Does anyone go without their DH?

[disneydreamerinny]

I was thinking about a Mom/Daughter trip at some point.
I guess I am a little intimidated about traveling by myself. I'm sure I would be fine but the anticipation would probably do me in.
DD's are 12 & 9.
I think it would be a blast once we got there.
Just curious if anyone else has done this.
Any pros/cons? Experiences?

 

[Planogirl]

I've been several times with just DS and we've always had a wonderful time. WDW is so self-contained that it's easy to get around without a car and that takes away a lot of the headaches. That said, I do drive sometimes and even that's not that bad in that area.

Your girls are probably old enough now not to be too much of a handful which will help too. You could consider doing some girly type things like the Grand Floridian tea.

My DH just doesn't much care for WDW unfortunately. He'll go occasionally but usually has no interest.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I would like to take a "ladies only" trip with my girls one day. They are 5 and 8 so it's too early, but perhaps when they are older.

 

[tjmw2727]

I go on a "girls only" trip once a year with my daughters and its Wonderful. They are 6 and 8 now and we will go on our next girls only trip in early November. We have been doing our girls only trips since they were 4 and 6 and its really been fun. DH dosen't have much vacation time and 1 WDW vacation a year is plenty for him (if that!).

If you use a reliable town car company (I use Tiffany) you can get safe affordable transportation to and from WDW and even a grocery stop if you like. I then take advantage of disney transportation and stay on property.

I say go for it!

TJ

 

[Robmom]

My DH couldn't go because of work, so DD (then 8) and I went by ourselves. With the convenience of the buses, everything is so easy. Sometimes I felt lonely without him, because you see so many families around, but we did it and we had a great time! The only difference is that we didn't stay out too late. We usually went back to the hotel around dinnertime and then just hung out at the pool.

 

[house_of_princesses]

I travel with my 4 dd's (11, 9, 5, 2) all the time! Usually by car, too. The airfare for us is too $$$$. Everyone has assigned tasks, whether it be keep track of the water bottles in the car to taking turns pushing the stroller, getting the condiments at a counter service restaurant, buckling up the younger two, whatever. Travelling with them is fun. I just have to remember my limits and theirs. I have the mindset that we don't have to be anywhere by anytime...and I usually get there quicker than I thought I would. If I felt I was on a strict schedule, I'd get anxious. My DH taught me to take breaks (I used to be the drive until you get there no matter what type.), take your time during the break (sit down lunch instead of fast food), and stop to sleep before everyone gets too tired. He used to sell, travelling every week. He was a much wiser traveller than me....but I'm learning!

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm in the middle of booking our first "girls only" trip for next August! Since we have DVC and Annual Passes I haven't even activated yet (for this December) I figured it wouldn't cost that much and they wouldn't miss school. Also, DH can watch our dogs so no Kennel!!

I'm a bit nervous. Mostly about the transporation end of it. My DD's are going to be 4 1/2 and 8 by then. I'm afraid of the airport and the transportation to WDW. We usually rent a car but without DH to help out and drive, I don't think I'll rent a car.

I've also had to warn my 8 year old that we cannot go on any rides that we can't bring the 4 1/2 year old on. No other grown up to help out with that.

Keep the advice and stories coming!

 

[house_of_princesses]

You will be amazed at how well your offspring listen when they realize the seriousness of their compliance and the consequences if they don't. I'm not suggesting you scare them to death, that's not fun for anyone. But when the older is given responsibility with the understanding that if he/she shirks that responsibility, the trip is compromised, they rise to the occasion! And when the little one sees the eldest acting more mature and responsibile than normal, they step up to the plate as well. Now why I can't get them to behave this way in every day life, I don't know. But there you have it....I should be travelling more to allow my children the opportunity to shine in their maturity. Think I'll go pack and go somewhere.....

 

[Baileymouse]

All the time! He's not a big Disney nut like I am, so I would often go with DS when he was younger. Now that he's 18 the mom/son trips are off *sigh* but they were great fun. We would schedule them during the Orlando Megacon so he could load up on comics, too.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

I have taken dd's 3 times to WDW by myselft (DH will hopefully be going with us for our New Years trip) The first time dd's were 5 and 1 1/2. I fly Southwest and they are really great about helping with boarding. We used ******** and had very positive experiences ( I am so glad I didn't have to bring my own carseats!!) I wished my dh could have been there, but we really had great trips anyway. We were able to do lots of "girly" things that my husband may not always be up for. Planning our next trip is very different, I'm not sure how many times my dh will be able to stand tracking down the Princesses. My first trip by myself we stayed at the Poly and it was wonderful. It was so close that I never hesitated to come back to the hotel when we needed to rest. We have stayed there everytime since! This trip we will be staying at the Contemporary, it should be just as easy to come back to the room when necessary. I don't know if it is the "magic" of WDW, but my girls seem to be much better behaved than usual ( or it could be me... being in my favorite place) Traveling by myself can be stressfull but my girls talk about our trips all the time... so I know any inconvenience was worth it!

 

[homeschooler]

Our first tirp. I don't even go to restaurant's alone and I took my 8 year old daughter, 4 year old son and FOUR MONTH old son. We flew, stayed on property and had a blast.

Since then, I have gone down or come back alone with him flying to conserve vacation time. I have gone with a foster kid added. I pick up one or two girls that we knew before they moved to the Orlando area and keep them for up to a week with us.

I have absolutely have no trouble going with kids. We are in northern Ohio (you can see the lake from our front door) and I have flown and driven. We prefer driving. Really, the kids prefer it too. We play Disney music and sing loudly (DH would never approve) We stop every two hours for potty and to get in the back for water, sandwiches, cheese, fruit, whatever. We rarely eat out but do when we feel like it. We roll down the hills, chase each other through the rest stops (DH doesn't approve this either. He would want to get back on the road.) We jump in unheated pools just to say we did. We get there about as fast as we do with DH but a whole different trip.

I would almost prefer to go without DH, as nasty as that sounds. He just doesn't get the Disney thing sometimes.

 

[BuzzMe]

My son(15) and I visited WDW this past August without DH & DD and had a great time. I rented a car (really a very easy ride from the airport to WDW) as I had surprised my son with tickets to Drum Corps championships at the Citrus Bowl. While we truly missed DH & DD, we found being a "party of 2" to be a great advantage when getting on rides or walk-up seating at restaurants! Our family has visited WDW many times and I think that being familiar with the transportation system, resorts, and the parks certainly helps make for a more relaxed trip. I had a great time with my "travel buddy".

 

[Jynohn]

I've gone without my DH for the last two trips, and even though I missed him, they were still great trips. Since I'm the Disney planner in the family, I got along fine without him and didn't feel like I needed him to "navigate" for me. Another added bonus was that the food bill was much cheaper without him!

This year DH will be with us, and I'm really looking forward to having him along again. But I know that it will be much different this time because I won't be able to do everything "my way" like I can when he's not around. Also, I'm gearing up for those astronomical food bills again. Seems like no matter where we go, he'll have to pick the most expensive thing on the menu!

 

[tjmw2727]

"I've also had to warn my 8 year old that we cannot go on any rides that we can't bring the 4 1/2 year old on. No other grown up to help out with that.

Keep the advice and stories coming! [/B][/QUOTE]"

Just an fyi if there is something your 8yo wants to do that your 4yo isn't tall enough for you can walk her through the line. We did this with my girls in August on Primevil Whirl and were going to on Space Mtn but surprise my youngest was tall enough (and loved it). Anyway, for Primeval Whirl we got a FP for my 8yo, entered the fp line and told the CM our plan. They allowed us to walk my 8yo all the way to the loading area and then wait for her at the "child swap" bench. This was great as she was never out of my sight and got to ride a ride she really wanted to ride. She did miss out on RnRc and we didn't find out the logistics of walking her through as she decided she didn't want to do the ride alone. I imagine you could talk to the cm at any attraction your 8yo really wants to ride and see if your both comfortable with the arrangement.

TJ

 

[DeDixie]

My 12DD and I are off in 13 days on a trip alone! It's part of her 13th Birthday present. I had read years ago the Sigounre (sp)Weaver (I think it was her) had taken each of her kids on a trip alone when they turned 13. I thought that was soooo cool. It was hard for me to go ahead with it, as we are leaving DH and DD10 home. But we told the DD10 first, let her keep the secret for the night and then tell her sister the big news the next day. THis helped to involve 10DD in the plan, especially since a 3 year wait will be a long time till she gets her turn.

We have annual passes and are DVC members, so my only costs are for air, food, Tiffany Town car and MVMHP

I can't wait. I am promissing myself that I will be the most fun Mom ever on this trip - not lecturing or trying to get her to "talk to me". I want her to remember this as the most fun trip ever, not a time when Mom can blackmail her into talking. LOL

We are going to MVMHP, she will lay out by the pool and we will have dinner at Planet Hollywood and Rainforest ( gc from rewards programs). We are going to sleep in, shop at downtown and only ride the rides we want to ride.

 

[girlsx2]

I too, am considering doing this . I have three DD - 11, 7, and 2.5. We do the family trip in Feb as my husband is laid off during the winter months. However, my girls and I would love to do "other" trips too. I am considering purchasing an annual pass before our next trip and doing a trip with the girls over the summer or in November.


Sherri

 

[twinmomplus2]

My Dh hasn't gone in lets see 7 years? The last trip he came on, I dragged the then, dd7.... and ds 16mts... through the parks all day. while he golfed and had a snooze next to the pool. He does not like theme parks or crowds. And we refuse to take him ever again! While I travel alone with my kids DD16, Ds 9, and twins now 3. I am lucky that extended family always ends up traveling at the same time. Nana's and Aunties and Uncles! So while they don't actually watch my guys, they are there in a pinch if I need an extra hand.

 

[skiwee1]

All the time! Well, twice a year just us girls go to WDW. I take my youngest DD and my mom. DH doesn't care for WDW like I do so I go without him. Let me tell you, we have the BEST time when we go without men! I love DH but it is so different to be able to SHOP, POTTY, and EAT whenever we want! Some men just don't understand that we women must hit every shop we see or every bathroom we cross or just have to have another donut from the Main St bakery for later! My DH is like that unfortunately. He has just a good of time here at home with DS who also doesn't like WDW. They always make plans to do guy things while we are gone. We are going again in 16 days and DH and DS have plans to go to a local boat show and then fly down to Ft. Lauderdale for another boat show. As long as we still go on all the other vacations together we still make the most out of our seperate ones. Go and have a blast!

 

[onecoolmama]

I would feel guilty doing this (although my kids are only 2 and 1 right now) in eight years, I might feel differently! LOL!

DH is a HUGE disney freak like me and I would feel bad telling him we are going without him. Actaully, truth be told, this trip was suppose to be a moms and daughter weekend, with all of my aunts and cousins...Iwould have taken my DS being that he would be the only 2yo, however..DH couldn;t take it...so it became a family trip...quickly!

If I get AP's for the next two years, I might take my mom and my two kids. I have taken the kids to Sesame Place by myself, but Disney is DH's absolute fav so I dunno how mean that is! I mean, his 30th bday isn't for another 4 years and he has already started planning that he wants a fireworks cruise and to stay at YC ..ect!

I love doing girls trips and mother son trips when my kids get older...I just hope one time..it can be Disney!

 

[Winston112]

I love this thread also. DS and I are going alone to WDW Easter week. We were alone for part of our last trip and it was wonderful. We did what we wanted. DH is not a disney freak like me and would stay home and watch sports or draw. Last trip we stayed onsite. We attended E-night at MK and were not afraid at all. This time we'll be offsite for half the trip.
Jynohn- You are so funny! I was thinking the same thing about the food bill. My DH always eats for 2.