We will be at DW next month and I will have with me my four grandchildren ages girl 13, 15 year old twin girls and a 17 year old boy. We have parkhopper tickets with the water park additions. But I am looking for something to keep them busy and safe when my sweetie an I need a break. Staying at OKW. Any recommendations?

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Not as lean
Not as mean
Still a Marine

My Disney Countdown

Counting down to: Disney Euro
Nous sommes en Paris.

                        

Maybe let them do a park alone? Or go to the water parks or pool? I don't have that problem only grandkid I have is a four legged kind a cat. No I am not joking that what my DIL refer to their cat as to us. I guess that a hint no grandkids It is ok the cat & I get along okay when she is not biting me for no reason other than she likes biting

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"We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. "
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Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?"/ Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
- Charles M. Schulz

Barb

My Disney Countdown

Counting down to: Sept 2010 BWI
7 days 17 hours 18 minutes

                        

As a parent of a tween and teen here's what I am planning:

We are travelling with my sister's family, so the ages of the four kids together are 10, 14, 15, and 16 (all are near their next birthday- they're all fall babies, so they are almost 11, 15, 16 and 17)
The 10 year old will always be with adult supervision, but your grandkids are older, so no need for that. The teenagers will have freedom in the park we are in provided they have their cellphones with them and on (vibrate) at all times. In the evening, the kids will be allowed to stay in one of our villas and watch videos while the adults go out, or will be allowed to go out to the pool/community hall while the adults stay in the villa.

I feel much more comfortable if they are nearby, within a short distance. In case of emergency I do not want to have to rely on WDW transportation. OKW is a short ride from Downtown Disney, which is the only reason we would consider going out for an evening and leaving them alone in the villa.

It's not that I don't trust the kids, it's that teenagers seem to have a serious lack of common sense, especially with in proximity of other teenagers, so I'd rather be safe than sorry. Bob, you know your grandkids better than we do, so you would know better if they can be trusted to go to a theme park while you relax by the pool.

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Mary

My Disney Countdown

Counting down to: A Return to WDW, 8 Nights at OKW!
See You All When I Return

                        

Great ideas. My oldest and youngest are the ones I worry about the most. The oldest will be 18 in the fall with raging hormones. I worry about leaving him alone very much, and the youngest thinks she is as old as the oldest. A great pair for getting in trouble. The twins are the sensible ones. But they too will all have cell phones. I try not to worry too much, but that is one of the two things that grandparents do. Worry and overindulge the grandchildren. It's the law.

__________________
Not as lean
Not as mean
Still a Marine

My Disney Countdown

Counting down to: Disney Euro
Nous sommes en Paris.

                        

We're back so here is the update I promised. Please remember that I am not a writer, just an old Marine.

DW Trip Jul 19-25 2009

The trip started off with a little sorrow. My grandson who was supposed to come along decided that the laws were for others and drove his off road motorcycle on the city streets, ran a red light, and was ticketed for both. He is grounded until he is at least 39.
Picked up two of my granddaughters from their parents in Ohio, and started the trip south. I met with my son and picked up the last of the three girls. Twins Alyssa and Alecia both 15, and Kaleigh 13. Stopped in Jacksonville, Fl for a nights rest before arriving at OKW Resort on Monday the 20th. Luckily our room was ready for us and we went to unpack. My sweetie Mary, no age given at time of publication of this review, arrived from St Louis at 12:30 and brought the sun with her. We went directly to MK. Between our one o’clock arrival and closing time we went on every ride we could find, and saw every show they had. Big Thunder is a hoot to ride at night. So much better than in the daytime. Dark tunnels and all. Too bad Space Mountain was closed. The only thing we missed out on was the light parade. We decided that riding Thunder Mountain was more to our liking. After the fireworks and the park closed we finally got a chance to really check out our room. Two bedrooms, dining area, patio overlooking the golf course, Jacuzzi in the master BR. Amazing. Highly recommend it for any large family.
On Tuesday we went directly to Epcot. Had to ride Soarin’ and do the Test Track. Twice each. Since the girls (all four of them) wanted to get to Hollywood Studios to get the good rides we hit that in the afternoon. Rode everything. Except for me. I will not ride Tower of Terror. I used to jump out of planes with only a little piece of material holding me up, but won’t ride the Tower. Getting wimpy in my old age. Spent the rest of the day seeing all the shows and riding all the rides as often as possible. Luckily we had lots of lotion that was waterproof. Hot and sweaty all day. Finally got back to the room about eleven. Slept extremely soundly.

Wednesday started off with more sunshine and the possibility of another hot day. It lived up to its potential. Luckily it was the day we had decided to relax a little. Went to Epcot to ride Soarin’ and Test Track again (my favorites). Then forward to Blizzard Beach. Did all the big drop rides and then I settled in for a nice rest by the beach. Everyone kept getting back in line for more rides. Once was enough for me. That night we were getting ready to hit Downtown Disney for a night of relaxation and fun. The rain finally arrived. Not to be denied some fun the three granddaughters decided to play in the rain. They got soaked and even played in the sprinklers of the golf course. All that money for parkhopper tickets and they plan in the rain. But everyone was smiling.

Thursday was a day for Animal Kingdom. Yes we saw all the shows and even searched for the Yeti. We did get off to a later start than we had planned, but were still able to get everything done before returning to the room to change for a night on the town that we missed the night before. Dinner at House of Blues followed by great seats for La Nouba. The girls had never seen Cirque du Soleil before and they were on the edges of their seats for the whole show. Again we got back to the room late at night.

On Friday we had to say goodbye to Mary as she had to fly back to St Louis and her flight was at 12:30. So we took her to the bus and said our sad goodbyes. Then it was off to Hollywood Studios for the last rides of the visit. Had to do the Rock and Rollercoaster. The girls did Tower again as I waited comfortably in the shade. I think I rode the coaster twice and the girls did it three times, but they only did the Tower one time. As we were getting ready to get the bus back to OKW I thought it would be a good idea for all of us to get tattoos. Big huge ones that everyone would see. We all left with big smiles on our faces. But, I don’t think my ex was happy when we arrived in NC the next day, Saturday, when she was going to try and explain the tattoos to all of her friends in her very reserved Southern Baptist church. But that’s another story.

__________________
Not as lean
Not as mean
Still a Marine

My Disney Countdown

Counting down to: Disney Euro
Nous sommes en Paris.

                        

Thanks for the report sounds like you had a great time

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Paul

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.