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Daddy and 3.5 Year Old Daughter Trip - No Mommy - Crazy?
I'm thinking of doing a WDW trip in early December - just me and my little girl, who will be three and a half then. Has anybody personally done this? Have tips on how to manage it? Strongly advise me against it?
Background: my wife has to go to the UK this December to be the matron-of-honor in her close friend's wedding. I'm thinking of doing a daddy-daughter trip while my wife is away. The wife is fine with this plan.
But if there's a consensus that this is a lot harder than I think it is, my planning for our June trip might change.
More background: we're not going to do our fall trip this year because my wife is pregnant (due in late August with our second). I'm thinking this would be a nice way to have some special time with her after she's had to go adjust to the new family dynamic.
80s: Poly X 2, LBR X 3;
CBR 3/00
YC 10/02, 9/06
Dolphin 10/04
DL - Grand Californian 3/06
Disneyland Paris 9/07
Swan 9/08, 6/10
BLT @ the CR, 9/09, 12/10 - Daddy-Daughter Trip
Disney-Like: Atlantis - Paradise Island 3/01, 3/02, 9/03, 9/05, 3/07, 4/08, 3/09, 4/10, and 3/11
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My husband has never done this particularly but he has taken our daughter to all sorts of events and he has had a great time. I don't think your crazy and I think your daughter will talk about her special trip with her dad for many years to come. And frankly try to spend as much time with her as you can before your second child comes along. We have two kids who are 3.5 years apart and that baby will take up a lot of time that you would normally have spent with your older child. So take what you can get now.
Good luck!
Oct 97 All Star Music
Dec 2008 CBR - First Family Trip
February 2012 POP/BC
"I could get used to a view like this. Yep, I'm used to it. Guys I want a castle."
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I would do it in a heartbeat. Know your limits and your daughter's limits. Since you will be together 24/7, you will need plenty of rest and she will too. Set a plan for when things get a little antsy. If she is getting restless, find one of the playground areas and let her run wild. Use the resort pools to wear her out a little before a nap. See if you can arrange a baby sitter or kids club one night. This will give you a little time away for part of a night.
1 Week at Wyndham Bonnet Creek 06/17/17 - 06/24/17; 1 Week at Orange Lake Resort 06/24/17 - 06/30/17; 1 week at OKW 12/03/17 - 12/10/17
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Do it!!! It sounds like it would be a great trip. I wish my husband would take my DD6 to Disney, but unfortunately he doesn't like Disney.
1974-1981--Wilderness campground
1989--Off site
1991--CB (high school grad)
1995--CB (college grad)
2001--BW (honeymoon)
2006--BCV (DH, DD, DS, Dmom, Dsis, Dbil)
2009--POFQ (DH, DD, DS, Dmom)
Hopefully going back again soon!!
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I think it is a wonderful idea!!! I did a lot with my dad when I was little and we had such a strong relationship. I lost him two years ago this month but I'm so happy to have the memories. Just scope out where the family restrooms are in advance. You probably don't want her in the men's room and she is way too little to tackle the ladies room alone. Have a great trip.
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Go for it!! It will be a wonderful special time for Daddy and his girl!! I took DD 5 for a Mommy and girl trip this past January and we had a blast. It was a lot of fun, we did 4 parks in 4 days. Happy planning and have a great trip!!
Mary Ellen
WDW
1985
Oct1992 OKW
Sept2007 OKW
Sept17-23 2008 OKW
Sept15-22 2009 OKW
Jan13-17 2010 POP, OKW
Sept16-25 2010 OKW
Jan16-19 2011 SSR
Jan13-19 2013 OKW
Jan20-26 2014 SSR
Dec05-16 2014 SSR
Sept12-18 2015 SSR
June7-12 2016 OKW
Upcoming
Sept8-13 2016 OKW
Jan2017
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I took my 3 year old to Disney by myself (I'm the mom). We met my brother there with his wife and 3 yr old son, so technically we weren't alone.
The only snafu in the plan was that my daughter got sick the first night we were there . I don't deal well with so it was nice to have my brother there to help out. He even took our rental car and got ginger ale, crackers, etc. from offsite.
Looking back, the only thing I would have done differently would be to make sure we took naps every afternoon. I am the commando in the family and my husband usually slows me down... at the end of the long weekend my DD and I were both very tired from very full days.
I think if you take your time and go at your daughter's pace, you will be fine!
Kathy
Many trips from childhood to 2008, WDW/DLP
8/09: Ultimate Adventurer Trip, WL Concierge/AKL
6/10: POFQ
12/10: Mousefan Reunion (Pop)
8/11, 7/12: AKL Concierge
10/12: ICOT 15th solo trip (Pop)
4/13: Pop
7/13: Hilton Bonnet Creek
7/14: 3 nights at BLT
12/14: US, IOA, and WDW
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That sounds amazing. My dad and I never took a trip to WDW alone, but I really cherish the memories of the things we did just the two of us. It would especially be nice for her to have that attention after the new baby arrives. I would say go for it and have fun!
Kristin
Momma to two sweet boys: Myers and Jacob
36 trips and counting!
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I say TOTALLY!!!! What a great father you are to want to do this with your DD.
Just remember a few things...
If your wife is the photographer, remember to take that roll. Take lots of pictures! Or better yet, do the photopass and take pictures every possible place you can.
If your wife is the nurturer, remember to take that roll. Sounds like you already are a great dad but, sometimes only mommy will do. Take note of how she nurtures and soothes your daughter adn remember to do that. I'm a HUGE hugger and kisser and "I love you" teller. My kids come to me first when they need cuddling or extra TLC. My DH does his fair share yet, again, sometimes you just need your mommy. Be prepared how to handle this and what to do to be "mommy" for her if needed.
I think its great. And if it were me, I wouldn't dare let them go to Disney without me! I'd be toooooooo jealous!!! haahaa...
Jennifer - Proud DVC Owner
DW of MyDisneyWorld; Mom of DDs (8) and (6)
04/00 - 03 = off property
09/03 ASMu, 09/04 POP, 12/05, 09/06 SSR
10/07 VWL, 10/09 - THV, 10/10, 10/11 - AKL, 10/12 -THV, 02/13- CBR/CSR, 9/13 - BWV/BLT
Next Up: Spring Break 4/'14 - BLT and Star Wars Weekend 5/'14 - BCV
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I think that's an awesome idea! What a great time for you and your little girl. Go for it and enjoy!
Diane
Past trips to WDW:
12/12 CBR with free dining
5/10 CBR with free dining
4/09 CBR couples only trip for 20th anniv.
9/08 Pop with free dining
5/07 Pop
4/05 Pop
12/04 Pop
4/04 Pop
12/02 AS Sports
4/02 AS Movies
3/00 Ft. Wilderness Cabins
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It's a great idea! Make sure you take a lot of photos to help her remember her special dad/daughter trip.
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I took my girls by myself when they were 2 1/2 and 5... from Ohio, hubby thought I was nuts, but he teaches and thus can only go in the summer or over a holiday. We have been doing it every year since(6 years in a row!) Go for it!
MK 1980 FOUR hours(July & 105) * Nov 04 POLY.. with my 2 princesses *Nov 05 Contemporary *Nov 06 split stay Cont/POFQ , making memories with my 21 yr old neice who has cancer. Sweet Lindsey passed March 2007 :(
Nov 07 WL *Nov 08 VWL *Nov 09 Bay Lake Tower WDW/DC/SW/DCL*April 2011 B2B Disney Dream
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Sounds like a great trip! I have been debating on taking my 5 yr old son by myself, I'm dad, so you'll have to post how your trip goes ...Have Fun!!
"Please stand clear of doors, por favor mantenganse alejados de las puertas. The monorail will be departing NOW!"
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I've been alone with 3 young boys a couple of times. The airports were more stressful (due to boredom) than the parks.
You'll be fine. It's the easiest vacation to do with a young child. You play, eat, nap, play, eat, sleep and start all over again.
I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way.
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Thanks for all the encouragement. The planning will start soon!!
Originally Posted by Patricia
You'll be fine. It's the easiest vacation to do with a young child. You play, eat, nap, play, eat, sleep and start all over again.
This was a big part of my thinking. WDW is such an easy place to spend quality time with toddlers/little ones. My thinking was I'd much rather be on vacation in a place designed for fun, then have to figure out the things near home to do with her while mom is away. Plus we'd have to figure out child care while Mom is away (my wife is a stay-at-home-mom). This seemed to me to be a win-win situation.
80s: Poly X 2, LBR X 3;
CBR 3/00
YC 10/02, 9/06
Dolphin 10/04
DL - Grand Californian 3/06
Disneyland Paris 9/07
Swan 9/08, 6/10
BLT @ the CR, 9/09, 12/10 - Daddy-Daughter Trip
Disney-Like: Atlantis - Paradise Island 3/01, 3/02, 9/03, 9/05, 3/07, 4/08, 3/09, 4/10, and 3/11
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It is definitely a win-win situation.
If you think we want or need some alone time, you could look into a baby sitter service for a few hours. From what I have read, the private sitters are very good. Also, some resorts have a kid zone where you can drop them off as well for a fee.
1 Week at Wyndham Bonnet Creek 06/17/17 - 06/24/17; 1 Week at Orange Lake Resort 06/24/17 - 06/30/17; 1 week at OKW 12/03/17 - 12/10/17
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What a great plan! You and your daughter will certainly create some wonderful memories which you will both cherish in years to come!
Keep in mind, Disney does have companion bathrooms available which might be helpful to you.
Linda aka: Faline
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
[email protected]
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My wife, son and I had a trip planned for September 2008. We found out in April/08 she was pregnant and she wasn't fond of doing Disney at 7 months pregnant. We didn't want to break our sons heart so I took him (then 4) to Disney. We had an awesome time. A really relaxed week, lots of pool time, naps and a waterpark day that he still talks about. Every night we would set up the computer and use Skype to talk to mom back at home and tell her about our day. I know this created special memories for him and quite honestly it did for me as well.
Pooh Fan
DVC Member- Home Resort SSR
Sep 2000 - CBR & Dis Wonder
Sep 2004 - OKW
Sep 2006 - Pop
Sep 2008 - OKW
Feb/Mar 2009 - Off Site
Sep 2009 - AKV
Sep 2011 - OKW
Sep 2012 - Paradise Pier
Sep 2013 - Offsite and AKV
Sep 2014 - ASM
Nov 2015 - SSR
May 2018 - OKW/AKV Kidani
Jan 2020 - SSR
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Originally Posted by Jennifer_and_Chris
I say TOTALLY!!!! What a great father you are to want to do this with your DD.
Just remember a few things...
If your wife is the photographer, remember to take that roll. Take lots of pictures! Or better yet, do the photopass and take pictures every possible place you can.
If your wife is the nurturer, remember to take that roll. Sounds like you already are a great dad but, sometimes only mommy will do. Take note of how she nurtures and soothes your daughter adn remember to do that. I'm a HUGE hugger and kisser and "I love you" teller. My kids come to me first when they need cuddling or extra TLC. My DH does his fair share yet, again, sometimes you just need your mommy. Be prepared how to handle this and what to do to be "mommy" for her if needed.
I think its great. And if it were me, I wouldn't dare let them go to Disney without me! I'd be toooooooo jealous!!! haahaa...
Love the points Jennifer brought up!
I think this is such a sweet idea, go for it!!!
Beth
Past WDW trips:
'83 - Contemporary
'99 - Grad Night, offsite
'03 - Day trip MK
'04 - Day trip MK
'05 - Poly LVC; POFQ Christmas trip
'06 - Poly
'08 - Poly
'09 - POFQ
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