[Prezcatz]

My wife and I are planning our next trip to WDW for next year after our 2 1/2-yr old is joined by twins we are expecting in the Spring. Any lessons learned from folks who have traveled with several smaller children or twins/triplets/etc would be appreciated. We're also looking for opinions on trying to stay at Shades of Green (I'm in the AF), or a studio/one bedroom at a DVC resort. Thanks for any advice!

[queensmama]

I do not have any advice for someone with multiples, but I just wanted to say welcome to DC...
Someone will be able to help you.

[Maria]

Welcome to DC!! The first time we went with the kids they were 2 and 4, we just took it easy and took the parks day by day did not really have a set schedule. With a toddler and two babies I'm sure you will have to have naps, feeding, diaper changes and more diaper changes etc LOL (twins how fun)! I would suggest you bring your own stroller, so the babies can maybe nap in them comfortably!

[Tinkerbelle67]

Hi and welcome to DC. I just want to tell you to make sure you locate and take advantage of the baby centers that can be found in each of the parks. They are a great place to take care of the little ones' needs.

[karliebug]

Definitely bring your own strollers and pack enough diapers,baby food, formula,etc. to bring with you. They can be found onsite but at a very expensive price. Go at a slow pace and don't expect to get everything done, allow for nap time and time to hang around the resort pool. Remember lots of sunscreen for the kiddies,as well as floppy hats,to guard against sunburn. The baby centers in the parks are great,too.

[MrDisneyfan1]

My thoughts about your situation, enjoy the vacation through the eyes of your children. Do not try to see everything, but enjoy what you do and don't set strick priorities. Go with the flow of the day.

Check out length of stay stroller rentals, it's cheaper, and easier to manage, just bring your voucher from park to park and get a new stroller.

Shades of Green has had a great make over latley, looks nice, my cousin is in the AF and stays there we some good prices...$99 a night when last checked.
Den

[MrDisneyfan1]

Plus have a drink or two at EPCOT...HAHA

[Erin]

I have a small baby - not twins! (THank God!) Although, twins are pretty cool!

Anyway...

My best advice is this: Figure out what rides you absolutely WANT to do and use the baby swap passes (it works like a fast pass, it allows both parents to ride the ride without having to wait in long lines)
Make a list of the stuff you definitely want to see, and make a plan to see those things.
Pace yourself. You aren't going to get alot done with a bunch of small kids, so resign yourself now to enjoying the sights and sounds - you will not be hoofing it from ride to ride in a quick-like fashion!

BRING YOUR OWN STROLLER!! I'm sure you are already looking for a triple stroller to carry all three - you'll need that, or a double stroller, plus a single. If you both plan on pushing a single stroller, make sure you have one of those things you can carry a baby with. You aren't gonna want your 3 year old walking, either...

The other thing is - there is PLENTY for your little ones to do! Playgrounds, shows, and even a few rides...so find out what appeals to your senses, and go with that...

I'm not sure how many days you have, but I suggest taking things as SLOW as possible, and maybe booking a character dinner to get autographs...that will get you out of long lines at the parks with all the babies.

[DisneySusie]

My twins first went when they were 18 mos and my oldest was 4 at the time. The only advice I can give you is don't set your expectations too high. Small children have a mind of their own and cannot handle standing in lines for long periods of time and cannot handle alot of heat and crowds.
I stayed at the Shades of Green last year in July and loved it. It was very reasonably priced and very centrally located. The onsite restaurant (can't remember the name) was too pricey in my opinion and the food wasn't that good. Our room was very spacious and we didn't feel a bit crowded even with 3 kids. Take warm night clothes because even though we were there in the middle of summer the room was always cold, even if we turned the air all the way up to 85 degrees!
Don't plan any commando park type of touring, just take it easy and take a break in the middle of the day and go back to your room and relax. Don't feel disappointed if all you were able to do before lunch was ride Pooh and take your kids picture with Goofy. Your kids will enjoy themselves no matter how much they get to do. Some of my most cherished pictures from my little ones first trip is all three of them sitting down on a curb on in the middle of main street all lined up eating Mickey Bars.

[mickeymommy]

Make sure you check out Pooh's Playful spot in MK! My 2 yo loved it! We spent a lot longer there than we had anticipated because he was having so much fun! It's a good place to sit and rest for adults too!
One thing I learned with my toddler was to play it by ear. He hated sitting and waiting on anything though, as long as we kept moving, life was good. (Of course, he's pretty much like that anyway!)
Don't have a strict plan...just take it easy and enjoy watching their faces as they experience it all! Have a great time!

[tiptonsara]

If you are there in the summer, get a sunshade that you can attach to the stroller. They are flexible and stretch out further than the normal canopy on the stroller. They attach easily with velcro.

We have used one since our daughter was 8 weeks. They work much better than umbrellas. That and a fan on the stroller tray, her area felt like it was air conditioned.

Have a great time!!

[ARIEL]

Firstly, welcome to DC! I can only re-iterate what others have said and say, Make use of the Baby centres at the Parks, bring a stroller with you, pack plenty of diapers etc etc and don't expect your babies to take on too much. Have regular breaks and 'pit-stops' and ride only the rides that you absolutely want to do. Don't get stressed and have a lovely time.
We went earlier this year with our DD ( who was 21months at the time) and she loved it ~ absolutley had a ball and still raves about it now!
Expect the unexepected and remember to smile. You will be in the most magical place so It will be perfect.

Always here to help

[Prezcatz]

Thanks everyone for the info!!! Anyone other war-stories or hints for someone taking multiple kids 4 & under to WDW?

[Cavey]

Dear Dr. Cavey,
My wife and I are considering taking our litter of young children to WDW for a short vacation. What tips and advice can you share with your readers?

Sincerely,
Couple Living Under Everyone's Loving Encouragement and Support of our Sons.

Dear C.L.U.E.L.E.S.S.,

I wholeheartedly endorse taking children to WDW while they are young. Mrs. Dr. Cavey and I have now traveled twice with our three youngsters and hope to do so one more time before we have to start paying for them like they are real people.

My greatest piece of advice is take lots of photos on your trip. Later in life when your ungrateful teenagers are grousing about how you never take them anywhere fun, you can whip out the family photo album to prove them wrong. If the complaining continues, tell them that until they are putting a roof over your heads and food on the table they can be satisfied with the local county fair and hanging out in the parking lot of your local McDonald's.

But I digress. By now, you may have heard of child swaps at attractions. This is not to be confused with Wife Swap, the popular ABC television program. Trust me on this, you should NOT try to trade your crying, hyper children with someone else's calm, well-behaved children. There are two primary reasons for this 1) Some parents are reluctant to give up their children to total strangers for more than an hour or two, and 2) Those calm, well-behaved children are simply on a break from being crying, hyper children (Be warned, the more enthused a parent is to swap children, the more likely the break will be a short one.).

If you and your wife desire to ride something without the kids, I suggest you hand the kids off to a friendly Disney Cast Member. Remember, lines get long quickly. So don't stop to chat. Simply run up to the CM and push jr. into his arms with a short, "Here. I'll be right back." CM's are use to this and will happily oblige your request. Out of curtesy, you should also sling a diaper bag over the CM's shoulder during the exchange. CM's love to change poopy diapers, and so I suggest timing the exchange just before you go stand in the Space Mountain line for an hour. When you return, jr. will be safe and dry, and the CM will be delighted to have served you this way.

Lastly, please be aware that there are specific areas to park your stroller. This little fact will help you greatly when you understand that since everyone else's stroller is in the stroller park, you can park yours anywhere you'd like without impeding traffic. This will help ensure your family can get into line more quickly without having to walk the ten extra feet that other uninformed parents must travel. Should you return later to find that your stroller has been moved to the parking area, make sure to express your displeasure to the nearest cast member. Ranting and raving is the only recourse in this situation. So that the CM will learn her lesson.

I hope you have a great trip!

~Dr. Cavey

[dznylvr]

Thanks for the awesome advice,Dr.Cavey!!