Mom with 3 kids, how to manage rides?

[Snyders22000]

My family is planning a trip to DL this October. My husbands work schedule recently changed and he will have to fly in one day later than myself and our kids (age 7, 6, 3). My youngest is around 38 inches so he will too short for some of the rides but ok to ride many.

We will fly in Friday early afternoon, and my husband will arrive around 2 pm Saturday. It's the first weekend in October which I think will be very busy due to Gay Day crowds. We are WDW vets and have been there during busy July so crowds don't scare me too much, although they are definitely something to consider .

I'd love to go ahead and take the kids to the parks either Friday evening or Saturday am (we only have 3 days for the parks so I hate to lose out on park time waiting for husband) but I'm wondering if there are even any rides that we'd all be able to ride together. Any rides that sit 4 across, or 3 across if they'd allow 3 year old to sit in my lap. Or would 7 and 6 year old be allowed to ride together in a row behind me and the young one or by themselves?

We are staying at DL Hotel so the early admission to parks will be a nice bonus. I figure we could go to the parks for a few hours first thing Saturday morning and then go back and swim at the hotel while we wait for my husband to arrive.

Is this doable? Thanks!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Seven year olds can ride by themselves, so on many of the dark rides your 7 & 6 year old can ride together while you ride with your little. Some of the cars have two rows so you can ride in the car together (I think Mr. Toads has 2 rows of seats. Also, for the fun of it, try the Main Street vehicles, like the horse carriage, fire truck, or upper level of the Omnibus. Casey Jr Circus train is fun with all of you in a cage (they have two of them), and that is a fun, adventurous ride for the younger children, and just fun for us. You can all ride Pirates of the Caribbean together, as well as the Jungle Cruise. You can see Tiki Room together, climb Tarzan's Treehouse, watch shows like Mickey's Magical Map, and go inside the Main Street Cinema. At California Adventure you can go to Bugs Land, can ride Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc, and explore the River Creek Challenge Trail. There are a lot of things you can do, maybe taking things a little slowly, while letting your 7-yr old be "responsible" as the older sibling on some of those attractions. When my son turned 7, he and my 6-yr old daughter delighted in riding "by themselves" with me either right behind them or in front of them, and with all of the entertainment around it really is fun even with one adult and three youngsters.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the 7-year-old should be able to ride alone per policy.

At Disneyland: IASM, PotC, Peter Pan (your 7 year old could ride alone and you could ride with the other 2), HM (again, your 7 year old would have to ride alone), Jungle Cruise, Submarines...You could also ask a CM that runs the queue for most of the dark rides. I think I've seen an older kid in the front and a parent with 2 kids in the back of most of the dark rides with 2 rows, but don't quote me on that. You could also see Mickey's Magical Map or check out the meet and greets.

At DCA: Little Mermaid (7 year old rides alone), Monster's Inc., Flik's Flyers, possibly Mater's Junkyard (again if 7 year old rides alone)...I'm blanking for some reason on the rides at DCA right now, but there are probably more. And for shows, there's always Frozen.

 

[rentayenta]

Of course its doable. Staying on site will make it easier for sure. Just remember some of the rides have age restrictions as far as riding without a parent/older sibling/etc.

When my kids were 7, 6, and 4ish I took them without DH. My oldest two so badly wanted to ride BTMRR but they were too young to ride in the car without me and obviously 4 people can't fit. I had the most wonderful CM take pity on us and offered to ride with my girls. It was amazing!

Plan to spend lots of time in FL or Bugsland where you won't run into those sorts of issues. You'll be fine on POTC as you can all sit in one row. Toontown will work too. Stay away from the big attractions as they most likely won't be allowed to ride alone even if you are in the car behind/in front of. In DCA there's the Little Mermaid ride and the Animation Academy too. Aside from rides billed as those for young children, your oldest two won't be able to ride without you directly riding with them.

My tales are from 12 years ago as my oldest is now 19 so things may have changed but it's doubtful.

You'll have an amazing time just stay where you know it'll be frustrating and disappointing.

 

[Bossy22]

Definitely doable!!! Some of the rides I can think of that you can all go on together are:
Tiki Room
Jungle Cruise
Pirates (if not too scary)
Tea Cups
Carousol
Storybook land canals
small world
Casey Junior circus train
nemos submarine
then there is character meets, shows, etc Tonnes more at CA as well.

 

[Geemo]

You'll do just fine!
Early entry will be nice on Saturday. Gets you in and through a few rides before it can get crowded.
As you can see from all the recommendations there's be plenty to do. My group likes the shooting range in FrontierLand.

We're there the same time as you. Arriving Saturday around 10am for five days.
I don't put too much stock into the crowd prediction. I know the parks are busy all the time now a days.
I'll be the Grandma with 3 kids. My three oldest grandkids (DGD18, DGS21 and DGD23) will be join me on this trip.
We'll have a blast!!


Geemo

 

[smartlabelprint]

Def go to the park!

 

[Malcon10t]

Is this doable? Thanks!

This is VERY doable. On rides like Mr. Toad's, your older two can ride in the seat in front of you and the younger child. If you have to be in separate vehicles (ie Peter Pan, Dumbo) your 7yo can ride in a vehicle and you and the younger 2 can ride together. The 6yo generally will not be allowed to ride alone with the 7yo. (My granddaughter is 5, and wanted to ride with her 12 and 10yo cousins on Mater's and was told no, she had to be with someone 14 or older.)

But there is so much you can do it would be worth it.

 

[disneychrista]

Fantasyland
Pinocchio, Snow White & Alice have two rows per ride vehicle, so you can all go in one.
Peter Pan & Toad - 7yo can ride by himself and you and the other two can ride together.
Small World, Carousel, Tea Cup, Casey Jr. & Storybook - can all ride together.

Pirates - no issues
Haunted Mansion should all be able to ride together, if not 7yo can ride alone.
Pooh has 3 rows with 2 - 3 per row, so no issues.
Nemo Subs - no issues
Explore Star Wars displays in old circle vision building. Watch Star Wars show.

Honestly, there is very little you won't be able to do. You should have plenty to keep busy Saturday AM until your husband arrives in the afternoon/evening.

 

[Snyders22000]

Thanks for all of the replies! It sounds like we can definitely hit a lot of rides and save some of the big kid rides for rider swap when my husband arrives.

One other question. Should I fly into SNA (John Wayne) airport vs LAX when I fly in with just me and the kids. We're coming from Nashville. It would be a direct flight into LAX and add a 1 hr layover in St Louis if we fly into SNA. I've heard SNA is much smaller and more convenient transportation wise. Plus I'll be wrangling my kids, stroller and luggage, so smaller does sound more appealing. Is SNA that much easier to navigate that it's worth sacrificing a direct flight?

 

[rentayenta]

SNA is so much better than LAX. Are there any options to fly into Long Beach (LGB)? Its even smaller and silly easy to navigate and only a few miles further but coming from the other direction than SNA.

 

[Malcon10t]

Thanks for all of the replies! It sounds like we can definitely hit a lot of rides and save some of the big kid rides for rider swap when my husband arrives.

One other question. Should I fly into SNA (John Wayne) airport vs LAX when I fly in with just me and the kids. We're coming from Nashville. It would be a direct flight into LAX and add a 1 hr layover in St Louis if we fly into SNA. I've heard SNA is much smaller and more convenient transportation wise. Plus I'll be wrangling my kids, stroller and luggage, so smaller does sound more appealing. Is SNA that much easier to navigate that it's worth sacrificing a direct flight?

From a mom who wrangled 4 kids thru airports - SNA!! (Or LGB if available.)