One parent, one active 5 year old... would you go?

[knitdiva]

Advice needed!
Just got the school calendar and my son has 4 days off in the same week in november! Since my schedule is very flexible, I'm really tempted to book Disney for one fabulous week in low season!!! One problem, DH does not want to go. He is not a big Disney fan and finds it very tiring. Asked around and no close friends can take time off. So here's my dilemma, can I (should I???) go on my own with my very active 5 year old son??? Yes I know if I'm even asking; I'm having doubts. I have been to WDW over 25 times and have traveled on my own a lot; it's the alone with a 5 year old at Disney part I'm worried about!
Please talk me into it...maybe??
Just thinking about it is fun!

 

[woodkins]

I took my extremely active daughter to WDW alone when she was 4 & also when she was 6, all by myself. My dh owns his own business & can hardly ever take off work, so we do Mommy & me trips. I actually find it easier when it is just the two of us. I say go for it!!!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Go for it! I'm a single mom and have taken 2 trips alone with DD. The first when she was 3.5yo was for 4 nights. The second was 7 nights for her 5th birthday. We had a blast both times. We also had some trying times, particularly on the last trip, but DD is special needs which led to some situations which parents of most children wouldn't experience.

My recommendations would be to stay at WL or one of the monorail resorts if your budget can swing it. The easy transportation to the MK is wonderful. But our first trip when DD was 3.5 we stayed at POFQ and we got along just fine with the busses.

Also, try not to do "commando" style touring. Both of you will be worn out and that can lead to meltdowns, and I'm not just referring to DD's tantrums. It's a little embarrassing for a 30-some year old woman to burst into tears at the MK. Take it easy and realize that you won't be able to do "everything" in 4 days. Just have fun.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Active should not be a problem as long as he will obey you. If you tell him to stand beside you for a few minutes while you get food or check in can you trust him to do it?? If yes I would go for it!!! Alone time with your child is wonderful!!! I never got to do WDW alone with DS at that age but did lot of other things and have great memories!!! I would travel alone to WDW with DGS (2 1/2) but he is the exception to most toddlers!!

 

[2poohbears]

I say GO FOR IT!

DH was sick for 4 days of our last visit, so I was alone with my 5 year old twin boys in the parks. We had a BLAST! We were able to go at our own pace (dh tends to be a fast walker & wants to see/do as much as possible)...we had a great time together, and I have some great memories from those days.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Add me to the list of those saying, "YES, I'd go!"

I often travel with just my kids b/c hubby has some medical issues that make travel tough on him. When my oldest was 11 months old, he and I drove down to WDW together. We were meeting other family a few days later, but those couple days alone were actually fun, even though he was so little.

I'd keep discipline upbeat and fun, so he thinks you're in it together as a team, and keep him busy when you need to focus (like play "I spy" so he's got something to do while you check-in). Good luck and have fun if you go!

 

[kacaju]

Do you normally do things with your son by yourself?
Take him shopping, out to eat, go to a park? If you do these things with him at home by yourself and you can do so without fear, yes, go for it.
If by *active* you mean you and dh always go out together with him because he is a handful, then no I don't think taking him to Disney would be a good idea. If you can handle him at home by yourself, then go.

 

[mjkacmom]

As a mom of 5 I can't imagine it being difficult. I've been taking my kids on outings since my twins were babies, all alone. I've travelled alone with my twins to Chicago when they were only 3 (and my ds is VERY active). Travelling alone with an active 5 year old? Do it!

 

[VAN]

If it were me, I would go ... my kids are grown now, but we always had good quality time when they were that age, so the kids were good. Now I do have to say that we tried to stick to a schedule ... making sure they got adequate sleep, food, etc. Adjusted vacation/touring plans based on their needs, etc.

Now, I don't know what your relationship is. I just read a trip report on the Dis yesterday about a young mother who had a 4 year old ... they went with relatives without the husband. Sounds like it was a disaster!! But then, it also sounds like the kid was tired, hot, etc. He was pushing all her buttons and getting away with it. They also did not have any type of schedule which I suspect greatly added to the situation being out of control throughout the vacation.

At any rate, I think you are the only one who can answer the question about whether you can take your child solo and have a positive, wonderful trip. Be honest with yourself ... if you are willing to adjust touring plans to suit the needs of your child (naps, early bedtime ... some structure), then I think you will be okay. The weather at that time of year should be conducive to a good trip ... additionally it gets dark early, so you should be able to get your child to bed at a good time every night.

Anyway, I think you need to make the call for yourself.

 

[MJAJmom]

Not even a question about it -- go to Disney along with your son. You'll have a wonderful time just the 2 of you. It will be so special. Because my DH could not come, I took my 2 young boys by myself last Oct for 6 nites and this past June for 9 nites. I loved it and so did the boys. Probably the most stress if debated about whether to go or not before your first trip!!! You can drive yourself crazy with worry. Then once you're there, it's not as bad as you thought. And when the trip is over, you'll think "wow that was easy, let's do it again!!".

Go!! And have a wonderful time!

 

[btwitkin]

I would say definitely!

My wife and I are taking our 5 y.o. son in 2 1/2 weeks. We are also trying to have another child. We have discussed taking another trip in Feb. or Mar. but she is concerned about going of she gets pregnant soon. I said that I would take him just the 2 of us, if she wouldn't mind us going away. We have lots of family around, so she would have plenty of people around if we went for a few days.

I am really hoping she gets pregnant soon, because we obviously want another child, but also I would love to go to WDW on a father and son only trip. I think it would be a blast.

 

[cogero]

go dd and I used to go all over the place alone. DH is a police officer and works weekends so we do trips on the weekends.

I am taking my 2 year old alone with me on a trip to Arkansas by myself in December and I would definately take both my kids to Disney alone if I had to.

I think it is a great treat for kids to have one on one time with a parent.

 

[Bren's Mom]

My ds and I do lots of things just the two of us. He's just turning 4 next month. He's an active kiddo, likes to be going and doing...but he's also very well behaved. We travel just the two of us to visit family, do day trips alone together, etc. when dh is busy with work or when we have to split up so he can do something special with dss.

I would certainly take ds on a vacation alone, I would just pre-plan things well. I would NOT do ADRs, I would plan on mostly counter service meals at this point given his age so that we could be very flexible. I would make sure to have a place to be comfortable and read/watch TV after ds went to bed or during a nap (which he still takes). And I would want to have a fridge that I would stock up on the first day with snacks and drinks for both of us so I wouldn't be stuck in a room all night hungry/thirsty after ds went to bed. I'd pack as light as possible.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

As a mom of 5 I can't imagine it being difficult. I've been taking my kids on outings since my twins were babies, all alone. I've travelled alone with my twins to Chicago when they were only 3 (and my ds is VERY active). Travelling alone with an active 5 year old? Do it!

I feel the same way. I've traveld a number of time by myself will all four of my children. I wouldn't even hesitate taking one child.

 

[knitdiva]

Wow! You all gave me so much to think about!
I had to smile at myself for asking about going alone with one child after reading about some of you going with 4 or 5!
I realized I'm not really worried about his behavior since we have travelled (as a family) many, many times. My DS was 15 months old when I took him to WDW the 1st (his 1st) time (along with my sister and mother). He did wonderful! Of course we adapted to his schedule. I can't even remember one meltdown. Maybe I should call my sister to refresh my memory.
Our last family trip was earlier this summer, not Disney but a 2 week cruise. 1 meltdowns over face painting (didn't wan't to wash his face...wanted to sleep with a towel on his pillow).
I'm worried about being the sole "attention provider" (do I have enough to give?) and what happens if I am sick (which I very rarely am aside from getting the mumps 5 days after getting back home from WDW last fall).
Last summer I drove alone with my DS to my sister's house. That's 500 miles in one day. We visited for 2 weeks and he was fine; active but fine.
Then again, my sister, brother in law and mother were also there.
WDW has enough to keep him and us busy.
Ths morning I asked DS if he would enjoy going to WDW alone with mommy. He told me we can't leave dad alone here cause he'll get bored
DS has is heart set on a pirate room at CBR and that pirate themed pool. Mom would prefer BC or Poly. I have never used WDW aside from the monorail. Any thoughts on the bus system? I could also rent a car (like we always do) but I don't expect I would be going off site much.
As for ADR, last year DS did well at the restaurants but I found it was stressful to plan the day around the dinner reservation and getting there on time. So maybe no ADR and get what we can. Low season and a party of 2 but also free dining....
Guess I'll go look into the WDW transporation system
Let you know what we decide
Thanks

 

[2poohbears]

DS has is heart set on a pirate room at CBR and that pirate themed pool. Mom would prefer BC or Poly. I have never used WDW aside from the monorail. Any thoughts on the bus system? I could also rent a car (like we always do) but I don't expect I would be going off site much.
As for ADR, last year DS did well at the restaurants but I found it was stressful to plan the day around the dinner reservation and getting there on time. So maybe no ADR and get what we can. Low season and a party of 2 but also free dining....
Guess I'll go look into the WDW transporation system
Let you know what we decide
Thanks

We use the bus system all the time. We stay at ASMovies. I used it when it was just me and my 5 y/o twins in FEB, and it was fine. I never waited long for a bus. As for ADR's - you could always make the ADR's for now, and cancel if you find you can't make it. I just keep the dining phone # in my cell phone in case I need to do that.....just a thought.

Have fun!

 

[drinkme]

I've gone alone with my 2 youngest children a few times. It is so much fun! Just make sure you go over the rules with your ds before you go. You know, things like what to do in case he gets separated from you, etc. As for the behavior, I always tell my kids when they are at the airport, in the plane, and on the bus they have to act like adults. When they are at WDW they can act like kids. My kids are sooooo well behaved on planes. But get them to WDW and I let them be loud, act silly, etc.

If you don't like the sit down meals, then get the dining plan with the counter service meals. My kids look forward to the sit down meals because we usually book a character meal for each one.

I also let me kids plan on which rides we're going to ride that day. So, letting them plan everything is very special to them.

I also prefer the monorail resorts, but if your ds wants to stay in the pirate room at CBR, you should probably try it! It will be cheaper, it will be a new experience for the both of you, and it will make the trip even more magical. The buses can be a PIA but it's not that bad. Just plan for a longer commute to the parks. We stayed at POP for one of our trips. The kids loved it there, and didn't even notice the longer lines at the bus stops or the longer waits for the buses (compared to the quick trip to MK with the monorail).

Have fun. Now you are making we want to plan a trip with my kids!! lol.

 

[portia9]

I have five kids so going with one sounds pretty great One adult and one kid is pretty good odds lol. I think he would be happy and occupied and it would be lots of fun!

 

[poegirl30]

It sounds like a wonderful chance to spend some time with your DS! Enjoy!