Would you go alone for a week with 2 active DS's?

[luvaladdin]

Just want your thoughts on this, as I am completely undecided. I am thinking of taking advantage of the Fairytale package WDW is offering and going in October alone with my two boys, DS5 and DS8. I don't mind taking them out of school for a week, but I can't take out DD14 for that long, so she would stay home with hubby. I have 3 free awards tickets on SWA, and got a quote of $1174 for 7 nights w/passes at ASSp. Sounds like a good deal, I figure I can do this trip for about $1800. Any other parents take their children for a week alone? Any advice, hints, warnings?

We've been to WDW many times, and I realize that I will have to go at their pace and skip some rides that DS5 can't or won't do, and his brother will have to understand that. On previous trips, my DH and I have split up with the kids because of certain ride restrictions or for special alone time with each kid. So this trip obviously that can't be done. My DS's talk about Disney World all of the time, I know they would love to go. My DD I'm taking to Universal next weekend for 4 days, and she's outgrowing (sob, sob) WDW. So I won't feel terribly guilty about leaving her home.
Thanks for any help.
Cheryl

 

[Simba's Mom]

Sure, I'd say to go ahead. Although I never went to WDW alone with my 2 sons at that age, I did do quite a bit of traveling, changing planes, etc. And they're very active boys! However, whenever we traveled, I was so impressed with how good and helpful they were, they loved acting "grown up" and helping Mom sometimes. We always had a good time.

 

[slimplaw]

I think all of you would have a wonderful time. Plus, your sons will have a wonderful memory of when mom took them to WDW. I say go for it.

 

[CamColt]

Being the mother of 2 active DSs 6 & 3, I wouldnt do it. Im worried enough about our first trip with just DH & I and the kids(we have always had extended family with us). However 8 & 5, might make just enough of a difference to change my mind.
Good luck!

 

[DisneyBen]

I would say go for it. Since your DD isn't going, your DSs will probably have more fun just mostly doing the things they want to.

Still, I can't see how a 14 yo (I am one) can outgrow Disney. I feel like I will love WDW forever!!!

 

[goodqueen]

I would definitely go. I have three very active (are there any other kind? ) boys, and I'm going to take them myself in February if my DH lets us accompany him on a business trip to Orlando. They will be 6,4 and18 mo. I think you'll have a very different trip than what you're used to, which can be awesome! They will love being "in charge"! Your boys will think they have the most excellent mom ever. Also, those FT packages are great deals.

Good luck!

 

[jamsmom]

I think it will be a great time to build memories with your boys!!

 

[bobcat]

I'm a single mom and I have taken my kids to WDW for the past 4 years, starting when they were 4 and 7. I even drive from Ohio for most trips. WDW is very easy to do as a solo parent. It sounds like you have already thought about what you can and can't do solo with kids that age. Go and have a wonderful trip.

 

[Threehearts]

I have kids around the same age and I contemplated this. I wish someone would respond who has actually done this type of WDW trip. I would feel the most confident that way although it goes without saying that anyone who is a DISer must have FANTASTIC advice(LOL).

threehearts

 

[tjmw2727]

I have done solo trips with my girls now 6 & 8 since they were 4 and 6 and every year in-between. It has been wonderful as you probably figured out or I wouldn't keep doing it. We go about 2-3 times a year alone and 1-2 times with dh, I have an ap so going on school breaks works for us while dh can only go on his vacation time.

We always hit MK or AK in the morning, take a pool break and hit mgm or epcot at night. Its nice to take it easy, do just what you want and enoy the parks through their eyes.

I always explain the rules, why the rules are important and stick to whatever consequence we all deide on for breaking a rule. I am always willing to leave a park if they are "wild" because its dangerous and if they are wild or not behaving then its time to leave anyway. I find that when I am alone with them the are less likely to "test me" but I always stick to my word. Its no fun going to bed early as a consequence for bad behaviour at wdw - luckily I always get a balcony or patio so I am set!!

At night I often rent a double stroller -at least until this year. They were able to take in the sights, snack and play while I knew where they were. At Epcot my younger dd would fall asleep allowing older dd and I to enjoy the fireworks.

Since we stay on property I don't rent a car as WDW transportation is good.

I hope I re-assured you, if you have specific concerns or questions please post and maybe I can help. I love my trips alone with my girls!!
TJ

 

[bigsis1970]

there isn't a choice.. * unless your bring family or friends * but we getting ready for trip # 3 ( Previous Dec 2001 Dec 2002 ) kids were DD 8 and DS 5 it was great ! we got a double stroller the first year then last year it was no stroller .. we held hands in big crowds but it wasn't all that crowded in Dec .. I say go for it..

 

[2belles'mom]

I have essentially done WDW solo with my 2 DDs (then 2 and 5) as my hubby was in a golf tournament all week. I had a double stroller and we had a blast!!! I even got a standing ovation from a small crowd outside Tony's when my 2yo refused to get back into the double stroller as we were leaving MK one afternoon (she had collapsed and refused to move at all); after an Epic struggle that involved her arching her back and pulling my hair as I bent to hold her down and strap her in, MOM TRIUMPHED. The crowd clapped for me!
Other than that one episode, we had a fantastic time (and really, it was my fault for keeping us at the park from EE until 3 in the afternoon!).

I also travel solo with my DDs every summer as I have summers off and my DH does not. It can be challenging, but I have always found it worth it!

 

[Astrid]

Yep, I've done this too!! Been taking my two to WDW since they were 3 and 6 and we have a fabulous time each visit.

As a single parent, as others have said above, I don't have much choice other than to 'go it alone' but WDW has to be the easiest place to holiday with two young children.

We're off again next Saturday (they are now 7 and 10 respectively) and we can't wait.

Go for it - you'll have a blast!!

Astrid

 

[KLR-wlv]

I went last year alone with my 4 & 6 year old and are planning another trip this October as well. There were moments of stress of course! But it was fun - and I'm up for more! Definitely have rules - kids get over-excited as it is at DW and when you're alone with them it can seem like double. The parks were ok since my daughter was in a stroller I think the pools created the most stress. My 4yo DD has no problems running off and thinking she could easlily live on her own without anyone's help! We stayed at OKW and the main pool has a sand play area next to the pool. She kept wanting to be over there while my son wanted to be in the pool. It was a lot of running around checking on her. When we went to the quiet pools, it was easier since there was less space to cover. So an afternoon's "rest" at the pool wasn't very restful for me!

It was a great trip though - go and have a great time!

 

[luvaladdin]

Thanks to all who replied - I appreciate it. You all are definitely making me feel that I should go and that it would be a nice time to "enjoy" my boys, in a fantastic place of course. Sorry for not thinking about all the single parents out there - my DH was away all this week and I kept thinking, "How do single parents do this all the time?"

Thanks again.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Exactly what I was thinking.... those that are single have no choice and I would have to do it if I didn't have a choice- but since I do.... I'm not sure I could handle the stress. If I have the choice (and looks like I do for a Nov/thanksgiving week/Dec 2 trip) -I'd rather just take the 9yr old than also take the 5yr old and I KNOW I'd lose my mind if I took all three (including 2yr old) by myself. I'm sure it all depends on the children AND the parent. For me it would be more stress than it's worth- my kids can be total heathens sometimes. LOL
(okay so the 9yr old is ADHD... 5yr old boy is just as hyper at times and also thinks he can do anything/very independent to a fault at times..... and my 2yr old is the boss of the WORLD. LOL Or so she thinks....)

I would love to take my son also- but with the age and major size difference we had to do a lot of parent swapping on our family trip and alone without DH would mean a lot of rides my oldest wouldn't get to do (she wouldn't do them ALONE, that's for sure- but would miss not being able to do them at all).

I'm thinking the same thing.... how do single parents do this all the time? I think I'd need a vacation from my vacation when I got home again. LOL But that's just me....

 

[Cindy B]

You should PM the moderator of the Community Board snoopy She just came back from WDW with her two boys, which I think are around the same age.

I would personally do it as well. My kids are active, right now they are 5 and 8. The only problem I would have is this..

My son is 54 inches
My daughter is 46 inches.

My son loves thrill rides, and loves the high, fast thrillers. My daughters loves them as well, but can't make the height requirement for them. (RnRC has a height requirement of 48 inches). That would mean that I should stay in ride que and then quietly wait for my son in baby swap with my daughter. But I am a paranoid mom... wouldn't want any problems with my son, and I don't want others butting in front of him, and jmaking sure the ride op is double checking his roller coaster restraints...

That would be my only concern.

 

[BraveMom3]

I go every year for two weeks with three children (ages 10, 6, and 5) solo, and have done so for several years. I do get alot of stares and have been asked more than once if I'm crazy! We have a great time. It's my time to change gears and get away from being the drill sergeant I am at home for most of the year. We have our moments of stress, but for the majority of the time we have a ball, and have stored years of precious memories. Hubby will be flying down this year for three days, but that's about all he can stand or stay away from work!

9 days and counting!!!

 

[TDS373X]

I was thinking about this today. I just returned from a long weekend alone with DD (3.5) it was the first time I'd taken her alone and I was begining to wonder if I was alone in doing this because we didn't see a whole lot of single parent families while we were there. Infact dd noticed everybody else had a daddy and told me she was sad that she didn't. We had a great time and since I was working mothers day weekend it was a chance to spend quality time with her and build those special memories. My family thinks I'm nuts but as a single parent I have no choice but to just go. I didn't figure I was alone in doing this but I had no idea there were so many others like me!!