Help, first time with family of 5

[Bethminor]

Hi all, I wanted to let you know how glad I am I found this place! My DH's boss is paying for us to go to WDW in April (Easter week). Not sure yet where we will be staying but I know we will be flying from NY and probably be staying onsite.

So now for the questions....as of April my children (all boys) will be 6, 3 and 5 months. Where do I even start? Do I need to bring car seats? Not sure if the baby will have his own seat or not, I'll be finding out all the details this week I hope. Should I get a double stroller to bring with us? My 3 yr old is special needs and will probably NOT walk the whole time. What should I put in our carry on bags? Should I bring one for each child?

Is it possible for my DH and I to split up on rides so one of us can stay with the baby at all times? Are there rides that will allow us to carry our infant on the ride with us? I would hate to have to split up all the time.

The last time I personally have been to WDW was 1995? (it was the year they had the 25th anniversary and the castle as a big pink cake) and as an adult I went with another adult, so going with 3 kids will make the experience much different. Also DH is 29 and has NEVER been to WDW or any of their parks.

I guess that's a good start, lol. Any and all advice would be appreciated!

 

[Rowlf]

Hi all, I wanted to let you know how glad I am I found this place! My DH's boss is paying for us to go to WDW in April (Easter week). Not sure yet where we will be staying but I know we will be flying from NY and probably be staying onsite.

So now for the questions....as of April my children (all boys) will be 6, 3 and 5 months. Where do I even start? Do I need to bring car seats? Not sure if the baby will have his own seat or not, I'll be finding out all the details this week I hope. Should I get a double stroller to bring with us? My 3 yr old is special needs and will probably NOT walk the whole time. What should I put in our carry on bags? Should I bring one for each child?

Is it possible for my DH and I to split up on rides so one of us can stay with the baby at all times? Are there rides that will allow us to carry our infant on the ride with us? I would hate to have to split up all the time.

The last time I personally have been to WDW was 1995? (it was the year they had the 25th anniversary and the castle as a big pink cake) and as an adult I went with another adult, so going with 3 kids will make the experience much different. Also DH is 29 and has NEVER been to WDW or any of their parks.

I guess that's a good start, lol. Any and all advice would be appreciated!

Beth, is it possible to go any week other than Easter week? It's going to be quite crowded then. You will NEED car seats (if you are renting a car) for the two littler ones. If you aren't renting a car, car seats are not required.

You can rent double strollers in the parks, if you want. It's up to you if you'll need one at the resort or in the airport.

Put in your carry ons whatever you'll need for the flight! You CAN bring one for each child, but you don't have to.

Yes, you can baby-swap at most rides. One of you waits in line (asking to do a baby-swap), then, typically, the second parent gets to go to the head of the line after the first parent gets off.

There are some rides you can take the baby on. Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh, Pirates, Small World, etc.

 

[staci]

Hi all, I wanted to let you know how glad I am I found this place! My DH's boss is paying for us to go to WDW in April (Easter week). Not sure yet where we will be staying but I know we will be flying from NY and probably be staying onsite.

Have fun! It will be AWESOME!!!!

So now for the questions....as of April my children (all boys) will be 6, 3 and 5 months. Where do I even start? Do I need to bring car seats? Not sure if the baby will have his own seat or not, I'll be finding out all the details this week I hope.
As the pp said, you will need car seats in a rental car. If you take Magical Express (disneys shuttle from the airport) you will be on a bus and it is not required by law to have them.

Should I get a double stroller to bring with us? My 3 yr old is special needs and will probably NOT walk the whole time.

I would either buy one (if you think your 3 year old will need it at the airport/hotel/walk to the buses, etc). OR consider just taking a smaller comfortable one from home for the little one, and renting a single or double in the parks. The strollers are accomodating for older children, so with a double even your 6 year old could rest if necessary. But a park stroller WOULD NOT work for a 5 month old. Definitely bring something from home for the baby.

[BWhat should I put in our carry on bags? Should I bring one for each child?
USE those carryons!!! I filled on up with snacks for the plane/hotel room. cereal bars, apple juice boxes, raisins, suckers for ear pressure, rice krispie bars, bananas, etc. Then one with toys: color books, normal books, matchbox cars, and a bunch of other things picked up at the dollar store before we left home. In another you will want diapers, swimsuits (in case the luggage doesnt arrive immediately) and probably a change of clothes (in case one of the kiddos gets airsick onthemselves or you).

Is it possible for my DH and I to split up on rides so one of us can stay with the baby at all times? Are there rides that will allow us to carry our infant on the ride with us? I would hate to have to split up all the time.

Yes, you can do baby swap for the roller coaster type stuff. Most of the rides you will all be able to go on together.

The last time I personally have been to WDW was 1995? (it was the year they had the 25th anniversary and the castle as a big pink cake)

1997

and as an adult I went with another adult, so going with 3 kids will make the experience much different. Also DH is 29 and has NEVER been to WDW or any of their parks.

I guess that's a good start, lol. Any and all advice would be appreciated!

Any other questions feel free to ask!! Once you find out your dates for sure, make sure to call and get your ADRS set up ASAP. i would highly recommend at least one character meal, your kids are at perfect ages and likely if you return, they will be too old to appreciate it next time.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Congrats!!! That trip is coming up PRETTY QUICKLY! If you don't have your hotel booked already, I suggest you get right on that if you want to stay onsite! It is probably close to sell out for that week, since most kids are out of school!

Definitely start making ADRs for a bunch of places...and I mean ASAP. At least one character meal is a must for kids your age!

I totally agree with everything else the other posters said.

HAVE FUN PLANNING!!!

 

[Bethminor]

Unfortunately all the reservations and purchasing is being done by my hubby's boss. I have nothing to choose. Once he makes all the reservations I'm gonna call the hotel and Disney and see if I can get a few extras. At the least I will need a refrigerator in the hotel room for the baby's formula. Also I don't know if he's gonna get single day tickets or park hoppers. If he gets single day tickets can I transfer them to park hoppers? We'll probably only do one park a day anyway. Also I think I have one day left on a ticket I have from 1997. Its a park hopper, is that still usable? I don't think they expired back then.


What is an ADR? How do I make a character meal reservation?

 

[kathyjacks]

i'lll be there the same time for ten days. maybe i will see you there

 

[MELSMICE]

Unfortunately all the reservations and purchasing is being done by my hubby's boss. I have nothing to choose. Once he makes all the reservations I'm gonna call the hotel and Disney and see if I can get a few extras. At the least I will need a refrigerator in the hotel room for the baby's formula. Also I don't know if he's gonna get single day tickets or park hoppers. If he gets single day tickets can I transfer them to park hoppers? We'll probably only do one park a day anyway. Also I think I have one day left on a ticket I have from 1997. Its a park hopper, is that still usable? I don't think they expired back then.


What is an ADR? How do I make a character meal reservation?

If you are staying deluxe or moderate you will have a fridge in the room. If staying at a value you'll have to request a fridge. When you find out where you're staying call Disney to see if that resort has port-a-cribs for your baby.

I would suggest getting a double stroller that you can also use in the airport. I'm almost positive you can wheel it right up to the door of the plane & then they will store it for you. (we had a double umbrella for our twins & our oldest just walked).

You can use your old ticket, & yes, it still should be a hopper, but if someone else is paying for tickets on this trip I would save it for another time.

ADR's are Advanced Dining Reservations. It's similiar to a reservation. You can call for character meals 90 days in advance I believe (we're out of that stage, so it's been a while since I've made them!)

Easter is very busy. Take it easy, take breaks during the day & try to relax as much as possible. We'll be there at the same time, enjoy!