Taking triplets to Disneyland

[RiderGirl]

I'm wondering if anyone can help me with my question. My husband and I are planning to take our four year old triplets to Disneyland later this year. We do not plan to take a third adult with us. Are we going to have issues with rides?= due to the adult/kid ratio? Are there rides where one adult can take two kids? If not, I'm a bit concerned about logistics as I'd really rather not take another adult with us if we can help it. Any advice anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated!

 

[nancy drew]

I'm a single (divorced) mom who has taken both kids to Disneyland or Disney World every year without another adult, and we have yet to encounter a ride that can't accommodate all 3 of us in one vehicle. Now that the kids are older I might let them ride together on something like Buzz, where I'll be right behind them, but on most other rides we will still go together.

Full disclosure: We haven't tried any of the mountain rides (Thunder, Splash, Matterhorn, or Space) so I can't say how those work.

 

[DisSarahK]

Yes, there definitely are rides where one adult can take two children. I'm sure others will chime in with more specific rides, but here are ones I can think of off the top of my head:

Its a Small World: We could fit our family of four (two adults, two children) in one row in one of the boats, so for sure you could do an adult with two children in one row and the other adult with one child in another row

Casey Jr Circus Train: There are different sorts of cars on this little train that can handle different size groups--we like the "monkey cage" car and our family of four all fits in together. Last time we rode in it with a family of three.

Storybook Land Canal Boat: It's a boat, lots of people ride in it (multiple families at one time).

Astro Orbittor: My husband rode in one rocket ship with both of our children seated in front of him while I took pictures. The catch is that only the child seated at the front of the rocket ship can do the controls--the child in the middle position is just along for the ride.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters: The seats are pretty big here and I think you could fit three in the seat, but there are just two blaster "guns".

Pooh: The seats are pretty wide--we split into groups of two and two, but I'm positive we could fit another child in our seat.

Big Thunder Mountain: My husband took both of our children on this ride and said it was fine with both of them sitting with him in the same row/seat. (I'm not sure exactly how it works--my back can't handle rides like that.)

Those are the ones that are coming to mind right off the bat. Hopefully others will give you specifics on other rides. I know I like to know details of things like this.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I think its easier to name rides where it might be a problem:

1) Space Mountain is 2 per row, but 8 to a ride vehicle.
2) On Buzz and Toy Story there are only 2 shooters, but you can squeeze 3 on the ride.
3) Depending on the size of the adult, 3 across on Gadgets Go Coaster may be a tight fit, but it'll likely be doable.

 

[SpaceMania]

It really depends on the sizes of the adults and your kids. For example if you are 'large' then rides like BTMMR you could probably do 1 adult 1 kid per car. But if you are 'average sized' then you could probably do 1 adult 2 kids. or 2 adults 3 kids. (sorry if that came off rude to anyone, that really isnt my intention)

 

[DisneyMomma81]

My 2 kids and I have taken several trips to DLR just the 3 of us. We always rode in one "car" on Thunder - I prefer that, better than being thrown around. On Splash DD & I sat in the very back and DS right in front of us. Space - either DS would be in front of DD & I or I would be behind both of them.

 

[RiderGirl]

It really depends on the sizes of the adults and your kids. For example if you are 'large' then rides like BTMMR you could probably do 1 adult 1 kid per car. But if you are 'average sized' then you could probably do 1 adult 2 kids. or 2 adults 3 kids. (sorry if that came off rude to anyone, that really isnt my intention)

That makes sense. Both my daughters are very small (25 lbs) and I'm not a very big person at all.

One ride I was wondering about is the Monsters Inc. one. Do you think we can get 3 in a car for that one?

Thanks everyone for your replies! Much appreciated. I feel so relieved!

 

[jacs1234]

I can't remember monsters very clearly, but I think my family of 6 all sat in the same car. You will also be able to do Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and the teacups. You can fit 3 in a car at Autopia and maybe you could just insist that mommy and daddy are driving so you avoid the argument on who gets to steer. You would be fine for all the dark rides in Fantasy land. I think you will have a great time with just your little family. You won't need to bring someone else. And if you and Daddy want to do some big rides there is always the child swap.

 

[jacs1234]

Here's a pic of the cars at Monsters Inc

 

[SpaceMania]

That makes sense. Both my daughters are very small (25 lbs) and I'm not a very big person at all.

One ride I was wondering about is the Monsters Inc. one. Do you think we can get 3 in a car for that one?

Thanks everyone for your replies! Much appreciated. I feel so relieved!

For Monsters Inc there are two rows of seats. You should be able to get 1 adult and 2 kids in a row, if not you could possibly have the 3 kids sit in the front, then mom and dad sit right behind them. its a slow moving simple ride, so you would be able to talk to them and everything the whole time. the picture the above poster should be able to help with an idea of that.

 

[LavenderPeach]

We haven't had any problems fitting 2 adults and one child (5 yo) on most of the rides so I imagine you wouldn't have any trouble with 2 kids and one adult. Monsters is no problem with 3 of us in one row. We even fit the 3 of us together on Dumbo.

I'm trying to think of what rides we couldn't do together. I think the rocket ride in Tomorrowland (i'm blanking on the name) was only 2 per rocket - or at least that's how we rode it. Autopia is only 2 riders and also Tuck and Roll ride at DCA. Also at DCA is Jumpin' Jellyfish. Oh and Toy Story you can do 3 riders in one car but the middle person won't get to play the games. We did this a few times before DS was old enough to care about playing the game.

 

[Liat]

I didn't have any issues at all taking my two kiddos on all the rides that they had interest in by myself.

Gadgets Coaster was the exception. They only allow two to a car so my 3 yo rode directly in front of me while I rode with my DD. That was a little stressful but it worked ok.

 

[BayAreaMom]

Last year I saw a couple with QUADRUPLETS (about 12 mo old) plus another child (maybe 4-5?) and no help besides the two adults.
I was in awe- they looked fine. They were getting on the Pooh ride.

 

[roobug]

We just got back from a trip where I took the twins one day by myself. On Autotopia - they will let you do a rider switch so you can have the kids take turns driving. My boys where 3 and with advance warning they where fine taking turns. When you get off the ride go to the CM and let them know you would like to do a ridder switch. They where great with us and got us back on right away. I also was able to do the same thing on Astro Orbitor by going to the CM and letting them know what the issue was - they got us on the next ride so they both got to drive the car. Dumbo was the only one that they had arguments over who was controlling the car and there wasn't an option to do rider switch. But you can fit 3 into a dumbo.

The only rides that where no fun doing 3 on, where Buzz light year and Toy story as there are only 2 guns. I sat in the middle and let the boys have the guns they loved it, and there was plenty of room just no fun for me not to get to play

 

[DisSarahK]

I think the rocket ride in Tomorrowland (i'm blanking on the name) was only 2 per rocket - or at least that's how we rode it.

No, I know for sure that Astro Orbittors allows three per rocket (one adult and two small children) because we've done it that way on two different trips. However only the child in the front of the rocket can control the up and down movement of the rocket.

My daughter hates being sandwiched in the middle on that ride while her brother gleefully controls the rocket.