Single Mother Taking 2 Kids - Am I Crazy?

[Octoberbeauty]

We were supposed to go to Disneyworld in April, but my mom was going to go with us. However, she has cancelled on me, so I had to move our trip to June. Now it will just be me and my five (then six) yr old twins. I'm worried about riding rides when there are three of us. They are still leary of "rides", so how in world can I hold their hand and keep them calm when I have to either sit in front or behind or take a turn riding with one and making one ride by themselves??? Ugh! What rides can 3 people sit together on? We'll have to start out on those and then when they get used to rides maybe we can move up to them sitting together.

 

[sanibelover]

I don't think you are nuts at all.

There are a lot of rides that seat three. A bigger worry is that many of the rides, while not actually scary, are very intense. They are very loud and kind of in your face. Err on the side of caution. Make sure you read the Unofficial Guide or another guide book that describes each ride and make a decision about whether your children would handle it well. Ask here too. You will certainly get differing opinions, but you will probably get enough info to make an itellegent choice about each ride.

The last thing you want is to traumatize the children so they won't go on anything else. (for example Ellen's Energy Adventure...I was so glad my kids weren't on that.)

 

[EthansMom]

In my honest opinion....maybe.

Personally, I wouldn't want to go to WDW in June -- too crowded for my taste. (Yes, I know many, many people go then and have a lovely time.) Also, I wouldn't want to take my two children on my own. But my kids are a very active 3.5 year-old and an equally active 11 month old.

Consider the activity and temperment of your twins. Are they going to be tearing you in two directions at once? Or are they pretty easy to handle?

I would get a few of the planning books from the local library. You can read about the rides and get a good idea which rides the kids would like. Many rides at WDW can handle 3 people at once. If your children are slender, you might be able to squeeze into a ride that is meant to fit two adults like Buzz Lightyear (intended to fit two adults, but we've fit 2 adults and a toddler). There are also a lot of shows to which you could take the girls.

Personally, if I were you, I would get the wrist-strap harnesses for busy times (like exiting Fantasmic, etc.). It's so easy to get separated from one child during a high vollume event, little own two children. It will be much more comforting to have one child strapped to each wrist. (The wrist straps connect one of your wrists to one wrist of your child. I've never had one, but heard about them here.)

Also, at that time of year, I would make Priority Seating reservations for all of my meals in the park. The last thing you want is to be standing in a long counter service line with two children and no one to help you hold the food, keep track of the kids, etc... It would be much easier to sit down for meals and have someone bring your food to you.

Also, you'll probably still want to take the twins back to the hotel for a nap in the afternoon. Staying at a WDW resort makes taking an afternoon break much easier.

I hope this helps!

EthansMom

 

[beattyfamily]

We were supposed to go to Disneyworld in April, but my mom was going to go with us. However, she has cancelled on me, so I had to move our trip to June. Now it will just be me and my five (then six) yr old twins. I'm worried about riding rides when there are three of us. They are still leary of "rides", so how in world can I hold their hand and keep them calm when I have to either sit in front or behind or take a turn riding with one and making one ride by themselves??? Ugh! What rides can 3 people sit together on? We'll have to start out on those and then when they get used to rides maybe we can move up to them sitting together.

There are quite a few rides that you'll be able to do together. I don't think you are crazy at all. It will just be a different trip then if you had another adult to help. I'm sure you will still have a GREAT time!

I believe you'll be able to fit together on Pooh, Dumbo, Peter pan, IASW, and Alladin for starters. Also, those other rides like HM, Pirates, Jungle Cruise. Epcot on Spaceship earth and Test Track and Mission Space. MGM on ToT and the Great Movie Ride. AK on the Safari ride.

Don't worry and have a great time!

 

[tjmw2727]

Do it - I have taken my girls solo many times, starting when they were 4 and 6 and we had a blast. Everything you will want to ride you can sit three to a row so don't worry about that.

Definately stay onsite so you don't have to worry about transportation to/from the parks. Plan at least one table serve meal a day, we did a late lunch or late breakfast and that was our big meal. Grab some groceries on the way to the resort to have breakfast in the room and we often did sandwiches etc for eveing meals or the food court.

IMHO the only hard part was getting counter serve meals and then finding a table, many grab the table first and then get the food but we didn't have that option.

If you need a stroller for later evenings or just to keep track of the kids rent a double at the parks. There is no way I could lug a stroller and the two kids on/off the bus/tram/monorial boat so renting at the parks was easier. (FWIW there is no way I could put a 6yo on a harness/leash even though I did use them for toddlers!)

June is busy but if that is when you can go, get to the park early, rest in the afternoon and return in the evenings for fireworks shows etc. We usually do MK or AK in the morning with MGM and Epcot as an evening park. Read up and use fastpass and do some character meals for fav characters so you won't have to wait the lines.

That is all I can think of for now but having done the solo trip several times feel free to ask more questions.

allears has a great section on traveling with children.

TJ

 

[YesI'mObsessed]

Coming from another single Mom, I say you will be fine. You are used to handling them by yourself anyway, so not a big difference. That's what I say. We went with a group in December and my favorite day was when I went off with my gang all alone. We were able to go at our own pace and see what WE wanted to see. As for the rides, we stuck to the Magic Kingdom rides that day, mostly in Fantasy Land. I rode with my little one and the two rode in front of me together. At the least, if you can't fit together, you can let them ride with each other in front of you on the not so scary rides. You'll be fine. Have a great time!

 

[herprettiness]

It's a great idea.

My single mother asks me why I go to Disney World all of the time. I tell her it's because she never took me.

 

[tjmw2727]

Another good point obsessed - I have to imagine that the OP spends most of the time with the kids and if you do the mall, zoo, park and usual daily haunts of us moms you will know what to expect.

In December we went to WDW with our family and my bil and sil and neice and nephew. One of our days dh and dear bil went to do richard petty. sil and I did a day at the parks with kids ages 20mos, a VERY busy 3yo and my dd's who are now 7 and 9. We had a great day it was very relaxed, kids pace and we just went with the flow. We did MK in the morning and then hit Epcot for the remainder of the day even staying for Illuminations. Of course we were ready to bail at any moment if need be but we kept them busy, fed and hydrated. My mil was so stressed about us handling the kids alone - well that is what we do each and every day LOL.

Have fun -
TJ

 

[Octoberbeauty]

Thanks everyone. I do plan on staying on property (Pop) and doing the meal plan so we'll have a sit down meal every day. I also plan on resting in the afternoon and not trying to do many late nights: just two for Spectromagic/Wishes and for Fantasmic. Other than that, I'm going to try and get us in early. So, hopefully we'll be okay. I'm just a little bit nervous about such a big undertaking. lol

I have NO plans to do any of the scary rides, but I think I'll send them to the Neverland club one night so I can go do some thrill rides on my own. I would just love to have a list of all the 3 person rides we can do, so thanks for some of those. Knowing what we can start with will be a big relief.

Thanks for all your support. I know we'll have a great time. We'll be in Disney, how could we not?!!

 

[jessiesue]

I am not a single mother, but took my then ds's, 6, 4, & 3 for 2 weeks by myself. We stayed off site so I was leary about driving, especially at night with the 3. I can honestly say the only hard time I can remeber was lifting my double stroller over the train turnstile in MK. With all the people in line, no one offered to help. I am sure I could have asked a cm if I could go through the handicapped entrance but I didn't know about that at the time. But, I did it! My 3 ds and I are going back in June for 2 weeks. Can't wait Go and have a great time.

 

[tjmw2727]

Rides that one adult and two younger kids can ride together:

Ok, I got out my parkmaps to list them individually and couldn't find much so I will list those you can ride together!!

MK - everyting We even fit fine in the barnstormer and Big Thunder.
If they are tall enough and want to ride Space Mtn you will ride three in a car one in front of the other.

MGM - everything except RnRc (has a 48" requirement)

Epcot - everything

AK - everything

Have fun and if you have questions about a particular attraction ask again.

TJ

 

[CMKN]

I agree with the general concencus to go and have a good time! I too am a single mom and although my girls are older now (13 & 9), I have taken them when they were younger and never really had much trouble. I agree to either do the wrist straps for busier times, or what I would do is having each of the girls responsible for either holding my hand, each others hand, or onto my waist bag. I made it worth their while by giving them each a few disney dollars at the end of each day as an incentive to do it again the following day.

 

[Dislifer]

I went with my two children at THE busiest time of year...Christmas. My children are older (9 & 12), so it was easy. It was very fun and enjoyable and NO PROBLEMS....until the last night when my daughter got VERY SICK. Poor thing had to travel home, sick as a dog. That is the only issue...if something does happen, you are the only adult. Your kids are younger, but if you plan ahead, you should be fine...as long as no one gets sick!!!
When I say plan ahead....LEAVE EARLY IN THE AM!!! By around 1:00 the parks were tooooooooo busy for my comfort level!!!
Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[msehsejim1]

October,

Grat idea in your plans...the meal plan will mmake your days a lot morte fun especially with the character meals and the snacks and fast food meals....make sure you and the kids get to do adult things....beacuse we are all kids at WDw....you might get a surprise from then kids when you least expect it....

 

[princess-rn]

I don't think you are nuts. I think you are a wonderful mother!!!! Have a GREAT time. REad these boards carefully...you will find great info.

 

[ducklite]

"Single Mother Taking 2 Kids - Am I Crazy?"

Yup! But I'm sure you'll have a GREAT time! It's going to be hot, so make sure you keep the kids and yourself well hydrated, and take a break every day with either an afternoon swim or a long sit-down lunch.

Anne

 

[tjmw2727]

We were supposed to go to Disneyworld in April, but my mom was going to go with us. However, she has cancelled on me, so I had to move our trip to June. Now it will just be me and my five (then six) yr old twins. I'm worried about riding rides when there are three of us. They are still leary of "rides", so how in world can I hold their hand and keep them calm when I have to either sit in front or behind or take a turn riding with one and making one ride by themselves??? Ugh! What rides can 3 people sit together on? We'll have to start out on those and then when they get used to rides maybe we can move up to them sitting together.

Despite posing answers already I didn't catch the part about the kids being leary of the rides. Don't worry about WDW 'rides' - they are not like anything you find at your local 6 flags!! - except maybe the carosel. Most of the rides are designed to be enjoyed by a family, rather than just riding around or spun there is a story or theme. I totally missed that part of your post and I am sorry. You are going to have a blast.

Pick up a copy of WDW for kids by kids and read it h the kids before the trip. This book goes into detail from a kids persepective about each ride as to what they can expect. For example flying in the boat during the peter pan ride - its excellent especially if you have seen the movie. As I posted earlier you can sit 3 to a seat and enjoy all the rides and shows together and I can't think of a thing that would scare a 6yo - except maybe Tower of Terror which in your case you would know to avoid by the very name.

Although most 6yo's are not using a stroller don't rule it out as WDW is big and so is the stroller, very easy to push even the double. When I went with dh and the girls we never rented but when we went solo I was more likely to. It is just easier and the kids got less tired - esp at Epcot and in the evenings. So when your solo with two dear ones "anything goes". Also remember it is your vacation too so if you want to see a move in Epcot just make sure the kiddos have a snack and are ready to take a break!! Its also nice that they have each other if you do want to use a kids club - I did. Pick one that suits your needs or is close to the park you want to visit. We love the Neverland and the Simba.

Remember to keep snacking as healthy as you can and make sure they drink. Encouratge water if they will and anything if they won't drink water. By the time they are thirsty they may already have a bit of a headache so take that as a cue for a rest. I found searching out the fruit stands helpful. My girls will drink water if it is in the sports bottle, so I let them carry the small bottle of water with a "cool souvineer bottle strap worn around the neck".

(Hint buy a couple of the big size as they have the sipper top and then keep the tops, after that buy the small size that only comes with the screw top and replace it with the sports top).

TJ

If you want more tips post here and?or ask me to enable PM's they are off right now for a reason (sorry)

 

[MrsPete]

It depends. My daughter's seven and I'm a Brownie leader, so I know this age well. Some kids would be fine in this situation, others I wouldn't want to supervise at McDonalds alone. You know your kids' temperaments best.

There are plenty of things you can do to tip things toward your advantage: Definitely plan to take advantage of early morning hours and E-ticket night. Look into which rides won't be possible and avoid them. Lay down the law about sticking together ahead of time. Make life easy on yourself by refusing to tote around big bags of stuff -- give each child a fanny pack. Disney involves lots of passive waiting in line, so plan plenty of "active breaks" for the kids to run in fountains or mazes, and don't forget the water parks.

You are fortuante in one way: Being twins, your kids are probably "ready" for the same rides. My two are three years apart, and the older one loves the roller coasters, while the younger still enjoys Miss Tilly's boat.

 

[bobcat]

Nah! You're not crazy! Just adventurous! I'm a single mom too and my first trip with my kids, 4 and 6 at the time, to WDW I rented a car and drove from Ohio. That was the start of many trips and I haven't regretted one.

You have received a lot of great info and I don't really have anything to add except have a blast!