Am I crazy to think I can/should do this?

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

DH just informed me he is going to a conference in Orlando 10/19-23. Work will obviously pay for his room, meals and RT flight. He wants us to come along and have work just pay him what they would for the flight and we'd drive. I feel like I cannot pass up this since all we'd have to pay for OOP is food for the kids and I, park tickets and souvenirs! However this means I am on my own with our 2 kiddos from 8-5 for 5 days! Am I nutso to even consider taking them to the parks those days by myself?? DS will be 4.5 and DD 7. I'm just trying to figure out how do you ride things with 2 kids at the same time? Oh and how busy is that time of year??

 

[Suellen]

I traveled to the parks alone for two weeks with my kiddos when they were 2 and 4. It really wasn't as bad/hard as I thought.

 

[Caseheidi]

I think you would be crazy not to go! Lol

I am here right now and have seen several Moms alone with 2 kids in the the parks. Really, it is not that different then your daily life taking your kids to the park, children's museum, whatever during the summer months. And you have the bonus if having your DH with you each night as help. I would rather spend days in the parks with my kids and have DH with us then be home alone with the kids solid all week.

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

I know Caseheidi, I 110% agree with you!

So if I do this, how do all 3 of us ride rides at the same time? We were just there last year and I remember a lot of the rides we had to split into 2s.

 

[Suellen]

I can't actually think of any you wouldn't e able to put three in - maybe the Rockets?

 

[asmit4]

4.5 and 7? NO problem! Plenty old enough to handle things on your own!

 

[Caseheidi]

Many of the rides fit one adult with two kids comfortably when appropriate for their ages. (IASW, Dumbo, Pooh, LM, ****, HM, SM, BTMRR, whatever that car ride is - the Speedway, JC, AFC, Tiki Room - you get the idea!) At least the Fantasy Land rides. And I believe that a 7 yr old can ride some of them alone. I would suggest you save the rides that your 7 yo can go on but your 4.5 yo is not big enough for until the day DH can be with you (I am assuming he will be there a day or two with you).

Also, since you are going in October, you might get tickets to MNSSHP for a night DH can go with you. I would suggest hanging around the resort/pool all day and taking long afternoon naps, and then hitting the parks at 4-5 when you can enter. Let the kids dress up, heck dress up yourselves, and go trick or treating with your kids and visit all the characters. It is a great time to be at the parks, and the party is a blast.

 

[Goldilocks07]

Definitely go!

I would love the opportunity to take my daughter, alone, into the parks!

Have fun! And go to the MNSSHP too!

 

[AthenaBolina]

I took four kids by myself four years ago! They were 4.5, 8, 9 and 9. We did everything just fine and did all the rides too at all four parks. You can do it!! Eta: I didn't do rider swap either. We did everything together and it was fine. Sometimes we had to sit in different rows but the older kids were almost 10 anyway, so not babies. We did do MNSSHP and LOVED it. We ride BTMRR 5 times in a row. If we ever go back in October we will do it again.

 

[BellsFam]

As PP said...why wouldn't you go!

I did WDW (pretty much) alone with DD when she was 3.5... we did fine by ourselves!!!

 

[Asnell]

Absolutely, go! One of my *best* memories is the time I took my boys, 7 and 9, to Disneyland for 5 days without DH. We had such fun and I found it a little easier to be "in the moment" with them. They really got involved in the planning of our days, looking at maps together, choosing our itinerary. They even volunteered to take turns with our daypack, since Dad wasn't there to schlep it around.

We are in fact planning our trip to WDW for a time when DH will be working most days and just joining us in the evenings. The boys (who will be 12 and 14) will rock it, I'm sure.

 

[jm106]

I cant see a reason not to go. Its no different then spending a busy week alone at home with them I would think. You take breaks and know limits with 2 small kids but go and enjoy it and then DH can catch up with you in evening.

 

[Biggie Smalls]

I def think you can manage it and make sure to take lots of breaks so that you don't get overwhelmed or have the kids get too tired and cranky. I will say I went at that same time 2 years ago and it was a little busy so make sure to get going early

 

[GotLabradors]

GO! GO! GO! GO!

 

[henry72]

I agree with the others...you are crazy not to go!

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

Yes, I know I'm absolutely insane not to go I just have a hard time taking my 2 to the grocery store alone! We were there last June since DH had another conference there but luckily his schedule was more open and we all did the parks together. Can I assume end of Oct is nothing like June crowd wise? It was packed when we went!

And for sure we'd be doing MNSSHP! I have been DYING to go

SO, the conference is at the Gaylord which wants $217/night plus tax (and that is their "negotiated" rate). Since we can get a rental cheaper, we'll go that route. We stayed at WBC last time (loved it) but what can you all tell me as to how LBV compares? I have pricing for both locations.

Thank you all for setting my mind at ease!!

 

[catherines_mama]

IF 7 yo has to ride alone. Make sure you and 4.5 get in 1st car. Tell CM he's with you. That way you get off 1st and you are there to get him off.