Hi, we're planning on taking our twin DD's who will be turning one during the trip, and our other DD who will be turning 4 on the trip. They are literally one day apart! Don't ask how we did that, we don't know. LOL.
Anyways, our twins are only 2 months old right now, but we're planning on our trip in Mid-November. They are currently conjoined twins, but they will be separated in April/May (depends on weight gain) and we want to celebrate by taking them and their sister to WDW for the first time! <3 The CHD (congenital heart defects) don't affect their lives much, but they do have to have meds at scheduled times, and they can't get too hot. (just like most children. lol)
They will be in a stroller for the trip,(side by side) because they won't be able to walk yet, and we're planning on our other DD to walk/sit on DH's shoulders when needed. She doesn't like her stroller much. I guess my question is, do you have any advice for taking three young children to WDW? Are there any places for eating that they would especially enjoy? Will the CM's pay special attention to them since they all will be celebrating their birthdays? Will our stroller fit okay in most places? Will we be able to take our twins on any rides?
Any special tips you guys have I'd REALLY appreciate. We plan on following a pretty strict schedule around all three girls: breakfast, parks, lunchtime, nap/swim, park, dinner, bedtime, etc..I don't want too push too hard, I just want it to be relaxing, yet structured so they don't get overwhelmed and cranky. Thank you!
Phew...those are some loaded questions! but good ones at that
My DH and I have take our two daughters to WDW at the same age that you'll be taking yours, and here's what I learned:
1. Introduce characters slowly: i.e. observe them from afar first, prior to any sit-down character meals or meet-and-greets. My oldest DD's first experience with fuzzy, full-costumed characters was at Crystal Palace, and she was a couple weeks shy of her 1st b-day...needless to say, it did not go well. And to this day, she's still a bit hesitant about meeting some characters, save the princesses. As for my youngest DD, her first experience was at 8 months old at Ohana's...she loved them!!! and still does! The day prior to her first m&g was at EPCOT, when we showed her Marie (from the Aristocat's) from afar...didn't really phase her. Start showing your oldest some classic Disney movies to get her familiar with the characters
2. Meals: Due to your strict schedule, I'd only plan one or two sit-down meals at most. You never know if you'll be seated right away or have to wait, or need to leave the park suddenly to tend to your children OR yourself. We typically plan 1 character meal and 1 non. The character meal is usually a breakfast (it's our favorite meal of the day) and the non is usually a lunch (because it's cheaper and less in demand). Our favs:
Chef Mickey's breakfast and Akershus breakfast;
Le Cellier, Le Cellier, Le Cellier for lunch. Other than that, QS stops take up most of our meals, because we could dictate the time and location.
3. Birthday buttons: I feel CM's make more of a fuss over kids than adults when it comes to celebrating birthdays...but, I am only referring to the number of, "Happy Birthday Princesses" rather than, "Please, come right this way and skip this long line to ride Dumbo." At your resort, you could request a "character call" on the mornings of their birthdays (be sure to put it on speaker phone). And, if you're making any sit-down reservations, be sure to add in a "Celebration." Sometimes, CM's will bring out confetti cupcakes and make a little fuss (it happened to my DH and I for our anniversary at Chef Mickey's Breakfast).
4. Stroller: You should be fine. We've taken our tandem and rented the City Mini double side-by-side...result: we prefer pushing the side-by-side (and, "yes," it fit fine thru the doors). You'll find navigating ANY shop to be a challenge, but just take your time or have your DH "pave a path" (or vice versa). You could look into a "glider board" attachment for the stroller as well. Also, with either stroller, I bought/brought two stroller fans and a lightweight (almost see-thru) scarf (this thing is huge). I would cover the stroller during the day if the girls were sleeping, but it would not get hot in there since the air could circulate. And, if your twins happen to fall asleep, and you have a 1 p.m. lunch ressie, no worries...just ask a CM WHEN you're checking in if you could push the stroller to the table (sure, some CM's who are waiting on tables might make silent "hurumphs," but they know the drill). Lastly, it would not hurt to bring along an umbrella stroller for your oldest: "yes" you said she doesn't really like the stroller, but after a couple of days of walking and/or someone carrying her, you'll want the piece of mind knowing you have a back up in case she needs to crash (my DD6 still needed one for the sole purpose of this on our most recent trip).
5. Rides: There are a several rides you should be able to take your twins on...think slow-moving, family rides. If there is a sign posted at the beginning of the line listing ANY health issues, skip it. And, if you're not sure, ask a CM. Our family rides were and are:
Dumbo, It's a Small World, Winnie-the-Pooh, Peter Pan's Flight, Carrousel (if you sit on the "inside" of the ride, it "seems" to move slower),
"the Train," Nemo, and Triceratop Spin (as you can see, most of the rides are in MK). If you or your DH or oldest DD really wants to do a certain ride, you could look into the "Baby Swap" (just ask the CM at the beginning of the queue, they'll know exactly what you're talking about and explain how it works).
6. Take cues from the kids: Do not plan to fit every attraction or every character into your trip. These things take time, and as you know, children can become overwhelmed quite quickly. Don't underestimate an empty bench, face painting, indoor shows, the Baby Care Centers (AK's is my favorite, and DHS is my least; and next to each BCC is a First Aid Station), splitting up and sending a spouse to get the food or snacks, and a new fuzzy stuffed animal. Also, if you don't want to run into the "departing crowds," leave the park an hour before it closes.
7. Decorations and weather: By mid-November, MK will be fully decorated for Christmas, with the other parks following shortly there after (the Osborne Lights will be going on at DHS). Resorts will start to decorate, but won't be fully until after Thanksgiving. As for weather, prepare in layers: days could be 70s and nights could be 50s.
I realize that your twins might need some extra care given their delicate condition while you're there, so stop in at each parks' Guest Relations office to have any questions or concerns addressed. Who knows, they might have some magic up their sleeves to bestow upon your family! This is also a great place to ask where you could keep your meds if they need refridgerated (I think the First Aid Station takes care of this?).
I hope this helps, even the slightest, and I pray for a swift, healthful, successful operation for your twins!
. Every kid is different but this was our experience the first time at the parks with our kiddo.
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