Give it to me straight

Ok, y’all. Give me the good, the bad and the ugly regarding WDW solo with your kids. Who has taken kids solo? What did you love about it? What did you hate?

We just bought into DVC at Copper Creek. They gave us points for 2018 which we weren’t expecting so we’re trying to decide when to use them. The best option from a cost perspective would be in late July as we already have a family beach trip planned and booked. However, DH is unavailable to go and my parents would rather not endure July heat in Orlando. They have volunteered to watch my youngest (DD2, will then be DD3) so it would just be myself, DD8, DS7 and DD5. DD5 is 41 inches right now so I have already told the big kids that we will have to stick together and her being there will mean they have to ride together, maybe forgo some favorite rides, etc. They understand and are excited to go just the four of us.

I have thought that DD8 and DS7 could go on some of the bigger rides together without us but am wondering for real life experience with this. It makes me feel nervous sending them up a queue without me. Should I plan on buying one of those kid phones where they can only make calls to a few phone numbers in order to be able to communicate if we’re separated? Should we just say thanks-but-no-thanks for the extra points Disney??

I haven’t gone solo with kids, but I thought I’d chime in about the idea of the older 2 riding alone. They are supposed to have someone who is at least 14 with them. So, I don’t think it will fly with them only being 7 & 8.

These are all still what I would consider young children. (I still had a stroller at Disney for my DD when she was 7).

If it were me, I would plan to keep all 4 of you together at all times. Lean on the oldest to be your helper.

If you decide not to use the points for 2018, look into selling them or gifting them to someone.

At 7 kids can ride alone. It’s only under 7s who have to ride with someone 14 or older. Her kids would be fine from that perspective.

4 Likes

In July you’ll probably have some down time in the pools with the temps. I think that’d make it easier to go solo… you fast past and are all together for some rides. Then break/swim. Then back to a park for
maybe dinner (or a resort/spring/whatever). Maybe a firework show. And a 4th day fast pass if you get one. I think it’d be hard if you wanted to stay in the park all day.

1 Like

Oh, ok. My misunderstanding. Still seems so young!

1 Like

Totally agree!! Unfortunately, my son (who will turn 7 in July) is already aware of the policy and is excited to ride alone. Lol. Ultimately, I am totally ok being the bad guy if I don’t feel comfortable sending them. And they are ok sticking all together and saving those rides for another trip.

2 Likes

Agree. 100%. Currently I’m thinking we hit the parks early (no later than 8 each morning) and plan to be done by 3 with a break to sit down for a TS lunch somewhere in the park. Then the rest of the day would be dedicated to pool/rest/dinner.

I think it depends on the kid. My oldest niece is the same age as my youngest son and they were both 7 on their first (joint) trip. My DS did single rider all over Universal, rode every thrill ride in all parks, he’d have died if he was asked to go near a stroller. My sister wouldn’t even let my niece do Splash/BTMRR etc as too scary for a 7yo, she couldn’t have done single rider.

3 Likes

This is so my son. Lol. How did you handle meeting up with him after he rode solo? Did he have a phone? Or did you just assign a meet up spot for him once he was done riding?

Meet up spot. As I said it was his first ever trip so although we did sometimes do single rider for a first ride, he never got in line on his own the first time - I would ride first, he would ride second and then I would say this right here is the meet up spot when you get off, and if I’m not here you don’t move a muscle until I get here. Because neither of us were familiar with where you’d get off. I hadn’t been to Florida for 12 years myself.

5 Likes

I have been taking my kids without my husband for years. They weren’t quite as young as yours will be the first time, but I felt okay letting them ride a ride together while I ran for fastpasses. I did buy one of those prepaid phones from Walmart before we went and made sure they knew how to call me if there was an issue. They loved the independance, even if just for one ride. And yes, go and use those points even if you only ride things the younger child can ride. In July I would plan early mornings in the park, a lunch in the A/C, followed by pool time (of course you will have to avoid the daily afternoon thunderstorm). Return for the evening shows and cooler temps. Sounds fun!

5 Likes

If you’re in a stand-by line, you can just let the CM know you and the youngest won’t be riding. They’ll let you wait for them. At Splash for example, you could just go through the boat and get out the other side.

Won’t work for an FP. But you could suss out the exit first, show them where to wait. Take them round to the queue and then go wait at the exit.

3 Likes

That is very good to know. DD5 loves a lot of the rides - Splash is her fave - but unless she has a major growth spurt EE, FOP, RnRC will be out. Basically anything with a 44” or 48” height requirement.

This is so encouraging to me, thank you! I’ve always been pretty adventurous with them taking them lots of local spots alone (zoo, museum, aquarium, etc) even when they were itty bitty. I realize this will be quite different but don’t feel terribly out of my element navigating crowds with them and being the only adult in our group.

1 Like

I have also been taking our 3 children to Disney without my husband for years. My first solo parent trip was when my twin DDs were 6. I was nervous about the first solo trip but it was fine. It sounds like you are setting expectations for the older kids regarding rides which is important. The trip may be different than what you are used to, but it should still be fun.

2 Likes

I remember you saying you took your kids alone a lot. That is encouraging!!

Also, update!! We invited my 13 y/o niece to come with us and she said she’d love to! So, extra helping hands with her for sure! So pumped!

4 Likes

Oh, that is wonderful. Having help is always nice.

1 Like

I took my DD7 and DS5 in June 2013 while my wife and oldest daughter took a trip to Costa Rica. We stayed offsite (with grandma), and took some mid-day breaks every day. We went to all 4 parks during our week there, grandma joined us for two of them.

The good - We had a great time as a smaller family group, and it allowed the younger siblings to control more of the itinerary. Our kids are pretty adventurous eaters, so we enjoyed some sit down meals at new dining spots as well.

The bad - at that age, the kids needed more downtime than I did, and by our last park day, they were done. We had Fantasmic dining reservations for the evening, and they made it clear after we left for a mid-day break, that we were not going back. It was time to just chill out at the pool. So, we didn’t go back, even though I couldn’t believe we were going to skip something I had worked so hard to plan.

Summary - it was a blast, and we have many great memories alone and with grandma that we share often with the others.

I believe most rides have a “chicken” exit. Maybe you could escort the 2 older ones to the ride and then you and the youngest go out the exit? I know youngest may feel left out, but maybe your 5 year old could be “in charge” of taking pictures of the two older ones.

1 Like

That is great about your niece coming!

I think that you will have a great time with the kiddos. Go and have fun!

2 Likes