would someone share their touring schedule w/ a 24 mo old?

[Ariel on Land]

We were looking at going later in the year, when the boys were closer to 2.5, but we realized we could save almost $1000 in airfare if we go this spring instead. The twins will be 24 months- they currently get up around 7, nap around noon, and bed at 8. If you've gone w/ little ones this age- would you mind sharing your schedule? (and any other tips that you'd like to pass along! )

TIA!

 

[Fall1]

I haven't been with children yet, but we have 19 month old twins too, so I'm hoping you get some good replies.

We are thinking of either November this year (they'd be 29 mos) or May next year (they'd be 35 mos).

 

[missypriss19]

I have never traveled with ones that young but I can tell from what I have seen in the parks. First off keep them on there schedule. If they still take naps take them back to the resort to nap. I have seen some terrible scenes at midnight with kids in total melt down because there parents have had them going since 7 am. Trust me it is not pretty. Get up and eat breakfast and go to whatever park you go to. Ride some rides and such. Maybe eat lunch in the park. Then go to resort for nap. If you also have an older child that doesnt nap maybe one parent can take that one swimming at that time. Then after nap go back to park. If you have a Parkhopper you can even go to another park. I also suggest that if you want to stay late and see the fireworks maybe an extra nap would not hurt. Hope this helps.

 

[BenA81]

thats great that your boys get up at 7. like was said above, hit the parks early when its cool and the lines are short, hop back to your hotel for naps then head back to the parks for some more fun. I took my DD when she 2.5 and regret not taking the afternoons off so she could nap.

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

We are going in about a week with our 32 month old twins (oh, good grief - they are just over 2.5!) They do still nap from 1-3ish, but since we are just doing the MK for one day and then touring the resorts/visiting with friends the other days, we are going to go commando.

My kids are also earlier risers, so we plan to be there when the park opens (9am) for rope drop. I figure we can get a good bit of the park done in the morning since they won't ride the bigger rides (one of our kids isn't even 36" so we won't ride Barnstormer either.) I haven't made ADRs for lunch, so we'll just swing it based on when they are hungry. Since we are going in January we may be able to walk in to a TS, if not, we'll do Cosmic Rays or something.

We are bringing our own strollers since they recline. I bet one of my kids will fall asleep in his stroller and his brother won't. We figure we can take a mid day break, by riding the monorail, or TTA, or maybe they will fall asleep in Carousel of Progress! The kids have gone without a nap before and did okay so we are hoping that if they forgo the nap, we'll still be okay!

We'll see the 3pm parade and then do whatever is left to do or that we want to do again. The electrical light parade is at 7, so we'll see that (maybe with a hot dog from Caseys) and then the fireworks at 8. We are going to bring their PJs and put them in the car so we can change them when we get to the car since I am sure they will fall asleep en route to the condo.

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Ariel on Land]

Oh yes, I am not even considering going all day in the parks. The return for a nap is happening. I realize we won't be at the parks as much as *I* like, which is kind of a bummer, but DH and I went alone last fall, and this is an unexpected spur of the moment trip, so I feel ok taking it really easy. I think I'm most worried about scheduling ADRs- I think it will be best to have them, so we can be sure of a good solid meal once a day, but I'm nervous of scheduling them. I guess I'll just go for their typical meal times and hope they make it!?!!? Also, I'm kind of bummed that the parades are right in the middle of nap time.... I wonder if/how I can work one of those in?

If you did go w/ the little ones, were you able to do much baby swapping at the bigger rides, or did you mainly focus on just the kiddie stuff? And how well did they do w/ the shows? I'm thinking Tiki room, FOTLK, Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid would be ones they'd enjoy, I just hope they sit still! (am I dreaming?!? )

Thanks for the replies- I'm getting excited about the trip, I just hope I don't regret going this early!!!

And Alison- DEFINITELY let me know how it goes!! I'm really interested!! DH and I often joke, that going with one twin in particular would be a breeze-- it's his brother that makes life challenging!!!

 

[rillsung]

Oh yes, I am not even considering going all day in the parks. The return for a nap is happening. I realize we won't be at the parks as much as *I* like, which is kind of a bummer, but DH and I went alone last fall, and this is an unexpected spur of the moment trip, so I feel ok taking it really easy. I think I'm most worried about scheduling ADRs- I think it will be best to have them, so we can be sure of a good solid meal once a day, but I'm nervous of scheduling them. I guess I'll just go for their typical meal times and hope they make it!?!!? Also, I'm kind of bummed that the parades are right in the middle of nap time.... I wonder if/how I can work one of those in?

If you did go w/ the little ones, were you able to do much baby swapping at the bigger rides, or did you mainly focus on just the kiddie stuff? And how well did they do w/ the shows? I'm thinking Tiki room, FOTLK, Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid would be ones they'd enjoy, I just hope they sit still! (am I dreaming?!? )

Hey we just got back with our 2yr old (her b-day was a week after we got home). We mostly did things around her since I am also pregnant and couldn't do the thrill rides. DH rode a few thrill rides while DD slept in the stroller in the afternoons (when we actually got her to sleep!) With the time change and everything, she got up at 10ish. We did our meal at nooish every day and had trouble making it! She and I usually got breakfast at the food court when she woke earlier than 10, and then we'd go to our lunch. Her schedule was pretty much thrown out the window (as usual) for the vacation. If I were you, I think I'd do a breakfast ADR. Dinners were pretty much impossible for us to enjoy as DD had no interest in sitting there for that long then.

As for shows, do a couple during their better part of the day and see how it goes. Sydney LOVED Nemo and Playhouse Disney. I don't think she would have liked Beauty and the Beast (She slept in the stroller outside with grandpa while we went in). She also had NO interest in Little Mermaid this time for some reason, maybe wrong time of the day or bad seats. Tiki room, FOTLK would probably be good too.

For the most part, we did all day in the parks (lunch ADR around noonish till 8 or 9 or sometimes later). We quickly came to realize that trying to get her to nap was impossible, and we just let her fall asleep in the stroller when she finally conked out. The first week or so we actually attempted to have her get a nap in the hotel before our lunch ADR and there was always lots of screaming involved. She was so stinkin tired, rubbing the eyes, etc, but would not sleep no matter what... Especially if it was our idea!