Tips and Tricks for Two Toddlers First Visit?

[bowtiesarecool]

Hello all!

We are tentatively planning a visit to Disneyland the first week of October. It will be a party of 4: Myself, DW, and Twin Toddling Tykes (Boyos that will be 18 mo. by trip).

We know about ride swaps, also about the baby center on Main Street, but as far as anything else we are clueless.

So, we are reaching out to you: The seasoned vets of the Parks. You who have waded through the trenches of "I'm thirsty!" and "I'm tired!" as well as "HE'S TOUCHING ME!!" Do you have any tips for us on how to make this trip, not only enjoyable, but magical for our Boyos?

Thanks,

Bowtiesarecool.

[bowtiesarecool]

Hey moderator, just realized I put this in the wrong forum. Could I get this moved to Trip planning, please?

[tea4two]

Don't know if you would be interested in Mickey's Halloween Party, but they will be offered at DL during your visit. (This event requires a separate, paid ticket.) Also, you might want to scan the Parenting in the Parks forum, if you haven't already -- lots of good ideas and suggestions there! And take advantage of the Photopass photographers so you can have lots of pictures with all 4 of you together. Have fun planning your trip!

[MammaSilva]

First and most important piece of advice, go at THEIR pace. Give them time to look around at the magic...go visit Mickey in his house and when you get there you can ask to be in a private group since the boys are so young and twins. Bust out your biggest smile and if it's their first visit ever make sure to get their first visit buttons. When you are in the barn and getting close to the front of the line and the CM comes to ask how many in your group it is completely acceptable to ask to be your own group under those conditions.

Plan your day around their normal routines...meals, naps and bedtimes. There is so much for them so see that they will need that bit of 'normal' to help them enjoy things

GET a HUGE memory card and use it...people will say that they don't think 18 months is a good age, bull hooey on that, they might not remember every thing but they'll remember enough and with the photos to fill in the gaps they'll have plenty of memories.

[bowtiesarecool]

Thank you both! I will check out the Parenting in the Parks Forum right now.

Ginormous SD card. Check.

Buttons and Visit to the Mouse's House. Done.

I just really hope the Big Guy doesn't freak them out. Well too much.

[MammaSilva]

That's why you ask ever so nicely and with a slight grovel in your voice to please be your own group...they need the chance to decide that he's not evil incarnate! I highly recommend you and the wife take them to Miss Minnies and Friends breakfast, it's a buffet and they're free since they are under 3, there are a LOT of characters that wander thru while you're eating and it will really give you a feel on how the boys will react to the big characters. The characters are EXCELLENT in 'reading' your signals or the boys. If you think that it's too much for one or both of them all you have to do is kind of hold up your hand or shake your head No and they won't approach but you could possibly stand up and go over to them and hug one so the boys can see that they didn't eat daddy.

[bowtiesarecool]

I can grovel just fine.

And Tea4Two, forgive me for not mentioning this, we are planning to go to Mickey's Halloween. We'll be doing a dry run of the boyos costumes this May at Phoenix Comic Con.

We also figured it would be a good dry run for the boyos reaction to costumed characters. Mickey's easy after seeing 15-20 Master Chiefs and other, more intimidating, cos players wander up to daddy and wander away.

At least that's what we're hoping.

[Malcon10t]

Moved to Parenting in the Parks so you can get some good responses.

We visited this weekend, and experienced Surf's Up Sat am. We were very pleasantly surprised. We had an 11am seating with several MP friends, along with children aged 2, 6, 11, adn 14. The food was very good. But above that, the character interaction was excellent. We were visited by Goofy, Pluto, Stitch, Minnie, adn Mickey. We finished up about 1230, and while the characters finished visiting tables about noon, they stayed in the dance area and the kids got to play with them.

[monkeyboy]

Just wanted to mention, Toon Town sometimes opens later than Disneyland, (maybe someone on here can confirm that as well, I've been in the park several times where the gate to Toon Town was closed and people were waiting to get in) you may want to check and see when it is open.

[dngnb8]

I can grovel just fine.

And Tea4Two, forgive me for not mentioning this, we are planning to go to Mickey's Halloween. We'll be doing a dry run of the boyos costumes this May at Phoenix Comic Con.

We also figured it would be a good dry run for the boyos reaction to costumed characters. Mickey's easy after seeing 15-20 Master Chiefs and other, more intimidating, cos players wander up to daddy and wander away.

At least that's what we're hoping.

I presume youre staying on or near the parks in a hotel.

the biggest and most important thing I can tell you is NAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The rule I have when I have toddlers or youngens with me is we return to hotel right after we eat and nap. Minimum 60 minutes of SLEEP. Lying in bed and looking at the ceiling does not count for sleep.

Have your lunch at about 1 to 1:30 pm. After lunch (around 2:30) lay down. Bet they sleep to 4 at least.

When you wake up, go to the pool. This will burn some energy, then back to the parks when the lights go on.

Without the nap, youre gonna have whining crying little nightmares

[Drince88]

First and most important piece of advice, go at THEIR pace.

This just has to be repeated.

Have their own strollers for them, too. And when you take family pictures with the photopass people in front of castle and such - take them out of the strollers. We had my 18 month old nephew in his umbrella stroller* for many of our group pictures, and he's SOOO much 'shorter' than everyone else (even his 4 year old brother) - I really wish we'd done a few of them with someone holding him, or with all of us at his level, or whatever.

(Umbrella strollers are not my preference for that age - but I'm "not the Momma" so I could only make recommendations!)

Will costumes that fit in May fit in October? And are the boys on a sleep schedule that you think you would feel ok about the 'value' you get out of the Halloween Party tickets? For me, I need to be there for most of the party, and 18 month olds generally have earlier bed times than that.

My 18 month old nephew went RIGHT up to Minnie and Mickey (in their Mardi Gras costumes), was in total AWE of Buzz Lightyear (wouldn't let his other Aunt put him down, but he wasn't scared, he was in awe) -- and really didn't want anything to do with Woody and Jesse. Woody and Jesse are HUGE though - Mickey and Minnie are quite short, so I'm not sure if it was the size or his general mood that made Woody & Jesse a non-starter for him.

You can hand the photopass photographers your own camera, too, to get some shots for you. You want as many as you can get with all 4 of you in them.

We were a little concerned about fireworks with the 18 month old - - so the first night we were there we just watched them from where we were and he LOVED them. Clapping at the right places, even. We'd also done the dessert seating for Fantasmic and he really enjoyed that show -- he clapped for Mickey at the end, it was really cute. I don't know if I'd recommend that with 2 under 3s and 2 adults, though - since the kids will be on your laps. (We had 4 adults, a 4 year old, and 1 18-month old, so it worked great for us). For both of those, though, I don't know if I'd want to be with toddlers in the crowds to get a 'good view'. Toddlers and 'lots and lots of people' just don't mix in my brain.

Have lots of fun!

[bowtiesarecool]

Thanks for the move, Moderator!

[Malcon10t]

Have your lunch at about 1 to 1:30 pm. After lunch (around 2:30) lay down. Bet they sleep to 4 at least.

When you wake up, go to the pool.

We do the opposite. Lunch, pool time, THEN sleep. The pool time will help make them tired. Even the 8-12yo group will fall asleep after pooltime if you have them lie down and watch the news...

[bowtiesarecool]

This just has to be repeated.

Have their own strollers for them, too. And when you take family pictures with the photopass people in front of castle and such - take them out of the strollers. We had my 18 month old nephew in his umbrella stroller* for many of our group pictures, and he's SOOO much 'shorter' than everyone else (even his 4 year old brother) - I really wish we'd done a few of them with someone holding him, or with all of us at his level, or whatever.

(Umbrella strollers are not my preference for that age - but I'm "not the Momma" so I could only make recommendations!)

Will costumes that fit in May fit in October? And are the boys on a sleep schedule that you think you would feel ok about the 'value' you get out of the Halloween Party tickets? For me, I need to be there for most of the party, and 18 month olds generally have earlier bed times than that.

My 18 month old nephew went RIGHT up to Minnie and Mickey (in their Mardi Gras costumes), was in total AWE of Buzz Lightyear (wouldn't let his other Aunt put him down, but he wasn't scared, he was in awe) -- and really didn't want anything to do with Woody and Jesse. Woody and Jesse are HUGE though - Mickey and Minnie are quite short, so I'm not sure if it was the size or his general mood that made Woody & Jesse a non-starter for him.

You can hand the photopass photographers your own camera, too, to get some shots for you. You want as many as you can get with all 4 of you in them.

We were a little concerned about fireworks with the 18 month old - - so the first night we were there we just watched them from where we were and he LOVED them. Clapping at the right places, even. We'd also done the dessert seating for Fantasmic and he really enjoyed that show -- he clapped for Mickey at the end, it was really cute. I don't know if I'd recommend that with 2 under 3s and 2 adults, though - since the kids will be on your laps. (We had 4 adults, a 4 year old, and 1 18-month old, so it worked great for us). For both of those, though, I don't know if I'd want to be with toddlers in the crowds to get a 'good view'. Toddlers and 'lots and lots of people' just don't mix in my brain.

Have lots of fun!

Oh yes! We have our own double stroller, ready to go for the trip. Thanks for the tip about taking out of the stroller for pictures. We also have a Radio Flyer Wagon for them, ready to be tricked out like a pirate ship, for the Halloween Party.

As for the costumes, we usually buy the boyos clothes a little bigger than their age bracket, (they're 12 mo now so we buy 18 mo for them now) so their costumes should still fit, but that is a very good point.

[dngnb8]

We do the opposite. Lunch, pool time, THEN sleep. The pool time will help make them tired. Even the 8-12yo group will fall asleep after pooltime if you have them lie down and watch the news...

I used to do that, but we found that we swimming right after lunch as a bad thing. An arguments for pool after

1: It kind of wakes them (take me take me) up
2: it burns a bit of energy (take me take me) so they arent so wired at the park
3: it allows mom and dad some down awake time to (take me take me) unwind
4: the people (take me take me) at the park are having dinner so the rides are clearer.

(ignore the subliminal message, no dont!!! take me take me)

[Drince88]

Oh yes! We have our own double stroller, ready to go for the trip. Thanks for the tip about taking out of the stroller for pictures. We also have a Radio Flyer Wagon for them, ready to be tricked out like a pirate ship, for the Halloween Party.

Generally they don't allow 'pull behind' things at DL. I don't know if the Halloween Party is an exception for this. You'll definitely want to check before you go to the effort of creating/packing the wagon. (Though you may also get multiple different answers, too).

[bowtiesarecool]

Generally they don't allow 'pull behind' things at DL. I don't know if the Halloween Party is an exception for this.

So, what do you think? Should I give Guest Relations a call?

[MammaSilva]

I can tell you that last year we did see ONE wagon, granted I don't know if they had some special waiver due to a medical issue, but I do suggest calling guest services and be sure to make it clear you only plan to use it for the Trick or Treat party, not on a daily basis.

[bowtiesarecool]

Well, no wagon for us. No matter. We've got more than one costume idea up our sleeves.

Keep the tips coming! DW and I have a list going!

[candles71]

Lots and lots of protein snacks in your bag. For the kiddos and mom and dad.

[tea4two]

Since you'll be taking the boys to Phoenix ComicCon, you'll have a great opportunity to video them in all kinds of situations (e.g. greeting characters, dealing with crowds, being in lines, wearing costumes, seeing you and your wife in costumes, etc.). Our older nephew was "Mr. Obessessive" right from infancy, so we would use his videos (as the first grandchild, there were TONS of videos of his every outing) to help him process different situations and be prepared. Videos to the zoo or to Wal-Mart were used to show lines and crowds, videos at the airport and on planes for travel issues, even videos of (empty, obviously!) public restrooms to show what to expect. We would watch these videos repeatedly (he really enjoyed it) and talk about what we were seeing. He loved guessing right answers ("Do we get angry when we have to stand in lines? No?? That's the right answer!" + nice reward), even before he could talk. All this preparation really helped make things easier for him and for us. When things started getting overwhelming for him at DL, we could find a shady spot and just talk through whatever was going on. Chances were good we'd already covered it in a video ("Was that ____ bothering you? Do you remember how we watched that on your zoo video? And how we said that it would be OK?" etc.). And now that he's in college, he thinks the videos are very funny.

[tea4two]

Oh, and we also used the free Disney travel videos/DVDs for this. We would talk about how friendly and nice the characters were and how fun the rides were. By the time my nephew made his first visit, he was practically a veteran already. He recognized the castle and many of the characters (the Disney Sing-a-long videos were great for that, too). He wasn't a super friendly baby, but he really liked recognizing faces and places.
Hope all this is helpful.

[corsautfamily]

Stick as close to their normal diet as you can. On our last trip our 2 year old had some tummy trouble from eating a little more junk food than normal and it wasnt pretty. Pack an extra set of clothes and put them in a large zip lock bag. That way if they get wet or have a blow out diaper you can change them and put the dirty clothes in the bag. Fireworks scared the crap out of our 2 year old but he was ok if I had him in our carrier. Our kids weren't huge fans of A Bugs Life show and the Muppets either. I think the 3-D made it a little too real for them. But if you do go you can sit at the end of the aisle and leave if you need to. I highly recommend bringing a carrier. It was very helpful in the evening when he was getting tired or if we were in a long line. The Boba carrier and Baby Hawk Oh Snap are good options. If you dont want to buy them you could rent them from Paxbaby.com (for $22 for 2 weeks rental I believe).

[bowtiesarecool]

Stick as close to their normal diet as you can. On our last trip our 2 year old had some tummy trouble from eating a little more junk food than normal and it wasnt pretty. Pack an extra set of clothes and put them in a large zip lock bag. That way if they get wet or have a blow out diaper you can change them and put the dirty clothes in the bag. Fireworks scared the crap out of our 2 year old but he was ok if I had him in our carrier. Our kids weren't huge fans of A Bugs Life show and the Muppets either. I think the 3-D made it a little too real for them. But if you do go you can sit at the end of the aisle and leave if you need to. I highly recommend bringing a carrier. It was very helpful in the evening when he was getting tired or if we were in a long line. The Boba carrier and Baby Hawk Oh Snap are good options. If you dont want to buy them you could rent them from Paxbaby.com (for $22 for 2 weeks rental I believe).

Thank you! I'll put that right to the top of the list: Big Ziploc Bags. Got it.

[Mermaid]

We are slaves to 7:00 bedtime, including on vacaction. it stinks to leave the park by 6:30 or so, but everyone is happier with good sleep. I am hoping y he time they get to preschool age, we can be more flexible, but it works for us for now.