Big family trips to a small family trip

[DisMama5]

Myself, my DH and our DD who will be 5 at age of trip are planning to go back in 2015, most likely in November. We have went on dozens of trips previous to this, before our DD and after we had our DD in 2010. All of these trips have been with other family members and very enjoyable also. We just went in October and our daughter absolutely loved it, best trip yet I think! She was with about 6 of her cousins also and we all stayed at the same hotel so it was a very meaningful and enjoyable trip..

To my point- were planning for 2015 but I'm not sure anyone else is really planning to go in either sides of our families. My sister and nephew want to join us definitely but she is newly divorced and supporting my nephew and household on her own. I'm wondering--- have some of you took your kids on big family trips and then went back alone just you two and your child? Did they have as much of a good time. I feel as though our daughter would much so enjoy it but to have one of her cousins with her would definitely bring the real magic out I think. I'm kind of torn and nervous that if we end up alone on this trip she might not have as great time like past trip or will be asking when everyone else is arriving because she will be basing this trip off of the last one knowing my little one lol.

Just curious if some of you have went through this and how it worked out.

 

[chris31997]

I don't have expierance with this.

But my thought was to offer to bring your nephew, if you could swing it.

 

[DisMama5]

Thanks for the input! I guess this thread didn't catch much attention lol..

I did consider that but I am not sure on the other hand because he has never been and I don't want my sister to feel as though she's missing out on her sons first trip.. I'm not sure if that's too much of a step in, but definitely a consideration. Thanks!

 

[coolbrook]

We have had a similar situation. We went to Disney World with our 5 kids, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles in 2010. We had a great time! then last spring we went with just our two youngest kids since the others were in college. We had a great time again. It is a different kind of great time. When you don't have as many people you can just do the rides and attractions that you want to do without considering so many people. You can also move faster around the park with fewer bathroom/snack stops. This could be a chance to really tailor the trip to what the three of you like to do, maybe a character meal or riding Peter Pan three times in a row in the morning. Have fun planning, and don't worry, Disney World is fun no matter how small your group is.

 

[pheonixheart]

I have 5 kids and they've never all been at one time. Partly because one wasn't yet thought of when we went all as a family. . Our next trip only 2 are going. The oldest is 21 and a mom also (she also just went in sept). My other two 17 yr olds just plain don't want to go and that's ok hubby doesn't do disney so he stays home and I'm going with my mom ds6 and my other 17yr old.
I have come to realize with 3 17yr olds that ANY family time will more than likely not include at least one or 2 of my wonderful children. I remind myself that maybe one day we will be able to go on a vacation as a family again.

 

[DisMama5]

This is helpful advice thanks guys! It's nice to know people have went through similar situations and had great trips still. I guess I'm most nervous about our daughter only have myself and my husband on the next trip, no other kids, and she will only be 5. I just hope she will have the same magic in her eyes as she did with her cousins when we took the big trip, I'm hopeful

 

[kkmcan]

Some of our best, most memorable days/trips have been with just the 4 of us and no one else. We were able to kind of wing it at the parks. Skip things we didn't feel like doing. Re-riding our favorites over and over. Following our kids and letting them decide what to do next. Lingering in stores or at the different venues around Epcot.

It really is so much more relaxing when you aren't trying to move a whole bunch of people from place to place when you have to keep stopping for potty breaks, meltdowns, someone who wants to quick get a soda or run into a gift shop.

We've done trips both ways lots of times and I really prefer when its just the 4 of us. We bond as a family and its just a really fun, relaxing time.

You'll have a great time!

 

[dsneygirl]

This is helpful advice thanks guys! It's nice to know people have went through similar situations and had great trips still. I guess I'm most nervous about our daughter only have myself and my husband on the next trip, no other kids, and she will only be 5. I just hope she will have the same magic in her eyes as she did with her cousins when we took the big trip, I'm hopeful

My DS was an only child until 5.5 and I think we did WDW about 12-15 times in those years. Once with cousins and once we met up with friends for 1 day. We loved it. Even on our recent trips as a family of 4 we have split up to give ODS quality one on one time without the toddler

 

[courtneylauren]

If you can swing it, maybe plan a special event for her to look forward to, that involve other kids.

Some ideas that come to mind are:
My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party at the Grand Floridian
Disney's Family Magic Tour at the Magic Kingdom
Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage from the Contemporary
Pirate Adventure Cruises

These events all have other kids involved which could be fun for her, and it would be something special to her about this trip!

 

[5disneykids]

We have so much fun with just us (but I do have 4 kids close in age and one on the way, lol!!) I am concerned that we won't have as much fun with family members that are traveling with us this time
We've gone with my parents many times, and that's great because of the help with the kids (and they love disney as much as us!) Once we went with my sister & her family (4 kids) and while it was fun, it just wasn't the same - it's hard with a big group! This time, my cousin and her family are most likely joining us for their first trip, and I am a little hesitant...I just hope they like it as much we do, and can keep up with us!!

 

[DisMama5]

If you can swing it, maybe plan a special event for her to look forward to, that involve other kids.

Some ideas that come to mind are:
My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party at the Grand Floridian
Disney's Family Magic Tour at the Magic Kingdom
Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage from the Contemporary
Pirate Adventure Cruises

These events all have other kids involved which could be fun for her, and it would be something special to her about this trip!

This is a great idea thanks. The feedback has been pretty reassuring I'm more or so concerned because our DD is an only child so there wouldn't be any other sibling to even bounce off of at all if we go with just the 3 of us. I think we could definitely still have an amazing time tho, it is Disney and perfect quality time, we just have never brought her with her being the absolute only child so it makes me wonder but then again she will only be 5 so she might not care at all....thanks all !! We will have to take a chance and see

On a side thought--- Has anyone offered to bring a niece or nephew before? Did you feel like you were stepping on feet by asking the parent? Some never being before and some have...

 

[JessseJ]

We have the same exact situation--our DD is an only child and we'd gone 3 other times with extended family. Our last trip was just the 3 of us when she was 7 and we had an awesome time, different but awesome! You'll have a blast!

 

[DisMama5]

We have the same exact situation--our DD is an only child and we'd gone 3 other times with extended family. Our last trip was just the 3 of us when she was 7 and we had an awesome time, different but awesome! You'll have a blast!

Aw really I love hearing things like this! I guess I just don't want her to be bored with just "mom and dad" but who am I kidding its Disney what kid is bored there regardless. Glad you also had a good trip

 

[wiigirl]

We have the same exact situation--our DD is an only child and we'd gone 3 other times with extended family. Our last trip was just the 3 of us when she was 7 and we had an awesome time, different but awesome! You'll have a blast!