I'm new and could use some help!

[PebblesMK]

I'm a single mom with an 8 year old daughter and have decided to take her to Disney in September. Am I crazy? I worry that she and I will both get overloaded with everything and will eventually breakdown on each other....she being stubborn and me getting all yell-y and what not. Yes, I said "yell-y".

I don't know that it's in my budget (I barely work part time while I go to school) to send her off on fun tea parties or get a sitter for the hotel. Not to mention, what in the world would I do with myself?!?!?!

Are there fun things that she and I can do that sort of lets us do our own thing so we have "time apart" without actually being apart? Orrrrrrrrrrrr.....how easy is it to meet people in the same boat as me down there?

I absolutely love the idea of getting away with just my Miss and me, but fear that she will get bored of her mom and wish she had somebody to play with....Oh what do I do?!?!?!

 

[daleswife]

I think you'd be suprised if you do take her in September. There is so much to do there that you wont get bored with each other. Plus its a good time for you and her to spend together.

 

[WillowBelle]

I am married but went last summer sans DH. I have 2 DDs (8&10). We went for 2.5 days. We girls are taking the same trip again this summer for 7 days. My girls constantly argue, I am (what feels like) constantly "yell-y" . The ONLY time we're not like that is at WDW. Everyone gets along. I let DDs decide, alternating, which ride to go on next. Occasionally I even get to have a vote. We pick a place (say Tomorrowland) and they can choose which ride they want to do next as long as it is in that area.

WDW is built with FAMILIES in mind. There is a little something for everyone all at the same time.

Watch your daughter for when she's overstimulated and maybe suggest going back to the room to de-sensitize. Maybe go to the pool (some apart time, she in the H2O with a million other kids, you lounging poolside with your iPod plugged in to your ears), let her hit the arcade (she can play games and you can sit on the bench that is in the center of the room), just get some pizza and chill. Then go back to the park later.

Know going into the trip that you can't possibly do it all. My upcoming trip will be #19 and I'm STILL planning new things to do. Do lots of research and pick out a few must-do's to have a sort of plan.

Get your DD the book 'Walt Disney World for Kids by Kids'. I've gotten this book a few times (different years) for my DDs and they have been in hog heaven with it. It gives descriptions of all of the rides/shows through the eyes of kids and gives insight in terms that she will be able to understand so she'll know what to expect .

 

[PebblesMK]

We actually bought that book last week and she is so excited to take it along. She has big plans of writing reviews to send in to the book/publisher in hopes they get printed for 2010. Silly girl.

I have involved her in this plan 100% and the plans are hers and hers alone. We went for her 5th birthday and because we had 16+ people in our group who had no desire to split up, but didn't want to do the same things (what's up with that?!?!), she barely got to do anything and her biggest let down was not being able to ride on the magic carpets...so that's what we're going to hit first.

I'm not really sure how to plan so we're not overloaded but so we still get to do a lot. We have made a list of the "Must do's" and she would really like to be the first person into Magic Kingdom....not sure how realistic that is? We also have the dining plan and am anxious to do a few of the meals but am a bit confused as to best times to go. Early breakfasts so we have full days at the park...or at least until it's busy when we can go back to the hotel.....or should we do late dinners.

I'm just so full of questions and should post a million threads looking for help.

 

[PebblesMK]

Oh, as a side note....what is "DD", "DH" and all those other initials with D? I'm not good with abbreviations and see them all over the threads so I make up absurd meanings. Is there a glossary somewhere on here that I can bone up on the abbreviations?

 

[Tinker_]

I agree with the other posters.. just try to take it easy. Dont over stress yourself, dont over push yourself.. just take it slow, and realize there is nooo way you will see everything on one trip. Tea parties, etc can get rather pricey.. if you need a break, go to the pool.. you can lay out, and your daughter can play in the pool.. trust me she will make instant friends. We will be there in Sept to, and love it that time of year!

 

[Tinker_]

And here you go
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

Your basics are family members..
DD=Dear (Darling, Disney) Daughter
DS= Son
DH= Husband

etc etc

 

[PebblesMK]

Thanks so much for that! I will never remember all of them and I'm sure I'll be left scratching my head quite often, but those main ones will stick with me. Now I don't feel so lost!

 

[Tinker_]

No worries! Every now and then I am scratching my head to!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

When we went down a couple weeks ago, I kept reminding myself that at some point during the week, there was going to be a meltdown (or 2...).

The best advice I can offer is sit down and PLAN TOGETHER!!! Get a guide book (I prefer Passporter as it breaks down the World in an easy format) from either the library or the local book store and start looking through the different things to do.

Make a "must-do" list and an "I like to do this but my trip won't be ruined if we don't..." list. Be reasonable about the park volume, weather, and your energy levels and do what you can... don't push yourself to do it all, it's not possible. Slow down, enjoy your time, and if you need a break, try stopping off at one of the playspots or spend some time at the pool. I took my son's kid-proof digital camera so he could play games during the long waits. I got peace and quiet, and he got to play his video games!!!

 

[PollyannaMom]

....she would really like to be the first person into Magic Kingdom....not sure how realistic that is? We also have the dining plan....

It won't guarantee you are absolutely the first, as they obviously take a whole seatings-worth, but you CAN make a character breakfast reservation before the park actually opens. (Someone else please add if you are more sure, but I think 8:00 is the earliest??) You give your ADR number to the person at the gate, and they let you in. The rides aren't open yet, but you get excellent "empty" pictures of the park, have your breakfast, and then proceed to the "rope-drop" area to wait for the rides to open. DS was the first kid on Dumbo when we did that last year, and really got a kick out of it.

Have a great trip!

 

[WantToGoNow]

My first two trips to WDW were as a single mom with my dd - first trip she was 10 and the next 12 (then dh came into the picture and later ds7 and dd5). It was surprisingly easy to do WDW as one parent/one child - my dd is always asking when just the 2 of us can go back (she's 25 now).

I wouldn't worry about coming up with the extra cash for the tea parties, etc. We've never done them and I don't feel like my kids are missing out on anything. If you feel you guys are coming apart, go back to your resort for a nap or a swim or let her run around at a playground while you sit and relax.

As for affording the trip, there are ways to do it relatively inexpensive - stay at a value or even offsite, we always drive to FL from OH to save money on airline tickets, don't buy features on the tickets that you don't need (hopping/water parks), and counter service meals are a lot cheaper than table service and you are able to get quite a variety by doing some research.

 

[PebblesMK]

Thanks for a lot of good ideas. I do believe that I'm becoming obsessed with this planning process. I just bought our flights and have been paying on our room at the French Quarter (Anybody stayed there?), so I'll be completely paid off before we leave in 6 months. Not to mention that we are taking advantage of the free dining plan which means we'll also be taking advantage or character meals that we normally wouldn't. Here's hoping she isn't leary of the characters, she doesn't even like the thought of Santa. How very sad!!!

But if others can do it, so can I!!! I may have to find random people to talk to for the adult conversation factor though. Any way you put it, I'm pretty darn excited and as I said before, borderline obsessed!! Hahah. Good thing this website exists, it's my new best friend!

 

[WillowBelle]

There are plenty of restaurants that you can go to withOUT characters that are great: SciFi Dine In (@ DHS), 'Ohana at night (@ the Poly. They have fun stuff for the kids to do, hula-hoop contests, etc. without the characters). I don't think you'll have a hard time finding a good character balance.

As for adults to talk to - I wouldn't worry too much. You'll chat it up with people in line. That's what I always do. Sometimes you can sit and chat with a cast member (CM) who is resting. They are always LOADS of fun to talk to.

It's good you've been before, your daughter knows what she wants to do and knows that she's 'top dog' so to speak in the planning. With no siblings to argue with and no other people in your party to have input on decisions, I would think the two of you would have a fantastic time together!

 

[tzolkin]

We are a family of 5, but I did have some mother-daughter time with my oldest during our trip. She was 9 at the time (the other two are pre-schoolers). She and I went to MK one evening, so we could just do the things she was interested in. Of course we did the "big" rides, but she also really enjoyed sitting on a bench, talking, sharing an ice cream sundae, and people watching for quite a while (which I did not expect).

I'm not sure how long your trip will be. We stayed for 9 days and my kids were actually much more well behaved than I had expected. We were all in one little value room and never got sick of each other or had any meltdowns/tantrums (kids or parents ) We did take breaks almost every day. You might not consider this because your daughter is older, but we ALL took a nap every day (usually for about 4 hours). Maybe on the days you get to the parks early in the morning you could go back to the resort and see if you fall asleep. If not, you could always let her swim while you relax with a book (that would give you some time apart). The breaks were great for us because the kids never got over-stimulated and we were all well rested when we went back to the parks in the evening.

We didn't do any of the "extras". If they're not in your budget, you won't feel like you're missing out on anything. Since you have the free dining, you'll have some time to relax in the restaurants and you can do some character meals (we didn't). The one thing we did do was the barber shop. Both my little ones got their first haircuts and my older daughter got the color/confetti. They all really enjoyed it and we plan to go again this trip.

 

[redhead09]

Sounds like you have it well planned out! Go and enjoy your time with your daughter! You will have a ball

 

[PebblesMK]

There are plenty of restaurants that you can go to withOUT characters that are great: SciFi Dine In (@ DHS), 'Ohana at night




I'm soooooo excited to try O'hana. It sounds like an amaing place. I'm open to great places to eat (Both TS and CS) if anybody has suggestions. Here is what we have so far..

Crystal Palace (So we can get into the park early)
Akershus (I love the princesses)
Chef Mickeys
Ohana
1900 Park Fare for Dinner.

I figure if we see some of the characters at these meals, we won't have to wait in line to see them...plus we get to eat and I can't argue with that logic.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I really enjoyed Ohana's and Pinocchio Village Haus. T-Rex at DTD was nice too and the ambience was nice too.