Need Tips for Single Mom w/2 kids WDW

[geperry]

Hi , I'm new on this forum and taking my two kids to Disney World for the first time (ages 5 1/2 and 8) (going April 23-30). Any one have tips or special services at disney for single moms? Anyone else going these dates?
Thanks, Gina

 

[antree]

Hi, You are going to have a ball there with your childern. I am not a single Mom, but I have taken my 2 kids out for the day while my husband stayed at the hotel. My kids are 3 and 11. I would just let the kids know that they both will get a chance to do what each one wants to do. My 11yrd old doesn't like fireworks but my 3 yr old does so we watched them from a distance. I have found my kids did not like to get up early and it was a fight, so take it into consideration how they are when they get up, are they morning people? If not let them sleep and it will be less stressful for you. MK probably will be the best park for them, it will be hot when you go and the parks should be open late. I would take a break when the heat sets in and go to the pool and then go back to the park at night. Use fastpass so you don't have to stand in long lines and the kids won't get restless. I would just go with the flow, see what the kids are into and not. The first time we took our daughter to Disney, we were there for her so whatever she wanted to see and ride we did. As long as I am in Disney I don't care if I don't ride anything as long as I am in a Park I am Happy, so I just let the kids tell me what they want to see. Have a good time.

Maria

 

[scrappinmom]

Hi Gina - You will have a awesome time!!!! I took my 2 girls in the fall for a week long trip. My girls were 11 & 5. I involved them in the process of planning. We ate at the places they choose (check out the DIS dining info). We rode the rides they wanted to ride. TAKING turns was the key for us! Your kids are closer in age, do they like the same stuff? Where are you staying? I brought my own coffee maker to the POP as I wasn't comfortable leaving them in the room alone, & I NEEDED that cup of coffee in the am before we got moving. My girls were incredible troupers....we were up in the am early & didn't come back till late..let your kids moods/tolerance dictate what you do. I know I will probably get flamed for this one....but when we were in Epcot one night...I wanted to go thru the F&W festival...they were tired....so we rented a double stroller....& I pushed my 11 & 5 year old around the countries! (my 11 yr old only weighs about 80 lbs, she's little) and we sampled tons of food, we laughed & had a blast....but most people would say my kids were too "old" for a stroller...I say do what FEELS RIGHT for your family!!!

 

[flynnmnstr]

My most memorable trip to Disney was a ten day trip when my husband was there on business for the first 5 days my husband (out of the hotel room at 7 am and didn't return to the wee hours in the morning, company's annual meeting (aka big booze parties).

DS and I had the absolute best time we've ever had. He wasn't quite three yet so you and your daughters will have an even better time because they can appreciate it more and get more involved in the process. I had planned on using the child care at our hotel (we stayed at the Gaylord Palms and then moved to the Dolphin when my husband's meeting was over) to give myself and break and relax a little but we were having so much fun I didn't even use the service. Your girls would be old enough to go to the kid clubs at the hotel if you needed some time to yourself or even some rest. DH and I always joke that we need a vacation after we go to Disney.

We will be there the same time as you. Let's keep in touch because we may end up going a couple of days earlier than planned because DH may have another meeting down there, so I will be alone with the two boys. Right now we are going to be there 4/27-5/2 but we may be arriving on the 24th, if DH needs to go the conference. My boys are a little younger than yours 4 and 1 so I am really on the fence on whether I want to do it alone at that age. I am leaning towards no, but I'm not sure if I can pass up an extra couple of days in the WOrld......

 

[geperry]

Thanks for answering my posts on the DIS forum. We are leaving Portland, Maine on April 23rd, my son's 8th birthday, (my daughter is 5), and returning the 30th. The first 5 nights we'll be staying at All Star Movies, and at Animal Kingdom for the last two nights.
Would love to meet up with other families or single parents with kids..... I am not too fond of heights or speed, but my son loves the thrill rides. Perhaps I can meet others and the kids can ride together.
Gina

 

[plutopuppy]

We are going to be there at that exact time!! Where are you staying???

 

[samano]

We won't be there when you're going....but I am a single mom, I went with my 2 kids alone 2 years ago and plan to go do it again this summer! We absolutely had the time of our lives. My kids are pretty close in age to yours.
The 2 biggest tips I have for single moms is don't forget to ask people to take pics of you and the kids! It will be nice to look back at the pictures and remember the fun you guys had together.
And try to get a room as close to the bus stops (if you aren't renting a car) as possible. We were pretty far from the stop at Pop and my DS passed out every night on the ride back. Carrying that sack of potatoes from the bus stop to the room every night was a big "single mom" moment.

scrappinmom, I think the stroller for the girls was a great idea so you could enjoy what you wanted to do. I'd been wondering if my 2 would still fit in a double together for some of the evenings when I know they will be pooped from walking. However, I joked with DD9 that on the last day I plan to rent a stroller to let her push me around!!

 

[Snow Brite]

I took my two oldest to WDW when they were 5 and almost 8 by myself and we had the BEST time! So much fun!

I really didnt have many moments when I felt like I needed another adult. The 8 year old could read well enough to help with directions while driving...so if I said...we are looking for XXXX exit...she could help spot it while I was driving. Getting the luggage, then the rental car, then into the hotel was a pain that would have been good to have another adult for. Also it would have been nice to pop out to the food court to fetch breakfast while people were getting ready. But these are all easily conquered with patience or planning.

I second the getting pictures with yourself in them. That is a common problem in all of my trips with the kids. There are maybe 10 pictures of me on all 4 trips combined.

I would also reccomend any of the activities the kids do by themselves...the pirates cruise, the tea party etc as it will buy you a peaceful lunch alone.

I used a deck of cards and pulled out three "aces". I gave one to each of us for the trip. When you "threw down" your ace, you would get your way no matter what. We all only got the one, but it SO saved on arguements. My 5 year old son used his to go on the monorail the first night we were there. Epcot had closed and we were staying at CSR. The monorail was not going to get us closer to bed. But he HAD to go and threw down his ace. We went and stood in line and rode the monorail to the Transportation Center. Then turned around and rode it back. It turned out to be an awesome move as NO ONE else was going to Epcot at that time and we got to ride with the pilot in the dark, really cool. My daughter used hers to see the fireworks for the 3rd night at MK. And I used mine to go back to the hotel for a nap when everyone was cranky and tired but refused to admit it. It worked great for us. And if you had already used your ace, then you had no room to complain if you were outvoted.

One of my most precious memories is of my son and daughter (who have the usual sibling rivalry) holding hands as the walked in front of me into Epcot that first day. So cute! The kids really got close to each other and me during the trip and they are really fun memories.

We went for 14 days + 2 travel days, 10 at Disney, 1 at Kennedy Space Center and 3 at Universal. We were tired when it was over but had SUCH a good time!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

You and your kids will have a blast! I have been toting my kids on vacation by myself for 10 plus years. If your son enjoys the thrill rides, you and your other child can wait in line with him right until he gets on the ride, then you can meet him at the exit. I did that with my kids until my youngest enjoyed them as well. People are friendly and helpful at WDW... enjoy!

 

[GJM]

Me and DS 6 will be going May 17-25, this is the first time it will just be the 2 of us. Thanks for the idea of the pictures, I didn't even think of it. I may even drive up to Ft. Lauderdale for a couple of days, that I'm a little worried about. I hate driving where I'm not sure where I am going.

 

[samano]

I used a deck of cards and pulled out three "aces". I gave one to each of us for the trip. When you "threw down" your ace, you would get your way no matter what. We all only got the one, but it SO saved on arguements.

I absolutely LOVE this idea!!! How creative! I just finished furiously scribbling this down in the "Ideas for Disney" section of my trip notebook! My kids will love this too, as it will give them an opportunity to trump even me. Thank you for sharing such a great tip!