WDW as single parent... About This Page:

[Cassandie]

Du to some recent changes, I am looking into taking my son to WDW alone. Just me and a three year old,lol. So, I was hoping someone here has done this before and has some tips.

[emilyandlogansmom]

I haven't done this...but I've gone with a 2 year old, 3 year old, and my husband...which...divided, I'm always responsible for at least one little person. With just one child, I think you'd be fine. Good luck!

[B.M.]

I went last year with my three oldest- 8, 9, and 10 yr old by myself. And this November I will be going alone with my 3, 7, 8, 10, and 12 year old by myself. I take them every where all the time. We go to sixflags and other places and it's no problem at all! I have 5 great kids; so that helps!

[feonag]

I took my girls when they were 2 and 3 years old. I splurged and stayed at poly but I think it would have been about the same at any resort. We just used Disney transportation. The trick is to take it slow, let them sleep in and take lots of breaks. kids that age just want to run around a bit. Make sure they get plenty of fluids and try to eat around the same time you do at home, even when they say they are not hungry(they get too excited to eat) have them eat anyway. Relax and enjoy having one on one time with your child.

[happyhedgehogs]

Honestly, I think 3 is a fabulous age to first experience WDW. He is old enough to enjoy some of the rides and characters, and to really be captivated by the magic of it all. He may not remember it later, but that is what a scrapbook is for!

I think one of your challenges in planning is keeping in mind that you will not be able to do the parent swap. Every ride you ride needs to be one that your three-year-old can do also, unless you plan to hire an in-room sitter for an evening or two. Being limited to rides for young children certainly does not have to be a bad thing, though... Most of my favorite rides are the kiddie ones, like Peter Pan and Buzz Lightyear!

I would definitely plan quiet evenings. You might want to plan one or two late nights to go back to a park and watch the fireworks or IllumiNations, but I recommend that you plan to leave the park around supper time or just after on most nights. If you take the buses back to your resort, it will probably take an hour or so from park to room, so leaving the park at 7 should get you back to the room in time to get your child to bed at a reasonable time.

The reason I stress an on-time bedtime is that you definitely will want to take advantage of the quiet mornings. You will feel better safety-wise when the crowds are lighter (at least I did when I took a 3-year-old!), and your preschooler will have less chances for frustration and meltdowns with the cooler morning temps and much shorter wait times.

In summary: Get to bed early, get up early, and be at the park in time for the "rope drop" (or soon after). Keep your evening plans light. Review the ride descriptions to pick rides that your child will like or at least be okay on. Plan to spend plenty of time at the fun little playgrounds throughout the various parks. And have lots of fun!

[Cassandie]

Thanks everyone, this really helps! I'm so excited to see Disney through his eyes!

[jovigirlnj]

Another thing if you are staying onsite I would bring a easy foldup stroller - It will be hard for you to fold a stoller carry bags and your 3 year old to get onto the Disney bus. Once you are in the parks you will be fine - my 2 1/2 year old loves Magic Kingdom and there was tons of stuff he can go on. Good luck and enjoy!!!

[Mom2Stitchy&theDQ]

Every trip I've done with my kids has been just the 3 of us - you will have a great time!!! The biggest thing I can recommend is to let him know in an age appropriate way what you expect and what the rules are ie if you get separated or what you expect of his behaviour - my son didn't get it at first that you had to keep your seat belt on in the plane. Once I explained that the captain was like the police officer on the plane and that we had to follow his directions just like we listen to police officers at home there were no more arguments about keeping it on! And definitely allow his schedule to dictate your touring - missed naps or meals can ruin a day!

[krisk11]

I've done WDW as a single parent multiple times, the first time when my dd was 7 and the last time (this month) when dd was 14. It's a great place to be as I always felt safe and it was easy to get around. My dd & I love going to WDW and will continue to go together our entire lives. Good luck to you and I know you will have a blast.

[audrey77]

I did this with an almost 3 year old and a 4 month old last January! We stayed at POP, and had a great time.
The only problem I ran into was getting our luggage from the room to the car. The value resorts won't have bell services come to your room to help right away, and I couldn't wait all day! You shouldn't have a problem with a 3 year old.... infants who can't walk are a problem!

I see you're in GA. We did the drive on I-75. There was a lot of construction, but it wasn't that bad of a trip to drive alone. :-)

We do one park until just after lunch time, nap or swim, and then go back to a park (the one with extra magic hours) for the night. We stay late- that way he falls asleep when we come home!

Downtown Disney is also a great place to explore!

Check Alex's ratings in the Passporter guide.... that should help you plan too!

[Chris Dawson, Rochester NY]

the best advice would that I would stay on property and maybe go during the value season. I have deffinitley know the feeling of taking kids on vacation and being the only parent in charge. God bless you for doing it. Let us know how you make out with your plans. any help drop an email I will be more and happy to help out.

[SARH7]

I think single parent with one kid would e a breeze! I would LOVE to do a mother daughter trip with dd!!!! Someday.........

[Mileese]

My ds and I went together 18 months ago and had a great time. I just followed his schedule and went through his eyes. I planned a few sit down Character meals and then just winged it! we had a great time. We stayed at POP and used Disney transportation.
have a magical trip!

[Principessa_di_Fata]

I went alone with my 2 year old in Feb 08. It was so much fun! We had a few ADR's, and they went smoothly. Here's a few tips I recommend:

a) Stay in a building with an elevator, or on the first floor. I stayed at POR / AB, and we were on the second floor - no elevators. So it was a bit of a hassle to drag a huge stroller up the stairs to the second floor while simultaneously dragging a toddler up the stairs, lol.

b) Do some character meals.

c) Either do photopass, or ask CM's to use your camera to take pictures of you and your son. That way you get to be IN the pictures, too!

d) Don't have a huge touring plan, just go with the flow and enjoy it - that's what worked with us. We did have some ADR's (mostly character meals) and they were great, but other than that, we just sort of went on rides and hung out and didn't rush. The great thing about a kid that age is that they don't really care what you go on, and they don't know what they are missing if they don't go on something, lol. I took DD at 3 (with my mother) and DD found a few rides she wanted to go on over and over (Dumbo and the Carousel) but other than that, she really didn't care if we skipped a ride, because she didn't know any better.

e) Plan lots and lots of down time for just wandering the resort, going to the pool, wandering another resort, Downtown Disney, a boat ride, whatever!

So those are my suggestions - do with them what you will, lol! I was nervous, but it really was a wonderful bonding time for us. We just got to spend 24/7 together, which was a bit tiring for me, lol, but it was so magical.

Enjoy!

[Sandra Bostwick]

You got some great ideas here. I've done Disney solo, but without kids. Each way is a whole different kind of fun.

Let's see...I might suggest picking one night to order in, let the kiddo snooze while you pamper yourself OR call the in-room sitters and go out on the town.

I hope your trip is magical, whatever you decide to do.