Trip Planning

[drumcorpsfan96]

Hey everyone! been out for several days but I am back now. Here is our set up

2 Adults-2 Year Old

2 Adults-1 Year Old

4 Adults

Each set of adults will be getting their own rooms. I'm excited to see all of the responses and help you guys are willing to give me! Next week im also registering to do the Disney Half-Marathon in 2012!

[Wizzard419]

Ah, you might be able to do a group rate for the number of rooms (you will need to call to see about that though). I'm going to guess that the main draw will be the MK for your group, so you may want to consider staying at the contemporary, grand floridian, or polynesian since the monorail stops at each of those resorts. You may want to go for contemporary, while it takes the longest to get to the parks, it also is the first stop coming back, so you can get back to your room faster.

[Sleepy90]

I'm sorry I've gone all Dori again, when did you say you were going drumcorpsfan96. Are you all going to be there at half marathon time.
Those children are kind of young for the rides, your going to have to split ride on the big ones so that someone can watch the kids while the big kids ride things like the mountains.
Are you going to spend long at the resorts or is it just a place to lay your head, I'm guessing the guys that have the children will want to go back during the day to let them get some rest.

[drumcorpsfan96]

The half-marathon will be a second trip. Looking to go sometime in June!

[jlpeaches255]

I personally think it is great that you are bringing kids that are that young! As long as you are willing to work around their schedules it can be a great experience! To see a two year old's face on small world makes it all worth it. One piece of advise for the little ones...bring their own stroller, don't rent. The rentals are too expensive and not comfortable.

[figmentaholic]

not sure if this has been mentioned before, but... PLAN TO GO BACK TO THE ROOM MID DAY. Kids that small are gonna get tired and cranky, even in strollers.

[momeja]

not sure if this has been mentioned before, but... PLAN TO GO BACK TO THE ROOM MID DAY. Kids that small are gonna get tired and cranky, even in strollers.

Best advice, right here! You can always go to Disney again. It's better to have a great trip now than try to run a marathon.

[jlpeaches255]

not sure if this has been mentioned before, but... PLAN TO GO BACK TO THE ROOM MID DAY. Kids that small are gonna get tired and cranky, even in strollers.

Best advice, right here! You can always go to Disney again. It's better to have a great trip now than try to run a marathon.

While this is sooo very true...it still depends on the kids. Mine were always perfectly happy to nap in their strollers during the day. But when they were little we did always go back to the hotel by around 8pm.

[figmentaholic]

not sure if this has been mentioned before, but... PLAN TO GO BACK TO THE ROOM MID DAY. Kids that small are gonna get tired and cranky, even in strollers.

Best advice, right here! You can always go to Disney again. It's better to have a great trip now than try to run a marathon.

While this is sooo very true...it still depends on the kids. Mine were always perfectly happy to nap in their strollers during the day. But when they were little we did always go back to the hotel by around 8pm.

Well, yes. It does depends on the kids as well, but I would go ahead and plan for the trip back, and if they don't need to go, that is just bonus time that you have at the parks.

[Satchel T]

Take it easy, pace yourself, don't try to do it all, make a list of your "must do's", your "like to do's" and your "if we get to its" ... then, have tons o' fun!!!

[figmentaholic]

Take it easy, pace yourself, don't try to do it all, make a list of your "must do's", your "like to do's" and your "if we get to its" ... then, have tons o' fun!!!

That is a very good idea. Go park by park and list everything you have to do, rides, restaurants, etc. then make another list of ones you would like to do, that way it can help you plan how long you need to spend at each park (half day, whole day, two days etc) and that will give you a better idea how to budget time.
Yes I know it sounds type a but trust me I am no *NOT* Type A and I still do this.

[Brian845]

I personally think it is great that you are bringing kids that are that young! As long as you are willing to work around their schedules it can be a great experience! To see a two year old's face on small world makes it all worth it. One piece of advise for the little ones...bring their own stroller, don't rent. The rentals are too expensive and not comfortable.

We managed well enough with the Disney strollers with our almost 2 year old and barely 4 year old on our last trip. It helped that the 2 year old would nap quite comfortably on my shoulder during certain rides (I even carried him around Swiss Family Treehouse, which is a good workout for your legs with an added 20 pound weight!).

[rphillips14]

The 4 adults without children will quickly wear out waiting in various lines and dealing with the whole infant/child, other parents, stroller challenges. My suggestion: Allow the 4 childless adults to go out on their own and the two couples with children focus on infant friendly areas.

Focus on 1 park for 1 day-we have a rule, as long as we are there for at least 4 days-no Park Hopper because it doubles your bus time and really puts major stress on the group getting from one place to another.

Also, the buses are going to be a real bear with strollers and little ones-I agree with those who have suggested a Monorail resort to minimize your bus time.

Finally, in my opinion, if you want to run in the half marathon-do it when it's just you and your spouse-unless the group doesn't mind focusing on you for much of the day during their trip to Disneyworld (I can tell you my wife wouldn't go for that al all!!). Plus, you may need to conserve your energy-by the end of our 5 days we can barely drag ourselves to the airport.

Most importantly-Don't overplan, be patient and have fun!!

[Satchel T]

Since there are kids involved I'd say stay at a value resort, they tend to be more kid friendly. And pace yourself, do what you can, don't rush, don't feel like you have to do it all, and enjoy!!

[Satchel T]

The 4 adults without children will quickly wear out waiting in various lines and dealing with the whole infant/child, other parents, stroller challenges. My suggestion: Allow the 4 childless adults to go out on their own and the two couples with children focus on infant friendly areas.

Focus on 1 park for 1 day-we have a rule, as long as we are there for at least 4 days-no Park Hopper because it doubles your bus time and really puts major stress on the group getting from one place to another.

Also, the buses are going to be a real bear with strollers and little ones-I agree with those who have suggested a Monorail resort to minimize your bus time.

Finally, in my opinion, if you want to run in the half marathon-do it when it's just you and your spouse-unless the group doesn't mind focusing on you for much of the day during their trip to Disneyworld (I can tell you my wife wouldn't go for that al all!!). Plus, you may need to conserve your energy-by the end of our 5 days we can barely drag ourselves to the airport.

Ditto the be patient part and have fun part!
Most importantly-Don't overplan, be patient and have fun!!