I am a soon to be single parent w/3 children-2 sons-7&5,and 1 daughter-2.This will be my children's first trip to Disney and I haven't been since high school(1992).I've been trying toplana Disney trip for as long as I can remember but haven't been able to budget and now I am not onlyworried about money,but how difficult it will be to travel alone with my children?I am EXTREMELY excited to go and my boys can't stop talking about visitng butI'm not sure any more.ANY HELPFUL HINTS or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Everyone seems really friendly and helpful on these boards.Thanks for reading!
Single parent w/3 kids-1st time at Disney
- Thread starter tybailey
- Start date
tmfranlk
Love hanging at the World with my sweet girls.
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2001
- Messages
- 9,974
Hi tybailey! Welcome to the DIS. I have every confidence that you can have a great trip even as a single mom. Plus, I think that you and your kids deserve a trip after the difficult days of becoming a single parent. Plus, if you go before your DD turns 3, she will be free at all parks and meals (as long as she eats off of someone else's plate). I have several suggestions for you that I hope will help.
Lodging: Stay at the All-Stars or Pop Century. You kids will love the theming and the price should be right for your tight budget. Also, if you stay onsite you can just rely on Disney transportation and not have to rent a car - saving more money. (Take a towncar or shuttle to/from the airport.) Keep an eye on www.mousesavers.com for discount codes in order to save more on the hotel room.
Stroller: I would rent a double stroller in the parks. Your 5 and 2 yos can ride most of the time so that you only have to keep track of one walking child at a time. I know that there is extra cost in renting a stoller, but I think that it would be easier this way so that you don't have to lug the stroller onto the bus while trying to keep track of 3 kids.
Meals: Take snacks to cut down on park treats (but don't forget to splurge every once in awhile if you can afford it). Eat a late lunch/early dinner between 2 and 3. You will get the lunch prices and then only have a light dinner or nighttime snack.
I hope that you get to make your trip. If you have any other questions. Post again or PM me and I'll try to offer more advice.
Lodging: Stay at the All-Stars or Pop Century. You kids will love the theming and the price should be right for your tight budget. Also, if you stay onsite you can just rely on Disney transportation and not have to rent a car - saving more money. (Take a towncar or shuttle to/from the airport.) Keep an eye on www.mousesavers.com for discount codes in order to save more on the hotel room.
Stroller: I would rent a double stroller in the parks. Your 5 and 2 yos can ride most of the time so that you only have to keep track of one walking child at a time. I know that there is extra cost in renting a stoller, but I think that it would be easier this way so that you don't have to lug the stroller onto the bus while trying to keep track of 3 kids.
Meals: Take snacks to cut down on park treats (but don't forget to splurge every once in awhile if you can afford it). Eat a late lunch/early dinner between 2 and 3. You will get the lunch prices and then only have a light dinner or nighttime snack.
I hope that you get to make your trip. If you have any other questions. Post again or PM me and I'll try to offer more advice.
I agree with everything the previous poster said. One thing we have done everytime that saves so much money is bringing in a small cooler (it will fit on the strollers) with drinks - juice boxes, as you can fit so many more in there. I also bring a backpack filled with snacks, and sometimes one meal for the day - I'll make PB&J and put them in containers so they don't get smooshed in the backpack.
The All-Stars or Pop Century is definitely the way to go, but there are several close-by off-site hotels that you can get for less money. Keep in mind that you will need to drive to the parks everyday, so count in the parking fee when you're trying to budget it out. Alot of the off-site hotels do offer transportation, but I have never heard anything good or reliable about it. But alot of the off-site hotels supply free breakfast, so you depending on how much your kids eat, you may break even on that.
We live close, so we always drive and bring our refrigerated cooler, so even though we stay on-site, we bring milk and stuff for in the rooms and just have cereal in the mornings for breakfast in the room. You can also rent a refrigerator from the All-stars (I think it's around $10 a day).
I also go to the Disney Store before we leave (or Walmart) for some Disney treats to surprise the kids with so they aren't as interested in the ones in the park. You can get those glo-necklaces for $1.50 in Walmart. Those necklaces also help me keep up with my kids when it gets dark.
Hope you guys get to make - your kids will have a blast!
The All-Stars or Pop Century is definitely the way to go, but there are several close-by off-site hotels that you can get for less money. Keep in mind that you will need to drive to the parks everyday, so count in the parking fee when you're trying to budget it out. Alot of the off-site hotels do offer transportation, but I have never heard anything good or reliable about it. But alot of the off-site hotels supply free breakfast, so you depending on how much your kids eat, you may break even on that.
We live close, so we always drive and bring our refrigerated cooler, so even though we stay on-site, we bring milk and stuff for in the rooms and just have cereal in the mornings for breakfast in the room. You can also rent a refrigerator from the All-stars (I think it's around $10 a day).
I also go to the Disney Store before we leave (or Walmart) for some Disney treats to surprise the kids with so they aren't as interested in the ones in the park. You can get those glo-necklaces for $1.50 in Walmart. Those necklaces also help me keep up with my kids when it gets dark.
Hope you guys get to make - your kids will have a blast!
Barb D
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 4,684
Is there any way you could get another adult (or even a teen) to go with you? My DH doesn't do Disney, so my mom goes with me and my three kids. I COULD do it without her, but life is much easier with another adult along. You can babyswap that way (adults take turns riding with the bigger kids; the second adult goes through the fastpass line with a special "babyswap" pass and the big kids get to go twice in a row.) Without that second adult, you and the big kids won't get to go on many of the rides. My then-8yo did do a few rides by himself once when my mom wasn't with us, but he'd been before and I knew he'd be OK on those rides (Space Mountain, etc.) I don't know that I would have sent him alone if he'd never been on the ride before.
Even if you can't go on all the rides, you'll still have an awesome time. Just BEING there is magical, let alone going on any rides. You all need this pick-me-up right now. Go for it!
Even if you can't go on all the rides, you'll still have an awesome time. Just BEING there is magical, let alone going on any rides. You all need this pick-me-up right now. Go for it!
Hi! I'm not a single parent, but I've taken my kids to Orlando before, without DH. Once when they were 5 and 2, and again when they were 7 and 4. What makes all the difference is taking it slow. I made the mistake of rushing them around to all the parks on our first solo trip without DH, and quickly realized that would NOT work. We slowed down the pace, and had a wonderful time. Our trips are usually with DH, so having these two vacations without him was special in its own right, just me and my boys. 
Hope your trip is grand!
Hope your trip is grand!
I agree with the previous responses, especially the tips about the cooler and stoller. I tavelled with my niece (8) and daughter (5) on a previous trip and they both rode in the double stroller, although it became it bit heavy to push at times.
Also, you can save a few dollars by requesting a small fridge in you room at the Disney resorts to keep pop, milk, juice etc. cool. Disney literature says there is a charge, but in my experience, I have never been charged for the fridge when I told the staff it was for milk for my children. If you use a towncar service (I recommend FL tours) they often include a grocery stop in your trip to the hotel, which can save you money on snacks etc.
Finally, be sure to relax and take your queues from the kids about stopping and resting during the day. You can always go back to the park at night when you and the kids are refreshed.
Also, you can save a few dollars by requesting a small fridge in you room at the Disney resorts to keep pop, milk, juice etc. cool. Disney literature says there is a charge, but in my experience, I have never been charged for the fridge when I told the staff it was for milk for my children. If you use a towncar service (I recommend FL tours) they often include a grocery stop in your trip to the hotel, which can save you money on snacks etc.
Finally, be sure to relax and take your queues from the kids about stopping and resting during the day. You can always go back to the park at night when you and the kids are refreshed.
bobcat
<font color=magenta>I had a horrible case two year
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 4,158
I'm a single mom and I have traveled to WDW with my kids many times. I think this is one of the easiest vacations to travel as a solo parent. There is something for everyone. I also love the time that I have uninterupted with my kids.
The hardest thing is trying to get two kids and a stroller off the bus, but if you rent a stroller that is one less hassle. Thankfully we are past the stroller stage now. Another challenge traveling solo is eating at a food court. Trying to keep track of the kids while carrying a full tray and looking for a seat at the same time is frustrating and I wished when they were little that I had a couple of more hands. Just one of the things I hadn't really planned for.
Now I really enjoy a sit down meal where I am waited on when traveling with my kids.
I agree with staying at the All Stars or Pop Century. They are both friendly on the budget and having the use of Disney transportation is esential as a solo parent. Just one less thing you have to think about at the end of the day. I also have felt completely safe at all of the on site hotels, not always the case when we stayed off site.
The hardest thing is trying to get two kids and a stroller off the bus, but if you rent a stroller that is one less hassle. Thankfully we are past the stroller stage now. Another challenge traveling solo is eating at a food court. Trying to keep track of the kids while carrying a full tray and looking for a seat at the same time is frustrating and I wished when they were little that I had a couple of more hands. Just one of the things I hadn't really planned for.
Now I really enjoy a sit down meal where I am waited on when traveling with my kids. I agree with staying at the All Stars or Pop Century. They are both friendly on the budget and having the use of Disney transportation is esential as a solo parent. Just one less thing you have to think about at the end of the day. I also have felt completely safe at all of the on site hotels, not always the case when we stayed off site.
tjmw2727
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2001
- Messages
- 11,960
I travel alone to WDW with my dd's now ages 7 and 9 but we have been going since they were 3 and 5.
I recommend:
Stay onsite - you can't beat the transportation and having tried off site once, its truly worth any extra $$ over the offsite places.
Use a towncar service instead of trying to rent a car or using mears for transportation. For your family of 4 it should run between 75 and 85 r/t + tip for the family. A bit more than mears but you will have someone to meet you at baggage, help you with luggage and take you to your resort. With mears you get your luggage, find the counter, pay, wait in a "cattle call" for a bus/van to your resort and possibly tour 1/2 of the other orlando resorts before you get to your destination. (And that's not even stretching it!).
Most towncar companies will also provide a carseat and grocery stop ($$ invaluable). I use the 30 min grocery stop to buy breakfast, snacks and drinks as well as lunch fixings. This alone more than makes up for any cost differental between mears and towncars. It also helps that we can do breakfast in the rooms and sometimes lunch or dinner, thus avoiding the food court shuffle. We get a cheap styrafoam cooler and re-ice as needed, parmelat milk, juice boxes and soda can be left warm and iced as needed. I can also make sure I have some fruits and veggies as the WDW food can get "junky" My girls love raw carrots, cherry tomato and even cucumbers so a cooler and grocery stop help.
I find that park hopper passes work better than the unlmited passes when traveling with kiddos. If you need a day off, you won't find the "clock ticking" on your UPH and can relax and swim, etc. Since the PHP's don't expire any unused days can be saved for a future trip.
I agree with the poster that suggested to budget for a rental stroller rather than bringing one. Especially if you decide to stay at a resort that offers mainly bus service - you don't want to try and do 3kids, backpack and stroller alone - trust me <g>. All the resorts provide a pack n play so hopefully your little one will be comfy in that.
Plan later mornings for days after late nights like wishes or illuminations. Take it slow and take breaks if/when needed, remember than even at Disney a swim in the pool is great fun for kids.
As for in the parks, get to MK when it opens and have a fav or two of each kids in mind. Try and get at least one fav for each kid and then go from there. Don't try and do or see everything, you will all be frustrated and exhausted. Just relax and enjoy what you can do - sometimes just playing in the fountains or dancing on the lights at Epcot is a memory for my kids.
I like to make a PS for late lunch at a reasonable sit-down restaurant. This is our "big meal" of the day and again helps us avoid the food court shuffle. Places like Cyrstal Palace at MK, Prime Time at MGM or LeCellier at Epcot have a great late lunch and we do this instead of dinner. With breakfast of cereal in the room and sandwiches or even in room pizza for dinner at least I know they get one good meal a day. Take a peek at the soups, salads and appetizers if your kids are getting sick of the typical kids meal stuff. Some of the character meals offer lunch - thus getting a good meal and skipping a long line for the autograph.
Don't rule out Epcot for young kids, its my girls 2nd fav park after MK with MGM and AK as 3rd an 4th.
In closing WDW is the only vacation I am comfortable doing alone with my kids. I feel safe and the logistics are taken care of. If you carry a cellphone, slip a card in a pocket of each of your kids with the cellphone number just in case.
Boy this got long, but if you want to do this vacation its completely "doable" as a single mom. PM me if you want more details or recomendations on hotels or meals etc.
Go for it
TJ
I recommend:
Stay onsite - you can't beat the transportation and having tried off site once, its truly worth any extra $$ over the offsite places.
Use a towncar service instead of trying to rent a car or using mears for transportation. For your family of 4 it should run between 75 and 85 r/t + tip for the family. A bit more than mears but you will have someone to meet you at baggage, help you with luggage and take you to your resort. With mears you get your luggage, find the counter, pay, wait in a "cattle call" for a bus/van to your resort and possibly tour 1/2 of the other orlando resorts before you get to your destination. (And that's not even stretching it!).
Most towncar companies will also provide a carseat and grocery stop ($$ invaluable). I use the 30 min grocery stop to buy breakfast, snacks and drinks as well as lunch fixings. This alone more than makes up for any cost differental between mears and towncars. It also helps that we can do breakfast in the rooms and sometimes lunch or dinner, thus avoiding the food court shuffle. We get a cheap styrafoam cooler and re-ice as needed, parmelat milk, juice boxes and soda can be left warm and iced as needed. I can also make sure I have some fruits and veggies as the WDW food can get "junky" My girls love raw carrots, cherry tomato and even cucumbers so a cooler and grocery stop help.
I find that park hopper passes work better than the unlmited passes when traveling with kiddos. If you need a day off, you won't find the "clock ticking" on your UPH and can relax and swim, etc. Since the PHP's don't expire any unused days can be saved for a future trip.
I agree with the poster that suggested to budget for a rental stroller rather than bringing one. Especially if you decide to stay at a resort that offers mainly bus service - you don't want to try and do 3kids, backpack and stroller alone - trust me <g>. All the resorts provide a pack n play so hopefully your little one will be comfy in that.
Plan later mornings for days after late nights like wishes or illuminations. Take it slow and take breaks if/when needed, remember than even at Disney a swim in the pool is great fun for kids.
As for in the parks, get to MK when it opens and have a fav or two of each kids in mind. Try and get at least one fav for each kid and then go from there. Don't try and do or see everything, you will all be frustrated and exhausted. Just relax and enjoy what you can do - sometimes just playing in the fountains or dancing on the lights at Epcot is a memory for my kids.
I like to make a PS for late lunch at a reasonable sit-down restaurant. This is our "big meal" of the day and again helps us avoid the food court shuffle. Places like Cyrstal Palace at MK, Prime Time at MGM or LeCellier at Epcot have a great late lunch and we do this instead of dinner. With breakfast of cereal in the room and sandwiches or even in room pizza for dinner at least I know they get one good meal a day. Take a peek at the soups, salads and appetizers if your kids are getting sick of the typical kids meal stuff. Some of the character meals offer lunch - thus getting a good meal and skipping a long line for the autograph.
Don't rule out Epcot for young kids, its my girls 2nd fav park after MK with MGM and AK as 3rd an 4th.
In closing WDW is the only vacation I am comfortable doing alone with my kids. I feel safe and the logistics are taken care of. If you carry a cellphone, slip a card in a pocket of each of your kids with the cellphone number just in case.
Boy this got long, but if you want to do this vacation its completely "doable" as a single mom. PM me if you want more details or recomendations on hotels or meals etc.
Go for it
TJ
InstImpres
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1999
- Messages
- 5,555
I am also a single mom and have done Disney with my DD7.
One suggestion (and it may sounds silly), take a bathroom break regularly (every 1 1/2-2 hours) for everyone to "try." There is nothing worse than scoping out a good parade spot early or being on line for 20 minutes with a few minutes to go and having nature call.
Feel free to PM or e-mail if you want to talk more.
Enjoy,
Sandy
One suggestion (and it may sounds silly), take a bathroom break regularly (every 1 1/2-2 hours) for everyone to "try." There is nothing worse than scoping out a good parade spot early or being on line for 20 minutes with a few minutes to go and having nature call.
Feel free to PM or e-mail if you want to talk more.
Enjoy,
Sandy
catherines_mama
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2003
- Messages
- 1,950
I am so glad you brought this up. I was worried / nervous about my upcoming trip and i only have DD 2 1/2. My big excitement is that when we travel its with friends or family or we'll drive ourselves often stay one night alone then finish traveling to stay with friends or family. This trip is all ours! My mom has offered to come with us. But I really think that DD and I need this special trip together and now ..I CANNOT WAIT!
logistics. I totally agree.. ONSITE! I waivered on this but decided that the extra savings of offsite was not worth the few things:
- having to drive everyday..load in the car load out .. get on a tram, get off.. do it over again at night.
- the security. Staying onsite is just safer.. period.
Take plenty of snacks. Fun and healthy with you to the parks.
I LOVE the idea of a 2 - 3:00 meal. I had not thought of that! THANKS!
The fridge in the room is a good idea... 10$ is a bit when you add up 6 nights. so I am planning to bring a cooler and just hit the ice machine daily. we'll keep a sm milk and she'll eat NutriGrain bars for breakfast.
Anyway..I truly believe you'll have a magical trip ..the 2 older ones will also prob be great at helping the 2yo.. Oh.. also.. (sorry.. i ramble a lot) It is AWESOME that they are free b/f 3yo. That is why I decided to do this trip. It will still be magical for her.
Good luck!
Deedee B.
logistics. I totally agree.. ONSITE! I waivered on this but decided that the extra savings of offsite was not worth the few things:
- having to drive everyday..load in the car load out .. get on a tram, get off.. do it over again at night.
- the security. Staying onsite is just safer.. period.
Take plenty of snacks. Fun and healthy with you to the parks.
I LOVE the idea of a 2 - 3:00 meal. I had not thought of that! THANKS!
The fridge in the room is a good idea... 10$ is a bit when you add up 6 nights. so I am planning to bring a cooler and just hit the ice machine daily. we'll keep a sm milk and she'll eat NutriGrain bars for breakfast.
Anyway..I truly believe you'll have a magical trip ..the 2 older ones will also prob be great at helping the 2yo.. Oh.. also.. (sorry.. i ramble a lot) It is AWESOME that they are free b/f 3yo. That is why I decided to do this trip. It will still be magical for her.
Good luck!
Deedee B.
Three of my kids are the same age as yours. All of the tips posted here are GREAT! And we do them all to save money and for convenience.
Here are suggestions for "ease":
Travel off-season when the pace is slower and you won't be trying to entertain 3 children standing (no stroller) in line.
How often do you (alone) take your 3 out to eat at a regular restaurant? Is it fun? Now imagine doing that 3 times a day for every day you are at Disney, after travelling there & waiting in line. You might want to consider paying more for a cabin at Ft. Wilderness where you have a full kitchen and lots of entertainment right on the grounds.
You might save $$$ in the long run by avoiding restaurants.
The rental stroller is indispensible for transporting kids & stuff (especially the snacks mentioned by the previous posters).
Good luck - I am sure it will be a great vacation because there is always something to do. Just don't try to do it all!
Here are suggestions for "ease":
Travel off-season when the pace is slower and you won't be trying to entertain 3 children standing (no stroller) in line.
How often do you (alone) take your 3 out to eat at a regular restaurant? Is it fun? Now imagine doing that 3 times a day for every day you are at Disney, after travelling there & waiting in line. You might want to consider paying more for a cabin at Ft. Wilderness where you have a full kitchen and lots of entertainment right on the grounds.
You might save $$$ in the long run by avoiding restaurants.
The rental stroller is indispensible for transporting kids & stuff (especially the snacks mentioned by the previous posters).
Good luck - I am sure it will be a great vacation because there is always something to do. Just don't try to do it all!
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