single mother and DS, go alone or with firends

[OUR 1ST DISNEY TRIP]

Hello, I am a single mother taking her DS5 to Disney for (hence my login) our first trip. He will trun 6 the 1st full day in Disney.

I have been contemplating this for a couple of weeks. A family of 4 (good friends of ours) are going the week before us. They have a DD, 5 months younger than my DS, Should i change our dates (since they cant because of airfare) and go with them. Ths way i have some adult company and he has another child to be with.

I am not saying that i want to be glued to them every minute, so we will have our alone time. Or should i keep it the same. I really like the idea of his first day in disney being his birthday, but he will still be there on his birthday just at the end instead of the beginging.

I am looking for advice from everyone but especially from other single parents who may have went alone to disney with thier child/children.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bobcat]

I am a single mom and have been taking my kids to WDW solo for years. I love the uninterupted time I have with my kids, there's nothing competing for anyones attention. This is such a rejuvinating and bonding time for our family. That said I always wondered what it would be like to have another adult along to share things with. I learned to be careful what I wished for. Last summer my DBIL and nieces decided to go with us. Now I love my nieces and DBIL more than anything but having them along totally changed how we did things. It was not necessarily a good vacation for us. DS was jelous of the time I spent with his cousins and we had totally different touring styles. I was glad to see them leave two days before us so we could have family time.

WDW is a very easy place to travel as a single parent.

 

[mommy*RN]

I understand you may want/need some "adult" time just as your DS may need some "kid" time...but I would stick with your original plan and go just the two of you. WDW is HUGE and there are a million and one things to do...another family may muck some stuff up. Maybe you and DS LOVE the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and the other party hates it...if it's just you and DS you can ride it 100X! You can choose where you are going to eat! You can choose what park you guys want to do that day...

There seems to be a lot more freedom - Great...now I want to leave DH at home for our next trip!

Either way I hope you have a wonderful time! I hope this post helps a bit!

 

[lauritagoddess]

I'm also a single mom and took my DS solo back in March. We had a fabulous time together. It was really great one-on-one time. We also got to follow our own schddule completely, go on whatever rides we wanted, eat where we wanted. I didn't really miss not having another adult to talk to that much. The only thing that would have been nice to have another adult for would have been so I could do a few of the bigger rides, but even that wasn't such a big deal. I had so much fun seeing WDW through my son's eyes. And we're going back again just the two of us in December.

 

[InstImpres]

I would recommend staying on your own. I am a single parent and have traveled just DD(now 10) and I as well as with other for many years. Some of our trips with others are great and some are disasterous. If the other family is not someone you know real well and have similiar vacation, discipline and spending styles it could make it tough!

Have a great trip

 

[kimkarli]

I am leaving in a week, single mother taking my DD6. I am glad to know we can whichever rideswe want, go to whichever park we want, and eat whereever we want. Maybe after the first trip, but the first trip you will be glad you did it be yourselves!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

I went last Aug. with my dd9 and we had a wonderful time together...I had been many times before with family and friends , but this trip, just the 2 of us was fantastic!!! Perhaps you could overlap their trip a few days ...that would be the best idea I think !!! You could have adult conversations at dinner etc.and your son could go on a few rides with them ...but sticking to you and your son's schedule is important. All kids get a little tired and fussy , so being on your own schedule would help that. I think that overlapping their schedule by a few days might work out the best !!! Happy Planning

 

[mjmcca]

I am not a single mo just a mom whoes DH doesnt like Disney much. I have taken my kids plenty of times by myself. If you want some adult time and have some extra money let him go to one of the kids clubs and htne go to an adult meal or somethimg for yourself one night. Traveling alone with your kids is a great experience.

 

[flynnmnstr]

we've done disney alone and with friends or extended family members. A good compromise would be to start your vacation mid-way through friends vacation. That way your first couple of days you could hook up with friends that already know there way around and have already had their alone family time. Then when they leave you'll have your alone time.

We've had great experiences doing it both ways. Everything always take a little longer with a group and means more compromises but the company is good also. Alone time with your family is priceless also.

 

[momandseandodisney]

I am a single mom and have been taking my kids to WDW solo for years. I love the uninterupted time I have with my kids, there's nothing competing for anyones attention. This is such a rejuvinating and bonding time for our family.
WDW is a very easy place to travel as a single parent.

My thoughts exactly!

I have been doing this for the past 3 years - this year being #4 in a row

My DS8 and I (24 years old - having 25th BD in WDW )

I love it

 

[Brendita]

I would stay with your plans.
Started taking DS @ 3 he is now 12.
As I'm a full time working single mom.
The time we share together 1 on 1 is priceless.
I'm always on the go with work & getting stuff done.
Vacation is our time together.

 

[TDS373X]

another single mom here. DD(almost7) and I have been going to WDW and other places on our own since her 1st birthday she's made 7 trips. I love them. we know where and when we want to do what we want to do and all too soon she's going to be at that age where it's just not cool to hang with mom ( I'll be so sad when that day comes)you've got the chance now go on your own...you can always go back again with friends.