Taking 4 young kids by myself week leading to Easter--need advice

[starsweeper]

I decided this morning to brave the 15-hour drive to take my 4 young kids (8,8,4,3) to WDW for spring break (Sat, March 28 - Thurs, Apr 2). We're staying at POR and our focus for most days will be MK (our favorite park). So far, my plan is as follows:

Sat (arrive mid-day) AK - FP+ Safari, Lion King, Nemo (1:00-5:30pm), checkin and have dinner
Sun (MK rope drop) FP+ Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates (11:10am-2:00pm), return to room, maybe return for 2-3 hours in the evening or check out Epcot Flower and Garden Festival one evening?
...

1. Does this schedule look promising for dealing with the crowds and 2 preschoolers?

2. I have 2 8-year-olds that can ride anything now. Would you let them FP+ BTMRR or similar rides by themselves (I would hang out nearby with the little ones)?

3. Any tips you can give for being so outnumbered and managing the parks?

Thanks!

 

[Eastern]

I would definitely have a double stroller for the two toddlers. You need to be able to manage them if they get tired and can't walk.

This will be a lot of work, as you know. So I think I would plan on rope drop or near rope drop, then when everyone is tired, back to the hotel for swimming and relaxing and looking for lizards.

I just think it's a lot to go back in the evening. Making me tired just thinking about it.

 

[JaxDad]

Wow! You are a good and courageous mommy! I've been afraid to take my two to Disney by myself and only just recently ventured to Sea WOrld with them. I think your plan so far sounds great. I'm not a Disney commando, but with the challenges you will have, I will only recommend that you keep you expectations realistic and enjoy the little things. Your children are not going to care about executing the perfect touring plan. They are going to just love being there. Make sure each child gets to do their favorite thing, but otherwise take it easy and have fun. Enjoy some less stressful things like the resort, Downtown Disney, or some off-site attractions.

 

[starsweeper]

Wow! You are a good and courageous mommy! I've been afraid to take my two to Disney by myself and only just recently ventured to Sea WOrld with them. I think your plan so far sounds great. I'm not a Disney commando, but with the challenges you will have, I will only recommend that you keep you expectations realistic and enjoy the little things. Your children are not going to care about executing the perfect touring plan. They are going to just love being there. Make sure each child gets to do their favorite thing, but otherwise take it easy and have fun. Enjoy some less stressful things like the resort, Downtown Disney, or some off-site attractions.

Oh, we're definitely not doing this commando style. I essentially have 4 days to complete MK so I know we can pace ourselves and go with their interests. I'm just trying to maximize our morning/early afternoons, and if we feel up to an early evening at the parks then that will be fine too.

 

[Luv2trav]

I wouldn't let 8year old ride something by themselves. That's just me. You are certainly brave doing it alone but it's doable.

 

[CaLuCa]

I'm taking my four too (almost 12, 4, 4, and 2) Sunday thru Wednesday, but our drive is about half of yours. I honestly think that part will be the hardest. Do you drive straight through?

Our plan is similar with emh MK mornings...everyone is up anyway! and F&G afternoons strolling around Epcot while little ones snooze in the stroller. I did get a Wishes FP+ for one night just to see what it is like from the new viewing spots.

As far as rides, we only do things that all of us can do together. My DD11 does not do scary/thrilling rides, and I just don't feel I can leave her with the 2 year old so I can take the 4 year old twins on their "This is AWESOME" rides. But there is plenty to do without hitting the headliners. Even though we all really like character meals, we don't do buffets because I find it to be just too chaotic with only one adult. I don't do much CS either because my kids are the champions of snacks and eating while waiting for a parade or a show. Another key is bathroom breaks where everyone goes. None of this business where you tell me you don't have to pee when we're all in the bathroom and we have to get out of line 15 minutes later to take you.

As a recovering commando, it's a different pace and strategy, but then so is having four kids!

 

[tmbacon]

Wow, I commend you. I think it sounds like a very fun adventure! Looks like you've been at WDW enough to know the lay of the land; have you been there during Spring Break though? We've been there at least a couple times during SB and it's quite a zoo. But it can be done. I guess I only have two comments: 1) if you haven't already, make sure you've got your contact info/cell number on all your children, and/or, discuss how or what to do if someone gets lost, 2) I would be OK with the 8-yr olds doing a ride by themselves. Not everyone will agree with this, but I have an 8-year old and he would be just fine going on by himself. You know your kids best. And you've got two of them at that age, so there's "power in numbers". Good luck!

 

[baler31]

My kids rode alone at that age and had no problems. Only you know your kids. My kids traverse the parks and transportation by themselves but I know most do not approve of this. I am sure you will have a wonderful trip, to me the drive is more problematic than the trip.

 

[delmar411]

I think you have a solid plan. Definitely bring a double stroller for the littles. The 8yr olds will be fine. My kids have been going on the rides since long before the enforced the age 7 thing (they are all old enough now so I can say that) and all survived to tell the tales. LOL having the 2 8yr olds will be really helpful for rides like Haunted Mansion since they will have to ride together while you ride with the younger 2.

I wouldnt attempt the evening crowds (fireworks time) unless the kids were really behaving well and werent tired. Those crowds can be really heavy and crushing and you need the 8yr olds to stick close to you and probably hold onto your shirt or the stroller just so you know they are close.

 

[MmmSuite]

Yay Mama! You rock!!!!!

My oldest is 8 and the middle will be 7 next month. I would probably let them ride alone, especially with FP+.

 

[carwesty]

I am taking my 3 kids by myself too over Spring Break, and the key for us is staying at the Contemporary. I would so suggest that, especially if you plan to spend your time at MK. The walk there/back is so easy. It will be worth the extra money, we plan to only get on the bus a few time during our trip. I would let mine ride rides alone too, there are so many helpful CM's, they will totally help you out, waiting at the exit, etc. Have a great trip!

 

[gules]

I'd say that 8 is fine if they're only in the FP+ line and you see them in and wait for them to get out. It depends on the kids, though. Assuming they're fairly responsible and can be depended upon to stick together, I really don't see why not.

As someone said, give them something with their vital info on it that they keep all the time (hotel, phone number, your name). Double stroller definitely. FP+ your MK must-haves, esp any Mountain or 7DMT. Ample snacks and drinks in case of large crowds.

I think the Flower and Garden festival would be fun for your kids, especially if they like characters. The topiaries are amazing. There will also be an Easter egg scavenger hunt (big eggs you mark on a map) that you can all do together while you're there, and if I'm not mistaken there might be a more traditional egg hunt in the UK the kids can do, which happens only at certain times. So if your kids like finding things, those might be fun activities in EPCOT as well.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

You will have a great trip. I am with those who say let the 8 year olds do a couple of the bigger rides. I would, however, walk them right to the entrance and wait at the exit for them. I would suggest a few precautionary measures.

1) Warn them that if for any reason the ride breaks down and they are not able to ride to ask a cm where the exit is, so they can find you. Otherwise they will exit through the entrance and that could cause a problem.
2) Warn them that sometimes rides do break down while they are on them. Tell them if that happens DO NOT try to exit the ride EVER under any circumstance unless there is a CM directing them to.
3)If you don't want to wait at the exit and you can find a very obvious close by waiting spot (not like that tree or this rock. Something big and noticeable and that there are not ten of in the same area) you may be able to find a less sunny area to wait with the little ones.
4) Also tell them to not leave each other NO MATTER WHAT!!!! EVER!!! ALWAYS STAY TOGETHER.

I am sure you already figured these things out, but never can be too cautious.

 

[delmar411]

I was thinking about this a bit more and I would give them one of those cheap thrpw away phones with your number programmed in so that if they get separated from you or delayed on a ride, then they could call you. Put it in a small hippack with some snacks and they can take turns where it. Mine always wore it as a crossbody bag and that worked really well.

 

[Twende]

The only thing I can find is this:
" Once inside the parks, children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by a Guest the age of 14 or older when they experience an attraction."

This would allow the 8 yrs olds on BTRR with out you. It might be easier though if you could meet up with another family or mom to help you out? Maybe you could meet up with CaLuCa above and you two could help each other.

 

[starsweeper]

The only thing I can find is this:
" Once inside the parks, children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by a Guest the age of 14 or older when they experience an attraction."

This would allow the 8 yrs olds on BTRR with out you. It might be easier though if you could meet up with another family or mom to help you out? Maybe you could meet up with CaLuCa above and you two could help each other.

My older kids are 8yo, so they don't need someone with them. The preschoolers would stay with me and wait for them. I don't have anyone else to go with me, we're driving from 3 states away.

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 months after #4 was born so I had to adapt quickly to doing things with 4 kids along with me. Granted I've never driven this far from home and stayed away for a week with them, but it's doable if we don't try to over do it I think.

 

[starsweeper]

I am taking my 3 kids by myself too over Spring Break, and the key for us is staying at the Contemporary. I would so suggest that, especially if you plan to spend your time at MK. The walk there/back is so easy. It will be worth the extra money, we plan to only get on the bus a few time during our trip. I would let mine ride rides alone too, there are so many helpful CM's, they will totally help you out, waiting at the exit, etc. Have a great trip!

I agree Contemporary would be ideal but it's not in the budget for this trip. I plan to convert our tickets to annual passes while there for another visit in October, and we're taking a 2-week trip out west to Yellowstone this summer.