Rides with 1 parent and 3 young kids

[ThreeLittleCritters]

DH hates Disney. Doesn't like it at all. The best day of our last trip to WDW was when I left him at the condo and took the 2 older kids to MK by myself. I could focus on having a fun time with the kids and not worrying about how my hubby was holding up. Dh was happy because he wasn't in the parks. I love the man, but a Disney trip is better without him. And he would agree.

Having said that... I'm considering taking a trip next May with 3 of my 4 kids. They will be 8, 6 & 4. The only part I'm wondering about it how we will manage rides. On 7DMT can the 8 & 6 year olds sit in the row in front of me and the 4 year old? On our last trip we rode Winnie the Pooh and the kids were in the front row and Hubby, Baby and I in the back and it was fine. So I guess I don't really understand the rules when it comes to kids riding without an adult. I know that there will be plenty of rides that we can all do together but the ones that are only 2 or 3 per row will be tricky. Any thoughts, tips or suggestions?

ETA: I can probably talk my Dad into coming with us if I decide that I need another set of hands. So there's always that option too.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

under 7 years old and the child has to ride with adult or someone over 14 years old. in your situation I would either have husband or a teen family friend come to help with rides esp coasters as most times 6 and 8 year old will be allowed to ride together even with you behind them in next row. also onany height limit ride, shorter child will not be allowed in line to wait even if not riding

 

[HopperFan]

I think you are going to run into some problems as PP stated. I was just there and saw a similar situation on 7DMT. The adults (grands I think) wanted to ride together and put the girls, maybe 10 and 6 in the seat in front of them. The CMs said no, the oldest child was not old enough to be responsible with the younger one so split up the adults and all will be fine. He created a scene and the train left without them. The CMs were firm that the girls were not going to be allowed on the train together. I imagine that this would be happening in many situations. I'd bring your Dad, what a great memory for your kids to have.

 

[ThreeLittleCritters]

Thank you guys for the input! Sounds like it's time to start buttering up my Daddy to get him to come along!

 

[MSSANDRA]

There will be some issues, and bringing dad might be a huge plus. but most rides you can make it work. Most rides you can ride with the two little ones and put the older one right in front of you. Unless anyone is larger than typical size, that will work. It might be an issue on the mine train, buz and TSM. Most rides like Peter Pan, Dumbo, Pooh and even BTMR, you can put three in a seat. Some, or even many CM might not question the 6 year old riding with an 8 year old. I have seen it go both ways but never count on that.An issue would be rides that the 4 year old cant rides, but both older kids do. It would just have to be understood, we all ride, or no one can ride. You 4 year old may well be 40 inches so that would be even less of an issue. Good luck!

 

[kohlby]

Buzz and TSM weren't issues for us. But it meant I didn't get to shoot. They will do three across (or one in a lap). When my youngest was 2, he preferred a lap for TSM anyway so he could aim better.

7SMT is a toughie though. That one is two across. Period. There's no way they could have three across. I wouldn't count on them letting the 6 and 8 year old ride together.

Also, you may not know what the 4 year old can handle until you're there. Even if the 4 year old is tall enough, that doesn't mean the child can handle some of those rides. So, my vote is to get another adult to go too! Or, go with the understanding that you'll have to miss some of the rides.