Tips for mom traveling alone with young son?

[IdaTink]

I'm taking my newly turned 7-year-old DS to Disneyland in three weeks, and I would love any tips from moms (or dads) who have taken their younger children to DLR by themselves. (My husband doesn't have as much vacay time as I do, so he's staying behind to refinish our wood floors. Hey, his choice. But thanks, honey.)

I think my son can navigate the men's room by himself, because I have drilled safety into his head, without, I hope, scaring him. But I'm sure I'll be glued to the entrance waiting for him. If I do need to take him into the women's room with me, will I get rude looks?

Anything else I should know about traveling solo with him? (We are planning rope drops, grabbing FP for later, afternoon breaks, and I'll have RideMax plans with me.)

TIA

 

[gatorfreud]

I haven't been to DLR with my kids alone, but we travel other places quite frequently without dad.

Make sure to point out CMs and what kinds of nametags they wear in case he gets lost. Although not very likely since you're one-on-one.

I have boys 5 and 7 and I always take them in the women's room with me.

Kim

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

A one-on-one trip sounds very fun.

I didn't let either of my boys go to the restrooms alone when they were 7, and I did not feel bad about taking them to the women's room with me, nor did I receive any dirty looks that I observed. In such a big, busy place as Disney, I would feel better about taking him with me to the restroom.

Always make sure your son knows your next destination in case you do somehow get separated. If he isn't able to navigate the park enough to find it, make sure he knows to go to a CM if he gets separated from you. We have so far not had any incidents, but my sons have always felt more secure when carrying a card with our names and cell phone numbers on them.

Take a picture of your son at the beginning of the day on the camera you will carry with you so that you have a recent picture to refer to and know what clothes he is wearing.

Anyway, enough of all these precautions. Have a great time!

 

[barefootmomma]

My son is much younger (3), but we almost always go just he and I. My one tip that hasn't much to do with safety, but more to do with practicality is to take advantage of Disney transportation if need be. Use the train, use the Main Street vehicles, etc if he gets tired to get to and from for breaks, etc. Have fun!

 

[tdashgirl]

I think my son can navigate the men's room by himself, because I have drilled safety into his head, without, I hope, scaring him. But I'm sure I'll be glued to the entrance waiting for him. If I do need to take him into the women's room with me, will I get rude looks?

I think you'll be fine taking him with you. Seeing a 7 year old boy in the women's restroom wouldn't bother me one bit. Have a great trip!

 

[Lissame]

If you can swing it, I highly recommend going on the Discover the Magic tour. We did this a few weeks ago and my kids loved it. They said it was one of the most favorite things they've done at DL.

It's like a treasure hunt around the park with rides thrown in.

 

[ktlm]

It does not bother me a bit to see a mother bring a boy that age into the women's restroom. We saw it quite a bit at DL in June. Safety first! (If someone gives you a dirty look- who cares! That person probably isn't a parent, or has forgotten what it was like to have young kids. It's not like your kid will be peeking under the stalls (I hope))

 

[carebee21]

I travel alone with my son pretty frequently. I don't allow my son to use the mens room at Disneyland. Not that it's not safe, there's just too many people and I don't want to lose him. I just take him into the womens room with me and I've never gotten a strange look. I also pound into his head that it's safe to talk to cast members if he gets lost because he's pretty shy and would probably just stand there crying.

Aside from that, there's no other tips or tricks. I love the time I get to spend alone with m son and for us, it's really nice. My husband isn't much of a Disney fan (I know, it's awful ) but it's nice to not have to listen to his whining about line sizes, prices and crowds!

 

[jacky b]

I took my son by myself when he was 7 and I always took him in the Women's bathroom, you won't get any funny looks. It may be DL but there are still strange people out there! Just make sure he has your cell phone number in the event you get separated and have him go into a store or an outdoor vendor and find a cast member if that happens.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

DD & I spent her 7th B~day at DLR earlier this month - just the 2 of us, we had such a great time we're gonna visit again next year for her 8th B~day! I didn't have to worry about the restroom thing ~ maybe have him use a family restroom when you find one or you could use the restrooms in the Baby Center or 1st Aid or just bring him into the ladies room. Have fun!

 

[MomToOne]

Anything else I should know about traveling solo with him? (We are planning rope drops, grabbing FP for later, afternoon breaks, and I'll have RideMax plans with me.)

TIA

Just remember to slow down sometimes, and just enjoy spending the time with each other! I am a single parent, and have done either DL or WDW every summer with my now DD10 since she was 5. I find I sometimes get caught up with having to see and do everything I read about on disboards and other places, and forget to stop and just have FUN with my daughter!!!

Also, I wouldn't plan to be there at rope drop every day. Lots of sleep is a necessary thing for kids when they've been running around Disney the day before! Especially when you keep them up later than they've been used to to see fireworks and such

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Also, I wouldn't plan to be there at rope drop every day. Lots of sleep is a necessary thing for kids when they've been running around Disney the day before! Especially when you keep them up later than they've been used to to see fireworks and such

Yeah, sometimes we have a sleep in day or two depending on how long we're staying. On a sleep in day, we often start at DCA and/or go out to breakfast first. If you still happen to be at the esplanade early enough before DCA opens though, it's nice to pop into Disneyland if the lines are short, grab a fastpass for something, and then exit right back out to get in line for DCA. Then whenever you're done with DCA, you can still get another fastpass for Disneyland and have stuff to do there in the afternoon/evening.

 

[IdaTink]

Thanks for the great replies and advice! I feel much better about taking him into the women's restrooms. We've never been in summer before, and with all the crowds, I'll feel better with him right there with me. And thanks also for the touring tips.

 

[momtotwolittleones]

My boys are 9 and 6. I generally let my 9yo go into the men's room by himself, but in super crowded areas I sometimes still have him come in with me. I'd rather get a dirty look than have something awful happen.

 

[goldies 5]

I agree wtih everyone else. I also have boys 5 and 7. They either go with me, dad, or an older sibling. The bathrooms there can get very chaotic at times. I have never encountered a single person who had a problem with this.

 

[disneymum58]

I often travel with one of my boys by myself and I wouldn't have a problem seeing a boy in the women's restroom. My problem is that DS7 absolutely refuses to go in the ladies. So I anxiously wait outside while he goes in the men's. He goes straight in and out and we haven't had any problems. He will also sit and wait for me while I use the ladies, and I haven't worried too much about leaving him for a few minutes. I told him if anyone bothers him "to scream his head off". Maybe I'm being to nieve (sp?) but I can't imagine anything happening in such a crowded place. I may get some criticism for doing this, but that's the way we do it.
I love spending one on one time with my boys and we have a great time. I also highly recommend the Discover the Magic Tour. In crowds we hold hands and thankfully he doesn't think he's too old for that.

 

[Fire Ohana]

Last year I took my then 8 year old daughter to Disneyland by myself. One of the best pieces of advice I can give, is to start a tradition that is just for you and your son. My husband is a get in, ride the rides, and get out kinda guy. Not a bad thing, but he doesn't soak in the ambiance like I like to. Last year (for the first time ever), the Kidlet and I rode the double decker bus down Main Street, and ate at Cafe Orleans. So, when we go in November, we'll do those two things, and maybe add something else. That way, when we go as a family, my husband is happy - and when the Kidlet and I go alone, we have our own Mother/Daughter traditions.

 

[MulanFan]

I think you will be fine too, and taking him into the women's restroom should be fine at his age. Better safe than sorry.

If you have a lanyard, put a card in the plastic pocket with your cellphone on it. Even if he has it memorized, he may forget in his panic if you get separated. Or, write it on his wrist with a sharpie.

We had a whistle on DD's lanyard. If she can't see us, she is to stay in the same spot and blow the whistle really loud so we can find her. Forget about trying to hear her over the crowd. I try to remind her about it periodically throughout the day.

As long as you have a plan, you will be fine. And do rest and take things slow some of the time. Have fun!

 

[Amommy21]

DS is going on 9 and small for his age and he always goes to public restrooms with me if DH isn't with us. ANyone who has a problem with it can get over it.

 

[disneydreamerbelle]

There is a family restroom off to the side of the Carnation Plaza Garden area between the back entrance to Rancho DZ and the Castle. We always try to go there if possible, but I wouldn't think twice about taking him to the Women's room.