Single parent with 3 kids (14, 2.5, 2.5) Is it worth it?

[Sandy22]

DS and I have gone to Disney every other year for the past 6 years and we've enjoyed our trips a lot. It's tons of fun with an older child who can ride all the rides and enjoy the attractions.

We have a trip scheduled for next year and by that time I'll have two more children (I'm adopting). So by the time we travel, the kids will be 14, 2.5 and 2.5. Am I going to have any fun at all on this trip? Will the kids? I could do the parent-swap with my DS but then we'll both be riding alone. That's no fun. I can't think of many rides & attractions for my DD's besides those in Fantasyland.

Am I crazy for bringing two toddlers as a single parent? I see so many frazzled parents and kids...I don't want that for our vacation. I guess I'm feeling the pressure of bringing them while it's still free but it's not worth it if we can't enjoy it. Any thoughts on my situation?

 

[hsmamato2]

wow, that's awesome, adopting two muchkins! congrats! I'd say it depends on your oldest sons outlook on this. I grew up in a large family, and we olders always had littles around to provide for. Yes, we went to Disney and a million other places with just Mom- we all had a decent attitude about helping out, and we all got some consideration- but we did have to work around the littles. Maybe fit in some childcare time, and take oldest alone for a few hours? if he doesn't mind the new family arrangement, I don't see why not... I'll tell you everyone in our family form the oldest to the youngest has a deep love for little kids, we learned it from Mom(we had no choice) and my own kids are the same way- so talk to your son,get his opinions....

 

[Mom to Jordan]

How Awsome!!!
Congrats again on your growing family. I say however to wait and see how smoothly things are going after the children arrive. There will be so many adjustments to make. I would also wait and see how easy or difficult the toddlers are. There are some toddlers that you can take anywhere and there are those that for safety reasons if nothing else I would not take to WDW alone.
I agree that talking to DS is very important. I asume that he is ok with the adoption but there will still be a lot of adjustments. If he has been many time to WDW, he might be fine with making this a toddler trip and focus on showing his new sibblings WDW. There are really a lot more things that they will enjoy.
Not only the kiddie ride at MK but things like the train and river boat, as well as POC, HM, and the jungle cruse. They might really like shows such as playhouse Disney and Beauty & the Beast at MGM. They can do the Great Movie ride too. At Epcot the can go on a lot of the rides such as space ship earth and the energy thing I always forget the name. They would like the animals at AK as well as the safari ride, and the shows. Also might want to consider bringing a freind with DS. I would be ok with them having short periods of time apart from you in the same park.

I really think that this might be a wondereful way to bond your new family!!!!!

Good luck,

Jordan's mom

 

[tmli]

Hi Sandy, congrats on the new additions. I would say it would depend on how your 14 year old feels about it. He will probably be the most affected--having to ride alone or do some "baby" stuff that he doesn't usually have to do.

Our next trip ds(9) and I are bringing my 3 yr old neice. I chatted with him about how different the trip is going to be and he is just excited to be bringing her so he is game. I am sure he will have some complaining when we are at the princess breakfast but since I made him part of the decision making, he will not grumble as much!!!

i think it can definitely be done and successfully. Your ds being 14 he will helpful I am sure. I do think you have to go with the idea that it is going to be much slower paced then other years....it is also amazing to see wdw through the eyes of a child that age.

I say if your ds is fine with it, go for it, relax and have a great time!

 

[JoyG]

I would DEFINITELY go with the little ones...because the next time you get around to going they'll be over 3 and then you'll have to pay for them!! Take them now when they're FREE and take them again later when they're older!! You'll have fun!

Joy

 

[mickeyfan2]

Can you bring another adult to help?

 

[skuttle]

I can't give much advice re going with three kids since I only have one, but we did just return from WDW with our 2.5 year old DS. He LOVED it! He loved each and every character...we had to wait in line for him to meet them every time we saw them (had to do some strategic stroller pushing at times to get to where we wanted to go! ). He loved all of the shows and parades, including the fireworks. He cried when they were over because he wanted more. He also loved the rides! He enjoyed all the fantasyland rides, but there is so much more to enjoy! He loved the speedway...he even "drove" the car (yes, that was bumpy!). We skipped Pirates and HM because we thought they would be scary for DS. At AK he enjoyed the safari ride and just walking around watchign all of the animals. At epcot he enjoyed spaceship earth and Living with the land and Imagination. At MGM he loved all of the shows, especially the new stunt show! He even enjoyed pressing all of the buttons at WWTBAM! There is a lot for you, your DS, and your DDs to do and enjoy.

Yes, you may have to do baby swap to do the thrill rides and you'd have to ride alone, but you may be having so much fun doing the other things that the thrill rides won't matter. I went to WDW in 2003 18 weeks pregnant, so I couldn't do the thrill rides and I still had a wonderful trip!! I never felt letdown or sad.

 

[stm61]

my dh doesn't do any type of theme parks, water parks, nothing! I had a 6 yr gap between ds and my dd's. I solved the baby swap problem by bringing grandma. If she had been unable to go, plan B was to bring a friend for ds. Ds was only 9 our first trip so they wouldn't have been off by themselves, but at least they could of gone on the rides the girls were to short for together.

 

[Sandy22]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I really like the idea of bringing a friend with me or even one of DS's friends. And someone made a very good point about waiting to see what type of child they are - maybe they won't even be ready for all the excitement of a theme park. Well if it's not next year, then it can be the following year. I can't wait to bring them!

 

[hsmamato2]

I just wanted to add, I LOVE your signature line! WHEN are we going to new episodes???