Mom and 4yo to WDW Alone?

[alsligh]

Alright, am I nuts? My husband is just not that excited about going to WDW this year. Would I be out of my gourd to take my 4yo daughter by myself? She is a fairly calm child (bonus), but she also has a mild disability (so she'd have to ride in a stroller a lot).

I took her with my parents when she was almost 3 and she was much more "labor-intensive" back then than she is now. She is still 4, however (she will be 5 in December and I'm thinking a fall trip). I just would like to be able to take her before she starts kindergarten and the school year dictates when we go. My parents divorced when I was 4 and my mom took me then without my dad, but we went with best friend and her husband and their two kids and there was only MK then.

Thoughts?

 

[tanyaandallie]

I think disney with a 4 year old is totally doable on your own!!! Go for it!

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

Alright, am I nuts? My husband is just not that excited about going to WDW this year. Would I be out of my gourd to take my 4yo daughter by myself? She is a fairly calm child (bonus), but she also has a mild disability (so she'd have to ride in a stroller a lot).

I took her with my parents when she was almost 3 and she was much more "labor-intensive" back then than she is now. She is still 4, however (she will be 5 in December and I'm thinking a fall trip). I just would like to be able to take her before she starts kindergarten and the school year dictates when we go. My parents divorced when I was 4 and my mom took me then without my dad, but we went with best friend and her husband and their two kids and there was only MK then.

Thoughts?

You can totally do it yourself with your DD! I have gone on solo trips with all my kids and they are some of my best memories, just having that special one on one time in our favorite place! Go for it and have a great time!

 

[Kahana-ri]

Absolutely! You both will have a great time.

 

[Ricky's Girl]

I would highly recommend that you stay on site at a Disney resort. Go for it and have a wonderful time.

 

[jenrein]

I would love to be in your shoes! As much as my husband is my favorite person to be with...it would be so special to do Disney with one child!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

As a Mom of 3 (almost 4!) I can tell you that it will be a piece of cake with one child that old. You will have a great time! While we have never just taken one child alone, we have taken one child to the parks alone when the others were sick and resting in the room. Me and dh traded off on taking the well child/children. It was so easy. I wouldn't worry about a thing. Just make sure you have a stroller and you'll be fine.

 

[tjmw2727]

I took each of my girls alone once and 4yo is a great age.

With just the two of you its easier to go at her/your pace. Leave a park when your tired to have a swim or stay and ride an attraction more than once. With just the two of you a princess meal or tea would be fun as well.

You mentioned a mild disability so if you think your dd may need her stroller for lines look into getting a GAC. It will allow you to use her stroller "as a wheelchair" in the lines where otherwise strollers aren't allowed. You don't have to use it but if it becomes necessary you will have the options.

You will have a great time - go for it.

TJ

 

[Zoemakes5]

I'd do it. I honestly think that having them in a stroller at that age makes enjoying the parks a bit easier! I think it would be a great trip. I'd make a recommendation of planning more sit down meals than you'd typically do. Standing in lines at CS may be more challenging than you'd anticipate when you're the only adult with a child.

 

[Manda]

I'm planning on a trip alone my four year old son some time this year. So, if you're crazy than I'm crazy, too.

Um... and he's not calm.

 

[1Prince3Princesses]

You can do it. I do!!!! I have GGGB quadruplets that just turned 4 in May and they have been to WDW 3x without Dad. My husband is not into Disney at all, but I don't let that ruin our trip. We always go without him. I am trying to talk him into joining us in Sept. for our 4th trip, but whether he decides to go or not, We're going. I'm already booked and I always take my nephew with to help out and my nephew has CP. I always take a stroller as well and safety harnesses because 1 of my daughters has ADHD and my son has PDD (possible autism). We all take it at a slower pace so we go for longer periods. This trip will be Sept.22-Oct.6. FREE Dining helps to afford the trip with so many kids. GO and have a great time!

 

[HLAuburn]

I think it's completely do-able, and actually it sounds like fun! But, I think your DH should suck it up and just go!

 

[cccm]

Been there and done that. It is so easy to do. I am doing it for my third time this year (DD was 5 and 8 the two times we have done it before).

A big recommendation is the afternoon breaks by going back to resort, swimming for about an hour, taking an hour nap, changing clothes and heading back to the park. We were both refreshed for the late afternoon and evening. The only time we did not do afternoon breaks was Animal Kingdom.

 

[Zoesmama03]

If all goes well I'll be taking dd(4) in Oct. But i won't be alone exactly. My dad and my brother will be there.

When we went when she was 2 she did excellent and has always handled change really well. She is very portable.

 

[hollyb]

Alright, am I nuts? My husband is just not that excited about going to WDW this year. Would I be out of my gourd to take my 4yo daughter by myself? She is a fairly calm child (bonus), but she also has a mild disability (so she'd have to ride in a stroller a lot).

I took her with my parents when she was almost 3 and she was much more "labor-intensive" back then than she is now. She is still 4, however (she will be 5 in December and I'm thinking a fall trip). I just would like to be able to take her before she starts kindergarten and the school year dictates when we go. My parents divorced when I was 4 and my mom took me then without my dad, but we went with best friend and her husband and their two kids and there was only MK then.

Thoughts?

deleted

 

[MiniGirl]

To the OP, go and have a great time. WDW with 1 child is a cake walk. See things totally through her eyes without having to worry about anybody else and if they're having fun.

 

[tjmw2727]

OP - I go often with my dd's on our "mom & me" trips and we have a blast. Despite that my dh is an awesome dad, husband and one of the least selfish people I know. He would gladly give up any family vacation to take us even though he dosen't really like it. So instead we go for a long weekend without him and then on a great family vacation that he also enjoys.

TJ

 

[SueM in MN]

You mentioned a mild disability so if you think your dd may need her stroller for lines look into getting a GAC. It will allow you to use her stroller "as a wheelchair" in the lines where otherwise strollers aren't allowed. You don't have to use it but if it becomes necessary you will have the options.

You will have a great time - go for it.

TJ

If you look at the disABILITIES FAQs thread, located near the top of the disABILITIES Board, you will find a section about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards).