darned teenagers!

[t_catt11]

So, we've decided to go back to WDW on short (for us) notice - October 6th through the 15th was the plan. Ten nights, ten park days. Yay us.

Yesterday, my DS13 made a big point that he wants to do a water park while we're there. DW is not happy about this; in addition to DS13, we have DD15, plus three little ones - ages at the trip will be DS4, DS2, and DS4 months. The littlest one will be too young for sunscreen, so DW will probably just stay at the hotel.

However, we hate to say no. Our last two trips have been in December and January, respectively... not much chance to do waterparks.

I suppose that we'll do the WPFAM option, so that the big kids can do DQ, as well. I figure that they are old enough to do DQ while we do more little kid friendly stuff. Thoughts?

Anyway, we're now debating the pros and cons of two choices:

#1. Drop down to nine park days, and dedicate a day to the waterpark. The bummer to this is that we never seem to do everything that we want to do, as is (and yes, I know that you can never do it all...).

#2. Add one more day to the trip and dedicate it to the waterpark. Obviously, the bummer to this is one more night of resort costs, plus the food. i would guess that conservatively, this will cost me another $700. (two rooms at CSR + food for all of us, plus the WPFAM).

 

[plutolovr]

The good news is you only have to add the WPFAM option to the tickets you need it for when you arrive. If you're on a package and you add it before you arrive then everyone will have to have it.

 

[t_catt11]

The good news is you only have to add the WPFAM option to the tickets you need it for when you arrive. If you're on a package and you add it before you arrive then everyone will have to have it.

This is a good point. Since DW doubts she will use it, we can save that $58.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For a 13 and 15 yo, if they are reasonably reliable you can send them to a water park by themselves while the littler ones are taken to MK or some of the kiddie-oriented stuff at DHS.

 

[t_catt11]

For a 13 and 15 yo, if they are reasonably reliable you can send them to a water park by themselves while the littler ones are taken to MK or some of the kiddie-oriented stuff at DHS.

My thought is that I'll probably take DS4 and DS2 and join the big kids for a half day on their first trip to a water park. They are both good kids, make A's in school, etc... DD did a little bussing and staying at the resort alone on our last trip (she was almost 14 then). If they want to leave then, fine. If not, they can meet up with us later.

If they prove reliability, I'll give them the option to go back by themselves (well, they'll have to stay together, but by themselves in the sense of having no mom and dad) or to go to DQ without us.

 

[catyanna]

I am not really sure why you think that the little one id too you for sunblock. I always put it on my babies from the time they were tiny babies. We never had a problem. Is this a new thing that I haven't heard about? Either way, to save on the cost of an extra night, you can rent a cabana at the water park so that your little one will not be in the sun. They are not cheap but are much less then the cost of an extra day. Just a thought! Whatever you decide, ENJOY!!

 

[catyanna]

Sorry forgot to mention something. When my 2 DD were the same age as your older ones, I let them take the buses & be on their own. It worked out well for everyone as we had an infant at the time as well.

But if I were you I would NOT let the older ones know that they have the WPFAM option on their tickets because they may just want to do the water parks & DQ the whole time you are on your trip.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I am not really sure why you think that the little one id too you for sunblock. I always put it on my babies from the time they were tiny babies. We never had a problem. Is this a new thing that I haven't heard about?

Agree. The under 6 month warning on sunblock is without consulting a doctor first. Aveeno Baby makes a great sunblock that is easy on sensitive baby skin.

 

[t_catt11]

I am not really sure why you think that the little one id too you for sunblock. I always put it on my babies from the time they were tiny babies. We never had a problem. Is this a new thing that I haven't heard about? Either way, to save on the cost of an extra night, you can rent a cabana at the water park so that your little one will not be in the sun. They are not cheap but are much less then the cost of an extra day. Just a thought! Whatever you decide, ENJOY!!

Pediatrician says no sunscreen before six months.

 

[PHXscuba]

We are going around the same time and I have been having the waterpark debate too. I think I am going to wait until we get there to decide if we will do a waterpark or not. That way I don't spend the extra money if the weather sucks that week. I have one afternoon blocked off for Blizzard Beach, but if it's coolish we'll stay longer at DHS or go to DTD.

I agree that accommodating everyone's desires can make it hard to fit everything in. I have my older kids each "helping" me decide what we want to do at each park (incorporating a basic touring plan). I had DHS all worked out and then DD12 told me out of the blue she really, really wants to see American Idol (which they never watch at home!) Do you know how hard it is to cram one more show into a day at HS?! I guess that's what I get for wanting their opinions ...

Back to your original question ... if it were me I'd keep my original # of days and plan a couple "flex days" so you can either split up or rest up.

PHXscuba

 

[cleophus12]

Would it be cheaper to just buy a one day water park ticket than to buy the WP and More option?

 

[t_catt11]

Would it be cheaper to just buy a one day water park ticket than to buy the WP and More option?

Yes, but only by six dollars. ($52 vs $58). at that point, I might as well get the WPFAM option, so that they can spend a couple of hours at a water park later in the trip, if they so desire, or go hit Disney Quest once or twice.

 

[Pixiedust34]

For a 13 and 15 yo, if they are reasonably reliable you can send them to a water park by themselves while the littler ones are taken to MK or some of the kiddie-oriented stuff at DHS.

I'm glad to see you chime in on this thread. Are there specific rules about how old one must be to do a water park alone?

My kids are excellent swimmers. I'm thinking of giving them free reign at Typhoon Lagoon. They'd be just-turned 16 and just-turned 14 on that trip.

OP, if you're going to visit a water park just once, it could be less expensive to just buy tickets at the gate for those going to the water park.

 

[monkey30]

I know what a day it would be for me to take my 18mth old to the water park, and to be honest I would probaly pull my hair out, so DH is taking the other 2 while I have a relaxing resort and shopping day with the little one. We will just add the waterpark pass the day before we need it if we decide to go.
This way we don't waste it as we have in the past.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We do not let in an unaccompanied person on a Child ticket. So if the Guest is 10 or older with an adult ticket they are allowed in.

 

[BigKid45]

Our girls (12 & 15) are good swimmers, stay together and have wandered TL & BB on their own the past 2 years without worry. There are life guards everywhere to keep them safe.

As for leaving DW and baby at the resort, there are plenty of shady areas & covered areas in both parks...or you can rent covered cabanas....but they're expensive.

We added the WP option to our tickets on the last 2 trips...gave us options each day, but that was in August so weather was not a factor. Last trip we spent 2 days out of 6 at the H2O parks and then spent our evenings at the parks....that was the best of both worlds!!

 

[adventure_woman]

I am not really sure why you think that the little one id too you for sunblock. I always put it on my babies from the time they were tiny babies. We never had a problem. Is this a new thing that I haven't heard about? Either way, to save on the cost of an extra night, you can rent a cabana at the water park so that your little one will not be in the sun. They are not cheap but are much less then the cost of an extra day. Just a thought! Whatever you decide, ENJOY!!

My pedi has told us 2 mths/8 weeks. Even if they had said 6 mths, if I was going to be out in the sun, I would definitely put on sunscreen.

I had a water wrap I used with DD - she was about 4 mths. It was great...she just stayed in the wrap the whole time and never saw the sun and was happy as a clam.

 

[bumbershoot]

Pediatrician says no sunscreen before six months.

Sunscreen is different chemically than sunblock. Sunblock can be used earlier.

there are also high SPF clothing (vs the protection offered by normal clothes), and for awhile someone was making SPF mesh fabric that was being made into baby slings...haven't seen that for awhile but it was neat!


All that said I wouldn't take a new baby to a waterpark.

 

[snykymom]

Yes, but only by six dollars. ($52 vs $58). at that point, I might as well get the WPFAM option, so that they can spend a couple of hours at a water park later in the trip, if they so desire, or go hit Disney Quest once or twice.

You can buy the single water park ticket and then if your kids do want to do something else later in the trip, you can combine the water park tickets with their MYW tickets to get the WP&M option. Per Cheshire Figment - sorry if I'm stealing your thunder! - it's one of the only situations in which you can upgrade one ticket with another.

there are also high SPF clothing (vs the protection offered by normal clothes), and for awhile someone was making SPF mesh fabric that was being made into baby slings...haven't seen that for awhile but it was neat!

This is probably a good idea anyway - your baby is going to be in the sun a lot at any of the parks, even with hats and slings & snuggled. I wouldn't keep a young baby in the Florida sun without some sort of sun protection.

 

[MEK]

All I can say is kudos to you for having to coordinate the wants/needs of children with diverse ages. Water parks are exhausting. I would probably let my kids go to the parks by themselves at that age, but water parks make me nervous. But my kids were never strong swimmers and that typhoon lagoon wave pool gets seriously crowded. I do know that your girls will probably be tired out by lunch time, so it makes sense for one parent to go with them for a few hours.

I would check the park hours. If they have early morning magical hours it makes sense to get there as early as possible. Let them ride as many things as possible in the first few hours and then leave. You can still spend the rest of the afternoon at a regular park.

The water parks can be a great diversion to regular park touring. The parent who stays back at the resort may be able to do some resort related activities.

Good luck with your planning.