Advice for a large family with small children

[sunnymom5]

We are a family with 5 small children..ages 10, 7, 5 and twin 20 month olds. We have never been to disney with all the children. I am a little nervous about keeping track of everyone (dont' want to loose anyone). Also wondered how it was to get everyone on rides together, to eat, etc. Any advice????

 

[ireland_nicole]

It will certainly take more creativity on the logistics, but it can be done. First of all, is there a grandparent or helper that might be able to come with you? Having more adults always makes sorting out ride groups easier. Your 7 and 10 year old can ride most things together, leaving you and your DH available for the 5 year old and twins. The rides that the older ones can go on but the babies are too small for would have rider swap available. You should find enough seating at most of the counter service places, especially if you eat before 11:45 or after 1:30. At TS, you would make an ADR for your party size.

You probably want to have a good touring plan/strategy so you don't waste time figuring it out once your in the parks; you might also want to take a break in the afternoon w/ the babies. Alternatively, one parent could maybe take a break w/ the little ones while the other parent does "big kid" stuff w/ the older ones.

Don't worry, you can totally do this!

 

[beccasmom]

Here is a link that may help you out --

http://allears.net/rta/tips.php?q=Child+ID+and+Lost+Child+Tips

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

As the mother of 4 that are aged quite closely and has went on multiple trips to WDW with my children my advice is just to take everything at a slow pace. Don't rush. Trade off rides with your spouse for the older 3. You toddlers will really enjoy themselves. We have never brought back-up (someone as a helper) and we have always had a blast. Before you go take your children on increasingly longer walks to strengthen their (and your) leg muscles and endurance. HAVE FUN!!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I have 4, with an 11-year gap, first to last.

I second the suggestion on family walks to build stamina before you go. Your 5yo may need a stroller, at least some of the time, specifically in Epcot.

Dh and I split up a lot. Typically, we spend mornings doing "little kid" stuff, then after lunch, one of us takes the younger two (6 and 3, currently) back to the room, while the pther parent takes the older two (14 and 12) on the thrill rides. We meet up again later. The 6yo may not nap, but she'll need a break from the sun.

We also split other duties. DH is our "fastpass runner"--when he's hoofing it for that, I do a bathroom break with the kids. We designate a specific waiting spot outside the bathroom where we all meet up again.

When we get CS meals, we all order, then one of us finds a table, gets little guys set, etc. while the older two help carry food and get condiments.

Really, it's not difficult, but it requires teamwork and a little bit of effort. In addition, I always schedule at least one special trip thing for each child. For my oldest, it might be shopping at DTD, just her and Mom, sampling at Ghiradelli and sniffing our way through Basin. For DS3, we have Monorail Day--we'll ride around, eat at Chef Mickey's, pool-hop (we have DVC). That's the only thing planned for the day. The older kids are fine with this because they get their special things, too. I also find that, since my older ones get their thrill rides, shopping, Jedi training, etc., that they're much more tolerant of their younger siblings' needs. So, they'll patiently sit through Dumbo, secure that after lunch, it's Splash Mountain for them.

 

[seashoreCM]

If someone is unable (for example too short) to go on a ride, do not have him wait in a long line there even if the family has to skip that ride and go on to do something else.

This might be a good juncture to split up.

However everyone can ride Dumbo.

Family hints: http://www.cockam.com/family.htm

 

[tloveswdw]

You will be fine!

Ours are all two years apart and it is never an issue... with just us parents doing the work

There are a LOT that everyone can do together, and the couple things littles cannot ride, let them explore something else and meet up, (or an impromptu nap in the stroller often happens too)....

 

[tiffany2009]

I have twin 5 year old boys and a three year old daughter. We have gone twice so far. I bought all of them shoe IDs online. They velcro on the shoes so in case they do get lost we can get a cell phone call quickly. Here is the link:

http://www.whosshoesid.com/

We do split up from time to time. I suggest getting a very lighweight double stroller so you can take it by yourself on the bus easily. My single stroller was too bulky and I had difficulties handling it by myself.

Have fun!!!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

DH and I don't really split up when we go. Dh will go get fastpasses, however, while we're doing something else (sometimes just a rest break). We always make sure to find out what is most important for each child to not miss while we're there so each one gets to do something they like, for example for DD it's the parade.

We also like to schedule a TS meal each day so we don't have a hard time finding a table when we're eating. We do as someone else said at CS, we all order, then I find a table with the younger 3 while the older 2 help DH carry food.

We make everyone go to the bathroom at the same time, even if they say they don't need to, it just makes things easier.

We ride the fantasyland rides first thing for the younger kids so they get their favorites out of the way while they're bright-eyed and cheery, then later on in the day when they're more tired and just want to veg in the stroller the older ones hit the more adventurous rides.

ETA: I don't know if this would work for you, but we also have a buddy system based on who gets along the best. DD12 usually helps DS7, DS11 usually helps DS10, then DH and I take care of DS5 (he's high maintenence). What I mean by this is mainly that when we're walking they make sure their "buddy" is still with us, doesn't wander off, stops us if they need something like a shoe tied or a drink, things like that. It just gives us an extra set of eyes. Now that they're getting older they really help each other more than the older helping the younger.

 

[mjkacmom]

We have travelled to many places with our kids, starting when our twins were 1, and have never had any problems (and we had 5 kids in 6 years). Let everyone know what to do if they get lost (we say to find a mommy - works in all locations), and we do frequent head-counts. We do some splitting up, so that the older kids can go on the rides they want, while the little ones do some baby rides (however, now that the little ones are 6 and 8, life is good, and we can all go on the same rides).