I need advice on doing a solo trip with DD's

[cindy21494]

My DH has informed me that most likely he will not go back to Disney. He said it would be years before he would even think about going back (he was never a big fan, but went on our trips to make me happy). Anyway, the next time I have planned will be about two years from now. My DD's will be 13 and 6. Am I crazy to even think about taking them by myself?

I think it might be fun for a girls only trip. I would love to hear how others did going solo. Did you have a good time? Is there anything I can do to maybe make it more special? Any advice?

Thanks

Cindy

 

[punkin]

I drove with my girls (then aged 9 and 3) because my husband couldn't take off work. We were there for 5 days before he flew down to join us for a long weekend and the drive back. We had a blast. It was easier for me to focus on the girls without him there. We ate t kid friendly places; did small world 5 times and Dumbo 3 times for my youngest with no one dragging me off to space mountain.

As a matter of fact, I am driving down with them again last week of April (thery are now 12 and 6) for 3 days at Disney before we meet my sister and her daughter in Fort Lauderdale. Other than the drive, I am looking forward to it again.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

When my children were 7 & 8 we went to WDW for the first time - and I took 2 other children with us. We went twice a yr (long winter weekend, a week in summer) until they were teens - never with another adult, always with a couple of extra kids.

We have many wonderful memories! I never found it diffucult at all! When they got older I was able to take little ones whose parents had no interest in going, so I had the delightful companionship of a 6 yr old a few times and a 4 and 1/2 and 6 yr old on another trip. Again,we had so much fun!!

Don't stay home just because you'll be the only adult - you'll have so many wonderful memories and DH will not have to make a trip he really does not enjoy. It will probably even be more fun without him!

You'll have a great time!!!

 

[johnsonet]

DD and I have gone on several trips on our own. We have also gone several times with DSIL and her girls. It is awesome to have a Girls' Trip! My DH sometimes joins us for a couple of days but he's not into Commando-type touring, waiting in lines, etc.
DD (8) and I LOVE our trips! We can do all-Princess, all the time I have flown down with her and also, last Spring Break, drove down with DD (then 7) and Dniece (then 11). We had a ball! Of all the places to take your children, Disney is easy to navigate, safe and clean. And totally family-oriented! It's the perfect place to take your kids by yourself.
Good luck!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just want to bump this up!! I also have two girls (5 and 8) that I would like to try to take by myself sometime. My husband isn't a huge fan of WDW and I have a 14 yr old son that can't miss school the way the girls can. We could do the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party and other girly things - make bracelets, buy cute princess dresses, eat with Cinderella, SHOP......

I would do it in an instant - I have been there so many times and feel very safe and comfortable there - it is just that I am just worried about getting sick or some other crummy thing happening. I don't know if I could deal with it on my own. (dumb, maybe - but I am a worrier and someone ALWAYS throws up on our trips) Has this happened to anyone going solo with kids and how did you deal with it??? If one of my girls became ill (especially stomach bug) it would ruin the trip for me. I would be so worried about the other one or myself catching it I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Well, I would love to hear other peoples' experiences going solo with kids, too!!!

TIA
Lives4Disney

 

[jenjersnap]

I took a solo trip with my older DS a few weeks ago and it was magical. We have a 1-year-old too but I am not quite ready for a trip just me and both boys, but when he is 4ish I will in a heartbeat!

Anyway, DS and I had a blast. So much fun and so relaxing, just doing what we wanted whenever we felt like it was great. I am hoping we can do it once a year.

 

[madthemouse]

From a Dad's perspective:

I have found it, not only easy.. but fun! I've been taking my daughter to the World, every year since she was four. This will be our 11th year this May. To me, it never stops to amaze me, how much she has grown and the things we do now, compared to way back then, when she was only four years old. As she has become a teenager...It's not so cool to travel with just dad. So, now the last few trips, she takes along a friend or cousin. And that person gets to experience that same magic, that we have over the years. And as the commercial goes, "Priceless"

I may not have helped, with your question. But, going solo as a parent is great!

Have Fun ºoº

 

[newholidayx2]

thanks everyone - DS13 & I are taking our 1st mother/son WDW vacation this Aug - first 2wk vacation we've ever taken too

 

[cassie]

Go for it....I did with my 2 granddaughters ages 5 & 8. People thought I was nuts taking 2 youngs ones by myself. I never gave it a thought, and we had a great time.

 

[bairdbeth]

My DD(9) and I have been to WDW, just the 2 of us, 4 times since she was 5. We have a great time. We don't have to answer to anyone else, nor do we have to worry what someone else may want to do. Go and have fun. It is a great bonding time!

 

[G&J's Mom]

I am so glad to read this post. I had been thinking about taking DD who will be 5 in May on a solo parent trip. I have even considered a solo parent Disney cruise in the Fall as well. But I have a 3 year old DS who I am kind of feeling the guilts about leaving home. I just think it would be alot of work to take both. Anyone attempted a solo trip with two little kids and lived to tell about it?

I think I might try posting this on the family board as well.

Denise

 

[HeatherPage]

I'm too big a chicken to drive down with just my son and myself (luckily my husband (and my mom and dad) wouldn't hear of it - they'd just make the trip with me if I really had to go. I'd just be too afraid of getting stranded on I-95 with just the two of us (he's only 3 though) and I don't fly, so driving would be the only way. I guess I could take a greyhound or Amtrak. I'm sure when my son is a teenager I would feel better about doing it but that's a ways off.

 

[extremesoccermom]

I have been with DS14 and DD10 in Dec when DH had to fly home early and we had a great time since we didn't have to please 4 people anymore.
The kids and I were going to go again in June but DS15 found out he has a soccer game and will not be able to go so DD10 and I will be driving alone for a Mother/Daughter trip . I am really looking forward to just the girls I think it will be alot of fun and since she is the youngest and really doesn't get much say in where we eat, sleep or ride I have promised her she is in charge. We will either camp at FWC or upgrade to ASMo if AP codes come out. I have Allstate towing and service (kinda like AAA but also covers the camper) so I am not worried about breaking down.

 

[melsmom303]

last aug me and my dd 13 went and stayed at pop for 12 nites we had the best time go for it you wont reget it have fun this year hubby and sons want to go last year they didnt so now ill have 5 instead of 2 of us i had to budget better for this trip this yesr.

 

[mudogs]

I've got a trip planned with DS age 11. Leaving older brother (H.S. baseball player) and DH at home. The fun part is that it is a surprise! We fly out Easter morning so guess what will be in his basket! The sad part is I will miss 7 of my older sons baseball games !

 

[LibertyLover]

Go for it. Although my husband loves WDW and can't wait to go back in August, 2006, when our next family trip is planned, I have to go to a wedding in May over on the space coast and will stop off at WDW with my DD2 for a couple of days to recuperate. He is not going, for a variety of reasons, but encouraged me to go with her on my own. Of course, that may be because the last time we were there in January he saw a knife in Japan that he coveted for historical re-enactment purposes, but didn't want to mention it to me because he had just bought a sword in China not an hour before. As if I have a problem with sharp pointy things - I do historic re-enactment too and have several lovely sharp pointy things of my own. Anyway, when he realized that I would be near EPCOT, since I'm flying into and out of Orlando, he suggested a quick "girls only" trip. I know that I'll enjoy it and so will my toddler.

You and your daughters should go, have a ball and enjoy each other's company.

 

[LibertyLover]

I am so glad to read this post. I had been thinking about taking DD who will be 5 in May on a solo parent trip. I have even considered a solo parent Disney cruise in the Fall as well. But I have a 3 year old DS who I am kind of feeling the guilts about leaving home. I just think it would be alot of work to take both. Anyone attempted a solo trip with two little kids and lived to tell about it?

I think I might try posting this on the family board as well.

Denise

Denise - the first time I visited WDW I had my two godsons aged 13 and 14 and my goddaughter aged 10. I was the only adult. I lived to tell about and now am going on a solo visit with my own DD2 in May. You can do it!

 

[Tigger113]

My oldest daughter (now 17) and my husband doesn't care to go to Disney so me and my youngest daughter (14) have been going alone for the past 3 years.....with only the 2 of us we are able to eat what we want and do what we want and not have to worry about money too much! It's much cheaper to pay for only 2 tickets instead of 4!!! We have had so much fun and so much bonding, I just wish I would have done something like that with my oldest while she was still young enough to want to be with her mom.......

 

[DVCLiz]

HeatherPage - I drive to WDW all the time with DDs 11 and 16 - it's an easy drive!! Just like being on 40 for a reallly long time!! You can break it up by stopping in Charleston or Savannah overnight - hope you'll get up the courage to do this!!

As a single mom, I take DDs all the time. We have driven and flown, and I am now a pro at things like filling the car with gas before returning it to the airport. You learn a little every trip, and then the next time is even better!!! These are some of our best family memories - I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Also, never gotten sick but occasionally someone will just have an "off" day, and there's nothing wrong with just spending the day in your hotel room if you need to. It doesn't have to be breakneck all the time. If you can cope with a stomach virus at home, you can certainly do it at WDW. The gift shops are well stocked with the basics, housekeeping will keep you supplied with clean sheets and towels, and medical help is never far away. Go for it!!!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We had the best time....No one to wait on or arguements about what we wanted to do. We did what we wanted and when we wanted.

We did meet a friend and her DD from these boards and did some Character dining with them. She got us a great rate at the S/D and so that was nice. They were not into the whole ride thing so DD and I mostly set off on our own.

I don't regret going alone with her. Our last day of the trip we spent at AK and we had so much fun.... We were going through a terrible ordeal in our lives and this trip was just what we needed. DD was having emotional issues and I had debated taking her,but I don't regret it...We are both back on our feet now and we just keep planning WDW & DCL trips!! It is our escape!

I am now planning a big trip next May 2006 and taking DD and my Neice and Nephew. My family thinks I am crazy to take a 8,10 & 14 year old by myself,but I am looking forward too it!! They will never get to go If I don't take them. They are so excited!

So I say go for it!! Have fun!