Only Child at WDW

[kra623]

Maybe the great DIS board will have some insight!!!

We are going to Disney in May and it was suppose to be a two couple and kids trip, but things come up and it's only us + grandma. We have an only child DD, age 6. Should we think about taking a friend? We will be in Disney for 7 days. Have any of you ever taken just one child?? I want her to have the best time possible.

Thanks

 

[all4fun]

We took our 7-year old nephew a few years ago. This was before we had our ds. It was just the three of us and he had a great time! I think if you could afford to bring a friend along that would be great too, as long as you know they get along really well. When my ds gets older he will hopefully have a good friend we can bring on trips with us (if that's what he wants). I think it's a great idea.

hth,
Cheryl

 

[GRAYWIFE]

Our DD6 is not technically an only child but since her sister is now 21 years old and married...it is like having an only child!!

We have taken Syd to WDW several times and we have never taken another child. We try to plan 2 children's activites (Pirate Cruise, Tea Party, etc) and at least 2 evenings at one of the Kid's Clubs at the Deluxe Resorts. Our trips are usually 7-9 days and we spread out the activities. It gives her a break from us and she gets to hang out with some other kids.

Also, we rented the small watercraft at the Deluxe Resorts on the last two trips and she LOVED it!

There are so many things for her to do away from the parents (and with them of course)that she will have an incredible time.

Have fun!!!

 

[the kabuki]

No, I would think there's enough attraction just being in WDW. We took our oldest before her brother and sister and we had a great time.

 

[nygrl]

we go every year with my ds who is now 8 but has been going since he is 5.i dont think you need to bring any one with you. most of the rides fit 3 people so we never had a problem with just the 3 of us. and at six i dont see that your child would be going on anything with a friend by themselves anyway..... just a quick note also as to why i would never take someone elses child on vacation... 2 years ago we were at disney staying off site at a time share when we got back to the hotel we were horrified to find out that a young boy had drowned in the pool and he was on vacation with his aunt and uncle. can you imagine having to tell those parents what happened. right then and there my dh and i said we would never take someone elses child (even our nephew) on vacation with out their parents you just never know and i wouldnt want that responsability. sorry to be a downer but we were shocked and i think it is important to let people knpow this.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

WE have an only child and we have never yet taken a friend. WE have done a few trips with family where he had cousins but most of the time it is just the three of us. He will be fine and all will have a blast. If he is an outgoing kid that seeks out other children, he will make friends at the pool or resort playgound. My Ds is happy to hang with us and always has been. Many only kids do not want someone else around for long periods of time. After a camp out or sleep over or even having a buddy hang out all day, our DS is ready for some escape time. We have considered bringing a friend next year when DS will be 13. I would not want to have the responsibility of someone elses 6 year old for that long and far away from home.
Families of three are very special, enjoy yours.

Jordan's mom

 

[kra623]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I just want her to have the time of her life. She's not the bravest kid and I thought that another kid may give her some courage. I really see the point about taking someone else's child. That story was horrific!!!

Thanks again

 

[brittsmum1998]

We're DVC members and our DD7 has been quite a few times. Never have we brought any other children. she's never had a problem w/ it. Britt helps w/ the planning, etc. We usually spend the weekend nites at a Disney hotel b4 checking into DVC and we will usually give her 2/3 options to choose from and she feels like she is involved. She likes to make a list of all her favorite rides and the new ones she's planning for the next trip.

 

[NotUrsula]

Ours loves going to the kids' clubs for one or two nights; at 7, too much intensive Mom & Dad time can get old.

 

[pooksma]

We also have an only child who made his first DW trip last year. We are going again in July and he is already looking forward to it. We had a great family time the last trip and plan to do it again. It was great rebonding for all of us. (does that sound cheesy?! )

 

[nearlychildless]

now 18 and have been taking her by her self since she was 18 months old. She loved it every time. For some evening time adult time she has stayed with grandparent, a babysitter in the room and at the Disney group baby sitting facility. She loved them all. The only time she balk at being an only was when she was 16 and we went to the Parks before a Disney cruise. Also she was feeling under the weather those two days and opted for sleep so she would be at her best for the cruise. We are headed to WDW in a week with just our family of three and at 18 she is ready to be an only child in the parks again.

 

[lovesdumbo]

For my next trip I'm taking DD(6) early so we can have some alone time. DH, DS(4), DD(2) and adult friend will join us a few days later.

 

[aussiemouse]

I think you'll be fine without bringing a friend. I'm sure she'll have a great opportunity to make friends at the pool and you'll be so busy at the parks, she won't even think about it. Have a blast!

 

[Stacerita]

My sweetpea is an only child and I've never thought about taking another child with us. When we went last year her grandparents and great grandmother came with us and she loved it. And now that we are planning another trip back the thought of bringing another child hasn't come up at all. I think its an advantage to only have one child to bring on vacation. Get to really spend quality time with them, no fighting between kids, splitting things with them is easier, and not having to split things between them and other kids. The sweetpea and I love spending time together so going on vacation is great for us. I think your child will have a great time going with just you and not another child as well. Plus children at that age might get homesick being away from their parents and might not enjoy their time at WDW with you. There are also a lot of other things that can go wrong with bringing someone else's child on vacation. I would not bring anyone else with us. There is nothing wrong with taking an only child to WDW.

 

[jacksmom]

We too have an only child ds(8) and are DVC members! So, he has been to WDW many times! We have not brought a friend yet, but may some day. We all really look forward to our trips as family time. Me and dh both work, so we are often rushed and on the go. Disney has become our down time! We are now anticipating our first Disney Cruise in Oct.! We can't wait!

 

[PixiePop]

We have taken our son on two disney trips and he has had a great time. I don't think you need to worry.

 

[Sandi]

Here is another only child family! We've taken DD (now 10) at least once a year since she was about 15 months old. Sometimes we also bring along grandparents, but most of the time it's just me and DD (we can convince DH to come about every 3rd trip). We always have a blast.

I wouldn't want to bring along another child because of liability/personality/homesickness and other concerns. A weekend trip is one thing; a week long trip is different. Especially traveling a long way from home.

 

[ChiTownZee]

We've been going with our first DD alone since she was almost 2, at least once a year, usually twice and it being just her has never been a problem. Our WDW trips are some of our most cherished family moments. This year will be the first time going as four instead of the three of us, so I'm a little nervous....we had our groove down and all our favorite things and pace on how we did things and that's out the window now LOL

 

[Tinkerbelle99]

I didnt have a chance to read all the posts, so forgive me if i am repeating...

...our trip in 2004 was just myself, DH and DD then age 4. we had a wonderful family trip and DD enjoyed every minute. I wouldnt trade that trip for anything. it was our first trip to WDW, ever, and it could not of been any better...i wouldnt hesitate going again just the three of us!

now, that said we did go last month - my sister and I, two of our cousins, all of us with our children. The kids had a great time together - a great, but different experience from last year.

Which is better? I guess it just depends...but you cant really go wrong either way.

 

[CheezDoodle]

Hi! I'm a ten year old only child. I personally like to have all the attention to myself when I go on disney trips. Once I was going to take my friend Courtney, but she couldn't come. But once I got thier I realized It was probably more fun anyway. What I do suggest is maybe bring a teenage cousin or something. I once brought my 20 year old cousin Lindsey and that was a lot of fun, also it helped my mom out. P.S. I once went with my 11 year old cousin Mallory when I was 9, and that wasn't the greatest. I didn't like sharing my mom with her.