Does your family "split-up" if there are varying ages of children?

[Goofy'sFriend]

My kids range from 5 to 16. I'm beginning to think that DH will take the older ones and I will take my 5 yr. old to their favorite rides. We are going in August and it's going to be crowded and hot I'm sure. I want this to be a family trip, but I think we can meet up (with the help of cell phones) at rides we can all do or even meet back at the pool. How many of you do this?? Is it difficult? Thanks!

 

[tjmw2727]

My girls are close in age but when we traveled with dear bil and sil we split up. The key IMHO is to try and do all the family things together like parades, fantasmic, the safari at ak etc and then split up. If the older kids really don't want to do fantasyland and its a crowded time of year they are better off riding space mt while the little kids enjoy fantasyland. We were able with the help of planning and cellphones to do character meals, parades and some attractions together while splitting up according to height restrcitions and prefrences. If you get the kids involved in planning esp the older ones by reading the guides that can help.

With the option of child swap and fast pass you could stay together and do things if its not that busy.

I say get everyone involved in planning and stay together as much as you can but don't rule out splitting up now and then.

TJ

 

[Kaycee]

My kids are close in age, but our family is split as far as interests go, so we split up pretty often in the parks.

My younger son (Patrick) and I like thrill rides. My older son (Vince) and my husband (Chuck) don't. Patrick and I also like to move at a faster pace than Vince and Chuck do. So when we're in the parks, we do the things that everyone wants to do together, then we split up for a while. On our first trip, we didn't have cell phones, so we just designated a time to meet up. On our second trip, we each had a cell phone, so we could call and decide when and where to meet up. It worked much better that way!

 

[cgcw]

We did last December. DH & DS8 went off to do their own thing and DS3 and I went to Fantasyland. It worked okay for us. It would have worked better if DH didn't change his plans as to our meeting place/time. Next trip, we'll each have our cell phones so that won't be a problem.

 

[fklhou]

My DS and the older DD are 17 and 15. We have left them go off by themselves to WDW for the last couple of trips. They know their was around the parks. My youngest DD is 11 and either my wife or I accompany her in the parks. my older two are more into the the fast rides and seeing how fast they can do all three mountains and it makes sense for them to split off.

 

[jimmalru80]

Last year during our trip we decided on "family choice" morning. We split up and my DW and I went on a "resort hop" while DS (then 18) took his twin sisters (then 12) for a trip to AK. We all met up for lunch at Teppanyaki. DW and I enjoyed our time together and the kids took advantage of their independence. That night during dinner at Kona Cafe, they presented their mom with a pearl they had purchased at AK. The look on her face was precious and something we will not soon forget.

 

[Goofy'sFriend]

Great ideas...thanks everyone!! Our Disney trip is our "quality family week".....not too many of those at home with all activities everyone is in. I guess we don't need to be together every minute of the trip.....plus, if we split up, it will give us more "down-time" together at the pool or a restaurant. Can't wait!!

 

[Eeyore2U]

Since DS was 11 he has had his time when he'e brought a friend. He was also allowed at DQ by himself. He's known his way around since the third trip. He is smart and responsible. He earned his time.

I think the idea of family vacation is hard as they hit their teens. We need to let them grow up and be individuals. To make someone stay is no fun for anyone.

 

[VickiVM]

Last fall on our first "full" day in the parks we just couldn't get in a family rhythm. We had my mom with us and I'm sure that played a big part (at least for my husband it did). After a nap in our villa that afternoon, we decided to split up. My husband took my son to go play the video games that he so badly wanted to do and me and mom took my girls to some some of the less intensive attractions at Epcot. We met up a few hours later in Epcot for dinner and fireworks and it turned out to be one of the most pleasant evenings of the week. So...splitting up can be very beneficial for keeping a little sanity!!