Ever taken just one of your kids to Disney at a time?

[DisneyFave]

I always dreamed of taking my (unborn) kiddos to Disney. Now that I have a 2 yr old and 5 yr old, I’m dying to take them but the thought of it just exhausts me! Every time we vacation as a family I am destroyedddd for a full week after!

But I used to love taking DS5 when he was a toddler, before DS2 was born. DH is not a Disney fan so I didn’t mind the solo parenting with just 1 kid. With 2 kids now, solo parenting at Disney terrifies me

So my question is: if you have taken one kid, how does that work? Do you take the other soon after? I would want to do that.

Just a couple nights one weekend. Then take the other kid a few weekends later. Likely will rent DVC points for a monorail resort. Whoever stays home with dad will get to go to stadium games and other fun things, and be spoiled by grandparents.

Just not sure if we will both miss the absent kiddo or if it will be great quality 1:1 time (which has been sorely lacking for both kids)

 

[LadyNia]

I have no advice for your posted question, but wonder if there is another adult you could bring with you to help, such as a grandparent. This way you could take both kids at the same time. Would probably be a memorable trip for a grandparent as well.

 

[DisneyFave]

I have no advice for your posted question, but wonder if there is another adult you could bring with you to help, such as a grandparent. This way you could take both kids at the same time. Would probably be a memorable trip for a grandparent as well.

Good suggestion! Sadly both sets of grandparents live in colder climates and think 50% humidity is very uncomfortable so we really only visit them where they live.

 

[AgentMama]

We've done it, not just for Disney. In our house we don't think all things always have to be equal, but they usually work out that way. But depending on our kids interests and scehdules we have often traveled with just one or the other, one parent, two parents if a kid is with grandparents. Just depends what we have going on.

 

[HopperFan]

My kids are grown but the minute I had the ability to leave one home (care) I began traveling with one kid all the time. DH has had many trips with two of the kids each on their own. Disney World, Beach, Mardi Gras, out of state Soccer Games, Washington DC, family farm, international trips .... I think it's great for them to have only child trips to something they truly enjoy with one parent. DS loves history, DD could care less so Dad and DS went to DC for a week. Great one on one time, great conversation and every kid has time to be special.

I think it's great you take one then the other, I don't even think it has to be right after as long as you are talking about where you are going and what you want to do while there. Our kids learned that they all get their own special time with a parent and no one keeps track.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

DS did the AbD Disneyland Escape over spring break. DD will get a trip with her cousin in December. The trips weren't planned as "you get X so you get Y," but rather "what you are most interested in is X and what you are most interested in is Y, so now you are both happier than you would have been in any other configuration."

 

[levismom]

I have no advice for your posted question, but wonder if there is another adult you could bring with you to help, such as a grandparent. This way you could take both kids at the same time. Would probably be a memorable trip for a grandparent as well.

I agree grandparents Could be a big help and there would be tons of great memories.

 

[danceintherain]

I started in May taking my kids to Disneyland one at a time. It's much more accessible, especially for a short trip, and since we live in the middle of the country, the travel is approximately the same. Flights to California are generally a little cheaper too, and for short trips I can do budget airlines and pack in just backpacks.

My goal is to take them once they can ride everything and be left alone as needed. For example, I was on my period during my May trip, and spent an insane amount of time in the bathroom. ODS sometimes just waited outside. Sometimes he went on a ride. We also could utilize the single rider line. I also want special one on one time with them when they're reaching middle school. When they were little, special one on one time could be doing anything anywhere. Going to Disney with mommy alone is a much bigger deal to them now. My goal was to target 9 or 10 yo, but I had a baby when my oldest was 10 and COVID hit, so I took him at 11.
DD is already chomping at the bit to go on her trip, but the logistics are a bit different for her. I took ODS out of school for a few days with reasonable expectations that he would complete his make up work. DD struggles more, so I'm more hesitant to take her out. We're going to WDW in the spring, so I'll probably be looking at October next year or February 2024, during their break for parent/teacher conferences.

I've also taken several trips with just "the baby." I'm planning a trip to take the baby to visit my grandfather in the next few months. I would take all the kids, but the timing is rough, and they're all in school full time so its easier to just take the baby during the week with DH and my Mom sharing the before/after school responsibilities.

I've thought about making the trips specifically about their interests, but honestly these trips are more about me than they are about them. I want to go to Disney, so we will go to Disney.

 

[danceintherain]

As for taking both of your kids as the only adult....the thing that stops me up for WDW is the cost. Again, my kids don't really care where we go when they're really young. RenFest is just as exciting (and overwhelming!) to them as Disney. We did go a few years ago without DH, and my parents were along. I could have done it alone, but it was a more fulfilling trip for my oldest, since he didn't have to skip all the more thrilling rides just because his younger siblings were to small or unwilling.

Having an extra adult along changes the dynamic. I've gone with my parents and we brought my younger sister once. Even DH being there means more opinions to manage. If not for the cost, I would absolutely take my kids alone, and just keep my expectations to a minimum. But, we can do that other places at home, and I think it would be better at Disneyland anyway. It's smaller. You can stay in a bunch of hotels and still walk to both parks. We get military discounted tickets, so I could absolutely see taking all my kids, especially now that the two oldest can ride together without me.

 

[bakerworld]

Our kids viewed Disney differently so, while we vacationed as a family group, we often separated. Our younger two were more in sync so the separate activities happened fairly organically. As adults separate trips happen fairly organically also with extended families and jobs. I tried to force one big family trip this past February which ended in a disaster, which we've weathered thru, so lesson learned. Separation is best.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

When Disney reopened after the pandemic, I took my 18 y/o on a solo trip because her younger brother has autism and I wasn’t sure he’s be able to navigate the parks in a mask all day. The following spring, we took just the two younger boys since my daughter had moved out by that time. Now she’s invited to join us when we take them, but usually doesn’t want to take off work for an entire week.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

We sort of did it for Universal. There wasn't going to be enough for my 3 year old to do, so we took turns going with my then 5 year old. But everyone went on the trip, just not to the park. She loved the resort and City Walk and we are also Seaworld Fun Card AP/Fun Card holders, so she'd still have a fun day. Then didn't have to spend so much time waiting on people to get off the 40 inch and above rides, and we didn't have to spend money on a ticket for her.

 

[sponica]

So we never went on solo trips as kids unless it was a graduation present or something like that.
And while each kid might get their own day every now and then, and I'm bringing my older daughter to see the rockettes but leaving my younger one at home that's essentially a day trip for me.

I don't see us doing anything with just one kid as a non special occasion trip that's more than a daytrip, travel is just too expensive.

 

[NJlauren]

Yes! I took my then 7 year old last year solo we did Disney and universal. Then I’m Feb I took my then 3 year old (my sister joined us and we went with friend but same idea).

This year same plan, me and 8 year old are going in Nov and me and 4 year old in Feb.

We also do family trips, on one right now. I will say a family trip is nice too, would DH be open to renting a house doing some Disney some relaxing?

Happy to answer any specific questions, I would take both solo but my husband wouldn’t love that he likes Disney!

 

[DisneyFave]

Yes! I took my then 7 year old last year solo we did Disney and universal. Then I’m Feb I took my then 3 year old (my sister joined us and we went with friend but same idea).

This year same plan, me and 8 year old are going in Nov and me and 4 year old in Feb.

We also do family trips, on one right now. I will say a family trip is nice too, would DH be open to renting a house doing some Disney some relaxing?

Happy to answer any specific questions, I would take both solo but my husband wouldn’t love that he likes Disney!

This is so great to hear! I am so glad it is working for you.

Would LOVE any and all tips you have, particularly: did the kids change their minds last minute and get upset about you leaving with sibling? Anything happen on the first 1:1 trip you didn’t expect?

Also: Everyone has convinced me!

I just booked DVC at BLT for 2 nights in Oct with my little baby (2.5 yr old) while 5 yr old stays home and goes to his top choices (“stadium soccer game and McDonalds”) with DH.

He said he wanted a 6th birthday trip with mom in March so that’s what he’s getting! I’m so excited to try Big Thunder with him! And keep him up a little late for fireworks! He will love it all!

Thankfully airfare is super cheap for our dates ($128).

I am so excited to spoil my baby with attention and bond with him in a way we haven’t gotten to do yet. When I am alone with both of them (even when DH is around) I just never feel like I can give either of them my full attention. I really need this.

And obviously I am going to dress the baby in the most adorable Halloween costumes! Too bad MNSSHP is sold out.

 

[DisneyMama811]

DH should suck it up and go along for his kids so the 4 of you can experience wdw together... sometimes being part of a family means making sacrifices so others can be happy

 

[DisneyFave]

DH should suck it up and go along for his kids so the 4 of you can experience wdw together... sometimes being part of a family means making sacrifices so others can be happy

He does come… But only agreed to once every 2 years which is not nearly enough for me. I don’t mind though. I like being the only adult because I can plan everything more thoroughly (half the fun). Before I had kids I used to have a ball taking my nieces on 1:1 trips.

 

[NJlauren]

This is so great to hear! I am so glad it is working for you.

Would LOVE any and all tips you have, particularly: did the kids change their minds last minute and get upset about you leaving with sibling? Anything happen on the first 1:1 trip you didn’t expect?

Also: Everyone has convinced me!

I just booked DVC at BLT for 2 nights in Oct with my little baby (2.5 yr old) while 5 yr old stays home and goes to his top choices (“stadium soccer game and McDonalds”) with DH.

He said he wanted a 6th birthday trip with mom in March so that’s what he’s getting! I’m so excited to try Big Thunder with him! And keep him up a little late for fireworks! He will love it all!

Thankfully airfare is super cheap for our dates ($128).

I am so excited to spoil my baby with attention and bond with him in a way we haven’t gotten to do yet. When I am alone with both of them (even when DH is around) I just never feel like I can give either of them my full attention. I really need this.

And obviously I am going to dress the baby in the most adorable Halloween costumes! Too bad MNSSHP is sold out.

Honestly 1:1 is pretty easy parks wise. There is no problems deciding what to do next, or who needs to use the bathroom. In general when anyone is going my advise is the same, you can’t do it all, don’t try, make your priorities and go from there, the rest is gravy, I even tell my kids this on all trips.

2.5 year old lots of potty breaks so your not leaving line, at that age we made a rule when mommy goes you go, it works for the most part.

The hardest part of going solo is making sure the one at home is still having fun. The idea of the soccer match and McDonald’s is exactly what we do. The Feb trips are easy the 8 year old snowboards with dad, so that’s how those trips ended up happening. But then DD 8 was like whoa what about me, so we found a time that works for her and this tradition was born. This is only the 2nd year and may be the last just due to other factors. The younger one is def harder when she is left home, but my husband takes her to do fun stuff and that’s that.

They are used to doing different stuff cause the older one snowboards and the younger one hasn’t been able to yet, plus they both love the 1 on 1 time!

You’ve got this!

 

[tguz]

My situation was a little different. I had 2 kids and took them together twice when they were young. I then had a third who is 9 years younger. When my girlfriend, then Fiancee, now Wife went 3 years in a row, we took my youngest twice without my older two. Our next trip we are taking my son and stepson who are a year apart but not any of the other kids as they will all be almost 21 - 28 years old.

 

[saraheliz]

Yes. I took my oldest the week before she turned 3 with my mom and sister, and left the 1 year old at home. We took them both two years later (two weeks before the youngest turned 3).
I then took both girls at 10 and 8 and left 2 year old brother at home. That trip was crazy easy and they could go go go. We all could have gone but neither of us really wanted to deal with a 2 year old at Disney again and he had no clue at the time so DH happily stayed home. I'd do it all over again...getting that time with the two oldest before they went full tween on me was amazing. My favorite part of the trip was that they held my hands!
We just went again with all of us and the youngest that got left behind last time was 6 1/2. When we told him about the trip he kept saying "I can't believe the whole family gets to go!" and "Now we can take down that picture at Epcot with just the girls and put up one of all of us!"
Different groups of people/kids produce different kinds of trips...I think there is value in all of them in different situations! My youngest is so much younger I can totally see a scenario in which we take him alone again...although the girls might not let that fly.