Update 10/06 - Would you go alone with 2 kids?

[justhat]

Right now we have 1 child who is almost 22 months and I had planned to take her to a MNSSHP this fall, by myself since it's very unlikely that my husband will be able to get time off from work. I've taken her to WDW by myself twice (my husband came, but only for part those trips, so I flew down with her alone and took her to the parks by myself) when she was 9 and 19 months. Both times we managed fine and had good trips, which is why I was planning to take her again next fall when she'll be a little over 2.5yo.

Well we just found out on Monday night that we're expecting baby #2, who is due to arrive around August 28th. So while we're thrilled about the new baby, we didn't exactly plan to have #2 right now so it sort of affects some plans we had, including this trip to MNSSHP. My husband thinks I'd be fine to travel alone with the 2 kids when the new baby is at least a month, but I have my doubts. We took Madison for her first trip when she was not quite 3 months old, so I have no problems taking a 2 month old to WDW so that's not a concern, just whether or not I can handle an infant and a 2yo by myself. Also, my daughter was born 15 days early (on her own) and weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. so I know my dr won't let me go past my due date with this one so I'm not too concerned with it being younger than 2 months (we'd go as late in October as possible).

What really makes me nervous is the flight, how I will manage with 2 kids, 2 carseats, a diaper bag, and a stroller in the airport by myself. For convenience we'd stay at either a monorail or Epcot resort, since I remember it wasn't too easy to carry my 9 month old, bag, and stroller on the buses. But then I think about actually spending all day in the park with 2 little ones by myself and wonder if that's feasible too.

I'm sure someone here has travelled alone with 2 kids before, so how have you guys done it? Would you still go on this trip, or would you just forget it and go in another year? I hesitate to do that cause I think it would be even harder to take a 3.5yo and 1yo by myself since they'll both be mobile then! I also thought about moving the trip to December and doing a MVMCP instead, but I'm a little nervous that it will be too cold for the baby to be outside all day in December. Oh, and I can't leave the baby at home, just not something I feel comfortable doing with a young infant, so that isn't an option for me. Obviously I have awhile before I have to book anything, but I'd just like to hear some thoughts from others since I love to plan in advance! Thanks guys!

 

[Marimar]

I have traveled alone w/two kids (not WDW), but they were older. No way, no how this momma would be traveling w/a toddler and an infant; plus parafanalia

Maybe just me though????

 

[disneyfreak74]

I cringe at going to the grocery store with my 2 !!! I could not imagine going to Disney with them by myself!!!

 

[deebs]

Flying with the 2 kids and dealing with security at the airport would be my problem.
I think I'd be fine once I was at the parks, but I couldn't fly on my own.

Good Luck

 

[ch261]

I wish you the best of luck if you decide to do it, but no way, no how would I ever consider it. (Just my opinion!) It takes me a good month or 2 to get back to normal myself after having a baby and feel like I'm in a routine and can function well again. I really can't imagine taking two kids that age alone to Disney World. Is there anyone else that could go with you? Could you do a weekend when DH could go? Good luck!

 

[Marimar]

Flying with the 2 kids and dealing with security at the airport would be my problem.
I think I'd be fine once I was at the parks, but I couldn't fly on my own.

Oh it was beyond a nightmare! Even w/my two being older (3,5). I was lugging both of their five point restraints (yes, they are both still safely in their five points), carry on luggage (one piece), they each had their stuffed animals, I had my camera bag and my purse. Thanks heavens for a man and his teen who helped us w/the car seats! Thank you and God bless you where ever you are!!!

And they tagged ds3 for "extra thorough" search; funny side note, the lady doing the checking told me that ds's ticket had been tagged for "extra search." She informed me that meant that his stuff was to be searched even more thorough. So I gave her "his stuff" as in his stuffed animal! LOL!! People started laughing!) So as I was placing all our stuff through the XRY machine someone takes him to the little station right beyond the xry machine. It was also comical; had to laugh otherwise I would be in tears!, when they whisked him away and made him stand w/legs and arms spread out while they waved the metal detector on the perimeter of his body. Of course, I could care less for my luggage when my son is separated from me, so I follow him and let them deal w/taking the luggage out of the que. Oh and then we have to search out our shoes. Did I mention we had to take them off right before entering the xry machine/scanning?

 

[stacy6552]

While there wont really be anything that the lil one cant do that big Sis can. you might be taking on a bit much. Keeping tabs on a 2 yr old while attended a newborn might just make you crazy.....

 

[justhat]

Yes, like I said, it's mostly the travelling that makes me nervous. With my daughter, I had a lot of pain after she was born and felt pretty crappy for about 3 weeks or so, but by the time she was 6 weeks I was back to normal. In fact, she was born 3 months before our wedding, and my bridal shower was out of state when she was 7 weeks old and we had a great time. But my husband came with me and we drove so that was much easier. It's almost a guarantee that he can't come with me cause he'll be doing the intern year of his residency and so he won't have weekends off (well, on average about 1 each month, but no guarantee of when that will be in advance) and he has to take his vacation a week at a time, only gets 3 weeks for the year, which includes holidays, and since he doesnt' start till July he can't really take off a week in October. It's possible I can get my mom to come, but no guarantees with that either, which is why I'm wondering if I can do it myself. With just me and my daughter (who I travelled alone with a lot, aside from to Disney), I'd wear her carseat in a bag on my back, wear her in a Baby Bjorn (did this till she was 14 months), put the diaper bag inside the carseat bag (which, yes, made the bag that much heavier) and then dragged the stroller along in its travel bag and gate checked it. But this time I'd have all those same components, but also my daughter walking and I'd have the infant carseat to carry too.

Oh, and they picked my daughter for the special security screening when we flew home after Thanksgiving this year. Since she didn't have any 'stuff' they looked through all of ours instead. They didn't wand her though, they said we could skip that part.

 

[andromedaslove]

I have travelled to Disney with a 4 year old and a one year old by myself, and we had the time of our lives. However, we didn't have to do anything but hop in the car and drive two hours to get there. I don't know that I would have done it if we had to hop on a plane.

Another thing to consider is that the after birth pains that you experience with your second child are usually considerably worse than they were with the first. After my first was born I was up and running like normal almost immediately. After my second I couldn't walk for weeks. Every time I stood up I got horrible pains. It was much much worse.

Dana

 

[Diz-Mommy]

Another thing to consider is that the after birth pains that you experience with your second child are usually considerably worse than they were with the first. After my first was born I was up and running like normal almost immediately. After my second I couldn't walk for weeks. Every time I stood up I got horrible pains. It was much much worse.

That was sort of my thoughts too..are you going to he healed enough to do all of that work!? Granted I had a C-section, but there would have been no way I would have even agreed for a long weekend car ride, let alone jumping on a plane!

DH and I just got back. We went with our ONE child and had so much stuff to carry. I can't imagine doing it alone. DBIL helped us going to Orlando (carry and carseat and an extra carry on), so we actually had THREE people carrying things and keeping track of "little man"! I can't imagine cutting that down to just me! Plus traveling right before the peak of cold and flu season with a newborn sounds too risky for me.

I wouldn't do it, but that just me. Congrats on baby #2 and good luck with your decision. If its any consulation...I'm sure the Halloween party will still be up and running the next year too. Plus I would think it would be more fun to go as a family. Over half of my enjoyment with Disney trips is getting alone/relax time with my family.

 

[justhat]

I completely agree that it's more fun to go as a family, but my husband won't really have set time off in advance for the next 4 years so that doesn't do me much good. And if I wait till he finishes his residency in 2010 we'll probably have our 3rd by then!

I hadn't thought about after burth pains though. I didn't have any of that with my daughter, I was just sore from all the internal stitches (the forceps cut me) and then sick from double mastitis. That's something to consider though.

 

[WDWfor5]

AS much as I'm usually up for most things (I have DD 6, DS 4 and DS 2), this would be too much for me. Some of the things that would worry me is: what if everything with the birth doesn't go as planned - c-section, complications, etc. Unless you would have no cancellation fees and waited until after the baby to book your airline tickets, I personally wouldn't risk it. The other is you don't know the new baby's temperment yet. My DD was a dream - slept through the night at 5 days old, loved being held, was an easy nurser, etc. My 3rd (DS 2) was the exact opposite - slept in 45 min spurts, took weeks to figure out the breastfeeding thing, made me totally exhausted for months. So with no way to predict, I'd wait until they're older or until DH can join you.

Good luck with whatever you decide and with baby #2

 

[Gymbomom]

Have you thought of bringing help? I know many 18-20 year olds who would love to go to Disney.
Paying for their way would be payment enough!!

You have 9 months to network and find someone you and your children love!!!

 

[MamaLema]

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't do it myself.

If the kids were older, yes, but not a toddler and infant.

 

[tjmw2727]

My dd's are 26 months apart and I have traveled alone with one or both since they were born. DH dosen't love Disney like we do so when he has the rare vacation he would rather visit another destination!!

The first time with both alone was when my oldest was a month shy of 3 and my youngest was 9 months. Honestly thinking back I don't think the enjoyment factor would have outweight the stress factor prior to that point. Oh and - and don't worry it just gets more and more fun every year.

Back to you - you are right the difficult time is going to be the flight and transportation to Disney proper. I would consider using ME with grocery delivery so you have some things for the baby and 2yo at normal prices in the room. I would also consider skipping the CRS for your older dd in the flight?? It may not be in your comfort level but she will likely be close to the age where the CRS is no longer a proven benefit. If she is the type that will sit buckled and color, draw or watch video this may help your logistic issue. Since you have already done the deal with one CRS you will know the drill. You can use the stroller for the 2yo and wear the baby. My sil has a great CRS bag that has wheels so you won't have to wear that too!

I agree with the poster who suggested if you do make arrangements make sure you don't have cancellation fees. This way if you change your mind and want to postpone you have that option.

Is MVMCP an option or even a trip in say January when the crowds are less of an issue?

Congratulations to you as well!

TJ

 

[NCDisneyMom]

Personally, I wouldn't do it with kids that young. Mine are 5 and 2, and I still wouldn't bring them by myself. My 2yo is a handful, and I know I could not handle both (grocery store or Target? yes. WDW? no.). Dh is not a huge WDW fan, but he knows he only has to go with us for a few more years, and then I will start bringing them by myself...say when they are around 8 and 5 or so. Good luck whatever you decide!!

 

[FSUGrad97]

Personally, I wouldn't. Heck, I went over this week for a day trip, and I didn't realize how tough it would be by myself with a 2 year old! I drove over, but it was problematic getting on the tram with a small backpack, a lightweight folded up stroller, and my DD. I won't even mention what it was like trying to get food. Thankfully, I had a people offer to put on/take off her stroller from the tram and open doors for me, but it was still quite a challenge.

Another thing you might want to think about is the weather. October can be pretty warm, and your new baby may not like the heat. Do you have someone (friends or family) who would be willing to go with you? If so, ask them to go.

 

[justhat]

Hey, if any of you guys know any college aged kids willing to watch my kids, send them my way!

 

[disneyfreak74]

I hadn't thought about after burth pains though. I didn't have any of that with my daughter, I was just sore from all the internal stitches (the forceps cut me) and then sick from double mastitis. That's something to consider though.

After my 1st child I was up and ready to go!!!! No problems!!! My 2nd I thought I would die from the after pains!!!

 

[Gymbomom]

Hey, if any of you guys know any college aged kids willing to watch my kids, send them my way!

I know there is some homeschool threads on this board.... you might want to post on thereabout finding someone in the DC area. With this much time to meet someone and develop a relationship with them....I think it could really work for you!!!
Otherwise, I know our church has babysitting call lists.
You could ask your neighbors as well.
My sister is 20, so it is always awesome to take her everywhere with us. We are going to Hawaii next year for our 10th anniversary and we are bringing her and the kids.