WDW with 4 small kids!

[rshifflett]

Hi everyone,
We did WDW in 2013 and again in 2014, but decided to skip this year. (The withdrawal is real.)
For both of those trips, we only had two kids. Next spring we will have four.
I would LOVE some advice on things we can do that could make things a little easier on us/save us some grief/keep it feeling like a vacation.
We do plan to travel with my mom. She was a ton of help- a total lifesaver on the first two trips.
Any tips for the stroller situation?
The kids' ages will be 5, 4, 1, & a few months. We would like to go in either April or May, but not during Spring Break.
I was considering wearing the youngest, but it'll probably be too hot and I will likely get tired of it.
At this point I figure a double stroller and two umbrella strollers are our best option.

Also what are our options for lodging? We'll have 3 adults, 2 little kids and 2 babies. We really want to keep it on site.
No camping, but as cheap as possible otherwise.
Sorry for the book, and thanks in advance!

 

[theyoungs07]

I've gone to WDW with 5 kids, 6 kids, 7 kids and 8 kids (13,12,10,9,7,5,2,infant)...our family keeps growing . Everywhere we go we help our kids understand that they need to stay close to us and hold on to something if possible. For instance, when I'm walking into Target, my walking littles know to hold on to the cart...this is for their safety and makes the move to WDW just more of the same. I learned very early on to tell my young kids (4-5 and under) when we are in a busy place like a parking lot that "Either I hold your hand, or I hold you" If you have a double stroller, you can have two sitting and then two holding on (one on each side). We do this often at WDW and at least with little kids you aren't really 4 people across. By the time my kids reach 4 they don't want anything to do with a stroller.

My wife brings her Ergo carrier and will wear the little one when on some rides, or at least in areas where we can't bring the stroller. She loves it, but I could see it getting hot if used all day.

We have stayed offsite mostly, but ended up splitting stay with some time in two POFQ rooms connecting. Connecting rooms are not guaranteed and we had issues with it (originally booked in POR and had to move on check-in day) so I am not sure I'll be doing that again. Our next trip will probably be split between renting DVC and offsite. Onsite options are ugly with a party of 7, if you know your dates you could rent points for a larger DVC resort room, they have them that sleep up to 12 but they are pricey. I will say that 10 of us in 2 rooms at POFQ did not seem cramped to us, but we're used to being together and and didn't spend that much time in the room. Values would be more of a squeeze but might be ok for your group.

I started this thread long ago and you may find some other useful tips here http://www.disboards.com/threads/large-family-tips-and-discussion.3138060/

 

[Lilliputian]

We had 5 children on our last two trips and will have 6 this time. With those ages, I would (and have) used a good double stroller and an Ergo. I haven't gone at that exact time of year, but we've done late September/early October, and I don't find it too hot to wear the Ergo most of the time. Both the baby and I need breaks, but the double stroller is fine for that. A 4 year old can be expected to walk most of the time. We never have a dedicated stroller seat for anyone 4 or older. We do tend to put the youngest walker in the stroller and the baby in the Ergo when we leave after fireworks or a parade, but that's largely to make the head counts and sticking together easier.

Your cheapest room options will be 2 rooms or a family suite at one of the values for a little more money than 2 regular rooms. Personally, I'd prefer the two regular rooms. We stayed in an AoA suite, and I didn't like the bed options for a 3rd adult.

We started staying off-site most of the time since our 4th was born. We love it. Having lots of beds, a washer and dryer, and a kitchen is just wonderful. You can get a whole house with its own pool for less than an AoA suite. The time we did AoA, it was a split stay with Windsor Hills, and we regretted ever leaving Windsor Hills. We just really enjoy having room to stretch out, not to mention the game room and pool.

 

[Breezy91257]

I'm with these ladies in as much as staying off property. The past 4 times we've been to Disney with kids, we've stayed off site. It's so much more relaxing and gives so much more freedom! We had the strollers set up all the time in the garage, so they were out of the way but super easily accessible. The additional rooms are just great too. The kids can spread out to play etc. Not living in each others pockets! We stay at this house https://m.facebook.com/OrlandoLakefrontVilla it's the ideal size for our group sizes and has three or four rooms with twin bed which meant that the kids were happy as they like sharing!

Hope this helps a little at least!

 

[theyoungs07]

I'm in the Windsor Hills or Emerald Island boat as well. I'd suggest if you want to stay onsite just do it for the first few nights (we did 4) then moved to the house for 8 nights...that way you can do laundry and you can go from cramped to spread out, not the other way around. It was a nice way to do it and it allows you the 60 day FP+ window for your whole trip.

 

[Polishnavy]

I would work on getting your older kids in shape to walk more than normal. Our 3 y/o walked almost the whole time last year. We had a good double stroller(britax b ready) and the older kids took turns taking short rides as needed. For your situation, I would lean towards a good double stroller and the ergo(so comfy).

Hotel wise, we were so much more comfy in our two bedroom suite at residence suites.

 

[mmounsey]

best advice: lightweight strollers...especially if you are staying onsite...lugging heavy double/dual/tandem strollers was a nightmare I am all to eager to forget

offsite: we loved our condo at windsor palms...especially during peak-ish times..saved $$ with this, even though I missed being in my disney bubble

onsite: 2 rooms at pop...I have a love/hate relationship with this one...but considering we are only there to sleep and get ready for the parks, I'm learning to deal with it...I even just booked two rooms there for our upcoming trip...although AOA would be my first choice...

my favorite single stroller of all: volo by maclaren...loved, loved, loved this stroller...I nearly cried when my teenager sold it for less than $10 at a scout rummage sale

I think just about every double stroller we used (expect a cheapy umbrella double) was a nightmare...especially some schwinn type one we had...it was sooo heavy...end of the day, lugging that around, stunk. Anything that you can fold up quickly is best...one handed preferably

Good luck and enjoy those littles and babies...we have taken trips with ours for years and are beginning to enjoy those awesome teenage year trips!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I would definitely plan to take advantage of rider switch for times when all the adults in your party want to enjoy the rides with height restrictions; and I think having a good carrier to wear your youngest most of the time and a double stroller(s) that will be easy to maneuver in the parks as well as easily fold up when needed is important. Maybe a double City Mini for the babies and something like a Sit N' Stand for the older two. Even though the 5 and 4 year old may be able to walk more, with so many little ones in tow it might just be easier to have something for them to ride/sit in . With little ones, I recommend always having a supply of simple, familiar snacks on hand and to keep meal times consistent with what they're used to. The baby care centers in the parks are also a great resource. If you will be nursing, there is a supportive thread on this forum with some great tips.

Are you flying or driving in? I second the option of considering a condo or house offsite if transportation is not an issue. If it is, then it might just be easier to stay onsite. Two value resort rooms would be the most budget friendly option if camping is out of the picture, and two rooms will give you more "real" beds than a family suite which may be more ideal with a third adult in your party. If you are open to the idea of offsite, I think a three bedroom condo or townhouse would be a wonderful option. There are definitely great deals to be had, especially at vacation home communities like Windsor Hills. Check out the Orlando Hotels/Attractions forum on here for more info/advice on researching your options. We are now a family of seven but we were a family of six during our two Disney trips - stayed onsite at All Star Music in a family suite for the first one and offsite for the second. Offsite we stayed in a 3 bedroom /2 bathroom condo at Windsor Hills for less than $600 for the week and rented a minivan for less than $300 for the week. Love, love, love Windsor Hills and can't say enough great things about it.
Since there are aspects of both the onsite and offsite experience that we really appreciate, for our upcoming trip we plan to do a split stay comparable to what the youngs07 mentioned. We are going to stay onsite (two value resort rooms) for the first few nights so that we can get our 60 day FP+ booking advantage for our must do attractions for at least those few days as well as have the option to easily split up for a couple evenings of night attractions/shows in the parks since we have a toddler in tow again. After those few nights onsite we are moving offsite to a 3 bedroom Windsor Hills condo. This will give us the chance to spread out and sleep more comfortably (the kids will each get their own bed and DH and I get a king size bed), a patio/balcony to enjoy when we put the kids to bed, our own washer and dryer so I can easily throw in some laundry, and a full kitchen for most breakfasts and a few simple dinners. We will primarily purchase lunch in the parks and have a few dining reservations like we did on our last trip. Lastly, the condo owner provides a crib and high chair for the baby and there are two nice playgrounds, a beautiful lagoon style zero depth entry pool area with a jacuzzi, water slide, and splash pad at Windsor Hills. Typing this all up is getting me excited about planning my family's upcoming trip . Good luck with your plans and I hope this post helps!