Strategy for older elementary kids with toddler?

[robinsegg]

Hi!
Hubby and I are taking our 10yo, 8yo and 1yo for our first trip to WDW this fall, during a Value Season. Any ideas on the best way to figure attractions with the age spread?
Thanks!
Rachel

 

[Maize&Blue]

I am posting this under my dh sign on because I can't seem to get into mine, but we have 4 kids 13, 10, 9, and 3 now and the last time we went to the world they were 12, turning 10 at the world, 8, and 2 almost 3.

The older ones understood that we would do as much as we could and see something for everyone. So we did the stuff the youngest loves like small world, and playhouse disney show. and then did the bigger rides like test track and splash mountain use the baby swap. this way my dh and I both got to ride the bigger rides and the older ones got to ride twice, which that thought was awesome. And there is so much for the whole family. when the youngest would get tired and cranky I would take him for a nap while dh took the rest and then we would meet up later, some times we set a time and place other times just used cellphones to find each other when we were ready to meet back up.

 

[InkspressYourself]

We only have 2 girls and they are 6 years apart. When dd1 was 7 and dd2 was 1 and under, we took the little one on anything we could and just played around while her dad and I took turns riding "bigger" rides.

After the youngest dd turned 2, she wanted to do more of her own rides, so we usually split up. I know some people don't like to do that, but I really don't mind. I think it's easier to focus on what one child wants to do than it is to try to keep 2 children happy. We would do what we could together, but for a few hours each day we went different ways. Sometimes we even went to different parks.

It worked for us

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My older kids were younger....than yours...

But with toddlers or otherwise height restricted kiddos--we always FP the bigger rides, hit the little kid rides and then do the bigger rides. This way--the toddler isn't stuck waiting a bunch. (And yes--made that mistake one trip when I realized my poor young son hadn't rode anything after 2-3 hours in the park. OOPS!)

 

[bedgraynexl]

We have the exact same spread. Our older two have been before and want to share with their little sis. As long as they do some of the things they want to they will be happy. DW and I will take turns taking DD1 back to the hotel for naps. Make a list of the must do rides for your older kids and balance it with rides for the little one.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

We have a 17, 13, 10 and almost 3. The older ones are excited about showing their little brother Disney world, but honestly I think they are more excited about child swap. Since your youngest can't ride the coasters you will be able to do this too. Say first you ride with the older 2 while your dh waits with the baby. Once they are done you wait with the baby while your dh rides with them. This is a big selling point.

 

[powellrj]

My kids are older now, but their ages are 27, 19 and 14. We always split up in the morning and I would take the older kids on the big rides and DH would take the younger kids one the kiddie rides. We would meet up for lunch and then stay together the rest of the day. We did this at all the different parks we have been to over the years and it really worked out well for us. DH doesn't like thrill type rides while I love them so he was always happy to spend the morning in the small ride areas while the big kids and I rode the big rides.