Single Mom taking kiddos!

[blairzo]

Hello Dis families! I'll be taking my daughter Willow (6) and Bristol (4.5) to DW from May 30-June 9. We're staying at POP. I have been to DW 4 times, and the girls and I and my mom went in 2013. This trip it'll just be me and the kiddos. Any tips for me since I'll be doing it alone? I do plan on getting a double stroller so the girls can nap in it if they need to. We won't have park hoppers! Thanks!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

do not know if it has changed since one daughter went to WDW but at resort for room rental her oldest son was counted as an adult even though he was 8 at the time. room rates are based on 2 adults not matter the age of second adult. based on girls ages you will all have to ride as older one is not able to ride by herself. based on ages of girls make sure they fit the weights for the double stroller

 

[happymommy]

I took my kids alone for the first (of many trips) time when they were 4 and 6. It was so much fun, just the 3 of us!!!

I agree to have a stroller. I just brought a good lightweight, full size, single one that they could take turns in. It worked out fine, but a double would be nice too! It's amazing how tired they can get with all the walking, even when they aren't using a stroller at home anymore (side note: we just got back, and figured with pedometers that we walked at least 10 miles a day this trip!).

Pop looks like a fun place to stay!

We never do any sit down (table service) meals when it's just me and the kids. They'd rather have their favorite counter service meals. We had bathroom rules: when one needs to go, we all try to see if we need to go! And we all stick together (of course that was when they were young!).

We never had any ride issues. DD likes roller coasters, so a couple of times I'd take her and DS would wait with the stroller at the exit.

I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[lizard1]

Make sure you know ahead of time about height restrictions and which ones rides you will not be able to ride. It may save the heartache of the older child wanting to ride a ride that the younger child may not be able to ride.

 

[BlueFairy]

We are considering this. DDs will be 6 and 9. Little one is short. I plan to say everyone goes to the potty every time someone needs to go, if one person is scared or too short then no one rides, and everyone gets one "must do" for the day. My kids don't like the thrill rides and have similar tastes, so that's a non issue.

Don't forget that you will have to handle tired kids, bags, and fold any stroller you have with you every time you get on a bus. Pack light and send purchases to your resort.

Also, I took DD alone in the parks as a toddler and my biggest challenge was shuffling her and food trays at the same time in a restaurant. I would have a similar issue now in a very crowded restaurant or buffet line because DD6 still needs lots of help with full dishes. In that case TS could be simpler for meals. Or have Garden Grocer at least deliver a grocery order of breakfast items to your resort (with fridge) so you can eat a little more hands free.

As for the room rate, age isn't relevant in your case. You pay the same rate for you and 2 kids, or you and 1 kid and one child who is counted as an adult. I'm pretty sure PP is incorrect on the age for children being charged as an adult on the room rate. That does apply to food and tickets (Age 10 and up), but a charge per extra person is only above 2 adults in the room, however they are counted.

 

[luvmy2babies]

Next month I'm taking my 2 on our 4th trip. Our first trip my daughter was 7 and my son 10 months, so mine are further apart in age. So I've only traveled with a single stroller, a City mini I rented for our first trip and my own for our others.

If you feel like you can handle pushing it with both of them in it, a double for those ages would be good for a trip that long. I'd go with a citi mini double if you are renting. If you want to you could grab a lightweight double on eBay. Whatever stroller you get, since you won't be used to it, put something on it to identify it in the parking.

A relaxed touring style is best so they are not over tired and you have plenty of days. Our last trip was May 31-June 8th and I was able to go at their pace and we got plenty done. We stayed at Pop for that trip.

We love TS meals for a nice break or a way to wind down at the end of the day.

Try to travel light and give them each a lanyard with a purse on the end where they can put your cell number or several places make water proof ID bands they can wear with your number on them in case you get separated. And of course have lots of conversations about what to do in the unlikely event that happens. Just to emphasize what you already tell them.

And yes, we do the when one goes to the bathroom we all go. Let them know if you are walking like say after you park the stroller (even though you are likely to be holding hands) that if they see something and want to stop to let you know. This was big with my daughter when she was 7. She'd see something and stop without telling me.

I love our trips. It's always the 3 of us and I love that time I have with them. Have a great trip.

As to how the room is charged, as far as I can tell (I try to always have some kind of discount) it's just charged for 3 people if it's you and 2 children.

 

[lovetogowdw]

Last time I went with kids with different interests/heights I used a mother's helper from Kid's Nite Out. (At the time they had at least one with Annual Pass so I didn't have to pay park admission.) We used her for about 6 hours one day (we did have park hopper) and so older/taller child was able to do "big kid" rides in two parks that day. Plus, I got one to one time with each child -- and about a half hour to MYSELF. She was great. We took turns riding the "big kid" rides with the older one while the other adult took the younger one to a playground or extra potty/snack break. It was great. Will do again on future trips.

Another option is using one of the on-site locations like Neverland where you can drop off one child and you and the other child could go into park. I've never done this, but hear great things about it. I'm also considering for next trip where one night leave one child for dinner and play time there and then switch to do other kid the next night. That way each child would have special "play time" and specific time at MK to do what he wants to do with mommy and not worry about the other child being too old or too young (or afraid) or too short, etc.

 

[jms]

Hello Dis families! I'll be taking my daughter Willow (6) and Bristol (4.5) to DW from May 30-June 9. We're staying at POP. I have been to DW 4 times, and the girls and I and my mom went in 2013. This trip it'll just be me and the kiddos. Any tips for me since I'll be doing it alone? I do plan on getting a double stroller so the girls can nap in it if they need to. We won't have park hoppers! Thanks!

I always take my summer high school babysitter with us and pay for their park ticket and dining plan. Its a little expensive but for us definitely worth it. In a couple of years I might be brave enough to try it on my own, but not quite yet It seems like you go often so my advice would be to take things slow and have a list of must see attractions but not worry about getting everything in. Have fun!

 

[happymommy]

No offense, but I cannot imagine needing a helper or babysitter with a 4 and 6 year old at Disney by myself. You would miss out on the fun with them, too. It's different than if they were infants really - that age is very easy at Disney!

We kept our same schedule and had the nicest time! At the pool, there were excellent lifeguards too, so my kids could splash and play and I was right there.

Neverland Club is only for evenings, so with young kids that doesn't sound like an option. It's more for parents wanting to go out to dinner without their young children for a couple of hours.

 

[uccats97]

I'm not a single mom but I did just take 3 of my kids on a mother/daughter trip. My girls are 6, 9 and 11. We had a blast. I just made sure to either leave the parks around 8:30pm or go back for a mid afternoon break if we planned to stay out late. One night we didn't get back until 1:30am and all 3 of them fell asleep on the bus. I just had to wake them up and make them walk back to our room. I think you'll be just fine without a helper. Just pace yourself and go with the flow!

 

[laceyinwonderland]

Hi OP!!! I am taking both of my DD's (6 and 2) at the end of June also! Good luck to you, and I hope you will remember to come back and let us know how your trip goes!!!

Being that I havent done it yet, I cant say my advice is tried and true.... but in my head it makes sense! We will be doing table service! Keeping both kids with me, holding a tray full of food, and searching for a table... eek... then I can see it now, "mom i forgot...." or "mom i need ketchup..." so then we all three would have to get up and go get it. I think the extra $$ will be worth it for someone to do the serving!

And even though my DD6 can swim, and swims with out floats at home, on this trip, we've already taked and she knows she HAS to wear her puddle jumper at all times in the pool.

As far as strollers, I bought a Mclarin (sp?) double off of craigslist for next to nothing for our trip. I like the idea of a single and have them switch, but sure enough, they will both get tired at the same time. I am trying to prevent as much of the bickering as I can.

And either spring for the memory maker, or join a facebook group to find a share to cut the cost. My dd's love to meet characters, and i like knowing I will have plenty of great pics and not have to worry about my camera!!!

Im excited to read everyone elses tips and advice!