This question comes from my reader Sarah…
Do you or your readers have any tips for a Disneyland trip as a single parent? Almost everything I can find online suggests bringing another adult along. I have done disney several times with my children (with another adult helping) and I’m confident we can do it alone but I would love some tips!!
Monica says
I first took my girls by myself when they were 8 & 10. But I also brought my 11 year old neice. It worked out well b/c we were an even number for the rides and my neice served as a “buffer” between my two girls! lol Seriously, they will bicker all day everyday but with my neice there, she is a good distraction and everyone gets along.
I also got us matching shirts which made them easy to spot in a crowd. It’s also a way of letting everyone know we’re together which helps us maneuver through crowds and stick together! : )
Nicole says
I took my children on my own when they were 4 and 7, and it was totally manageable. To avoid fighting in lines we used a 3 strike method, if they were nagging or irritating each other they would get a strike, if they didn’t get to strike 3 they got a small souvenir that day. The restaurants we went to automatically sat us close to the buffets, not sure if this is policy or not, My oldest is a dare devil and went through the single rider lanes quite quickly while I waited at exits with the younger, and the disney cast would walk him on and off. The only downfall was dragging them down to get that morning cup of coffee so Mommy could function before trying to get everyone together for the day. One suggestion is to plan some down time for yourself, like take them to the resort playground and let them play there for a while while you catch your breath.
Susan T says
I have done Disneyland and California Adventure with just my kids using our passes. I even took 2 friends that had never been to Disneyland before for the day and I was tired after that! Find a nice quiet place to relax and regroup for lunch. For example Hungry Bear in Disneyland is somewhere that is quieter and you can sit near the railing downstairs after you get your food and feed the ducks. Also, when in California Adventure, we like to go out the entrance to the Grand Californian (across from the River Rapids ride) and go to the fastfood place Whitewater snacks that is just around the corner to the left. It is nice and quiet, with air conditioning or you can sit outside and you order the food at the register, they bring it to you and you can refill your own drinks. I also usually have the kids each pick 1 or 2 things that they each really want to do so that way we make sure that we do those important things. You can stack the fast passes and use them later, but not before the times printed on the tickets. The cast members can be really helpful with information so when you get a long time employee, stop and chat with them and ask them your questions if they aren’t busy in the stores. You can do it, just pick out what everyone wants to do the most and don’t try to do everything. With Cars land opening up soon, make sure to get the fast passes for the radiator springs ride that is a copy of Fast Track from WDW that will be located at the fast pass machines at the Bugs Life movie.
sara says
A lot of the resturants are buffet at Disney so it might be helpful to request sitting close to the buffet so that you can get up to grab something and still see your child.
dawn Windham says
i have gone to disney with my 2 boys for two years ( the first time they were 3 and 5) and found it is the best vacation for a single parent. We always get the meal plan-and do breakfast in the room and always have enough to eat with 2 meals per person per day. I always stay at a Disney resort and take the bus so I dont have to worry about driving and parking. Disney is great about letting us check in early and use the bus to go to wherever we need to go. The cast members are the best and very helpful whenever I needed an extra hand-is like getting my food tray to the table. Go enjoy! it is doable even as a single parent.!
dawn says
I took my girls (13 & 9) last year by myself and we are doing it again this year. I guess I have it a little easier as they are a bit older but I found it really easy. I just made sure to bring the girls back for rest/nap each afternoon to calm any cranky moods.
Rebecca says
Every morning, take pic of kid in their outfit.
put your cell # on them somewhere, and point out to them cast members…
As far as “how do I do this?” – go with the flow! My husband is out of country, and so my 6 year old and I have gone several times – he loves ALL of the parks. I don’t push it with rides, but rather let him take the lead. I have also taken just my 1 year old to Magic Kingdom for “princess day”, and I have taken BOTH kids by myself to parks. With the baby in tow, I prep my 6 year old for the fact that we cannot do many rides with sissie along, but he knows that we have annual passes and go back another time, just the two of us, and go on rides.
KEEP EVERYONE HYDRATED – you can get cups of ice water for free in the parks – USE THIS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!!! Split meals. When we go to Hollywood Studios, I go to ABC Commissary for meals and get my 6 year old the kids’ pack – MUCH better than a meal.
Most of all, take your time and let the kids lead. and let me say that you will find other guests that are amazed you are there by yourself with kids and will go out of their way to help and others that look at you like you are crazy!!! Laugh about it and keep going…you will also encounter cast members the same way….
Anne says
I suggest taking a picture that morning of your child in the outfit they are on for the day with your cell phone.
My son DID get lost back on March at the Magic Kingdom. I had planned on taking a picture of all three kids that morning but before I could take the picture, my son got separated from us (he just turned 8). Thank goodness I had my brain together and I was thinking clear enough to give a description of what he was wearing. But I learned my lesson to take a picture before going to the park at at the car in the parking lot.
Emma says
I actually write my number on their hands because waiting in line they like to play with their pockets and the paper might come out. Also for bathroom breaks (1 girl-8 1 boy-10) I have him go first and then tell him to sit down on a step or something and to not move then We quickly go to the bathroom. ** I am a worry wart!**
Alex says
I’ve gone to Disneyland several times w/my son. I think it was easy for us since it was “just the 2 of us”. To save money I booked a hotel that included free breakfast and included a refrigerator/microwave in the room. A backpack (to pack light snacks) and renting a locker @ Disneyland also saved us money. We packed some snacks and shared a lot of meals – of course my son was much younger than – now that he’s a teenager I don’t know that we could do that. We usually ate only 1 meal in the park and drank a lot of water.
Margarita says
I have the same question, i also wondered about saving money with being only three of us. All the specials I see are with two adults and two children, is there any specials for three or two family sizes? (My oldest may not be coming)
Deanna says
Margarita, you would still be getting the same special as a family of 4. The special is usually based on the room price which doesn’t change if there is 1 or 2 adults per room and you would only be paying for the tickets for the number of people in your party. The cost of a room is only more if there is more than 2 adults per room.
Margarita says
Thank you, I was actually asking if there were specials because of being just two. The specials like “only 79.00 per person per night for 4 days, 3 nights for 2 adults and two children ” is based off of four, so people with smaller families would still have to pay the same amounts as if there were four and the specials include the tickets from what I saw. Every time we try to make reservations it still comes out as if we were four people and not two, I just think it would be nice if Disney could make packages for two. Thanks for the reply!
Day says
Depending on their age, I would teach them how to read the maps or at least designate places to meet in case you’re separated. Try to plan rides that allow multiple riders in a car. Pair older kids with younger kids on rides. Write your cell number in their shoes. Definitely show them who Cast Members are in case they get lost. I’ve taken kids by myself to theme parks. It’s completely do-able, but it is more work on your end. Rest often during the day or between rides by seeing a show or having a snack. It helps you and them recharge and regroup.
Jess says
Even though we took my son with four adults (we went with his grandparents), we wrote our cell phone number on a piece of paper and put it in his pocket. We told him if he got lost or separated from us to show it to someone who works there and they would call us to come and find him. We didn’t have to use it, but it was a comfort to know it was there!