First trip!!! Single parent with 1 child

[Clairelbrooke]

Hi, I wonder if anyone could give me an insight if they have any experience as going as a single parent? I have 2 weeks booked 25/8/15 to 8/9/15 we are staying at the Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista. My son will be 9 and very much looking forward to the trip, we arrive late afternoon and wondered what the best thing to do that night was? Something not too crazy but to strike off the to do list as will be far too many things to fit in. From what I gather the shuttle buses from the Clarion aren't that great so would poss use the Lynx system? What I'm querying I suppose is safety with it just being me and my son, I know nobody can guarantee that but are there places and hints I shouldn't do/go or even lynx system? Lots of questions really but want to be prepared and organised as a on e in a lifetime holiday.

Thanks in advance
Claire
X

 

[Weather_Lady]

I assume the hotel has shuttle buses to Downtown Disney (a/k/a "DTD") (Google says that it does, but you can't believe everything you read on the internet!). I'm afraid I don't know about the local bus service, although even a cab might be reasonable if you needed it as it's only about 1.5 miles between your hotel and DTD. A nice dinner and walk around DTD (you could even take in a movie or visit Splitsville, DTD's fancy retro bowling alley) would be a fun and laid-back way to spend your first evening without visiting a park.

I hope you and your son have a wonderful trip -- it sounds terrific!

 

[Clairelbrooke]

Thank you for the reply, that's whatni'm worried about, poor shuttle services, I don't want to spend money on taxi's etc when it could be spent on my little man having fun and not feeling like I'm scrimping on him, DTD sounds like a good plan for the first night for sure, my son has physical difficulties so tires very easily so don think we will be having many late nights, will have to work the fireworks around the quieter days so it isn't too much for him

 

[Beckett]

Hello! I am also a single parent and have traveled with my then 5 year old alone to Orlando. Make sure you have all the LYNX bus schedules before going, get an estimate of how much taxi fares are to and from the hotel (just in case) and ask the hotel to e-mail you a copy of their shuttle service hours beforehand so that you know what to expect. I have seen great reviews from this hotel and great rates too, so I think you will enjoy your stay. I also think that you could do what I did: use the shuttles to get to the parks and then if I wanted to stay later than the last bus that got back, I would only pay for the taxi fare to go back to the hotel instead of what the roundtrip would have costed me. With a son that age, I highly recommend going to Islands of Adventure and Universal, since there's all the Spiderman, Transformers and other stuff boys love . A tip to save time (and money): Have breakfast in the hotel room.

 

[Beckett]

Imporant tip: ALWAYS take taxis from Downtown Disney. It will save you money since it is a shorter distance to the hotel. You can use Disney transportation once you are in the park, it is for everyone in the parks, not only for people who stay onsite.

 

[landauh]

You are looking for Lnyx Bus Number 50. Not sure where the stop is but it should be close to the hotel. One you get to DTD or the Magic Kingdom you can transfer to Disney buses.

http://www.golynx.com/core/fileparse.php/97363/urlt/0057120-LNX_Lft_LCS_WEB.pdf

 

[Clairelbrooke]

Thanks guys!!! So if I can get to DTD I can get on a disney bus? That seems like a better option than lynx, although bus 50 is apparently right outside the hotel. Universal is the bit I am most looking forward too!!! Harry Potter!!!!! We I'd Disneyland Paris when he was little so have done the disney thing albeit not on this level. How do the disney buses work?

 

[landauh]

Thanks guys!!! So if I can get to DTD I can get on a disney bus? That seems like a better option than lynx, although bus 50 is apparently right outside the hotel. Universal is the bit I am most looking forward too!!! Harry Potter!!!!! We I'd Disneyland Paris when he was little so have done the disney thing albeit not on this level. How do the disney buses work?

No Disney bus goes from DTD directly to the parks. You will need to transfer at a resort. Lynx bus 50 goes to the Magic Kingdom where you can get the Monorail to Epcot or another Disney bus to the other parks. Disney buses are free to use but do get crowded at certain times of the day.

 

[SMS55]

That first afternoon I would suggest Downtown Disney. Walk around, get something to eat and maybe knock out some shopping if your planning on buying stuff for people back home.