4 kids and only 1 adult- Would you?

[princesslily]

I am thinking of taking my DD7 and DD2, and my sister's DS9 and DD6 by myself! Am I crazy? They have had a rough year and have never been before. I know there are a few rides the baby cannot ride, but can I wait in line with the other kids and then exit with the baby? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[nexttrip4us]

I would, but I have 4 kids of my own, so that is going to sway my opinion here. We took our 4 when our youngest was 7 mo and the rest were 3, 5 and 7. We've gone every year since and now our youngest is almost 5.

Your expectations would need to be set to be reasonable with what you can do with the kids that you have. You can do Disney many many ways and have a great time and it is the happiest place on earth, which is one of the reasons you want to take them, right .

 

[GoinToDisney]

I'd try to get someone to come along and help, but I just had my second child and just getting through the grocery store with 2 is all new to me.

Know what I'd do? I'd do a trial run and try to do something with them locally to see how it goes. It's a lot easier to pack up and go home if it doesn't work out.

I don't think I'd send them on rides without you though. Sometimes rides like Splash Mtn. stop mid ride and you can get stuck waiting inside for a while. That happened to me and for an adult it was a pain, but it could be scary for a kid... or even worse-- boring. Boredom leads kids to do all sorts of weird things. LOL!

Aren't there babysitters that you can hire to come to the park with you? Wonder if you could do that one day so the older kids could ride the bigger rides.

 

[Hannathy]

Don't take this the wrong way but if they are good kids and are used to you I would go. You only have a toddler the others are all school age so are used to being in a group situation and following school rules and dealing with their own needs, so would stay with you and be able to use the BR themselves.

As far as the few rides that the toddler will be too little for the answer is no you can't wait in line. no one who is too short to ride may go in the line. what you can do is send the ones tall enough into the line together and then wait where they come out for them to get off the ride. I did this with my DD when my DS was too short. I'd put her in line and watch until she got on if it was a line you could see or to when she went out of sight and then we would go to where she got off and wait. with most of the rides with height restrictions there was usually a photo viewing area and that is where I'd wait. One thing at Disney ther aren't too many rides you all won't be able to ride.

It is very nice of you to want to take them have fun!

 

[samshane]

I have 3 - right now they are 10, 9, and 7. I would definitely take them on my own... I don't know if I would take them if I also had a 2yr old as well. I think everyone has their own limits (and patience levels). If I had another adult - I wouldn't think twice.

That is so mice of you to consider taking them - best of luck!

 

[ancestry]

Well in my opinion I don't think the issue is four kids as much as that the one is significantly younger than the other three. I myself have four children. There are many rides that the two year old will not be able to go on but the other children would be able to ride. Obviously you would need to stay with the youngest child and the older three are not really old enough to stand in a line by themselves (in my opinion anyways). This could prove to be frustrating for both you and the three younger children as they would not be able to ride many things they may want to.

Is there another adult who could go with you that would be able to watch the 2 year old while you rode the more advanced rides with the other children? Is there a chance that you could leave the 2 year old behind with a grandparent or other family member?

 

[Rylee]

I would do it! Of course, I have 5 children and ran a daycare for years, so am used to dealing with groups of children.

In my experience, children usually do what is expected of them. They are also usually more than happy to "step-up" and help when needed.

Sit them down, have a talked about your expectations... what you expect, and why... the importance of staying together, everybody pitches in, 9y/o carries diaper bag, 6 & 7 y/o hold hands, while you carry 2 y/o onto buses, etc.

There are so many things to enjoy at Disney as a group, they may not even miss the attractions you feel uncomfortable letting the olders ones do alone.

 

[Rylee]

Sorry, double post.

 

[Samar]

Well in my opinion I don't think the issue is four kids as much as that the one is significantly younger than the other three. I myself have four children. There are many rides that the two year old will not be able to go on but the other children would be able to ride. Obviously you would need to stay with the youngest child and the older three are not really old enough to stand in a line by themselves (in my opinion anyways). This could prove to be frustrating for both you and the three younger children as they would not be able to ride many things they may want to.

Is there another adult who could go with you that would be able to watch the 2 year old while you rode the more advanced rides with the other children? Is there a chance that you could leave the 2 year old behind with a grandparent or other family member?

I agree. The other kids, though bigger, are a little young to stand in one of the long wait lines solo. It's one thing if you're able to see them from where you're waiting but with rides that have lines out of an adult range of vision, I'd be nervous.

If possible have someone tag along or leave the 2 year old behind this time around. It might make your time more worthwhile because the older kids will want to do the older rides and I know you'll probably want to do some little rides so the 2 year old doesn't feel left out. That's a lot of time spent waiting.

 

[Colinsmom]

I believe that Disney has an age minimum for riding without an adult, and I'm 99% certain that all the kids are too young to ride alone. I certainly think that they are too young to stand in line and ride alone.

I also like the idea of leaving the 2yo home with someone and just taking the older kids. The older kids will have more fun and will be able to do a lot more.

 

[MSSANDRA]

If they are all good, well behaved children that you can trust to stand where you tell them to and not move AND get along for a long period of time together without fighting then I might go for it!!

As for the rides it would be understood from the start that you only do the rides that you all can do. Pretty sure the age is 7 to ride alone but I would not let a 7 & 9 year old go alone anyway. Plenty to do any way. I would only stay on site . With one under 2 any room would be ok. I would stay monorail if at all possible.

 

[Alesia]

I believe that Disney has an age minimum for riding without an adult, and I'm 99% certain that all the kids are too young to ride alone. I certainly think that they are too young to stand in line and ride alone.

It's 7 years old.

 

[SuperSplashGirl]

But can I wait in line with the other kids and then exit with the baby?

When I was younger, my dad used to wait in line with me and my brother. When we were able to get on, he'd just hop right over to the exit side and he'd meet us there when we got off.

 

[tzolkin]

When I was younger, my dad used to wait in line with me and my brother. When we were able to get on, he'd just hop right over to the exit side and he'd meet us there when we got off.

They don't allow you to do this anymore.

As another poster said, they will not allow a child into the line that does not meet the height requirement.


Personally, I would not allow the kids to ride alone. Perhaps some of the smaller rides while you're in the next car would be fine, but you mentioned ones the baby would not be able to ride.

The only ones the baby cannot ride are attractions with height requirements (mostly just the roller coasters and more intense attractions). I really can't see allowing kids that young to go through the line and ride those alone.

 

[kbheap]

I agree with some of the pp's. If it is an option for you, I would see if anyone could keep the 2yo for it. It would make touring much easier for you. If that is not an option for you, I would get a sit and stand stroller. The 2yo can sit in the front while the 6 & 7yo sit and stand in the back. I know that is not how it is supposed to ride but we have done it and it works. The 9yo will have to walk or take turns with one of the smaller kids. If they all know how you expect them to behave and let them know riding some rides may not be an option, I think they will do fine. Have fun!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I agree that if possible, only take the older kids and leave the 2 year old at home. She won't miss anything and the older kids will be a lot easier to manage and will have more fun without a toddler.

 

[shaylahc1]

I have 4 kids and I would have to say no. But then again my kids aren't the easiest children so maybe my opinion is biased. We have taken our kids many times over the years and from what I can remember when they were small is that it took so much time just to get them dressed/bathed/pottied/sunscreened up. We were already tired by the time we got to the bus stop You will learn where every bathroom is at Disneyworld and visit them often Does the 2 year old nap? You will have to take that in to account. Are they siblings? Do they get along?

I dunno....I've had some Disney trips that were more pain than pleasure Now that they're older they're so much easier but it would still be difficult for me to do it alone simply because they are very high maintenance kids

So I would say no.

 

[southtexasmom]

I would go but I have 4 children and am used to dealing with all 4 on my own. You just have to let the kids know how you expect them to behave and they will do it.

 

[scoobndolliesmom]

I think it would be fun but I would say plan,plan,plan!

 

[SmallWorld71]

I would talk to the kids and see what they think. As PP's mentioned, the 9,7, and 6 year old won't be able to go on any ride with a height requirement unless you are comfortable sending the 9 and 7 year old on alone. The 6 year old is still too young.
I asked my 2 youngest if they would still want to go if they couldn't ride any of the height requirement rides. The 6 year old said yes, the 10 (almost 11)year old didn't think it would be worth it.
I know as a mom, I would have a hard time leaving my 2 year old home even if someone was willing to watch them.
I would strongly suggest trying to get someone to go with you if you can. Maybe a teen helper? Or grandma? etc...
Another option would be to use a babysitting service for the 2 year old for a little while and take the others on some of the bigger rides if you got a few FP's during the day.

I would go, I just think there are some logistics for you to work out.