Taking only 1 child to Disney

[nutsforgolf]

I have two kids (DD age 6, and DS age 3). We are going as a family this September (including mother-in-law) and staying at YC for a relaxing 8 night stay. I was thinking of going back with just DD next Feb (president's weekend). I thought it would give us a chance to bond one-on-one. Has anyone ever done this before? I was thinking of a 4 park trip ( 4 or 5 nights). I need tips, advice, suggesstions. What resort would be best considering we plan on being at the parks all day. Also, I assume that I won't be able to go on any of the adult rides ( TOT, RRC, MS) because she can't go on. I guess that Disney does not have a system that would allow her to wait next to a CM at the ride (much like baby swap) while I ride. If not, it's OK, this trip is really about Father/Daughter bonding.

 

[chrisann]

but I wouldn't do it. I would feel too bad, is there nowhere else less spectacular that you could bond with your daughter? Just my opinion.

 

[VSL]

Just to answer a sort-of question:
No, the CM can't mind your children (probably has a lot to do with legal implications and such - not to mention that they're quite busy anyway).

But I wouldn't go there to 'bond' anyway - I just don't think Disney is the right place (you know, so busy and stuff). And I just KNOW I could never take one child and leave the other at home

 

[stashf]

I took just my mom and daughter for the first time last Christmas, my son was just turning 2 and I felt he was too young , especially I hadnt been there since I was a kid myself! Anyways we had a GREAT time and it was really wonderful to enjoy this with her and give her all our attention. This May we went with the whole family, including son. Now I will always take them both, I think once they've been there it's hard to leave them home, it was ideal for us at the time to just take DD as my DS was too young at the time. What about a trip to New York, there is alot for a young girl to see - you could do the whole Disney store with the meet and greet with Cinderella. I havent been to NY since they redid the store, but we took my DD 2 summers ago and she loved it! THey have the big Toysrus and now they have the American Girl store which most little girls love! Just a thought.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I have two kids (DD age 6, and DS age 3). We are going as a family this September (including mother-in-law) and staying at YC for a relaxing 8 night stay. I was thinking of going back with just DD next Feb (president's weekend). I thought it would give us a chance to bond one-on-one. Has anyone ever done this before? I was thinking of a 4 park trip ( 4 or 5 nights). I need tips, advice, suggesstions. What resort would be best considering we plan on being at the parks all day. Also, I assume that I won't be able to go on any of the adult rides ( TOT, RRC, MS) because she can't go on. I guess that Disney does not have a system that would allow her to wait next to a CM at the ride (much like baby swap) while I ride. If not, it's OK, this trip is really about Father/Daughter bonding.

I am starting to do this this year actually. I told the kids last year that I was going to start taking them one on one. So, its my daughter's turn this trip, I think my oldest son's turn will be next year as he wants to wait for the Everest ride to be completed

***edited to say: we do take family trips all together as well! Its just that my dh does not like Disney and I find that I take the kids all by myself which sometimes is a little hard to handle.

 

[Minnie1156]

If you are staying in the parks all day, stay at one of the value resorts. Why pay more then you have to to just sleep in the room. It has two dbl beds and plenty of room for two.

HAve Fun!!

 

[Sam60]

Don't do it, Mom. A three year old is plenty old enough to know what is happaining. What a recepe for ******* between your kids! And don't you think that the bonding with the one child will be at the expense of the relationship with the other?

Bad, bad idea.

 

[disneycasemgr]

I have to disagree with the posts that say "don't do it." I think the idea of a Father/Daughter trip to Disney to bond is perfect. I know as a Father you will probably have many, many times in the future when you will do things with your son and Disneynutbsv has a great idea to alternate taking them so you can have bonding time with each of them on a one on one basis in addition to the family trips.

Disney is such a magical place - it will be a trip that will live in your daughter's memories forever as the special trip she took with her Daddy. Just my opinion.

 

[Martha7]

I did it with my DS, who was around 13 at the time. We lived in Florida at the time, so a trip to WDW wasn't that huge of a deal, since we were managing to go twice a year at that point. We took a long weekend to meet up with some dear friends from Ohio who were going to be there at the same time. Since DS was closer to the friends' children, I only took him along. My older DS and my younger DS fight, and the one trip when I took them without my husband was a misery! This trip was wonderful, since we had so much time to chat while in line for rides, eating meals, etc. We had a great time meeting up with our friends, and their little daughter, who was toddling around at that time, was of great interest to my son, who followed her around so that the adults could finish our dinner at the Yachtsmen Steakhouse! WDW with only 2 people is such a pleasure also! Much easier to accomodate 2 people on rides, etc. I don't think my older DS really harbored a grudge against me for leaving him home with Dad. At the time, he said, "I can't believe you're not taking me!", but he never mentioned it later. He had his own friends at 15, had a part-time job, etc. He might have killed me had it been a trip to Universal, however! I say, go ahead and take the trip. Is a 3 year old boy going to even realize what's happening? My kids were always fairly clueless, and as long as you can get your DD not to run around talking about it every minute, you should be fine. Just make sure you do something one on one with your DS to make up for it later! (You'll surely never get away with a trip with him and not your older DD however!)

 

[jeannej]

I have two kids (DD age 6, and DS age 3). We are going as a family this September (including mother-in-law) and staying at YC for a relaxing 8 night stay. I was thinking of going back with just DD next Feb (president's weekend). I thought it would give us a chance to bond one-on-one. Has anyone ever done this before? I was thinking of a 4 park trip ( 4 or 5 nights). I need tips, advice, suggesstions. What resort would be best considering we plan on being at the parks all day. Also, I assume that I won't be able to go on any of the adult rides ( TOT, RRC, MS) because she can't go on. I guess that Disney does not have a system that would allow her to wait next to a CM at the ride (much like baby swap) while I ride. If not, it's OK, this trip is really about Father/Daughter bonding.

The only time I have done this is, is in conjuction with a school trip. I chaparoned and had a terrific time with both my son and daughter seperately.
I am not sure I would take my children seperately on my own. Way too much drama as my children are now teenagers and I would get the "that's not fair" rant.

jeannej

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi, I believe the OP is the dad that wants to take his 6 yo daughter. Mom will be home with the 3 yo, right? I say go for it. The 3 yo will be happy to have Mom all to himself. I bet Mom can plan some fun things for him.

I alternate trips between taking my 6 yo DGS and taking my teenager due to her school schedule. I have taken two trips alone with DGS when he was 5 and 6. We have some very special memories of these trips and there are plenty of opportunities for bonding in WDW, IMO.

As far as where to stay, I would go with what you can afford or what you want to spend. Since you are staying near Epcot in Sept, maybe you could stay near MK at a monorail resort, if money is not a concern. We have stayed at Poly and Pop and both were great choices imo, it's all about what you would like to spend. A monorail resort is a great choice, but with a heavy price tag. Lately, I have decided I would rather save money and not stay deluxe unless I had very small children. In my experience, Pop and the Mods are great.

And you're right. Before you leave, you must accept the idea that you cannot ride many of the adult rides, depending on your daughter's daredevil level. I wouldn't try to convince her to go on rides she doesn't want to go on, even if you think she can handle it. It's easy to get caught up in the moment at WDW and try to "get your moneys worth," but a child getting scared on just one ride may cause her to not want to ride anything, including tame rides like Dumbo, even if she has already gone on it with no problems.

As DGS got older it was a little more difficult not to be able to enjoy attractions I thought he could handle, like Goofy's Barnstormers, but I didn't want to force him. One year, we didn't get to ride Pirates of Caribb. because he was a little frightened on it the previous year when he was 4. Needless to say it was hard to accept being at WDW and not riding Pirates, but these are the things you have to accept without making the child feel bad that you are unable to ride because they won't go on it. It can turn a good trip into a bad one in a hurry. Haven't we all seen adults forcing kids onto rides, the kids are screaming, and everyone else around them has a miserable riding experience? Sorry, I hope I'm not coming off as preachy, but you asked for tips, advice, and suggestions.

I think you will get a better handle on your decision whether to go in Feb or not, after your Sept trip. Good luck and have fun at YC. We have stayed there and loved it. The outdoors area at night is so fun and festive.

Tink

 

[slk537]

I think you should go for it! When I was growing up, my dad took my older brother and me on separate bonding trips and we both loved it. I was happy to stay home with my mom and be an "only child" for a while and then when it was my turn, Dad and I had a great time. We also did the family vacations, but it was really special to get all of my dad's attention for a while - father/daughter bonding is great! Your son will probably love staying with his mom especially if you promise to take him at some point and she plans something special for them while you're gone. I have a 3 year old DS now and although he'd be irritated if we left him at home, we've teased him about him staying with his Grandpa while we go to WDW and he's sorely tempted to stay home if he can be with my dad the whole time. Of course, this is all coming not as a mom of two kids, but as a former child with a sibling

As to where to stay? Monorail resort would be my advice. And maybe surprise your little princess with a breakfast at the castle or dinner at 1900 PF for some princess interaction. And if you go to 1900 PF, maybe order the special slipper dessert for her? Very sweet (assuming she's into princesses I suppose!) and very unexpected from Dad.

Enjoy your September trip! And keep an eye out for the attractions and characters, etc that she is drawn to for planning your special trip...!

 

[spaceacewannabe]

I say do it! I didn't get many opportunities like that with my dad, and I wonder if we'd be closer if I had...I also have a sister that is three years younger, same age difference between your daughter & son. Mom, sister, & I all agree that at age three, it really is nice for your son to get time alone with mom (my sister LOVED even a short time with mom to herself at that age). I think it's a really neat idea; I'm jealous

 

[TinkerbellMama]

The only version of this I would ever consider (when I have more than one child, LOL) is splitting up...dh takes one child to one park for some alone time while I take the other to another park. But do what you think is right.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Its just that my dh does not like Disney

What?!?!?!?!?
Have you considered divorce???
JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!

 

[Marseeya]

I think it's a wonderful idea and one I would dearly love to do with my two kids, but DH would kill me if I ever thought of going to WDW without him I think it's extremely important for kids to get quality one on one time with their parents.

I don't think the three year old will ever know the difference and you can make it up to him in the future.

 

[KittyKitty]

I don't know what your financial situation is, but I find 6 yr olds would love the value resorts. The huge icons at Pop were a big hit with my niece. Along with the pools.

You're probably her knight in shining armor(sp?) already, and as a daughter myself, anywhere you take her would be wonderful to her. This could become the trip of a lifetime for her.

And speaking of knights, a Princess meal would be a bonus!!!

Have a great time!!!

 

[mommykds]

As far as trying to bond with your children individually I like to take take my 9 year old dd out to a movie that her 4 & 6 year old siblings would not see. We go to McDonald's & have some "girl chat". I've taken her to a broadway show (again something the 2 younger ones wouldn't sit through) & we've gone to American Girl Doll Place in NYC for lunch & the show there...

My DH would take the 2 little ones to chuck e cheese so they have some special time with Daddy...DH will take my DS who is 6 out to the ball field to throw the baseball around & then for some ice cream. My littliest dd went with me to get a manicure & she got one too...thats how we try to make each child feel special. They do need "alone" time with their parents & I think parents need it too so they can fully appreciate each child for the special things that are indivdually to them.

But never would I dream of going to WDW without all of my children.
No flames, thats just my opinion.

 

[Corky's Mom]

We started doing this a few years ago. Each child gets their own weekend at Disney with either me or my husband. It is something we have all come to look forward to. It is a great bonding experience. My youngest was only 6 when we started this and would not ride a lot of the rides. We still had an amazing weekend. Right now my middle daughter and I are planning our Labor Day weekend there. Go and have a fantastic time!

 

[pearlieq]

I don't get what the big deal is? The 3 year old is young enough not to really care, plus will have some uninterrupted time with the other parent for fun. If the kids were older I could see it being an issue, but it sounds like a very nice, special father-daugther experience.

Hope you have a great time!!!