How do you feel about going alone w/little ones?

[iheartdisney]

Does anyone have experience going solo with little ones? I am seriously considering goingby myself with my DD(almost 4), DS (almost 3), and DD(8 months)
My husband has been really busy, and I'm tired of waiting for him to have a free weekend! I figure we are going to DCA on the 19th as a family, and I don't want to wait that long!
If we go during the week, it shouldn't be too crowded, right? We have a double jogger stroller for the littlest two, and we should be able to have a good time, right?

Am I nuts?

[abby]

I travel alone with my dd now 6 and have since she was 3. We have been to DL twice and San Diego once, and several times overnight to our beach towns. I actually prefer it is just us, but then again, there is only one of her. If your 4 year old stays close and you have a stroller for the other two, I don't see why not........only problem would be rides that they all can't go on.

[samkj]

Honestly I don't think I would do it. 3 little ones just seems like too much for one person at Disneyland. We have a hard enough time with our three(granted one is in a wheelchair) with two adults, I can't imagine what we would do if only one of us was there.

[Disney Hot Mama]

Plan to take it slow but I say go for it. I have been traveling alone with my kids for years. DH works lots and says have fun so I don't look back. My kids and I have been to WDW, Hawaii, Oregon, Las Vegas, Sacramento, San Diego, Oregon solo and many other places too....... Now that they are a bit older (8 & 10) it is much easier but if you plan to go slow, allow for naps and just enjoy seeing sights and seeing everything through your kids eyes you should have a great time. Bring at least your double stroller, pick a hotel on site or on Harbor across the street from the parks so you can go back and forth, bring lots of snacks etc. you will be fine.

Have a great time!

[autumnbaby9]

If you are comfortable with it then I say Do It :thumbsup2 . 3 little ones would be too much for me by myself but I am not you. Just take it slow.

[NMMickeymom]

I encourage you to go for it. My husband was at a conference in Anaheim for a week and I didn't want to miss any of the magic so I hit the parks alone with my two girls aged 2 and 4. It was fun because I was able to totally indulge their wishes. Indeed we rode Small World a million times but I loved seeing how they saw new things every time. We spent almost an entire day "princess hunting" princess: (getting autographs) and had a very slow pace. My now 5 year old still talks very fondly of our wonderful adventure. Don't forget to plan well and come prepared. Good Luck!!

[MATTERHORN]

Hi! Go for it! I do it all the time! DH makes it on about 1 out of 5 trips every year. Sometimes I go all by myself with the kids, sometimes with a friend who also haas 3 little ones of her own, so even then, I am alone because she can't help me because she has her own!

My kids are just turned 6, 3, and 12 months. I have been going by myself with them since they were just turned 5, 2.5, and 2 months! So the ages are very similar to yours and we have a great time. I will say though at the end of 3-4 days, I am ready for DH to play with them for the evening :rotfl:

I just stay at a hotel that is right across the crosswalk or on property so I don't have to deal with folding the stroller up or and shuttles!! I couldn't go if I had to use the shuttle. Also bring your own double (I'm sure you will anyways) I make PS's and mostly eat at sit down restaurants so that I don't have to carry trays of food or get up to get food. It's better and easier if somebody waits on you, atleast for me! I bring breakfast and we eat in the room before the park opens and that takes care of one meal.

There are a few tricks, but it depends on your kids too! You can't ride Autopia with your infant yet, but once you can, know that a CM will do a ride around with your oldest in the car in front of you so they are in sight the whole time. Then you can ride with the other two. Almost all other rides we fit on together except Peter Pan, Dumbo and Rockets. All the others like Alice, etc., your older two can sit in the front of you and the baby. Mr. Toad will let you have all 4 in one car too! Well if I think of anything else I will let you know.

I am possibly going again by myself with all three in December if you wanna meet up!


Andrea

[MATTERHORN]

Forgot to add: If I didn't have the 4 hour drive each way, I would go way more often! It's not that hard. DH works 12-15 hour days and a lot of overtime, so I am always by myself with them anyways! Rather be at DL with them by myself than the grocery store. HA!


Andrea

[Alex2kMommy]

I would definitely consider it myself once my DS2 is older and a bit better-behaved. He's not bad, he just runs off at the first opportunity, so with two kids, I think it would be a bit risky for me just now. Once he understands that that's not OK and not safe, I think we could have a lot of fun.

I think it would be fun, too, if you went into it expecting to not go on very many rides, and expecting to take it at their pace and do things they want to do (like spend all day searching for princesses!) it would be great! And a whole different experience, wouldn't it?

I suppose the length of your stay would make a difference, too... Not sure I'm brave enough to do more than a few days alone with them! :)

I'm guessing that your oldest is not so tall that s/he has been going on the major rides yet; if that's true, there's no expectation to go on those, so no disappointment. If s/he has been on those rides, you may need to set the expectation that you can't do those on this trip.

[fidoprincess]

I agree to go for it! Like the previous poster said, many rides will hold all of you or with the 2 oldest right in front of you! Hotel must be in walking distance though, agree with the other poster here as well. It is just impossible to do the stroller folding and unfolding holding hands and the baby.

You should know that the hardest thing is going to the bathroom-lol. Find the family bathrooms and take the whole stroller in with you so you have a place to put the baby down while you help the others. The baby will be easy even if you are still nursing. Just put a lightweight blanket over and you can nurse waiting in line, no one ever noticed me. Carry snacks for the other 2 when you get in a line (don't leave them in the parked stroller) and the time goes quickly.

It is really fun to do, take it slow and easy and don't have too high expectations for "getting it done". Sometimes the most simple things become the memory. One time when dd was a toddler, we were walking behind Big Thunder Mountain and came upon a bunch of baby ducks. They were newborn and so cute. We stayed and watched them as long as she wanted to even though I was chomping at the bit to get to the next thing. She still remembers this and talks about it a lot! I am so glad I didn't rush her along. She still talks about the first time in her whole life that she ever saw a LIVE real mouse at DL too but I did rush her along that time-lol.

[wishonstars]

Personally, I would try it! :) If it's a total nightmare, then you know to not do it again! :) But try it once anyway!

[disneyochem]

Yep, I say "Yes!" I travel all over the place w/o my hubby (if I waited for him, we wouldn't go anywhere!). I have taken the kids to Hawaii, Colorado, Santa Fe, Texas, and numerous times to DL!

Again, take your time with them. Your biggest challenge will be the bathroom runs! Sit at sit-down restaurants for food--it is such a challenge to balance a food tray, kids and a stroller in Red Rocket Pizza Port!!! :crazy: :crazy:

fidoprincess, the story about your daughter made me laugh! One of my favorite memories of DL is the afternoon I spent with my then 3-year old daughter picking up treasures! We collected feathers, rocks and leaves!

[kelmac284]

I agree with the gals that talked about the stroller issues and restaurants. I went with my mom and my little ones while my dh was deployed to Iraq and let me tell you EVEN with her there it was a nightmare trying to get the stroller folded onto the shuttle with sleeping little ones and NO ONE helped or even gave up their seat. It really ticked me off that I was trying to carry a huge double stroller and two sleeping infants and grown men wouldn't give up a seat and even almost knocked me over to get in front of me on the shuttle EVEN THOUGH we were there first but they got ahead of me while I was trying to fold up the stroller. SAD!!

And the OTHER problem I had was trying to take the kids to the bathroom. Your kids are small so you can't leave one there while you take the others and I worried that they would take my food away. It is really dumb to me how so many restaurants don't have bathrooms even IN the restaurant itself.

Now that my kids are older (7 and 5) I feel better about leaving the older one if I had to but it is still tough.

If you think you can handle it I say go for it but just remember about the above cuz it CAN be a problem.

Have fun if you end up going! :)

[thirtycats]

I think you'll be fine!!!

Although I have only one child. So take my words with a grain of salt.

[Zoemakes5]

I have three and I'd do it, but my three are at way different ages than yours.
While I did travel on my own a few times when DD was a baby with all three of them, and took them to dinner and other places, I don't know that I would have done DL with them when they were younger, but sounds like it might work for you.
For me, it would be so stressful. And it's really only because of the logistics. Even something as simple as getting the older two to the bathroom and not leaving the baby unattended. Or having to have everyone stop if the baby needs to eat or be changed. Coordination of naps, food, tickets, how to get on and off rides, having to go on rides that everyone can go on and figuring out seating, standing in line holding on to an 8 mo old and having to corrall the other two. Having to let go of hands to get tickets. It's certainly doable, but I'd be so stressed out the entire time I'm not sure it would be worth it.
As an alternative, could you bring a friend or even a teenager or older child with you to help out. They'd get a DL trip and you'd get a pair of extra hands.

[MATTERHORN]

Here's how we handle some of those things and my kids are the same ages as OP's.


For me, it would be so stressful. And it's really only because of the logistics. Even something as simple as getting the older two to the bathroom and not leaving the baby unattended.

I either take the stroller into the bathroom with me (if I have to go) and use the big handicap stalls at the ends. I have two huge doubles, one Graco duoglider and one side by side and they both fit fine. The older two go, and then I go while baby is in stroller. If I don't have to go myself, I just hold the baby and take the other two in and pick one towards the back where I just stand there with the door open while they go. It's the same as at home, I am usually holding the baby and trying to wipe DD3! It's great fun!


Or having to have everyone stop if the baby needs to eat or be changed.

This is pretty easy. Changing doesn't take that long. I use the back seat of our stroller and lay it completely flat so we don't even have to be near a bathroom, just go out of the way so everyone isn't privy to the changing! The baby can eat while on many rides. Hop on the Railroad and feed bottle/nurse there. The olders will still have fun and you kill two birds with one stone. You can also do this on Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Small World, etc.



Coordination of naps, food, tickets,

As far as naps, for us they nap in the stroller or IF (hardly ever) we go back during the day, I try to keep the baby up or head back right when they are getting tired and we all nap! Other times I hold the baby while napping and we just go on lots of rides. Food is tricky as I said earlier, sit down places are best because it is hard with food, tray, baby and kids to balance it all and pay. Let someone wait on you and make some PS's. I hold all the tickets in a little holder and 2 kids are in the stroller as we enter the gates, and one is holding on. They will let you all go through the stroller entrance together since yours are so young!



how to get on and off rides, having to go on rides that everyone can go on and figuring out seating,

This is pretty simple really. On rides like Jungle Cruise, you all sit together. Same with Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Teacups and so on. On dark rides, the 3 year old will enter the front seat first followed by the 4 year old. Then you and baby will be behind them in the same car. We all get out at the same time, or I get out first (Pirates) and help the other kids out! There's not that many that you all can't go on as I posted before!


standing in line holding on to an 8 mo old and having to corrall the other two. Having to let go of hands to get tickets.

The only times I let go of hands is if the older two must have a hand on the stroller at all times. I make them get in it at times where I cannot hold them. Also I highly recommend a sling/carrier for the baby so both hands can be free for the other two and you don't have to take the stroller ride to ride. Just park it and do the area if they can walk it! Also my kdis know they must behave while in lines or we won't be able to go ourselves so there is no corralling. Just walk single file with them right in front of you as I am sure you do even with help!

It's certainly doable, but I'd be so stressed out the entire time I'm not sure it would be worth it.
As an alternative, could you bring a friend or even a teenager or older child with you to help out. They'd get a DL trip and you'd get a pair of extra hands.


These are all valid concerns, but with practice, all the things I wrote are second nature to us now and these tips can really make or break your trip. I don't have to make very many changes to make it enjoyable for all of us. I will say that it has gotten harder now that DS wants to crawl and there is not many places, but another month and he will be walking and I can't wait. Much easier (for me) to handle. Have a great trip!


Andrea

[Leofoenget]

Does anyone have experience going solo with little ones? I am seriously considering goingby myself with my DD(almost 4), DS (almost 3), and DD(8 months)
My husband has been really busy, and I'm tired of waiting for him to have a free weekend! I figure we are going to DCA on the 19th as a family, and I don't want to wait that long!
If we go during the week, it shouldn't be too crowded, right? We have a double jogger stroller for the littlest two, and we should be able to have a good time, right?

Am I nuts?

I'm going with 1 in Nov and I'm not planning on doing a whole lot. I can not imagine going with an 8 month old.

[samkj]

WOW, you are all much, much braver than me! I just picture one of the kids having a meltdown and having to keep an eye on the others while trying to calm down the one with the problem. I take my three on day trips (zoo, museums, etc...) all the time, but I would be a nervous wreck someplace as busy as Disneyland, and my kids are not the wandering type. It would be too nerve wracking to be fun.

[KatelynnsAuntie]

For me, 3 would be too much. Is there someone you could leave the baby with (grandparents, etc) and just take the 2 older ones? They would get so much more out of it than the baby and I think it would be less stressful for you. :)

[Alex2kMommy]

WOW, you are all much, much braver than me! I just picture one of the kids having a meltdown and having to keep an eye on the others while trying to calm down the one with the problem. I take my three on day trips (zoo, museums, etc...) all the time, but I would be a nervous wreck someplace as busy as Disneyland, and my kids are not the wandering type. It would be too nerve wracking to be fun.
Oh, gosh, it's much easier to encourage someone else! ;)
Now if you asked, would I book it tomorrow...that would be a different story!

[iheartdisney]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice. I forgot to add that we are only about two hours up, so I would only be doing a day trip. We can go down, DS will probably nap on the way, he's the only one I'd have to worry about. I'm really thinking this is doable.
Nursing on the Railroad or Jungle Cruise sounds like a great idea, I was trying to come up with a list of places to feed the baby while the other two were otherwise engaged! All I could think of was the playground in Toontown.
I was just planning on not doing too many rides, its funny how the big rides don't really matter once you start taking kids.

:Pinkbounc Keep the advice and ideas coming! :Pinkbounc

[MATTERHORN]

Glad you decided to go for it! Yea, it doesn't really matter to me if I do the big rides or not. I know they will be there on the next trip and oldest DD understands that we just can't do the height requirement rides unless her dad or a friend of mine comes, and she is fine with that.

I haven't nursed on Jungle Cruise because it's so open and there are people facing you (that's just my thing), but Pirates, Small World, Railroad, and the Tiki Room is another great one where the kids are entertained and you get a nice relaxing cool nursing break!

Well have fun, let us know how it goes if you decide to do it!

Andrea

[samkj]

Oh, gosh, it's much easier to encourage someone else! ;)
Now if you asked, would I book it tomorrow...that would be a different story!
:rotfl: :dance3: :rotfl:

[Zoemakes5]

Single day trip, I might chance it! Or, in the alternative, single day trip I'd have no problem leaving the baby for the day with friend or family or bringing an extra hand, not a huge cost for just one day.
You'd be able to nurse on several rides (for shorter durations, pretty much anything in Fantasyland, the ones already listed, Winnie the Pooh,) or at shows/movies.

[fidoprincess]

I would surely do a single day trip! They are at a perfect age right now to do this-(DD(almost 4), DS (almost 3), and DD(8 months). I hate to tell you this but it's when they get older, they get harder-lol. Looking back, the baby stage was the easiest! They can all ride the same things now but when one hits the age/size to ride Space and the other 2 are still too little, that is when the trouble hits-lol!

[iheartdisney]

Just wanted to update...I will be attempting the insanity after Thanksgiving. My DH will be doing a 3 week field exercise, and I'll be getting out of the house with the kids and escaping to the Happiest Place on Earth! (figured I'd better go before we have to pay for DS ticket too! (he'll be 3 in January.)

[LLLRH]

iheartdisney your braver than me that's for sure. I don't even think I would go alone with my DD because I like to take my own stroller and wouldn't be able to figure out how to get it and my DD on the tram. I hate how people rush to the tram even though you waited in line to board your stroller. I started having my DH drop me off so I don't have to deal with that.

[disneegrl4eva]

but my reason for saying no has nothing to do with anything thats been said...its only because I wouldnt get to ride any of the rides I want to...and when it comes to DL Im a big spoiled bratty baby... I mean princess :lmao:

[rosiep]

I like that everyone is so encouraging. Mothering can be so lonely if you just sit at home. I think Matterhorn will have lot's of extra advice for you you so talk amongst yourselves ;) . As long as you know your own pace I think you'll be fine.

[MATTERHORN]

I like that everyone is so encouraging. Mothering can be so lonely if you just sit at home. I think Matterhorn will have lot's of extra advice for you you so talk amongst yourselves ;) . As long as you know your own pace I think you'll be fine.

Thanks rosiep! It can get lonely and the kids and I both have fun so I go and make the best of it! Better to be alone with three kids at Disnyeland than alone with them at boring places like the grocery store or post office!! :goodvibes

Andrea

[MATTERHORN]

Just wanted to update...I will be attempting the insanity after Thanksgiving. My DH will be doing a 3 week field exercise, and I'll be getting out of the house with the kids and escaping to the Happiest Place on Earth! (figured I'd better go before we have to pay for DS ticket too! (he'll be 3 in January.)


Can you make it over on the 10th of December? Will DH still be gone then? I'll be there that day with my 3 kiddos, we could meet up for a while if you wanted to! The more the merrier!


Andrea

[rosiep]

but my reason for saying no has nothing to do with anything thats been said...its only because I wouldnt get to ride any of the rides I want to...and when it comes to DL Im a big spoiled bratty baby... I mean princess :lmao:

HEY!!!!!!!! That's MY JOB! :crazy:

[lntsmom]

I have been before with 1 little one...or with one older child and a little one. I would think twice before going alone with 3 small children. You'd be seriously outnumbered.

However, that doesn't mean you can't go. Find a teenage girl who is responsible and willing to go with you. You'd have to pay her entrance fee and probably a flat sitting rate for the day, but it would be so worth the trade-off.

Make sure she has a cell phone or take walkies, so if one of the kids has a potty emergency, etc, you can split up and find each other again easily.

I had a friend in high school who went to WDW twice as a sitter. The family allowed her to have time off each day...a couple of hours where she could go and do anything she wanted...in trade for not paying her a sitting fee. That's another idea you could consider.

Have fun when you go, whenever that may be!

[disneegrl4eva]

HEY!!!!!!!! That's MY JOB! :crazy:

IM THE princess: DANG IT!!!!!! :furious: and theres not room for both of us...so go find your own kingdom...DL is MINE!!!!!!!!!!!

[PattiPB]

I have very fond :rolleyes1 memories of running through an airport with all three kids when they were 5, 3 & 1 by myself. I had one in the double stroller, and the other two holding on to either side. In the second seat of the double stroller was the full-size car seat, onto which was piled 2 backpacks and a rolling carry-on. We have less than 10 minutes to go from one end to the other, including moving sidewalks and a security check!

WDW/DL is a piece of cake after that nightmare!!!!! :hyper: :crazy:

[Albort]

Make sure she has a cell phone or take walkies, so if one of the kids has a potty emergency, etc, you can split up and find each other again easily.


hahaha, pointless... we tried to call each other when we split up and ended up not hearing the rings at all... its hard to listen... best would be to stick together...

Also, there is a day care center at the park too!

[iheartdisney]

I have very fond :rolleyes1 memories of running through an airport with all three kids when they were 5, 3 & 1 by myself. I had one in the double stroller, and the other two holding on to either side. In the second seat of the double stroller was the full-size car seat, onto which was piled 2 backpacks and a rolling carry-on. We have less than 10 minutes to go from one end to the other, including moving sidewalks and a security check!

WDW/DL is a piece of cake after that nightmare!!!!! :hyper: :crazy:
I had to laugh...I flew from VA to FL alone with when they were one and two, and misread to flight time, so we had 15 minutes from bag check to get up to the gate! The double stroller looked like a homeless mans shopping cart- I had the carseats strung over one handle, the carry-ons strung over the other, was wearing one carseat like a back-pack...and two kids still in pajamas...ahhhh, the memories!

[iheartdisney]

hahaha, pointless... we tried to call each other when we split up and ended up not hearing the rings at all... its hard to listen... best would be to stick together...

Also, there is a day care center at the park too!
A day care center...never heard of it! You gotta be kidding!

[MATTERHORN]

A day care center...never heard of it! You gotta be kidding!
I am hoping since he works there that he means the baby care center. But it's not anywhere that you can leave your little ones!!

[iheartdisney]

That's what I figured!