Single Parent first trip - any advice

[DreamofDisney]

I'm taking my DD aged 7 and my DS aged 9 on our first trip to Disney in October and am relying on you guys to fill me with confidence!

Do you have any advice regarding rides suitable for all. My DS loves water rides and MY DD can't wait to see the shows, but I'm worried about waiting in line and then one child not wanting to ride.

Any advice?

 

[frstimer128]

You'll do fine!!

One good rule is that if your DD wants to go on a ride, but DS doesn't, then DD rides while DS waits. Next ride, DS gets to choose.

Another good one if they don't like to go it alone is to take turns choosing what rides to go on together or what shows to see. First ride/show, DS chooses, next one DD chooses.

These strategies make it fair and easier to wait knowing that they get to choose the next event.

These are all the same things you deal with at home, just in a different setting.

Tell then ahead of time what the plan is and maybe they can look over the maps before you get there and list what they want to see and do. I bet you'll find that they will have a lot of overlaps. They are old enough to work this out fairly and they should understand taking turns too.

You'll have lots of fun!

 

[jcemom]

I don't really have any advice to offer, but I do think you will have such a GREAT time! Both of your children should be big enough to do anything they want to, and they're close enough in age that they will probably like most of the same things. For the most part there is so much to see and everything is so well themed that waiting in line isn't so bad.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Amirah95]

As far as choosing rides for your children...let them choose. Think about investing in the Birnbaum's WDW 2004 (don't know if 2005 is out yet) by Kids and have them choose what they would like to see and do. I think it's a good reference and it keeps them up to date with what's new at WDW.

 

[LisaZoe]

The best single parent advice I can offer is to ask CMs or other guests to take a photo of you with the kids. My DD and I just got back from our trip and I'm only in 3 or 4 photos - and all but one of those I took myself by just holding the camera out and pointing it at us (works well with a digitial camera since you can easily view the photos right away and take another if it didn't work). They were all taken in the last 2 days of the trip because that is when I realized I wasn't in any photos!

 

[jcemom]

LisaZoe that's a great tip for everyone! My DH was with us and I'm still not in any photos except the ones we bought from the park photographers at the entrances! That is a BEAUTIFUL picture of your DD, btw...she looks like a "real" princess!

 

[jweiss]

I traveled last month alone with three children....13, 12, and 6 months. The 13 yo hates rides, still loves shows and characters. the 12 yo hates characters, loves scarey rides. We did a lot of compromising and turn taking. thank god they both love to swim!!!!