Waterpark with Kids Just Turned 7, 5, 3 and 1

[nicolewi]

Is a waterpark vacation for 2 nights with kids just turned 7, 5, 3 and I manageable for me and DH? I'd like to go for DD1's 7th bday instead of having a friend party, and I know the big kids would LOVE it. But, I'm a little worried we will have a hard time managing the baby and even the three year old. I figure some of the time someone will be back in the room while they nap, and the other of us would be with the bigger kids in the park. 

[nicolewi]

YES, the Dells, @tooshort! Wilderness if we go with BIL & SIL, and Great Wolf or Wilderness if on our own. We went to Blue Harbor before, but that was with my parents and I was still pregnant with DD3. They took the baby several times while I swam with the big kids and that worked great. DH couldn't come--he was working.

Any thoughts on Great Wolf vs Wilderness? Both seem to have iffy reviews on cleanliness and food, but good marks on general "fun" value for kids.

[louiej]

Could you bring a younger niece or family member as another set of eyes? We're going to the dells and bringing an extra pair of hands.

[nicolewi]

louiej, thought about it, but we don't really have anyone available. We are still hoping to go with SIL & BIL and then we'd have more general coverage (they have 2 small kids, too, to watch) but they may have a work conflict and not be able to join us.

[auroraloo]

louiej and I are going to Wilderness in march with a 2, 3, 3, 5, and 6 year-old. But we'll have our Hs and my cousin as an extra set of hands.

[scattered]

That sounds like an nightmare.

[scattered]

So you have a baby in addition to those three kids or is your three year old the baby? Either way. No.

[auroraloo]

Jan 11, 2016 18:44:46 GMT -5 @tooshort said:

Jan 11, 2016 18:11:58 GMT -5 auroraloo said:

louiej and I are going to Wilderness in march with a 2, 3, 3, 5, and 6 year-old. But we'll have our Hs and my cousin as an extra set of hands.

Rude!

March 12-15, wanna come? 


ETA:can you imagine? A 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, and 6yo? 

[auroraloo]

Jan 11, 2016 18:47:12 GMT -5 @tooshort said:

Jan 11, 2016 18:45:23 GMT -5 auroraloo said:

March 12-15, wanna come? 


ETA:can you imagine? A 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, and 6yo? 

Madness.

So you'll come? 

[lala]

I would do it, it doesn't really seem like a big deal to me. But I took at 6.5, 4 & 1 year old to the pool every day this summer alone. It just is what it is.

[ashb62]

I'd want an extra set of hands, especially around water.

We did Wilderness at the Smokies when DD was 6 and the twins were 10 months. DH's parents spent half the week with us and mine spent the other half. It would have been hard on our own.

ETA: The biggest issue for us was that DD wanted to go on the slides and in the wave pool and in the bigger splash pad area. One adult had to be with her and one adult couldn't handle both twins in the toddler area. 

[Kcthepouchh8r]

Yes. I've done the beach/pools alone with two kids weekdays all summer since my oldest was 1.5/youngest was six months. Two parents plus two school age kids assumably somewhat reasonable/some independence around water would be fine.

[Deleted]

It would depend on the abilities of the 7 and 5 y/o for me

I would assume i'd be 100% carting the one year old through the pool and at least like 75% hands on with the 3 year old? The 5 and 7 better be fairly independent and water safe for that to be ok with me

(disclaimer: admittedly not as comfortable with water stuff as some people!!)

[lovebeingmama]

We've done Wilderness, and thought it was fine. But, I had low expectations going into it and can't compare it to anything. Water parks were fine, and my then-3 y.o. Enjoyed the baby pools, but he was terrified of the larger structures with the bucket that dumps water. We would go back there.

The only thing I hated was our room was so far away, like a 15 minute walk. And the food was not good, but I assume that's typical at these places. Either way, the water parks were fun.

[nicolewi]

I feel kind of sad about it, but we decided not to go. While we COULD do it, it would likely be zero fun for me and DH and a lot of running around with different kids on different schedules. We're going to try next year. By then, I'll be totally done breastfeeding, baby will be 2 and down to one nap, my next little will be just four and done napping and totally PT, and the big two will still have a great time. I feel like I'm holding the 5 & 7 year olds back this year b/c they would LOVE to go now, but it's just too hard this year.

So now...I have to have a friend party for DD1! Yikes.

[lala]

Oh that is a bummer. You can always change your mind and do it at another time.

Is there something else fun she'd like instead of a typical party? Taking a friend or 2 to get their nails done? A movie?