Traveling alone w/child: Crazy?

[Mama Twinkles]

Hello, All. Could anyone tell me what it's REALLY like traveling alone w/a child? Would be going in busy (but not busiest) March w/a 6-year-old for four days and nights. I am feeling really anxious about this for two reasons: Being away from family in a distant state, and being alone w/my little one w/no help for days on end. I'm also questioning whether it is wise to spend so very much money for a potentially stressful and necessarily short vacation. I've done lots of hard things in my life, but I do find parenting challenging even on a good day when there's no break for me (even though my kiddo is both fun and well behaved). When we go w/others there is respite for me and the trip is longer. I truly value your honest opinions, and thank you very much in advance.

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi Moma -- I am a single parent of 2 and on our first trip to Disney in 2001 my DD was 8 and my DS was 5 .. WE had sooo much fun .. we did set up rules before we left about being good and listening holding hands and bathroom visits ( my DS was and still is at age 8 good about using the ladies room if i say so ) I also used one of the disney child care centers to get out to DTD for some Xmas shopping . they give you a pager feed them dinner and play games and stuff . i was gone for about 2.5-3 hours and it was so nice ! but the other times we were together 24/7 .. We have been back every year since .. that is how much fun and great memories we have had - its great to leave all your grown up worries at the door even if just for a short time and enjoy all that Disney offers !!! go have fun !! Michelle

 

[dturner]

I'm not a single parent, but I traveled alone with DS (8) who was 6 at the time to WDW in Sept. 2002; we stayed for 6 nights at the All Star Sports, I found that going out early in the morning then coming back and taking a break during the hottest part of the day was a real lifesaver for me.

I don't think your going to have any problems.

 

[Momof5cubs]

I went alone last summer with my youngest son, who was 5 at the time. We had a great time! We flew into MCO from CT, took Tiffany Town car to our resort (Animal Kingdom Lodge), and spent 4 days in the parks. I never felt stressed out being the only adult. It was a wonderful bonding experience for us. Have fun!

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I went in October just me and my 4 and 2 year old sons. We had a great time! I would do it again in a heartbeat if I had the chance!

 

[Jen D]

It's intense, but it is awesome! I did it with my five year old and we had an amazing time. I usually went to bed when she did! So I got plenty of rest. It really isn't that stressful. Disney is so tailored to making a parent's job eaiser that it really isn't that hard! It was in some ways my favorite trip I've ever had.

If you can spare the money you could drop your child at a care center for a couple hours and treat yourself to a grown-up dinner to clear your head. Your child might like chilling with other kids.

 

[Mama Twinkles]

Thank you all for your rapid replies! I am amazed and relieved that there is not a discouraging word among them. Of course, you are probably brave souls to begin with or you would not have undertaken your trips, but I have a few brave bones in my body, too, and am definitely feeling emboldened by your experiences. Anyone who wouldn't do it again? I welcome any and all input and advice. The childcare club is a great idea. Thanks again.

 

[dturner]

Thank you all for your rapid replies! I am amazed and relieved that there is not a discouraging word among them. Of course, you are probably brave souls to begin with or you would not have undertaken your trips, but I have a few brave bones in my body, too, and am definitely feeling emboldened by your experiences. Anyone who wouldn't do it again? I welcome any and all input and advice. The childcare club is a great idea. Thanks again.

No, in fact I'm planning another trip with DS(8) in May and once again leaving DH at home (poor DH he just doesn't understand the Magic of Disney). I'm looking forward to it. As one poster said, I also went to bed when he did every night which was before 10:00 - but I got lots of sleep which is needed at Disney.

 

[justhat]

I took a trip alone with my daughter this past December, and she was only 9 months old! I really wanted to take her to see the Christmas parade (she loves characters!) and the Osborne lights (yep, loves lights too) and figured she's only going to be this age and be so excited she jumps up and down at a Christmas light once and I'm not back in work yet so I might as well take advantage of my time with my daughter. We both had a great time and I would definitely not hesitate to take her back alone. My husband was able to get away for the weekend, so he joined us for 2 nights (baby and I were in our room at ASMu by noon on Friday and stayed till Tuesday afternoon and DH arrived around midnight Friday and left Sunday afternoon), mostly cause he wanted to come, but partially cause I thought I'd get bored alone with an infant.

It wasn't too scary for me also because I went to DL when she was 6 months with my mom on a convention so I was alone in the parks all day while my mom was in meetings. At that time my daughter loved the Pooh ride (and at DL there was NEVER a wait for it) so she and I rode that over and over.

The only thing I was a bit nervous about was staying in the room alone with the baby everynight, just cause you never know when a weirdo will find out you're alone and stuff. I told the CM when I checked in that I wanted a room on the main path, as close to the main building as possible since I would be alone most of the trip and she was very nice and gave me a room in the 1st non-preferred building. I had flown alone with her a few times already so that wasn't an issue.

It was great to have my husband there (as always) but I have to admit it was nice to be there alone with the baby too. We moved at our own pace and saw only the attractions I thought she'd like best (which we did with my husband, but he also had to ride Space Mtn, ToT, TT, and RnRC while we waited).

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

DH is attending training at the Disney Institute next month, and DS and I are tagging along. (DS will turn three while we're there.) We won't be alone in the room, of course, but it will be just the two of us in the parks the majority of the time. I think DH is more worried about it than I am. DS and I will just go at a slower pace than I'm accustomed to...he is old enough to understand that I can't hold him AND push the stroller, and that is generally our biggest problem while there~he wants me to hold him. I am actually really looking forward to it!

 

[Mama Twinkles]

More encouraging responses! Thank you for sharing your experiences. It is lovely that you enjoyed yourselves so much and are even making repeat trips. Were any of you quite anxious beforehand? That's how I'm feeling right now, though less so because of your words.

GADisneygirl, I remember well that stage of a little one's wanting to be carried while you push the stroller. Good luck w/that, and have a wonderful time.

 

[dturner]

More encouraging responses! Thank you for sharing your experiences. It is lovely that you enjoyed yourselves so much and are even making repeat trips. Were any of you quite anxious beforehand? That's how I'm feeling right now, though less so because of your words.

GADisneygirl, I remember well that stage of a little one's wanting to be carried while you push the stroller. Good luck w/that, and have a wonderful time.

I was quite anxious before but only because of flying - one year after 9/11 and I flew on 9/17 - I was nervous but everything turned out fine.

 

[bigsis1970]

I was just a little we flew on Dec 1 2001 ( very soon after 9/11 ) but I wanted to give my children some awesome memories of their poor tired stressed mom having the time of her life with them .. so off we went .. I bought a cell phone and carried everyplace we went called home from the parks and such and yes as the other posters have said going to bed with them at night gave us all plenty of rest for the busy day ahead.. Michelle

 

[TiggerPiglet]

I just traveled alone with my two DD's (9 & 5) for the first time this past November and it worked out fine. We stayed at the Pop and I had asked to be in a well-lit and well-traveled section of the building since I was traveling alone with the kids and they put me right in front of the pool, you can't get more lit and more traveled than that
I really thought I'd be nervous, especially at night, without my DH there, but we had such a great time, I forgot to be nervous

 

[Mama Twinkles]

In my saner moments I realize that anxiety about being alone w/my child for four days in a wondrous place should be the worst of my problems in life. It's not quite up there with, say, people who lose their spouses and raise five kids alone every day. So maybe my "problem" is actually a luxury, though those of us who get panicky know that's not an easy thing to cope with. Anyhow, just wanted to thank you all for allaying my fairly petty but heartfelt concerns. Your positive experiences are very calming and reassuring.

 

[F1Julie]

Don't worry, you'll be fine and you and your child will have a great time. I'm a single mom, and DD4 and I love going to WDW just the 2 of us. I actually prefer to travel with just us 2. We get to do whatever we want, when we want. I've traveled with other family members as well, and it seems the more people on the trip, the more difficult it can be since there are more opinions and ideas of what to do. I don't know how familes go in large groups or do Grand Gatherings. Now that does not sound like a vacation to me. I'd much rather have a trip for 2. It's also easy to get tables for 2 and find seating at shows and restaurants. You'll have a blast.

 

[newholidayx2]

Thanks everyone - DS (who will be 13) & I are taking our first ever WDW vacation this coming August.
When he was 4 we took off to NH for a wk, the 2 of us have flown to FL to meet DH & MIL after they drove down but we have never taken a FL vacation just the 2 of us
We never had to get ourselves to Disney. Disney is making that easy for us this yr.
I cant wait!

 

[bigsis1970]

Barb - you will have a great time - how is Jon ? Michelle

 

[minkydog]

I have made several trips alone with my children, together and separately. I love traveling with them. One of the most fun trips I ever did was when my DD was about 8yo. We were driving down from Tennessee when I was just overcome by fatigue and nearly sideswiped a bridge. I pulled off onto the next exit and pulled into a Cracker Barrel, thinking maybe I'd get a snack. Uh-oh...DD was sound asleep. What's a mom to do? Hah! I found "blankie" bunched up on the floor, covered myself with that, tipped the seat back and off to La-La land I went. Two hours later, DD wakes up, I wake up and we go inside & eat. My DD, now 11, still recalls that trip whenever she sees Cracker Barrel.

 

[HM]

I've taken solo trip with each of my two children. They loved being with me for a long weekend and having all the focus on what they wanted to do. I usually planned which park to visit which day and let my child help decide what we would do. With my son, we spent every afternoon at the pool and every evening after the parks watching Toon Disney. He loved it. My daughter loved to do certain rides over and over, so we'd do that (would never work with the whole family).

Also, don't be shy if you are feeling the need to talk to another adult. Strike up conversations when waiting in line or on the buses. You'll feel a lot less alone if you do that. I think the four days will be about perfect for you. Have fun!