Large Families

[Reese]

We have five kids and this is our first Disney trip. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to do Disney with kids of varying ages. I thought it might be easier for me to take the younger ones to some character meet and greets and DH take the older kids to some of the "big kid" rides. DH thoughts are it's a family vacation and he wants us to stay together. What have others done. When we go in Feb our youngest will be 21 months and our oldest will be 13.

TIA

 

[stahshee]

well I have 4 kids 13,8 2, 4 I have gone many times with the various ages. You will prob have to split up have hubby take the older ones in the morning and then you guys can switch during the afternoon! You will have a blast. I dont care what any one says my 1 yr old had a great time and my three year old at the time still remembers going.

 

[YesI'mObsessed]

On our last trip there were 7 kids age 9 to 2. We basically stayed together but while they went on one ride, we went on another. For example, at Tommorowland, they did Space Mountain we did Astro Orbiter. The older kids didn't want anything to do with the baby rides and the younger ones were fine with riding one or two in each section of the park. Or while they rode a ride, we'd find a nice quiet shady spot and rest, or have a snack. It actually worked out very nice. It was quite relaxing. HTH.

 

[dsnymomof4]

We have 4 kids - 11,8,7, and 4. On our trip in July, we pretty much stayed together walking around the parks. However, DD4 was a little more selective about her rides this year (last year she rode ToT, this year she didn't like anything that was dark). So, sometimes, DH or I would do child swap or once DH took the 2 girls on the teacups while I took the other to on TTA then met up afterwards. But basically, we had the same idea that we're a family and we stuck together. The kids compromised - maybe DS11 would rather have been on Space Mountain then on Dumbo, but we all went on as a family and have great pictures!

 

[mrsmom]

I have four kids 19, 13, 11, 7 , When we go to disney we stay together most of the time and we wait and get a treat while the other ones are riding or doing something. But if we need to separate I take the younger ones while he takes the older and we take turns that way too.
Kim

 

[powellrj]

I only have 3 kids, but I have a huge age gap between them. (22, 14, 9) We usually split up to ride the rides. DH will take the younger ones and I take the older ones and we met for lunch. Then we stay together as a family for the parades and will ride the rides everyone can ride together. This works out well because you can get the headliners out of the way early when there is no line with the older kids and then by the time you are ready for lunch, they have seen and ridden most of what they wanted to do for the day.

 

[Reese]

Neither one of us really have any idea of what to expect so I'm trying to cover all the basis, KWIM. Is the fastpass only for those staying on the resort?

 

[liquid]

http://www.touringplans.com/etp2/etp_home.php?parkID=1

Take a look at this page - if you scroll down there is a link to a "Happy Family" touring plan. This is the sort of thing I am hoping to do in all the parks, and I'm reading through the Unofficial Guide now to see if I can put together a flexible plan that keeps everyone happy. We are willing to split up occasionally, but not all day!

Hope this helps...

 

[dismom9761]

Fastpass is for everyone.I have 4 kids and we used alot of the baby swap.The older ones took turns getting to ride things twice.