Am I the only one crazy enough to take 6 kids to WDW?

[DisneyMom5]

And three of them 3 and under?
We are hoping to take Grandma along as an extra pair of hands, and we did take 5 last year, but the one extra is a little intimidating.
People thought we were crazy then! LOL

 

[nana2tots]

You got more guts, than me. LOL
nana2tots

 

[laceemouse]

No, I don't think you are crazy. But, we have 4 kids and rarely do I even see another family there as large as ours. We know two families with six kids, out of the hundreds in our school, neighborhood, church, ect. One of the families does go to WDW, ect. The other family could not afford it at all, well maybe as a once in a lifetime thing, but even then it would be tough. You are talking 9 people if you bring a grandma or something, and you must have a very active, patient, and understanding grandma! Go for it, but I think it would be easier if they were all potty trained, eating real food, walking, and the like. Good luck, but if you can handle them every day I think you could handle them anywhere! I tried to talk DH into a fifth and he almost had me committed! Now I see he was right. We enjoy eating out, travelling, ect. and that stuff is hard enough with our 4!!!

 

[kupperman]

Wow! You are braver than I am. I will be going for the first time with my daughter who is 3 and I'm a little scared. If you can do it, I know I can!

 

[grlzmom]

I don't think you are crazy at all. Like another poster said, you take care of them all everyday, you would be fine.

We have seven children and take them all to WDW several times a year.

What works for us, is a laid back approach, don't overplan and usually we are pleasantly surprised with what we are able to accomplish. Also, with our youngest being so close together (dd/ds twins almost two and dd just turned 3), we find that an afternoon break and staying on property (and using Disney transportation) work best for us (once we rented a beautiful house off property and it was wonderful but the kids wouldnt get out of the pool). Admittably, the first time we took the twins when they were infants and their sister wasnt quite two, it was difficult.

We don't stand in line for autographs and pix and stuff, thats one thing I cant stand. We prefer to get photos at character meals. Less hassle for me and dh that way.

We have taken grandparents, but I end up pushing myself and the kids harder when they are there because I am afraid they are bored or feeling like they are missing out spending too much time in Fantasyland or at the hotel pool.

Our gang also really loves Disney Cruise Line. I actually feel like I get to relax when we are on the cruise.

I knew my children had officially become Disney fanatics when they got their haircuts last week and kept wanting to know where the pixie dust and pink hair were (mainstreet barbershop memories).

Good luck and have a grea time.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We have seven children but they are in different age ranges. The most I ever took at one time ws four: ages 2, 3, 5 and 9. It went great. Especially if grandma comes I think you'll do fine. People who don't have large families are more intimidated than those of us who are used to doing it on a daily basis. Just take it easy and enjoy!

 

[keltonsmom]

I've never posted before (but I have read alot!) We have four children (DS - 9, DD - 6, DS - 2 and DS- 15 months). we are leaving for disney in 2 weeks with friends of ours who have two boys - 6 &15 months. It is everyone's first trip. So we are kind of in the same boat as you except that we will have the other family and 3 additional adults with us! But, even if we didn't I would go for it! If you can handle it at home then you can handle it anywhere - for me home seems to be the worst. I think things are better when we are out and about.

Kind of on the same topic- those of you with big families - how do you react to other's comments about it? We know very few families here with more than 2 kids (except for the Amish!) so we are really out of place. Sometimes I can just let it go but there are other times when I just want to shout: You're right I have my hands full, or yes they were all planned (lots of comments about that with the 2 youngest!) or sometimes I don't know how I do it either!!!! I know that for the most part they are not saying it to be mean but I can only hear it so many times in the Wal-Mart line, or at one the kids activities. And I know we will hear it at disney! Just curious.......

15 days!!!!

 

[hellooothere]

My favourite is "are they all yours?".....no I just like to pick up strays as I go along . We have been blessed with four children too, and the third and fourth weren't planned. I always wanted a big family but didn't think we could handle it financially. But the twins came along and I wouldn't change a thing. Life is Grand!!

I am the youngest of 12 children and big families are wonderful! I celebrate my family every day and people who look at you like you are crazy don't know what they are missing.





** 25 DAYS 'TILL OUR FLORIDA ADVENTURE ""

 

[DisneyMom5]

We did get asked a lot if they were all ours last time. I REALLY wanted to say back "no, I always bring other people's toddlers with me when I go to Disney World," but thought I had better be a good representative for big families everywhere!

I am amazed at the mom who takes seven on a cruise!
Would love to hear more about what you do on the cruise with all of them!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Most times I just laugh and say "well we're Irish Catholics". However I've had people (not complete strangers) that go on and on that I finally just tell them the truth. I intended on stopping at four. I had cancer and underwent a year of chemo and was told that I probably wouldn't have anymore. Surprise! When I was 39 I found out I was pregnant again. Since there was an 11 year difference between the fourth and fifth, we didn't want her to be raised as an "only" child so we hurried up and had the other two. Now we can't imagine our life without them since the older four are, married (1) and in college (3). It's a crazy but wonderful life.

 

[lovmy2girls]

Super women you are ! My husband and I were busy with two little ones. Good luck and have a great time. Make sure you know where a potty is at all times HaHa

 

[blestmom]

Last February I took my 5 kids, plus one of their friends, down to Disneyworld by myself. We had a wonderful time with no problems. They were a little older...14, 14, 12, 10, 7, and 5. We are going again in 2-1/2 weeks (minus the friend), and DH will only be there for 4 days out of 12...he is a teacher and not as big of a Disney fan.

 

[keltonsmom]

DisneymomX7:

Most of my comments are not stangers either! I teach and I can't believe how many people I work with came into my room when I was pregnant with #4 to ask if it was planned. And now all the comments about when I will be pregnant again! I was telling one of friends about this thread last night and he said that there are many people who have come up to him and asked if we were Catholic - which we are not. What a blessing you received with your three youngest - I agree LOTS of work but I couldn't imagaine it any other way!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Originally posted by keltonsmom
DisneymomX7:

Most of my comments are not stangers either! I teach and I can't believe how many people I work with came into my room when I was pregnant with #4 to ask if it was planned. And now all the comments about when I will be pregnant again! I was telling one of friends about this thread last night and he said that there are many people who have come up to him and asked if we were Catholic - which we are not. What a blessing you received with your three youngest - I agree LOTS of work but I couldn't imagaine it any other way!

Thank you. It is incredible how many people ask you such personal questions. The best part of having so many children with such an age difference is the way the older kids (now young adults) interact with the younger ones. My dd (5) is totally enamored with ds (20). She was devestated when he went away to college and lives for his visits back home. He has incredible patience with her. The funniest thing was that my older sons told me that seeing how much work and how your whole lives have to revolve around your young children made them absolutely sure that they would never place themselves in the position to be a parent before they were absolutely mature enough to handle it. (Hope I said that discreetly).

 

[princessknb]

I don't think you're crazy at all. If I could afford it I would take all my neices and nephews (there's about fifteen of them) :

 

[hellooothere]

As I stated in a previous post I am the youngest of 12 (and yes we are Irish Catholic) and I love being part of a big family. My oldest sister is 15 years older than me so it is like two generations of children within one family. I was an aunt at the age of 7 and I have 21 nieces and nephews now.

At the time we found out we were expecting my father was very sick with cancer. I was able to tell him I was pregnant and he was overjoyed. We didn't find out we were pregnant with twins until after my father had passed away. He would have been so thrilled.
My oldest sister said it best when she said, "Dad had such a great soul that the only way God could make his passing balance out was to send him back two fold"
Makes sense to me!

 

[ladyelle]

We have 5 children ( 4 year old triplets and 6 year old twins) and attract attention and questions and comments where ever we go. Most people are actually very nosy and rude. I love the comments that tell me how lucky I am, you are going staight to heaven and that I will pray for you. We have never had any help and my husband and I have always done it All ourselves. I have a great husband. Granted, IT IS A BLUR; but, I don't know any other way.

Our first family trip was to Disney in June and it was perfect. I specially waited until they were 4 and 6 and I felt comfortable being able to control all five in all types of environments. I did alot of planning for our trip and it was very laid back. We went to the parks, ate at nice restuarants and hung out at the volcano pool.
We can't wait to go back next year.

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy your family.

 

[Katd52]

I'm crazy enough to be taking 5 in February!! So your not alone My husband and I will be taking our sons ages 9, 8, 6, and 2 and our daughter age 7 months at time. We REALLY need a vacation and what better place to go than to Disney. I'm prepared to take it slow and just enjoy the magic which is a new thing for this commando tourer!!! I know we will be going back in a couple years so don't feel like I will be missing out on anything.
Have a great time!!! I'd love to hear about your experience when you get back!

 

[alicenwonder99]

We are bringing 4 children in Jan. It's a different situation because the 2 oldest are teenagers already (17 & 13). The 2 younger ones are 6 and 4. Here's some tips:

be prepared to ride certain rides over and over and over (and over and over...). My youngest was afraid of everything but It's a Small World. We rode it constantly. After a while we took turns taking him on it. I'm kinda disappointed it's going to be closed down this next trip because he loves it so much...lol.

make sure you have lots of times during the day for the kids to just run around. Like Tom Sawyer Island.

bring a sling to hold the baby in while standing in lines

if your children are like mine, the little ones can't sit too long at a restaurant. Just take turns walking them around while waiting for the food. Also I've found that the waiters/waitresses in WDW are awesome at getting your order in quickly when you have small children. They realize that little ones can't sit too long at a table

Bring lots of snacks, sippies, juice boxes, etc. I noticed that when my children started getting whiny I just needed to give them a small snack. It always did the trick.

Plan potty breaks/diaper changes on a schedule. Hopefully you can just get everyone in the bathroom and business taken care of at the same time (instead of constantly running to the bathrooms)

You'll have fun. Take lots of pics and don't expect to be able to get in all your rides.

Mary

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We're taking our 5 to WDW for Christmas this year, we took 4 last time and it really wasn't difficult, but my children were younger so we just used two double strollers. Now that my kids are dd 8, ds 7, ds 5, ds 3 and ds 8months they work more like a team, if the baby cries at least one of the older children will talk to him or give him a toy while I'm getting whatever he needs. If the 3 year old starts to wander one of the other children will grab him or tell us if we don't see him (we usually see him first, but it's nice to have the help just in case).

I think the rudest question I've gotten is "Did you HAVE all of them? You're so young!" I did, but I don't think it would be anyone else's business if they were adopted! I get alot of "Are those all yours? Bless your heart!" which I don't mind quite as much.

I really enjoy having 5 children most of the time although only 4 of them were planned, like the other posters said, I wouldn't have it any other way. Really after you've had 3 your life doesn't change a whole lot with more, I don't think. And I love seeing the different ways that each of them react to different things at WDW. The first time we went we took all of the kids on The Pirates of the Carribean ride (big mistake with their ages) and one of my boys was scared so my other son kept pointing out things he would like to distract him: "Look at that silly pirate over there dancing", it was really sweet.