Anyone with an only child?? Should we bring a friend?

[StevieD]

Our DD is 6 and is an only child. We've never had a problem on trips with keeping her occupied - but as she is getting older, we can anticipate that WDW may be just a bit more fun with some companionship. Anyone else out there with an only child?? Anyone had any experiences taking along a friend for their child (pros/cons)??? Any other suggestions??

 

[stacy6552]

We took our 6 year old and his baby brother, but he was essentially alone. Its disney world! no extra entertainment needed, at leats not at this age.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

My son is 8 and an only child. I've seen no reason yet to bring a friend. He's a very social child and tends to make friends at the pool the first day we are there, and he always makes a friend or 2 at the water parks. I really don't anticipate bringing someone else along until he's a teenager and doesn't want to hang around with mom and dad.

 

[jennymouse]

I agree with the above posters. I took my DGD(then 6) last April, just the two of us and had a ball...she met/played with kids everywhere: Pool, Buses, Parks.......mousekeepers. If it were somewhere she wasn't likely to meet any other kids, I'd probably let her bring a friend, but not necessary at WDW. You also run the risk of the other child suddenly missing thier family, or not wanting to do the rides your child wants to do and viceversa. I've noticed a lot of times when kids are around other kids where they'd be "living together" for a week or more, they do well in the beginning, then tend to "fight" after a day or two.

 

[cboudre1]

My DS is 14 and we have never brought a friend. I worry about taking a friend that far on a vacation. He always has a good time without a friend. We do bring a friend when we go places close to home.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I would not consider it at 6. Most 6 year olds are not ready to leave thier own families for an extended time and homesickness could ruin your trip. My only child DS is almost 10 and still happy to have his mom and dad to him self. Next trip he will 11 and we will be taking his soon to be adopted baby sister, but will not take a friend for him yet. Our plans are to let him take a buddy when he hits the teen years and is ready to do a few things without mom and dad. I would be perfectly happy never taking anyone outside the family but when I think that taking a buddy will make the trip better, then I will consider doing it. We have also talked about traveling with another family that has a son near my DS's age. Enjoy that precious time alone with your son!

Jordan's mom

 

[Dana_Buckley]

I think the last idea would be great, to travel with a family your DD is friends with, if you are friends with the parents too. You could take turns going out at night, and have some separate family time, and some together times.
We did this in Feb to go skiing. Our kids are only 2, but we took turns skiing & watching the other child, then had breakfast & dinners together. We shared a cabin & us adults could stay up talking after the kids were in bed.
I also agree, she will love WDW on her own, with her parents. Have a great time!

 

[jjsmom]

Our DD is 10 1/2 and has no problem going with us, alone. She always seems to make a friend at the pool which is good. And we are so busy when we're at WDW, that she doesn't have time to feel "lonely". Luckily her father and I love rides so she always has someone to ride with. This issue came up last summer and we caved and let her take a friend on a day trip to a local beach resort. Everyone had a super time, but I would have some concerns about a week long trip, such as money, potential health concerns (does the kid have allergies, asthma, etc.??), will your child mind "sharing" mom & dad with another kid?, and discipline.

Since she is getting older and seems to be getting into the "preteen" things, we've talked about taking a DCL vacation next year with another family who has a daughter her age. This way, she has someone her age to pal around with, but we won't have the total responsibility of someone else's child.

 

[banjo]

this our third time visiting orlando and we has an only son aged 7&10 on our previous visits he didnt seen like he was missing anything at these times but now he,s 12 we are taking his 13yr old friend with him and they are both really looking forward to it also his friend has also been twice before with his family so he knows what a good time he,s in for and i think my son will enjoy it all the more that he,s a bit older and having a friend for company.

 

[goofy4tink]

We were there when dd turned 6. It was just myself, my mother, and my dd. It was terrific. Great quality time. We went last fall with another family. The two girls have been friends since birth! Actually met in child-birth class! Anyway, they got on each other's nerves to some extent. My dd says she wants to go again, but just us this time. They get old so fast that any time we can spend as just a family is wonderful.

 

[vickyBaby]

Your child will have a great time with or without companionship. It's Disney and there is so much to do. You might want to consider trying out one of the children's clubs. My son absolutely loves the Sandcastle Club and the Neverland Club. It's a nice night out for Mom and Dad and he enjoys the company of other children.

 

[Jen80370]

I wouldn't bring an extra that young...too many issues to worry about. My DS is 14 and bringing a friend on this trip so they can go off on their own...I feel better with the buddy system. It seems easier for little ones to make friends out and about.

 

[aprincessmom]

DD is an only and is also 6. We haven't had any trouble with going it alone. We both love the rides and shows and spending time together so it hasn't been an issue. I can see it happening when she's a teen but until then, I enjoy all the time we get to spend together alone.

 

[Kallison]

At 6 years of age I personally would not have let my kids go off with another family to Disney World. How about some cousins close in age?

 

[vicb]

I agree with most posters that 6 is probably too young to take a friend with your family. If you were really worried about it how about trying to co-ordinate with another family you are friendly with or a branch of your own family? Personally speaking we love to go on vacation alone and do not enjoy traveling with other families but I know lots of people do just that! And I agree, WDW will be more than enough to make your 6 yr. old happy with or without a peer.

 

[padams]

As an adult only child, I also agree that a 6yo doesn't need a friend to accompany her. Of course, you will have to ride all of the rides with her. I am sure that my parents rode a few roller coasters that they would have otherwise skipped without me.

I think a good time to bring a friend is when your dd reaches the age of 11 or 12, and certainly by the time she is a teenager. For now, enjoy this time alone with your dd. I know my 6yo DS is growingup much too fast for me.

 

[Dancind]

My DD is 11, and we are still enjoying vacations with just the three of us. I tried to recruit my brother's family (female cousin 2 yrs younger), but even with free DVC lodging, they just couldn't see the expense. And my brother makes much more than I do! Truly, she has not complained a bit about hanging out with us, but I figure it will happen eventually. I'm sure we will wind up paying the expenses, too. We're going on the Disney cruise this fall, she should have a chance to make some friends there. Diana