What do I need to know about taking 3 kids by myself?

[shaynar]

For our upcoming trip the plan seems to be that I will take my 3 kids on my own and DH will meet up with us halfway through the trip.

I thought it best to wait until my eldest was 7 just in case it was an issue of sitting by himself.

Can you give me any tips, suggestions or warnings?

 

[DCbride]

Make a ride list, and guarantee everyone gets their ride for the day. You get the rest of the picks. When you go to the restroom, everyone "tries" Mske it a habit to split snacks, otherwise you will be growing away lots of food. You can always stop and buy something else. Not sure of your kids ages but get a double stroller with the stand stand. Easy move everyone if the 7 year old needs a break.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

you might want to consider having 2 of the 3 be 7 years of age. because even if one is 7 the other 2 will have to ride with you. granted riding with 3 on Dumbo is doable but you will have the problem of who is flying.

 

[AshleeH]

I've never taken my kids by myself, but everyone gets one big must-do (ride, fireworks, parade, whatever they choose) each day and they each get to choose one restaurant (excluding Chef Mickey's, because we know they love it so we always eat there).

 

[Thing 1]

Work out all the different issue that can arise before you go. Who sits where on the plane, how will you get everyone on and off the bus if you use them. Think through each ride to see if you can ride it. You are pretty much limited to things everyone can ride , but that is a lot! Think through meals and bathrooms. Reality is you do it at home, you can do it there. A great stroller is a must and take lots of snacks and go at the slowest kids pace.

 

[CindySwims]

One child being seven is a huge help. If the other two children are small and you are an average size adult, you can usually fit three in a row on most rides.

 

[momto2js]

Yours are close enough in age that having the magic 7 year old won't matter as long as all of them meet the height requirement of the rides. I have often been on the same train behind my kids before they were the magic age. The issue is when you have one who wants to ride space mountain and one that doesn't. My youngest has sat at the exit with my phone more times than I'd like. I have also looked for groups and asked if my oldest could join their group. This happened at star tours at DLR one year when my oldest was 6 and my youngest was 4. The group ahead of us in line happened to be cast members touring on their own time. They gladly took him and I just got him at the exit.

Sometimes you have to be creative. I'll be honest, that eating is the hardest things. I STRONGLY suggest in your stroller you have a cooler with sandwiches for lunch. Standing in line with the kids and then having to find a table is a nightmare. Buffets are not fun either. Standard table service places are few and far between and get pricey fast and given the ADR things you don't have the flexibility you often need when you have small children. You must plan to feed them BEFORE they are hungry and that changes by the day and sometimes by the hour.

The other things I would consider if you have more than one under 6 is not planning to tour a park more than one day in a row. You will need the rest, even if they don't. The other issue is timing, we do lower season trips, that makes things MUCH easier when you are out numbered.

I would consider your accommodations VERY carefully. Disney resorts are enormous and the rooms are small. I would be inclined to stay somewhere where you can park close to the room and have access to a fridge. Getting 3 and a good stroller on and off a but would not be attractive to me at all. We stay off site, I walk from the car and I get curb side take out for dinner on the way back.

 

[MommyMK]

I'm here right now solo with my two kids, they are 9&5. I have given them more freedom than they get at home - aka sit here and stay together while mommy gets our food, goes to the bathroom, etc. My oldest rode two water slides today alone at TL. I have bracelets with my phone number on them that I make them wear. And a stroller, definitely a stroller, it's like my rolling mobile command center.

It's been fun, but I a exhausted.

 

[shaynar]

Thanks everyone! I just booked at WL. I'm going to have to make lists of which rides we'll have to skip (until dh meets up with us) and do lots of micro planning - and isn't that the best part!?