Anyone ever take 1 child at a time?

[lattemomof3]

We are going as a family for a week over Thanksgiving, and doing Sea World, Legoland and then 4 days in the parks. Well, my wheels are already turning to figure out how I can get back next year! DH is not the Disney fanatic that I am, and said he would like to do a non Disney vacation next year. I am fine with that, but DH is very understanding of my need to get my Disney fix, and I think he would be fine w/ me taking 1 of the kiddos at a time, on the "off" Disney years. Of course, I would only do this if DH has absolutely no problems w/ it, but I thought I'd gather some info from you guys first. With 1 child, I could stay offsite and do a less expensive, quicker trip (like 3 days at parks). We have a nephew who is an only child, they do DW frequently, and my 2 oldest always think he is SOOO lucky to go by himself and have his parents undivided attention. I should also note I'm sure my kids would be thrilled w/ this idea, they are great about waiting their turn for other small family trips (I took DD10 to the Jonas Brothers for a weekend, and then DH took DS7 to a guys weekend football game), we don't really have jealousy issues as long as they know they'll get their turn. Have any of you split the family up for a DLR fix? How did it work out for you?

 

[MyMonkies]

I have not done it but I think it sounds perfectly fine as long as you make sure the other actually gets their turn. I bet it would be a blast with one kid! I know we took our 3 kids last year & had fun-but there was still the bickering & my dd who thinks she is queen snapping at my ds, lol.

You've done one child at a time trips like the concert & football game, I don't see why Disney would be any different

 

[ebtbmom]

I'll have to let you know in Jan. I am the Disney fanatic and my husband sounds like yours, he's happy to go along but he doesn't yearn for it and think about it and plan the next trip months ahead of time like I do!

Well our last trip was Nov 08. then my husband started nursing school this fall! Of course he can't miss time from nsg school to go to Disney but how could I wait 3-4 years for a Disney fix? No way, so me and my son are going to DLR in Jan. without dad. I only have 1 kid though, so I don't know about the kid splitting aspect, but my husband totally doesn't care.

As a matter of fact I offered to go around New Years so he could go and he was really insistent that he was OK with us going without him. We're planning him a Beaches resort trip for his graduation, can you believe he picked a tropical island beach resort rather than Disney? What's wrong with him?

 

[disneymum58]

I have done this a few times and my boys, age 9 and 6 have been perfectly fine with this. In Jan. I took my 6 year old and in a few days I will be there celebrating DS9 birthday. They each know they will get a turn and they are fine with it so far. I have even done other non-disney trips one at a time. For me, I love the one on one time and the child left at home gets to spend more time with dad. My DH is also not so much a disney fan but he does tolerate my addiction so it has worked well so far.
Our trips have been short trips, 3 or 4 nights, at a time.

 

[DangerMouse]

I have taken each of my kids on individual birthday trips where we have splurged on the resort hotels and other special birthday treats. It's a special one on one time with each child that I wouldn't trade for anything.

 

[bzkds]

I have taken each of my girls alone with me. I just let them set the pace and remind myself that if I don't do all MY favorites.. I will the next time! It's really enjoyable to explore the parks through their eyes.

Dd16 was 9 the first time I went alone with her. She loves all the big rides so we went on everything! That trip we were lucky enough to stay at the GC, so it was really fun and relaxing, close to the hotel for afternoon rests, etc.

I have taken Dd13 2x alone. She does not like the big rides, but loves my favorite (POTC) and really enjoys the slower rides. This past year, I took her on Jungle Cruise for the first time since she was really little... she laughed hysterically at all the corny jokes and it was one of the best memories of the trip!

I have also found it is so much easier to decide what to do, where to eat, and we can easily split meals to save on dining costs. It also helps that we go during Feb when it is a little less crowded and a lot cooler than our usual family trips during the summer!

Beth

 

[lattemomof3]

We live in Nebraska, so a DLR trip would be a much bigger deal than the Jonas concert. It would involve driving 4 hours to the nearest airport, flying, and 3 or 4 nights' lodging. Sounds as if it works well for those of you who have tried it, definately something to think about!

 

[DisneyDork1969]

I have two nephews and one niece. I have taken the oldest nephew to WDW alone when he was 10 and then I took him to DL alone last year when he was 13yo...in two years my niece will be 10 and I will take her to WDW...the 3rd child is 6yo, so he will get his own trip after I take his sister...Its a great way to give them each thier own special trips & attention...

 

[Snow Brite]

I have taken each of my kids alone on their 7th birthday. There has been no jealousy, as they all new they would get their trip when it was their time. It was a magic, wonderful time each trip. I loved that they got to set the pace and do whatever it was they wanted, probably the only time in their little lives that they didn't have to take turns choosing the next ride, or wait while their brother went to the bathroom, or had to go eat someplace other than where they wanted to go. I have the exact same photographs of each of them under the Sorcerer's Hat at the DLH as well as at the front doors of the hotel and a letter at the CALIFORNIA sign that is in their name.

I also love that I have this little snapshot in my memory of each of them and their likes and personalities at that exact age. My daughter loved IASW and we went on that ride numerous times, but also waited in line to meet Sleeping Beauty and every single night waited for over an hour in front of the castle for fireworks. My oldest son did not care at all about characters, just the E-tickets and we went on CA Screamin' and Space Mountain numerous times. My middle son loved Autopia and we drove those cars in circles over and over again, every time giggling like maniacs. My youngest son was determined to ride everything that was open once, nothing twice, so we did.

I think I really got to know each child better and more intimately during that time and that connection was a really good thing as they moved on to second grade and more independence.

Long story short....go for it!

 

[Leofoenget]

I'm taking DS5 in Dec alone. I have also taken my older son alone few years back. It's nice to go one on one.

 

[JennHales]

I take each child when they turn 8. This year I get to take my son and I can't wait. We need some mother son fun time.

I have a bunch of friends that work for Jetblue and can fly for free all the time. I applied for a job and am crossing my fingers I get it. Any money I make is going strait to Disney~
Jen

 

[DisneyBabies]

Our situation is just a little different from yours, but DH and I took our DS5 by himself for his 5bday/1st trip and left DD3 with her Godparents. We are already planning a trip for DD3 for her 5bday/1st trip in Feb 2011 and DS will stay home and Nanny will take care of him. DD didn't seem to get jealous at all and asks DS all the time to tell her about his trip; they look at his photopass book together . And DS knows that he doesn't get to go on that trip because he had his trip already. He says it makes him a little sad that he doesn't get to go, but he understands why and knows we will all go back together a couple of years after DD's trip. And DS LOVED the undivided attention and the fact that he got to do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted (it may be a rude awakening when we go together in 2013 ).