HELP! visiting WDW with only child

[danielle_lynn]

I am in the "pre-planning" process of a first trip to WDW. One of my biggest worries/concerns is the fact that my family will be an "odd" number (3: two adults, one child age 7) We have recently visited a small amusement park and ran into this problem: rides are usually designed for two people at a time. Therefore, my husband had to ride with some stranger. To me, this didn't seem like a "family" trip. I stressed out the entire time we were waiting in line, wondering if we would lose each other during the ride.Not to mention the fact that he didn't get to wittness our daughter's first experience on a roller coaster. I sure don't want anyone to miss her experiences at WDW!!

Can anyone let me know if we will be able to ride together as a family on most of the rides at WDW? Or let me know which rides to avoid? The thought of being separated diminishes the fun factor for me, anything to help with the "worries" would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Danielle

 

[siobhan1997]

We have gone alone with our DD now 10 six times since she was born. Alot of the rides are for more than 2 people, but the ones that only seat 2 at a time my DH and I would switch, he would go with her and then I would next time. They always ask how many just say 3 and they will usually sit the other alone. Relax and have fun, if you find your child really likes a specific ride that only seats two then each take a turn with her and let her do the ride twice. I love to see my DH interact with my DD on 2 only rides, I really enjoy seeing how much fun they are having together. Brings lots of smile

 

[Ellester]

Well, it depends on the ride. Many of them will allow three or more in a seat, but many only 2. I have never seen someone have to sit next to a stranger though (except on rides like Jungle Cruise where everyone is together in one big boat). I can't think of any rides where you would "lose" each other. I also can't think of too many "traditional" (not suspended, floorless, stand-up, etc.) roller coasters that aren't 2 per row at any parks. The rides I can think of that only allow two per seat at MK are Big Thunder, Dumbo, Aladdin's Carpets, Indy Racers, Space Orbiters, Pooh, Snow White, & Buzz Lightyear. Space Mountain is one per seat, they are inline. I wouldn't think it would spoil your trip though. We take turns sitting with our daughters so maybe you can switch off with your DH.

 

[Mr.BsMom]

We are a family of 3 also, and our experience has always been that the 3rd person (either DH or myself) will sit alone. We've always gone at the same time too (same car/train/etc...), so we finish the ride at the same time and walk out together. I think the only time one of us had to ride next to someone we didn't know was on Rock-n-roller coaster.
There is one ride that seats 3 in a row... Test Track. My son loved this ride!
I don't think you'll have any problems "losing" each other. Have fun!

 

[Barb D]

You can have 3 in a car on Buzz, but the middle rider doesn't get to shoot. (She would control the steering.) Your DD will probably enjoy firing, though, so you might want to get two cars anyway.

 

[CEDmom]

We're also a family of 3 and haven't had problems in either WDW or DL. We'd ride what we could together (It's a Small World and Living w/ the Land come to mind at the moment) or else one of us would go with DD while the other waited or looked around. If it was a ride DD really enjoyed she'd go again. She really enjoyed being the expert on a ride and explaining what was going to happen and not to be afraid. Don't get too stressed about it.

 

[llp479]

We're a family of 5, so there's always one odd man out. However, we've done 3 on numerous rides at WDW, including Big Thunder and Splash Mountain. Space Mountain is a 3 person car in which you ride single file.

I guess it also depends on how big you are. My DH is 6'2, so sometimes it wasn't convenient for him to ride with me and our youngest dd, so he would take one dd, and I'd take 2.

 

[disneymom3]

Aladdin and Pooh have the backseat so you really can be together, just not in the same row.