Would you attend with your kids and not your husband?

[PartyofSix]

Looks like it could become a fact of making a desicion of doing disney alone with my kids for mnsshp and three additional park days. My children are 4,4, 12. I have never vacationed alone with my kids any tips or advise to help me either decide or make a plan to make it happen? Thanks

 

[maci]

Being that one of the kids is 12, I think you would be ok.
And you have an even number, so noone has to ride alone.
I would say go for it!!
Of course, it would be nice to have another adult.
There is another thread about going alone with the kids, it has some good tips too!

 

[ErinInCT]

WOW, I think it really depends on your kids. If you can trust your 12 yr old to keep an eye on the 4 yr olds then you may be ok. But the 12 yr old may be so excited to be at WDW that they don't want the responsibility for watching the little ones. Will you have strollers? Double strollers? Have a system in place that everyone has to hold hands or whatever to make sure no one gets seperated.
Personally I would not do it. I have a hard enough time just going grocery shopping or to the library or ANYWHERE with my 2 kids (4 & 1) let alone a huge amusement park! I think it would be too stressful & I would not enjoy myself at all. Maybe in the future after we have been to WDW a few times I would "let" dh golf one day while I take the kids to the park but then I would choose an "easy" park (not MK)!!
Good luck to you!

 

[poohlover]

2 years ago I did this with the YOUNGER 3 of our 6 kids.

We split the vacation so that I had 3 days with my younger kids alone, ages 4,6, & 8...

then my DH & older kids ages, 11,13, & 15 arrived to celebrate Thanksgiving with us and we had 4 days all together.

I thought it wasn't bad. It wasn't nearly as hard traveling with the kds as I had thought. We had the 3 days to go easy & do what the younger ones wanted...mostly MK & AK.

We had early nights & some eves relaxing at the pool at the AKL that we wouldn't have done other wise. It depends on how comfortable you are alone with the kids.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I've been with my girls a couple of times alone--if you can handle a crowded mall with your kids--you would be okay in the parks. If your 4 yo's are inclined to wandering and disappearing in public places--then a 2nd adult would be most beneficial. My personal experience is that I can handle my children in a public setting b/c they are not prone to this type of activities or other misbehaviors. They love going "bye-bye" and know that should they not behave, they get removed immediately from whatever place we are at. My friend on the other hand has a real tough time with her kids at the store--but she takes her kids to Disney no problem. You really have to know your children and what their behavioral strengths and weaknesses to know whether or not you can handle the parks solo. There are plenty of single parents out there who just do not otherwise have the option and they go to Disney without a problem.

My girls are now 4 and 1 1/2--so the only toughy is that little one is too small for Goofy Barnstormer, other than that--we were okay. You just have to have a different game plan all together and realize that you probably will not get to ride your rides (i.e. Space Mountain or Tower of Terror or RnR). I say this b/c it will be safe for you and your kids--just not sure I would brave a baby swap with my 12 year old--it is all up to you. Safe for the 12 yo to ride alone, just worried about the other way around. The height for Splash and Thunder Mountains is 40 inches and DD4 is just shy of that--once she is tall enough for that it will once again become difficult to go solo as little one would be unable to ride.

I will advise--that our first trip solo was a bust--dd4 had developed a fever in the park and it was rainy and miserable. A subsequent visit turned out much better. Of course, the first visit was spur of the moment and the latter visit was better planned.

My personal opinion is that MK is the easiest park of all for the kids as it is totally kid focused and most attractions are suitable for little ones, Animal Kingdom perhaps would be not as busy, but navigation is a tad more difficult, MGM is not my favorite park any more but they do have kid shows--but not really any kid rides, EPCOT--I love it and my kids enjoy it when we go, but it does ring potential boredom--ways to liven it up--allow the kids to play in the splash fountains (not the big one, they have other ones where water comes out of the ground), decorate masks in the countries, visit the finding nemo exhibit at the Living Seas--et cetera.

Happy trails!

 

[bethbuchall]

I've never done Disney without DH, but I have taken my three kids to other amusement parks and on other trips alone. They are 13, 11, and 5 now.

I think it is a workable plan as long as everyone has the same expectations. Your 12 year old will have to realize that there may be things that he/she wants to do that will have to wait for another trip. He/she will also have to know that you are counting on help with the littler ones. I advise you to take it very easy and relaxed. Don't try to get everything done on this trip. Prioritize what you want to do. Take breaks either in or out of the parks. Don't be afraid to scrap plans and take a different route if that is what is needed.

The other thing that you have to realize it that if one child (or you) gets sick, everyone will be stuck in the room. Just prepare everyone for all of the potential scenarios

You can have a terrific time!

Beth

 

[Del]

and just slow down the pace. Any opportunity to go to Disney is one i would take....good luck

Del

 

[tjmw2727]

I have done solo trips with my girls many times, they are 7 and 9 now but I have been doing it solo since they were 2 and 4 yo. DH often joins us for all or part of the trip but his vacations don't coincide with school vacations so I often take a trip without him or when he can join us for part.

I think it would be fun and a great opportunity. Perhaps you and your 12yo can sit down and discuss the pro's and con's and look through some guidebooks. Using FP I don't see why the 12yo can't ride some of the mountains or say MS while you and the 4yo's grab an ice cream or watch a show. Make sure you have walkie talkies, a cellphone or a firm meeting place. Of course in turn he/she will have to sit through playhosue disney et all!!

I love my dh but some of our solo vacations have been just great. Now its payback time as DH and I are going solo in Feb, of course that's after another Oct trip with just the "girls".

TJ

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I took my daughter in May and had a blast. Your 12 year old will be a lot of help.

Lori

 

[pixiedustforever]

attend with MY kids? no way !!!!!

i'd take someone else's first!

Pix

 

[PartyofSix]

Thanks for all the tips and advise. I did'nt realize that another thread that was similar was going on. My girls and my husband was going now it's doubtful he will make the trip. The 12 yo was staying home altogether (with my mom) and the other 4yo triplet. Instead i may take her. She's got a trip to HRH for three nights during spring break in lue of this trip so she's got a bribe.