Traveling alone with child/children..

[Kimberly9701]

I know that I've had a lot of questions with DCL and Disney World about traveling just me and my child. There are categories for just about everyone else, and it might be helpful for others like me to go to one spot .

 

[dkmulder]

In the Disney for Families board, there is a sub-board for single parents, also one for fathers

 

[Kimberly9701]

In the Disney for Families board, there is a sub-board for single parents, also one for fathers

I didn't know that. Thanks! The cruise section does not have one though...which would be great since that is the one I had more questions, like to read experiences about.

 

[minnie mum]

I didn't know that. Thanks! The cruise section does not have one though...which would be great since that is the one I had more questions, like to read experiences about.

Then start one. Or at least a thread. If there's enough interest, it will develop.

 

[Kimberly9701]

@Lisa F

I tried this awhile ago.. Lol

The one under "Disney for families" doesn't seem to get much activity

 

[Lisa F]

well maybe it will just be the two of us, lol. I know there are only a few boards I tend to frequent so time to expand my horizons.

I bought DVC with my ex back in 1999 and after the dust from our divorce settled we decided to share our last remaining contract, so I get 130 points roughly every other year for the low low price of $35/month in dues. Having DVC helps enormously but it still takes me about 2 years to really save for a disney trip for everything else.

I switched jobs recently (I am a kitchen designer) and one of the cabinet lines i sell has a "reward" program where I can earn target gift cards and I turn them into disney gift cards. Any little bonuses (spiffs or otherwise) also go toward my trip. I pay things off as I go and hope to have about $1k on a gift card for a few OOP meals second half of trip and tips, souvenirs and incidentals. Some prices are just fixed - tickets, transportation etc. If I went easier on the dining and souvenirs etc I probably still would not be able to go THAT much more often (plus having to budget the points) so I'd rather go less frequently and feel deprived in NOTHING and never say no to my child (who hears it on what feels like a constant basis in real life) than worry about budgeting and go more frequently. Plus it makes it that much more special for him.

 

[Kimberly9701]

well maybe it will just be the two of us, lol. I know there are only a few boards I tend to frequent so time to expand my horizons.

I bought DVC with my ex back in 1999 and after the dust from our divorce settled we decided to share our last remaining contract, so I get 130 points roughly every other year for the low low price of $35/month in dues. Having DVC helps enormously but it still takes me about 2 years to really save for a disney trip for everything else.

I switched jobs recently (I am a kitchen designer) and one of the cabinet lines i sell has a "reward" program where I can earn target gift cards and I turn them into disney gift cards. Any little bonuses (spiffs or otherwise) also go toward my trip. I pay things off as I go and hope to have about $1k on a gift card for a few OOP meals second half of trip and tips, souvenirs and incidentals. Some prices are just fixed - tickets, transportation etc. If I went easier on the dining and souvenirs etc I probably still would not be able to go THAT much more often (plus having to budget the points) so I'd rather go less frequently and feel deprived in NOTHING and never say no to my child (who hears it on what feels like a constant basis in real life) than worry about budgeting and go more frequently. Plus it makes it that much more special for him.

I changed the name...maybe it will gain traction. We can't be the only two who travel with children!lol

That's great about the rewards program! And your job sounds exciting!!!!

 

[Lisa F]

I changed the name...maybe it will gain traction. We can't be the only two who travel with children!lol

That's great about the rewards program! And your job sounds exciting!!!!

Whenever I talk about it I always say I am traveling solo with my kiddo. All of the responsibility of traveling solo is on me but with kiddo lol.

 

[china mom]

You are not alone. I often travel with just the kids (11 & 13) because DH can't get off work.

 

[DisMommyTX]

My daughter and I recently had our first ever girls getaway weekend without DH and DS. It was a VERY different experience than travelling with our whole family. She is 11 and we stayed in a Royal Guest room at POR. Absolutely fabulous trip!!

 

[Shanti]

I usually travel with my dear 11 year-old son. I can't say with "just" my son, because there's no "just" in the happy bonding we get on our Disney World trips. We took one trip with my bf a few years ago, and he liked it, but he is not the type to go again and again. In January we took a weekend getaway trip with my mother, who is getting older, while she is still able to enjoy this kind of trip. In a year or two, I may invite one of my son's friends to join us. But for now, it's the two of us, and I've found my son to be the best travel companion I've ever had. Always eager to go, enthusiastic and full of energy. Makes things so fun!

 

[anneboleyn]

This September it will be just me and DD8 and we are very excited about it! We have a lot of things that we are looking forward to, but she is definitely most excited about our planned "cupcake crawl." We were looking at all the amazing cupcakes Disney World has and couldn't decide which ones to try, so we have decided to try as many as we can handle lol

 

[happymommy]

I have taken many trips without my DH, starting when my kids were 4 and 6. Those trips have been so much fun!

Disney is a type of vacation that is so easy solo with your kids! First time was at AKL, and the zero entry pool was great. I could keep an eye on them while they played in the pool without having to swim if I didn't want to.

Last August DD and went alone, and it was so much fun! We're going again next late August again - Pop Century again as well. She & I enjoy it so much more than the others, and honestly the less people in the group the easier it is to do what we want!

 

[Kimberly9701]

This September it will be just me and DD8 and we are very excited about it! We have a lot of things that we are looking forward to, but she is definitely most excited about our planned "cupcake crawl." We were looking at all the amazing cupcakes Disney World has and couldn't decide which ones to try, so we have decided to try as many as we can handle lol

That sounds fun! I just read that a Sprinkles ATM is coming to Disney Springs! You can add that one to your list

I have taken many trips without my DH, starting when my kids were 4 and 6. Those trips have been so much fun!

Disney is a type of vacation that is so easy solo with your kids! First time was at AKL, and the zero entry pool was great. I could keep an eye on them while they played in the pool without having to swim if I didn't want to.

Last August DD and went alone, and it was so much fun! We're going again next late August again - Pop Century again as well. She & I enjoy it so much more than the others, and honestly the less people in the group the easier it is to do what we want!

Really? Can you give me lessons!!! I'll take any tips!
Out of all of the vacations we have done, WDW was one of the most difficult!lol. I think we stayed too long though, did too many character meals, and the 'real feel' was @ 104 degrees every day. I can handle that heat- my son, he was not thrilled about it. Don't get me wrong, we had a wonderful time, but our following week in Key West was great not to be so rushed all the time. Coming back from the trip I immediately started checking it to DCL to give us a little more "relaxed" Disney vacay, and only 5 days of parks this time.

 

[happymommy]

Really, my main plan was to take it slow, at the kids' pace, bring a GOOD stroller, and we didn't do ANY sit down meals. First time was only 5 days (we had annual passes), and we did enjoy pool time!

For meals, I'd have them sit at a table, then I'd go get the food for them.

Bathroom breaks were usually all of us go if one needs to, but sometimes my son would wait right outside with the stroller for me and DD.

We didn't do everything, but had a great time!

As they got older, I could take one on a ride and have the other wait at the exit with no problem. They know Disney so well, so know what they like to do and what they are either afraid of or just not interested in doing. Most rides it seemed were fine for us to go on together, like when they were really little we'd fit 3 across on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Bedtime I'd get them in their jammies after the bath, then they could watch TV or something.

At the Swan or Dolphin, I'd order kids meals from room service sometimes!

 

[Lynn1274]

Its usually me and my twins (10 yo's) most of the time. My DH works and me and the kids have been all around New England (where we live).
I've even done tent camping by myself with them since they were young.
We have been going to Disney as a family for the past 5 years and my Dh doesn't want to go this time.
I asked if he minded that I take them myself and he has no problem.
So just me and the kiddos to rock in my birthday this year!
I think the weirdest part will be the dinners. We always give Dad our leftovers lol