Single parent taking 2 boys to disney

[canadaman]

My wife and I are splitting up. Its a long story, I still want things to work but at this point she needs to go and we need time apart. I am keeping the house and the kids are staying with me.
Anyways we had talked about taking the boys to WDW this coming July. We went 2 years ago for the first time and could only do a short 4 day trip. I would love to take them back even though there Mother wouldn't be coming.
My question is for others who have taken 2 or more kids to WDW by yourself. How challenging is it looking after the kids on your own? By the way the kids will be 9 and 7 years old.

 

[alamode]

I took my three kids, son 9 and twin girls then 5 to WDW for a week last May. I'd say the same to you that I'd say to anyone visiting WDW, the more you plan the easier it will be. Find out what your kids like, then plan accordingly.

Of course, it depends on how much time you currently spend alone with your kids. I'm a widower, so I'm a 24/7 dad. Everyone thought I was nuts to take them by myself, but where will kids be better than at WDW?

 

[irisesareblue]

sorry to hear that things are in transition for you....this trip will give you and the kids something to look forward to, which is good.

My one piece of advice - get permission in writing from your wife before crossing the border or flying into the US.

I read something on a website about single parents taking kids to Disney - I'll try to post a link but here's one that turned up in an initial search:

http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/familytraveltips/a/singleparentvac.htm

 

[Tinkermom76]

I just got back 10 days ago and I was there for 7 days with my 2 daughters who are 5 & 7 and let me tell you we had the time of our lives.
First make sure you have travel permission from their mother because I was asked on my way there and on my way back.
my best advice would be to make sure everyone goes to the bathroom before you go on something that will have a long wait and go after a long wait (even if they say they don't have to go) this will save all of you having to get out of the line when one has to go.
My next advice is if you plan something and the kids would rather wait an hour to do something else then give in... I tried to follow the plan as much as I could but if they wanted to do something else or they were tired and wanted to go swimming I threw the plan out the window and went with the flow.
You still need to think about safety but other than that have fun, enjoy the trip and your children!!!

 

[squirrel]

I've been taking my niece on Disney trips since she was 3.5yrs old.

My number 1 thing we did was when either of us had to go to the bathroom the other one tried to go also. I couldn't stand all the trips to the bathroom. I think she was surprised that I even followed the rules-both of us had just been to the bathroom and then 5 min or less later she had to go again - so I tried to go too. I always made sure we did a bathroom trip before getting food-otherwise there was a very good chance she would have to go before finishing our food and then some helpful CM would clear it.

 

[yxe dad]

From personal experience, get the letter before you book and tell the kids so she can't threaten to not write the letter later. I had a few sleepless nights right before my first trip with the kids after the split. The ex said she wasn't going to let the kids go on the trip after she already ok'd it 9 months earlier.

We have been divorced for a while now but in our agreement I have a clause that allows me to take the boys on trips up to 18 nights without her permission, even out of the country. So now I ask her to write a letter and she has no choice and I don't have to worry about telling the boys we can't go.

Also, take the trip, you and the kids will have a blast.

 

[davidsprincess]

Agree with pps that said about getting a letter. Not that I have personal experience in this case, but on our last trip to DLR on the flight back home when it was time for us to board, there were 2 guys from security waiting to look and see if a woman had written proof that it was okay to take her kids with her.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I was in the same situation as you but 15 years ago. The best advice has already been given above ... yxw dad covers my thoughts (the letter). Take them ... enjoy yourself/them ... its sends a message to the kids that everything will be alright ... plus you may need this too!