Disney with 4 kids, is it doable?
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Disney with 4 kids, is it doable?
| Fri, 05-11-2007 - 9:16am |
We are planning on going for Thanksgiving 2008 with four children ages 8,7,4 and 1...would you stay in the park or rent a condo outside of the park and drive/park?

It's VERY doable! We've done WDW trips for 3 years now with four children, staring when the 4th child was an infant.
We have stayed in a few different places since the 4th came along. First year - Downtown Disney Doubletree suites. Plenty of room for all, a kitchenette, and close to DTD. Drawback for you could be that you'll be there at a busy time. We go in the off season, and I'm not sure how the DTD buses are Thanksgiving weekend.
The second year, we stayed in a cabin in Ft. Wilderness campground. We had a full-sized kitchen. The grounds were lovely for walking around, but unfortunately we didn't spend much time in the resort. The only drawback for us was lack of storage space. *I* felt a little crammed, but I'm claustrophobic.
The third year, we stayed in everyone in my family's favorite room.....the family suite in the All Star Music resort. We had TWO BATHROOMS, which was lovely. We weren't fighting over one, and shower/bath time was much easier. There is a kitchenette, it's easy to get around, and we just loved it. Somehow, I didn't feel a bit claustrophobic, even though I'm sure the value resort room is smaller than the cabins. It must have been all the storage that helped.
The advantage of the Disney resorts if you are flying in is the Magical Express transportation. It's wonderful. If you are driving, I hear it's very nice to drive right up to the cabins with sleepy children, putting them right to bed. Or maybe a condo would be a nice, big option if you are planning to drive to the parks anyway.
Have so much fun planning your trip!
Laurie in OH, mom to
Alex, 12 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10.5 years old
Audrey, 3 years old
WDW visits in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006
Hoping for December 2007!
LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:
Alex, 1
Thanks.
Hi again!
If you can just remember to relax and have fun, there's no problem adding a child. It's nice that most rides are doable with the toddler on your lap....or there's always the child-swap option for the bigger rides. Definitely don't panic! That's no fun. :)
We never rent a car for our trips. We very much enjoy letting everyone else drive us around for a week, and the Magical Express at the airport is great. They will take you to your room and will deliver your luggage right to the hotel. With certain airlines, you don't even have to worry about checking your luggage at the airport on the way home....Disney will do that for you. This is all part of the package when you stay in a Disney resort. We find the Disney transportation to and from the parks just fine for us. However, there are others here that enjoy the freedom of having their own car for many reasons. It depends on your preference, as either is a good option. We pack a suitcase with snacks and such, so we don't make a grocery trip while visiting WDW. We just buy milk at the food court, and we're good.
Yes, Thanksgiving weekend is VERY VERY busy. One of the busiest times in the year, I think. I am not sure when the off season technically begins and ends, if we're talking about crowds (Sonya will know!)....but we go the first or second week of December (my husband has business conferences, so we plan around that), and it's very uncrowded. January is also uncrowded...and I'm pretty sure February.
If you go to the Disney site, you can find out the price of a room or cabin for the time you are hoping to go. I know it will be different vs. our week in December. www.disneyworld.com, and click on "My Disney Vacation" at the top right side of the page. You can follow along easily, and you'll get your room quotes. Doubletree.com can quote you on that room, I'm sure.
If you think you will be wigged out with all the planning, there is a very good Disney travel agent here on this site!
Edited 5/11/2007 10:20 am ET by laurieh88
LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:
Alex, 1
You mentioned you brought a long your infant. How old was he/she? I have been the last three years with my DS now 5 and my DD now 3 and they do great. My question is how was taking an infant? We are thinking about going in September but I will have an eight week old. The first time we went my daughter was 8 months and she was fine but not sure what it will be like with a baby that young. Just wondering if you would have taken a baby so young?
Thanks
Heather
I didn't go with a VERY young infant. My daughter was 7 months old. Much different than an 8 week old! I used a baby carrier, stroller, and nursed her everywhere without anyone even noticing.....people are too busy and there is so much to look at, they weren't paying attention to me. It was really very easy, but my youngest is the kind of kid who can fall asleep anywhere, even during the very noisy Indiana Jones show or during the Ellen's Energy ride at Epcot. Funny stuff.
I have a very good friend that took a 2 month old a few years back. She spent a lot more time in the room or at the baby care centers, but she didn't complain. I sent her some links that I found on Google about infants at Disney before she left....I don't think I'm supposed to post links here, or I'd share them. I'm sure you can find them very easily though.
Laurie in OH, mom to
Alex, 12 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10.5 years old
Audrey, 3 years old
WDW visits in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006
Hoping for December 2007!
LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:
Alex, 1