We've only very rarely have split up in the past, but we plan on making full use of the tactic this time, so I'm very interested in reading folks' input regard it.
We have, in the past, had some folks "stay behind" and essentially babysit a child who was too young to go on attractions (typically two years old or younger) while the rest went on rides with an older child. This time, though, we don't have babies anymore. The children, this time, are a very tall for her age five year old, with ride-aversion, and a thrill-seeking ten year old.
We do, as we often have, have the luxury of numerical superiority over the children: We've got them out-numbered, this time, six to two. It seems to me that that really helps facilitate spitting up (as well as helps facilitate a lot of other really good park touring approaches). Figure that the split will generally be focused on the relative interests and capabilities of the two children, and the only real dependency on splitting-up that there is one adult willing to go in each direction, and, with six adults, we have a whole host of combinations available to us.
My goal in taking this approach is to minimize the time that M spends waiting around for B to get off of rides M cannot or will not ride.
This is our planned approach to splitting-up, this time around -- what you do think of it?
Sunday - Epcot - Split up for the afternoon, with Team B going on the thrill rides in FutureWorld, while Team M spends most of its time at The Seas, Imagination, and character greetings. Back together for dinner and after-dinner around World Showcase.
Monday - Hollywood Studios - Split up in the morning, with Team B going on the thrill rides, while Team M goes to some of the shows and more character greetings. Back together at lunch and all afternoon, doing the more general interest attractions (Great Movie Ride, stunt show, MuppetVision, etc.), and for dinner.
Tuesday - Animal Kingdom - Again split up in the morning, with Team B going on the thrill rides, and Team M going on both walking trails, the birds show, and Festival of the Lion King. Back together at lunch and all afternoon, doing the more general interest attractions (safari, Tough to be a Bug, Finding Nemo, etc.)
Wednesday - Magic Kingdom - Yet again split up in the morning, with Team B going on the Steam Trains Tour and Team M heading for some of the Fantasyland attractions, before an appointment at BBB. Back together before lunch, and through lunch and the afternoon, doing mostly general interest attractions in Fantasyland, Liberty Square, etc.
Thursday - Magic Kingdom - And once more split up in the morning, this time with Team B going on the Tomorrowland attractions that M cannot go on, while Team M spends more time on the less intense attractions in Fantasyland. Back together at lunch and all afternoon, again, with "do again's" planned for the afternoon.
So generally, except for our first day (which is only a half-day) we're planning on splitting up only for the mornings, spending afternoons and evenings together. The only major attractions it seems we'll hit together, for which M cannot (or will not) ride, is BTMRR and Pirates of the Caribbean.
As you can see, we're spending every meal, and at least half the time at each park (except Epcot) together as a family.
My younger two will ride anything they meet the height requirement for (they are not scared by Pirates or Haunted Mansion). We usually use FP for the major attractions, so between that and Rider Switch we don't wait long. The little one(s) are content to sit outside the attraction and have a snack while the older one(s) are riding. Then we continue on together. A few times dad took them to another nearby attraction when we didn't have FP (like Buzz or the "Blue Line" while older DD and I rode Space Mtn).
