What strategy would you suggest for a single parent w/2 kids (5 & 7) in September?

[Chinita129]

My daughters and I will be traveling to WDW late September and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. It's our first time and I'm traveling with a laid back attitude focused on having a fun time. At the same time, though, we may not be back for a couple of years so I want to be sure we squeeze in as much magic as possible. I'd love suggestions on rides, restaurants, shows, etc. for a single mom with 2 kids on a tight budget for September. Oh and we'll have the dining plan that includes one sit down meal and will be visiting one park per day if that helps at all. Thanks!

 

[Kpskyman]

Plan your vacation with your kids. Watch you tube videos and see what interests them the most, then get your FP+ according to their choices. Definitely do Fantasmic at HS.

 

[Chinita129]

Plan your vacation with your kids. Watch you tube videos and see what interests them the most, then get your FP+ according to their choices. Definitely do Fantasmic at HS.

I love that idea but I'm still up in the air about telling them in advance or surprising them the morning of. Though I could probably do some YouTube watching with them under the guise of "just for fun". Thanks!

 

[nalajms]

Try the easy wdw touring plans. It'll be hard to see everything in one day, but having a plan will help you see most of it. And decide whether you might need a stroller... my almost 5yo still asks for it because he's too tired by mid afternoon.

I would plan with the kids, but not tell them when you are actually going. I talk to DS all the time "what ride do you want to go on next time we're at AK?"

 

[illinidp]

You'll want to book Cinderella's Table and you have to do this at 180 days from check in. Consider making a reservation for princess makeovers at bippidi boppidi boutique. Check the height restrictions and book FP+ the first day you can for rides they will want. I wouldn't FP+ any meet & greets other than Anna and Elsa. Book one of the Epcot restaurants. I would take them to each of the fireworks shows - so probably plan down time in the middle of the day. I would stay on property, hit the morning EMH, go back to the room at/after lunch, hit the resort pool or water park, then eat and hit the evening EMH. Consider booking a show also such as the luau. Check out the parades and the shows, esp the shows at AK.

 

[ifjf414]

I love that idea but I'm still up in the air about telling them in advance or surprising them the morning of. Though I could probably do some YouTube watching with them under the guise of "just for fun". Thanks!

On our last trip we surprised them. They were 3 and 6. I couldn't wait to see the look on their faces. What I got was a two minute video of them crying that they weren't going to get to go to daycare that day.

This time we told them. We are going in September and every few days they ask to watch a video of another ride or the hotel pool or the monorail or something else in DisneyWorld. Even if they been happily surprised I think the excitement that builds each day is better.

 

[illinidp]

On our last trip we surprised them. They were 3 and 6. I couldn't wait to see the look on their faces. What I got was a two minute video of them crying that they weren't going to get to go to daycare that day.

This time we told them. We are going in September and every few days they ask to watch a video of another ride or the hotel pool or the monorail or something else in DisneyWorld. Even if they been happily surprised I think the excitement that builds each day is better.

I agree completely. The anticipation and planning is better than the surprise.

 

[rosebery]

I agree completely. The anticipation and planning is better than the surprise.

Oh, yes. My 5-year-old is having a blast planning our next trip (in August this year). I wouldn't give that up for an unpredictable-reaction surprise.

As for what to do, once you know which park you're going to visit which day, I would plan your meals. Meals at Disney can be events in themselves. My daughter loved the princess dining at Akerhaus last time, which is better than Cinderella's if you're on a tight budget because it's only 1 table service credit instead of 2. She also loved Tusker House at Animal Kingdom for meeting Mickey and friends (in their safari gear).

Once you've planned your meals, you can plan your FastPasses. The two you most want to make sure you book ahead of time are the Anna + Elsa meet and greet and the new Mine Train. Others can be adjusted as necessary. Ask your daughters for their must-dos and check wait time lists to see which are the higher priorities to get FastPasses for. (For example, my daughter loves the Muppets, but it's completely unnecessary to get a FastPass for Muppets.)

Are you staying on-property? I definitely recommend it when travelling alone with kids. It's fun for the kids to ride the buses -- and it's easier to take a mid-day break to get out of the heat. Expect your daughters to enjoy the resort pool just as much as any ride.

 

[ifjf414]

We are going in September this year too. Last time we also went in September. That was the first trip for the kids and I didn't know when/if we would come back so I tried to shove as much in as possible.

I pretty much wore us all down because I was trying to get more "value" for the money we were spending. As a result, I remember several temper-tantrums near the end of the trip. I didn't ruin the trip, but in hindsight I would advise to force yourself to rest. I would take a rest day (or at least half day) in the middle of the trip. Also make your group slow down at meals and take a couple of snack breaks during the hotter parts of the day. The kids will probably want to run back out as soon as their done eating, but you need the rest to make it through a whole day, especially if it's just you with the two kids.

It's hard to resist the urge to squeeze in something else (there's always something else) but you'll enjoy the later part of the trip more if you're better rested.

 

[Chinita129]

Oh thank you all for the input! I hadn't even considered that they might freak a little with a last minute surprise. So helpful!

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Not sure where you are traveling from, but WDW is pretty hot n muggy in Sept. I don't tell you this to scare you but so you can plan accordingly. Lots of folks recommend arriving at rope drop and tour in the morning when it's somewhat cooler and then back ton the resort for rest and swim time in the heat of the day. This is my plan when I go in Oct with my sis and her kids. I think taking breaks will be key for us to not get run down and hopefully prevent some meltdowns.

Have a great time OP!

 

[mousefan73]

In your case i'd research which rides both can ride due to height. Then I'd make a list of those rides that fit 3 across. For 2 across is your 7 yr old is cool enough sitting next to a stranger in front of you? I always looked at the loading lines for odd groups or groups with an odd kidd / nice looking mom type and had one of mine sit with them. Or the kids together and you behind.


Dont know how fit the 5 yr old is. Consider a stroller thng maybe for long days. You can also store non-valuable things ( water, snacks, tissues, light jackets, sunscreen. Your hands are free unless youmare a backpacking type. Plus they have a fast place to sit. Especially if you bring one you might have., helps in the bus lines. Though end sept. No long is that bad


Which resort? Preferred migjt be worth it for quick trips to dining for mug refills.


For girls. There are many shows at hollywood studious. Legend of the mermaid, beauty beast. 30 min shows. Nice for you as it gives you a break from constanly watching where they are heading. I loved shows and long rides as the kids were " contained"

Also for dining, just my opinion. I'd try to get a ressie at cinderellas round table ( 2 dining credits though, but easier to get a table than Be our Guest. And use a qick service for lunch at BOG. And time a FP for arielle and 7 dwarfs before after. All in same area.

 

[Happyjen27]

I love that idea but I'm still up in the air about telling them in advance or surprising them the morning of. Though I could probably do some YouTube watching with them under the guise of "just for fun". Thanks!

If they've never been there before, sometimes those surprises do not go as planned. Many people who have done the first visit as a surprise don't get the reaction they are hoping for simply because the kids don't understand the magnitude of the wonder that awaits.

As for your main question:

Plan, plan, plan. We were very laid back while we were there our first time, but only because I planned everything! I looked at menus, looked at restaurant reviews, looked at maps, planned our rides in order of importance and location. I even noted our "must have snacks" in each area of each park, so if hunger struck I knew where the goodies were.

We did not do everything according to plan, but my advanced education I received on the DIS made it possible to be flexible in an educated way, knowing that we could probably skip for The Voyage of the Little Mermaid until later, but shouldn't put Peter Pan off because lines will get hectic.

My other advice is to not try and see as much as possible, instead, try to enjoy everything you do as much as possible. It may be that your kids would rather watch the fountain at Epcot for 25 minutes instead of see Italy and China and Norway and Germany. Make that okay. I would rather my kids enjoy 4 things to the fullest than experience 10 things a little bit. If that means they play on a splashpad at the resort instead of riding Big Thunder Mountain, then I will still consider the vacation a success.

My last advice is to chill. Take time to relax. Plan for some early nights to bed, plan for some afternoons laying around doing nothing. If you go commando, push yourself and your kids to stick to a schedule, you risk burning everyone out, nobody will enjoy a thing, and that will be more of a waste of money and time. If you truly love Disney, you will be back sooner than you think.

 

[njmeisje]

When my kids were that age, I was surprised by how much more interested they were in characters, than rides. We bought the little autograph books and spent so much time doing that. Make sure you skip pages and turn the books into little photo album.

My little ones didn't like the fireworks up close, so we would have dinner at the Poly and go to their beach and watch the little boat show on the lake before the fireworks,and then the fireworks from there. They pipe in the music. Was alot of fun, and less hectic than being in the park.

 

[ArwenMarie]

A poster on here luvmy2babies has written a bunch of Disney trip reports from the perspective of a single parent...The reports are really good if you need a little inspiration!

 

[njmeisje]

ps - buy white pillow cases with little flowers or something on them...and permanent color markers. The princesses can sign the pillow cases and your daughters will sleep with princesses long after our trip is over. My girls loved that!

 

[csmith041177]

I agree with a lot of the other posters. Plan, plan, plan. Also be ready to come back to the hotel and take breaks during the middle of the day to cool down. And again, don't try to do too much. You may have a plan to ride a particular ride, but on the way to that ride your kids might see a character and freak out! Go do what they want to do. I have a hard time remembering this sometimes...but the primary purpose of the trip is for the kids!

 

[LovesTimone]

My daughters and I will be traveling to WDW late September and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. It's our first time and I'm traveling with a laid back attitude focused on having a fun time. At the same time, though, we may not be back for a couple of years so I want to be sure we squeeze in as much magic as possible. I'd love suggestions on rides, restaurants, shows, etc. for a single mom with 2 kids on a tight budget for September. Oh and we'll have the dining plan that includes one sit down meal and will be visiting one park per day if that helps at all. Thanks!

I strongly suggest a stroller, would you need a double? as for sister sometimes they might both want to ride at the same time. You might want to think about renting one from one of the companies suggested here.

I would plan on maybe taking a break mid-day for some pool time, and possibly nap time. I know normally most kids that age don't nap, but with the heat, and all the walking and excitement it might be something to think about.

Start hitting the dollars stores for little stuff for them, Glow bracelets, necklace's are super costly in the parks. Also they have lots of Disney items. Check out target, Wal-Mart and the Disney store for t-shirts and stuff while on sale, so you are not spending a bunch before you go.

As far as toys coming along, I would let each one take their bedtime pal, and some other small items, books, coloring book & crayons.

Autographs, together you could have a project and make them. Also let them decorate with sticker or whatever the envelope for mousekeeping.

To make your CS meals go farther, you could order 1 adult and 1 child's chicken finger meal and all share it, and pay oop for an extra drink. If they don't want to share. You can check out menu's here or over on allears.net to get an idea of what you can share.

Bring snacks with you, pop-tart, cereal for breakfast ,peanut butter and jelly and maybe the small bread rounds. You can buy milk at the resort. Take something into the parks to snack on, crackers, chips, granola or breakfast bars while waiting will help with the budget.


Have a wonderful and magical 1st trip

 

[jedi jen]

I am a single mom of two. WDW is the first vacation we took alone together; they were young. This Christmas will be our fifth. It is a magical place for the three of us. As a single mom, I was nervous. I found WDW to be the perfect place. I felt safe. There were lots of people with kids (of course). There was so much to entertain them, which made it easier for me to relax. Here are things that worked for me. One more thing, we always went in the summer so I had to contend with heat; been there done that.

Plan (I am a huge planner and it is so much fun to do)
Rope Drop - no lines and not too hot--you can see so much those first couple of hours

Dining Plan (I really found doing TS was so much easier, and with all the character meal options, my kids were entertained, it was a respite in the day, we still do dining plan to this day...it is one of my kids favorite things; also you can knock character meets out in the A/C, sitting down, with no lines!)

Stroller - absolutely had stroller for kids until they could not fit any more (mainily my youngest); this was esential; i recommend taking a cheap unbrella stroller (less expensive than renting) with a basket underneath; so worth it on so many levels; my DD loved being able to chill out sitting instead of walking to the next ride....and we could walk faster too

Afternoon break - always went back to resort after lunch to beat the heat and crowds...or did less popular activities/attractions like pin trade, swim, rest, look for hidden mickeys, (after RD we just took the rest of the day pretty easy); we usually had some rest so everyone could rejuvenate for the evening

 

[MCO mama]

Since you have 5&7 year old girls, I'll tell you the things that are my 6 year old daughter's faves...just suggestions. For dining, Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Mickey's, if they like Stitch the character bkfst at Ohana is fun, too. And keep checking, people DO cancel reservations. If you can get one, get a fastpass for meeting the Frozen girls (you do not want to wait in line to see them!)....and again, just keep checking, we got ours 3 days out, not 60. Magic Kingdom will likely appeal most to your girls because of their ages. Definitely plan some pool time/down time...Sept is HOT. And for whatever it's worth, I'm definitely in the surprise them group!