Going Alone to Disney with small children. Yay or Nay?

[Goin'BacktoDisney]

My kids are 5 and 8. We've been to WDW many times and I've never taken them by myself...however, if I had the opportunity to go with friends and dh couldn't join us, I wouldn't hesitate to take the kids myself. I probably wouldn't have considered it when they were toddlers, but at this age, I think we'd have a blast!

 

[danceintherain]

The one thing I learned fast when my kids were young was that buffets were a lot of work. It's a lot of up and down for mom if they are too small to be trusted with loading and carrying their own plates. Your 9 yo should be fine, but the 5 yo may need help. The one recommendation I'd throw out is that as far as character meals go, family style meals ('Ohana breakfast, Garden Grill Dinner) are a lot more relaxing than buffets. Of course, you can do buffets, but being waited on is nice when you're in charge of 2 young ones.

Excellent tip.

Now that I have read your update, I advise keeping your reservation at the Boardwalk, especially if you are concerned about getting around the parks.

To me, it's easier getting around to the various parks from that great location, than it would be from a moderate resort. At the Boardwalk, you can walk (or take a boat) to Epcot and Disney Studios and bypass the buses altogether. From Epcot's Future World, you can take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom.

I would not sacrifice a stay at a Deluxe resort to be closer to friends for security or ease of transportation, because a Deluxe resort is TOPS in both of those areas. But I might sacrifice a stay at a Deluxe resort to be closer to friends for fun. It's up to you!

I second this. Being able to walk to 2 of the 4 parks will make your trip easier.
Honestly, staying in the same resort at your friends might not end up being a huge help as there's no guarantee that your rooms will be anywhere near each other.
I suppose it also depends on if you're planning on having a car, but even following someone else around may not be a huge help.

Disney transportation is fairly straight forward. Everything is well marked, and there's always someone around who can point you in the right direction.

"Easy" definitely means different things to different people, but your kids are old enough that they should be able to follow directions. You can bring a stroller for the 5 year old, or hold his hand. Better yet, make them hold each others hand any time they start to stray. The most hectic areas are usually coming in and out of the parks, and there's no reason why your friends can't be nearby during most of those times.

 

[charmedlife3517]

Thanks for all of the helpful tips I feel a lot better now about staying at Boardwalk. I have been consumed with Disney planning for months and to have a wrench thrown in the plan can makes things a little overwhelming. I know the kids and I will have a blast but its nice to hear reinforcement. Hopefully I will have some sanity left to take lots of pictures to put in a trip report when I'm back

 

[WDWMommy81]

I am taking my son who will be 6 Thanksgiving week alone. I am newly divorced and I am excited to have this time with him. We are staying at AwA.

 

[boltfan]

After our first trip, where my husband complained the whole time, I have always taken my 3 kids by myself and loved it. The first year alone they were 6, 8, and 10. I had no problems. I'm really glad that we stayed at POFQ because it is small and everything was close by. And even the bus rides were all short...20 minutes at the most. And we always caught a bus because it was the first stop on the Port Orleans bus route. Also, having that private time with my kids is priceless and we created memories that we will never forget!

 

[Traveliz]

The ages of the kids are not bad - that should be fine.

Boardwalk is nice but having friends at POR and planning on meeting up with them now and then (and in the parks?)...in that case I would change my reservation to be over there with them. It will be just that much easier for at least some of the time and really the boat to DHS from Boardwalk is slow (and I walk most of the time but wouldn't with a 5 year old ALL of the time) and then you have to walk or boat to Epcot as well...not bad but I don't consider either of those huge time savers with kids.

The food courts at POR give you some flexibility on quick means that are harder to come by at Boardwalk.

I took a 4 & 6 year old by myself once (niece and nephew) and the hardest part was being "on" all the time. It's just you when it comes to making sure everyone's needs are being met (food, bathroom, sleep, shower, etc). I think being at POR with friends might ease up on some of that even if you aren't planning on being with them all of the time.

Liz

 

[FourBees]

I am going to be in the minority here but if your husband is not going I would say try to get a place where your bff and her family are staying. Not sure how much down time you plan on having but it would be nice to have some adult company while the kids play in the pool or whatever. Not sure how close the kids are in ages but if they are close then they may want to have their friends around. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

[3pletprincesses]

Go and have fun. The best trip I had this far was my trip with my then 4 yo triplets. We had so much and it was nice to see Disney at their speed and listen to them talk about everything they liked. They had so much to say and so many opinions. as long as you are willing to take it easy and maybe do a few more brekas then usual, you will love it. No other trip will equal this one for sure. the one down side is that you always have your kids with you so no break but I thought it was fun to go to bed with them. I was just as tired as they were at the end of the day LOL

 

[emilyann415]

Either way you'll be fine BUT I actually would choose to stay at POR as I find it a royal pain to try and meet up with family when we stay at other resorts. I'd rather deal with the buses PLUS don't know if your kids are girls or boys but the new princess rooms at POR are some of my favorite rooms I've stayed in. That being said we are staying at bay lake this time.....you'll be happy no matter what.

 

[Keegansmommy]

For us the trickiest part of Disney is navigating our stroller on/off Disney transportation while carrying everything else we bring along.

I think your kids are at a fun age and you'll have a great time! Grandparents going along are a fun enhancement...not a necessity if you ask me.

 

[CoolPool]

As WDW veteran: would definitely recommend staying deluxe. The balcony can afford you some private time to gather yourself.

As a divorced parent who has done many trips with kids alone, consider booking the kids in a Kids Club for a few hours one evening. I cannot remember if BW has one, but the nearby Beach Club definitely has one. They can play games and hang out with other children for a few supervised hours whilst you have a few hours to relax or get something done.

The critical thing to do is build in rest/relax/regroup time. Perhaps you may find this trip empowering.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

As WDW veteran: would definitely recommend staying deluxe. The balcony can afford you some private time to gather yourself.

As a divorced parent who has done many trips with kids alone, consider booking the kids in a Kids Club for a few hours one evening. I cannot remember if BW has one, but the nearby Beach Club definitely has one. They can play games and hang out with other children for a few supervised hours whilst you have a few hours to relax or get something done.

The critical thing to do is build in rest/relax/regroup time. Perhaps you may find this trip empowering.

Oh, I second the Kids Clubs! We stopped by one at the Wilderness Lodge just to check out what they offer. I never imagined actually leaving my daughter there (and I still haven't), but from the moment we walked in she was mesmerized.

Once she saw what the Kids Club had to offer, I could have been on Mars for all she cared. There was so much to do (arts & crafts, games, imaginary play with other kids her age).

If I needed to do so, I would not hesitate to leave my daughter there. We spent quite a while there together just doing the arts & crafts and having fun!

And the balcony at the Boardwalk is lovely!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I traveled a lot with my kids, by myself or with the BEST babysitter in the WHOLE WORLD.

The only advice I can add is to think about your restroom strategy. Will your son still go into the ladies' room with you? Because restroom entrances and exits are not always together at WDW, and can get confusing if he uses the men's room. There are family restrooms but I'm not sure if they are at every restroom site; you might want to scope out where these are beforehand. Surely Robo has a map.

Also, as a first timer you need to understand that WDW is HUGE. Seriously take to heart using a stroller for your 5yo. Realizing you want to rent one after you arrive is costly.

Have a great trip!

 

[Claudine877]

I always think it's easier to get somewhere with kids when you can walk or take a boat rather than navigating the bus with stroller/bag/kids. And while I appreciate the posters who recommend moving your reservation to be with your friends, please realize that they are on vacation too and while wanting to spend time with you and your children, you are always ON for time with your children. They may take a child occasionally to the restroom or on a ride, but unless you have pre-arranged for them to watch the kids for a set amount of time, it's unlikely you'll have 'free time'. (I think I signed mine away when I entered the hospital to have the twins). I have taken many trips with my twins and my two sisters but ultimately you are still making the decisions on food/bathroom/nap and the other hundreds of decisions. In order to make this vacation easier on you, I suggest you stay at your deluxe resort so close to 2 parks (walk/boat) and 1 monorail to the other. There's lots to do in walking distance and heading back to your resort for whatever reason will always be easier with a closer resort.

 

[mkoerner]

To be honest, if you have no frame of reference as to size and distance, I'd try and change the reservation to be at the same resort as your friends. Bus transportation from the EPCOT resort area tends to be pretty bad, if not absolutely horrible depending on the time of year and time of day you try to get a bus. Taking children the ages of yours alone is so easy, but having good transportation makes it even better. Plus you would have the money saved by changing resorts for spending.

 

[cmusschoot]

I would say YES!!!

The Boardwalk is my favorite hotel and you will be thrilled wit it. (I have stayed at PO as well and loved it) but LOVE the Boardwalk much more

I am taking 2 of my 3 kids ages 2 and 5 next trip...alone. I know it will be great!!

Have so much fun..

 

[charmedlife3517]

I traveled a lot with my kids, by myself or with the BEST babysitter in the WHOLE WORLD.

The only advice I can add is to think about your restroom strategy. Will your son still go into the ladies' room with you? Because restroom entrances and exits are not always together at WDW, and can get confusing if he uses the men's room. There are family restrooms but I'm not sure if they are at every restroom site; you might want to scope out where these are beforehand. Surely Robo has a map.

Also, as a first timer you need to understand that WDW is HUGE. Seriously take to heart using a stroller for your 5yo. Realizing you want to rent one after you arrive is costly.

Have a great trip!

YES!!!! I was worried about the restroom issue too. I would not trust my 5 yr old to go to the bathroom by himself. He literally just turned 5 and has not started school yet so he hasn't ever needed to go to the restroom alone. Plus he is the type of kid that would come out of the restroom and run off to go see something cool. I think I will have to take him in with me. He may be getting a little old for that but I think he can pass for a little while longer. As for the stroller, yes, I am going to get a sit and stand so my daughter can sit on the back too if she gets tired. She is small, not small enough for a sit and stand, but it will work.

And luckily my wonderful sister has decided to go with me. She is younger with no kids but the adult conversation will help me stay sane I think we are going to have a blast and I am super excited!!!!! Boardwalk here we come.