How do you do Disney with an odd number of people?

[kangaand2roos]

My parents spend 2 months in FL to avoid some of the New England winter. I am thinking of taking the kids ( will be 5 & 7 ) for week or so to visit them down there but I can't be in FL and not go to Disney so I'm considering driving up to Disney and staying 2 or 3 days. This would be the first time it would be just me and the kids though, usually my husband is with us so i've never had to think about this before but how do you handle rides with only one adult and 2 smaller kids? Alot of rides seem to be made for 2 at a time. Single parents have to plan for this as well as any family that has an odd number of children. Any advice?

 

[Pioneer Hall]

A lot of rows in attractions can accomodate 3 people when two of them are smaller children (Splash, Thunder, Haunted Mansion, etc). If their are specific belts for only two, you can probably let the kids go together and then just sit right behind them. I can't think of anything that would seperate you enough where you would have them out of your sight for any period of time.

 

[Eyorefan]

Single mom here. A couple years back I took my daughter and one of her friends to disney. They were 7 and 9 at the time and it just never seemed to be an issue.

Most of the rides (espcially at MK) seem like they only fit two, but in reality one adult and two kids can comfertably sit in the same seat. There were a couple of times where I let the girls just ride together and I sat in the seat directly behind them so even if I wasn't right next to them we were never really separated.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We've done a group of 5 several times but our boys weren't quite as small as yours. My suggestion is to task your kids with being your helper with their sibling all the time by being your extra set of eyes. When getting on rides & such make sure the kids know the sitting arrangement, that they will be together with you right behind them. Remind them to keep a little eye on each other to make sure they're having fun & are safe. You put them on the ride then sit directly behind. I generally would reach over to them and/or talk to them so they know exactly where I am and that I'm there. When it's time to get off you can step out then make sure they're coming out with you. A lot of things that you would think are only 2-seat like Peter Pan you can get 3 across as long as 2 of the tushies are of the smaller variety. LOL!

 

[JillC LI]

... as long as 2 of the tushies are of the smaller variety. LOL!

Thanks for the laugh - love how you phrased that! :lol:

 

[bamillerpa]

What happens when it's two adults and one child? This will be our situation in September. I know that one adult and the child can ride together while the other adult goes it alone but we don't always want to be split up. What rides will we have trouble at with this? BTW-our daughter is 12 and tiny. Her parents, not as tiny (although not overly large either)

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thanks for the laugh - love how you phrased that! :lol:

Thanks! :lol:



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For other odd-number families you can do what we did in years past. We take turns being "the 5th wheel". The 5th wheel guy gets a special pic for posterity as often as possible. Makes for fun memories!

 

[JohnLocke]

What happens when it's two adults and one child? This will be our situation in September. I know that one adult and the child can ride together while the other adult goes it alone but we don't always want to be split up. What rides will we have trouble at with this? BTW-our daughter is 12 and tiny. Her parents, not as tiny (although not overly large either)

Most rides shouldn't be too much of an issue in the Magic Kingdom, or, really, in most of the other parks either. Most of dark rides will give you your own car, that's split into two rows of seats, so one can sit in the rear seat and the other two in the front seat. I think the doom buggies in the Haunted Mansions are big enough to accomodate 3 people, though they may give you a little bit of a problem. I think your only real concerns would be the Dumbo type rides and Peter Pan, but with those, you will still get the car behind them, so there won't be too much separation.

 

[monkeysammich]

When it was my wife, my daughter and I... we didn't have any trouble sitting 3 in any ride, save dumbo. But she's teeny (3 yo).

The best is in Buzz... she'd control the spinning. All you'd see in the ride photo would be the top of her ponytail and her little hand on the control. It was so cute.

 

[kangaand2roos]

I guess I never realized so many rides would accomodate 3, that is good news. I think the Speedway and Dumbo would be out though, unless I go get back in line again so the kids can take turns driving/steering. I'm hoping I can convince my sister into coming down for those few days but it's good to know if she can't go, we should be able to do most of the rides, no problem.

 

[mp2bill]

A lot of rows in attractions can accomodate 3 people when two of them are smaller children (Splash, Thunder, Haunted Mansion, etc). If their are specific belts for only two, you can probably let the kids go together and then just sit right behind them. I can't think of anything that would seperate you enough where you would have them out of your sight for any period of time.

Yeah, just sit behind them when you have to.

 

[WDW_Emily]

When I was younger, on most rides it was myself, my dad, and my younger sister.(my mom doesn't do many rides) and Since I was older, I normally sat by myself, which I hated. My dad then decided to be the person to sit by himself on the rides unless their was a height thing, such as on the speedway, my sister couldn't sit alone because she couldn't reach the pedel so I drove my own car and she went with dad