Single Parents??

[mylilnikita]

I am a single mom who has been taking ddnow9 since she was 5. I have to admit I was apprehensive. It was one thing if I went on a trip by myself but now this added person and wonder if you make sure if you have all your paperwork, plans set right.
We had a great time. We took our time walking around. There were rides she didn't or couldnt' go on, so I had a night planned for her to go to the Neverland club while I went and rode some rides, well she almost went every night. We stayed on property, the first time we went we took a towncar for a grocery stop, after that been sending packages down or whatever and taking ME.
plan certain things you know you want to do, but also be flexible enough if it doesn't turn out that way.

 

[reginaastralis]

I have a little girl who is three, and love going, just her and I. It's an awesome experience, and I am dieing for the days for her to be older and to be able to go back on the "big kid" rides. LOL. I have never been on Kali River Rapids, b/c when I do go with my family, all of them want to ride ... lol, one day.

Potty breaks, I put the one of the chairs up off of two legs and lean it against the table. It's supposed to be the "universal" sign that someone is sitting there. Luckily we haven't had much of a problem with this ... yet.

I'm a server in real life, so I joke that the best thing about it is being able to push my stroller with one hand while carrying the tray with the other. Believe me, most of the time I don't make it more than a couple of steps without a man (or woman) taking the tray away from me. I don't know if this is common, but I always run into really amazing strangers when at DW.

I agree with the PP about going with the flow. Somedays Juliette will be go go go ... and others she's more relaxed. We also HAVE to stop at EVERY.SINGLE.CHARACTER. I don't know when this is going to stop, but I don't let it bother me anymore. I used to try to talk her out of it "But Julie, we saw Chip n Dale at EPCOT yesterday. Do we really need to stop today?" but I realized this is her vacation as well. I am going to take it in stride and enjoy the fact that she really and truely believes they are real ... b/c pretty soon she's going to be a teenager and I am going to have to send her to an all girl's boarding school. kidding ... hopefully.

And honestly, I am more stressed out when I go to Disney with my parents and my sister. She's ten. Oi! Trying to coordinate plans with other people, people who have serious attitudes b/c they are ten going on 20 ... well it makes me think I might not ever have another child. I also get to be a little smug at the families who fight. I can honestly say while Julie has had tantrums, it's never been anything like some of the families who are actually, honestly fighting.

I know you and your daughter are going to have a great time. Going to Disney at five sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[mylilnikita]

I never knew there was a universal sign for that. One time DD and I went to Red Lobster and had a waiter that was more interested in a waitress when it was dead slow in there. Almost an hour later, it doesn't take that long to cook what we ordered. Anywho, DD had to go to the bathroom, we come back, our table had been cleared of our drinks and the garlic bisquit tray thing, I was hot. I just paid for the drinks and left.
But I have never had that trouble since, but I think I will use it just in case Thanks!

 

[nettii]

I am not a singel mom but I am thinking of taking my ds 6 this comming fall when my DH and oldest DS 13 go on a hunting trip. (theyed rather hunt than go to Disney go figure!) I still have my lil disney not for them time being so I figure Id better take advantage before hes off with the big boys!
I was worried about a few things but after reading all your posts it makes me fell better about going it alone!Thanks!
Our potty break ritual is he goes in the stall next to me and has to stay in untill Im done. We just started this and it seems to be working out well. I just cant send him into a bath room alone yet, Id probable freak out and go running in to check him!LOL

 

[mommy2aprincess4]

In many ways, I think it is very single parent friendly. Since it's family oriented, things are designed well for kids and their parents. The biggest issue I remember having as a single parent isn't specific to WDW, unfortunately. When you're the only adult dining with a child who isn't old enough to go to the restroom alone can have unexpected consequences. I can't tell you how many times we've come back to our table after my daughter "had to go" only to find the table was cleared. At buffet style places, it's mostly just an inconvenience of having to get new plates. At other places, we've either had to wait for a replacement item or just call an early end to the meal. Disney CMs are much more apologetic than other restaurants we've had this happen at but the end isn't much different. I've tried leaving something in plain sight on the table, a toy or cup, but some waitstaff think it was forgotten and just take it to the front of the restaurant to leave with the host/hostess. I've considered making a bright neon green sign to leave on the table saying we'd be back but haven't actually tried it yet.

Oh, the other issue I remember is also potty break related. When we've gone to DLR with at least one other adult, if my DD needs to go, one person can hold the place in line. When it's just the 2 of us, we don't have that option so I try to anticipate the need and have her go (or try) before we get in line.

All in all, I don't think the issues are something a single parent hasn't encountered elsewhere. The benefits of a Disney vacation far outweigh any inconveniences of going as a single parent. IMO

I am not a single mom but am taking my DD 4 on a mother/daughter trip in June. We aren't planning on doing many TS meals but I love the sign idea when going to the bathroom and i AM going to try it.

 

[kphwus]

I'm a single dad and I've taken my son and daughter to WDW quite a few times. It's a little easier now that they are older, DD 12, DS 17. When my daughter was younger, the bathroom visits were a challenge wherever we went. I would send my son into the mens room to make sure it was empty before taking my daughter in, sometimes it was hillarious because he would try to guard the entrance until we were through.
You just do what you need to do . You'll have a great time.