I started something years ago and after several years between, was able to continue last year – taking grandchildren on a trip to Walt Disney World. While it wasn’t a surprise for the older 12 year old, it was for the 4 year old! She honestly wasn’t sure about it! We had surprised them, but looking back, I think a little “leading-up-to-preparation-for-her” would have helped prepare her for what to expect.
Taking grandchildren as we get older is still exciting and fun but does take a little more thought on our part. Meals need to be more regular, especially getting a decent breakfast each morning. Snacks can be taken to help for in between meal times, especially when Fast-Passes are during a normal meal time. We found dinner worked best back in the room for some down time before showers. Most kids do much better with a routine and this can be done at Disney World too… it just takes a little planning.
Pop Tarts from home were a great option for breakfast, but cereal, milk and juice were available in the food court to change things up. They even had toasters available and microwaves, so instant oatmeal can even be brought with you from home. Lunches consisted of split meals or kids’ meals. Our dinner was our smallest meal, only because the kids were tired enough – they only ate a little before getting showers and into bed early! We didn’t push to do the nighttime in the parks on this trip.
Another thing we had to plan around were FastPasses. Having 2 different age groups we divided up for some of them and went as a group when the younger one could join us. That ended up being our biggest challenge keeping both occupied and entertained because of the age difference and also their interests were different!
We stayed at All-Stars Music on that trip and the 2 beds worked just fine. We didn’t spend much time there, so while the room was not very large, we found it plenty of room if we worked in cycles with baths, meals, and getting dressed each morning. I laid all our clothes out at night before bed, so mornings went smoother. In the morning, I was up first – a trip to the food court for breakfast and coffee and then get the kids up after we dressed.
Next year, we will only be taking one, a 7 year old, although mom and dad will join us some of the time also. We are really looking forward to that trip. In 2019, it looks like another dual trip with a 2 year old and a 4 year old – wish us luck!
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Debbie and her husband live in Collegedale, TN where her youngest son is going to college. She is a huge Disney fan who dreams of someday retiring and working as a tour guide at Walt Disney World. She has enjoyed many trips to WDW with children, grandchildren and sometimes adults only. It is her ultimate goal to make sure everyone who visits WDW has the same magical time that she enjoys every time she visits.
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