Traveling with an odd number

[cy1229]

This will sound like a crazy question so bear with me.

All of our past trips have been in even numbers - 4, 6, 10... this October we'll be traveling with 9 rather than 10. DH and I, parents, and sister are the adults, then kids' ages will be 17, 14, 12, and 6. We all get along well, and the kids, my two and my sister's two, get along GREAT. The big fat bummer is going to be when we're all doing something that occurs in twos - I want to make sure that my sister doesn't feel like the oddball, and that she doesn't feel like we're all going miles out of our way to keep her from feeling like an oddball. Make sense? This change in our family's numbers is going to be difficult enough without having a spotlight on it every time we do something at WDW.

So, how do you keep things cohesive in an environment that is so catered to pairs?

Also, any suggestions for something my stepdad, husband, and nephew (the only boy on the trip, he'll be 12) can do for a guys' afternoon? All of us ladies can find plenty of "girlie" things to do.

[cousininmiami]

Odd number in your party is for sure a bummer. We go with 3 all the time, myself, husband and 15 yr-old son. We try to switch it up so that the same person is not riding alone all the time. A lot of rides it doesn't matter, so many rides and attractions are not geared just for two so just relax and have a great time! It must be challenging going to WDW with so many people! My question is how do you do that? Do you split up a lot?

[cy1229]

Odd number in your party is for sure a bummer. We go with 3 all the time, myself, husband and 15 yr-old son. We try to switch it up so that the same person is not riding alone all the time. A lot of rides it doesn't matter, so many rides and attractions are not geared just for two so just relax and have a great time! It must be challenging going to WDW with so many people! My question is how do you do that? Do you split up a lot?

It takes a little planning - we compile a list of our favorite restaurants, and look at the EMH if they're published when we make our ADR's. I don't think we could do this trip WITHOUT ADR's. We typically go to parks as one big group, and it takes a little bit of compromise and cooperation. My nephew didn't like ExpEv last time we visited, so he and my mom watched for the train carrying the rest of us to pop out of the mountain. My niece, who is the youngest, did a trip to Bippity Boppity Boutique, so the other kids, and the men went to do things she wouldn't necessarily be big enough to do. But as a family we all get along really well and love being together - My family and I live about 400 miles from everyone else - so it's a great time to reconnect and enjoy each other.

So the short answer is no, not really, but a little bit. This time around my niece will be almost 7, so I imagine it will be a lot different than it was when she was 4. And, since we're going in October rather than in January, a trip to Typhoon Lagoon will be in order, I think. And hopefully, no stroller this time!

[Amy]

Definitely the water parks would be fun for everyone. The guys might like a side trip for a real game of golf while the ladies shop...or maybe mini golf for everyone?
I wouldn't worry too much about always having an even number for attractions. Lots of attractions can accommodate three riders at once. I would guess cousininmiami's suggestion of rotating who sits alone is a good one. I know when I do things with my friend's children they usually fight over who gets to sit with me. I, of course, make a big deal over having to be sandwiched in between three children which they get a big kick out of, but secretly I enjoy the fuss The oldest is sixteen now and is pretty much on to my "complaints" but she is the first to pipe up that she has to sit by her Mami

[Soarin08]

Well, just call me if you need an even number and I'll run right over and fill in the gap since it's a ten minute drive for me.

You could also do the rotation thing... it's not too bad to sit alone. I do it all the time.

[SorcererDonald16]

I think rotating who sits alone is a good idea in y'all's case since children are involved. Some of it will be avoided upfront because there are bound to be some rides someone doesn't want to ride.

I would come up with a rough game plan ahead of time so there isn't any big confusion when it comes time to split up. Especially true if one ride or another is really special to someone, and they have a preferred seating buddy for that ride.

My parents and I (I'm an only child) have been going for years, and we never have any problem. Usually my dad rides by himself and my mom and I ride together; some rides she can't ride, so he and I go while she stays in a store or on a bench. Just a matter of figuring out what works for you and your family. Hope you have a great time!

[Amy]

Well, just call me if you need an even number and I'll run right over and fill in the gap since it's a ten minute drive for me. ....

What a sacrifice

[kcarts]

I see no alternative but to cancel the trip immediately! Seriously it will not be an issue. I honestly cannot remember the last time I was down there with an even number. I was thinking back and looked at some pictures and the last four times I was in WDW it was with an odd number of people.

[Amy]

I see no alternative but to cancel the trip immediately! Seriously it will not be an issue. I honestly cannot remember the last time I was down there with an even number. I was thinking back and looked at some pictures and the last four times I was in WDW it was with an odd number of people.

I don't know if I've ever been with an odd number of people......odd people? Now that's a different story

[Soarin08]

Well, just call me if you need an even number and I'll run right over and fill in the gap since it's a ten minute drive for me. ....

What a sacrifice

You guys know I love to rub it in....

[secondstar]

I never gave this much thought until reading this post, but the times when an odd number of riders will become an inconvenience in WDW is surprisingly few. Of course, you have the rollercoaster rides (BTMRR, RNR, E:E) and Splash Mointain as problem rides. But look at how many rides it's really not an issue.

Magic Kingdom: POTC, Haunted Mansion (can seat three), Philharmagic, IASW, Space Mountain (all single-rider seats), COP, Laugh Floor, Country Bears, TTA, Hall of Presidents. (Buzz will be an issue though, for sure.)

Epcot: Spaceship Earth, Ellen, mission: space, Soarin', Maelstrom, Living with the Land.

Hollywood Studios: I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I can only think of Rock n Rollercoaster where an odd rider will ride alone. Everything else is a show or has seating configurations where one isn't isolated. (Am I forgetting anything here.)

Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safari, Flights of Wonder, Kali, Dinosaur, walking trails, Nemo, FOTLK, Tough to be a Bug. For all these rides or attractions an odd number shouldn't be an issue.

It says a lot about your thoughtfulness that you thinking this through this well. But I think in Walt Disney World, unlike at an amusement park (such as Cedar Point), it will not be a big issue at all. Good luck.

[SorcererDonald16]

^Does Toy Store Mania have a single rider line? If so, they would put the odd numbered person with someone. Even if not, they would still be separated from the group, but 2 people might be behind them in the same vehicle, depending on how the group is divided up.

I've only ridden Spaceship Earth once, but isn't that two to a seat? Not a huge deal there though, because everyone would be in back to back parts of the ride vehicle.

Test Track shouldn't be a problem either though; 9 people would fill one car and half of a second car.

[Amy]

^Does Toy Store Mania have a single rider line? If so, they would put the odd numbered person with someone. Even if not, they would still be separated from the group, but 2 people might be behind them in the same vehicle, depending on how the group is divided up.

I've only ridden Spaceship Earth once, but isn't that two to a seat? Not a huge deal there though, because everyone would be in back to back parts of the ride vehicle.

Test Track shouldn't be a problem either though; 9 people would fill one car and half of a second car.

Boy do I wish Toy Story Mania had a single rider line But no, they do not...and if they did, it would probably be used and abused as the other single rider lines are
Yup, you are remembering Spaceship Earth correctly. Two humanoids to a seat, four total in a vehicle, but the vehicles are all smooshed together at the beginning and end so it's like everyone is in one huge long vehicle train!

[secondstar]

I've only ridden Spaceship Earth once, but isn't that two to a seat? Not a huge deal there though,...

Sorcererdonald16, Spaceship Earth is four to a car (2 & 2) so I guess they could do some sort of combination. (3, 3, 3, or 4, 3, 2) although you don't really interact with those in the seats behind you. it could be an issue.

And I forgot completely about Toy Story Mania. That ride would be an issue, as well.

[momeja]

As a family of 5, we don't experience problems much at all. Many rides allow for 3 riders, such a Pan, Pooh and Buzz, so we can do a 2 and a 3 and be fine.

The only attractions where the odd number really gets us is Toy Story Mania and Sci Fi Diner, both of which are 4 max. Perhaps that's the reason we're not big fans of either one?