Hubby can't come on trip--sick UPDATE NOT GOING PNEUMONIA

[quandrea]

Hi all. DH has bronchitis and his antibiotics have caused a bout of gout. He probably won't be well enough for our trip next week. I can't change the name on his plane ticket, so I am probably going to have to go alone with my three kids--4, 4 and nine. We are DVC so I can't reschedule as there is no availability and the points expire at the end of November.

My question is: Am I nuts, or is this doable? Never been without dad, apart from one morning alone at the MK that went really well.

Any tips on how to travel as a single parent? At the airport, hotel and parks?

We rent a car and have a one bedroom.

 

[PartOfYourWDWorld]

Can you get anyone else to come? A parent, sibling, in law? Tell them if they buy their own plane ticket you will take care of everything else? That's what I would do. I just can't imagine going with three kids by myself. BUT, I would do it in your case since there's no sense in not going. If you can't get anyone else to come, plan for a slower pace and mid day breaks to make it easier on yourself. Good luck!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I don't know much about gout so I don't know how it is affecting him, but since he has the plane ticket, could he come along and just hang out in your resort while you're at the parks with the kids? Maybe he could manage short outings in the parks, like half-days in the mornings or after dinner? I'd hate for him to miss out on his planned vacation to be laid up at home. I would feel badly leaving him at home, unwell.

 

[caselaw3]

Could you rent him an ECV so that he doesn't have to walk and can just cruise around the parks? At least he would be able to experience and it would keep him off his feet for long periods of time?

 

[quandrea]

I don't know much about gout so I don't know how it is affecting him, but since he has the plane ticket, could he come along and just hang out in your resort while you're at the parks with the kids? Maybe he could manage short outings in the parks, like half-days in the mornings or after dinner? I'd hate for him to miss out on his planned vacation to be laid up at home. I would feel badly leaving him at home, unwell.

My sister suggested this. We'll see. Gout is terribly painful--worse than childbirth I think. I think the idea of negotiating a plane and airport are pretty unsavoury. He has missed a week of work and I think needs to catch up. The decision will be his, but I think he wants to be home. I will miss him terribly but I think he may rather be home.

Could you rent him an ECV so that he doesn't have to walk and can just cruise around the parks? At least he would be able to experience and it would keep him off his feet for long periods of time?

Too painful. But thanks.

I have asked my sister to come. She can only come for four of the seven nights. I'll keep you posted. The dr took him off the antibiotic that triggered the gout. Now he has to battle the bronchitis on his own. Doc will see him Sunday to see if his chest is clearing. In lots of pain, coughing and running a fever tonight.

 

[jk2006]

He has a fever and needs to battle bronchitis in his own? Seriously that sounds scary if it is truly bacterial; there are other antibiotics out there. If he is getting worse i suggest a second opinion or go to er if really bad. Good luck!

 

[quandrea]

He has a fever and needs to battle bronchitis in his own? Seriously that sounds scary if it is truly bacterial; there are other antibiotics out there. If he is getting worse i suggest a second opinion or go to er if really bad. Good luck!

That's what I thought. I'll never get dh to the er for a second opinion.

 

[Darcy03231]

You'll be fine. I took 4 kids to WDW by myself pretty much every year as DH went the first time and refused to go back. Some years my mom or sister would come with me, but for the most part I was on my own.

I let each kid pick one thing they wanted to do/see each day and then we counted anything else we did as a bonus. I didn't drive myself crazy trying to get there for rope drop (although we did get there early each day), we took a pool break every afternoon and then went back at night. We also didn't do commando touring. We took our time, enjoyed ourselves and generally had a blast!

 

[quandrea]

You'll be fine. I took 4 kids to WDW by myself pretty much every year as DH went the first time and refused to go back. Some years my mom or sister would come with me, but for the most part I was on my own.

I let each kid pick one thing they wanted to do/see each day and then we counted anything else we did as a bonus. I didn't drive myself crazy trying to get there for rope drop (although we did get there early each day), we took a pool break every afternoon and then went back at night. We also didn't do commando touring. We took our time, enjoyed ourselves and generally had a blast!

This is how we tour anyway. I think I'll be okay. It will be strange; dh and I haven't spent a night apart in thirteen years except for the two nights I was in hospital having our kids. Not loving the drive from mco but I'm tough. Really hoping he's doing better tomorrow.

 

[lovetogowdw]

Hope you hubby gets all better quickly and this is just a theoretical discussion. But just in case . . .

Why the rental car? Can't you use Magical Express (bus) to/from airport to DVC, just like to the WDW Resorts and then just use the buses from your DVC to the parks? That's what we've always done when we fly. And I'd way rather do that than navigate a rental car around WDW. Driving at WDW is always a "mis"adventure for me.

I've taken my two kids by myself to WDW several times, including as infant or toddler (the youngest is only three now). No biggie. There are babysitting services (including one recommended by the Disney resorts). I used this service once and loved our sitter. She met us in Hollywood Studios then park hopped with us over to Epcot. Both kids loved her! I got "alone time" with each child that day and my oldest got to ride his "big kid" rides. (And I took a few minutes to just go get a soft drink all by myself before she left us for the day!!)

A friend who lives in Orlando met us at the MK on another day and again, my oldest got to ride "big kid" rides. Are you going during a school break where you might be able to meet up with another family?

 

[quandrea]

I've considered no rental car but we love the convenience of having it. Does your little one still use a stroller? That's always seemed a pain on the buses but we are going stroller free for the first time now that the twins are four.

Hubby is still hacking away but he says he doesn't feel too bad today. Most importantly, I don't think the gout has worsened. Keep hoping he will make it after all. We aren't discussing it much as he isn't really in a disney frame of mind.

No school break right now, so no one to meet up with. We always go late sept once school is back in session. Questioning that too now because my four year olds keep freaking out at kindergarten. Oh the joys of domestic life!

 

[quandrea]

Well dh isn't going to make it on our trip. He seems a bit better with the bronchitis but the gout is worsening. He's medicating the gout but it will be days before he's okay.

It feels bizarre planning to go away without him. We've never spent a few days apart let alone a week.

I could just cancel the whole thing and lose the air and points. Seems stupid but is it terrible to leave him home?

 

[lucyem]

So Sorry!

Only you & your DH can decide if it is better to go or if you need to stay home. What does your DH think? Would he need care or would he be happy to have some quiet time to get better and catch up on work?

Going alone is totally doable. When I am alone with the kids I usually book one evening at a kids club so I can have a little non kid time.

As for points etc, I know it is total last minute but you might be able to rent the DVC reservation. Just a thought I had.

 

[quandrea]

So Sorry!

Only you & your DH can decide if it is better to go or if you need to stay home. What does your DH think? Would he need care or would he be happy to have some quiet time to get better and catch up on work?

Going alone is totally doable. When I am alone with the kids I usually book one evening at a kids club so I can have a little non kid time.

As for points etc, I know it is total last minute but you might be able to rent the DVC reservation. Just a thought I had.

Great thoughts. Hadn't thought about renting the reservation. I found a week availability in November, but dh says we mustn't cancel as his November is too booked for a week's holiday (we are already planning four nights away alone, that would need to be rescheduled).

It's now or never this year for a holiday. Hubby would be fine home alone. "The quiet time would do him good and he has tons to catch up on.

The kids club is a great idea. I'm thinking the Neverland Club for them and a Lapu Lapu for me.

DH also had the great idea to join us later in the week. We'd only incur a change fee for his plane ticket--no biggie--and I'd only be on my own for a bit. Here's hoping he's better in a week.

So off to rent a car in my name now...

 

[MSSANDRA]

You CAN do it on your own and have a GREAT time doing it.

A few helpful hints:
Rent a stroller. Even though you might have planned a non stroller trip, I would absolutely have one alone with two 4 year olds. You may need to keep up with them during a crowded situation (ex-leaving fantasmic), they may both be too tired to walk leaving the park, and you may need them contained while you do things such as stand in a CS line. You can rent off site and have it delivered to your resort if you can avoid having on at the airport. Most 4's NEED a stroller.

Use WDW transportation- So nice not having to deal with driving at the end of the day

Use your 9 year old. Make it clear to him or her that in order to do this trip....you will need help at times and they will be expected to do that .Just things like keeping an eye on the twins while you get a shower, help carry a try or push the stroller.

Make it clear that you will only ride things that everyone can ride. Height restrictions, fear factors and the fact you will have to ride with both little ones while 9 year old rides alone in front of you need to be addressed.

Expect it to go well, and plan to have a BLAST. no reason not to have a great trip.

 

[LMN]

I would totally go by myself with kids- in a heartbeat! My 3 are more spread out in age than yours are, but still...you can do this! In crowded situations, have your 9 year old be a "buddy" to one of the 4 year olds and hold their hand. You'll have the hand of the other 4 year old and you'll do fine. If this was my dh, he would insist that we go. He would hate to see us miss our vacation. Sounds like he is well enough to be left alone and you can talk to him every day by phone/text. Also...I would skip the rental car. Unnecessary expense, in my opinion. Everywhere you need to go you can go by Disney transportation. That will make it easier on you too, not having to keep up with a car. And another option is to rent a stroller in the parks. At 4, my kids
weren't quite ready to spend a whole day walking in the parks.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[quandrea]

I would totally go by myself with kids- in a heartbeat! My 3 are more spread out in age than yours are, but still...you can do this! In crowded situations, have your 9 year old be a "buddy" to one of the 4 year olds and hold their hand. You'll have the hand of the other 4 year old and you'll do fine. If this was my dh, he would insist that we go. He would hate to see us miss our vacation. Sounds like he is well enough to be left alone and you can talk to him every day by phone/text. Also...I would skip the rental car. Unnecessary expense, in my opinion. Everywhere you need to go you can go by Disney transportation. That will make it easier on you too, not having to keep up with a car. And another option is to rent a stroller in the parks. At 4, my kids
weren't quite ready to spend a whole day walking in the parks.

Enjoy your vacation!

I have a stroller rented from an outside company. The thought of dragging it on buses is not pleasant, hence the car rental. But if I bagged the stroller and just rented one in the parks, that could make buses doable. Hubby could rent the car when he joins us...That might just work. Is Magical Express a pain? We are so used to being totally in control of our time with the car. I haven't used the buses since before I was married and had kids.

 

[quandrea]

Bump

 

[sarahk0204]

I have a stroller rented from an outside company. The thought of dragging it on buses is not pleasant, hence the car rental. But if I bagged the stroller and just rented one in the parks, that could make buses doable. Hubby could rent the car when he joins us...That might just work. Is Magical Express a pain? We are so used to being totally in control of our time with the car. I haven't used the buses since before I was married and had kids.

I would totally rent the stroller in the parks. At 4, my twins still used one in the parks, and the in-park model worked well.

Having the car is nice, but if you think about it, for many of the DVC resorts, the walk from the parking lot is the same or longer as the walk from the bus stop. I don't know if you've mentioned where you are staying, but take advantage of other forms of transportation if they are offered. Boats or the monorail are fun, and we sometimes prefer them to driving and parking (SSR to DTD, for example).

We are taking ME for the first time this trip, but my friends who have used it many times really like not having to rent a car.

 

[quandrea]

We are at animal kingdom kidani village.