Family of Seven 1st Trip to DW

[5 crazy kids]

Pre-trip report – less than a year away and already excited!
Cast:
DH, DW (me), DS9 (Pirate obsessed), DD8 (loves all things Princess), DD5 (wants to be a princess when she grows up), DS5 (will be shy, doesn't seem to care that we are going...), DS3 (LOVES Mickey!)
Meeting up with 5 relatives – my mom (also went on the cruise with us), my sister and her family of 4 (also went on the cruise - she is also a planner and we tend to agree on most vacation things).
DH and DW and DS9 went to Disneyland in 2002 and stayed on-site 2002
DH, DW, DS9 and DD5 went on Disney Cruise in 2006 - best vacation EVER - really, EVER! This is something every family should do. I can't stress that enough. If you haven't been yet, book it now!

I’m starting this thread because I am struggling to find a post about vacationing with larger families. It tends to be a couple and one or two children. And Jon and Kate plus eight don't count because they had lots of help (3 other adults at least) and they were "special" guests, so got "special" treatment. We won't! So here goes…

I am a planner. Details, details, obsession, planner.

So, last year when I was planning the vacations for the rest of my life, Disney World came in for 2009. With that planned, my sister was thrilled, as we could coordinate and go together. We decided to go at the beginning of May 2009.

She has “points” and knows more about DW than I do, so she started looking into it many months ago. She called last week and wanted to know if we were going to stay at Boardwalk with her. I went online, looked at rates, and began my quest…….

Where can a family of 7 stay, comfortably, for a week? I want sleep! My husband wants sleep! And, more than anything, we want our kids to sleep. I started at the Disney resort site. Typed in who was going and waited for my options. The only options were the deluxe resort villas. Hmmm, no, too expensive and still very tight quarters for 7 people. Now, I am not planning to live in the room, but when we are there, I’d like to be comfortable. I love my kids and all, but we all need our space!

I started searching the boards and other online sites. Those led me to off-site lodging. After viewing every site on the web – not exaggerating – there were many things to consider: how many bedrooms did we want/need, do we want community amenities, how close to DW are the houses, do we need a game room, how do we know it will be nice and clean and honest, will we use the pool, is the pool that small usable, do we need heat, are we going to cook at the house, how will we spend time with my sister and her family, etc.

We really went back and forth between going with the cheapest we could find and still be comfortable and going with a nicer one so we are closer and have the community stuff. This weekend we searched and searched AGAIN, comparing and debating.

The decision was to go with a 5 bedroom (2 masters, one will be empty, 3 rooms with 2 twins for the kids – if someone needs to be separated, we will move them to the extra master). The resort we picked is Windsor Hills because of location and their pool and playground. The price was $210/night and we realistically could have found one for $169/night. The one we rented also has a nice game room (some pictured that we saw looked cramped and dumpy).

So, I emailed and got a quick response and instructions. Same day response and same day contract. I paid $200 down. I have not decided on pool heat yet. It will be May 3-9, so I’ll wait to see what the forecast is.

The itinerary is next for me to plan. I want to do everything, as I don’t foresee us returning as a whole family for a long, long time, if ever. So, DW, Epcot, AK and SeaWorld are definites for us. Beyond that I need to decide between Universal and MGM. I also need to research the order to go in, stuff to bring, and what we need to do at each place. And dining. We are hoping for Pirates and Princesses, so I need to look into that.

Questions: ADR? Don’t know anything about that. Wishes? Don’t know anything about it.

So, it has begun.

 

[5 crazy kids]

DH doesn't like crowds or lines. So, my concerns are we will miss some good stuff. So, I need to plan and need ideas related to that.

Also, I want to be able to keep the older kids entertained as well as the younger. But, I don't want to have our family split all the time. So, would appreciate suggestions related to the age span - 3 through 9.

Saw on another thread that we shouldn't compare DL to DW. Why? We loved DL, but DS was 2 when we went there, so it will be a different experience anyway.

Eating. I was thinking of trying to bring sandwiches for lunch. Good or bad idea? And cooking dinner at the house? Good or bad idea?

Plan is Epcot, DW, AK, Seaworld and either Universal or DH. Too ambitious? We only have 5 days for parks. I'm 100% on SeaWorld, DW, and Epcot. Wishy washy on the rest.

Best restaurants for a family our size? We are actually a party of 12 with the rest of the fam who will be there. So, what options are best for that???

I already have my packing list started, but there is so much to think about!!

Thanks now for any thoughts!

 

[winkers]

Wow! That's alot to plan for! I have a family of 6 so we've stayed in the all star music family suite.......so I can't help much with bringing lunch or fixing meals at the hotel. I think buffets are a good way to go for large groups because there's generally something for everyone. My kids love the crystal palace in Magic Kingdom........plus you get to see the winnie the pooh characters while you're there.

I suggest going to tourguidemike........Considering the amount of $ spent on your trip I think it's worth the $20 for the travel plans and days to visit which parks. We've never had more than a 20 minute wait for anything following the advice there.

My kids are 14, 12, 10& 7........we don't have any problems with them being bored while riding rides the younger siblings want to ride. And there are few things the youngest won't ride. When he does sit one out he doesn't seem to mind the little rest........plus I usually buy him an ice cream or something while we wait.

I agree that you can't compare Dl & WDW.......they are both unique. I also have to add that I love AK! It's like being in another world.

I hope my ramblings help a little!

 

[5 crazy kids]

Thanks, Winkers.

Buffets are out for us - DH does NOT do buffets.

I'll make sure we do AK.

My concern with the splitting is that our youngest is 3 and oldest 9, so DH and I will have to "trade" who sits out. That leaves one of us missing rides (selfish?) and the other waiting with kids who likely will get fussy. OR we split up and go separate ways to keep everyone happy? DD5 is also pretty wimpy, so I'm not sure she or DS5 will want to go on rollercoasters or certain rides. Definitely DS9 and DD8 will want to go on everything!

Did you put 4 kids in one room and adults in the other? We would have been stuck with kids in our room or kids on the floor somewhere I think, had we stayed Disney. Not sure though, as we have not done it before.

I'll look into the Crystal Palace. Can you do a sit down or is it a buffet only?

Again, thanks for your thoughts! Any ideas are going to be helpful!!

 

[momsavealot]

Hi there! I have to agree with you - I didn't find a whole lot for large famillies on this board either. We are a family of 6 and yes, it was a lot of research to find rooms that would accomodate us. My kids are young - DD8, DS7, DS5 and DD2 so I squeezed us into the Poly. There are 2 queen beds (not doubles) and there is a day bed (twin). I am also shipping down a twin blow up mattress to put near the day bed (another twin). yes, it will be tight but with the unpredictable 2 year old, I had to be on the monorail. We are also going in hot, hot August so I knew we would have to leave the parks in the early afternoon and come back to the hotel for rest/pool. I did not want to deal with the buses or rent a minivan. From my research in one of the Disney travel books, Poly and Contemporary have some of the biggest rooms. I didn't want to get adjoining rooms b/c I really wanted to stay in the same room as my hubby (aw!!) and I would never leave my kids in the other room by themselves. So, I wasn't comfortable with that option and I thought the suites were too expensive. I figure as the kids get older, we won't be able to squeeze into the Poly anymore but I won't need the monorail either. As far as splitting up, I have realistic expectations this year and I know my hubby and I are going to have to take turns on some rides sitting out with DD2. We also did the dining plan b/c it is really cheap for kids in my opinion and I booked a couple of character breakfasts which makes it really worth it. My advice, if you're going to eat with your extended family, book ADR's ASAP. I had trouble making ADR's with a large party. You might be able to get tables near each other. As far as food, I'm planning on us doing breakfast in the room and the dining plan for the other meals. I am using a company you'll see a lot on this board, gardengrocer.com to bring groceries to the room for me and I may pack a toaster. I plan on bringing juice boxes and snacks into the park with me to save money and keep cool. Hmmm. Can't think of anything else right now but I sympathize - it's tough planning for a lot of people of all different ages!

 

[winkers]

Alot of rides even the 3 yr old will be able to go on.......if not there's a child swap option, so you both get to ride. I suggest getting a book like the unofficial guide or going to tourguidemike and reading about all the attractions. This will give you a good idea of what there is available. I think I read everything that has ever been written before my first trip!

Crystal palace is only a buffet. You do need to get ADR's as soon as you can, I think it's 180 days before that you can get them. Some restraunts fill up really fast. What kind of restraunt are you interested in?

 

[5 crazy kids]

I'm wondering if I should do a grocery delivery instead of just going to the grocery store. I saw another post where she said the store was packed when she went. We won't need a ton of food. We'll do breakfast at the house every day, likely cereal. I'll make the sandwiches. And then MAYBE dinner a couple of times at the house.
I've decided to go ahead and pack PBJ sandwiches and if we end up eating a meal at the park instead, so be it. I don't think the kids will do well at eating meals there anyway.
I wonder if you can borrow/rent a toaster from Disney? If not, they are so cheap at the store - you can get them for under $5. Buy a cheap one and leave it there!
I have not looked at all into the meal plans. I just don't think the kids will be good eaters. They are at home, but it is hit or miss when we travel. Plus, since we are staying off-site, I was thinking we may eat off site more.

When you park at DW, can you travel from park to park without going back to the car and reparking? Can you take the monorail if you aren't staying at a resort?

Also, does anyone know the carseat laws for Florida?
Thanks!

 

[5 crazy kids]

Unofficial guide. I'll get it.
Tourguidemike - good for anyone - big families included?

 

[5 crazy kids]

I looked at Tourguidemike - looks like any family size.
What I didn't see was WHEN to sign up. A month before? A year before? Can you alter it later or do you need to repay if you change things?

 

[5 crazy kids]

2nd installment:

O.K. So the planning goes something like this –

1. Pick dates. We want it to be warm and want to be able to go swimming, so close
to summer. It can’t be summer because we want it to be less crowded. Can’t be over a holiday. Can’t be too close to the end of school, as I don’t want the kids missing the end of school. So, May 3-9, 2008 meets those criteria. DONE

2. Pick where we are staying. Family of 7. I want a room for me and DH. I want the kids to be able to be separated into 2 boys, 2 girls, and 1 boy. So, looks like Disney cannot house us. Start looking for places online and ended up in Windsor Hills due to location, community pool, and specifics we liked in the house. We got a 5 bedroom instead of 4 because of the game room and decorated rooms. DONE

3. Airline tickets. It is too soon.

4. Meal planning. Day planning. These go together.
I am thinking AK on the first day – go early, bring a lunch along. Take plenty of breaks and just enjoy. Maybe leave there and do evening at Epcot. Do dinner in between back at the house.
2nd day Epcot in the morning and DH in the afternoon, maybe? Lunch at Epcot
Dinner at the house or maybe out with everyone if we can get ADR somewhere (need to decide where…)
3rd day DW. All day. Eat all meals there.
4th day SeaWorld. Bring lunch. Return to house for dinner.
5th day go back wherever we feel like we need to?
I have A LOT of redoing and replanning in this section…

5. Packing planning
7 swim suits
5 days clothes for 7. We will be washing. This includes 1 nice outfit each.
5 days undergarments – socks, undies, etc.
Adult shampoo/conditioner, 2 sets of kids shampoo and soap
Flip flops for all, comfy shoes for all
Tinkerbell surprise packs – glow sticks, fairy dust, Disney dollars, “identifying” hats, trinkets that I accumulate over the next year, gum/candy for special treat
Camera, video camera, chargers, batteries
3 Autograph books (DD8/DD5 share, DS5/DS3 share, DS9 his own)
Sharpies
Sunscreen/bugspray
Sunglasses x 7
Brushes/ponyholders/headbands/product
Car seats/stroller
Asthma medication
Other OTC meds – cold medicine, Tylenol
Bandaids/Chapstick/Lotion
PJ’s for 7

6. Grocery list for when we are there
Bread/PB/J
Cereal
Milk
Granola Bars/Pop Tarts/Fruit snacks
Water bottles to freeze and take to parks
Pasta/sauce
Salad
Chips
Apples/Plums/Pears
Margarine
Cheese
Popcorn
Chips/Salsa

7. Book Pirates and Princesses if we can?
8. Pirate cruise?

 

[winkers]

With tourguidemike you put in your travel dates and it's good untill about 30 days after you get back. The only drawback is it won't have park hours untill a few months before you leave.

Anyone can use the monorail and the buses.

I've never ordered from garden grocer, but I've heard alot of good reports on it. I'd say that if you want to save time and not have to drag 5 kids through the store once you get there, then it's a good idea to use it.

Oh....do you seriously have your vacations planned out for life?

 

[5 crazy kids]

Oh....do you seriously have your vacations planned out for life?

Well, for about the next 15 years or so. It's not etched in stone or anything, but I have our list of what I'd like to accomplish for the rest of the time we have kids in the house.
Definitely plan to take the grandkids on a Disney cruise when I have grandkids.

 

[Jules3Kids]

Hi...enjoyed reading your PTR so far! We are also traveling with a fairly large group (9 of us) and I have some of the same concerns as you. We are in a time share property, in a 3 bedroom with a full kitchen, etc. So we will probably have quick breakfasts most days there, or pack it to go! Probably won't bring sandwiches/lunches in the parks since we all can't wait to try out all the restaurants, food, etc in WDW...it's our first trip so we are kind of going all out as much as possible in that area! But we will have stuff in our room for late night snacks/drinks, etc. It's difficult with a large group, but we have said we can do a few different things during the days if someone wants to go somewhere else...nothing set in stone there. But I have a feeling everyone will tag along with the planner (that would be me!
Can't wait to read more and hear how it's all coming together!

 

[5 crazy kids]

We are not really that worried about doing character meals. We did that on the cruise and it was good, but not a huge priority on this trip. However, it sure looks like there are great options for character dining!!! Just from the start of my searching, here are the restaurants I am initially interested in...

DW -
Lunch - Plaza Restaurant

DH -
Either - Sci-Fi Theatre

Epcot -
Either - Character at Garden Grill Harvest

AK-
Either - Rainforest Cafe - note here - I know there are many of these all over. We don't have one in our town and I really think our kids will like the experience. I know the food is overpriced (but isn't all of the food at theme parks?) and is not great. However, I want the kids to enjoy themselves. We'll plan to eat light and go out for ice cream after maybe...

I did go on the grocery deliver site and they have an easy website to use. The prices are obviously not the lowest around, but decent if you don't have a car. Free delivery if your bill is over $200. Our bill won't be that high though and we do have a car, so I'll plan to send DH to the store with my list while I settle in the first day.

The grocery list is basic. Our meals for the house will be pasta/sauce one night, tacos one night, and chicken/rice one night. The rest of the nights we plan to eat on-site. I am really going to push fruit and veggies as snacks at the house, but bring granola, poptarts, and fruit snacks to the parks in the backpack. Cereal, toast, bagels, and fruit for breakfast are all crowd pleasers, so that will be easy as well.

I'm going to break from planning meals and start looking through each park to see what will work for all of us and how we will split. More to come...

 

[5 crazy kids]

So, I purchased it today. I'm just starting to look around and see what I think about it. So far I think I am moderately happy with it. I'll definitely need to get more specifics on boy/girl stuff and age specific stuff from other places. Also not sure on specifics on party size at the recommended restaurants. I'll be looking into those more specifically as well.

Still don't have the Unofficial Guide...

Do I need both?

We are likely only going to eat out for dinner once or twice. I think once as a party of 12 and once as a party of 7. Lunch maybe once or twice as well. Same again, once all 12, once just 7. Like that? JUST 7. It is, after all, less than 8!

Did I say only 347 days to go??? I am so excited!

 

[5 crazy kids]

By the way, only 347 days left until we are at Disney!!!

 

[5 crazy kids]

I've been searching the boards for other large families (not multiple families, just 1 family that has to stay together) and have not had much luck yet. That is o.k. Eventually, maybe this thread will help others who are travelling with 4 or more kids.

Updates:
TourguideMike has been helpful. I am really thinking of splitting days at multiple parks. I am thinking Monday start AK, finish Epcot. Tues MK. Wed SeaWorld. Thurs Epcot, DH. Friday MK.
*** subject to change ***

Meals:
We are going to eat all breakfasts at the house. Lunches I will pack daily and if we decide to eat CS in the park, lunch becomes snack
Dinners - we'll eat out twice likely. I'm going to need to know my schedule better before I commit.

TGM will really help on how to "attack" the parks when we are there.

Packing list:
The girls are going to wear princess dresses to MK. They will be fine in them, so I'll go ahead and allow it. Just have to put them on the packing list!

Stroller:
We will bring one and gate check it. It is a double, so we can have a couple of the kids on it as needed. I am a fast walker, so the youngest can struggle to keep up at times.

I have watched the boards about WH and found so many people who have stayed there. That helps. No one who has stayed at the Mansion yet though. I'll keep my eyes open. We are excited with our decision and think we'll be comfortable as a family of 7 in a 4 bedroom, so plenty of room in the 5 bedroom we reserved. Also not concerned about having to drive to WDW, as we are close and can easily go park to park via monorail.

Park tickets. We are planning 4 days, but many of the specials upgrade to a 5 day anyway. That will be good in case we ditch our SeaWorld day or if we want to go to MK the evening we arrive or the evening of SW. I'll see what it looks like as we near.

Plane tickets, park tickets. I'll do a budget on here soon. So far the resort house is $1500 for the week. 7 plane tickets - I budgeted $3500, but that may be too low now!! Park tickets will also hurt! Food - I had said less than $200 at the grocery store and hope to stick with that. We'll have another $500 cash for eating out and I'll detail that more once we are closer - I may be way off.

Where are the other families with 4 or more kids??? No time to DisBoard?
Where are the other planners?? Give me more to think about!

 

[5 crazy kids]

Well, since we announce to the kids (I can't keep a secret...) that we are going to WDW in a year, they are excited. DS3 thinks anywhere we go, we are on our way to see Mickey. By next year, he won't believe we actually ARE on our way to see Mickey! I've decided that DD8 and DD5 both need to see every Disney princess movie, at least twice, before we go. They love the princesses, but do they even KNOW the princesses?? So we started today.
Yesterday DD5 turned 5. DH and the 3 DS were supposed to leave town for the weekend. Me and DD x 2 were going to watch Pocohontas, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Aladdin, Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast this weekend. The boys ended up not leaving town, but we are still trying to watch a few of the movies. I'm sure they have all seen all of the movies, but I just want to make sure they KNOW the movies! So, during DD5's b-day party today, she spiked a fever (5th year in a row on her birthday she's been sick) and watched Cinderella while her friends frosted cupcakes and had a tea party. She loves that movie and it made her feel better!
Not sure how to get the boys ready a year in advance.
DH and I had dinner together tonight and I barely talked about the trip. Not bad. I hate to wear him out this early about it. He knows me though.
I'm a planner. He loves that about me (or so he says).
Another day closer!

 

[winkers]

How sad, your dd being sick on her birthday!

When I'm planning a trip it's about the only thing I talk to my dh about. Most conversations begin with..........."guess what I read about on the dis today".

 

[5 crazy kids]

DD is feeling much better today!

I haven't so much discussed this trip with my DH yet. Before the cruise, I studied the boards and he heard about it daily. He definitely appreciated all of the research and work I did once we were aboard!

We made it through all of the movies this weekend. The girls will be all prepped!

More planning to come later this week. I need to spend some time on my TourguideMike to see how I want to organize our parks.

Question - do you go get the fast passes right when you get there? or do you pick it up when you are passing the rides in your park rotation?

Thanks!