Moms - solo trips with kids

[slk537]

Just curious - I am pondering taking a "solo" trip with my (will be then) 5 year old son for a few days before DH is able to join us. Have any of you moms (or dads) taken solo trips with just one or two children? How did it go? What did you do? Did you miss your DH/DW too much to completely have fun?

TIA!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm taking a trip without my husband but my mom's going along to help. That probably doesn't count as a solo trip then. LOL!

 

[Jesussavedme]

I think your little guy will really cherish this time with you! I've taken all 3 of my kids one at a time and all together, alone with me. It was always great fun giggling and going on rides, sharing ice cream and getting character autographs. You will not miss your spouse too much, because you will be so busy making wonderful mother/son memories! We like to stay up late and order pizza room service, and definitely get a picture of the two of you at Disney. If it's just the two of you, with no distractions or other siblings to argue with, I think you'll have an awesome time!!!!

 

[pezpam]

Oh my goodness, do it! I took DD to WDW, just her and me, at age 5. She's 8 now - we've been back a couple of times and just have a ball. At age 5, you do have to go with the flow as far as sticking to a schedule and pace they can handle, but I have to tell you that doing that made for a really magical first trip. If you can step outside of your own WDW expectations for those few days, you'll really get a treat seeing it all through his eyes. One-on-one time is something he'll remember forever and I found that it's pretty easy to deal with one child. (I don't know how the moms who take 3 little kids alone do it, but I give them all the credit in the world!) Age 5 is a perfect time - they're potty-trained and feeding themselves and all of that (and we never needed a stroller), but they're still young enough to believe in all of the magic and characters and such.

Go! Enjoy!

 

[swillis]

I'm heading down with my 2 kids (10,11) in May so I will let you know how it goes. I have a friend who is coming for a few days during our trip, so that will ease the burden a little bit. I'm not nervous about it, but I'm glad they are a little older.

 

[newholidayx2]

Ive been taking DS on vacation since he was 4. That year was a week up in NH - StoryLand, Santa's Village, etc.
We took our first mother/son two week WDW vacation last Aug.
This Aug we're spending a wk at WDW before DH joins us. (Over July 4th we're doing 6days in NH)

Enjoy your children

 

[emsamom]

Last July, I took my daughters (10 & 12) to DW for 2 weeks w/o DH. It was a great mother/daughter trip!! This year, we are taking DH w/ us!! We leave today!!!!!

 

[Evil Queen]

You'll do fine! Great memories for you guys to make together.

 

[catherines_mama]

ignore my double post

 

[catherines_mama]

You will have a great time.

Being a single mom its always just DD and I. Our 1st trip we was just under 3 and we had a great time.

Since then my bestfriend or sister have tagged along. When they are with us, I miss the special time with my DD. She'll be 5 on this trip and my bestfriend is only spending 3 days with us so I get my girl alone for a few days too!

You will have a great time, just enjoy your DS while you have the chance. If you miss DH then send him a Mickey autographed postcard or buy him something special. Also you can send him a pic of ya'll having fun without him from Epcot

 

[dreamer423]

Another single mom here. Been to Disney with DS by ourselves since he was 2 1/2. Also been with family, DGP's and friends who happened to be there at same time. While all are great, I do LOVE the time with DS.

We do what we want, when we want. I am blessed, b/c he's very very good. Although I can relate to the whole nap thing. We always leave for a break, swim, cool off in room.

We get up early, open the park-do all rides we want in about 1 1/2-2 hours.

Although no RollerCoasters when you're alone..but small price to pay.

ANd I just love the memories we have. I always try to plan a little something different for each trip-like all those extras or secrets that you always read about and think-wouldn't it be nice...but there's a lot of people's schedules to meet.

Our next trip is 6/1 and I can't wait. Busting at the seams trying not to tell him!

 

[beattyfamily]

I've gone to WDW with my 2 girls without DH twice now.

First time in August 2004 when they were 5 & 8 but my sister and her DD joined us so I had some 'adult' company and help.

Second time in Sept/Oct 2005 when they were 6 & 9 for the free dining promo and it was a long weekend.

We had a great time both times.

It's just a different kind of trip for us. My older DD can't go on the thrill rides because DH isn't there to watch younger DD but she knows that going in. We can do lots of shopping with no DH getting bored! I don't have to run my decisions by any other adult which is kind of nice. Yes, we did miss DH/daddy but not enough not to do it again!

For me the scariest part was the airport and renting a car but it all worked out just fine.

We might go again this August if I can get good airfare!

 

[lauritagoddess]

Another single mom here. I had a blast with my son on our recent trip. We just went with the flow and went where we wanted, did what we wanted. My son is an early riser so we were at the parks to open them, stayed there till the afternoon and then came back to the resort. The only drawback was not being able to go on any rides that he couldn't/wouldn't go on. But it was truly a magical experience and we're going back again in December.

 

[phoebusII]

A few years ago DH got stuck at work for a few days and I needed to take DD4 and DS1 by myself for 3 days before he could join us. I was a bit nervous about it, but we ended up having a great time. We went where and when I decided we would go. We ended up timing all the shows at WS in Epcot beautifully, just went around the circle from one show to the next.

The only drawback was that we could only go on the child oriented rides since there was no one to child swap with. But to make up for it, when DH joined us, he stayed with the kids for a morning while we let them catch up on their sleep and I got to do an early entry at MGM by myself. It was great! I did RR and TT and got to jump ahead because the CMs were calling for single riders.

 

[hollyb]

The kids would not want to go without daddy. Me either for that matter. But seeing how he will meet you there in a few days go and have fun.

 

[TikiGoddess2006]

My DH used to work at WDW (he was a CM in retail for 3 yrs) and thankfully he understands my obsession with Disney parks. He let me go by myself for a long weekend last year, when my girls were 2 and 5 mos old... this year I am bringing my now 3 yr old daughter to WDW for another long weekend in MAY! I can't wait. Turns out my brother, his wife, and their boy (also 3) will be there at the same time, but my daughter and I will still have alone time together.

Go for it!
TikiG

 

[slk537]

Thank you everyone!!!!

I called Member Services today and booked 9 nights at the Beach Club Villas...4 with just my little guy, and the last five with both of my guys. I am getting really excited!!! Now it's time to book airfare with our miles...

One thing we didn't realize - we are going with the DVC DP (alas, not free, but still wonderful to have) and we have to pay for DH for the whole time, not just the 5 nights. Soooooo....DS and I will be able to use a ton of CS credits while we hit the parks, DTD, and SAB and can have tons of TS credits to enjoy when DH gets there...maybe do Hoop dee do, Yachtsman, etc.

It will be so weird being there as the "grown up" without DH but DS and I are buddies and he loves "Max and Mommy time" so I know we'll have a blast. I'm totally okay navigating the airport, but I've never rented a car on my own before so that will be new (DH will take Magical Express). I have a solo business trip coming up at the end of May in Portland, ME so I'll have a practice shot at renting a car first. Yikes!

Thank you again for your opinions and support...I'll probably pop back again and again with more questions for all you soloing moms and dads!!!

 

[twinsmamma]

Another single mom here and i took my twin ds's 12 in dec05 and it was great. We had a wonderful time. I work alot so it wasnice to have 9 days alone with them. We really bonded.

 

[delilah]

I have gone with just my son twice, and would do it again. We had a wonderful time. Once he was 4yo, the second time 5yo. I mainly just did whatever he was interested in doing at the time--It's a small world was his favorite ride at the time. I would do it again in a minute, it was the most enjoyable time.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I'm another mom who has gone to WDW with just the kids. I took my 7 and 5 year olds in December on a trip and stayed at POP. The only drawback was what everyone else mentioned: you can't go on the big rides. But that was ok, I've been to WDW before, and as you can see, I'm going again. Since I had 2 children with me, we couldn't go on ALOT of rides. My 7 year old is afraid of drops, so we couldn't go on a few rides that have small drops. My 5 year old was too afraid of Soarin', so we had to skip that one.

Before we left, I went over the rules firmly with the children. They were complete angels the whole trip. Even at the airport! On the way home, our flight was delayed 6 hours, so we had a LOOOOOONG time at the airport waiting for a flight home. The kids were still great.

The only thing I would have done differently was choose a monorail resort. We stayed at POP and when the kids were tired in the evenings, it was hard to keep them awake for the bus ride back to POP. I couldn't carry all the "stuff" and 2 sleeping children! lol.

We did Hoop De Doo for the first time on our last trip. The kids loved it!!! Your ds will love it too!!

Mary