Single DVC mom needs help/advice

[stillnotsure]

I'm a single mom to an 8-year-old boy and am staying at DVC for the first time June 4 to 14. I HATE the rides that make me nauseas (i.e. Space Mountain, etc.). My questions are:
1.) Any other single parents planning to be there at the same time want to walk around together so the kids can go on the rides together?
2.) I'd be willing to pay a teenager who either is a DVC child or has an annual pass because they live in the area to walk around with me and my son and go on the rides with him. They wouldn't really be babysitting, more like a paid ride chaperone! Do you know how I could advertise for this? What should I pay? Is $5 an hour enough?
3.) On another subject, which is the best online grocer to order from who delivers to the room? And I tried to get the 7day premium pass ticket from TRiple A, but they are only selling 5 day passes. Is there a good place to get discounted tickets?
Thanks!

 

[utahkennedys]

Just a thought, but my Mom has back problems and can't ride Tower of Terror, Big Thunder, etc., but sometimes she waits just until the point where we actually get on the ride and then they always have an exit for those who don't want to or decide not to ride...at least you could wait in line together?

 

[kathleena]

I believe since he is 8 that he can ride by himself (seem to recall age 7 is the limit?) - and what the previous poster said is true - you could probably go up to the point of getting on the ride vehicle with him and then meet him at the exit.

But - he would probably have to be a pretty brave 8 year old to do it by himself!

as for the park tickets - try ticketmania.com. You are too late to get the really good mousesavers discounts, but the price on the website is better than disney also.

 

[DVCconvert]

As to food/room delievery - many have (myself included) had very good service using wegoshop.com.

HTH

 

[AFMom]

The age for riding by himself is 7 - so if he wants to - he can ride by himself. You'll be able to go through the line with him, and then take the 'chicken' (sorry - but that's the term I use for myself when I don't ride TOT) exit and wait for him by the exit to the ride. The Cast Members are great about showing you right where to stand so that you can't miss them. As far as hiring someone - is there someone in your area you could offer to take on vacation with you? Or an older nephew, etc? Even just a friend of his from school - since they are old enough to ride without an adult. Good luck!

 

[bavaria]

I have had a mother and child approach me when I am alone and ask if I will ride Space Mountain and other rides with them. Heck, I even had two pre-teen boys ask if they could ride the Matterhorn and Space Mountain with me!!! (I have the tour guide look about me, I believe....)

That may be an option for you - find someone in the queue and strike up conversation, and ask if they don't mind if your son rides next to them. You could check out the solo board - lots of us have met up that way, and I am sure that someone would be happy to help.

Oh! that might be me!!! LOL!!! I just realized that I may be at WDW June 4th weekend, so I'd do Space Mountain with him - I usually need a buddy on that ride so that I don't get nervous. Now, if it's ToT and RnR he's on his own.....

 

[Laurajean1014]

Previous posters have the angle. Why pay someone to ride with your DS8 if you will only not go on a few rides?

Here's a hint of RandRC, in the gift shop, ask a CM and they may take your child for you. They did that for me.

Also, if you are going from airport to DVC resort, ask the cabbie or limo driver to take you to Publix. We've been doing that for years and never had to pay more or wait in the room for stuff to arrive. I bring non-perishable snacks in my luggage, so I only need to p/u the perishable stuff.

Also, what if you invited one of his friends to join you? If this is not an option, give him a cell phone or a direct connect and stand on line as long as you can. Take a seat somewhere and have him contact you when the ride is getting out, so you know to get him.

Next year, try bringing a friend for him or ask one of your friends with a kid his age or older to join you. WDW is great, but when you bring friends; it's fanstastic!

 

[stingmom]

Save your cash and enjoy the quality time in line with your son. When you get to the point that it is time for him to climb onto the ride, step aside and wait for him to return. We have seen other parents who are going solo with their child, and we generally offer to let them join with our trio of kids if they would like. (My DS9 rode with a grown woman who was afriad of BTM! I beleive that was a bit of an ego boost for him! ) There are only a few of these nauseating ride for those with weak stomachs. There will be PLENTY for you to enjoy with him. Have fun!

 

[Boo Mc]

Can't help with your ride situation but as far as your tickets go, you should consider getting an AP. Since you're a DVC member you get a discount that might make it comparable to a 7 day hopper. Also you get discounts for lots of things like restaurants, mini-golf etc. Once you add those discounts in, it might even be cheaper. Also, it means you get to go back again for free (at least that's what we tell ourselves! ).

P.S. DH also gets motion sickness on the rides and on our last trip he used those prescription patches that go behind your ear. He thought they worked pretty well. Good luck!

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I agree with the CM angle. Once, as a family of 5, when my oldest DS was only 6, he was left to sit alone on Goofy's barnstormer. Since he was not yet 7, it is against Disney policy to let him ride alone, so one of the CM's rode with him.

Even when he got old enough to ride alone, if he is the "odd man out" on a ride because Dh and I are sitting with the younger kids, a CM will sit with him, so he has a ride "buddy".

I have always gotten the impression that the CM's love the opportunity to ride, so I am sure you would have no problem finding a ride buddy for your son!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I would ride all the scary rides with him if I were there or at least my DS (13) and DD (7) would!!!

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

Does he want to go on all those rides? My children are 11, 10 and 5 and the 11 year old won't go on the roller coasters and we just got my son on BTMR last year. It was also our first time on it in a long long time.

Also, we will be there from June 4 to the 11th at OKW. We don't have our plans mapped out yet though so I don't know which park on which day yet.

Where are you staying?

Lisa