Trip planning with a 2yo and an 8 month old

[Paticake]

Next year will be our first trip with our 2 grandchildren just 2 yo and 8 months, our DD and DSIL, DS and DDIL. We will be staying in a GV at SSR. Please share you tips with taking little ones. This will be brand new for us. We are planning to do probably breakfast (me cooking) and dinner (mostly the guys grilling) at our resort. We are planning on doing CP for breakfast one morning and Liberty Tree for dinner one night. Planning on spending only mornings at the parks and returning for naps and swimming. We are going the end of June (DD and DSIL are teachers) so we know it will be hot. All of your suggestions on taking the little ones will be much appreciated. TIA

 

[CarolMN]

Bumping for the move to the Disney for Families Forum . . . ....

 

[katied]

I will be there in 4 weeks with DSister and DBIL (in a 2 bedroom villa) I will be brining DS (age 13 1/2 months) and DSister will be brining her daugher (age 23 1/2 months). So, in about 5 weeks I can probably answer your questions well about a 2 yr old.

My DS has already been twice - first at 6 months, second at 8 months. We were there Oct and Dec, so it was a bit cooler (mid 80's, low humidity in Dec). DS did great. He loved MK. He loved all the rides we took him on - IASW, Pooh, Peter Pan, Buzz, etc (pretty much everything in Fantasyland and then some). He slepted through Pirates. He nursed through Haunted Mansion and Mickey's Philharmagic - the theme was that on the darker rides, he either nursed or napped.

He loved the Spectromagic parade, he loved watching other kids, balloons, etc. Overall, he was very happy, and it was a really easy age. He had no fear of the characters - he loved the fuzzy ones and was laughing as they visited with him.

We had a stroller - I would recommend a very good sun shade for your stroller, plus a stroller fan. Also, you have to park the stroller a lot for the lines, so I had a hip carrier just to make it a bit easier, and keep my hands free when needed.

Otherwise, the Baby Care centers were great when we needed a break, needed to feed him, or change a diaper. There is one in each park. MK was great, Epcot was nice, DS was OK. I have not yet been to AK with him, so can't comment on the Baby Care there, but others have said its nice.

At 8 months, DS was happy enough sleeping in the stroller, and seemed to "cat nap" on dark rides, walking around, etc. Food wasn't an issue for him - I just brought some basics with me, plus I was still nursing. Overall, it was a very easy age to take a baby. I expect that this upcoming trip will be a bit more challenging, but still fun.

 

[Perditamarie]

Sounds like a nice trip coming up!!

I always bring a cooler bag of drinks and snacks for the kids into the parks. It is great not to have to wait in line for drinks/snacks when the kids need them. I also plan snacks for lines and shows and special surprises to avert meltdowns. A portable spray/fan bottle will probably be welcome too!!!

The main pool at SSR is great for kids w/a splashground, zero depth entry, squirting fountains and 2 slides, so you will definately enjoy that! You can borrow life vests for the length of your stay. The playground is nice too!

I would skip cooking breakfast...it's vacation and your most valuable park time is in the morning to beat the crowds and heat! We have ordered groceries from gardengrocer.com and have had good service and will use them again in Sept.

If not too hot, it is nice to "wear" baby in lines w/a sling or hip hammock.

Bring your own strollers and consider clip on fans for kids and ensure the shade is big enough to provide really good shade.

You can also take advantage of the baby centers to prepare babyfood, change diapers, or just chill out. Riding the train, people movers or monorail is good for this too!

Have a great trip!