Disney without DH?

[LISAVWL]

We just found out that DH got a new job -- YEA! -- and he has to go away for week for training in Orlando! My immediate response was -- we're going to Disney! After thinking about it over night I realized that I would be alone with my 4 kids all day and sometimes into the night while he was working and what not.

I guess what I'm looking for is advise from those who have done this and how bad/good/difficult is was. Would you do it again?

My kids are DS13, DD4.5, DS3 & DS21mo. My oldest is a great help with the younger kids, when he's not acting like a teenager but it would still be me and the kids most of the time. We would be going the first week in Feb & hopefully staying at the VWL. Could I even get a room this late?

 

[minniebeth]

I've done the same thing with my 3 kids, and it is doable and can be lots of fun! Especially if your oldest is a great help! I say go for it and have fun...my advice would be to make your time simple, plan a combination of park time, resort time and down time so that you are not running ragged. Truly enjoy the special moments! Rides can be tricky since you are the only adult, but again, your oldest can help out with that. Would your DH be able to join you in the evening?
The only downfall is that you are doing everything yourself...responsible for keeping track of everything, bathroom duty, planning, organizing, it does get tiresome after a few days, but like I said, if you plan simple and enjoy it shouldn't be too much. I'm not sure about room availability....
I think it is a wonderful opportunity! Hope this encourages you!

 

[MATTERHORN]

I do multiple trips a year to Disneyland with my 3 kids (would do WDW if we could afford it!) ages at the beginning of 2006 were 5, 2.5, and 2 months! It is crazy sometimes, but we have a blast and went 5 other times last year, only once with DH!

You will adapt and learn certain tips and tricks along the way. I find I need more sit down service as I wasn't able to leave mine alone at a table while I carried trays since I always had a double stroller to push (DS was a few months old so no highchairs yet!!) and keep track of two others!

You won't have as much of a problem with quick service since your 13 year old can sit in view with the others while you get the food, or the older ones can help you carry.

Plus you are staying on property so that helps with transportation issues and going at a relatively slow time of year when it's not blazing hot out!!

YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Go and have a wonderful time with your kids. People think I am crazy for doing it, but I always say "A day at Disney with 3 little ones is better than a day at the Grocery store / Post Office / Bank with them!!!


Andrea

 

[JamesMom]

I would go for it, but hire a mother's helper while in the parks. With 3 under 5, that's a lot of work. Plus the 13 year probably doesn't want to stay in Fantasyland and will want to do stuff they younger kids won't, so you'll be solo while he is doing his thing at Space Mountain and the like. Get the helper! You'll have to pay an hourly fee, transport cost and ticket, but I think for peace of mind and an extra set of hands, it'll be worth it.

 

[LISAVWL]

YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Go and have a wonderful time with your kids. People think I am crazy for doing it, but I always say "A day at Disney with 3 little ones is better than a day at the Grocery store / Post Office / Bank with them!!!


Andrea

That's exactly what I was thinking! DH will be leaving Sun for a week in MN, home for the weekend then off to CA for the following week. I figure I will have earned this trip for being alone with the kids for that long. If I can do it at home than why not at Disney?

Thanks so much for the encouragement, my family thinks I am nuts! I knew I came to the right place! We'll find out later this afternoon the details about his training, how much down time he'll actually have and where in Orlando he'll need to be. We may have to stay offsite In tht case things would get tricky with renting a car and all.

 

[MATTERHORN]

That's exactly what I was thinking! DH will be leaving Sun for a week in MN, home for the weekend then off to CA for the following week. I figure I will have earned this trip for being alone with the kids for that long. If I can do it at home than why not at Disney?

Thanks so much for the encouragement, my family thinks I am nuts! I knew I came to the right place! We'll find out later this afternoon the details about his training, how much down time he'll actually have and where in Orlando he'll need to be. We may have to stay offsite In tht case things would get tricky with renting a car and all.

No problem!! You can do this, I know it!

Not sure how they work it (if they give you an amount and maybe you can find the place) so maybe if it can't be the Wilderness Lodge, they would spring for a moderate or Pop so you can still benefit from the transportation! It would be tricky with a car offsite, but still do-able. Take a good double stroller, pack the necessities, and you're on your way.

Maybe one night you or DH could just take your 13 y.o. back to his choice of parks and hit some "bigger" rides with him as kind of a reward for helping you out / not complaining "TOO" much the rest of the time!! There's always single rider lines for him too. I thought of asking if you could afford to bring a friend for him, but I know it's during school so not sure if that would work for you or not.

It's funny because even when I was a teenager and would be at DL for the day with a friend, we still rode all the Fantasyland rides and enjoyed them even at that age. Maybe this will be a time when he can feel a bit younger with you and the little ones and friends won't be around so it won't be "so uncool" to do some of the smaller rides!! There's always hope right?

Let me know what happens! I am actually excited for you now. I'm living vicariously!

Andrea

 

[minniebeth]

That's exactly what I was thinking! DH will be leaving Sun for a week in MN, home for the weekend then off to CA for the following week. I figure I will have earned this trip for being alone with the kids for that long. If I can do it at home than why not at Disney?

Thanks so much for the encouragement, my family thinks I am nuts! I knew I came to the right place! We'll find out later this afternoon the details about his training, how much down time he'll actually have and where in Orlando he'll need to be. We may have to stay offsite In tht case things would get tricky with renting a car and all.

I'm laughing because my DH travels A LOT and that is how I get my yearly Disney trip!
Good luck and would love to hear a report back to see how it was if you decide to go!!

 

[LISAVWL]

Well, I asked my Mom and she can take some time off to come with us!

We just have to wait until tomorrow to book the room and we're going to Disney! I am so excited!

We want to surprise the kids with the trip, tell them maybe the night before or the morning of our flight, I haven't figured all that out yet. They were playing some airplane ride game this afternoon and when we asked them where they were going they yelled "Disney World!" DH and I just laughed and said "If you only knew!"

Thanks again for all the advise and encouragement! You guys are the best! I'm sure I'll be asking more questions as I begin the packing/planning process!

Lisa

 

[amarberry]

I see that your mom is joining you now, but I was going to suggest that you read this great trip report about a mom who took her 4 kids by herself:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1306210

I took my 2.5 yo DD alone for 4 days (then DH met up with us) in December. It was definitely doable and a lot of fun, but it is more fun to be there as a whole family! If an opportunity came up, I wouldn't hesitate to take her by myself again.

 

[Juliet25]

I went with a friend and her two kids, so we had 2 3YO and 1 7YO. We felt we were out-numbered. I can't say it was particularly relaxing or fun, to be honest. I wouldn't do it again without my DH.

But you know your kids best.

ETA: I see Grandma will be coming along. That'll make a big difference. Have fun!

 

[minniebeth]

Well, I asked my Mom and she can take some time off to come with us!

We just have to wait until tomorrow to book the room and we're going to Disney! I am so excited!

We want to surprise the kids with the trip, tell them maybe the night before or the morning of our flight, I haven't figured all that out yet. They were playing some airplane ride game this afternoon and when we asked them where they were going they yelled "Disney World!" DH and I just laughed and said "If you only knew!"

Thanks again for all the advise and encouragement! You guys are the best! I'm sure I'll be asking more questions as I begin the packing/planning process!

Lisa

That's really great news! Have a great time!!!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Have a great trip! Doing it as a surprise sounds awesome, I bet they will love that!


Andrea