Calling all Single Parents!

[Mom to a Princess]

My dd 4 and I will be at WDW in late August. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for traveling through WDW with just themselves and a child.

 

[MareSINY]

I'm not a parent, single or otherwise, but I am an aunt who just returned from a long weekend at DW with my 4 year old niece.

I pretty much let her set the pace, I'd ask her which rides she wanted to ride, which parks she wanted to go to, etc. I would try to give her some options, things like do you want to go shopping or do you want to keep riding the train. Whatever she decided was what we'd do.

I must say, even though it was very stressful taking a little one away by myself for the first time, we really had a great time. We had a few small melt downs, usually due to hunger or heat, but other than that it was smooth sailing. It was so much fun to watch her acting goofy. I think if you just go with the flow, don't over do it, and don't over plan (I didn't plan anything, no meals or anything, the only thing I planned was to see Spectromagic on Saturday night, which she LOVED!)

Have fun and cherish every moment!

Mary Ellen

 

[mom22boys]

I know this might sound crazy to you, but use a stroller. Your DD will get tired and will enjoy having you push her around the parks. Plus, it is much easier to keep track of a child in a stroller than it is to keep track of a child out of a stroller!

Have a great time!

 

[bairdbeth]

I (single parent) have been taking my DD(9) since she was 3. We have a great time. Use a stroller, if she falls asleep, find an air-conditioned spot to sit until she wakes up. Don't stay all day. Take a break mid-day to swim or nap. Go at her pace. Remember, you can always make another WDW trip. Don't let yourself get too tired. Remember, it is okay to say "No" at WDW, especially when both of you are exhausted and need to go rest! Have fun!

 

[Mom to a Princess]

These are great tips. I had planned on bringing our old umbrella stroller. We don't use it but I figured at WDW it would come in handy particularly at the end of the day on our way back to the room. SHe wil be 5 at the time of the trip and will be able to walk a good ways but I don't want to run into a situation where I am lugging all our park stuff (one small backpack) and her to the room from the parks.

Have any of you used the Neverland Club? I was thinking of taking advantage of that so I could go to MK one night to ride the "adult" rides. I feel guilty and ofcourse am not sure that this is the trip to do this on. I would feel better if she had a co-hort to be at the club with.

Thanks for all the tips!! Keep them coming!

 

[pezpam]

I've been going to WDW with DD alone since she was just over 5 and it's been wonderful. I didn't ever use a stroller (I have my own physical issues that would make that difficult) and she did just fine since we followed her schedule. Our first trip was in July and HOT, so I made sure that we wound up in cool rides (She likes COP, but any air conditioned ride will do) and near water often enough for her to stay cool. I made sure she got her sleep at night. Basically, I quickly discovered that a trip with a child that age is Magical without trying to push her past her limit to See Everything. She certainly didn't worry about the things we didn't get to, but was happy to tell anyone and everyone about everything she Did do.

As for the kid's clubs. I haven't used those, but I would feel fine with them and may use them on a future trip. I'm not comfortable with the in-room sitters (others love them and this is strictly a personal comfort level thing for me) but I wouldn't feel guilty about using the kid's clubs. Your kid will probably have a ball and you can get some serious thrill-ride time in. Win-win.

Enjoy. Take lots of pictures. You'll both remember this trip forever.

 

[padams]

My son stayed at the kids' club at the Contemporary when he was your dd's age. He loved it. He didn't want to leave when I went to pick him up. The clubs have toys, games, videos, and other kids and counselors to play with her. Just tell her that she is going to a special, fun place for kids, and moms aren't allowed. If I told my sons, I was going to go on rides without them, they'd have a fit.

How tall is your dd? If she's 40" or taller, I think she can ride everything at MK except Space Mtn. I think my DSs hit 40" around 4 or 5 years old. You may not need a night off unless the bigger rides like BTMRR scare her.

 

[tmfranlk]

I second just about everything said here so far. I started travelling alone with my DSis when she was 5yo (I was 25yo). Now, since DH won't go with us, I travel alone with DD (almost 3yo), though now 10yo DSis sometimes still comes. I rented a stroller for DSis the first 2 years just to make sure she didn't wear out too quickly. For DD I either take our stroller or rent.

When DSis wanted to swim, we would sometimes go back midday. With DD, who doesn't swim yet, we don't take midday breaks very often. She falls asleep in the stoller easily so I just hang out and people watch, take in a street performance, or have a leisurely meal while she sleeps. When she's rested again we pick up where we left off.

Planning wise, I always plan which parks we are going to each morning and evening. I also tend to make one ADR per day as if give a nice relaxing time away from the bustle of the park. From there, I let DD decide what she wants to do. I also make sure I know the best way to beat the lines on the things that I know she will want to do (e.g. hit Fantasyland early, etc).

Have fun!

 

[Mom to a Princess]

DD will be five when we travel and will be very close to the 40" mark. This said she does not fast rides. She will go on POC and HM to please her mommy but as far as the other thrill rides they are a no-go. Which is okay - I don't want to pressure her to ride them before she's ready. Hopefully she'll be like her ma and love the coasters when shes older.

I would not feel comfortable using an in room sitter. Not that there is anything wrong with them it's just my comfort level. Plus I know she would enjoy interacting with other kids. I just feel guilty about hiring a baby sitter while on vacation. Oh Mothers guilt - does it ever end!! LOL!!!

Is the neverland club the one closet to MK? How far in advance do I need to make a reservation.

Thanks to everyone who has given me tips. These will only make our trip that much more special.

 

[lauritagoddess]

I'm a single mom and will be in WDW in March with my 3.5 year old son. In some ways I think it will be even easier being just us since I can tailor what we do every day to how he's doing and not have to worry about fitting in rides for other kids/adults. I'm bringing our stroller, I couldn't imagine going without it. I have a general idea of rides and attractions I'd like us to see but other than booking a character meal every day, I figure we'll just take it by ear. I've read the Unofficial Guide and while I think a touring plan is a great idea, I can't see doing it with a young child.

 

[MinnieGi]

Hi we have heard great things about the Neverland Club. It is located at the Poly. My DH's roomate from college and who is a single dad used it for his little boy (5yo) so he and his 12yo DD could go and do the "big" rides at MK. the little boy liked it alot and even asked to go back.

Don't feel guilty, it is your vacation too!!!!

 

[samano]

I went 2 years ago shortly after the divorce, my first single parent vacation. I was skeptical that I would feel like I'd had a vacation afterwards. I can just tell you that we (me, DD7, DS3 at that time) had a blast. I never thought of taking them to one of the kids clubs so I could have some "me" time, but I think it's a great idea!! You now have me thinking of all kind of fun stuff I could do for a few hours solo on our next trip....

I never could find a way to keep DS awake on the nightly bus rides back to the hotel, and carrying him to the room was not my favorite part of the trip...but I survived! Having your own stoller for that alone sounds like a great idea!

Hope you and DD have a great trip!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I took my five year old niece to WDW by myself last May and we had a WONDERFUL time! I let her pretty much set the pace too and she just loved it. She felt so special! It was very magical for both of us!

The ONLY thing that made me a little nervous was losing her. Not to scare you in any way, but I was a little worried not having an extra pair of eyes watching her in case something caught her eye and she wandered. I had a talk with her and told her she couldn't wander away from me and I also bought one of those rubber bracelets all the kids are wearing and wrote my cell phone number on the inside of it. I told her if she got lost to go straight to a CM (explained who CM's were) and show them the number. I also lamenated a little card with my name, cell number and the resort we were staying at and put it in her shoe. She never wandered at all or needed to use any of it, but I sure felt better.

DEFINITELY get a stroller. It worked great for us. She rested a bit if she got tired and fell asleep in it 2 nights on the way out of the parks. One day I suggested going back to the hotel for a break, but she really wanted to stay in the park and just asked to rest in the stroller a little. She fell asleep for about 20 minutes and then was raring to go after. Plus they are handy for stashing a bag or two and I liked having the cup holder in the handle.

Since there will be rides your little one can't go on, take the time to explore things like the Exposition Hall in MK or Conservation Station in AK. I had skipped those things before, but really enjoyed them when we checked them out.

I also recommend splitting meals. My niece never finishes a kid's meal, so at counter service alot of times I would get just an regular adult meal for me and split it with my niece. Neither of us went hungry and I saved quite a bit. The double burgers are good for this. Just ask for an extra bun, believe me, it'll be plently for the two of you!

I left extra time for things that I might not think of too. Like my niece loved playing in those dancing fountains. At Epcot, I picked a nice bench and let her go at it, she played for the longest time in one there and had a blast.

 

[mjmcca]

Not a single parent but married to a guy who hates Disney. I take my kids all the time. In fact I take some friends kids who live in central Florida too. I took all 4 of them (ages 3-5) to SW by myself. The stroller is a must. I have a double and use it pretty much for theme parks only.I agree about letting her set the pace . I also second lettignher get wet whenever you get a chance. I always carry spare clothes for the kids for the odd fountain that they are sure to find.

 

[Mom to a Princess]

I forgot about the "dancing" fountains around the parks. I will add a bathing suit and towel to our stroller basket. I know she will throughly enjoy them.

My dd will be quite the "princess" while we are there. Several of her relatives bought her dress for chirstmas to wear while we are there. I think she has one for almost every day. We'll see how that goes in the August heat!! LOL!!

I think that I will try for a night at the Neverland Club. My dd is very social and while she will love being at WDW she will miss having a buddy. This way she can play with kids her age and I can ride the rides she won't ( well a couple at least). One night can't hurt.


Thanks again for all the great advice!

 

[mjmcca]

If you are going to let her wear those dresses everyday be sure to take a change of clothes for her in case she gets too hot. A pair of shorts and a shirt should not take up too much room.

 

[Mom to a Princess]

I will let her wear the dress minus the accesories and dress up shoes. Last year while we were there right after labor day she kept the things on all day. SHe is a princess to the core. I will ofcourse have an extra outfit for her but unless it is a bad heat wave she'd rather sweat and be treated royally by all the cms then wear regular clother. GO figure. Glad it's not me in! LOL!!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

I second the post about wearing a plastic type bracelet (Like a Lance Armstrong Bracelet) and writing down your cell-phone #inside it with a permanent magic marker !!!!! DD9 and myself went to WDW last August for our first trip alone and we had a "Fantastic"time! My one concern before leaving was "What if we get separated while there" ??? I think I read the tip on those plastic type bracelets from another Disier ...Thank -You. That way wherever we were ....even at the pool ,she would have her bracelet on !!! I also laminated a small index card and pinned it inside her fanny pack with addtional info like : my name and cell,hotel & room #, Home phone and address etc. We felt very safe while vacationing there and much more fun than the last time we visited with the whole family(5 of us).We'll definitely go again !!! Oh, by the way we stayed at POP in the 50's building ( room 1408) and LOVED it !!! Have fun planning

 

[shasess]

My DD9 and I have gone to Disney together several times and we have had a wonderful time....If I were you I would try to be prepared to occupy her time while waiting in line (she wont have another little one to play with) so refresh your self with all the Wiggles/Dora/Disney songs that you can stand to memorize and have a blast..... Remember to take lots of pictures!

 

[Luvmyfam3]

I took my three daughters about three years ago by myself. We had a WONDERFUL time! I was nervous about taking all of them by myself, but we never had a problem, even when it was super-crowded. The bracelet idea is a wonderful idea! Also, we went over the "Disney for Kids, By Kids" and they each picked out their top three rides for each park. That way, I could be sure to prioritize their "must-do's".

The past couple of times, I've gone with a friend of mine and her kids. Now, they're old enough to go out on their own and it's a blast!!