Kids

[kaz]

Hi,

We're thinking of doing a Florida trip next Summer but not too sure if the kids will find it too much (and too hot!!).

We have 2 children, one who will be 5½ years and one who will be 2½ years.

Any ideas or tips gratefully received.

Thanks
Karen [:I]

[cameron]

Hi Karen,

Can't tell you about the heat until we have been this summer, but I am not worried about it as everywhere is air conditioned with drinking water readily available.

Our youngest is 3 years old and she was fantastic when we went last October.

She entertained us all the time and it's never too early to introduce them to Mickey! Even if the children don't like the close up characters there is so much more.

Gail

[Nostromo]

Ideally, your children will be ready for an Orlando trip in a few years from now. While the older child might just cope, the 2 1/2 year old one may well find it too much. But then, you have got to think of yourselves too and if it is convenient to go next year, go ahead!

Summers in Orlando are usually very hot and very crowded. Moreover, afternoon thunderstorms are far more likely and can catch you out. If possible, try to go about 2 weeks after Easter or in October.

Check the busy day schedule for 2005 (which may differ from 2004 especially for the Disney parks) and plan your itinerary accordingly. Allow rest days in between - perhaps every third day. If you plan to visit Dinner Shows, Circe du Soleil etc book well beforehand as this is a busy time. This goes for dining at choice restaurants too. I am sure that you know you will need a pushchair for the younger child. Finally, you may want to check-out the babysitting service available so that the two of you can get an evening break or two. Pack plenty of sun protection lotion (but you can buy them locally also).

While in Orlando, acquire cheap rain ponchos because you will need them. Afternoon thunderstorms are all too common, even if the day starts out bright and sunny. Make sure that you carry drinking water to all the parks (as they are very expensive within). Get Fastpasses and Universal Expresses for the popular rides and use the 'baby swap' facility to take care of the youngsters - who won't be allowed in the (many) rides with height restrictions.

I am sure that there are several other useful tips for families with small children which I cannot think of at present, but the other forum members will metion as you go along.

[Carla]

As Nostromo has said, if you can visit any time other than the Summer months, then everyone will be so much happier. I regularly go in August, because I love it very hot, but when we are at the parks we also see loads of unhappy little ones being pushed around in buggies, who are obviously hot and miserable.

If you need to keep in with school holidays, then maybe think about the end of May half term, or the October half term. It will still be hot then (80s), but not in the 90s-100s with very high humidity, like it often is during July and August.

[Calamity Jane]

When my 3 kids were small ( aged 2,4,6 ) we started going to California, once/twice a year, then we started to visit Florida, both places extremely hot in August.

Kids are very resilient but you need to remind yourself that they cant make any decisions for themselves and cant just take themselves off into the shade. If you are going to the parks, go very early ( you get your hand stamped)come out at lunchtime and then go back later when the intense sun/heat is less. If you are not far from the parks you can do this. Go back to where you are staying, let them go in the pool and cool off. Lots of water to drink/lots of shade at different intervals.

I now take my Grandkids ( 2 & 5 ) and apply this rule every time. I also see many parents pushing very young children round the parks and they they get so carried away with the fun side of things that they forget the little ones may be overheated or suffering, sadly ( but not really selfishly) mums and dads stay all day and it can feel an awful long time to a child who is sat in a buggy for most of the day.

I dont believe there is an age where you should start taking a child to Florida ( parks and places ), To a young child, everything is visual even if they dont understand it all, your holiday is for you also, you just have to make some adjustments when taking very little ones with you and adapt to each situation.

[Calamity Jane]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Calamity Jane
When my 3 kids were small ( aged 2,4,6 ) we started going to California, once/twice a year, then we started to visit Florida, both places extremely hot in August.

Kids are very resilient but you need to remind yourself that they cant make any decisions for themselves and cant just take themselves off into the shade. If you are going to the parks, go very early ( you get your hand stamped)come out at lunchtime and then go back later when the intense sun/heat is less. If you are not far from the parks you can do this. Go back to where you are staying, let them go in the pool and cool off. Lots of water to drink/lots of shade at different intervals.

I now take my Grandkids ( 2 & 5 ) and apply this rule every time. I also see many parents pushing very young children round the parks and they they get so carried away with the fun side of things that they forget the little ones may be overheated or suffering, sadly ( but not really selfishly) mums and dads stay all day and it can feel an awful long time to a child who is sat in a buggy for most of the day.

I dont believe there is an age where you should start taking a child to Florida ( parks and places ), To a young child, everything is visual even if they dont understand it all, there is no reason whatsoever why a small child shouldn't go to Florida and not enjoy themselves, your holiday is for you also, you just have to make some adjustments when taking very little ones with you and adapt to each situation.
[/quote]

[Calamity Jane]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Calamity Jane
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Calamity Jane
When my 3 kids were small ( aged 2,4,6 ) we started going to California, once/twice a year, then we started to visit Florida, both places extremely hot in August.

Kids are very resilient but you need to remind yourself that they cant make any decisions for themselves and cant just take themselves off into the shade. If you are going to the parks, go very early ( you get your hand stamped)come out at lunchtime and then go back later when the intense sun/heat is less. If you are not far from the parks you can do this. Go back to where you are staying, let them go in the pool and cool off. Lots of water to drink/lots of shade at different intervals.

I now take my Grandkids ( 2 & 5 ) and apply this rule every time. I also see many parents pushing very young children round the parks and they they get so carried away with the fun side of things that they forget the little ones may be overheated or suffering, sadly ( but not really selfishly) mums and dads stay all day and it can feel an awful long time to a child who is sat in a buggy for most of the day.

I dont believe there is an age where you should start taking a child to Florida ( parks and places ), To a young child, everything is visual even if they dont understand it all, there is no reason whatsoever why a small child shouldn't go to Florida and not enjoy themselves, your holiday is for you also, you just have to make some adjustments when taking very little ones with you and adapt to each situation.

As the others say, if you you are worried about the heat you should think about going in the "cooler" times of the year, Jan to March/Apr is lovely as is Nov/Dec.
[/quote]
[/quote]

[Calamity Jane]

Oops...sorry folks, Dont know how that happened ( I just like seeing Mickey write my name)[:I]

[fiona]

Our girls were 5 and 9 when we first went, which I know is a bit older, but we did as Karen suggested, got up early and came home for lunch and the afternoon, and went back for the evening when it was slightly cooler. We probably spent as much time at the villa as we did at the parks, and the girls just loved it. Trying to stay all day so you get value for money for your ticket just is too much for anyone in the summer heat.

Now we go in the summer all the time (school holidays so just have to) and we try not go to near the parks!

As always, never go anywhere without bottles of water and sun lotion. Swimming costumes on under their clothes are a help as they can always run around in the sprinklers and water areas there are.

[kaz]

Thanks all for the friendly advice - will prob look into October half term as weather may be better for us and the kids.

Any suggestions on whether villas are better with the children or is it easier at a hotel?

Thanks
Karen