Trip reports from families with littles

[Cara]

My husband and I (57 and 55) will be will be traveling with our DD and SIL, as well as our grandsons, ages almost 5 and 2. I would love to read your trip reports for visits with littles or multi-generational trips. Any recommendations? (I posted a similar thread three years ago when we took our grandson on his first Disney trip!)

 

[sponica]

I don't typically do trip reports. But I've done a trip with a 20 month old, and then a 5 year old and a 20 month old, and a 6 year old and a 2.5 year old.

1) Pace yourself and be flexible. My youngest was absolutely done by day 3 or day 4 of our last week long parks trip and my oldest wasn't big into rides.

2) Everyone needs space at the end of the day. It doesn't matter how close you are, the family units will probably need some down time at night apart from each other.

We're not RD to park close people with the kids, mine just can't hang that late and if we tried to push it the next day would be miserable....so if you're trying to do fireworks, maybe do it at the beginning with a lighter day the next day or at the very end of the trip and deal with the cranky on check out day.

 

[Cara]

Good advice! We're staying a week and have 7-day tickets. We're not planning to do a full park day on ANY day. Lots of half days. Lots of breaks. Some no-park mornings and no-park evenings. Honestly, **I** would be done after 3 days if I tried to do parks from open to close!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Not my thread but I would highly recommend reading, '

"Let's See What We Can See!"- Surviving WDW With Three Under 3!'​

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Everyone needs space at the end of the day. It doesn't matter how close you are, the family units will probably need some down time at night apart from each other.

I agree with this and would add that during park time DD/SIL might want time for a few of their interests. As a grandparent that has done a trip with a similar group as you, Spouse and I were happy to take the grandkids for a while or at least help wrangle.

Being flexible during the day helps with navigating the different moods and energy levels of everyone.

 

[Cara]

I will check out that trip report!

And good advice. My husband and I will definitely take the boys at least one night for the parents to have a date night. I also agree that we need time apart. When we went last time, we stayed in a 2BR at Bay Lake Tower. This time, we're doing two separate rooms at Wilderness Lodge. I just think the distance may be a little less stressful.

 

[Rory607]

I would request adjoining rooms if you’re okay with it. There is no guarantee, but we’ve gotten them several times with grandparents and it has saved us time in the morning and evening to have two bathrooms. The five year old could use your bathroom while his parents get ready. But you’ll also have a door on your side that you can lock if you need a break, lol! We always make the kids knock and see if grandma and grandpa are available.
No barging in allowed.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I always enjoy hearing the children “ voicing” their desire to stay and play at the pool . I think that might be their first choice for fun .
they always cry when they are told it is time to get out of the pool to go to Disney !

 

[Disney102015]

Hi! I've got a bunch you can choose from, listed below with kids' ages at the time of the trip I've been bringing my kids from 3 months old to almost 7 years old. Disney trips with littles are so, so special. My tips are to slow down and enjoy the little things, expect the unexpected, and be flexible. Some of my best memories from these trips are things I could not have planned - watching my son play with his first Mickey balloon, stopping to play in the puddles at Animal Kingdom, just hanging out on our balcony relaxing...

It is also impossible to predict what kids will actually enjoy vs. what you expect them to enjoy, and there hasn't been a trip yet where I haven't been surprised by what one of my kids absolutely loved (or what absolutely terrified them!) at that stage.

Also, everything will take a lot longer than you think it will with little kids, from getting thru security to extra restroom breaks to getting thru the rides (rider swap can eat up a LOT of time!) but if you keep your "must do" list short, kind of follow the kids' lead, and focus on what you CAN do, you'll have an amazing time.

Extra tip for multi-generational trips - be ok with splitting up if necessary, and make sure everyone is on the same page beforehand about which things you really want to do as a group, vs. what some people in your group are ok with missing. On our multi-generational trip, my mom and her friend often left the parks for the day before we did, but we made sure we hit the things that were really important to us (it's a small world, a character meal, for example) all together.

Let me know if I can help with any specific questions! I also have a podcast with my sister specifically about traveling with littles - it's called Mickey with Minis. Hopefully I am not breaking any rules by posting that here!

A Very Festive Do-Over - December 2024 - kids were 2, 4, and 6.5
WDW & Disney Wish Land & Sea Adventure - Feb/March 2024 - kids were 1.5, 3.5, and 5.5
We're Outnumbered! 6 kids, 5 adults, and 1 hurricane - Sept/Oct 2022 - multigenerational trip, my kids were 3 months, just turned 2, and 4.5, sister's kids were 8, 4, and 2
A Very Last-Minute, Very Pregnant Trip - Feb/March 2022 - kids were 1.5 and almost 4 (and baby on board!)
Memorial Day Getaway & Baby's First Trip: A Belated 2021 TR - kids were 9 months and 3

 

[DeeBee3]

Think the 2 rooms are a good idea. We have also done 2-bedrooms, but also separate rooms. I would ask your daughter if there were any rides they "must" do and make a list to prioritize. Like pick 2 or 3 in each park that you all want to do together. I would say the rest should be lazy, easygoing whatever happens. You never know who is going to fall asleep in the stroller or just need to go back to the room. Adults included.