Kids and rides

[disdreams]

Too bad they don't have someone to watch your kids for you at the rides so you can actually go on a fun adult ride with your spouse, and not one at a time. We'll be 70 years old and fianlly riding a rollercoaster together, while our kids are doing thier own thing.

 

[TartanFan]

We've been visiting Orlando since DD was 10 mos old and we've done the kid swap more times than I can remember but she's now 12 (in fact, it's her birthday today - scary thought!) and it's even better fun! DH isn't a coaster fan but DD is now fearless so we do those together. DD has her own ideas on what she likes so when we went last month, DH and I hit Spiderman (DH's fav) and DD rode Dr Doom's Fearfall 7 TIMES IN A ROW in the single rider line while she waited for us!

It all works out in the end! (PS - I'll volunteer to watch your kids - or anyone's kids! - just take me there!)

 

[Figment22]

disdreams--

I know what you mean. Our kids are old enough now (14 & 10) that we're long past kid swap, but here's a sneaky thing we did when they were little. If you're staying at an onsite resort, book the kids into one of the kids' clubs (my kids loved Lil' Rocks at HRH) have a nice dinner with your spouse and then head for the park to ride the coasters as a couple. We didn't even tell the kids we went back to the theme parks--they would have gone nuts! It was great just to ride with DH and also to do Poseidon's Fury without having to constantly reassure my youngest DS who is just terrified (still!) of the queue.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Never thought of that. Great idea!

 

[disdreams]

Great idea about the kids club!!! We did have a Disney sitter come to our Disney Resort (CBR) once and we went off on our own for a few hours, but it was expensive!! We just went to Pleasure Island, to check it out. We should have went back to the theme park, like you did.

Also....Our oldest is old enough (and brave enough) to go on most rides, and does, usually with dad. I let them have the fun. I don't really get to do as much because I am trying to make sure everyone else is having fun. Maybe I will think of myself more this trip!

 

[BarryHom]

Hey, I think we need to have a DIS meet so someone can watch the kids. When are you coming down, disdreams?

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Hey...Doesn't Flyfly do babysitting? Perhaps we could park the kids at the GB show and pay Flyfly enough for her favorite meal at the HRC!!

 

[disdreams]

I will be there the beginning of June. I have to say, however, that this is the fist time in years that we have gone when school was NOT is session and I am worried about the crowds and lines. I tend to get a bit cranky when I spend the entire day standing in long lines I just purchased annual passes. They almost cost the same as the 5 day passes!! What a gret deal! And, the blackout dates dont start until after we leave. I dont know which theme park to spend more time at...

Since we are staying at a WDW resort we may get a sitter for a few hours one night. We have done that before and it was great...just expensive.

Sorry it took so long to reply. Have a great day.

 

[TinkKel]

My oldest DS (14) rides EVERYTHING, where my youngest DS is a chicken. I'm like some of the other parents, I want to ride with my oldest DS, but what do I do with my youngest? (I'm a single mom, and won't have another adult with me) This is our first trip ever to WDW/US/IOA, my youngest says he's gonna try EVERYTHING, because, as he says "This may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience". LOL As they say, "talk is cheap", knowing he's a chicken through-n-through, I'm afraid I'm gonna be stuck waiting behind with him. There's no way I can take my oldest son "out to dinner" and sneak off without him....his suspicious 10-yr-old mind would catch on!

 

[Selina]

I'm a nursery school teacher (fully qualified and have 3 year first-aid certificate) and will probably be staying on-site. Next time I am over I'll post a thread for you to sign up times on specified day in return for...... a DisMeet (as our Barry says)and drinkies all night by the pool..... .......and a takeaway gooeybanana dessert from Mythos...

Here I am in the Dis Gallery with my two kids:-

"Selina"
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2196

 

[kjcolv]

I've been a single mom for 8 years and have made vacations a priority. We've fought the "baby swap" issue numerous times. Everyone is finally old enough (and tall enough) to ride everything (16,13,10) but when they were younger it was a challenge. My oldest son and I would baby swap so we would each ride. On occasion the CM would say "It has to be a parent", and I would go into my "Are you telling me you are going to discriminate against single parents? These are my children and my XX old son is responsible enough to stand here for the 5 minutes it is going to take. I resent that after paying for my tickets I am being deprived of the opportunity...." All of this spoken in a calm yet firm voice always got me on the ride, I never really made it past the first sentence. Often a CM would keep an eye on my children. Once the younger two reached an older age but were not tall enough or just didn't want to ride they would go in line with us and wait in the baby swap area or go to the exit area to wait while my oldest and I rode. The baby swaps are usually right beside the ride entrance. However the way we got my middle son to ride on roller coasters is we missed the baby swap on MGM's RRC (apparently it's at the beginning of the line) we got up to the front to get on and I found out we missed the area, they are moving the line along and I looked at him and said "you're riding". Luckily he loved it and from that point on we never had to worry about finding the baby swap. 2 years ago we rode 41 different roller coasters in 10 days, this year we are planning a west coast version. I've seen too many single moms not get out there and do things, where there is a will there is a way. I am adamant that we are a complete family and we will participate in everything. We've had some fabulous vacations, most theme park related!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

TinkKel, I haven't been in your situation, but I would let my 10yo stay in the child swap area by himslelf, especially at Universal where the swap areas are near where you board the ride. It's not as if he'd have to wait while you went through the whole ride. If your also going to WDW then he could go through the line with you and then take the chicken exit to wait for you. That way it wouldn't be for long and there are usually employees in that area. Your son might be extra motivated to try things knowing that you're not going to wait out with him. Obviously you'd need to be comfortable with him standing and waiting for you for a few minutes.

T&B