One day - just Mom and 6yo - what to do?

[threeboysmom]

On one of our days, my two older boys are heading to Disney Quest with their grandmother. Six year old is not going because he doesn't meet some of the height requirements and I don't what to hold my mother up (she LOVES video games). My DH will be working that day so it's just me and my youngest for the day. I really REALLY want to take him to MK (I think it would be SO much fun just the two of us), but DH says no - I can't buy another day's ticket....... Any other ideas? (I'm still going to keep working on him about MK, however; the battle isn't over yet ) I'm thinking Fort Wilderness might be fun, but I know nothing about it. We will have our own van, and I remember seeing signs for it, but I wouldn't know where to park and how to get to anything. I don't want to be wandering around everyone's tents! I heard there's a beach? A petting zoo? I think I heard you can rent bikes? Would they also have those carts that hitch to a bike to pull a small child? That would be the best since he still is using training wheels and goes SO sllllllooooooowwwww. Does anybody have good info on this place? Or any other ideas? I was thinking also maybe a trip to FAO Schwartz. The pirate cruise sounds fun, but if I understand it correctly, parents don't go. I'm really looking for something for us to do together.

Thanks!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I too would keep "working' on DH. I think 1:1 time in the park would be great. If not ,FW might be fun. I have never rented the bikes but I think they might have the tandom bikes. They are kind of like the bicycle buit for two but made with the back seat for kids. There is a petting zoo and a playground. He might also like a day in the pool at the resort and then a special lunch. Maybe rainforest cafe in DD. In DD there is also the lego store. Would a water park be an option? Still more money but less than the MK. Have fun with whatever you choose.


jordan's mom

 

[jaysue]

How about a day at one of the water parks - less expensive than MK. The Pirate cruise is for 3-10 yr olds - No Parents

Thanks
Jason

 

[floridafam]

Downtown Disney might be fun.

My kids enjoyed it. Went on the carousel. Did some toy shopping. Made some stickers with their pictures on them. There are some little water fountain things to just run around in.

There are 2 or 3 little rides that looked like fun-a little train they can ride on and something else.

We really enjoyed it and most of the things were free except for lunch and the toys we bought-our 6 yr old loved the toy store because you could pick your own box and fill it with tinkertoys or lincoln logs-whatever peices you wanted.

FW is another good idea but I don't have any details on that. We have only been there at night.

 

[JulieWent]

I, too, think one of the water parks might be fun. Lots of stuff to do together and the six-year-old would get to choose every ride!

 

[MrsMud]

I'm thinking Fort Wilderness might be fun, but I know nothing about it. We will have our own van, and I remember seeing signs for it, but I wouldn't know where to park and how to get to anything. I don't want to be wandering around everyone's tents! I heard there's a beach? A petting zoo?

Let me say first that I have never been there yet, but plan on going one afternoon on our next trip. Ft. Wilderness also has pony rides and the Trail's End buffet, where you could have lunch or dinner, depending on your timing. I posted some ?? about FW a few weeks ago, and got some helpful info. Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=343349

 

[3MouseMom]

I haven't done a day at FW like that, but have heard it can be fun. The lego store in DTD seems to be a favorite, maybe that coupled with a character meal not in the parks. The water parks are a riot if he likes that kind of thing.

But you should really take him to MK if you can. I took my 2 & 6 years olds alone when dh took 10 year old ds to Universal. It was different with just the younger kids, and age 6 is perfect. A 6 year old can do the big kid rides but still is enchanted with the magic. I found myself thinking a day alone at MK with the 6 year old would have been great--a special time for us to have together.
Save some money on the side or tell him you'll make it up somewhere else in the budget but put your foot down on this one! You'll have a wonderful time and make great memories for you and your son.

GL!

 

[MinniMama]

I have discovered that if I really want something and DH says no and I listen I always regret it and if I really want something and DH says no and I don't listen I am very happy and DH gets over it sometimes very fast sometimes slow but I never have regretted doing what feels right to me. Case in point I wanted a cel phone for 2 years and he said no I finally bought it for myself for X-mas and guess who uses it and loves the plan I got -DH! It really in the grand scheme of a WDW trip is not that much extra money to get tickets- if you have any way to have your own bucks pay for the extra day and go to MK it will be the day of his and your life! I spent time alone with one of my three there and just the alone time plus it was in MK was just magical and a memory we both treasure. If there is any way go to MK it will be a blast! Good luck whatever you do have fun!

 

[jaysue]

I agree you should go to the MK with him - what a fun day it would be!!!

Thanks
Jason''

 

[ttfn3]

I would second going to Downtown Disney. IMHO it's underrated as a great attraction for young children. We always plan some time here for a nonpark day. My DS (age 6) LOVES the LEGO Shop with the outside playarea with unlimited Legos to play with. All for FREE. His favorite is creating a LEGO car and racing it with other children. The cool LEGO characters are fun to look at also.

The new Toy shop is great with some toys to play with. But be prepared to buy your child something. It's tough to get in/out of this store without buying something. The Mr. Potato Head Disney parts is fun.

We also enjoy the fountains. Bring your DS's swimsuit, water shoes and a towel to dry off. The kids love running through them and playing in them (a tip: we also do this while at Epcot. I took a large Ziploc bag with my DS's swimsuit, a small towel and his water shoes. We let him play in the fountains when he got hot. Then back to his park clothes when we were ready to tour again. It was a nice break from the hot day).

Your DS can also collect stickers from the CM's at each of the stores. Or if you have pins, let your DS do some pin trading with the CM's in the stores. They LOVE trading with young children and will often save some of the better pins for them.

I would also suggest going to Beaches and Cream for an Ice Cream lunch. My DS LOVED sharing a Banana Split with me one day (we couldn't finish it!). It was a great memory for us.

I would also suggest maybe going to one of the monorail resorts for lunch and taking a ride on the monorail. Always great fun.

There's also minature golf - whether a Disney course or another one in the Lake Buena Vista area. Plus, Disney also has arcades at the resorts. The one next to Beaches and Cream is pretty large (for a resort).

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you both will have a memorable day.

 

[Suedrews]

don't forget that there is a movie theatre in downtown disney too.....

 

[MinniMama]

Be sure to post your plan when you figure it out. Also some of the ideas will cost something like a character meal or movie etc so be sure to figure that out (how much you will really spend) before you bypass MK - note a theme here Have a great time!!

 

[Tiger Fan]

Ok, here are my thoughts on this. My DD, also 6 loves, Ft. Wilderness. We do pony rides, eat at Trails End, pet all the animals and really enjoy ourselves. That being said - we spent our first ever, just the two of us day at Magic Kingdom this past November and it was by far one of the BEST things I've ever done. We had a special lunch at Tony's Town Square, watched the parade together, rode only the rides she wanted to ride - Space Mtn over and over - - and I long for a day like that again. I think you would know best what you want to do and I say do it. Just for argument sake - Disney Quest is pretty pricey in itself. Have a great time!!
Lisa

 

[threeboysmom]

Just wanted to update all of you - my son and I are going to the MK!! I'm so excited!!! Thanks for all of your ideas & suggestions. If I couldn't have gone to the MK, I liked the idea of spending an afternoon at Downtown Disney, but my heart was set on MK! Brandon is just at the 44" mark, so he'll be able to take his very first journey on Space Mountain! Yippee!! I'm so glad my DH "saw the light" finally!!