How to save time or accomplish more?

[minmate]

Just back from WDW... Does anyone else feel like when they write down what they did it wasn't nearly as much as they thought it was while doing it? Is it just b/c we have four kids (6, 5, 4, 2) that the stroller stuff, potty breaks, handling little personalities takes up enormous amounts of time? I feel like it's hard to write down the little things that fill the time too... stopping to look at topiaries, etc. What seems to be eating up all my time that when I write down what we did, it seems like it shouldn't take up as much time as it has? Anyone else feel this way? Did we really manage to accomplish a lot for a family of 6 w/little kids? Would renting a car have saved time? Could we have saved more time or made better use of our time or did we do a pretty good job?


Tues 4/5
2:30 Arrive, take FLTours to Pop
Check-in... kids play w/hoola hoops, chalk and check out movie room with dh.
3ish -- Rooms are immediately ready. Luggage already in them.
Pack, change, head to Hippy Dippy pool to relax and eat late lunch (from Food court).
4:30 Back to Hotel Room, Change clothes, Head to Poly (via bus to MK/boat to Poly)
6 Arrive an hour early for our PS at Kona Cafe. Get seated early.
7:15-9:45 Hang out on beach at Poly to watch FW.
Head back to Pop

WED 4/6
AK am (not EMH, but EMH eve was night before).
Late arrival (10 ish)
Breakfastasaurus
Ride Triceratop Spin
Boneyard (almost 30 mins)
Tarzan Rocks
... Give up on rest of park (getting hot, kids getting anxious to be at MK)
Head back to POP.
1 hour swim
Kids nap for 2+ hours.
5ish -- Head to MK for Eve EMH
6pm PS @ Crystal Palace
1/2 of Cinderellabration
By 7, get FP for BTMR (FP's for Splash all gone, stand-by 50 mins)
Get our wristbands for EMH
Ride POTC
Buy out the POTC store (ds4 LOVES POTC).
Tree House (kids insisted)
Magic Carpets
BTMR (2x) -- once during Wishes Fireworks... cool.
9:15 -- EMH Has begun:
HM
Small World
(FP Peter Pan)
Philharmagic
(FP Pooh)
Peter Pan
Stitch (What is this???? Should've done Space Mtn. instead!)
Buzz
Tea Cups
Pooh
Dumbo
Check out inside of castle, head home
LONG Line at Pop bus stop, but busses coming one after the other, some, two at a time.
Get back to hotel by 1-1:30 a.m.

THURS 4/7
Sleep in (til 9)
DTD 9-12:30 (shop, Lego Land)
Swim @ Pop
3:30 Head to Epcot (for EMH eve)
(check on Soarin' -- no go)
Living Seas (highlight Turtle Talk and seeing the dolphin perform)
Figment
Dinner at Le Cellier (yum!)
(light rains when we get out)
Spaceship Earth
M:S (walked on)
Get Bracelets for EMH eve
El Rio
Maelstrom
Watch IllumiNations
(Kids tired and cranky so we skip TT and second go-round on M:S and head for hotel).

FRI 4/8
6:30 am up and gettin' ready for MK EMH
7:10 Bus to MK (get there by 7:35)
4th family in line at our turnstile...
Get strollers (I add this here b/c it was an ordeal!)
Split up -- big kids and dh to SM, me and lil kids to FL.
Meet and Greet w/Tweedle Dee and Dum
Ride Tea Cups (get call SM is down. I have the tix. I run get FP's but dh took big kids on TTA).
Lil kids and I ride Buzz.
We all meet up and ride Buzz (again)
Golden Carousel
Check out Sword in Stone
POTC
Splash
RR to Toon Town
Check out Toon Town (Briefly)
Barnstormer
Dh takes big kids to FP for Space
Lunch at Cosmic Ray's
COP
Check out swords in castle shop (highlight for ds4).
1 - Head back to Pop

Short swim/short rest

4 -- On bus to MGM
(FP'd TOT & RnR -- we have 5 tix and not all kids can/want to ride these, so we can simultaneously FP these and ride switch)
Star Tours (2x)
Hollywood & Vine (Fantasmic Pkg)
TOT
RNR
HISTK Playground
7:48 Head to Fantasmic!
Back to hotel and in bed by 10:15

SATURDAY 4/9 FREE DAY
Dad was supposed to arrive today but snafu meant he didn't. Kids got to plan the day, but we'd decided to have it be a non-park day.
Sleep-in (8ish)
Swim
Do Laundry
Goofy Sprayers
Tour hotel
Playground
Arcade
Eat
Get Dressed to go to DVC Mtg.
1:40 Get picked up & go to SSR for DVC meet.
(ahhh, 2 hours kid free -- lol!)
Ice Cream at DVC
Go to Boardwalk to check it out
Arcade time
Ride boat to Beach club -- hang out on the beach
Back to Pop for dinner and bed.

SUNDAY 4/10
8ish Bus to Epcot
See Char Bus at Rope Drop
Walk on M:S
Universe of Energy
Figment
ImageWorks
Character Bus Meet and Greets
Princess Lunch at Akershus
Walked WS searching for Dopey -- only saw Snow White
Tried on hats and took goofy pics with them and other items in WS
American Adventure
2ish -- 25 min Boat ride to MGM (didn't realize it took that long).
FP RNR and TOT
Animation of Disney
M&G Incredibles (Only Mrs. I and Frozone there)
Mad Dash to meet JoJo and Goliath (didn't realize they would be in parade and didn't need to do this)
RNR
Snack break
Star Tours
Parade (awesome character interaction w/kids)
Backlot Tour
One Man's Dream
Sounds Dangerous (don't need to do that again!)
Walk-on at TOT but kids are tired and none want to join me, so we skip it. (I know, I know... but I didn't want to make them all wait just for me!)
Back to hotel and in room by 9:05 (in time to watch Desperate Housewives! lol)

MONDAY 4/11
Head to GF (via MK bus and mono) for kids' Pirate Cruise (9:30-11:30)
Dh, dd2 and I have breakfast at Gasparilla Grill.
(no flames pls.) Swim for 1/2 hour at GF with dd2 who was feeling sad she didn't get to do pirate cruise-- only one other family was there.
Pick up kids
Head back to Pop
Swim
Nap (kids)
Pack up
7 p.m. PS @ Chef Mickey's
8:30 Magical Gatherings Wishes Fireworks Voyage (great!)
(met disney4me4ever and Mr. D4M4E... nice couple!)
Meet and greets with Mr. Smee, Capt Hook and after cruise, Peter Pan.
Head back to Pop.

TUESDAY 4/12
O'hana's at Poly for Bkfast at 10:50. Went via Bus to Epcot. Rode up front in monorail to MK. Switched monorail to Poly.
Kids danced in parade at O'Hana's
Back to hotel to swim until 3.
Arcade
Depart for home!

 

[lentesta]

Hi minmate,

I think the only criterion for success most people use is whether they had fun. So if you did, and I hope you did, it was a good vacation.

Len

 

[minmate]

Yep. It was a really fun vacation. I wish we'd been able to do Soarin' and the Stunt Show, but those were a bit out of our control. We didn't want to spend all of our time seeking out these opportunities, just if we happened upon them. Other than those two things, there really wasn't one thing we missed that we had our hearts set on this time around.

I guess we did everything we set out to do and more. However, maybe b/c we did a good deal of ride switching and our dd2 is a daredevil but too short, I felt like she had to just hang out a lot and consequently felt anxious during the pre-show for a lot of stuff. Does that make sense?

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Wow! I'd say that given the ages of your kids you did alot!

Let's not forget one thing, did everyone have a good time? If yes then your trip was a hit.

In your case you have to go with how your kids feel and the fact that they were up for evening EMH is amazing..... The fact that you always had a break for naps and swim must of helped them tremendously. I wish I could get my 2 DDs to do this but they are too old for this, so I have a hard time getting them up in the morning....

 

[L107ANGEL]

I think you were able to do alot more than most peolpe, including myself. I hope you had a wonderfull time!!

 

[minmate]

Yes. I think we all had a really good time. Dh is looking forward to going back again... in the future. We did have to cut some things short and re-adjust b/c of the kids and issues that came up. I just wonder how differently things stack up with the kids compared to what we "may" be able to expect when they get older.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Sounds like you did a lot!!

Did you have fun and make lots of family memories? That's my number one priority. And I bet you did. We have 4 kids also, and I completely understand the feeling of time spent doing "stuff" that seems like you could have done another attraction or whatever. But whatever even the little ones remember, they can look forward to another trip someday.

Mine were a bit older last time we were there, (spanning 8 to 18 yrs) and when they're older, you're not pushing strollers, but seems like they argue more about where to go and what to do next. Seems like DH and I weren't as much in control about those things as when they were smaller.

However, another thing about them being older was we could let the two oldest go off on their own and meet up with us later (with cell phones to keep in contact).

IMO you did great! I still have memories of the babies in strollers and just barely being able to walk around the World. That being said, I'm really looking forward to our trip in 10 days when DH and I can be big kids and do whatever we want!!

 

[Aidensmom]

You did a lot more than we ever do, and we only have 1 child!

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

minmate, I think you did wonderfully. Glad everyone had a great time, and Happy Birthday!

 

[iLoveEeyore2]

I know what you mean. I always leave thinking we didn't do much, but once I'm home I realize what a great time we had and that we did do a lot. I especially notice it once I start going through the pictures.

On another note, I always have these dreams (or nightmares!) that we are at WDW and our vacation is about to end and we haven't visited any of the parks!!!!

 

[Leota]

On another note, I always have these dreams (or nightmares!) that we are at WDW and our vacation is about to end and we haven't visited any of the parks!!!!

OMG! That's my Pre-Trip Nightmare to a Tee! *Phew* I'm not the only one who does that.....

Minmate - Sounds like you did alot & that everyone had a great time. So much of Disney is in the details & the little spontaneous moments of joy - the look on a child's face, the taste of a Mickey Bar, the feeling that washes over you when you walk down Main St..... Those little moments are the things that make trips so great. Every bit as much as the attractions for me. They are also the things hardest to put down on paper.....

Touring definately changes as your kids get older. I only have one - But I can tell you that each year is a different style as he has grown from 4 to 16 going to WDW.....

 

[iLoveEeyore2]

Touring definately changes as your kids get older. I only have one - But I can tell you that each year is a different style as he has grown from 4 to 16 going to WDW.....[/QUOTE]

OMG! That's the same here! Only I have a DD. We started going when she was 4 and she just turned 16 yesterday! You're right, things sure do change!

 

[Eeyore2003]

I think with four little kids you did FANTASTIC. Even WITHOUT for little kids that's fantastic!!! The thing that I read between the lines was that you had a wonderful relaxing time and I kept thinking how perfectly you did everything. I'm sure with 4 kids, it wasn't extremely relaxing for you, but you did all the right things, and really added lots of variety. Letting the kids choose a day was a wonderful idea too.

If a ride wasn't "feasible" rather than waiting in line, you just dropped it. You took breaks, you napped, you did other things than the parks. AND the biggest thing you said, that when the kids weren't having any fun anymore you switched gears.

I feel so sorry for the kids when they are hot, tired and cranky and the parents are standing there arguing and yelling and they should just stop and take a break. The parks are really a "kid overload" nightmare. LOTS of fun, but too much of a good thing at times.

When we were there in July, my brother and SIL saw a dad literally SLUG his kid. It was awful they said. I was abused as a kid, and I think if I'd have seen it I'd have been tempted to go up and slug him back. Probably wouldn't have, but I might have said something to him.

Well, off the track, you did excellent and get an A+ for a wonderful job!!!

 

[minmate]

Thank you Eeyore! I found on last year's trips they seemed to be wanting more pool time. I think this is funny personally, because we can go swimming whenever we want (almost) at the local Y, where I work and we swim a lot in the summers, in our blow up pool, friends' pools and the beach. I know they don't have the same "theming" -- but still. So this time around, I planned for swimming pretty much every day. I blocked off 2-3 hours sometimes. I found that often after about 1-1 1/2 hours they were good! It is so unpredictable to tell how they will feel. AND, if they will all feel the same. I'm not yet comfortable with splitting up TOO TOO much as dh isn't quite park savvy. He relies on me to lead us. For example, he called me in a panic b/c he couldn't find Cosmic Ray's from Space Mountain because it wasn't on the map! Um, yeah, see what I mean?

 

[minmate]

Thank you Eeyore! I found on last year's trips they seemed to be wanting more pool time. I think this is funny personally, because we can go swimming whenever we want (almost) at the local Y, where I work and we swim a lot in the summers, in our blow up pool, friends' pools and the beach. I know they don't have the same "theming" -- but still. So this time around, I planned for swimming pretty much every day. I blocked off 2-3 hours sometimes. I found that often after about 1-1 1/2 hours they were good! It is so unpredictable to tell how they will feel. AND, if they will all feel the same. I'm not yet comfortable with splitting up TOO TOO much as dh isn't quite park savvy. He relies on me to lead us. For example, he called me in a panic b/c he couldn't find Cosmic Ray's from Space Mountain because it wasn't on the map! Um, yeah, see what I mean? So, it's more desirable to do things together -- which means waiting around sometimes, but we'd probably spend just as much time in recconnaissance anyway!

 

[deez1966]

minmate - I think you did a great job. I copied your plan to my working file to reference for our trip later this year!

Your first day looks exactly like how my first day is planned - one question how did you get back to POP after the FW from the Beach at the Poly? I haven't quite figured out the best way to do that yet.

 

[LeeAnn]

Hi minmate,

I'm impressed. I think you had accomplished allot and had a good time. Wow!

I'm also impressed with the ages of your kids. They are so close in age. I have two kids who are 16 months apart. Most people thought I was crazy. You should have seen the looks I got when they saw me (pregrant) with my little daughter at the supermarket. They were nice but thought I was crazy. I would like another child and close in age with the others. Can you image the looks I would get. Did you experience this? And how do you manage? I know it off the topic.

We are going WDW in Oct and DD will be 2-3/4 yr and DS will 1-1/2yr. We know it's different with kids but just as great (if not better). We took our DD at 9-months and were surprise at what a great time we all had. Hope we have a great trip this upcoming trip.

Going take some ideas from your trip. Thanks.

 

[minmate]

Hi minmate,

I'm impressed. I think you had accomplished allot and had a good time. Wow!

I'm also impressed with the ages of your kids. They are so close in age. I have two kids who are 16 months apart. Most people thought I was crazy. You should have seen the looks I got when they saw me (pregrant) with my little daughter at the supermarket. They were nice but thought I was crazy. I would like another child and close in age with the others. Can you image the looks I would get. Did you experience this? And how do you manage? I know it off the topic.

We are going WDW in Oct and DD will be 2-3/4 yr and DS will 1-1/2yr. We know it's different with kids but just as great (if not better). We took our DD at 9-months and were surprise at what a great time we all had. Hope we have a great trip this upcoming trip.

Going take some ideas from your trip. Thanks.

Sure, I get tons of comments... most often, "Boy, You've Got You're Hands Full!" To which I smile and reply, "Full Hands, Full Heart!" I can only think of one or two occasions where someone's comments affected me or made me feel bad. I am pretty hard on myself so I don't really need to look outside of myself for that. However, I am so happy with the ages of my kids and feel so blessed, that even in the challenging times, I simply can not and would not trade it for any other combination. I know there are pros and cons to family size, dynamics and spacing. But, when I hear or get comments that seem inconsiderate of my choices (b/c we planned our family this way), I choose to consider myself a part of a special club... I am strong enough, brave enough, loving, patient and creative enough to accomplish this special way of mothering. And make no mistake, it does require all of the aforementioned, and it is does have its differences. But God doesn't give you what you can't handle. I believe that.

 

[donnajon]

I have four sisters and people used to tell my mom, "Thank God I don't have 5 girls!" to which my mom would reply, "I thank God everyday that I do!"
Anyway, on our last trip to WDW, each day I asked my 3 kids and DH what their favorite memory/thing to do was and that is what I wrote down. It's kind of neat to look back and see what everyone enjoyed most everyday!

 

[minmate]

I have four sisters and people used to tell my mom, "Thank God I don't have 5 girls!" to which my mom would reply, "I thank God everyday that I do!"
Anyway, on our last trip to WDW, each day I asked my 3 kids and DH what their favorite memory/thing to do was and that is what I wrote down. It's kind of neat to look back and see what everyone enjoyed most everyday!

I actually do that same thing too! A lot of times I know the answers. Other times they surprise me!