Because of that...I come to you for help and advice now!
So as you may or may not know - I booked a big family trip for us this winter...I feel like I'm ready, especially with this dumping of snow and the recent cold spell we are experiencing...though I'm not sure if the rest of the family is ready...
So that's where YOU come in...Any words of wisdom to share with me? Advice for traveling (via air) with two small children? Their first flight...our first time flying & having to be responsible for anyone but ourselves!
I've read a few books, done quite a bit of internet research...but I want to hear from YOU...the people that have been there done that...
And since the hubs & I are more the go with the flow kind of vacationers...the kind who don't really care to have an agenda...we aren't going to book any shows or dinner reservations ahead of time, etc, etc, etc...
We figure there will be plenty to see and do without adding THAT stuff in...the kids are really quite young yet and we know we can have a great time without adding in too much extra via scheduling...if we happen upon it, great - but we don't want to be worried about having to be somewhere at a certain time if one of the kids, or the mom for that matter, is having a meltdown or needing a nap...
* I know we should bring our own small soft sided cooler along with drinks/snacks etc
* Do we
* I've been given conflicting info on the stroller sitch - I know Disney involves a lot of walking, and our resort itself is situated on 45 acres...a stroller is a necessity right? If not for the kids, then for my camera bag, the soft sided cooler...and anything else we might end up lugging around? I was going to rent one there IF we needed it, until I found out it was $31/day...Do I really want to spend that on a stroller rental when I could be buying mouse ears, cotton candy or other useless stuff??? or... do we check our own double umbrella stroller at the gate and use that...or do we take two smaller umbrella strollers instead of the double umbrella for quicker/easier/smaller fold up?
* What are the chances I can get away with NOT checking luggage? The hubs and I NEVER check our luggage - EVER. But I have to check at least one bag for this family of four right? We aren't renting a car as we're staying on Disney property and they take care of everything from getting our luggage at baggage claim for us and bringing it to our hotel and shuttling us between our resort and the four Disney Parks...and checking a bag or two is cheaper than paying a Cabbie or having groceries delivered to our hotel...not a lot of groceries, but bottled water and granola bars/pop tarts, etc...
What else...Anything you guys have to offer to make this trip smooth sailing and successful so that we can do it again one day?
5 comments:
Bring small wrapped, new to the kids, gifts for when things get rough, because they will. Anything to distract. Bring snacks, their own water bottles (since you can't bring them through security) also can be used as small gift. This is via a friend of mine, and we used it when we took an 18 month old to Chicago via train.
I would ditch the stroller, because I'm generally anti stroller for bigger kids, and they can handle it, just do small jaunts. Unless you have runners, then by all means. M stays close to use in large crowds, so I have found that lately they are more annoying than anything.
Bring gum, practice ear popping in advance. Pillows, small blankets, those things that are a combo, maybe a good idea?
Have fun, and I think the fact that you're pretty casual travelers will help. Oh, and check a bag, it isn't the end of the world.
Okay we were at Disney just over a year ago and it is still very fresh for me. First off, the stroller rentals are a rip off and are not that east to steer. We bought an umbrella stroller when we got there and it is still my FARVORITE. It was about $40 (red and black at all the gift stores) but it was a little more sturdy and even though Anthony was 4 we used it alot when his legs got tired. Whether it was at the airport, Disney World, or Sea World. Do not bring the double stroller because it will be too bulky, the singles are easier to manage through the crowds. Plus if boys head to the mens room and ladies to the ladies room, etc. Forget the laptop, do you nave an I-pod? You can rent movies and download them to watch. On the plane they may have a movie too where you can buy earbuds for like a $1. Bring a small spray water bottle with to spray down with if it is really hot. Check a bag and bring a small beach towel for each kid-nice for messes, to dry off, warmth if needed. Get a pack of disposable wipes again for sicky fingers, runny noses, etc. A hot sticky kid can be a miserable kid. Lots of SPF-cause all of the essentials cost 3X's at Disney.
Most importantly-have fun!!! It is the coolest place on earth and I am very jealous!
Here are my thoughts.
Umbrella strollers are THE BEST. Cheap, lightweight, awesome.
Check your luggage. You will want your arms to wrangle your young'uns.
We always bring the laptop, because we love it. But it IS a pain to carry. iPods ARE awesome in this sitch. You can also buy videos for the old GameBoy systems, if you have one. If not, they're like $20 on eBay!
We always let Ev bring one of his stuffed babies on the plane. He LOVED this.
There's often no food on planes anymore, so leave lots of time to tank them up at the airport!
That's all I can think of now... I'll keep thinkin'...
I know a lot of people who have bought the cheapy umbrella stroller when they arrive. Some ditch it, some try an sell at the gates when leaving on the last day, some bring it home. No matter what, it ends up cheaper than renting.
I think the laptop will be worth the trouble - the flight will be much easier with movies. Rent a couple they haven't seen or buy a new one. Just have some that are a surprise and try to save one for the return flight too.
Even if you kids don't need them, bring sippy cups with tops. If the flight is bumpy, or just by nature of their kid-ness, it'll be easy for drinks to get spilled. Much nicer to have dry clothes and a top on the cup.
New books are also good - anything new holds attention longer and you'll be less bored with a new book. Even a chapter book. (Look into a series like the Pee Wee Scouts books - the are cute, have pictures but chapters, and would definitely hold H's attention, probably D too.)
Wear layers on the plane. I think planes are freezing. Easier to lose a layer than hear "I'm cold" for three hours.
Tell the flight attendant that it's their first flight. They may have a pin/sticker/certificate for them.
That's what I have for now...
I missed this but here are my thoughts. One. save $ by using Garden Grocers. We went online and ordered snacks, drinks and breakfast food! it was delievered to our hotel the day we arrived, saved us a ton and I didn't have to buy a treat for every, mom I am hungry I got in the parks!
Borrow a small portable DVD player for the plane, we have one we loan out to everyone, so much easier then the lap top and a LOT less to worry about if it gets dropped/spilled on lost etc.. $50.00 versus like $800.00
Check your bags... if your staying on proerty you only have to deal with them in Minneapolis. So much easier and you have time for the kids. Bring an umbrella stroller, and maybe a timer to trade off who gets to ride, or bring 2, we are taking 2 when we go in Feb, but we have a baby.
Take advantage of the Extended hours for resort guests.. and most off all ENJOY YOURSELVES!!!! it is the best time you can have down there so cherish each moment!
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