Splitting the family?

[Spotthecat]

We are a family of 5. Me, DH, and 3 boys who will be 5, 8 and 11 at the time of our trip. The 11 year old is the Harry Potter nut, the other two are skittish and just looking at stuff online, they'd not enjoy the HP stuff. We only have the one day before our cruise to enjoy the parks, and we'll be staying at one of the hotels that gives you the Unlimited Express pass. I've tried to figure out a touring plan that would maximize Harry Potter, but then throw in the kiddie rides too, but frankly I think it would be a waste for the younger two. We are thinking of splitting up - me and DS11 do the parks HP to the max, with anything else being gravy, while DH and the other two go to Seaworld for a fraction of the price and have a blast.

Anyone else split up the group with young children???

 

[mjhtvchick]

We are a family of 5. Me, DH, and 3 boys who will be 5, 8 and 11 at the time of our trip. The 11 year old is the Harry Potter nut, the other two are skittish and just looking at stuff online, they'd not enjoy the HP stuff. We only have the one day before our cruise to enjoy the parks, and we'll be staying at one of the hotels that gives you the Unlimited Express pass. I've tried to figure out a touring plan that would maximize Harry Potter, but then throw in the kiddie rides too, but frankly I think it would be a waste for the younger two. We are thinking of splitting up - me and DS11 do the parks HP to the max, with anything else being gravy, while DH and the other two go to Seaworld for a fraction of the price and have a blast.

Anyone else split up the group with young children???

We have never done that exactly but my daughter and I do often split from my husband (and brother, if he is with us) so we can do HP and they can go ride roller coasters or have a few drinks. We are all happier for it!

They could always do a pool day or head to Volcano Bay if they didn't want to go offsite.

 

[bessjlj]

My husband and I have split up in the parks often as the kids have their separate favorites/fears. We have a 5 and 8 year old and they like Harry Potter, but hate the dragon and dark alleys in Diagon Alley. We usually start out the day in Studios and take the train over to IOA. If you did this, you could do Diagon Alley with your oldest while your husband takes them to ET and Kids Zone (Fievel playground, Woody Woodpecker, Barney, and Curious George). There is an Animal Actors show close by as well...cheesy but my kids love it. My kids also like Despicable Me, Shrek 3D and for some reason Jimmy Fallon...one of them likes MIB, but it's a bit too scary for the 5 year old. You could all then take the train over to IOA and explore Hogsmeade together...enjoy Butterbeer, have lunch, ride Hippogriff then head to Jurassic. There is a fun playground and tame ride there in the kids area of Jurassic Park. Seuss Land is also in IOA. If you didn't want to do the two parks, then it might be nice for them to do a hotel pool day, Volcano Bay, catch a movie, or play mini golf.

I've been in a park plenty of times alone with my 5 & 8 year olds and it's fine, though exhausting...might be nice too for the older child to have time alone with you. I'm sure the younger ones would have a blast in Seaworld. I'm not much help. LOL

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Another option could be to pick a park for the youngsters and have DH just do that single park with them - would save a chunk of change over park-to-park, and allow you to all meet up for lunch and start/end the day together. Otherwise, SeaWorld would probably be a blast too... maybe a family vote?

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

I think this is a great idea...split up so everyone can enjoy what they like. For us, a lot of what we enjoy in the HP sections of the park is just strolling around and looking and seeing everything. It sounds like your younger kids would not enjoy that. If you are going to likely split up anyway while one parent takes one kid through HP and the other parent takes the other kids to the kiddie rides, you might as well save some money and let the others go to Sea World.

 

[skylock]

The only problem I see is the 11 yr old will miss out on seaworld. My most happiest place I have ever been and I have seen a lot. Plus, it will be before your cruise and if they watch for things, they will see some of the things in the ocean that they saw at seaworld.

On the other hand, I would hate for anyone to miss using the express pass.

Whatever you decide, I think it will be fine.