Advice for Single Parent.

[ajm1107]

I am taking my DS (6) for our first trip to WDW. I am very excited. We will be at POP from 6/1-6/6 and then SSR from 6/6-6/10. For the time at POP it will be just the two of us, joining friends at SSR. What advice do you have (besides mid day naps ) THis is our first major trip by ourselves

 

[Magic2000]

My DD and I are doing our first "solo" trip in June too! (DH & DD in college can't make it) We'll be at Pop Century starting June 10! Yes, some down time will be important, especially during the summer! Be sure to include some pool time!!

I'm letting my DD pick which rides we'll go on first, etc. And, she gets to pick most of the places where we'll eat! She is really looking forward to that!! And, I'll also be planning some surprises for her - like some pins for trading, maybe a stuffed Mickey hiding in her bed, etc.

We are really looking forward to our trip - especially driving down! We'll be picking fast food places to stop at for lunch!!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[pezpam]

It's just me and DD7, too. We've been, just the two of us, to WDW when she was 5 and 6. The best and most important piece of advice is simply to keep yourself on HER schedule. It's impossible to see and do everything, especially with a little one, so don't push her past her breaking point trying to do it all. No matter what you do and odn't see, it'll be a fantabulous trip for both of you. Heck, this trip is the first one where we're even trying to see fireworks - the past two years, DD needed to be in bed early so she wouldn't be a grump all the next day. And you know what? She hasn't complained even once about anything she missed - but she can talk your ear off about all the stuff she DID do.

 

[RobinMarie]

My advice is to arrive at parks at opening.

Plan to do Splash Mountain 15 times so get in line after Dumbo.

Plan to do the Kili Rapids 10 times, wear nylon shorts.

Swimming in the pool AFTER a nap. No exceptions!

Get a child's fanny pack and put nutritious snacks in it each day and allow child to nibble as needed.

Consider renting PAL Mickey for a day or two! It's great fun for children and adults. Will help while waiting in line.

 

[Ambassador]

I helps to have a loose plan, which you can casually follow according to you and your child's mood. Plan to arrive early, and allow for rest at your resort in the afternoon. Take it slow, without expectations to see it all, and enjoy every moment.

In general, we will go on several rides, say in Fantasyland and Mickey's Toontown, until lunch at a location where we have PS. After lunch we head to our resort for a swim and rest, before getting ready for an early dinner at 6pm. We check the entetainment schedule to see if there are any parades or events early enough in the evening for the little ones to enjoy. The whole family usually passes out earlier than usual at the end of the day.

 

[babybunrab]

DS and I are going on our fourth solo trip in August. The first time we went he was three and he's now ten. I don't insist on a real 'nap' anymore, but I did when he was little and now we go back for a 'rest' (which often has turned into a nap for both of us!) I also sit down with him (then and now) and we both pick a few things from each park we really want to see. We make sure we hit those, but anything after that is a bonus.

Also, keep hydrated! My DS (and I, too,) can get a little cranky if dehydrated. We wear a water bottle strap and this works well.

So, I would say don't push yourselves, have reasonable expectations and stay hydrated and you'll have a great time!

 

[leahannpen]

Going it solo w/ DS (4) in a few days, though I'll be with a friend and her daughter, who's 10, so that'll help. DH just can't do WDW every year like me, and he was just there last May. I'm really looking forward to my one-on-one time with my DS. We are taking it easy (I'm 6 months prego anyway) with naps in the afternoon, lots of water, a stroller, meals for down time, and bed after parks...so we won't be up late.

Have fun and be flexable! Don't push it.

 

[newholidayx2]

This Aug will be the first WDW vacation that its just DS13 & me
and our first ever 2wk vacation