Hubby can't go... Go with a friend and my2 kids?

[Mflaherty]

My husband can't make our spring trip. I have a very good friend that wants to go with me and my almost 3 and 4 year olds. She doesn't have any children. I'm wondering if it would be fun or if it's a bad idea? Anyone have any input? My reservation is for BWV.

 

[rlovew]

It depends on both her tolerance for children and the dynamics of your friendship. What would your sleeping arrangements be and are you both satisfied with them, would she be with you always or would she do some things on her own? Talking about the expectations of everyone as well as the dynamics of the trip would be really important to your decision. I have gone with a friend and her teen as well as another teen from our church and had a wonderful weekend but we had done some traveling together before (in separate rooms with our families) and we all had the same goals for the weekend.

 

[Dean]

My husband can't make our spring trip. I have a very good friend that wants to go with me and my almost 3 and 4 year olds. She doesn't have any children. I'm wondering if it would be fun or if it's a bad idea? Anyone have any input? My reservation is for BWV.

Just talk to them about the sleeping arrangements and their tolerance for such issues. Ask yourself what she'll do if the kids need a nap and you break off or they get a bug and you lose a day or 2. In the absence of a red flag, I'd likely go for it.

 

[dbs1228]

Any good friends of mine that I would even consider having come with me on a trip I would already know the dynamics even with the kids and I would go for it without even thinking twice about it - that's just me.

 

[DeeCee735]

Any good friends of mine that I would even consider having come with me on a trip I would already know the dynamics even with the kids and I would go for it without even thinking twice about it - that's just me.

Me too
My friends and cousins have joined me multiple trips. Some prefer to share the bed, no problem for me, others to sleep on the pull out in a one bedroom or studio. We have never had an issue in any respect (kids or no kids, but teens or older).

If I want to commando a park and they want to hang out by the pool, that's what we do and meet up later for whatever comes next. If I want a spa treatment and they want to take a nap, so be it.

Good friends, IMHO are the easiest people to travel with and I cannot wait to do it again!

 

[ercrbc]

My DH couldn't come for the first 3 nights of our December trip and instead I brought a babysitter/very good friend to help me with my 3 kids for the 3 days until DH arrived. It was a really fun trip and I was SO glad my friend could come because there was no way I could have managed alone.

My friend knew she was coming to help me and that we would be on the kids schedule. I offered her a place to stay and also picked up her meals, but she bought her own tickets and paid to get to Orlando. She is a total Disney person and has been many times, she has no kids but loves mine and had a great time with us. We stayed in a 1BR at the WLV, I gave my friend the pull out and all the kids piled in the master with me. We set up a bed of couch cushions on the floor for my 8yo and then my 2 and 5yo shared the king with me.

It was really fun, I loved spending time with my friend and my kids had a wonderful time too. If your friend is up for the challenge of Disney with kids then I would say GO FOR IT!

 

[quandrea]

I'm hoping to do this with my best friend, her two kids, myself and my three kids. Dh can't make it. She's never been but I think we will do well together. Her family may want more park time than us. I figure we will just split up and meet back later.

 

[AirGoofy]

Lots of good suggestions here. I would also add to clarify about the money. Who will be paying for what? If someone is giving me a free trip (tickets, meals, transportation, etc) then I am going to be open to their schedule. If I'm responsible for my own meals, then I would want to have more input in where we are eating.

 

[kristenrice]

In 2008, my kids were 3 and 5 and DH went hunting in Montana for two weeks. To help the girls deal with him being gone so long, I took the to WDW for a week. My good friend came along to help out. I'd rented a Savanna view studio at AKV (same price for 1 or 2 adults) and then I paid for my friend's park ticket and dining plan. I told her she needed to pay for her own airfare (the only thing non-refundable if she backed out) and I would cover the rest of her expenses. In return, I asked that she serve as my "au pair". She willingly shared the sleeper sofa with my younger daughter and basically helped out whenever we had to split up. DD5 was tall enough for the thrill rides which my friend didn't like anyways so she took DD3 to other rides. It was a ton of fun and the girls have asked when we can go with her again.

 

[crisi]

None of us know your friend.

If you decide that traveling with her and your small kids is a good idea (first hurdle - not everyone who is childless is as good with children for extended periods - or aware of how much hassle it is), do make sure she knows what the logistics are - especially around any financial considerations - inviting yourself along on a trip is one thing - then discovering that its a few hundred dollars in a park ticket and food is expensive is another - sleeping arrangements, and schedule expectations (someone who sleeps through rope drop every morning because its vacation while you are trying to load two preschoolers onto Dumbo isn't likely to be a huge help).

 

[anna08]

Don't be afraid to do it just you and your kids! I have such sweet memories of those trips - without Dad they have a different feel because I get to be the fun and silly parent (usually the taskmaster...) As for getting around, really there is no easier place to handle your own kids. Use Magic Express and the buses if you don't rent a car - easier not to drag around carseats.

We've traveled with nannies and family but I'd do it alone preferably. I'm the sort that worries all the time if they are having fun. I would also feel financially responsible if I was asking that person to come along and help me.

I loved having those days just me and the kids - no phones, appointments, mail to distract me. 100% dedicated to just them. It makes me smile just to think about it. I used photo pass like crazy too and loved the pictures. Usually I am the one behind the camera so it was so fun to be a part of the pictures.

Oh - BWV is great too! Make sure you watch the outdoor movie while sitting in the quiet pool at night once. My kids loved that!! And the Community Hall is our favorite of all the properties. I'd just take a book and read on the comfy couch in there while they would do coloring pages or make a beach ball.