Disney alone with 2 kids??

[gower525]

Well DH ( who is a pastor) just left me for a 20 year old little girl after 20 years together ( 11 years married) and 2 children. Needless to say, I need something to cheer me up and to look forward to. I would love to plan a trip to Disney in the Summer for DD3 and DS6. We all went together last Summer for the first time and we had a great trip (DH was miserable). I just don't know if I can handle both kids all week, getting on and off rides, in restaurants, etc. on my own. Well, I know I can - but will it be fun or just a big chore? I am just wondering if anyone has experience doing this with kids about the same age? Thanks for your help.

 

[tjmw2727]

Hugs to you - and yes you can do it with 2 and have a blast.

I have been taking my dd's as the solo adult since they were 2 and 4 years old. They are 11 and 13 now and we still do a mini vacation each fall without DH. Long story short he dosen't love Disney and he dosen't get as much vaction time as we do so we do other things on our traditional family vacations.

So - I would stay onsite, rent a double stroller at the parks, go at the kids pace, have reasonable expectations and relax and enjoy your children. Think of all the things we do alone with the kids day in and day out, zoos, malls even grocery shopping. The plus side is on a WDW vacation we can relax and have fun with the kids without all the chores cooking and cleaning.

You can ride three to a car on all the attractions you will want to do with kids your ages. I always buy or ship breakfast foods, snacks, sandwich fixings and drinks for the room. We eat breakfast in the room have our big meal of the day as a table service lunch, it makes a great break and you get good food at lunch prices, then we do counter service or sandwiches for dinner.

Let me know if you decide to go for it especially if you have more specific concerns or questions.
TJ

 

[december]

I'm leaving with my kids tomorrow morning-but they are 8 and 10. dh just won't go, so we are going without him. I'm so sorry for your situation-but I think you'll have a great time with your girls. And planning it will give you something to look forward to.

 

[thedizwizkid]

Oh that is so sad. I hope you are feeling alright. My advice would be that you bring another family member with you on your trip to help you. hang in there
from thedizwizkid

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

You can do it by yourself, just don't try to do it commando. Take time to swim and relax too, it sounds like you need it. The advice about staying on site is a good one, but I think you'll want to have a stroller outside of the parks too, so renting one may not be your best option. Do you have or can you borrow an umbrella style double? They're the easiest to deal with on busses, and since your by yourself, you'd want lightweight and compact.
I did a weekend at WDW by myself with my oldest 2 and they were 3 & 8 at the time. I only needed a single stroller, but it was a big help at the end of the day and it was a long walk from the bus stop to our room. I was grateful for all the help I was given by other guests...one daddy saw I was alone with a sleepy toddler and he carried my stroller on and off the bus for me.

I'm sure you can do it, and have fun too!

 

[my3disneygirls]

God bless you. I don't think it will be a chore at all. Like another poster said take it easy. Pace the activities based on you children's body clocks. If they are early birds hit the parks early and when they start to get tired you can go back to the resort. If they are night owls take it easy during the day and do the extra evening hours.

Considering what you and your children will be going through, I think a Disney trip will be great for the three of you. If, as you said the last trip your husband was miserable, he probably wasn't much help to you anyway.

Stay strong my dear.

 

[sk8jdgca]

25 days and I'm off with my two (8 and 5). Ex left me 2 years ago. One hint someone gave me which I thought was great was for those rides the little one can't go on but the older wants to is to walk up through the line and then take the chicken out door after she gets placed on the ride, I'll be right there when she gets off. Now mine is a bit older (she turns 9 on this trip) but I wouldn't ahve thought about that

 

[CastleCreations]

I travel alone with my 2, who are dd 6 and dd 4, all the time. It's a little tiresome just getting there and getting unpacked, but after that, you're home free. You should definately go and enjoy yourself!!

 

[disney_fan_fam]

I'm so sorry, I don't have any advice just hugs

 

[LuvOrlando]

I am so, so sorry for your loss but I'm happy for you that you are looking forward to your future for happiness. I went to WDW a few months after suffering tragedy a few years ago and it really did help. ]ust be sure to cut yourself a little slack, ok. When we were at WDH on that trip, at first, I kept trying to smile for the kids sake but would still tear up because I was a bit sad I just wasn't myself. But, eventually, I began to smile all on my own and when the real smiles started coming I knew I'd be ok, and now I am mostly Kids have amazing healing powers

Another trip, I went alone with my kids when they were 3 & 4 (DH couldn't join for 4 days in 2002) and I was terrified. Never did anything alone before. But, you know what, it was a great experience because I had them all to myself, no sharing, and I LOVED it. Back then I had to get a car service because I just didn't know how I could watch them AND my stuff. The car service got my stuff and I watched my kids. Now, there is the Magical Beginnings Service which would totally smooth out my biggest hurdle. All you need to do is get your stuff to the airport and you're home free

As for rides, I told DS that there were things he just couldn't do because DD wouldn't do them before the trip so there was no arguing when we got there. I also have a long standing agreement with DD to try 4 new rides per trip that she ordinarily wouldn't do so, at this point, only the coasters are left as no go If your kids will go on all the rides together the 2nd biggest hurdle is also resolved.

Overall I totally think that going to WDW will be a great event for all of you.

Anyway, I'll keep checking this post back in case you need support.

Here are some DIS for you and your kids.

 

[Kim1964]

I think it's a great idea to take this trip. I'm heading down with my 2 DDs (12 and 6 by then) without DH for the first 4 days of our trip. I'm really looking forward to doing the things with them that the 3 of us like (think shopping!) that drive DH insane. It will be nice to not be worrying about whether he is having fun.

We took DD#1 to WDW in 2000, 10 days after a major family tragedy. While I was still reeling from it, I have to say that being at WDW helped. DD was 4 years old and it was her first visit, and seeing it through her eyes and sharing that experience helped a lot.

 

[everylastbreath]

I just had to reply to your post, it broke my heart. Big hugs to you - I can't say I have ever been in your place but I feel for you. As scary as it sounds, I think I would just go. Just take it slow, and just enjoy being with your children. Kids find such pleasure in the smallest of things so I wouldn't stress about parks/rides/parades etc, if you see it, fine, if not just being at the hotel will probably be magical enough for them. I would suggest staying at the Boardwalk, if you have not already booked your hotel. Epcot is within walking distance and MGM is a short boat ride away. We found this great when we went with my Grandson, because if he fell asleep in the stroller there was no having to take him out, fold up the stroller and get on a bus.

Good luck to you, and I hope your vacation is simply the most magical EVER

 

[2dogmom]

I'm so sorry, I know how much that all hurts. I got divorced last year and have taken my girls, now 7 and 4, for the past 2 years alone. The first trip I went with a friend and 2 of her kids, same ages. Last year I went a whole week with my two. As the date approached, I became more nervous and was a wreck the night before. The worst park for me was the airport. Checking bags, wheeling a stroller and going through security were my nightmare. Once we got past that I knew it would be a breeze. I prepared my girls beforehand that there are some rides we will not be able to go on and reminded them of it as the trip got closer. We didn't have a problem at all. I was worried about dining at buffets, but those worked out beautifully for me as I didn't have to juggle a tray of food with a stroller. I did bring a double stroller and when there were crowds both girls had to be in the stroller. My 6yo helped out as much as she could. I don't remember any melt-downs by either one. It was the best vacation I had ever taken with them, even better than going with their dad when we were still married. It went so well that we are going again in 3 weeks and I am already thinking about the next trip.

So good luck to you.

 

[gower525]

Thanks everyone for all the support and advice. My parents are going to Florida for a week in late summer. I may let them drop up off at disney. That way I won't have to drive so far alone ( from Nashville) or save up money for a plane ticket. I would also have help with getting luggage unloaded and such. Just a thought.

 

[my3disneygirls]

Thanks everyone for all the support and advice. My parents are going to Florida for a week in late summer. I may let them drop up off at disney. That way I won't have to drive so far alone ( from Nashville) or save up money for a plane ticket. I would also have help with getting luggage unloaded and such. Just a thought.

That sounds like a good plan if you can't affort an airline ticket. I know I wouldn't be able to drive all that way with just me and the kids. This way you have your parents to ease the frustration of a long car ride.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Hi Gower 525, I was just wondering, how are you and your kids doing today?

 

[gower525]

Thanks for asking. I am angry today - which feels better than sad and crying. He left about 3 months ago, but insisted that there was no one else. He just said that he wasn't happy. He told me he was going on a big solo camping trip last week. Well, I found out that he was really going to visit her in France ( She is taking a semester of classes in France - yeah she is like a sophmore in college!!) BTW he is 34. So after finding this all out - I have moved from crying and trying to talk it all out with him - to just being mad. I am not talking to him now except about critical issues with the kids. They seem to be handling it well. They LOVE to go stay at daddy's apartment! It is great fun.

 

[momsoftwins]

i am seperated from hubby and i took my girls this past april and had a ball. they were 3 at the time and i just planned a schedule and if it worked out then great and if not then no big deal. i can honestly say that i well we only had two melt downs in 8 days. the best part was the second day of the trip when my 2 angels looked up at me with 4 beautiful blue eyes and said....."youre the best moma" so it was worth it all. just enjoy the time with them and remember that their life is changing now to. so maybe a get away to disney or any place for that matter would do all of you good. well i wish u much luck and happiness

 

[momsoftwins]

o my gosh..i just looked at your last post and your story is sounding so much like mine.....stay strong and feeling mad is ok right now. by the way.... off topic but myself and an other mom (single mom) are trying to work it out that our trips to WDW are around the same time so we can meet up at a park or at pop century so we can have some adult conversation. shes going solo with kids and so am i. we will try to meet up so the kids can play together. you might want to check the boards and see if any other solo parents are goin the same time u are. just an idea. well again good luck and keep your head up

 

[LuvOrlando]

Oh, I am so very sorry for you. I don't have the slightest idea why some people make this choice, but they do and then have to live with the consequences. I can't imagine how horrible this must be for you, I don't know what to say that wouldn't come out like a cliche'.

As for the kids, they are so young. Daddy's new place is like an adventure and that's why they like it...besides, he's probably so consumed with guilt that he's doting on them hand and foot. I think, in the long run, letting them feel good about the change might be good for them because there will be enough hurt later on. They have no idea how much this hurts you or that you are feeling left out.

I'm wondering if they are with him this weekend? If so, do you have a support system that IS NOT affiliated with your church that you can spend time with? I would imagine church friends will end up feeling stuck in the middle (him being a pastor and all) and won't be of much help to you in the long run.