Being a mom to three-year old twins is a wilder ride than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! With the increasing number of families with multiples, there are more and more multiples going to meet Mickey Mouse! Some people might say, “What is the big deal? In our family we have two or three kids. We travel all the time.” It is a unique experience that only parents of multiples can truly understand. I know that I wouldn’t have had the courage to fly and drive to WDW and sail on the Disney Dream without the encouragement and advice of seasoned MOMs (Mothers Of Multiples). So MOMs, I hope this my experiences shared in this post is helpful as you prepare for your next WDW vacation!
Simultaneously trying to meet the needs of two or more children who are the same age can be difficult at home. However, being away from home, with only two parents can be overwhelming, especially during mealtimes, nap times and :0 the inevitable meltdowns. Unfortunately with multiples, there isn’t an older sibling who can somewhat take care of him or herself or lend a hand.
Fear not MOMs. Here are some of my top hints to making any WDW vacation with multiples a magical, memorable one.
1. BABY CARE CENTERS. In each theme park there is a baby care center that is AMAZING!! These centers are places for parents and their kids to take a break, change a diaper, have a snack, or purchase any necessary baby essentials that you may have forgotten or have run out of. These centers are SO CLEAN and the cast members there are incredibly helpful. They are stocked with baby food, formula, diapering supplies and clothing which can all be purchased. Each changing table is wiped down by a cast member after each use and clean piece of paper (like the kind a the doctor’s office) put on top. There are also microwaves and water coolers to prepare baby food and formula. On top of that, the restrooms there are clean and never crowded!
When my son had an explosive poopy diaper and we did not have a change of clothes for him, the cast member gave us a voucher to go to Mouse Gear and get him a new outfit FOR FREE! He was a clean, warm and happy little man after that, which allowed us to enjoy EPCOT for the rest of the afternoon!
Multiple Magic: Mom, you don’t have to worry about your other baby (or babies) running out of the restroom. Set them in front of the Disney cartoons and crayons and a cast member will play with them while you change your other baby’s diaper!
Check out the WDW Resort web page for specific Baby Care Center locations.
2. STROLLER RENTALS: One word: AWESOME! It can get pretty tiring pretty fast when one parent has to manuever the double (or triple) stroller on and off of the bus or monorail. The other parent is left trying to get the babies/toddlers/kids on or off of the bus or monorail by himself. Try doing this at park closing when everyone is exhausted, little ones are likely sleeping and the buses or monorail is packed. You need as many hands as you can get! RENT A STROLLER! For a very reasonable rental fee (check out the WDW Resort web page for the fees), you can rent a single or double stroller for the day. The strollers are roomy, clean and easy to maneuver. Pick them up at the park entrance and drop them off as you exit the park.
What I LOVE about the stroller rental is the length of stay rental ticket! You can purchase a rental for the length of your WDW vacation and simply need to show your receipt each time you want to pick up the strollers. So, if you are leaving to go back to your resort at nap time, drop off your strollers and hop on the monorail or bus. Then when you come back for the evening, show the cast member your receipt and pick up a stroller again. IT IS SO EASY! I will never schlep my double stroller with me again!
Multiple Magic: Rent two single strollers instead of one double stroller. First, this cuts down on the inevitable bickering, hair pulling, smacking and pinching between siblings. Next, this allows parents a little bit of freedom; Dad can take one baby to get Fast Passes for Winnie the Pooh while Mom can go pick up Mickey ice cream bars with the other baby!
To Be Continued…
magicalmickeymom 