Orlando as a single parent advice

schristine06

I've booked to go to Orlando in April 2015 with my 7 yr old daughter. We are staying on International Drive as I'm not going to drive out there as I'm not confident enough. I've travelled to Orlando 7 times before but this will be the first time as a lone woman with a 7 yr old. My question is are we going to be safe? We are staying in International Palms as it seemed central and provides a shuttle service to Disney which is why I chose it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

phatbear

you're probably less likely to get into trouble not driving than you would driving, for example you aren't ever going to end up in the wrong bit of town.

like all trips its just a matter of taking sensible precautions the same you would visiting the town/city over from where you live in the UK.

have faith, relax and go with the flow and you'll be fine

cazziebo

I went with my two daughters on my own. They were 6 and 4 at the time. I stayed on International drive and had a car. I never felt unsafe - perhaps because the girls were young so were in bed around 9 every night. I don't think safety is so much the issue as being a lone adult for such a long time. I would read or watch crap telly in the evenings. It's such an action packed holiday you have to choose whether you're doing an early morning or chilling early on preparing for a late night e.g. for the fireworks. it's not feasible to do both with young kids imho.

It was a bit of a last minute deal - I'd planned to do a long weekend at Christmas at Disneyland Paris and the travel agent told me I could do 10 days in Florida for not much more. I didn't have time to over think being on my own.

We had a fly drive so had a car- driving in the US is much easier than here. I had no problem with driving - I could find Disney and the other parks, but always got lost going back to hotel! Not that lost - Orlando is really only a few roads as you'll know.

Only advice I can give is enjoy it! We certainly did.

pineapple123

schristine06 wrote: »

I've booked to go to Orlando in April 2015 with my 7 yr old daughter. We are staying on International Drive as I'm not going to drive out there as I'm not confident enough. I've travelled to Orlando 7 times before but this will be the first time as a lone woman with a 7 yr old. My question is are we going to be safe? We are staying in International Palms as it seemed central and provides a shuttle service to Disney which is why I chose it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Well I have visted orlando 3 times with just myself and my children, everytime I have stayed on or near Idrive . I last went earlier this year and drove a hired car all the time and loved it, even went to Space centre. Most nights got in the hotel around midnight but son is now 16 however I have been to Orlando when they were younger and stayed just off I drive and caught the linx bus everywhere. I have never felt scared and Im one of those people who think it could happen to me as much as anyone else. Have also travelled just with my children to LA, Spain, France, Greek Isles and Malta. You just have to be sensible and aware of your surroundings and the people around you also keep an eye on your bag, valuables etc just as you would anywhere in the UK.

meer53

I've been to Orlando as a single mum with 2 kids, i hired a car and a villa. Driving is far easier than using public transport, driving in Orlando is easier than in the UK. I never felt unsafe although International Drive isn't a place i'd like be late at night. Not all of it, but parts of it are a bit seedy.
As others have said, take precautions just as you would anywhere else.