread!!

We are going to be planning a disney trip for 2008 (probably dvc) - our triplets will be three at that time. Is it better to go right around when they turn three (I know they are free before three but I am more concerned about behavior issues and potty training) or should we wait until they are closer to 3.5? Thoughts? Opinions? My parents will be coming with us, so we won't be going it alone. The trips are now 20 months old and starting with the terrible two typical behaviors. This will not be our only trip to disney so we aren't looking to wait for the "perfect year" to go but we don't want to go too soon and be tearing our hair out.

Thanks for your help!
Jill

 

[kritter]

I am hoping to gain some wisdom from the multiple moms on this thread!!

We are going to be planning a disney trip for 2008 (probably dvc) - our triplets will be three at that time. Is it better to go right around when they turn three (I know they are free before three but I am more concerned about behavior issues and potty training) or should we wait until they are closer to 3.5? Thoughts? Opinions? My parents will be coming with us, so we won't be going it alone. The trips are now 20 months old and starting with the terrible two typical behaviors. This will not be our only trip to disney so we aren't looking to wait for the "perfect year" to go but we don't want to go too soon and be tearing our hair out.

Thanks for your help!
Jill

Jill,

It will be easy.. We took our twins with my parents the first time when they were eleven months old..
You guys will have a blast.. Where are you thinking of staying?????

 

[llp479]

Jill - We first took the twins at 28 mos. It was a perfect age - old enough to be somewhat self-sufficient, but not yet potty trained. Our youngest was 4 mos for her first trip. We took her just after her 3rd b-day and I hadn't even started potty training. We were in the MK and she announced she had to go. Took her into the ladies' room and that was it. Done. Never had an accident. Thanked God that day because the twins were almost 4 before they were trained. Neither of them wanted to be the first not to wear diapers!

Kritter -

Finally am able to use my fingers again! It's been so danged cold here! Finally today we made it into the 20's. I've also had "Grandma duty" as my folks are in Mexico - picked a great time to be out of here!

Trying to get ready for Spring Break. Not doing WDW this year, but are headed to HI. So far I'm not thrilled with any of the clothing I've seen for spring. All the colors are dark and look like fall! Do they not understand I've been wearing the drab, dark stuff for the last 6 mos and would like to see some bright, uplifting colors for spring?