taking little and big kids

[ffemtmomof4]

We are going to WDW in 12/11 as a final family trip before our son goes into the military. It will be Dh, myself, DS-18, DD-7, DD2 weeks shy of 5 and DS- 2 and 1/2.

Any suggestions for what we can do to make it fun for everyone? We plan on the girls going to a kids club the one night. DS-2 will either get an in room sitter or go with his brother for the night. I'm leaning towards in room sitter so that the oldest can have a night to go off by himself.

ANy other suggestions?

 

[Rylee]

Our kids are 20 years apart, 8 - 28.

Back when the boys were younger, and even now, when we are all able to travel together, we pretty much stick together.

We work "areas" of the park, examples - younger ones on Buzz Lightyear while older kids ride Space Mountain, ride Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster, while other watch Beauty and the Beast, etc., and then we all move to a different area of the park.

We do sometimes split up by interest - I like to relax and am always willing to go back to the resort for an afternoon swim, usually taking the little ones, while others choose to stay in the park and ride the bigger rides. We do this for the Extra Magic Late Hours, too.

Also, all of our kids have been good travelers and were able to nap in their strollers. If one was sleeping, being the good sport that I am... I always volunteered to park myself on a bench with the baby and eat a Dole Whip or ice cream while waiting for the others to ride.

Our older children are girls though, and they enjoy seeing it through their little brothers eyes and watching their expressions, so we usually stay together.

 

[tzolkin]

My kids are not that huge of an age difference-- they were 10.5, 5.5, and 2.5 during our last trip.

We pretty much always stay together in the parks. Most of the attractions are fun for all ages (my little ones even love the scarier rides). The only ones we've had to split up for were for height requirements. We usually used Rider Switch along with FPs, so we didn't have to split up. The parent and little one waiting would just wait near the attraction and have a snack. Occasionally DH will take the little ones on a nearby attraction if we don't have FP. (Like Buzz or the "Blue Line" while we're doing Space Mtn)

Our first trip, I was a bit worried about how the afternoon break would work. We found the first day that if we shut off the lights we ALL wound up falling asleep. We like to hit the parks early for AM EMHs most days so we're ready to escape the heat and crowds by noon. This year a few times our oldest and I weren't tired so we would walk around the resort while every one else was sleeping.

We always plan one evening that DH or I take our oldest DD to a park without the little ones. Some of my best memories with her have been sitting on a bench sharing a sundae and watching the fireworks while riding BTMRR.