Traveling to WDW with an only child

[GatorGirl]

Just looking to see if anyone has some suggestions on really anything related to WDW - we are taking our 9 1/2 year old DD for a long weekend in mid September. It is just the 3 of us and while she is relatively happy with our family the way it is sometimes I think she really wishes for a sibling when we are on these types of trips.........

Advice, experiences or suggestions are appreciated if you have them give!

 

[RMulieri]

I have an 8 yr old daughter and she is an only.She has never expressed any complaints about it only being the 3 of us on vacation.Now that may change as she gets older, but when we go as a family , it is to spend time together as a family.We do lots of things she likes to do and enjoy our trips very much.SHe has no problem playing with other kids when we are at the pools etc.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I'm interested to see what others may suggest. We have an only child, but he's 2.5, so he still thinks we're REALLY awesome.

I'd say, make your own fun. Let her take control. Give her the map, let her lead the adventure. At that age I adored playing with my Dad in the pool and trying to 'drown' him. So just play and let loose and have fun with each other. Also, if you haven't done the Sorcerers scavenger hunt in the Magic Kingdom, that's pretty cool and something you could have fun doing together, you sign up at the Fire Station on Main Street.

 

[tralin]

I'm interested to see what others may suggest. We have an only child, but he's 2.5, so he still thinks we're REALLY awesome.

I'd say, make your own fun. Let her take control. Give her the map, let her lead the adventure. At that age I adored playing with my Dad in the pool and trying to 'drown' him. So just play and let loose and have fun with each other. Also, if you haven't done the Sorcerers scavenger hunt in the Magic Kingdom, that's pretty cool and something you could have fun doing together, you sign up at the Fire Station on Main Street.

I am an only child, well into my adult years now, but I had lots of family trips with just me and my mom and dad. The PP is spot on. Let her take the lead, let her make as many of the decisions as you are comfortable with, keep her busy and make her feel special and she won't even notice she's alone. I love the Sorcerers idea.

 

[bumbershoot]

My son has seen his cousins fight and argue (usually b/c the younger one is getting into the older one's Legos) during our trips to WDW, and those moments make him really glad he is still an only.

She's got you to herself, she doesn't have to deal with "baby" rides, or wait out rides she can't go on (not that there are likely any she can't do at this age, of course). At this age she can probably go go go as long as you guys want to, with no worries about baby-naps or teenage tantrums, etc etc.


Just go and enjoy!

 

[mwmom]

You may find that on other vacations she misses having a friend, but I'll bet at Disney she will have so much fun since it is all geared towards her age.

I have taken DD to Disney 3 times and her favorite time was when it was just us with no cousins there as all of our plans pretty much revolved around what she wanted to do.

 

[joanchris]

Just looking to see if anyone has some suggestions on really anything related to WDW - we are taking our 9 1/2 year old DD for a long weekend in mid September. It is just the 3 of us and while she is relatively happy with our family the way it is sometimes I think she really wishes for a sibling when we are on these types of trips.........

Advice, experiences or suggestions are appreciated if you have them give!

My daughter's best friend is an only child, she frequently goes to Disney with her mom only, sometimes dad too. They love their trips! Trip years ago they (mom and daughter) brought my daughter along, they had a blast then too. (the girls had just turned 12 at the time). I'm sure she'll have a great time, maybe if she had a good friend, another trip down the road she could bring the friend.

 

[dsneprincess]

My son was an only child for his first 9&1/2 years. There are days, especially at Disney, where he would sell the interloper (little brother!) REAL cheap as the stroller & everything else slows him down. He is a great, patient older brother most days, but never minded when he got to pick what, when & where at Disney. He really noticed the difference this time as DisneyQuest time was severely curtailed!

 

[Dani C]

My daughter had no issues when she was little as she made friends easily and found people to play with in the pool. When she got older, 15, we took a friend along.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I am an only child, well into my adult years now, but I had lots of family trips with just me and my mom and dad. The PP is spot on. Let her take the lead, let her make as many of the decisions as you are comfortable with, keep her busy and make her feel special and she won't even notice she's alone. I love the Sorcerers idea.

AGREE!! You could also invite a friend if DD wants to. My parents did this and it was fun when I was older. But honestly I treasured time with my parents on vacation.

 

[Missy13d69]

I was an only child for the first 12 years of my life. I never "missed" having siblings when we did things. My parents were always very engaged and hands on, so I always had a lot of fun. If you go about it the right way, your child will be just as happy as a child with siblings, maybe even more fun because they don't have to share the experience.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I was an only child for the first 12 years of my life. I never "missed" having siblings when we did things. My parents were always very engaged and hands on, so I always had a lot of fun. If you go about it the right way, your child will be just as happy as a child with siblings, maybe even more fun because they don't have to share the experience.

Nor I! Never wanted siblings, just a dog.

 

[gr8leg8]

We have done it both ways
DD(10) with Mom (and Dad)
and with cousin who is also an only and 6 months younger.
Grandma & Grandpa came too.
it was crazy fun, but different kinda trip.

the girls feed off each other and get giddy
Brave cousin gets our DD to try the big rides
more plates on the table to sample from

My favorite trips are just the three of us.

 

[anc876]

I was an only child for the first 12 years of my life. I never "missed" having siblings when we did things. My parents were always very engaged and hands on, so I always had a lot of fun. If you go about it the right way, your child will be just as happy as a child with siblings, maybe even more fun because they don't have to share the experience.

We have one child so far and both of us grew up with siblings. I think it's wonderful that you had such a full childhood! From my perspective as a middle child, I wanted to add that part of the fun and the magic of childhood was having my siblings there with whom to share everything!

 

[Kristian]

I'm glad you asked this question, because i'm curious myself.

My dd, who will be turning 4 in November, is an only child right now and were getting ready to head to Disney for her first trip in a week Even though our dd is still pretty young, she has actually asked for a brother or sister (prefarably a sister at her request). When we decided to plan our first family Disney trip together, I wondered about the whole "only child" thing too. We've been to a few amusement parks, however we've always taken a niece or nephew with us, so this trip will be a first where its just dh, dd, and myself. Dd has asked if her cousins are going with us and i've been honest and just told her that they will all be in school during this trip and she doesn't seem to be bothered by it. Even though dh and I have been planning another baby for a while, I actually wanted to make a trip to Disney with just our dd before another baby came along. We have had some fertility issues so when things didn't go as planned, I jumped into Disney planning mode and began putting together our trip. I'm trying to make things as memorable as possible. Were doing MNSSHP, dd has a BBB appointment, were doing a few character meals, etc. I have also made dd a really nice autograph book also. We of course will take other Disney trips, but I wanted her first to be special, especially before we add anyone else to the mix

 

[runsandjumps]

I remember my trip to Disneyland as an only child and it was great. What's not to love about undivided attention and parents who can join in the fun. Sounds great to me. Btw I have three kids and I am thinking of doing trips with each child separately based on their interests so they can experience things without each other.

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

This year has been the first year our daughter (12) has started hinting that it would be amazing to take a friend along. Think at the age they want a tiny bit of freedom and to experience rides etc with someone closer to their own age!!

Although I know when we get there she'll love it!

Generally she doesn't mind being an only child (I'm also an only child), so I can empathise with her a lot, but usually Im pointing out the benefits of it!!

 

[Happiest mommy]

maybe you could take a friend/cousin along to share in the fun

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

When you go to disney I don't thnk she will miss not having any peers along with her. As others have mentioned she can take the lead and can do all the things she wants to do without the worry of what her friend/cousin/sibling wants to do.

Also most Disney rides seat 3, so I think that is so cool that you can all ride together.

Now if you go on another vacation, to where she will not be as entertained, I would suggest bringing a friend.

When we went to visit my dad's friends, I was allowed to bring a friend. I think I was in 4 or 5 grade. This was so I would have someone to talk to, so the adults could talk.

I'm sure you will all have a great time! I remember all of the vacations with my parents, it did not matter if a friend came or not.

 

[CammelleandBre]

My daughter is an only child, and I'm a single parent. We took our first (just us) trip in Sept. 2010 and she had a blast. In fact my daughter has told me point blank she does not want any siblings. I told her you do not have to worry about that one your enough .