Single mom with a baby in Disney?

Without going into too much detail, my partner and I are going through some trying times. It's very likely that we'll split, or at least separate for a significant amount of time. We had been planning an elaborate party for our daughter's first birthday this October but with all that's going on, it's probably not a feasible idea any more. I really want to do something special with my daughter for her birthday. For her, but also for myself since it's been a very hard year for me, personally. She's too little to understand. I'm considering taking her to Disney, just her and I, over her birthday for maybe 4 nights. We'd fly from Pennsylvania. My mom considered coming, but it's not possible with her work and other things going on.

Is this a terrible idea? Has anyone done this, or know someone who has? I'm not a Disney regular, in fact the last time I was there was almost 20 years ago. FWIW, she does great in a stroller.

Thanks.

To be honest, it sounds quite stressful. Disney is the vacation that fights back. The only reason my children have went that young is because they had older siblings.

Disney is always crowded, even on "low crowd" days, the majority of your time will be spent standing in lines. Even taking advantage of Fastpasses, a 1-year-old will not understand why she can't do things over and over, or right away.

The only way I would consider it, in your situation, if I was happy to spend a lot of time at the resort pool. That is likely the place your daughter would be happiest.

I think that it's totally understandable to want to do something for yourself, especially given the circumstances.

Is going to Disney regularly something you plan on being able to do with her? If it isn't, I wouldn't have her "first trip" be when she is so young she won't remember it at all.

I am all for doing something special for birthdays - we are taking my daughter to Universal this year for her birthday because she's really into Harry Potter (She's turning 10) and we are going to Disney for mine. But Disney for a 1 year old seems like it wouldn't really mean anything to her.

Maybe you'd be better off taking a long weekend for yourself? A happy and refreshed Mama is a tremendous gift.

I'm very sorry that you're going through all that.

That's a very nice idea. Like you said, this would be a trip for your daughter AND for you, and Disney is a good place to 'leave reality behind' and fully immerse in different worlds. Like many places, there are crowds and it can get a little stressful, but if you go with an inquisitive mind and just focus on the 2 of you and going with the flow without having too many expectations for doing so many rides or meeting so many characters, you will have a good time. You will create memories with your daughter that will stick with you forever, and even if she can't appreciate many details or characters, she will still enjoy seeing a lot of whimsical places and faces, and her smile will be priceless to you.

I say do it if you can. It's a very unique place for really taking your mind away from day to day life. Wishing you lots of happiness!

I took my daughter as a single father just after she turned 10. We had a very memorable trip and one of our favorites. It was a rough custody situation so something to consider is how her father is going to react to it being on her bday. For me that would have made the situation even more difficult.

I also recommend not going crazy with extras as disney is special and it sets a minimum expectation for future visits. A well placed special dinner goes a long way. Being in oct. Trick or treating in disney for mnsshp will be something both of you will remember.

I was a single mom and started taking my son when he was around 2 3/4. Your daughter will not remember it so I would say go if it's just you want a getaway for the two of you. I'm told I went to Disneyland when I was 1 and 2 but obviously don't remember it. I does take some patience to go single with a little one but it's certainly doable and fun. Yours will still be in a stroller so the challenges will be a little more. My son was out of the stroller by then. QS meals single with a stroller are going to be hard and the stroller won't be allowed in TS restaurants but there are certainly high chairs (in QS as well but it's hard to carry a little one and a tray of food at the same time). Since my son was out of the stroller I would just hold his hand and in line at QS he stood in front of me, holding a piece of my clothes at all times. After I got our tray, he would walk beside me, again holding a piece of clothes.