DisneyLand with 4 kids !!

[kathy040690]

I have been to Disneyland a few times in the last couple years (the last time being over a year ago )
planning a trip for either September or November 2016 *cant chose between christmas season and halloween*
My question is about strollers and walking... my kids will be then 1,4,almost 8 and almost 6. Do you think we could get away with just bringing the single stroller and ergo carrier for the 1 year old ? or should we bring a double and a single ? Seems like so much to lug around !!

Can kids usually go all day walking at the parks at that age ? We will be booking in the at new courtyard waterpark hotel 4 days at the park and we do not plan on doing breaks during the day to go back to the hotel unless one of the kids is really in a mood !!

Sorry this is completely random I am just at a loss !!!


bonus question.. which do you like more... Halloween Time or Christmas ?

 

[figment_jii]

I think it depends a lot on how used to walking are you kids. It's not uncommon to walk 7 or more miles per day while in the parks, so folks (children and adults) can get pretty worn out. The distance between the hotel and the front entrance is about half a mile by itself (it doesn't feel long in the morning, but it was a long walk back at night!). So if you're going to go back in the middle of the afternoon, that's almost two miles right there (two round trips). So it really depends on the kids and whether they have the stamina to do a lot of walking in the parks. I went with an almost 6 and a 3.5 year old recently and the 3.5 wasn't ready (we knew that), but the 6 year old did fine. She was wiped out each night, but only complained a little that her legs were tired (mostly on the walk back to the Courtyard hotel).

In terms of Halloween or Christmas...have you been during either time before? Do you have to decide now or how long can you wait? I mostly ask because things are in flux for next year, with all the construction along the Rivers of America. No one really knows what is going to happen during HalloweenTime or ChristmasTime in 2016. We probably won't get much information until summer, but at least at that point, you'd have more information before committing to a trip during either time.

 

[Guy in Fargo]

I would bring at least one large stroller, for stuff storage as well as resting legs.

Everyone needs breaks. Take them before people become grumpy.

 

[kathy040690]

I think it depends a lot on how used to walking are you kids. It's not uncommon to walk 7 or more miles per day while in the parks, so folks (children and adults) can get pretty worn out. The distance between the hotel and the front entrance is about half a mile by itself (it doesn't feel long in the morning, but it was a long walk back at night!). So if you're going to go back in the middle of the afternoon, that's almost two miles right there (two round trips). So it really depends on the kids and whether they have the stamina to do a lot of walking in the parks. I went with an almost 6 and a 3.5 year old recently and the 3.5 wasn't ready (we knew that), but the 6 year old did fine. She was wiped out each night, but only complained a little that her legs were tired (mostly on the walk back to the Courtyard hotel).

In terms of Halloween or Christmas...have you been during either time before? Do you have to decide now or how long can you wait? I mostly ask because things are in flux for next year, with all the construction along the Rivers of America. No one really knows what is going to happen during HalloweenTime or ChristmasTime in 2016. We probably won't get much information until summer, but at least at that point, you'd have more information before committing to a trip during either time.

I still have time before i want to book since ill be waiting for seat sales through westjet
I have been to both christmas and halloween and LOVED both. Spent christmas eve at the park in 2011 and it was awesome.

hmm maybe over the summer i will start taking the kids for long walks without a stroller to see how they do to determine the stroller situation!!

 

[MICKEYFIL]

I would suggest the determining factor is how much you want to get done. I went last year with a 6 year old a 4 year old. I had strollers for both of them. My youngest hadn't been in a stroller in about two years at that point, but we wanted to be able to get things done and I am a lot faster than my kids. This year I am going and they are 7 and 5 and I have decided to take only a single stroller.

 

[kathy040690]

I would suggest the determining factor is how much you want to get done. I went last year with a 6 year old a 4 year old. I had strollers for both of them. My youngest hadn't been in a stroller in about two years at that point, but we wanted to be able to get things done and I am a lot faster than my kids. This year I am going and they are 7 and 5 and I have decided to take only a single stroller.

we will have 2 days in each park but we are a very go go gotype family and will want to do everything !!

 

[GatorChris]

You definitely want the double for the 1 and 4 yo. The 6yo is a little inbetween. One of the things we've done the last few years when a long Disney vacation is coming is have the kids start walking each day about two weeks before the trip. Start off with a mile walk and then work it up to 1.5-2.0 miles. That way their legs are in shape and not hitting the parks cold turkey. You can even start pushing the stroller to get yourself in shape. Especially those calves.

 

[rizzle64]

I'd suggest taking the double and picking up a cheap, lightweight umbrella stroller. We have three kids, but frequently travel with the in-laws who have four of their own. We find having that extra umbrella stroller makes afternoons and evenings much better. The slightly older kids stay happier if they can sit down every once and awhile. I've even folded up the umbrella and strapped it to the side of the double stroller with some Velcro straps when it's not needed. Kinda of a lot to take, but hey, you got four kids. If you're planning a trip to DL with lots of kids, you have different expectations going in and one of those is you'll have a ton of crap. As long as you go in prepped for that, it's not that big of deal.

My preference is Halloween! Mickey's party is a lot of fun for the kids, and TONS of candy, so you'll have that choice, but I just love the Halloween/Fall feel in the parks, hands down my favorite time!

 

[DisneyMommy403]

I have been to Disneyland a few times in the last couple years (the last time being over a year ago )
planning a trip for either September or November 2016 *cant chose between christmas season and halloween*
My question is about strollers and walking... my kids will be then 1,4,almost 8 and almost 6. Do you think we could get away with just bringing the single stroller and ergo carrier for the 1 year old ? or should we bring a double and a single ? Seems like so much to lug around !!

My kids are pretty much the same age. We'll be going in March, and I am renting a double stroller for the 1 yr old and 4 yr old. My older two will handle the walks. We take family walks and hikes already, so I know they can manage; especially with mid-day breaks. My 4 yr old is very active, so the stroller is partially to keep him from running off, and also there for when he expends so much of his energy. I'm using my ergo in line with the little guy.

Can kids usually go all day walking at the parks at that age ? We will be booking in the at new courtyard waterpark hotel 4 days at the park and we do not plan on doing breaks during the day to go back to the hotel unless one of the kids is really in a mood !!

If you're not taking a mid-day break, you may get some melt downs. A way to take a break without heading back to your room is to catch shows, go to Main St Cinema, people watch on a bench, ride the train a few times, etc. However, I did this before with minions... and the mid-day break seriously helps.

Sorry this is completely random I am just at a loss !!!


bonus question.. which do you like more... Halloween Time or Christmas ?

Christmas! Fewer closures, the decorations, the treats! Love Christmas at Disneyland!

 

[luulu1999]

my kids were 6&7 last visit and I didn't take a stroller, I would maybe do one double that way if they get tired they can rest?

 

[Epek]

I think the double and the ergo. That way, everyone can rest at some point. Walking back to the hotel, the 4 &6 yr olds can ride (or the oldest if one of the middles is good to walk) and the baby can be worn. I do that with my 5 and 1.5 yr old. My oldest doesn't use the stroller all day until it's time to leave, then he crashes hard in the stroller. Last trip (Ap holders) I forgot the ergo and was carrying a sleeping 20lb baby to the car because neither could stay awake! I won't do that again!

 

[corinne76]

For those ages, I'd definitely bring a double. We went when DD was 5 and DS was 2. I probably could have gotten away with a single. I did wear DS often and he napped both on me and in the stroller. DD walked alot but there were times she was too tired and just wanted to sit. oh, and the walk back to the hotel ... she knocked out almost every night in the stroller (we're not go back to the hotel to rest midday type of park goers).

Our next trip, DD will be 8 and DS 5, and they never use a stroller. I am considering bringing a single just in case the younger one needs a rest. His legs do get tired and we never do as much walking as we would at DLR.

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

When we went my kids were 3, almost 6 and almost 8. We took one single stroller for the 3 year old. My 2 older kids only complained of tired feet walking down the hall to our room each night. My 3 year old walked more than I expected he would.

We'll be going next summer, my youngest will be almost 5 and I believe we'll be taking a single stroller, just in case.

 

[Malcon10t]

My granddaughter generally has been "walking" the park since she was 2.5-3yo (she is 4 now) but we take breaks and relax and let her relax. But she is also running 5Ks (gets to run her first DIsney run when she turns 5 next year!) But even with all that, we are slower than a go go go group. I would probably suggest the double, or a single with a sit stand and the ergo.