Hansell, party of 10- your vacation is ready**UPDATED 10/27**

[sherylcin]

And maybe you can give me some tips on schlepping with a large group for next year. It was alot harder than I thought.

Would be happy to share what we've learned over the years but after reading your latest installment, I think you've already learned the biggest lesson. Don't overplan and be willing to take breaks!! Nothing worse than dragging tired, hot children around with even hotter, exhausted adults yelling WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FUN! We take what I call Grand Family Trips with my kids, kids-in-law and grandkids - there are 11 of us now altogether and the kids range from 3 months to 11 years old. Would not trade these memories for anything. I figure when I'm too old to go anymore, I will entertain myself with my photo albums in the "Home".

Great parade pictures BTW! Just being on this board helps with Longing-to-be-at-Disney Syndrome!

 

[johnsonmatt3]

Im here!!! 8 kids?!?!?! I may not be a dis dad but I am a dis brother/uncle. Great start, keep it up.
Your not possibly related to anyone in Indiana are you?

 

[Hasil72]

wait just a minute....you mean life goes on outside of Disney?? I'm a bad trip reporter, I know. I am currently suffering severe Disney withdrawal, and to add insult to injury, my ticker isnt even working right!!! Hopefully I'll be able to get some of this trip report done this weekend.

Loving it so far! Glad you got that update in before the Phil's and Eagles come on!

 

[mermaid764]

Yah you updated!

I know what you mean about those pics being so overpriced..we usually break down and buy one but I really wish they had the adding to your photopass option like Test Track does.

Those oreo snacks sound delicious...where did ya get them from?

Looking forward to more

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

x

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

Im here!!! 8 kids?!?!?! I may not be a dis dad but I am a dis brother/uncle. Great start, keep it up.
Your not possibly related to anyone in Indiana are you?

Wow, 14! and youre trip reporting already? thats awesome. And as far as I know, no relations in Indiana, but who knows

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

Loving it so far! Glad you got that update in before the Phil's and Eagles come on!

YOU KNOW IT!!

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

Yah you updated!

I know what you mean about those pics being so overpriced..we usually break down and buy one but I really wish they had the adding to your photopass option like Test Track does.

Those oreo snacks sound delicious...where did ya get them from?

Looking forward to more

awh, man, I wish I knew they did that at Test Track. My husband took the kids on that, but I stayed home that night. (if I was there, I would have known) The oreos were from Main Street Bakery. They had so many to choose from. Mint, peanut butter cup, strawberry.....it was so hard to choose.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Hey, I'm joining the trip report train! I thought it was tough schlepping around my infant, I couldn't imagine an infant and 7 other children!! How on earth did you get the baby to sleep in a Pop room filled with other people!!?? My hat is definitely off to you!

 

[johnsonmatt3]

Wow, 14! and youre trip reporting already? thats awesome. And as far as I know, no relations in Indiana, but who knows

well really 15, I need to change that. uncle to 13 and brother to 6 which includes one in-law. I walked A dog for a Ben and Julie Hansell, it just doesnt seem like a common name.

 

[Native NYer]

I'm really enjoying your tr.
Can't wait to read more!

 

[mousebymarriage]

Great trip report and pics, I can't wait to hear more! I have to say you are really brave parents to make that car trip with 8 kids including an infant and toddler. We also like to drive to Disney(we are from northen NJ)but, our first drive was when our youngest was 5 years old and it was rough! You have a beautiful family!

 

[dvczerfs]

great updates!! love the pics!! dont worry about the crying and yelling, you have that with just one kid!! if i ever seen anyone who looked tired in my life, it has to be you sitting on the bus.

 

[sherylcin]

I'll admit, at first I thought their would be no fighting, crying etc..... then I was like...wait a minute, these are my kids were talking about. lol But in all seriousness, it IS alot on little kids, so I dont expect them to be 100% all the time, and a break is definitely needed!! And I was going to save this one for the personal archives...but since were on the subject......

yep....even in the happiest place on earth.

Aaaawwwww!! I've definitely seen a face like that on several of my grandchildren (and even on my own kids when they were that small)! Definitely says "I've had enough for a while!" Usually nothing a nap or a snack won't cure.

You're absolutely right about the fact that you have to remember even in the Happiest Place On Earth kids like their routines and, especially with little ones, you have to pace yourself. My theory is it's better to have a GREAT vacation not having done or seen everything possible but with everyone having some great memories and a funny story or two to tell (about someone else of course!) AND that just leaves something undone that we have to go back and do next time!!

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

Hey, I'm joining the trip report train! I thought it was tough schlepping around my infant, I couldn't imagine an infant and 7 other children!! How on earth did you get the baby to sleep in a Pop room filled with other people!!?? My hat is definitely off to you!

Were actually part of the die hard POP following, and loved it. Besides, by the end of the night, everyone passed out as soon as their heads hit the pillow, so it ws no trouble getting him to sleep. During the day my man wasnt quite as thrilled to be in Disney though. You made one smart move wearing your baby there! lol I told my husband we should pack the mei tei, but he insisted the baby would be cool in the stroller. By the end of the trip,he was eating those words!!

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

well really 15, I need to change that. uncle to 13 and brother to 6 which includes one in-law. I walked A dog for a Ben and Julie Hansell, it just doesnt seem like a common name.

Yeah, thats crazy! Its not a common name at all, the only ones I know are my husbands family. Small world!

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

I'm really enjoying your tr.
Can't wait to read more!

I love your Mickey Pops.

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

Great trip report and pics, I can't wait to hear more! I have to say you are really brave parents to make that car trip with 8 kids including an infant and toddler. We also like to drive to Disney(we are from northen NJ)but, our first drive was when our youngest was 5 years old and it was rough! You have a beautiful family!

Thank you so much! Your screen name is awesome. Wish I had thought of a clever one.....one thats not the name of a cancelled 80s sitcom. It was the 80s, right? Somebody help me out here

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

if i ever seen anyone who looked tired in my life, it has to be you sitting on the bus.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.......um, thanks

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

A AND that just leaves something undone that we have to go back and do next time!!

Its the perfect excuse, isnt it????