Taking 3 kids by myself?

[soonerfan2008]

Let me begin by saying I travel alone A LOT with my two girls (3 and 17 months). Since our families are far away, I often fly solo to go visit family, and since my DH is in the military, there are lots of days away from Daddy. Also, I am mostly a SAHM (freelance writer), so I am familiar with spending long days with no help.

That said, I am considering taking the girls and my stepson (8) to Disney this summer alone. We've been a few times as a group, and my stepson will have his first trip in March. I'm considering a trip back because my husband will be gone 12-14 hour days this summer, and since Disney came out with the 2010 military deal, that would make a trip fairly inexpensive.

I think we'd stay for 11 days- 7 in a condo with a kitchen and 4 onsite with the QSDP. My mom might come for part of the trip, and I'd drive so I'd have our car.

My plan is to add the Water Park option, spend 4 days at the parks, 3 or so at a water park and one at Disney Quest. We'd spend the other days relaxing at the pool, touring resorts (Campfire Sing-a-long) and DTD.

Is this crazy? My family already thinks we all are because we take the kids so many places, but this would be the first extended vacation without DH. My philosophy is I can either deal with kid boredom, whining, excitement, fun and all of the other parts of having kids at home, or we can be at Disney!

Any ideas? Tips? Suggestions?

 

[WendyinNC]

I take my kids to Disney by myself frequently now. My husband owns a small retail business and just can't get away. Disney is my fovorite place to go with the kids. I feel safe and the kids have a great time. There are always services available for you (kids clubs and babysitters). I've never used them but I like knowing it's a option. My only experience has been staying on-site so I can't comment on how it would be to stay off-site. I will say that my least favortie thing to do with the kids when they were younger was the water parks. When I had 3 kids ages 3, 5, and 8, it was hard. The 3 yr old wanted to be in the little kid section but the 8 year old was too old. I also didn't like Disney Quest. My 3 year old was too young to most things and it was loud.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I frequently travel with my kids alone, when DH has to work, so I don't think you are crazy. A big factor, IMO, is how independent the 8 year old is. You can put the 2 little ones in strollers, but the 8 year old will need to walk all the time. He will also have to help out too with little things like watching the baby while you fold the stroller etc... Another thing to think about is going on the rides. Most rides will fit 3 across, but not 4. Will he be comfortable riding alone on Dumbo or Peter Pan for example while you are riding behind him with the little ones? Will he be O.K. either missing out on the big rides or riding them alone? I think if you establish all this ahead of time with him, and then go at the pace of your little ones, that you can have a blast!

I, too, think the water parks might be a problem. My kids found the kids' area boring starting around age 5/6 and it would be very tiring lugging the little ones around so that the older one can have fun and then nerve-wracking letting him go alone on the slides. I would save the $ from the water park option and make sure that wherever I was staying had a nice pool that the kids could use instead. You could do one day at a water park when your Mom was here and that would make a world of difference.

I would also skip Disney Quest. Not a lot for the little ones, and last time I heard, no strollers allowed.

Lastly, having been in August numerous times, I can tell you that the heat in the summer is brutal. The only way to tour without completely exhausting yourself, is to take a break in the middle of the day. We prefer to stay on site because of this. If you stay off-site, make sure it is nearby so that you can come and go easily.

 

[mjkacmom]

I haven't travelled with my kids without DH much, but it sounds like adding an 8 year old to the mix shouldn't be too hard. There is no way I'd bring 3 children to a waterpark by myself - now that my oldest are 11 and 13, they go off on their own, but keeping an eye on other 3 can be tough, especially since they are fearless maniacs, especially in the wave pool!

 

[soonerfan2008]

I guess I should mention that my stepson is a bit wimpy- NO big rides, and he will not even ride water slides. We had season passes to the water park last year, so I'm not worried about taking the 3 kids there. He is perfectly content to be in the kiddie areas, so that makes it easy.

I also wear the baby a lot in a beco, so that will help with keeping up with kids. Keep the tips coming! I'm making a list!

 

[soonerfan2008]

One more tidbit- the 3 year old will be 4 this summer, and she is very independent. She would love to ride on Dumbo in the seat in front of me with her brother, so those things should be ok. The one I would be worried about is DSS riding alone on Spaceship Earth- he might not like that, but I plan to use our March trip to feel things out.

 

[WendyinNC]

I guess I should mention that my stepson is a bit wimpy- NO big rides, and he will not even ride water slides. We had season passes to the water park last year, so I'm not worried about taking the 3 kids there. He is perfectly content to be in the kiddie areas, so that makes it easy.

I also wear the baby a lot in a beco, so that will help with keeping up with kids. Keep the tips coming! I'm making a list!

I just wanted to point out that if your child is over 4ft they are not allowed to go down the slides in the little kid section of the water parks. That was the main problem I had when I took my kids to BB. There was nothing for the older one to do in Tike's Peak and nothing for the younger ones at Ski Patrol. So I went back and forth between the two always dragging someone away from their fun to let someone else have fun. We had a much better time at the Resort Pool.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Is this crazy? My family already thinks we all are because we take the kids so many places, but this would be the first extended vacation without DH.

NEVER let them call you crazy for giving your kids the world. They will grow up better people travelling vs. staying locked up at home. My family took us as many places as we could go on a teacher's and firefighter's salary. Never very flashy, but it was somewhere and I really think that we were better for it.

As for taking 3 kids solo... If you think you can, do it. I'd vote for you going in the off season (less crowded) and if Mom comes, even a few days, it would be worth it. If DH is in the military, it may be a great time for you to spend some special time with your step-DS. Maybe see if Mom would stay with the babies and just you and him go to DisneyQuest for a half day.

I think it's a great idea. Good luck!

 

[soonerfan2008]

NEVER let them call you crazy for giving your kids the world. They will grow up better people travelling vs. staying locked up at home. My family took us as many places as we could go on a teacher's and firefighter's salary. Never very flashy, but it was somewhere and I really think that we were better for it.

As for taking 3 kids solo... If you think you can, do it. I'd vote for you going in the off season (less crowded) and if Mom comes, even a few days, it would be worth it. If DH is in the military, it may be a great time for you to spend some special time with your step-DS. Maybe see if Mom would stay with the babies and just you and him go to DisneyQuest for a half day.

I think it's a great idea. Good luck!

Thanks- that is my philosophy too and why we take the kids so many places. I think it makes them well-rounded individuals, and our 3 year old is interested in EVERYTHING from Disney to modern art museums to battlefields. I'd LOVE to go during an off season, but can't if I'm taking my stepson. So, we'll end up there in June. Although, we went last June with just the girls and it was not bad at all since we got there at rope drop and left after lunch.

 

[tessieg]

I took my three kids for a few days alone when they were 1 1/2, 4, and 8. It was an amazing trip! The kids knew going in that there would be things we couldn't do(no BIG rides for the 8yo, 4 yo would have to walk all day--I couldn't deal with the resort buses, trams etc with folding the massive double stroller and holding my then very very clingy 1 yo). They did great and we had an awesome time! We went slow and really enjoyed it--we did all 4 parks. We were in our own little world. We went early, took long afternoon naps back at the hotel and stayed up very very late at evening emh. They still talk about being at Pooh's playground at midnight! It was a total blast! This was August so it was HOT and crowded.
I love going with dh too but he gets worn out with the crowds etc so this was just so fun to be the only one in charge and make all the rules.I will definitely travel with the kids again alone. I encourage you to go!!!

 

[happymommy]

I absolutely do NOT think it's a crazy idea! I'd do it in a heartbeat! It sounds like a fun way to spend some summer vacation time with your kids.

I go without my DH many times, as he's busy at work and I stay at home. He also has really had enough of the parks, and would rather hang out at a resort. So even when he does come along, he doesn't go to the parks quite as much as I do with the kids.

I even went alone with my kids one August as well as my girlfriend and her 4 boys, ages 10, 8 and twins that were 7. We all did fine!

I do think it's much easier if you can stay onsite rather than a condo, if you're the solo adult. I know you'll have a car, but I prefer not driving much once in Orlando. Have you looked into Shades of Green, or the Swan and Dolphin (the time I went with my friend we stayed at the Dolphin, as she could get a rollaway so they had 5 in her room, 3 in mine, and although it seemed cramped to me for her room, they did fine! She even got a balcony room! It was about $129 a night that time of the year)?

I definitely find Disneyworld the easiest place to go without my DH. I feel safe, there is so much to see and do, and the kids have a good time.

My DS is also a wimp - so a few times he would just wait at the exit of a ride so I could take my DD. He had a cell phone, and I feel like he's safe doing that. I think he was about 8 or 9 when I started letting him do that. Prior to that age, I never ever let him out of my sight.

I hope you go and have a great time.

PS: I never do the waterparks, only because my kids are always happy at the resort pools. That's just me, though.

 

[Pixie Princess]

You are not crazy. I only have one DD, but would have no hesitation taking along a neice or nephew or two (friends I'm not ready for yet). My DD9 is a wimp when it comes to rides as well, but she does like a couple of rides, like RnR, which have a minimum height requirements. I think this will be your challenge with the gap in the kids' ages. I'd use the trip in March to scope out where (or if) this will be a challenge, and then come up with a plan for the summer.

I'd skip Disney Quest and just enjoy the water parks.

Have fun!!

 

[MJAJmom]

You can absolutely do it, and you will treasure the time alone together with your children. I've taken my 2 boys by myself twice now (June09 and Oct08). DH had to stay home. We're going again without him in April 2010!!

You know your children best and how well you can handle them. Trust your instincts. The first time I decided to go solo, I panicked for about 2 weeks. Then you settle down and realize you can do this, and then make all the plans and just go and have fun!!

A few things will be different:
- study the seating for each ride. We needed to fit all 3 of us on a ride, or have my 2 boys sit together with me behind them.
- think through how you will walk through a buffet line or a CS line, handling multiple kids and plates
- be extra cautious with pools if you kids are not strong swimmers. It's hard to watch multiple kids. Use the life jackets.
- realize that your pace will be just a little bit slower without DH there, and you won't be able to split up. Also might need to take a few more breaks or short rest stops. Talk to your kids about all this, either we do something all as a group or we don't do it at all.
- think about your transportation options, what stroller to bring, getting on/off bus. All this can be managed without DH's extra hands, just need to plan it out.
- you'll never be in any pictures since you are the primary camera person, so use PhotoPass photographers a lot and ask friendly CM's to take a picture
- Understand that your attitude will control the entire trip. If you are calm and in control, then that will make your kids happier too.
- remember to do a few things for yourself. Find a special snack to explore (I found the frozen raspberry slush) or a shirt/hat/pin to buy for yourself.

Best of all, you are at a magical place with your children.... hard for it not to be special!! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Minnie]

First I think it's great that you want to include your step-child in the trip

Before you make any final plans please make sure that you can take the child out of state (unless you live in FL) or on a trip without the child's father.

Many custody papers will not allow the child out of state without the custodial parent's permission. It would be awful to get the kids all excited about the trip or spend unrefundable money on a trip that you couldn't take due to the custody arrangements.

 

[krisnchris]

I was just gonna suggest the beco, when I read you already have one and use it. I did the parks by myself with my two (5 and 2) in Oct while my dh was at a conference. The worst part was the parking tram from the car to the TTC. We were at the off-site hotel at that point. I used the beco on the front, backpack on the back, and took my time folding the double stroller to get on the tram. Once off that, it was smooth sailing, b/c you really don't have to fold the stroller much. Same would go for the shuttle busses, I suppose. The beco would make it do-able.

HAVE FUN!! And use those photopass photographers! I did and surprisingly got my favorite pictures of the boys and of myself with them during those days.

 

[amyemann]

We are less than 3 weeks away for my second trip with my FOUR children alone. The first one was amazing and we are anxiously awaiting this one. My children during my first trip alone with them were 9, 6, 4, and 1. So this year it will be a little easier with a 10, 7, 5, and 2 year old.

I am a single mom and never let that stop me from letting my children experience wonderful things with their mom...cause if I dont do it no one else will!

 

[arielmomma]

I definitely do not think that you are crazy. I have talked about taking my 2 by myself for some time. My DD2 is 38 inches tall. At this point, I'm just waiting for her to hit the 40" mark so that we can do all of the rides.

I believe that if you are used to being with your children away from home than you should be fine. While I have not taken the kids to WDW alone, I have travelled with them and never had any problems.

I say go for it and have a great time. Only you really know what you can handle and what is best for your family.

My only real advice would be to go during a low crowd season. some of the summer and holiday crowds can be very overwhelming.

 

[disneymom06]

Go, take the kids and have a great time. I took my 4 children by myself for a week and we had a blast. You already know that you have to take it at your own pace, but isn't everyday like that.
Food Courts were work, but sometimes I was able to get a CM to assist me. If not, we took it slow inside the food court.
Bathrooms were a group event. I used the companion bathrooms so that I could keep an eye on everyone.
A stroller is a must!
I did not like the water parks because I felt that it was just too much to keep an eye on. The children were happy enough in the resort pool and it was easy enough to get back to the room if I needed.
As for Disney Quest, no strollers allowed, so we didn't go. It also wasn't my thing and very expensive, even when you were inside so I passed.
Surprisingly, we spent an enormous amount of time in Epcot just enjoying all of the places in Future World that we usually just rushed past.
HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!!