elaine amj
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
Sounds like your olders really enjoy spending time with the young ones. I would make a few things you can all enjoy together as a family a high priority. Maybe a night focused on gathering to watch Happily Ever After, maybe a special meet with Mickey, maybe a fun show like The Lion King all together. If the olders enjoy nature, make sure you carve out enough time for Animal Kingdom. I haven't watched Flights of Wonder in a while (sadly missed it last time because my niece was not patient with shows), but have heard it's pretty awesome. The Safari is pretty neat and all those nature trails are very well done.
I'd also make sure there are times you split up. Let the older ones go for a hike/cane pole fishing/rent bikes in Fort Wilderness while you and your DH take the younger ones for rope drop before all of you joining up again.
Ask the older ones if there are special things they want to do with any of the youngers. e.g. my DD16 was absolutely thrilled to ride Goofy's Barnstormer with my 3 yr old niece. Not that she cares much for the coaster - but she LOVED doing it with her little cousin. I sat in front taking photos and that is still one of my DD's favourite photos.
My DS14 didn't say much before our trip and chose the day we arrived to grumble that "Disney is for kids". He ended up having a great time but I did also give him a bit of space. One time, he was not excited about our dinner plans. So I sent him back to the room (he hopped on the resort bus) to get his own dinner and chill while the rest of us kept going. He wasn't absolutely crazy going back on his own but ultimately preferred it and did it a couple more times on our 2 week trip. The deal was that he would be cheerful and helpful the rest of the time.
5 days is not a whole lot of time so keep your expectations on number of attractions covered on the lower side.
I'd also make sure there are times you split up. Let the older ones go for a hike/cane pole fishing/rent bikes in Fort Wilderness while you and your DH take the younger ones for rope drop before all of you joining up again.
Ask the older ones if there are special things they want to do with any of the youngers. e.g. my DD16 was absolutely thrilled to ride Goofy's Barnstormer with my 3 yr old niece. Not that she cares much for the coaster - but she LOVED doing it with her little cousin. I sat in front taking photos and that is still one of my DD's favourite photos.
My DS14 didn't say much before our trip and chose the day we arrived to grumble that "Disney is for kids". He ended up having a great time but I did also give him a bit of space. One time, he was not excited about our dinner plans. So I sent him back to the room (he hopped on the resort bus) to get his own dinner and chill while the rest of us kept going. He wasn't absolutely crazy going back on his own but ultimately preferred it and did it a couple more times on our 2 week trip. The deal was that he would be cheerful and helpful the rest of the time.
5 days is not a whole lot of time so keep your expectations on number of attractions covered on the lower side.