Tips for different age groups?

[FabFive24]

What are your tips for making sure different age groups all enjoy a Disney trip? Our kids are 12, 14 and 6. This will be the first trip for the 14 and 6 year old but third for the 12 yr old (blended family). How do you find the balance between a younger child centric trip that the older two will be bored of and just making the youngest wait while his sisters ride the "thrill" rides? I know how my daughter and I enjoy Disney but "our" way is going to need some tweaks to benefit the family as a whole.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

The 6 year old will probably be tall enough to ride most, if not all, of the big rides. Do you think he just won't be into them? Would you guys be comfortable allowing the 12 and 14 year old to go off for an hour here and there to ride the bigger stuff while you take the 6 year old on smaller rides or to meet characters? Without really knowing what everyone will be interested in, it's hard to know what to suggest. I would consider having everyone check out the lists and descriptions of rides and attractions online and pick one or two must-dos per park. Make sure that everyone gets to at least do their top pick and consider everything else bonus.

 

[TammyLynn33]

We have the same situation. Single mom traveling with the kiddos 16,12 6 and 5.. in a way I’m lucky bc my two older are clearly old enough to head off alone or stay late in the parks ..
Two thoughts
We are doing two days in Mk one where big kids get choice of fast passes one day more aimed at kitties (fantasyland etc) same kinda plan at AK in two separate days
Or for an aft if you aren’t comfy letting them wander off maybe you and your hubby could split for a couple hours?
I also did an animal experience at AK for my 12 year old as it’s her thing and will find something special for the 16 year old that he wants to do .. so it’s not so little ppl centered

 

[3gr8boys]

Aside from a TS ADR each day and often the first round of FP+ (and perhaps a special event/tour), my family (8 1/2 year age spread oldest boy to youngest) doesn't hesitate to split up. If one boy wants to hop to AK for the EE single rider line, a subset of our group heads to the the buses.

 

[FabFive24]

The 6 year old will probably be tall enough to ride most, if not all, of the big rides. Do you think he just won't be into them? Would you guys be comfortable allowing the 12 and 14 year old to go off for an hour here and there to ride the bigger stuff while you take the 6 year old on smaller rides or to meet characters? Without really knowing what everyone will be interested in, it's hard to know what to suggest. I would consider having everyone check out the lists and descriptions of rides and attractions online and pick one or two must-dos per park. Make sure that everyone gets to at least do their top pick and consider everything else bonus.

Yes, the youngest will be able to ride most rides. Anything 44in and up, he will miss out on. We don't have to worry about rider switch so I will just need to suggest to my SO what is near the bigger rides that will occupy the youngest while the girls and I ride. We aren't necessarily opposed to allowing the older two to ride without an adult but I enjoy all the rides (except the orange level of Mission: Space) so unless it's just for the sake of that taste of independence, it won't be necessary.

I will definitely let each child peruse the attraction list and come up with a mini "must do" list.

 

[FabFive24]

We have the same situation. Single mom traveling with the kiddos 16,12 6 and 5.. in a way I’m lucky bc my two older are clearly old enough to head off alone or stay late in the parks ..
Two thoughts
We are doing two days in Mk one where big kids get choice of fast passes one day more aimed at kitties (fantasyland etc) same kinda plan at AK in two separate days
Or for an aft if you aren’t comfy letting them wander off maybe you and your hubby could split for a couple hours?
I also did an animal experience at AK for my 12 year old as it’s her thing and will find something special for the 16 year old that he wants to do .. so it’s not so little ppl centered

It's most likely the little one will tire out and my SO will jump at the chance to go back to the room while the girls and I keep going and we meet back up later.

I hope to fit in a couple extra events geared to each child but I'm not sure the budget will allow for that. Anything relating to animals is my DDs favorite!

 

[FabFive24]

Aside from a TS ADR each day and often the first round of FP+ (and perhaps a special event/tour), my family (8 1/2 year age spread oldest boy to youngest) doesn't hesitate to split up. If one boy wants to hop to AK for the EE single rider line, a subset of our group heads to the the buses.

We will have park hoppers to allow for that flexibility as well.