What things should I do in Disney World if I have a family with kids of very different ages?

My friend's family is leaving for Disney World on Friday. Nobody in the family has ever been to Disney before. They have a son who is 15 and will be going into 9th grade, a son who is 12 and going into 7th grade, a son who is 8 going into 4th grade, and a daughter who is 5 going into Kindergarten. What restaurants/rides/things to do would be most condusive to their family? They can go into Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, and Animal Kingdom and will NOT be staying on Disney property. They will be there for a week. Also, their daughter's birthday is while they are down there, is there a special place they could take her for a meal or special activity, and a place to have her ears pierced? Thanks so much!What things should I do in Disney World if I have a family with kids of very different ages?
First of all. make sure that the 15 and 12 year olds can stay together and get along...then give them a cell phone to check in with you...then the rest of you will have the second cell phone...Cell phones are a must with different ages doing things....



You can all have fun at the character breakfast at the Contemporary resort before a day at the Magic Kingdom....The boys can get their fun on the rides they will like and the littler ones can stay with mom and dayand do dumbo, peter pan, etc...



The place to take the girl for breakfast is the Princess breakfast at Epcot...the boys will have to suck it up and be good sports...remind them that you can't have PriNcESs without ESPN...give them a dinner at the ESPN zone on another night....



Staying off campus does require a different mindset...about the REQUIRED mid day siesta....they'll have to meet at an appointed place to go back for lunch nap and swimming (although the older boys mightn ot nap.



Try the pediatrician for ear piercing...LOL



Any more advice (I have a lot) write me privately....you'll be glad you did...
They could go eat at Cinderella's castle for her birthday. I went to Disney a few years ago and I'll tell you this, the place is for everyone. I think they all will enjoy everything there without having to split up or separate the older and younger kids.What things should I do in Disney World if I have a family with kids of very different ages?
Ask everyone what is the ONE thing they want to make sure they get to do, then plan around that.



If it's at least two adults, try splitting up the kids between the older kids and younger kids. Your 15yo would be old enough to go with another teenager by themselves, but I don't think a 15yo and a 12yo would be a good idea. I presume the older kids will have special rides they want to enjoy, try getting to DW before opening time and have them make a beeline for their one special ride when the park opens then meet them where the ride lets out at the end of their ride. The wait time first thing in the morning will be really short (0-10 minutes) versus hour+ in the afternoon (definitely no fun waiting in line with little ones). Take advantage of extended hours if you are staying on park properties...



With four kids, I would buy a book on DW and read family oriented websites about trips to DW. You should definitely plan ahead on what you want to visit.



GOOD LUCK
Its all about attitude at 12 and 15. My kids are 14 and 9 and they love all of the Disney stuff. The magic kingdom runs a bit thin after a day of blasting through as many rides as possible so she's ready for other parks. The 9yr old likes it all. And there are plenty of attractions for the little ones too.

The older two may be more interested in MGM, Epcot, or the water parks. The younger ones will be drawn a bit more to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. If they have a week, they'll be able to do them all.

If they have cell phones, I'd let the older two explore the same park the family is in, on their own as long as they are responsible types. Parents can contact them and also give them a little independence at the same time. Then you can go slower with the smaller ones. I think DisneyWorld is very compatable to this sort of thing. Meet for meals and discuss what they did and will do next so they all are on the same page.

As far as special places to go, I think its all special. If going to these types of attractions isnt special, then they are probably in for a LONG week.What things should I do in Disney World if I have a family with kids of very different ages?
Disney resturants will most likely be booked and their meals will be where they can find them. All the parks have activities for all ages, they will be able to pick up maps as they enter each park. I suggest they go to www.waltdisneyworld.com and find a list of all rides and attractions and choose favorites from there. For a special place for the Birthday, the only place I know that may pierce ears is in Downtown Disney in the shop that has a beauty shop for kids, but I hear they are by appointment only and have a waiting list. The great thing about Disney is they make it easy to preplan trips, this creates problems for last minute planners.