Am I underestimating?

[2disneyboys]

I think you are ok for $. Everyone I know calls me "superwoman" for all that I accomplish in a day, however, I don't know that I would be brave enough to undertake the trip you are about to. a few years ago, we went to Disney & had our 2 sons & also my stepbrother and step sister (4 kids 8,7,7,3) I also had DH with me and the majority of the time, we were FINE, however there were a few spells that I was a little stressed... Now at home, it's very common for me to have my 2, my 2 stepsiblings, and any random combination of my nieces / nephews... several times DH & I taken 12 kids under the age of 9 to the park byour selves for the day...so I know how to handle a herd, just don't think I would try it in WDW during one of the busest times of the year!


OP, I really hope everything goes smooth for you & you all have a great time.

 

[Sugar Jones]

I bow down to anyone who could manage that many kids on their own at a busy place like Disney. I wouldn't even attempt to take all those kids grocery shopping Not my idea of fun at all!

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

The new one will only be a few months old. No cost even for food. Plus the toddler will be free at buffets. So, this idea is really easy IMO.

I don't get how you hold a baby in a front pack and a toddler on your lap. You must be really skinny. Other than the rides, I could see this just fine but the rides are throwing me for a loop.

I just don't know how she is going to shower or even go to the bathroom without another adult there----put the baby on the floor???? Make the 7 year old "be in charge"??

 

[crashbb]

I just don't know how she is going to shower or even go to the bathroom without another adult there----put the baby on the floor???? Make the 7 year old "be in charge"??

I think the OP said that she was a single mom - so I assume that she'll do whatever she does at home.

It's the stuff one doesn't do at home (e.g. rides), that I can foresee as a problem (especially with the introduction of the infant - who wasn't on previous trips).

 

[3kidsandagoldenpuppy]

I have serisouly done it for the past 4 yrs. my 7 yr old is great help but I just take em all in, the older ones can go by themselves and I wait outside the stall. Last yr they all came down with a stomach bug on the ride down. That stunk but we made it through. The kids have so much fun. It's seeing it thru their eyes that makes it all worth it. And the cast memebers are so great and accomidating. I'm not scared. I'm excited and so looking forward to it.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I think the OP said that she was a single mom - so I assume that she'll do whatever she does at home.

It's the stuff one doesn't do at home (e.g. rides), that I can foresee as a problem (especially with the introduction of the infant - who wasn't on previous trips).

I know---but at home you have the conveniences of a swing or a bouncy seat---but I think the OP can do it--its not impossible---- just a little ambitious... more power to her!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I can't believe people are asking how she will shower, use the bathroom, cook... How do you think she completes those tasks at home? She isn't the first single parent to vacation with her kids and she won't be the last. Not a trip I would do (I think it's crazy to take babies to WDW)but if it works for the OP I say go for it. Now the money stuff sounds kinda nutty to me. Who rounds down when planning for a trip?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Why haven't you repsonded to those who say "Is there anyone you can bring *another adult* to help?" *other than to say ~ "I can do it on my own" You will have a better time if you have some help - a grandma, a sister, a good friend *who wouldn't bring kids of his/her own. Sure you probably could do it but it sounds like a lot of stress and not much fun for you.

My kids and I visited DLR just the 3 of us several times in 2009 *my kids were 8/9 and 5/6 then - I couldn't imagine going on my own with that many kids *especially so young, especially to WDW.

 

[scrapquitler]

I can't believe people are asking how she will shower, use the bathroom, cook... How do you think she completes those tasks at home?

Because at home if you are eating dinner with your five children at the table and you need to go to the bathroom, you just go (and put infant in crib or playpen as necessary). If you are eating breakfast at the Crystal Palace with five children under the age of 8, and you need to go to the bathroom, you can't just LEAVE them there and go. That's why people are wondering how she will logistically deal with these kinds of situations.

 

[juliebean]

I don't care if she is a single parent or not - she is just outmanned and by a lot! I tend to think it would be doable with two adults, but they would still have their hands full with 5 small kids. It would be wise to pay a mother's helper or relative to come along, for safety reasons and to make it more enjoyable for everyone. I think part of me also remembers being the oldest of 4 kids and being responsible for my younger siblings way too often, so this bothers me a lot. I don't think I ever felt like a kid myself. I think it would be a gift to the oldest to spend less on souvenirs and bring along some help, budgetwise.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Because at home if you are eating dinner with your five children at the table and you need to go to the bathroom, you just go (and put infant in crib or playpen as necessary). If you are eating breakfast at the Crystal Palace with five children under the age of 8, and you need to go to the bathroom, you can't just LEAVE them there and go. That's why people are wondering how she will logistically deal with these kinds of situations.

EXACTLY---at home---you have safety measures...other devices....other people and a routine

 

[livvylivvie]

I am Curious about this too. Can you see if some one can go with you? Their "payment" can be The trip to florida with you. I would have JUMPED at the chance of being a mothers helper when i was a teenager!

About the rides.... What rides do you plann of doing?

I would double check ahead of time to make sure that the 7 year old and the 5 year olds, can ride together alone. ... ? If they can't, you are up a creek with out a paddle....

The baby in the sling and the toddler will be able to go on some rides with you. But the 3 of you will take up most of the seat... leaving the two 5 year olds and the 7 year old to ride together... (Maybe you can get a cm to ride with your kids.... I think I remember hearing this done before. You just ask at the begining of the line when you line up.)
? Anyone one else hear of this? It seems like your only option.
I am really confused as to how you will pull this off...
Do you do rides? What is your plan of action? I am very intrested in knowing.
I agree with the poster who said that if a Single mom has the option and the $ to go to Disney, She should go go go. I just hope that you can figure things out.

Sending some pixie dust your way! Sounds like you might need it.

 

[momto2js]

For 4 years I was a nanny that worked for a family that had a almost 3 yo an almost 2 yo when the twins were born and I also tended a neighbors child that was the same age as the twins. For a year I had 5 under 4. I did a lot of things that were a bit nutty, grocery shoping, banking, parks, ect. However, when we went somewhere "big" I got some help. The family would let me hire a mother helper when we took the metro into town or did something out of the ordinary. One year I took the kids to BG in williamsburg and I took some help on that trip.

I had those kids from 7am to 7pm and the only thing I did not do is get up with them at night so I am no stranger a gaggle of kids. I agree that help is a GREAT idea.

On another note, I would check and see how many people if allowed in your hotel room. I'm thinking 6 is likely pushing it from a fire marshel perspective and you will have a tough time "sneeking" around with a crew that big.

I haven't looked at the character meal prices but with that many kids I'd anticipate I would add at least a 25% tip because you will need the servers help and they will be cleaning up a large mess when you leave.

I know that you eat at home and I know that you say you had done this before but, I recently took my almost 2 year old and my 4 year old and after one day of eating CS, I started packing lunches. The standing in line with them and then ballancing all the food while we searched for a table was a royal problem. It was soooo much easier to open up the cooler bag and whip out sandwhiches!!! I don't know many place were I eat at home where it is as much as a production as at WDW.

I also have heard you say that you did it with 4 but I think the difference between 4 and 5 is a big one. You will have to have a way to carry both the littles and you must remember how many places strollers are not allowed. You must park the stroller for the baby care center!!!! I would plead you case and see if you can get a pass to allow you to take the stroller into the attraction lines it would make life a 100% easier. Not sure if that is even a possibility but I'd sure ask.

To answer your original question, the least expensive trip we have ever managed was about $1100 a week for 2 adults and 2 under 3 and that was a bare bones budget trip. If you expect to eat on property even at CS we couldn't have done that. I think $5000 for 2 weeks should be reasonable with some spending money, but you will still have to budget minded.
Good luck

 

[disneyjunkie]

When I said home, I didn't mean just her house. I meant home as in her house and community. If she is going to take on a trip like this, she has to be used going out with her kids alone. I assume she will handle the bathroom issue at CP the same way she would handle it at a McDonald's or Applebee's back home.

 

[3kidsandagoldenpuppy]

I'm fine going by myself. I honestly don't know of another way, and cannot afford to hire a mother's help to pay for an extra ticket. I'm not rounding down with money. I'm saving as much as I can. I shower when the kids are asleep and w all go to the bathroom at one time. Never been an issue there As far as rides, my ds is hearing impaired so we are allowed the gap. The cast members have always been nice and accomidating and yes some have gone on the rides with my children. I'm not worried or concerned about that. Last yr my infant son rode on dumbo. This year my infant dd will. I just love being there. Love the magic. I don't mind the not having help. For a 7 day ticket for a mothers helper it'd be $200+ plus meals and all. Much more then we spend on suvies.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

As far as rides, my ds is hearing impaired so we are allowed the gap.

Why would a hearing impaired child/person need to "skip lines" *I have read here that you don't necessarily have a shorter wait you just wait someplace else* why couldn't he/she wait in a regular line like anybody else??

 

[SoonerSarah]

I think that for a lot of people, a trip like this seems completely nuts because you have other options. This is her life. She can either sit and home in misery and self pity or she can pick up herself and go on an adventure. She hopefully knows her limits and the limits of her kids and will plan accordingly. It's entirely possible that she will take her kids on this trip and have a far better time and less stressful of a trip than someone who takes their spouse or helper or family member.

If her 7 year old is responsible, she/he is certainly capable of watching a baby sibling while the baby is in a bouncy/carseat/stroller/crib for 10 minutes while Mom takes a shower. She can bring the baby in the bathroom with her and set the baby in a carseat/stroller/bouncy while she takes a shower if she is concerned about the safty of her baby. She can pack a bouncy seat in her vehicle for traveling. She can take a stroller, a pack n play to secure the baby in when needed.

I do a lot of things with my kids that other people wouldn't ever attempt. I've had a lot of fun and so have my girls. Sometimes I have help, other times I don't. There are situations that other parents do things in where I think they are completely crazy for doing whatever and I can't begin to imagine how they get it done.

It's hard to put ourselves in the shoes of another person.

 

[heatherbynum]

I am confused, Are you the same person? Why do you have 2 screen names? Something seems off about all of this...

I agree.

 

[heatherbynum]

I am confused, Are you the same person? Why do you have 2 screen names? Something seems off about all of this...

and kid ages keep changing, amount of money, etc. So so weird.

 

[cinderellamom123]

don't know if you are doing breakfasts for the character meals, but for a family of four, ours were well over $125 each so you look low on that figure.