disney with 4 kids

[momof4boys]

HELP! I am looking for advice from all disney veteran Moms and Dads. My DH and I have been to WDW several times as singles, married w/o kids, and with kids of various ages. Last time that we went the boys were 7yrs, 4 yrs and 2 yrs. Now they are 9yrs, 6 yrs, 4 yrs and the newest addition will be 17 mos when we go. We have never been there with a baby before and our friends and family all think we are crazy for not only taking 4 kids to disney but with a baby as well. We are all very excited about this trip. We are staying at the Poly, but have also rented a car. We plan on bringing our own double stroller because our 4 yr old is big but has asthma that can wear him out at times. We are going 12/4-12/13 so we hope that the crowds and the weather won't be an issue. Last time was August, way too hot and crowded for my liking. We plan on taking breaks during the day as needed and we know that Disney is not going anywhere, so we won't be disappointed if we don't see everything while we are there. There is always next time!! We will be celebrating DH's b-day and our anniversary while we are there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Regina

 

[3kidsdisney]

we went to disney last year with 3 kids, ages 4 and twins that were 2 yrs old--I planned out everyday and just left the parks when the kids got cranky--you are staying at the poly so you could go back with the little ones for a name while dad stays in the park and just switch from day to day--we usually left the parks after the parades and went swimming at the hotel while my twins napped--we did not stay on site so there was no time to go back to the park but we still did alot and saw alot more than i thought--we did not even go to epcot but did all the other parks--we took a day off from the parks for a character meal and shopping in downtown disney which the kids loved --we also brought our own stroller which was great in the airport and with all the crowds not worrying were the kids were--good luck and enjoy Ann

 

[miche61]

We are going with 3kids, ages 10, 8, and 7, plus me age????
We rented a double stroller last time we went, ages then 8, 6, and 5. It was plenty big that they could all ride on it at once. It was a great help. Our oldest also has asthma, which hasn't ever acted up on vacations at WDW. It's very doable. Our kids will go and go. But if you can take a rest, especially since you are staying so close to MK, do it.

Don't let anyone discourage you from taking four kids!! You are used to having that many and are able to cope not on vacation, so vacation will be FUN! I have a friend who goes to WDW with her four kids all the time- even when her twins were two!!

Enjoy your vacation!!!

 

[dutton]

I am a mom to 4 kids -- 3boys and a girl. We went in Dec. 2001 when they were 8,6,3,and 19 mos. We stayed at Downtown Disney and had a great time!! the weather was perfect, and we could even swim at night it was so warm!! Last year we went again in December and they were 9,7,4 and 2 1/2. We stayed at the contemporary. The weather was cold and rainy and the one day we did swim it was freezing!! We swore we wouldn't go again in Dec. But this year we are going again 12/2-12/7. We are staying at HIFS b/c this is suppossed to be our bargain trip. My DH and I felt that with the shorter hours, leaving the park midday was a waste of time. By the time we got to the park and tried to get them settled back down, it was time to get up and get ready to go to another park. We felt that the DD transportation was better b/c the busses are like tour busses and much more comfortable. We felt that it would be easier with 4 small kids to either drive to a park or walk (from Contemporary to MK) than use Disney transportation. At the CR the monorial goes from the CR to TTC to GF to Poly to MK. So on days that we went to MK it would take what seemed a life time to get there(esp. w/four kids). So this year we are going to get to the park about 9:30 or 10:00 and try to stay until closing(except Epcot) The crowds have always been great in early December. We did this one day in March when we visited friends and we had a blast!! And our baby was 11 months old-- She and 2 1/2 yr. old just slept in the stroller. We were tired by park closing at 7pm but it seemed much easier. So this trip this will be our plan. This is one reason I wasn't too disappointed to stay off site. With you being at Poly it will be very easy to get to MK and maybe Epcot and return mid-day and then go back out if desired. But the other 2 parks will cost some time in going back and forth. It is just however your kids can handle it. Mine always did well napping in their stroller (one's we brought;hard to do in Disney's) But if we ever left midday and then couldn't get them settled down to get much of a nap and then tried to return the 2 youngest would be a little cranky. I have always had people who couldn't believe I would waste my money taking 4 kids to disney, but we all love it and have always had such a blast!! Try to do MVMCP it is so much fun, even with really small kids. I agree with miche61 that you know your kids and have fun!!

 

[Tamie]

I have a suggestion, when I told my sister what I was doing I had to pick her up off the floor, laughing and she called me obsessive, but low and behold she is now also doing it.

When we went with my kids, 12 and 5 at the time. I took their clothes (short, shirt, undies and socks) and put an outfit a day into a large ziplock bags, if your kids wear the shorts twice in a row (if not dirty, I just put the shirt, undies and socks in). Put their name on them. Then when you are getting ready in the morning all you have to do is toss the bag at the ones that can dress themselves. You are not trying to find all the articles needed for all kids all at the same time. They are neatly packaged and they wont get messed up.

If your kids are anything like mine, they make a mess of their drawers and would be suitcases. It also made putting everything in drawers at the resort so much easier and quicker. Also if something opens or spills during travel in the suitcase, your clothes are protected.

I will be doing this again when we travel to Florida to this Christmas.

I did make my sister say sorry for laughing and calling me names. She now does it whenever and whereever she takes the kids, short or long trip.

Have a great trip!

 

[RumpleMom]

Our family has always made 1 priority seating per day at a restaurant. This helped us avoid long waits when patience might be short and everyone was hungry.

We usually have cereal in the room for breakfast and have rented a refrigerator for milk or Dad has made an early morning run to the food court. The PS is usually for lunch, as prices are less and little feet need a break from walking.

 

[WhispyPixie]

I am a mom of 4....they are now 5...12...12..& 17.....but...one trip they were 18 months..8, 8, & 13. What a trip. One of our most favorite ones. Take walkie-talkies and dont hesitate to take needed breaks. Tired children mean horrible trips! Lots of rest...be happy when they just wanna swim rather than ride all the rides and never ever rush through things and just learn to find happiness in their smiles! You will have a great trip!

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by WhispyPixie
never ever rush through things and just learn to find happiness in their smiles

That is the best tip I have ever read!

 

[Kevenswife2]

Ten years ago I did Disney with my 5 children, ages 1, 4, 6, 8, and 11. It is do-able, crazy, but do-able. My advice is to take current pictures of each child (much easier to show a pic than have to describe the lost child when you're in a panic). I like to laminate mine so they survive the water rides.

Write their name and any other important info on their tummy or foot. Sounds crazy, but for a little one that's shy or scared it may be the only info a CM can get.

Also, I like to dress all of them in matching, brightly colored shirts (lime green maybe?). If two kids are riding a ride together and they both have their brightly colored shirts on, you can spot them from a mile away. I used to use bright orange but that seems to becoming popular. Last trip to the local amusement park was full of orange families.

Tell them not to wander around if they get lost. Stay in one spot!

Take your time, and take lots of pictures.

 

[Kevenswife2]

Tamie, I also do the ziplock bag thing. When I'm packing to leave, I put a complete outfit for each day in a bag. That way I know I have everything I need and can 'just throw a bag at them' to get dressed. And throw another bag in my backpack in case of accidents. Hey, it works and saves me time.

How did people travel before Ziplock bags?