What would you do if spouse could go?

[time4Mickey]

We have booked the BWI for Dec. We have 4 children ages 8,7,5,and 3. This was an unexpected trip but we got a great deal on the room with a PIN number and flights for less than $60/one way. My husband farms so we are very dependent on the weather. This year we have had so much rain and snow that he can't get harvest done. Its a good chance he won't be able to go in Dec. If we cancel and rebook, we could only go in July plus its likely it will cost alot more. I had the thought of going this trip by myself but many have told me I am crazy. Now this is from people who are not big Disney fans. My flights are non stop and the kids are familiar with Disney. Do you Disney lovers think I am crazy even considering it? It is just driving me crazy.

Thanks

 

[tlh0726]

Before I voice my thoughts, 2 questions?

Does your DH enjoy Disney?

Do you take any other family vacation during the year?

 

[time4Mickey]

My husband has some fun at Disney but really tolerates it other times because of the kids and me. He is somebody who likes to be home most of the time and that is not me. His job is 24/7 so he is really always thinking about it. We do short day trips but mainly have big trips every 1-2 years. We have talked about in the future he may go for a couple of days and then leave early or I could take the kids by myself. This trip is not replacing another trip, likely there won't be any. I have thought about staying home and going somewhere else for just a couple of days. Just not alot of places in our area to go in the winter. (and we don't ski)

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

I'm sure you're going to get a variety of answers here but this my two cents...

If the kids know about the trip, go! Even if you have to go as a "single parent". Rework your agenda for a slower pace and more down time. If canceling this trip simply means no trip at all, I'd go. (do you have a friend or family member that might want to go with you?)

 

[time4Mickey]

The kids know we may go on some kind of vacation but nothing about Disney.
They have from time to time asked if we could go so I know they are thinking about it. Absolutely if we had told them definately we were going, there would be no baking out. I would not disappoint them.

 

[Disneychix]

Honestly I probably wouldn't go. Would you really feel comfortable letting the 3 (or 2 oldest) older children go on rides by themselves? Would you make the younger ones wait in long lines with you so the older ones could ride the 'big' rides and they can't? If the older kids do not do the 'big' rides than I would say go, but I think they are a little young to be doing rides themselves.

 

[amy_225]

I can totally relate to your situation! My husband is a rancher and is also consumed with work 24/7. We have four kids, mine are 6, 10, 12 & 15, and I've taken them to DW once by myself and DL, SeaWorld, Legoland by myself as well. Of course, you know your kids best and how they would do. I know mine will mind me and stay close, and my oldest one (even when we went and he was 13) is responsible enough to help me keep an eye on the others. We actually have more fun without DH because he would maybe enjoy it for a day and then be ready to go home (he's a total home body, too!)
We're going again in December - Disneyworld and a cruise! But this time my mom is joining us, so I won't be solo. However, I wouldn't hesitate to go with my kids, especially if I got a great deal. I figure how many more years have I got where the kids and I enjoy these kinds of trips together? I want to build lasting memories with them, and they are always so thankful when we do take trips. They thank me over and over, and say how they will do the same for their kids when they are grown. We really have to budget to do it, but I think it's so worth it in the long run. Maybe that's because we never went anywhere when I was growing up..
So...if it were me, and I knew my kids wouldn't run me ragged...I'd do it. If your kids are still a little too young to understand they have to stay close and help you out, then maybe I'd wait a bit. Hope that helps!

 

[time4Mickey]

The older boys do not like bigger rides yet. I think the only one I would have difficulty with is the car thing at MK. The lines are always very long. Any other rides we could all do together. My fear is that I will get there and not have fun because he isn't with us.

 

[pixiewings71]

I've taken my girls to DLR before, without DBF. There have been a few trips that the girls and I have stayed longer, he's had to come back early for work reasons. We had a BALL without him, of course we like it better WITH him (he loved DL as much as we do) but we had no problems going without him. I'd say talk to him about it, see how he feels and then talk to the kids and see how they feel.

 

[time4Mickey]

Thanks Amy 225. Our husbands sound alot alike but I am sure most farmers/ranchers probably feel alot that way. We also have cattle so he hates to leave them with someone else in charge. I am planning many trips before my child are grown. It isn't all about Disney but about being with family without any interruptions.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

Can one of your parents come along maybe?

 

[Steve's Girl]

Do you have a grandparent or other family member who could go along to help?

My DH didn't think that he would be able to get time off from work this year to go to Disney. So, he and I had decided that I would take the kids by myself. They are 10,8 and 6. They are very familiar with Disney and I was comfortable taking them by myself. But, when we proposed the idea to my kids, they said they didn't want to go without dad! My DH pretty much tolerates Disney for the rest of us. My kids and I LOVE Disney. I was shocked when they said they didn't want to go without dad. In the end, DH got the time off work and we are all going together, so all is good.

 

[Darcy03231]

I took my four kids on mulitiple trips by myself. Not only did I do WDW with them all, I've also traveled with them outside the country. Its really not that bad. Actually, I found it easier than carting them all around by myself at home. When we were at WDW they were all on their best behavior as they know we wouldn't go again if they misbehaved (we spent one day in the hotel room once on a trip and that's all it took). We took things a bit slower and there were some rides that I stayed in line with them and had the bigger kids get on and then waited for them at the exit. Also, the older ones knew that they were going to have to do some stuff for the younger ones too.

 

[time4Mickey]

There's no one else that can go along. My oldest is 22 and in college and has finals that week. Both my father and sister have had lifethreatening health issues since I booked the trip. No friend that would go that time of year.(they don't know what they are missing)

 

[njmom47]

I took my kids to Florida (but not WDW) when they were 10, 9 and 7. We shipped our clothing so there was no real luggage to deal with.
That was a help. ME should also be a help for you.
The were all responsible for their own backpacks on the plane.
It worked out very well for us. But only you know how much responsilbity they can handle.
Someone brought up the fact of going on the rides...how comfortable are you (and the children) with situations that may arise at these times?
Also, of course, how much will you all miss DH if he doesn't go?

 

[Nancyg56]

If he was okay with it I would go. My DH farms as well and is construction so the windows he has for vacations are only winter windows. He has always told me to go, he would never relax if he came and felt like there were responsibilities he needed to attend to at home. We try to accomodate his schedule but it is not always possible.

If your DH would enjoy the time with the family then I would pay the extra and go when he could join you.

 

[mjkacmom]

If you go, I'd get a stroller for the younger ones, as not to lose them! That would be my fear. My kids are older, and I wouldn't hesitate to take them myself.

 

[tlh0726]

I would talk it over with your husband to make sure that he was really okay with the family going without him. (I know my DH tells us to go have a great time doing stuff when he is not around but in reality really feels crappy about missing it)
If your DH is okay with it, then both of you should talk to the kids together about the possibility of going without him.
If the kids are okay with it, then go and have a great time.


Sending some that he gets everything that needs to be done finished and all of you can go.

 

[tinkerfan1]

If your husband will be ok at home, I think it will be a vacation you and the kids will never forget. I hope that, if you go, you and the kids have a wonderful time. I admire what your husband (the entire family, for that matter) does. I know that is very hard work.