To do Disney World Florida without partner?

[EllePat]

So me and my partner have DD (5), DS (1) and my partner has an older son (11).

My Dad has kindly offered to take me and my sister, plus all of his grandchildren to Disney World next year. My sister has two girls and her new partner has a 2 year old little boy. With Disney World not being the cheapest place, my Dad has said that he will not be able to afford to pay for partners and their children, but they are obviously welcome to come if they pay for themselves. Unfortunately, the situation we are currently in I know there’s no chance of us being able to afford to pay for both my partner and his son. There’s chance that we could just about save enough for my partner, but he has understandably said that he would never go on holiday without his son.
So our only option is now that I go on my own with both children who will be 2 & 6 by then, and I can’t help but let it fill me with worry with it being such a busy place, in the heat with sole responsibility of my then 2 year old mainly, as he’s already an absolute whirlwind. Don’t get me wrong I know single parents have no choice in situations like this (fully take my hat off!), but will it be really bloomin hard and stressful? My sister won’t be able to help as she’ll have their 3 to watch over.

Has anyone been to Disney World as a solo parent? Or has anyone been to Disney World with a 2 year old, could you of done it alone?

Basically hoping to look for some reassurance that it will still be worth looking forward too!

Honestly I would leave the 2 year old at home with DP and spend one to one time with your six year old. Your six year old will be a lovely age for it and might really value a mum daughter holiday.

How old are your sister's kids? Depending on how they are, it may be wise to postpone this trip for a few years. Disney is absolutely wasted on very young children.

I think I would do this as well or take the 11 yr old instead of the 2 yr old if your dad would go for that . We have a 6 yr age gap with our kids and the eldest went to Florida Disney 2 or 3 times with my husband and my sister whilst I stayed home with the little one .

@breathinbreathout this is actually a really good idea. I think I would feel guilt over not taking my 2 year old but the reality is that he wouldn’t even remember us taking him I suppose?

@Aquamarine1029 My sisters daughters will be 8 and 10 next year so they are getting a little bit older now, I think I would feel too guilty asking everyone to postpone the trip on account of me though. If it was just our family and ourselves paying I’d definitely postpone however!

@Floralnomad thank you, this will help with any mum guilt if I do decide to leave him at home with DP, to know it’s a normal thing to do!

He won't remember a thing about it. Your dd will remember time just you and her however.

@breathinbreathout Thank you, don’t think I even considered it before your message to be honest!

I'd buy some matching shirts and ears and enjoy it just the two of you.
Your son can do age appropriate dad son stuff at home.
I really like Disney but it isn't the best for very young kids, perfectly doable but less fun.

I agree with others, leave the 2 year old at home as they're too little to remember it anyway. I'd then take your partners 11 year old instead as they will love it (along with your 6 year old).

Honestly I wouldn't take a two year old. It's exhausting with so much walking and so full on. I think leaving your two year old at home is a great idea.

There is no way I'd leave my 2yr old at home. My just turned 3yr old has been to Disneyland twice, she loved absolutely every single second of it - the rides, characters, parades, shows, fireworks! So much of it is perfect for toddlers. Our oldest has been 4 times (18mths, 24mths, 4yrs, 5yrs). There is nothing like seeing them enjoy the magic at that age. I know my DS6 absolutely wouldn't want to go without his little sister either - who DOES remember, especially her latest trip.
I guarantee if you go without them you'd spend all holiday thinking "oh DS would have loved this" Plus that's a very long time to be apart from a 2yr old.
We're taking DS6 and DD3 to Florida for 3wks in October, they both can't wait.