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Mommy of 2
My son is 4 and my daughter is 1. My son is out of school and his swim class is also canceled for next week so now I really need to come up with something to do. My husband has to work and is grumpy and doesn't want to do anything..I'm a stay at hom mom and I want to get out and do something different..Any Ideas?????
Answer
Alot depends on where you live.
Outdoor activities can include picnics at the local park (a big one in my house, pack some PB&J's and head out)
A trip to the local zoo is always a winner. Watch a Disney movie and list the animals that you see, then go to the zoo and see if you can find all the animals on your list.
Another fun thing we do outside is take some of the stuffed animals and I hide them around the yard, then my son goes on 'safari', one time he 'rescued' them (ala, Diego) another time he took their pictures (was a riot to see the pictures) and yet another time he simply ran from the dangerous ones and observed the non dangerous ones.
If it's still to cold to do stuff outside, you can always build tents in the living room and have an indoor camping day.
Pop some popcorn and have a movie afternoon.
With St. Patricks day being next week you could cut shamrocks out of green construction paper and let the kids decorate them for placemats for St. Patty's day dinner.
Make a list of things you typically see at a mall and go there for the afternoon on a 'treasure' hunt. Once the list is complete maybe an ice cream treat or small toy from the toy store as a prize.
Is there an indoor playground locally? They always go over big with my kid and the local one was free for him until he turned 5.
Arrange a play date with someone who's mommy you like and the kids can play while you get some much needed adult conversation.
Good luck, being at home with two kids for a solid week is hard work. I hope you guys have some fun!
Alot depends on where you live.
Outdoor activities can include picnics at the local park (a big one in my house, pack some PB&J's and head out)
A trip to the local zoo is always a winner. Watch a Disney movie and list the animals that you see, then go to the zoo and see if you can find all the animals on your list.
Another fun thing we do outside is take some of the stuffed animals and I hide them around the yard, then my son goes on 'safari', one time he 'rescued' them (ala, Diego) another time he took their pictures (was a riot to see the pictures) and yet another time he simply ran from the dangerous ones and observed the non dangerous ones.
If it's still to cold to do stuff outside, you can always build tents in the living room and have an indoor camping day.
Pop some popcorn and have a movie afternoon.
With St. Patricks day being next week you could cut shamrocks out of green construction paper and let the kids decorate them for placemats for St. Patty's day dinner.
Make a list of things you typically see at a mall and go there for the afternoon on a 'treasure' hunt. Once the list is complete maybe an ice cream treat or small toy from the toy store as a prize.
Is there an indoor playground locally? They always go over big with my kid and the local one was free for him until he turned 5.
Arrange a play date with someone who's mommy you like and the kids can play while you get some much needed adult conversation.
Good luck, being at home with two kids for a solid week is hard work. I hope you guys have some fun!
First time for all 3 of my children to Disney World Do we stay in Disney or outside? Most memorabable for $?
Tami m
I am taking my 11 , 9 , and 2 year old to Walt Disney World for their first time. I am having a very hard time deciding whethe we should stay in disney or stay outside of Disney. The Pro's for in are extended hours to parks, closer to evrything, real disney experience etc.. Cons to in Disney, amount of $, No seperate bedrooms , not being able to cook any meals. OUTside Disney pro's suite or seperate bedroom , Less money, able to cook some of our meals, DOWNTIME from parks etc. Cons Outside disney, transportation to and from parks, taking a chance on hotel. Please give any insights and suggestions that you have. Thank You. ALSO ANY MONEY SAVING tips is GREATLY appreciated. From PA do we drive or fly ?
Answer
Being able to get 'off campus' can be the key to keeping a WDW vacation in budget, so drive. If you can make your road-trip meals into picnics instead of restaurant, that is $$$ in your pocket.
You are correct in thinking that WDW food is a major drain on your $$$. So bring your own kitchen. Even just an ice chest for morning cereal and milk, afternoon sandwiches, for juices and yogurts ... these can really same you some $$$. If you add a small microwave (pack stuff inside it to save room) and an electric kettle, think of how much 'sneaky' food preparation you can do in your room. (Hide the microwave from the maid -- cooking isn't allowed in rooms.)
Unless things have changed, staying 'on campus' will get you free parking. You will probably want to drive yourself within WDW, rather than depending on Disney transportation system. Trust me on this. (The exception is if your hotel is VERY close to the theme park. Since none of the lower priced hotels are that close, this won't be an issue.) The free parking is an issue because you will want to return to your room for a meal and a nap in the middle of each day when crowds are heaviest. Or perhaps use part of this time to explore some aspects of WDW other than the theme parks. Fort Wilderness has a free petting zoo for example, and your older kids will love Lego Land in Downtown Disney.
Make sure to pack plenty of snacks (ok, pack a meal) for eating in the theme parks. (Get each child a little pack of his/her own, so you don't have to be a pack animal.) Last year, I paid $8 for a small burger, chips, and a fountain soda! And walked away still hungry. Also every person should have a rain poncho and a warm shirt at all times. And a water bottle. And hand sanitizer.
The WDW hotels will have gift/sundry shops near the lobby. Getting packaged sandwiches and platters from these shops is much less expensive that getting a prepared meal. It's OK to take and eat your purchases on the hotel grounds PROVIDED YOU ARE A WDW GUEST -- you need not be a guest of that particular hotel.
There is some sort of meal plan available -- I don't know the details -- but you may want to use this for a day or tow to free you from snack packing. I think it's $35/day/adult for 1 seated restaurant meal, 1 snack bar meal, and 1 snack.
The character breakfast is lot of money to pay for bacon and eggs just because Micky Mouse spends 60 seconds at your table posing for photos. Paying extra for park-hopper pass is also not a good value.
If you can manage it, the "B" grade WDW hotels are much MUCH more spacious and comfortable that than the "economy" grade. These midrange hotels all have great pool areas with slides, playgrounds, etc. Not as good as a seperate room, but you can at least send the kids out for an hour.
Start training your children now that NO money will be spend in gift shops or theme park snack bars. Don't even ask. These vendors are 'conveniently' located so that you must pass thru them to enter and exit rides.
You have a great view of Magic Kingdom fireworks from the lakeshore at Polynesian Resort. Bring a towel to sit on. (Another advantage of being a WDW guest. You can go ANYWHERE. You can spend the day hanging out at the luxurious pool side of the $300/night Animal Lodge though staying at the $80/night French Quarter.)
A day at Typhoon Lagoon is a nice break for parents. Lounge around and vegetate while the kids water slide. A year ago, guests were allowed to bring an ice chest and pic nic basket into Typhoon Lagoon.
You absolutely best ever accomodations value is camping at Fort Wilderness, but it is too hot for tent camping in summer. If you can manage to get some kind of air-conditioned trailer or RV, go for it.
Remember, stay in the shade even it means walking the long way around. And have fun.
PS There are plenty of supermarkets, drug stores, discount stores and so on along Route 192. Going out for bread and milk isn't a major expedition.
Being able to get 'off campus' can be the key to keeping a WDW vacation in budget, so drive. If you can make your road-trip meals into picnics instead of restaurant, that is $$$ in your pocket.
You are correct in thinking that WDW food is a major drain on your $$$. So bring your own kitchen. Even just an ice chest for morning cereal and milk, afternoon sandwiches, for juices and yogurts ... these can really same you some $$$. If you add a small microwave (pack stuff inside it to save room) and an electric kettle, think of how much 'sneaky' food preparation you can do in your room. (Hide the microwave from the maid -- cooking isn't allowed in rooms.)
Unless things have changed, staying 'on campus' will get you free parking. You will probably want to drive yourself within WDW, rather than depending on Disney transportation system. Trust me on this. (The exception is if your hotel is VERY close to the theme park. Since none of the lower priced hotels are that close, this won't be an issue.) The free parking is an issue because you will want to return to your room for a meal and a nap in the middle of each day when crowds are heaviest. Or perhaps use part of this time to explore some aspects of WDW other than the theme parks. Fort Wilderness has a free petting zoo for example, and your older kids will love Lego Land in Downtown Disney.
Make sure to pack plenty of snacks (ok, pack a meal) for eating in the theme parks. (Get each child a little pack of his/her own, so you don't have to be a pack animal.) Last year, I paid $8 for a small burger, chips, and a fountain soda! And walked away still hungry. Also every person should have a rain poncho and a warm shirt at all times. And a water bottle. And hand sanitizer.
The WDW hotels will have gift/sundry shops near the lobby. Getting packaged sandwiches and platters from these shops is much less expensive that getting a prepared meal. It's OK to take and eat your purchases on the hotel grounds PROVIDED YOU ARE A WDW GUEST -- you need not be a guest of that particular hotel.
There is some sort of meal plan available -- I don't know the details -- but you may want to use this for a day or tow to free you from snack packing. I think it's $35/day/adult for 1 seated restaurant meal, 1 snack bar meal, and 1 snack.
The character breakfast is lot of money to pay for bacon and eggs just because Micky Mouse spends 60 seconds at your table posing for photos. Paying extra for park-hopper pass is also not a good value.
If you can manage it, the "B" grade WDW hotels are much MUCH more spacious and comfortable that than the "economy" grade. These midrange hotels all have great pool areas with slides, playgrounds, etc. Not as good as a seperate room, but you can at least send the kids out for an hour.
Start training your children now that NO money will be spend in gift shops or theme park snack bars. Don't even ask. These vendors are 'conveniently' located so that you must pass thru them to enter and exit rides.
You have a great view of Magic Kingdom fireworks from the lakeshore at Polynesian Resort. Bring a towel to sit on. (Another advantage of being a WDW guest. You can go ANYWHERE. You can spend the day hanging out at the luxurious pool side of the $300/night Animal Lodge though staying at the $80/night French Quarter.)
A day at Typhoon Lagoon is a nice break for parents. Lounge around and vegetate while the kids water slide. A year ago, guests were allowed to bring an ice chest and pic nic basket into Typhoon Lagoon.
You absolutely best ever accomodations value is camping at Fort Wilderness, but it is too hot for tent camping in summer. If you can manage to get some kind of air-conditioned trailer or RV, go for it.
Remember, stay in the shade even it means walking the long way around. And have fun.
PS There are plenty of supermarkets, drug stores, discount stores and so on along Route 192. Going out for bread and milk isn't a major expedition.
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