Single dad visiting WDW.

[Gazotron]

Hi There,

I am visiting WDW for the first time in August. I am coming with my two children, a daughter Bryony who is almost 13 and a son Fraser who will be 10.

I must admit to feeling more than a little bit daunted at the prospect and I wondered if any of you Disney veterans have got some good advice or tips. Something along the lines of "If I were going to Disney for the first time I would....."

I want to make the most of our trip and have a holiday to remember so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Congratulations on your first Disney trip!!

All I can say is research!! It is very important to a Disney trip! Find out what your children want to do and see, and the park hours while you are there and then make your schedule. Make your dining reservations if you haven't already!

Where are you going to be staying?

Keep in mind that it is going to be very HOT in Florida in August, so just go at the pace your family can go! Don't try to cram in too much stuff, that just makes everyone miserable. Take breaks for swimming and relaxing!!

Most of all, just have fun!!!!!

 

[Perditamarie]

What fun!! Here are some ideas:

* read a guidebook w/your kids and come up w/a top ten list for each park so you all know what rides and shows are important for your group. The guidebook will describe the rides and shows and also give you a depth of knowledge of the parks and let you know what to expect. I love the Unofficial Guide.

* definately plan swim time and even a water park day or two - it will be hot and humid.

* make your adr's for your meals if you haven't already and especially if you are on the dining plan.

* decide which days you will sleep in and get up early. If it is crowded you will want an early start, but don't want to be convincing kids of this at 6am.

* decide how much $$ for souvineers and when you are shopping.

* plan a day off or two for hanging around the resort, pool, Downtown Disney, relaxing etc. to let you regroup for the parks.

* drink a lot of water!

* take your picture everywhere w/photopass (w/characters, at some rides, in park entrances, etc) then consider buying the photo cd or pics, so you will some nice group shots with everyone in them.

Have a great trip!

 

[dwpersio]

Yes, know what you want to do ahead of time to an extent, but be sure to look at a park map as you don't want to spend time running all over the park in the heat just to see your top 10. You will notice a lot of other neat stuff while you are in the parks. My advice is to do an attraction when you are in front of it, and don't say "oh we'll come back later, unless you stay close by." At Disney time seems to fly and you don't want to waste your time running from attraction to attraction.

 

[TheDizMom]

I agree with perditamarie, research! Get the Birnbaums adult and kids version and read them with your kids. My kids loved the kids version and this will help you decide what are must sees and what are if we have times for your family. They describe every ride, store resort, and restaurant at WDW. Here is my list of must sees

Spectromagic/fireworks at MK
Fantasmic
Illuminations
the rollercoasters, especially RRR it is the best
Soarin
Test Track
Laugh Factory at MK
Buzz Lightyear
Lion King show
Nemo the musical
Kilamanjaro Safari
Kali River Rapids
Philharmagic
Chef Mickey's
Crystal Palace
50's Prime Time
Hoop Dee Doo Revue

Definitly take one day to do a water park (go early, leave early) and take one day to recoup and just hang out at your hotel pool and spend time together. Be prepared for the heat, it will get you. But if you can stay hydrated and go into the air conditioned shows and shops every so often you can really just go. We did with much younger kids and we did just fine, but if you're on site you can easily go back to the hotel and swim for a while and then go back to the park later. Have a wonderful first trip. You will love it and want to go back asap.

 

[Gazotron]

Thanks for yr replies.

Staying outside of WDW in the Lake Buena Vista area. Hiring a car so we can drive to WDW as and when we want to.

I have been doing some research, using "The Unofficial Guide to WDW" and have found it to be really useful, it seems that there is no substitute for planning.

I like the idea of getting the kids to choose the things they most want to do and making sure that we build those into any plans we make. I think that the Water Parks will be pretty close to the top of the list for both of them.

I also think that we will build at least a couple of "rest" days into our schedule, I know my daughter is dying to do some shopping and we could check some of the local malls.

 

[Princess Roo]

I think it would be a lot of fun to plan with the kids. Good stuff to talk about and then they also get input and feel invested in the process. Plus, if everyone knows that they are getting to do "their favorite" things at some point, they are more likely to go along with other's favorites, too (even shopping - LOL!).

I know this doesn't answer your questions, but I think there are so many great things to do that you can't go wrong!

 

[dfarner]

I would suggest to definitely visit Downtown Disney. It is a shopping/eating complex with a lot to do. There is an outdoor stage that usually has some sort of band or DJ playing. I'm sure your daughter will love the huge Disney store. There also is a large Christmas store that is beautiful. There is a LEGO play area as well. Then on the Westside, there is a House of Blues restaurant, a huge music store, a movie theater, etc... a lot for kids to do. As for restaurants, there is a Hard Rock Cafe, a Rainforest Cafe, Wolfgang Puck, Ragland Road, Fultons Crab House, and a Captain Jacks. There are probably more that I'm not thinking of now.
I hope you have fun!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Just poppin in to say

HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME WITH YOUR KIDS MAK'N MEMORIES, THEY'RE SURE TO LAST A LFETIME!!!

 

[bobcat]

WDW is very easy to visit as a single parent. I've been taking my kids every year to WDW solo since '99 and well be there again in a couple of weeks.

You've gotten great advice so far and finding these message boards and reading the unofficial guide you are far ahead of the curve. There is also a UK board where they could give you more specific info for your travels. Have you driven in the states before? That would be my only concern for staying offsite. Be careful shopping, there are a lot of malls and outlets where your daughter can spend all your money. LOL

Ok so to answer your question, if I was going to disney for the first time I would let my kids do what they want. That has made our family trips so enjoyable and I get to be a kid again too. Even though DD is 14 and DS is 12 thay still love traveling with mom, if not each other. My first answer would be to make a plan but you are already on the right track there.

Have a wonderful holiday!

 

[eeyoregon]

Hi fellow single-parent DIS'er!!

My sons are 11 and 14 and we too are going to the World in August.

Are you staying at a Disney property (I hope!!)? If so, be sure to plan on attending the late magic extra hours in the evening. You can find out which park is open late on which days and plan accordingly.

Late hours in the parks are the BEST perk ever!! You can accomplish more in 3 hours after the park has "closed" to the "public" then you can in an entire day when it's crowded. Plus the sun is gone so you aren't cooking!

Have a great trip!!

Gina

 

[Gazotron]

No I'm staying in a hotel in the LBV area so the late hours won't be an option for me this time . If I return then maybe will stay at Disney who knows.

Thanks for the advice anyway.

 

[Gazotron]

Have you driven in the states before? That would be my only concern for staying offsite. Be careful shopping, there are a lot of malls and outlets where your daughter can spend all your money. LOL

I haven't driven in the States before but have gathered loads of good information from the boards which all seem to say "don't worry" so I won't.

Exchange rate is so good at the moment that I'm hoping DD will be able to pick up a bargain or two without breaking the bank.

Thanks for the advice, these boards have been a great help to me in planning what I hope will be the holiday of a lifetime.

 

[Feralpeg]

I am sure you and your kids are going to have a wonderful time at WDW!

You mentioned that your daughter would like to do some shopping. I will suggest you try the Florida Mall. It seems to be very popular with folks visiting from the UK. It is a good size mall with a large variety of stores. It is very easy to find, although a good 20 minute drive from the WDW area. If you need directions, please just let me know. I live in the area and would be more than happy to answer any questions.

 

[tracipierce]

Hey Gaz,, I am a single mum of 3 from the UK and I did Disney for the first time last summer,,, do not have any worries it will be fantastic,, the only trouble is you will wanna do it all again next year! I got back home and had booked for this year within a month

 

[tracipierce]

oooh, I forgot to add, I bought a disney guide book last year that I could email to you, its a digital copy, It really helped me out, of course some of it is only really good if you are from the US, but it might save you a bob or two If you want it just pm me your email address. What dates in August are you going? Which lbv hotel are you at? Sorry to sound nosey, but we stayed at the Grosvenor last year and loved it

 

[Gazotron]

I am sure you and your kids are going to have a wonderful time at WDW!

You mentioned that your daughter would like to do some shopping. I will suggest you try the Florida Mall. It seems to be very popular with folks visiting from the UK. It is a good size mall with a large variety of stores. It is very easy to find, although a good 20 minute drive from the WDW area. If you need directions, please just let me know. I live in the area and would be more than happy to answer any questions.

Thanks for the tip, is it just called Florida Mall? What is the address? I'll have a look on the map and see how easy it looks to get there.

 

[Gazotron]

oooh, I forgot to add, I bought a disney guide book last year that I could email to you, its a digital copy, It really helped me out, of course some of it is only really good if you are from the US, but it might save you a bob or two

That would be great thx.

What dates in August are you going? Which lbv hotel are you at? Sorry to sound nosey, but we stayed at the Grosvenor last year and loved it

Dw about sounding nosey, it's great on these boards people are so interested and keen to help . We're going from 5th to 17th August and staying at Marriott Springhill Suites, sounds OK based on the reviews I have read. So hopefully it's a

 

[tracipierce]

Oh what a shame, we are going aug 27th till sep 10th, you could have come along to the DIS meet!
I'm sure the hotel will be great,, believe me the hotels in the US are not what we are used to,, certainly not like anything from spain etc,, I felt like royalty they are superb. I had heard a lot of bad press about the Grosvenor before I went, so I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was when I got there!

Thanks for the pm,, I've just emailed you the guide, hope you find it useful

 

[dfarner]

That would be great thx.



Dw about sounding nosey, it's great on these boards people are so interested and keen to help . We're going from 5th to 17th August and staying at Marriott Springhill Suites, sounds OK based on the reviews I have read. So hopefully it's a :thumbsup2

I think you will be pleased with your hotel choice. Marriotts are usually very clean and accommodating. If you are staying at the one in the Marriott Village I know you will not be disappointed. We have stayed twice and been happy each time. It is a very good location, clean, has a great pool area, and the customer service has always been good. It has a nice food court area as well.