Just my 3 yr old and I....good idea?

[TheLittles]

i am a stay at home Mom. Our next big family trip to WDW isn't until NEXT November. I would go insane waiting that long but no one else has the vacation time to come with me before that since we are going to Napa this year too. So I am thinkning of taking my daughter by myself. Has anyone gone alone with their toddler? Is it overwhelming or did you have a good time? Any tips? Also I'm looking at resorts and thinking with the options I have I will either stay at CBR or ASM. Which one would be better for a three year old?

 

[DisneyMommy77]

In 2011 my husband had to leave a week early for work (we were on a two week trip) so my then 3 year old and myself stayed in Orlando for a week, just the two of us. It was awesome. We did lots of character meals, and spent every evening in the pool at the resort we were staying at. We spent time exploring other resorts and even took a day to visit Gatorland and go on an air boat ride. It will be a special time I will remember forever. I have had 2 additional kids since then, so that will probably be one of the only times I will be able to spend a week on vacation with just one kid. I think as long as you are ok not going on any of the "big kid" rides you will have a great time. I think if you can make it work, then go for it. Just pack light......the biggest trouble I had was at the airport trying to push the stroller, pull the suitcases plus all the souvenirs.

 

[Redbudlover]

I have taken my granddaughter by myself since she was 2 1/2 years old. We went twice a year. I found the most important thing to be naps in the afternoon for us both. Secondly spend lots of time in the playgrounds. she always loved the bones playground at animal Kingdom. And the entertainment at Hollywood studios for the smaller set is outstanding she loved all of the shows there. She also love the pool as much as anything else at Disney. And we went to lots of character meals so we did not have to stand in line to see the characters. That's my best advice. Have fun

 

[Kathryn777]

I think that sounds like fun. I would miss having another adult to talk to at meals but I have done shorter trips like that solo with my kids. I would make sure you bring something like a book for when she's napping and you're stuck somewhere. Just go by her hours and enjoy yourself

 

[IMDORY]

I took my son on 4 trips just the two of us when he was little-those were some of the best times of my life. My husbands work schedule makes trips to WDW difficult to fit in and although he enjoys our WDW trips, he can take it or leave it. WDW is the perfect place to "go it alone". You fly in, take Magical Express, stay at a resort hotel, use resort transportation, so many dining options...super easy. Now that he is a teen, and my only child, I look back and I'm so happy I went on those trips.

 

[loves to dive]

I'm a single mom so except for the rare occasions when my mom would go with us, I always took my DS with me everywhere. I never had any problem with just the two of us, actually I enjoyed it since we only had to worry about what two people wanted. I always just rented Disney strollers instead of trying to deal with carrying my own and the little man walked to the buses or monorail and back to the room (truthfully he usually had more energy than I did at the end of the day).

 

[escriven75]

I've been taking my 2 kids since they were 2 and 4 as well, just the 3 of us. Just take your time. You can feel pressure to rush around sometimes, esp getting little ones (and strollers) onto and off of the buses to and from the parks. And others can seem very impatient with you. Don't let it make you feel stressed out. Just take your time and smile and have fun. We've had SO much fun on our trips just the kids and I. It gave me a chance to slow down (because you can't really rush them at that age and still have everyone enjoy themselves. Its nice to slow it down and enjoy the little moments. I will always look back on these trips with fond warm fuzzy memories.

 

[DisneyOma]

I'd love to go with just a 3 year old! Seeing a little one's experience with the magic of Disney is the best Also, I would love the pace - no rushing to the super intense rides, lots of down time around the fountains and such, early nights back at the room to unwind, etc. I'm an earlybird, so getting up early and doing rope drop would be great too!

Not sure if I would even get a stroller to start out with? Walking down Main Street at a 3 year old's pace would be so sweet! Plus, I'd want to see the little one's face, and have conversations about everything Oh dear, I can't wait to have grandkids! Hurry up, daughters

 

[ImpossibleOfMe]

I am planning on taking my princess for her 3rd birthday all on my lonesome too. I am really looking forward to it but like you I worry it will be overwhelming. I'm planning on a Royal Room because I think she would just be in total awe.

 

[Crystal824]

I haven't ever taken my children by myself to Disney. However, I would have no hesitations about doing it if I could (not that DH would ever let me- he loves WDW as much am me).

 

[brooke789]

1 child?! Totally do it! We had the option to go when I had two 2 year olds, but I just wasn't sure I could handle it by myself, now I'd totally do it even with 3!

 

[Bluegrrl]

I took my two year old to Disney (well, my mom was there, but she was at a convention, so it was me and boy till around 6pm). It's tough but do-able. I did depend on the kindness of strangers most of the time! Dads with families often helped me get my stroller on the buses (I never asked, I guess the guys just recognized my "mom alone" face!), I was also the first one/first off with buses too! I guess lots of people figured that I was the tougher one to get out, or maybe the just wanted me off the bus quickly? I NEVER asked for the kindness. If your kiddo is a runner, get a leash (I know, touchy subject!). But it helped when boy wanted to walk and I didn't want to drop everything in the middle of main street to chase after him. Meals are challenging, esp quick service when you are trying to navigate a crowded place and get a table, drinks and food all without spilling stuff on the kid. But CMs were super sweet - esp at Animal Kingdom. I had one CM who found a table, high chair, carried my food and got me a drink! Didn't ask (but you can ask them, they are sweet), but again - the mom face helps.

Don't forget about the baby care centers. We took advantage of them. The nurses and CMs who staff those areas are all sympathetic and good with kids. Would I do it again? Yeah. We are locals, so sometimes we just drop down to Port Orleans just to get gumbo or go to the parks by ourselves in general. Just have a bit of a strategy, and have a sense of humor about stuff. You will be good.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I took my 15 month old by myself for Mother's Day. My husband is deployed and I was feeling really mopey, so it was my gift.

It was an adventure for sure. We mostly had a lot of fun. There are times that are stressful though, such as carrying trays at counter service while pushing a stroller. We also had a little struggle with the busses, but usually people were nice.

I found that it's easiest to move the stroller from land to land and walk around, and that was with a 15mo, so I'm sure it's true with a 3 year old.

Try to do as much table meals as you can afford.

Also, naps are totally boring when you are by yourself. The CMs let me roll her into the wheelchair area of Philharmagic which was nice, but it was a low crowd time. That might not work when there are other people who need the back row.

We had a lot of fun though and I would absolutely take one 3 year old.

 

[TinksMyGirl]

When my oldest DD was 2 1/2 I woke her up with a 'do you want to go see Mickey' trip..... it was magical. The secret to the trip is that I did just what she wanted to do. No plans just went with the flow....... even though it meant several rides on Peter Pan's flight (her favorite). We just took our time and breathed in the magic.

Go for it.

 

[Aurora0427]

I think it sounds amazing. If I took my daughter solo we could wait in line for all the princess meet and greets we want. Do all the character dining we want. Spend as much time pool side as we want. My husband tours commando style. We have fun, but it's exhausting. He's not into the meet and greets, parades, and character dining, pool time- all things my little one and I love.

 

[Aurora0427]

I took my two year old to Disney (well, my mom was there, but she was at a convention, so it was me and boy till around 6pm). It's tough but do-able. I did depend on the kindness of strangers most of the time! Dads with families often helped me get my stroller on the buses (I never asked, I guess the guys just recognized my "mom alone" face!), I was also the first one/first off with buses too! I guess lots of people figured that I was the tougher one to get out, or maybe the just wanted me off the bus quickly? I NEVER asked for the kindness. If your kiddo is a runner, get a leash (I know, touchy subject!). But it helped when boy wanted to walk and I didn't want to drop everything in the middle of main street to chase after him. Meals are challenging, esp quick service when you are trying to navigate a crowded place and get a table, drinks and food all without spilling stuff on the kid. But CMs were super sweet - esp at Animal Kingdom. I had one CM who found a table, high chair, carried my food and got me a drink! Didn't ask (but you can ask them, they are sweet), but again - the mom face helps.

Don't forget about the baby care centers. We took advantage of them. The nurses and CMs who staff those areas are all sympathetic and good with kids. Would I do it again? Yeah. We are locals, so sometimes we just drop down to Port Orleans just to get gumbo or go to the parks by ourselves in general. Just have a bit of a strategy, and have a sense of humor about stuff. You will be good.

I think it's sad that we've gotten to the point in our culture where we have to stress that we never asked for the simple kindness of strangers. But I'm glad you encountered some really awesome helpful people on your trip!

 

[shana398]

I am doing this with my DS4 in August/September. He turned 4 two months ago. My DH can't get off work, but I have the time and we got a "Magical" vacation package. We are staying at WL. One big reason is the proximity to MK. We've never gone on a trip just the two of us, but we are both so excited! My DH has gone yearly with us up until now, and although he likes Disney, he can take it or leave it. I love Disney any time I can go! I think it will be great for you! We'll see how it goes! I'm a little worried about the stroller, but I'm hoping we can get away with only taking it to EP since my son likes to walk most of the time. Even last year we hardly used the stroller. We plan on afternoon breaks so it won't be too much walking for him and he won't get too tired. We'll see how it goes and play it by ear.

 

[happymommy]

I took my kids when they were 4 and 6 without my husband - I got a great AP rate that I couldn't pass up! We ended up going 3 times that year, but the summer trip DH was busy at work.
We had a wonderful time! It was so easy.

 

[disnut8]

Just pack light......the biggest trouble I had was at the airport trying to push the stroller, pull the suitcases plus all the souvenirs.

Totally agree with this. I took my son with me to California for a trip and I decided to pack a big suitcase with both of our clothes in it. My son was not in a stroller (he was older than 3 but wasn't in a stroller at the age of 3 either - I was blessed with a walking everywhere child). The suitcase itself was fine but trying to lug it in and out of the car and into the hotels was a big pain in the butt since it was too big for him and too heavy for me. Since then, I've packed smaller suitcases for each person and they get to pull it behind them and deal with it.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I've never done it, but only because my DH has always wanted to go too! With Disney transportation, I wouldn't have hesitated to go alone with one child!!

I can't really compare your resort choices, as I've never stayed at ASM, but I did love CBR!