Dad traveling with DaDaughter (17) and DaNiece (16)

[GorshGoofy]

I'm a divorced (and re-married) Disney-loving dad who has the chance to spend a week next year at WDW with my DD who will be 17 and her cousin, my DNiece (16). Part of me is excited to spend a week at WDW with my daughter. Part of me thinks this is the craziest idea I've heard of in my life. Has any other guy out there done this and survived without a permanent twitch and most of your hair (if any)?

 

[MSSANDRA]

Girls need thier dads and strong male roll models in thier lives!!!

I thing this trip would be an amazing gift to you all!!!

GO FOR IT!

 

[bellebud]

no words of wisdom, but I just wanted to say how really wonderful it is to see a dad wanting to spend that kind of time w/ his daughter (and niece). you're all truly blessed! enjoy!!!

 

[GorshGoofy]

Thanks for those kind words of support. I've been a telephone dad for most of her life and was surprised when she finally took me up on an offer to go to WDW if her cousin could go ... cousin is a great kid, no problem there. But, I just realized that I have no clue as to what they might like to do. I know the parks and can easily guide them there but don't know the shops or DTD. Would welcome ideas.

 

[thebeesknees]

Wow! Sound like a really wonderful trip. I hope you, your daughter and niece have a fabulous time and make some lovely memories together.

 

[tictac]

Do you want to buy them something specific? If not, why not just make a day of DD? We usually just roam around all the stores and have lunch there. Its always fun to see all the Disney stuff (i love everything). DD has a great store "Basin" with bath and facial products perfect for us girls. I always buy a lot of stuff to last me! Something everyone will enjoy "Goofy's Candy Co.", everywhere you turn C-A-N-D-Y they will even make hand dipped pretzels and other things for you. Any questions feel free to ask, we are all happy to help

 

[tictac]

I dont know if we are allowed to post links (mods please feel free to delete if we are not) but it is a good idea to look up a map of the DD area here is a link to one if you look at bottom to "Miscellaneous Walt Disney World Venues" you can find DD it will give a short explination of each store/activity and Disney Quest also lots of fun.

link (mods please feel free to delete if we are not allowed to link)

http://willcad.org/disney_maps.shtml

 

[Jill in Chicago]

You are going to have an absolute blast. First do not worry about entertaining them. They will take care of that! We went a couple years ago with our youngest, then 13 years old. (Our oldest at the time was in Ireland with his college band, so no guilt about not taking him.)

Have your basic plan set, which days, which parks, and reservations. If they are adventurous eaters plan a few lunches at the Epcot restaurants. They will enjoy that. Plan at least one dinner where you stay at your resort and eat there, order out pizza...

Every morning, or before you leave your home, dial up the Steve Soar's website so you know about all the special stuff, and the times. Have them each pick an "extra" thing to do at the parks. For instance our son chose meeting "Push" at MK. That turned out to be the most adorable interaction. Keep in mind it took us awhile to find Push, and I actually ran up to him and almost hugged him gushing, "Push we looked everywhere for you!! I'm soooo glad we found you."

If Push could have blushed he would have, and DH and son were laughing so loud at me they were almost doubled over.

Explain to the girls to let you know when they are wiped out, or need a break. At around 2:00 each day DH and our son were beat. We stayed at a private home with a pool and we'd go back and hang out. Both DH and our son had no want to go out at night, which made it a very laid back trip.

Your girls might want to sleep in. Maybe you can agree to the first two mornings rope drop. After that let them sleep. You can hang out at the pool, take a walk... Be sure to bring a good book. Then head out to your park, grab a fast pass, and go for your reservation lunch. Grab another fast pass, and go to some rides with shorter lines. From what I've heard on this board the sleep in vacation plan can work. You can ask how others accomplish this since we are a rope drop family.

Give the girls time alone to hang at the pool, or drop them off at Downtown Disney to shop and eat lunch on their own. Girls will need time to be just the two of them. (You will also need a break.)

it's going to be a blast!!! There is such a difference bringing older children, versus the little ones, and you will truly enjoy the opportunity to slow things down, watch Off Kilter, or watch the performers at AK, or sit and have a beverage in a shady area.

 

[jboysen]

When I was a 17 yr old girl I would have just loved to hang by the pool. Disney has lots of these that are all very well themed. I don't know where you plan on staying, but I would checkout the pool situation. A good compromise would be getting up early to hit the parks and coming back in the afternoon to do the pool, folowed by a quick nap and then back to the parks.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Great suggestions.

If you can swing it, I would try very hard to choose a resort where they can have their own room or space. connecting rooms at a value or a 2 room villa for example.

Enjoy!

 

[duffy]

I'm a divorced (and re-married) Disney-loving dad who has the chance to spend a week next year at WDW with my DD who will be 17 and her cousin, my DNiece (16). Part of me is excited to spend a week at WDW with my daughter. Part of me thinks this is the craziest idea I've heard of in my life. Has any other guy out there done this and survived without a permanent twitch and most of your hair (if any)?

Seems like a great idea to me, I don't think it's crazy at all. Why would spending time with your daughter and her cousin be crazy?

Have a great time!

 

[cogero]

how totally awesome of you to do this with your daughter. some of my fondest memories are of going to Florida with my dad just the 2 of us with the other kids at home. Now if we had gone to Disney it would of been perfect.

 

[jenlynn0808]

Why not ask DD what she would like to do now? If she doesn't know then have her and DNiece over and have a planning party. Have some books, or the planning dvd (we actually had a watch party with this when we planned a Grand Gathering), and a restraunt list. Look over what is there and see what the girls would like to do. I'm sure they will appreciate you letting them have input into the planning of the trip, rather then being dragged along.

 

[GorshGoofy]

I'm loving these ideas. Keep them coming. We had considered a trip in January 2010 but DNiece can't make it due to family conflicts. So, we are looking at November/December 2010. And yes, I am excited!!! Looking forward to being with DD and DNiece at WDW!!!! We'll probably have to get 1 value room -- I'm aleady thinking of the curtain rod for the bathroom.