Other Big Family Disney Fans?

[DisneyMom5]

I know I've seen one other family on here with 8 kids.
Anybody else crazy enough to take a bigger than usual family to WDW?
[And we were accused of being crazy when we took FIVE kids to WDW, so you don't have to have EIGHT kids to qualify!]

We normally stay at Pop Century, try to get free dining, and drive ourselves down in the family bus.

Hope to meet some other big families here or at WDW!

 

[Lilliputian]

We have 5. At home we have 7, because we've "adopted" two college students, but they only go on weekend camping trips close to home with us due to school and working.

Our next trip is going to be a month long, so we're staying in a house in Windsor Hills. We did the same thing last time, but we only had 4 then. This time our boys will be 9, 8, 5, 2, and 5 months. We're trying to decide what to drive. My husband wants to drive his Armada (8 seats) and tow a trailer for all of our stuff because the seats are so comfortable in the Armada. I'm leaning toward taking the last row out of my 12 seat Econoline. We won't have to tow anything, and we won't have to flip the seat over every single time we get in and out of the car.

My husband works from home, and we homeschool, which is why we can take long trips. He'll end up working many of the days that we're there, so I'll take the boys to the parks by myself. It was a lot easier last time than I thought it would be, so I'm hoping it works out as well with an infant this time. I think I'm going to buy one of those handles that you can hook onto your stroller for walking kids to hold on to. That should make my life easier.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Forgot to add that we have 3 boys and 5 girls, ages 18 down to 2.
All of them were added the old fashioned way.
Our oldest has graduated and is currently working as a mother's helper/nanny, but is hoping to come with us on our next trip.

We have 5. At home we have 7, because we've "adopted" two college students, but they only go on weekend camping trips close to home with us due to school and working.

Our next trip is going to be a month long, so we're staying in a house in Windsor Hills. We did the same thing last time, but we only had 4 then. This time our boys will be 9, 8, 5, 2, and 5 months. We're trying to decide what to drive. My husband wants to drive his Armada (8 seats) and tow a trailer for all of our stuff because the seats are so comfortable in the Armada. I'm leaning toward taking the last row out of my 12 seat Econoline. We won't have to tow anything, and we won't have to flip the seat over every single time we get in and out of the car.

My husband works from home, and we homeschool, which is why we can take long trips. He'll end up working many of the days that we're there, so I'll take the boys to the parks by myself. It was a lot easier last time than I thought it would be, so I'm hoping it works out as well with an infant this time. I think I'm going to buy one of those handles that you can hook onto your stroller for walking kids to hold on to. That should make my life easier.

Sounds like some great plans!

We homeschool also, but have to vacation around dh's work schedule. It's fun to have at least that little bit of flexibility, though.
You're brave to take them to the parks alone...I haven't done that yet!
The youngest we've taken was 10 mo., but she did really well.
Happy planning!

 

[jomommy]

Yep, although we don't feel like a big family, but we are to most people.

We have six, my oldest will be 13 tomorrow and the others are 10, 9, 6, 3, and 1. Our first family trip to WDW we had four, 8 and under and I was pregnant with #5, the second we had five and I was pregnant with the baby. This will be my first trip to WDW that I'm not pregnant since my honeymoon in 1997. I can't wait to ride some roller coasters.

ETA: We used to homeschool and we drive a 9 passenger Suburban. Planning on putting the luggage shell on top. Ha!

 

[hipporina]

We definitely qualify. We have 9 kids - 16, 14, 13, 12, 12, 11, 10, 10, and 4 months. The older 8 are adopted. We have taken all 8 four times. We drove one year and have flown the rest. We always stay at values and go during free dining.

We are going back in September and are so excited. In addition to our 9, one of my oldest son's friends is basically living with us (his family is having some serious issues right now) and he is going with us as well. We will be flying and staying in the regular rooms at Art of Animation with free dining.

I was watching the video from our trip in 2006 the other day and it was crazy. When we went, we had only had 4 of the kids for 2 months are were still figuring out how to be a family of 10. Plus, those 4 still were working through some behavior issues. The kids were all between 4 and 10. I remember having a great time, but looking back I can't figure out how we did it! It gets easier every year.

 

[jomommy]

Hipporina, I see the photo in your sig, beautiful family.

We have volunteered for a ministry for teenage foster kids for a while and plan to adopt teenagers once a few have left the nest. One day while discussing it, one of my sons said, "That would be great! I'd love to have lots of brothers and sisters!" Apparently, five isn't enough.

Its all perspective. My mom was #13 of 14 and my dad was #3 of 7. I always thought my dad had such a small family. It still blows my mind that my husband only has three cousins!! I have 63 first cousins, that's besides the fact that most of my cousins my age were actually my second cousins (cousins kids).

Blessings to all you big families!

 

[DisneyMom5]

We definitely qualify. We have 9 kids - 16, 14, 13, 12, 12, 11, 10, 10, and 4 months. The older 8 are adopted. We have taken all 8 four times. We drove one year and have flown the rest. We always stay at values and go during free dining.

We are going back in September and are so excited. In addition to our 9, one of my oldest son's friends is basically living with us (his family is having some serious issues right now) and he is going with us as well. We will be flying and staying in the regular rooms at Art of Animation with free dining.

I was watching the video from our trip in 2006 the other day and it was crazy. When we went, we had only had 4 of the kids for 2 months are were still figuring out how to be a family of 10. Plus, those 4 still were working through some behavior issues. The kids were all between 4 and 10. I remember having a great time, but looking back I can't figure out how we did it! It gets easier every year.

If you ever feel like sharing your story, and care to PM me about it, I would love to hear it! Your pic is beautiful!!! Thanks for chiming in!

Yep, although we don't feel like a big family, but we are to most people.

We have six, my oldest will be 13 tomorrow and the others are 10, 9, 6, 3, and 1. Our first family trip to WDW we had four, 8 and under and I was pregnant with #5, the second we had five and I was pregnant with the baby. This will be my first trip to WDW that I'm not pregnant since my honeymoon in 1997. I can't wait to ride some roller coasters.

ETA: We used to homeschool and we drive a 9 passenger Suburban. Planning on putting the luggage shell on top. Ha!

Hipporina, I see the photo in your sig, beautiful family.

We have volunteered for a ministry for teenage foster kids for a while and plan to adopt teenagers once a few have left the nest. One day while discussing it, one of my sons said, "That would be great! I'd love to have lots of brothers and sisters!" Apparently, five isn't enough.

Its all perspective. My mom was #13 of 14 and my dad was #3 of 7. I always thought my dad had such a small family. It still blows my mind that my husband only has three cousins!! I have 63 first cousins, that's besides the fact that most of my cousins my age were actually my second cousins (cousins kids).

Blessings to all you big families!

Six is definitely big! [Am I the only one that cracks up at the Walmart commercial where the lady with three kids says she has to save money because she has a BIG family??? LOL]

My dh says when the kids are gone we'll downsize. Considering the youngest is 2, I don't think he realizes how long that will be. Also, I always ask him "Where will we put the 64 grandchildren???" He just twitches at that one. LOL

Thanks for popping in here...I LOVE hearing about all the big families!

Forgot to add: My mom was first of five, my dad was 3rd. of four, I only have a brother and a sister (and they have 2 and 3 kids respectively) and dh only has a sister (with 2 kids). We are the "unusual" ones in our family.

 

[hipporina]

If you ever feel like sharing your story, and care to PM me about it, I would love to hear it! Your pic is beautiful!!! Thanks for chiming in!

Thank you so much. I'm a very proud momma! I love to share our story with people, but since it is rather lengthy, I will point you to my blog. It is www.choosinglaughterandlove.wordpress.com. If you want to know more or have any questions, please feel free to ask!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Thank you so much. I'm a very proud momma! I love to share our story with people, but since it is rather lengthy, I will point you to my blog. It is www.choosinglaughterandlove.wordpress.com. If you want to know more or have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Thank you, I'll take a look!
I think I'm drawn to your family pic because we always wear matching colors too! LOL

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

We have 5 kids and whenever someone says "wow, you have your hands full," I always reply "well it's better than them being empty!"

Our last trip was so much fun that we are going back next year!

 

[KarenW]

I'll chime in! We have six, but since one has flown the nest (and has a wife of his own now) we "only" have five at home. Our oldest is my bio and my DH adopted, next two are bio, one of the littles is adopted and the other two will (hopefully!) be adopted soon. Our adoption worker called us a "true blended family" the other day. We get the "you have your hands full" comment a lot, but I think it is not the amount but the fact that the three little ones are so close in age. They are all within 11 months of each other. This trip we finally have a camper big enough and are camping at Ft Wilderness. I am very excited. We have been wanting to camp there for a long time. We also homeschool.

 

[DisneyMom5]

We have 5 kids and whenever someone says "wow, you have your hands full," I always reply "well it's better than them being empty!"

Our last trip was so much fun that we are going back next year!

I'll chime in! We have six, but since one has flown the nest (and has a wife of his own now) we "only" have five at home. Our oldest is my bio and my DH adopted, next two are bio, one of the littles is adopted and the other two will (hopefully!) be adopted soon. Our adoption worker called us a "true blended family" the other day. We get the "you have your hands full" comment a lot, but I think it is not the amount but the fact that the three little ones are so close in age. They are all within 11 months of each other. This trip we finally have a camper big enough and are camping at Ft Wilderness. I am very excited. We have been wanting to camp there for a long time. We also homeschool.

Awesome! Thanks for posting.

When we were at WDW the first time with our kids, we saw a couple with one little girl, about 4 years old.
We had 5 at the time (and I was actually pregnant with #6, but only dh knew), and they said to us the standard "are they all yours?"
We cheerfully said "yes" and wondered what they'd say.
The wife said "FIVE kids!!!" and the dh said "why not five kids?" and the wife said "that's true...my dad was one of five."
We've always wondered if they decided to have more kids! We weren't trying to be the good will ambassadors for big families, but we're a bit obvious when we go places in our matching shirts. LOL

Love hearing about all of your families!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We have 5 kids. We love it! We have taken them to WDW many times. They are great little travellers. We love a house full.

 

[dd53]

Our first time we were at Disney we had 4 kids and did the family suite. We are planning our trip for next June now with 8 kids (ages 4-15 at time of travel). Planning on two rooms at POR unless we get a deluxe discount.

 

[dd53]

We definitely qualify. We have 9 kids - 16, 14, 13, 12, 12, 11, 10, 10, and 4 months. The older 8 are adopted. We have taken all 8 four times. We drove one year and have flown the rest. We always stay at values and go during free dining.

We are going back in September and are so excited. In addition to our 9, one of my oldest son's friends is basically living with us (his family is having some serious issues right now) and he is going with us as well. We will be flying and staying in the regular rooms at Art of Animation with free dining.

I was watching the video from our trip in 2006 the other day and it was crazy. When we went, we had only had 4 of the kids for 2 months are were still figuring out how to be a family of 10. Plus, those 4 still were working through some behavior issues. The kids were all between 4 and 10. I remember having a great time, but looking back I can't figure out how we did it! It gets easier every year.

Can you tell me how you stay at the values? We thought about three rooms at the values but didn't think we could because we only have two adults.

 

[DisneyMom5]

We have 5 kids. We love it! We have taken them to WDW many times. They are great little travellers. We love a house full.

Awesome! I think they keep each other better entertained. (and, if two are fighting, you can always switch them around when travelling. LOL)

Our first time we were at Disney we had 4 kids and did the family suite. We are planning our trip for next June now with 8 kids (ages 4-15 at time of travel). Planning on two rooms at POR unless we get a deluxe discount.

Can you tell me how you stay at the values? We thought about three rooms at the values but didn't think we could because we only have two adults.

If I understand correctly, you can put one parent on two connecting rooms, and one parent on the single room.
Make sure you stress that the third room HAS to be next door to the other two, so that your family can be together. Tell them you are putting one parent in each set of rooms, so they know they need to be together.

You don't have to sleep that way, you can put the 15 year old in charge of the single room when there.

I take it you're doing two of the 5 person rooms at POR? We looked into that, but the values were cheaper.
Our oldest is now 18, so I don't have to worry about it any more. Grandma went last time, and was our third room.
Hope you find something that works!!!

 

[dragonfly57005]

6 kids here as well. All are ours. 11,9,7,5,3, and 14 months. The oldest 4 are girls followed by 2 boys. The girls are asking when the next one is coming.

We always tell people we have more than a handful (then hold up 6 fingers).

Last time we were at DW, the girls were playing at different areas of the pool. We always have them wear identical suits to speed up counting them. I was sitting at the edge with one of the boys when I heard 2 women walk by and comment: who knew that swimsuit would be so popular?

 

[DisneyMom5]

6 kids here as well. All are ours. 11,9,7,5,3, and 14 months. The oldest 4 are girls followed by 2 boys. The girls are asking when the next one is coming.

We always tell people we have more than a handful (then hold up 6 fingers).

Last time we were at DW, the girls were playing at different areas of the pool. We always have them wear identical suits to speed up counting them. I was sitting at the edge with one of the boys when I heard 2 women walk by and comment: who knew that swimsuit would be so popular?

LOL Nice!
I once dressed our kids identically for a family reunion (girls in purple, boys in green). that backfired, because all of the other kids would say "Mom, one of the purple girls is being mean!!!"

Nice to meet you all!

 

[dd53]

Awesome! I think they keep each other better entertained. (and, if two are fighting, you can always switch them around when travelling. LOL)





If I understand correctly, you can put one parent on two connecting rooms, and one parent on the single room.
Make sure you stress that the third room HAS to be next door to the other two, so that your family can be together. Tell them you are putting one parent in each set of rooms, so they know they need to be together.

You don't have to sleep that way, you can put the 15 year old in charge of the single room when there.

I take it you're doing two of the 5 person rooms at POR? We looked into that, but the values were cheaper.
Our oldest is now 18, so I don't have to worry about it any more. Grandma went last time, and was our third room.
Hope you find something that works!!!

Thanks! I'll have to look into that. it would give us more space (and a third bathroom!) and I think it is actually cheaper than the 2 rooms at POR. We are not going during free dining so that doesn't matter. I guess I just worry they won't get the rooms together.

 

[Missy13d69]

We only have 3 kids, but our Disney trip will be 7 people.

All of you with the big families, especially the adoptive parents, are AMAZING.