Single parent needs resort/travel advice

[savedbylove]

Hello,

Originally I planned a trip to Disney for August with a few family members (staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek) but they have now backed out and I am faced with the possibility of going to Disney by myself with two kids. My mom is worried about me being alone with just the kids. I don't want my mom to worry but at the same time I don't want to cancel my vacation. I've had to cancel my previous vacations over the past few years for various reasons and do not want to disappoint the kids or myself yet again.

Any advice for a single parent traveling to Disney? My plans are to stay at a Disney resort so that I do not have to drive. And we will use Magical Express from the airport.

I have a 30% off pin code. Which resort would you suggest? I am leaning toward a value (Pop Century or All Star Sports) or moderate (Coronado Springs)

Thanks

 

[darrengs]

I agree with your current plan. It will be much easier for you if you stay on site, and taking advantage of ME will surely make it even easier. Now to me, the choice between a value and a moderate is budget related. If the moderate is in the budget go for it, if not the value will still be a great trip.

 

[Mariep26]

Moving onsite is a good idea so you can leverage Disney transportation. How old are your kids? Are you planning on making dining reservations?

I have only stayed at AoA and ASMo for Value and both were nice. Depends on what is important to you.. pools, themes, etc..

 

[savedbylove]

I agree with your current plan. It will be much easier for you if you stay on site, and taking advantage of ME will surely make it even easier. Now to me, the choice between a value and a moderate is budget related. If the moderate is in the budget go for it, if not the value will still be a great trip.

Moving onsite is a good idea so you can leverage Disney transportation. How old are your kids? Are you planning on making dining reservations?

I have only stayed at AoA and ASMo for Value and both were nice. Depends on what is important to you.. pools, themes, etc..

Thanks for responding. I could really afford to do both but I thought as preteens (12 & 13) they may prefer the moderates because of the slides and the bigger beds. My daughter and I will share a bed and my son will have his own bed. We have dining reservations at Sci-Fi and Chef Mickey already and I have a room on hold at Pop.

My mom's worrying has me worrying and 2nd guessing my plans. This is so silly I am an adult over 30 and I wanna go to Disney

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

I took my three kids solo in March, my mom joined for a few days. I'm also taking them down in 2 weeks. I can't comment on staying off property, as my trip in 2 weeks will be my first. However, staying on site made everything simple. Your kids are certainly old enough that you don't have the wander off worries. Go for it.

Edit to add: I have had to say to my mom in the past 'mom, I handle the day to day life of these kids. I can (take them to Disney, go to NYC, drive to DC, fly out to Chicago) with them. I know you are worried but I am an adult, and I am their mother. It's usually my gramma that I have to say this to though

 

[dansdad]

My mom's worrying has me worrying and 2nd guessing my plans. This is so silly I am an adult over 30 and I wanna go to Disney

When you first posted I pictured you and 2 little ones and was going to say it's really easy when staying on site. But with 2 preteens, oh my that's a walk in the park. I took 3 kids all under 7 solo for a week and had no issues whatsoever. Time to tell Mom to chill.

 

[queenofthehive]

I have traveled frequently to Disney with just the kiddos and myself. My husband is not a Disney fan so it usually just me and the kids. I have stayed off site and on site - both with no issues. Have a blast and do not let traveling alone with the kids hold you back from not traveling. Especially with your kids ages, it will be a breeze. You will be asking yourself "why haven't I done this earlier"! LOL

 

[Julylady]

Compared with other things you need to do as a single Mom, a trip to Disney World staying on-site is a piece of cake! Just take the same normal precautions you would take in a hotel in any big city. Some people let their guard down at Disney and that might not be a good idea.

Regarding the hotel.....look up pictures of both hotels on-line with your kids and see what one appeals to your family more. Personally, I would choose the moderate because I find the value hotels too stimulating lmao, but other people just love them. And I suspect your kids might really like the slides at the moderate hotels.

 

[xlsm]

You shouldn't have any problems. With your kids being 12 and 13 it should be super simple. They're old enough to ride on their own if they need to/want to, and most importantly...they're old enough to bring things to you while you sit in the shade and relax In my opinion, day to day life as a single parent is much harder than anything you'll encounter at the parks.

Remind your mom that you're an adult and the kids have made it this far in life with you as their parent, LOL.

Go, have an awesome time, and make some magical memories!

 

[mm1971]

Hello,

Originally I planned a trip to Disney for August with a few family members (staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek) but they have now backed out and I am faced with the possibility of going to Disney by myself with two kids. My mom is worried about me being alone with just the kids. I don't want my mom to worry but at the same time I don't want to cancel my vacation. I've had to cancel my previous vacations over the past few years for various reasons and do not want to disappoint the kids or myself yet again.

Any advice for a single parent traveling to Disney? My plans are to stay at a Disney resort so that I do not have to drive. And we will use Magical Express from the airport.

I have a 30% off pin code. Which resort would you suggest? I am leaning toward a value (Pop Century or All Star Sports) or moderate (Coronado Springs)

Thanks

I would recommend POFQ. It is a smaller resort and easier to maneuver, especially with young children. It has one bus stop, a boat to DTD (nice ride, better than a bus), and is very friendly. CS is way too big and spread out. If you get a building far from the center, it is really hard with children.

The airport is easy to navigate and taking ME is a good choice. We have stayed at POFQ a number of times. The pool is fun for the kids and not too big (easier to watch the children). It has a smaller food court where it's easier to keep track of everyone and is just a fun, relaxing atmosphere.

 

[shyjade]

Seriously, my mom was so freaked out when I decided to take my daughter to Disney alone when she was 3...In her defense, friends of hers were vacationing at Disney (offsite) when their young son darted into the road and was struck and killed (many years ago). HOWEVER, that had NOTHING to do with Disney itself, and my mom had no reason to worry whatsoever.

MANY parents travel alone to Disney with their children.

I have since traveled to Disney (and other places) alone with my DD over the years without incident. Truly one of the reasons we return to Disney again and again is because Disney just makes it so easy and safe! I love staying on site and not worrying about how we are going to get around. I spend every other day of the year driving her around (or worrying about her driving herself now). At Disney...no directions, no schedules, and I always feel 100% safe. Even getting back to the resort at 2:30am last year and walking to our somewhat remotely located room, I never felt a pang of fear. And this is coming from someone who gets freaked out being alone in my own home during the night!

We have stayed at Pop and enjoyed it, but will be staying at CSR this fall because I want something a little more relaxing, better beds, etc. You can't go wrong at either resort...just depends what you're looking for.

I say go for it!

 

[Sandi]

When you first posted I pictured you and 2 little ones and was going to say it's really easy when staying on site. But with 2 preteens, oh my that's a walk in the park. I took 3 kids all under 7 solo for a week and had no issues whatsoever. Time to tell Mom to chill.

That's what I thought, too. The OP will be fine. Actually, with kids at 12 and 13, you can let them go off together to do some things on their own. I'm not a single mom, but my DH is a little like the OP's mom. He hates going to WDW (but has been a few times), but he loves that DD and I want to go there. He says he can be comfortable knowing we're at a really safe place. DD and I have been going alone since she was 5; she is now 19 (and we're going next month).

 

[4under4]

I've gone with just me and the kids. You can see from my signature I have twice as many, and they aren't as old as yours. A pool with a water slide is pretty much a requirement for my kids. And since I also have to share with DD, getting at least a queen size bed is a requirement for ME! Go and have a WONDERFUL time!!

 

[Pats Dragon]

I have traveled many times with just me and children. I would stay at pop because there are so many people around that you won't be walking in the dark in a scary area. I think you will have a fabulous time. Only thing I would avoid is dtd at night. If money is no problem Contemporary tower is very safe too.

 

[FancyNancy]

If your kids are preteens I wouldn't worry about it at all. Stay on site and have a great time!

I am a single mother and I started bringing my daughter when she was 7. We have never had a problem

 

[lovin'fl]

I am driving my twin DDs-15 to WDW (from MD) this Aug for a 5 night stay. My DH and DS will stay home but meet us in Hilton Head on the way back home (for a 5 night stay there). My DDs and I are looking forward to the trip. Just recently I convinced my mom to join us. We are driving in her car (sharing driving). I feel a little better having her with me...mostly for the hotel stop on the way down (other than that, I was feeling just fine about going solo with my DDs). I was a little nervous about checking into a hotel in an area I don't know all by myself (with 2 teen girls).

You'll be fine. I think you are smart to book onsite. We stayed at POR once and that was nice (other than POR, we have done all the DVC resorts and CR). I have been in Pop Century and it looks neat. You should go for it...it will be fun!!! You could make a couple really fun ADRs too (I booked the Luau as a surprise for my DDs).

 

[sndral]

Please don't let your mother's unreasonable anxiety stop you from creating wonderful memories of time spent with your children. Before you know it they will be grown and on their own.
I assume your mom has not traveled as a solo adult or solo parent w/ children on a WDW vacation, because if she had she would know there is nothing to be afraid of or anxious about. Her fear is of the unknown, I'm sure. That first trip as a solo parent is a bit daunting leading up to it - but the minute you are all on the plane on your way that fear starts to fade. By the end of the DME ride after you actually open the door to your room your anxiety is gone, you are there and your thoughts are turning to excitement and anticipation. Then you walk into the MK with your kids and have to hold back your tears as you see the castle and you hear their excitement as they debate what they'll ride first, and any worry is replaced by the joy of being able to share this with your children.
Tell mom you'll call her when you arrive and you'll check in occasionally while there so she knows it's all good, but you are going and the subject is closed.
BTW, I've read CSR has a great pool.

 

[usagibuffy]

Your kids are old enough it should be a cakewalk. While I haven't done an overnighter alone, I routinely take my two (ages 4 and 2) to Disneyland for the day, just the 3 of us. We're adding a baby in Sept, and I plan to be taking all 3 kids by myself by Christmastime. I feel like if the opportunity arose, I could take my current two on a trip alone. You'll be fine!

 

[Lillabelle0]

I just returned from my fourth solo trip with my children. They are now 13 and 11. We have always stayed onsite. We have felt safe every time we went. I drive so we venture off-site to to do other things as well. Confidence is key. It gets easier every time I go! We have always stayed at mods cuse of slides but kids informed me this time that they were slow and not fun. We checked into POP for the first time and found it to be sufficient. Rooms were smaller as were the beds. We, however, just need a place to lay our heads! We close the parks! I always had an assigned spot for us to meet if we got separated. I truly have never felt unsafe. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask or Pm me. I'm not sure if I thoroughly answered your questions. Btw, my mother used to freak too.. I would inform her that it doesn't take male anatomy to drive a car and vacation! She always worried that I traveled without a man!! Heehee!

 

[SA mom]

Piece of cake. I agree with the idea PO French Quarter. However, Coronado Springs would be awfully fun too, but it is huge.