Going solo..with a 5yr old

[mjslvswdw1]

I am planning on taking my neice for her 5th birthday to WDW. I am going without my husband, or my sister(always have had help in the past). I am a little worried about how to handle WDW without an extra set of hands. The reason I need help is, I am not a mom and I am worried about losing her or worse. I've been to WDW 13 times, so I know a few of the basics...take her into the restroom with me, lock and chain the resort door if I use the bathroom, but what other things am I not thinking of? Should I bring a stroller, or should I rent one? We are flying so I am hesitant about bringing a stroller and trying to keep her in line with that and 2 pieces of luggage.
This will be her first big trip(4 days) without her mamma and I want to keep her safe and me sane! I am very excited...I love seeing things through her eyes. If anyone can give me some advice or pointers I would really appriciate it!!! TIA!

Melissa

 

[F1Julie]

I'm a single mom of a DD5 and we have a blast when we go to WDW just the 2 of us. As for the stroller, definitely bring one. In the airport you can rest the luggage on the stroller and have your niece walk with you. You can do the same thing getting your luggage to your hotel room.

 

[Tammi67]

First of all, I would say yes to the stroller. Even tho she is 5 her little legs will get tired and she will want to sit and rest. Explain to her who "safe" people are (CM's, their uniforms and name tags) and for her to go to one should she get lose. Everyday put a paper in her pocket or a sticky label on the inside of her shirt with her name, your name, the phone number and the resort that you are staying in. Make sure she knows it is there. Have a plan in place should you get separated. Have a cell phone with you if you can and have that phone number on her paper.

Now on the fun side, make sure you plan something special for her bday. And be sure to get a bday button. Have a great time.

 

[mjslvswdw1]

Thanks F1Julie and Tammy67! I will make sure I do take a stroller and thanks for the suggestions about putting a nametag on her..I would have never thought of that!

Melissa

 

[pittypat]

Several years ago I had the opportunity to take just one DS to Disneyland when he was pretty little and we had a BLAST, just the 2 of us. I kind of let him set our pace and our agenda, too. That was a little weird because he was very happy playing in the hotel pool and watching Disney cartoons that we don't get at home. But once I let go of my compulsive need to "see it all", it turned out to be a wonderfully relaxing vacation for both of us. Have fun!

 

[karynnix]

What a wonderful aunt you are!! Every child should be so lucky to have someone like you in their life!!!!

 

[mjslvswdw1]

Thanks pittypat...I usually go into commando mode when I am there and I need to keep in mind that it will be very hot and she will most likely want to swim alot. I like the idea of her setting the pace...who knows...she might be a disney commando, like her aunt!
karynnix...Thanks for the compliment. I have a pretty stressful job and find Disney to be a great relief, and I have always taken family members in the past. I took her and my sister two years ago when she was three. I was planning on taking her last year over my birthday in October, but I met my very own Prince Charming and we got married in WDW in October. She is a great kid, but really knows how to work me! Recently, she asked when just the two of us were going to take our trip to the World. I decided that I couldn't let my annual pass go to waste so I planned her surprise BDay trip! I am so excited, but I think I am creating a Disney monster!!

Melissa

 

[tmfranlk]

I have a sister who is 20 years younger than me. The day I found out my mom was pregnant I declared that I was taking her to Disney World when she turned 5. About 2 weeks after her birthday we did just that! The trip was just the two of us and I was unmarried/no kids myself (at the time). We had a great time!!!

I rented a stroller because I didn't want to have to mess with it in the airport. My large suitcase was enough to handle without having to push a stroller too. Plus, it would have meant buying one since mom didn't have one anymore and I didn't see the need for that.

Things that I did:
- Since we lived in different cities, I flew to meet her and then on down to Florida
- Made her a special autogaph book (she still loves that book at 9yo and wants to know if we can make another one like it for next time - 5th trip)
- Told her before hand that this was her trip and we'd do whatever she wanted to do
- Planned a character meal for the first night so that she could get a feel for the atmosphere and the characters
- Stayed at ASMo since I thought she'd like it best
- Bought little gifts to suprise her with each morning
- Bought her a big Minnie Mouse on our last day to give her before we left and an extra special gift (she'd been asking for it all week)
- Had ice cream for dinner last night
- Made sure she knew that she could call Mom and Dad anytime she wanted to - usually she called because she had just done something great that she wanted to tell them about like the first time she met Mickey Mouse
- Got a notorized letter from Mom that I could authorize medical treatment

We kind of did commando, but still stopped to do a lot of little things. We played in the play areas, ran in fountains, played with the characters, etc. (A word about the play areas....I would let DSis run and play by herself as much as she wanted to. I would pick a spot near something notable. Then she would go do 3 things and come check in with me. It worked well for us.)

Since then, we have gone again by ourselves when she was 6yo, suprised Mom with a trip with us to see the Christmas decorations, and taken my DD on her first trip at 14mo. This December I am suprising DSis with a plane ticket to meet DD and I there for our big trip. She'll only be able to stay for the first few days because of school, but I plan to focus those days on things she would like best.

 

[billylen]

The first time I went to WDW was with my son. He had just turned 5 at the time. His mom refused to go (said it was too hot and humid) Well, we booked a train from Los Angeles to Orlando...3 days and 3 nights in a sleeper. I was concerned that he would be too young.

We arrived and stayed off site (that time) We had a BLAST! It was 4 or 5 days of pure fun! Here is a quick funny story...It started raining one afternoon. On eof those quick downpours. The good news is that the rain in Florida in August is warm. We were in front of Pirates of the Caribbean. There wa s puddle of water...My son thought it would be funny to kick water on me...and guess what? I kicked water back on him. We laughed and laughed....

Anyway, I mentioned that i was concerned that he would be too young...he remembers much of that trip to this day. He is now 17, taller then me and we are going back next month...with 3 of his buddies...

Enjoy the time with your neice...we all have that family member that we share that "bond" with...SOunds like you are establishing yours...

GOOD FOR YOU!!!

 

[Ambassador]

Check your luggage curbside, or use Magic Express. Carry-on essentials, snacks, small amusements and your video camera pre-loaded with her favorite shows. Bring an umbrella stroller, and gate-check it on the jetway. Rent a stroller at the Parks, so you don't have to schlep yours on Transportation. Take a slow pace with lots of bathroom breaks. Don't try to go on all the super-headliner rides; the Steam Train, Tom Sawyer Island and Swiss Family Treehouse are really fun for little kids, with little waiting. Pack a swimsuit for the Parks, in case the water fountains beckon. Plan on something to do in the room after the little one has gone to sleep.

Good on you, Auntie Mel.

 

[Forevryoung]

I will have to start taking notes but I have 4 years before my cousin turns 5

My Aunt and Uncle are more of the France, Carribean, California wine country people (well they had their first child at 40 so I cant see them doing anything different)

I am the only one who is becoming Disney *obsessed*, My mom even made the comment a few days ago that she thought taking my sister when she was 5 was a little too young to enjoy everything. I was 8 at the time and thats apparently "the perfect age" to go.

So, how soon is too soon to be planning a trip?? 2009 anyone?

 

[Aidensmom]

Before I was married, I took my nephew who was 5 at the time to Busch Gardens - he is 11 now and still talks about it. I have now taken my son, who is 3, on mother/son trips to BG, Universal, and WDW several times (my husband works the opposite days/shift as me, so hard to do things with whole family) and it is always a blast. You definately want to let the child set the pace. Not only will she be happier, you will experience a lot of things you would not have otherwise, and it is really magical to see everything from a child's point of view. Like the other poster's said, a stroller is a must, though you will also want to make sure to provide some time for just running around and playing.

Something else that my experience has shown me is that the child is so excited about everything that they don't want to take the time to sit down and eat (unless its ice cream ), so don't wait for your neice's que on that - just tell her when it is time to eat, and don't let it be a negotiable thing or she just may not have any meals!

 

[AdventurerKat]

I have gone with my older son alone four times now, once when he was three, twice when he was four, and once when he was five. Every time was great fun.

As others have said, let the child set the pace. If you are anything like me, I have been to WDW enough now it doesnt matter much what I go on, I just like to "be there".

Now, I am going solo with my 2.5 y.o. next month. I expect it to be crazy, I expect it to be exhausting, but I also expect it to be alot of fun and something I will never forget, even if he does.

Have a great trip!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I'm taking my DD(6) ahead of the others for 2 nights in October. We will be joined by DH, DS(4), DD(2) and another adult friend. I'm taking all the luggage so they won't have to deal with that but to keep it managable I'm going to do what I've done on my past 2 trips and mail a package to the hotel with extra clothes and some things you don't have worry about like diapers, wipes, .... That way I can keep it to 2 checked bags for the 5 of us for 7-9 nights (1 rolling & 1 backpack). I'm still unsure if she'll need a stroller or if I'll just rent from the parks-I'll wait til Oct to decide on that.

 

[mjslvswdw1]

Thanks to everyone for your stories and advise! I am so looking forward to surprising her...her "real" 5th Birthday is July 3rd and she is having a big party...I am going to wait until she asks where her gift is, hand her a card with the castle on it, and say "Corryn, you and Aunt MiMi are going to Disneyworld in one week!...and yes we're going to see Ariel!" I cannot wait...I think I will be more excited then her!1

Melissa

 

[ReneeQ]

I have taken my nephew solo when he was 5, my friend's daughter solo when she was 4, and my friend's son solo when he was 7. I don't have my own children, so I'm thinking as an aunt, not a mom. Also, we live close enough to drive, so I never had the stroller and luggage in the airport issue.

Be sure to take a photocopy of the child's insurance card with you and a notarized medical release from the parents, just in case.

My biggest fear was losing a child, especially the younger ones. I have peace of mind when they're in a stroller, as I can always see them. When they get older and use a stroller less, I'm a bit more "crazed" about keeping an eye on them. If shopping, I never divert my attention from them. If I want to look at something, the child has to be in front of me, with my hand on their shoulder or chest. It's something I still instinctively do without thinking, and my nephew, at 7, says I need to stop!

Before any trip I go to Walmart and get one of those dog tags made from the machine in the pet dept. Not sure if all Walmarts have these. It's about $5. I put my cell phone number, MY name (NOT the child's name) and the name of the hotel we're staying at. I tie this into their shoelaces (or pin it inside a pocket of their shorts/pants if they're wearing sandals that day). The child knows it is there and can show it to a CM if lost, but a stranger can't see it and get their name. I put my name and hotel, so in case my cell phone won't work due to service, etc., the CM could call our hotel and get our room number and leave a message. You can call your hotel room and retreive your messages.

I agree with everyone about letting them set the pace. They've played in the fountains for an hour, but that was great relaxtion for me!

One thing I never thought about, not being a parent and all. I'm so used to asking my husband "are you hungry, are you ready to eat?" etc., that I would say it to my nephew without thinking. Of course he would always say no, he wasn't hungry! Then when I'd say, well, it's time to eat, he'd get upset, like, why did you even ask me? My brother in law (his father) finally told me, don't ask him, you TELL him "it's time to eat." I never thought of that! Worked like a charm.

Have a great trip!