Advice Needed From The "AARP Crowd"

[Illini Al]

My wife and I are considering a DVC Membership. We have two adult children, but no grandchildren yet. For others who are in similar situations, what do you enjoy now about DVC? The thought of taking my future grandchildren every year to Disney World is very exciting, but am curious to hear from 50-ish year-old adults who visit w/o children or grandchildren. What do you like to do? Where do you like to stay? My 2 daughters and one son-in-law have already said they'd happy to use our points either with or without us even before they have kids! When my 2 daughters were younger, we we came down numerous times, but haven't been back since their early teen years when they were "too cool" for Mickey.
Thanks!! :)

[wdwnut]

We purchased at BWV 10 years ago when our youngest was still a teen and our oldest had just gotten engaged. We have taken numerous trips with the kids, grandkids, extended family, and friends up to 25+ people. It's still quite a bit of fun.

[JimC]

That is us right down to the two daughters and one son-in-law. We enjoy the resorts and parks, but at a leisurely pace so we can take in the details and exhibits. We see more parades, shows, shop and enjoy a greater variety of restaurants. We enjoy rides, but we easily detour if there is much of a line.

Which DVC resort we stay at depends on the time of year. For example, BCV is our favorite for December as it is close to Epcot and Studios for the special seasonal events. We owned before we moved to Florida and wondered if we would still want DVC living 30 minutes off property. Since moving down we bought AKV and VGC, plus more points at BCV and are about to add more at OKW.

[spiceycat]

no kids - brought it for my family and me....

mother definitely enjoyed it for years (joined in 1993 - OKW-DVC). My brother and his family still enjoy it.

his kids were raised on Disney. So the niece has always been for WDW. the nephew got side tracked a few years by Universal - but he is now again a big fan of WDW.

that is what is so nice about Orlando - if they do get tired of WDW - there is Universal, Seaworld, Bush Gardens - all right there. that say WDW is a hard act to beat.

definitely have enjoyed my membership.

Jim you are scaring me - moving to Davenport in a couple of months (hope). Have an offer on a house - the owner say yes - we are waiting on the bank and have waited, and waited....

really though I had enough points - now don't know.

[kikiq]

We bought DVC when we were 57. We have the 2 daughters and one grand daughter. My DH just likes to hang around the resort. Rents a bicycle, plays some tennis, reads a book and then off to the parks for a few hours. Our DGD already has made her first trip to VGC, and will be going to WDW in 2011. My DH likes to say that DVC provides with our "magic place" to be together. Doesn't really matter what we do.

[drusba]

Our preferreds are BWV and AKV and you can do the following:

1. You can go to the Hall of Presidents or the American Adventure and not feel like the ones you are with are doing you a huge favor by letting you drag them to such boring shows.

2. You can actually make a reservation for dinner at Victoria & Albert's.

3. If you play golf, you can play any day you want and any time of day you want.

4. You can get up at 6:30 a.m., have coffee on the porch while watching the sun rise, boats and people passing at BWV or animals at AKV, and not even think about getting to the park early.

5. You can go to the pool, have a few, spend some time in the hot tub, read a book and not be constantly watching to assure those you are with are not drowning.

6. You know you can go to 9 p.m. Cirque show or 9:30 Hoop Dee Doo and not worry about kids being too tired.

7. You never have to go on Dumbo or Alladin or [fill in any others that drive you batty].

8. You can tell random young people you don't know that the sickening Mission to Mars ride used to be a very impressive, imaginative and comfortable ride called Horizons.

9. You can walk past any ride that exists and no one with you will express disappointment if you don't go on it now.

10. You can go to Jellyrolls at BW without finding a sitter.

11. When Fantasmic ends you can just sit and wait until the crowd moves out before leaving because you are in no hurry to get anywhere.

12. If you want to see a parade you just walk up 5 minutes before it starts because you don't have to worry about ones you are with not being able to see over those standing in front of you.

13. You can actually spend a couple hours going through the real zoo portion of AK without those you are with believing they are missing the excitement elsewhere.

14. You can go to any restaurant you want and not ask to see the kid's menu.

15. You can if you want just go to a park a few hours a day and not care whether you get on any popular rides. In fact, you can go just to do two things and then come back and lounge at the pool.

16. You can go to a park just to see stage and and street shows.

17. You can spend time shopping for things you actually want to buy for yourself.

18. You can have a rather late dinner at Jiko's, a nice bottle of wine and then go back to the room and do what you couldn't do when the kids were around.

Of course, you can also buy souveniers for those who aren't with you so they won't fear they have been forgotten for you will always remember what it was like with them and what it is like without them.

[helenk]

I am 56, and while I do have a grand daughter who will be 2 and look forward to future trips with her, I really enjoy going by myself. My husband does not like WDW so most of my trips are solo.
I booked a studio at the BCV for September, I am looking forward to relaxing at the pool and being able to walk to Epcot and DHS.
I have a 1 bedroom booked at the VWL for December with hopes that my son, daughter in law and grand-daughter can join me. But my son was laid off recently so they may not be able to go. If I go solo I will go to MVMCP and I'll go see the Candlelight Processional, and I love visiting the resorts to see the decorations. I also plan on just hanging out in the lobby and having some hot chocolate by the fireplace.
When I bought at DVC, I bought enough points to take 2 trips a year and stay in a Savannah view studio at the AKV and possibly treat myself to concierge level once or twice. Then I bought 50 more points so that I can upgrade to a 1 bedroom when my grand daughter comes along and then I bought 50 points at the VWL so I can stay there every other year.
So even though I do not have a large family to go along, I enjoy my solo trips and in a few years I will take my grand daughter as often as possible.

[Safari Queen]

We were 53 and 62 when we bought our first contract at SSR. Kids were grown and gone. I'd suddenly become a WDW fanatic and we both found our vacations there so relaxing. Once we stopped going "commando" with kids, we slowed down and just cherry picked our favorites in the parks. We boat, bike, play miniature golf, and spend a lot of time just lounging in the villa, in a lounge, or by the pool. Staying deluxe is lovely. At this point we own at BWV and AKL. In January we spend a week with my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, usually at BWV or BCV, which are so comfortable and convenient to the parks. In the Fall we do Food and Wine by ourselves, usually at AKL, which we adore.

DVC makes sure we take our vacations (wouldn't want to waste points) and the whole resort now feels familiar and comfortable. I can't think of any place more perfect for us now that it's just us.:goodvibes

[Muhlenberg]

We bought when I was 53 and hubby was 54. We have 1 college age son and 2 older daughters, one of which is married, and now we have a new granddaughter. We bought because I was ending up at WDW twice a year. :rolleyes1 At the time...all the kids were scattered about the country.

Anyway...the winter trips are when I take my now 85 yo parents. We tour at a VERY S L O W pace and no longer do rides. There's a LOT of stopping to smell the roses and people watching and EATING.

When it's my DH and me, we tour at our own pace...commando marched right out the door when he broke his ankle in '00. I'm like others...if a line's too long...we go somewhere else. Parks are at a leisurely pace, and if we've had enough after 3 or 4 things, we go back to the room. We enjoy dinners at Cali Grill, and other places WE want to go to.

The plan is for the whole family to take a trip every two years. We went last January WITH the grandparents...but the next time (Aug '10) is just our immediate family.

Where do we stay without kids? So far...BWV, AKV, and BLT(soon). There's always something to do, and where we stay doesn't really matter.

[eliza61]

Both Hubby and I are 50+ AARP members without the retired part. LOL. We did purchase our dvc when we had kids but find now that the kids are older we still enjoy it very much.

1) We love touring at a leisurely pace. It just seems like we enjoy our vacations more now that we are not rushing through meals to get on the next ride.
2) We love the "mini" trips to the world the rejuvenate us through out the year. Luckily we live in SJersey/Philly area which is serviced by Southwest Airlines. 89 bucks a piece and the old guy and I can hop down to the world for a long weekend.
3) If it's just the two of us we like the WL but our home resort is the BCV's which we love also.

[bobbiwoz]

We're in our 60s, not retired and enjoy going to WDW for long weekends and for longer vacations with family and friends.
I enjoy swimming and relaxing at a pool. SAB at the BCV is my favorite pool, but since we like and own at 6 resorts, I always am happy to say that it is very true that if I can't be swimming there, I'm very happy at the pool/resort that I'm at. VLW is our favorite all around resort, and they all come in a very close second to that one.
DH and I enjoy the shows, like the American Idol experience and the Monster's Inc, and the fireworks. He's so glad we bought into DVC, because our other "home away from home" in Cape May often requires some upkeep, work for him to do when he's there. At our DVC, he can relax without getting a honeydo list!
We've added on over the years, and our family, including 3 wonderful grandchildren join us often. However, we are also adding on to be able to spend at least 6 weeks of winter at WDW/VB in the not to distant future.

Bobbi:goodvibes

[DiznyDi]

DH and I are also 55+ AARP members, though not quite retired. We purchased while our adult children were still living at home. Daughter is now married and son is in the Army. DD used our points for her honeymoon stay split between VWL and SSR. DH and I like to make 2 trips per year; one in May for Flower and Garden and one in the late Fall for Food and Wine or winter to enjoy the Christmas decorations and festivities. We fly, usually direct out of Akron Canton and use the Magical Express.

We enjoy the various activities/shows/entertainment offered at the resorts and frequently will resort-hop for our evening meal. The parks are fun to walk through. We particularly enjoy the landscaping and dreaming how to implement designs on our own property. There are only a handful of rides that we continue to do every trip and if the lines are too long, we know we'll be back again.

This is the first year that we are even considering renting a car to explore some off property sights.

We viewed our purchase much like buying a car. It suited us at the moment and we have enjoyed it tremendously. When it no longer suits us, we'll sell and move on, though I really don't see that as happening. DD and SIL thoroughly enjoy visits to the World - on mom and dad, of course and DS and his soon to be wife hopefully will enjoy it as well.

I look forward to my trips with just DH and myself. Sure taking extended family is fun, but going 'just us' is extra special. Which will happen again in 2 months and 28 days....:lovestruc

[Cee]

Our favorite trips are the non-park trips now. We love just "hanging out". It's wonderful. It's also been a revelation to discover all there is to do outside of the parks. We are never bored. LOVE IT. :goodvibes

[Illini Al]

Thanks for all of the great thoughts and suggestions. It sounds like DVC can work well to transition us from where we're at now (traveling alone), to our days when grandchildren come along, to when we retire in about 10 to 15 years. Moving to Central Florida when we retire is strong possibility, at which time I would have thought it would make sense to sell, although it sounds like there are Central Florida residents who still own!

[dianeschlicht]

My wife and I are considering a DVC Membership. We have two adult children, but no grandchildren yet. For others who are in similar situations, what do you enjoy now about DVC? The thought of taking my future grandchildren every year to Disney World is very exciting, but am curious to hear from 50-ish year-old adults who visit w/o children or grandchildren. What do you like to do? Where do you like to stay? My 2 daughters and one son-in-law have already said they'd happy to use our points either with or without us even before they have kids! When my 2 daughters were younger, we we came down numerous times, but haven't been back since their early teen years when they were "too cool" for Mickey.
Thanks!! :)

We purchased when we were 50 and 51 and our kids were grown. We've been members for 12 years, and still no grandchildren to share DVC with, but we have so enjoyed taking family and friends to the World, and really enjoy just going by ourselves too. We usually take 2-3 Disney trips a year and combine them with other activities as well. For example: in two weeks we will start a 2 week Florida trip. We're staying a week in an OKW 1 bedroom and then go down to Fort Myers for 5 days of baseball spring training. Then we head back up to AKL for a couple of days before heading home. WDW is our "go to" place for fun and relaxation.

[nunzia]

We bought it and we are also of the older variety. We have visited with adult groups several times and it was just great. We DO have grandkids (8) and so do like to take them, of course, but really need more points. We had planned a just DH and I trip but added a brother and sister in law and are looking very forward to that. Disney without kids is a different but just as fun experience IMO.

[zorro77]

We have been members since (93) and now are both 57. No grandchildren yet but have been taking our mothes who are 80 with us each year. They love it down their. The walking,shopping and all the rides they love to do. For us we go 4 weeks of the year and each time can not wait to go back. It seems like we may do same thing over and over but we enjoy it because the people are different each time. Lots of free things to do and enjoy. We go when weather is bad at home so it is a pleasure to have the sun and warm air. We see ourselves going for as long as we are able. To keep up with our mothers we have 20 plus years to go. Plus we will have family members to continue to enjoy it as well.

[DeeDeeDis]

I was going to bypass this post but then i remembered i joined this club in August :)

Its great to visit without kids, first you can actually ENJOY the parks without panicing every few seconds because the "little guy" disappeared again (with three boys it always seemed one of them was always standing behind some big person in the growd).

we try to visit EPCOT every year for the food and wine festival in the fall (not really a youth activity).

Strolling thru all the resorts, parks and downtown Disney and listening to all the holiday Concerts is one of our favortie things to in November and early December.

Visiting the water parks, or just the resort pool, without having to waddle after a little person is amazingly very relaxing.

Our three sons, 24, 22 & 18 (this one is at UCF and visited wdw every week) still love going wdw and the oldest two did the CP, (middle one is still a seasonal employee) and all three keep trying to convert their friends

Dont get me wrong I LOVED seeing the parks and magic thru my boys eyes when they were young and am looking forward to one day bringing grandchildren but right now we are enjoying all the wonder of disney by ourselves and loving every relaxing minute of it.

footnote: My mom bought a small dvc share about 4 years ago (shes 78) and goes every years, mostly for the food; shows and people watching

[dianeschlicht]

We have been members since (93) and now are both 57. No grandchildren yet but have been taking our mothes who are 80 with us each year.
LOL, I know this was an innocent typo, but it really made me laugh! I have a hilarious image of winged creatures!:lmao:

[Cee]

I know, me too! :hippie:

[disneymom8589]

DH and I are almost "AARP" age and we bought into DVC in 2006 when we were in our mid-40s and our children were close to leaving the nest. Now they are both married and our DS and his wife are expecting their 1st child in August. My DH and I have thoroughly enjoyed our WDW vacations with just the two of us. A favorite vacation was in July 2008 when we stayed at BWV. One typically rainy summer afternoon found us reading on the big porch at the resort. It was one of the most relaxing things we did! DH still talks about that leisurely afternoon! We also take the parks at a slower pace.

One of the reasons we bought into DVC was looking into the future when we could take our children and their families. We will all be going in April during my spring break. :goodvibes I would highly recommend looking into DVC. :)

[dmoore22]

I'm on the 61 side of 60 and my DW is 59. We are card carrying members of AARP. My wife still works while I'm in semi-retirement. We bought a resale in 2002 after my uncle came down with vascular dementia. My aunt had commented about all the years they saved to enjoy retirement and now they couldn't. My own parents did not enjoy a decent quality of life due to health issues after they retired. Hence I pulled money from my retirement savings to purchase into DVC then bought an add-on latter. Life is too short to wait. When we first bought in all of our children (5 girls, 1 boy) were still at home. Whenever we stayed at WDW or DL we would have to get, at a minimum, two rooms since the high rent area was out of our budget. At WDW we would get a package staying at an All-Star. We noticed, after we first bought DVC, that we were actually spending about the same as we did for the Value Resort Packages. The main difference is that our stays are longer and in much nicer accommodations. Now our youngest daughter (16) is the only one home. We've been able to downsize our accommodations and now visit the World twice a year. The only thing I can say is "ditto" for the previous comments. We bought into OKW which is truly laid back. It's a nice place to be get get away from the "Mickey-in-your-face" barrage. In many ways it reminds me of a circa 1920's resort that my parents would vacation at when I was a kid back in the late 50's and early 60's. Old world elegance with new world convenience. :thumbsup2

[Hopefully]

DH and I are both AARP members. We bought at BCV in 2008 at 58 and 59. We had taken many adults only trips staying at BCV/BWV through CRO (OUCH).
We gave up commando touring long ago. We love the leisurely touring to see the things we want to see. We have the favorites we visit each trip, but at a slower pace. We enjoy the resort and restaurant eating. It is great.
I wish we had done it sooner, when we first considered buying DVC.

[beeadude]

drusba said it all. My DH is a CPA so every April 16th we board SouthWest Airlines and head for Disney. DH will play golf and I'll sit by the pool reading a book. We make annual plans for our family Disney trips especially The Not So Scarey Halloween Party. Everyone from age 60 down to 3 loves the trick or treating. Times are great with our 3 year old DGD but that Dumbo line-UGH-give me my time at the SSR Spa and a romantic reservation for 2 at Victoria & Alberts.

[TIGGERmetoo]

DH and I purchased when we were 54/55 having 2 grown sons. We purchased at BLT because we thought it would be easier to get other resorts at 7 mos out and wanted to have BLT for when the grandchildren came. Just had our 1st one last August so we're very excited to bring her in the next year or so.

[Illini Al]

Thanks for all of the great comments! Sounds like there are a bunch of 50+ DVC owners, all who are very happy with their choice. Also, sounds like DVC is a great way to vacation with or w/o kids! Back to discussing strategy with the wife...
The other option is just purchasing a condo in the area, but I wouldn't be using it for more than 2-3 weeks per year, and I certainly don't need the headaches of trying to rent it out the rest of the year. Plus the cost of furnishing a condo, and paying the annual HOA fees and taxes would be far more expensive than DVC, and I'd be using it the same amount of time.

[SamSam]

Thanks for all of the great comments! Sounds like there are a bunch of 50+ DVC owners, all who are very happy with their choice. Also, sounds like DVC is a great way to vacation with or w/o kids! Back to discussing strategy with the wife...
The other option is just purchasing a condo in the area, but I wouldn't be using it for more than 2-3 weeks per year, and I certainly don't need the headaches of trying to rent it out the rest of the year. Plus the cost of furnishing a condo, and paying the annual HOA fees and taxes would be far more expensive than DVC, and I'd be using it the same amount of time.

Exactly! Dh and I own at BCV and AKV, and we considered a condo or house in the area, but after careful consideration decided DVC was actually a better value for us.
If we bought a condo we would have to have a property manager to rent it out and deal with the maintenance. Then, what if it wasn't rented out, you eat the cost. So, we definitely agree with you that owing DVC is the best way to go.

[Lost boy]

We're also, well actually I'm in the aarp age group with 4 DC ages 17 thru 25 and one grandchild and another on the way. We bought to use with our kids now but mostly for down the road with the grandkids. Now another consideration for us is to use Dis as part of our winter escape when we retire, we already have 2 weeks at the royal sea aquarium resort in curacoa in jan. and the more pts we have the longer we can add on to our escape at the end of the curacoa stay by going to Dis before coming home. Last year I met several retirees lounging around by the pool at SSR that had been hopping from different Dis resorts for the last 4 to 6 weeks staying in studios to stretch their points. Sounds great to me.

[Buzzsgramma]

DH was 58 and i was 53 when we bought DVC at BWV...we love to take the kids and gr-kids which we did for Thanksgiving wk..(14)
We recently just ret'd fro a short trip ourselves to AKL....The 2 of us usually go every yr...he is retired for over 2 yrs so we love to go to the World..
Just relax by the pool, lots of great dinners, shopping..golf...sometimes even a park!!

[spiceycat]

The other option is just purchasing a condo in the area, but I wouldn't be using it for more than 2-3 weeks per year, and I certainly don't need the headaches of trying to rent it out the rest of the year. Plus the cost of furnishing a condo, and paying the annual HOA fees and taxes would be far more expensive than DVC, and I'd be using it the same amount of time.

well work retired me. So buying a house in Davenport about 12 to 17 miles from WDW. (really think that the MK is 20 miles)

so hopefully in a month or two will be living there. that say will still kept DVC.

[DonnaL]

We purchased when we were in our mid 40's and our kids were 21, 19 and 12.......fast forward almost nine years. We now have an 8 year old grandson, also. We usually visit twice a year (some years we squeeze in a third visit....usually just the two of us) once with all the kids and once just the two of us. We love going with our kids and grandson, but, it is a different visit than we go alone.......and even with our kids, we don't do "commando" type park visits anymore........because even they feel if they miss something this year....they'll see it next year.......it reaches a point you become very relaxed about the entire trip and don't worry about it because it's not as though you won't be back for five or more years. We also have had trips on which park visits are minimal........maybe a walk thru Epcot in the evening, have a drink in one or two of the countries and watch Illuminations, or head to MK late afternoon and just do a few favorites and maybe have a Dole Whip while we're there and then catch Wishes.......actually, a few years ago, DH and I stayed at AKV for 3 nights and didn't even go to a park at all........just relaxed, read and lounged by the pool and leisurely dinners two of the three nights.........I seem to remember watching Wishes from the Poly beach on that trip.......I don't think we even had tickets that time and didn't want to get new AP's until our next trip.

[katmittens]

We purchased when our two kids were in their teens. DS is now 25 and a lawyer and still travels with us to the world. DD is graduating college as a teacher this May and even though we just returned from a trip with them in Jan. she can't wait and wants to go in June, which we plan on doing.

DH and I took our first trip to Disney by ourselves this past Oct (last trip to the World on our own was on our honeymoon 29 years ago) I was worried that we would miss the kids and feel bad. :rotfl2::rotfl2: We had a great time. Don't get me wrong we love having the kids with us, but we were able to just relax. Maybe we went to a park or we just stayed by the pool had lunch and a few drinks. We went shopping at the outlets and to the Marketplace and sat and had a drink. Watched the fireworks on the beach at the Poly while we had drinks. Do you see a pattern here. :rotfl:

Overall we just had a laid back relaxing time. I always wish we had bought in earlier, but am happy that we finally did.

[dzney2001]

well work retired me. So buying a house in Davenport about 12 to 17 miles from WDW. (really think that the MK is 20 miles)

so hopefully in a month or two will be living there. that say will still kept DVC.

We were trying to find a place behind MK in Independence with no luck.
Found a place in Davenport 2 weeks ago but when we went to make offer there was a contract.
Going back next month to look again.
Also, keeping DVC.

[dzney2001]

My DH decided to make our first purchase in 2001 after he did the math.
We renewed our vows for our 25th on beach of the Ploynesian. While there he told DD and DS if either decided to marry at WDW he would pay. Well 6 years later DD took the offer. That's why we purchased. DH figured it has paid for it's self time and time again. Our DD and DSinlaw have purchased there own. We have a 10 month old granddaughter and she's been there 3 times thanks to being a member!!! Also, we have been able to help different ones go to WDW who wouldn't other wise be able to. Just wish we would have purchased sooner!!!

[Mberg12]

I know several families who have grown kids that enjoy going to the parks but also venture out to the other destinations through RCI. The resorts in the concierge collection are great and I'd like to try every location.

[thepops]

We bought 3 years ago in our late 40's. The kids got some trips in with us but now they are in college so they don't trael with us as much. We enjoy just taking it at a slower pace, people watching, hitting the attractions we want to (and sending the kids pictures of the attractions they love just to aggravate them a little). We really enjoyed just wandering arund AKV last week and checking out all the animals, and talking to the CMs there. Enjoy!

[CaskPeg]

Illini Al-

My husband and I bought in 1993. He had already been to Anaheim and Disneyworld before we met...but we bought our "Home" at first viewing. We later added more to our OKW group and on our Disney Cruise bought more at Saratoga Springs.

With a lot of family now in Florida...our "place at the World" is shared by many. We even had our daughter and friends use it for Spring Break in College her senior year.

You will never have a quality issue...and can always expect the same type of attention on each return visit. Hope you join us soon.

Cask Peg

[appleorchard]

We've owned for 10 years, are now 63 and 59. All 5 children grown and gone before we bought. While we've gone with grandchildren, my 81 year old mother, my sister, niece and grand nephew, we bought for US. We love BWV and Epcot, always get a 1 BR at least, and still go way too commando but we're learning to go slower.

As much as I'd love to take grandkids every year, it isn't going to happen. The older two (8 and 5) have been once, 3 years ago. Their parents thought they were too young earlier, and we were supposed to go with them last December, but my son lost his job, so we cancelled, since even though tickets and rooms were on us they still had to pay to get there, and were taking my DIL's mom for 3 days before we met up with them, since she has never been with them. They're very big on fairly dividing time, so we probably won't get another chance until she's been there with them, even though we were willing to all go together.

Same thing with my youngest (2) granddaughter. My son in law won't let her go until she's older, and then it will just be them the first time they go. Then both grandparents will need equal time at Disney with her. Fortunately I see plenty of her since I watch her twice a week. I envy people who go every year with their children and grandchildren; it just doesn't work that way with us. We can't really foot the whole bill for one family without making the same offer to everyone, and we can't afford to take everybody, so we go by ourselves!

[DenLo]

We bought just last year at the ages of 56 and 57. We still enjoy going to the parks and going on the rides. Favorites are Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Sometimes we go to rope drops and other times we watch the sunrise in our room, roam around the resort or go to the pool. We are starting to rediscover attractions and rides that we thought we were too old to do when we were in our 30's, like the Mad Hatter teacups, the Jungle Ride and the Astro Orbiter. Although it was in our plan to see Monster Inc. Laugh Floor we didn't make there during our last trip and the same for the Hall of Presidents, so we have a goal for our next trip. We don't spend the entire day at the parks. And even when we stay 4 hours we often take breaks and do some people watching. We still enjoy seeing the parks from the eyes of the children. It's so easy to read their thoughts by their faces. Definitely magic.

We have plans for family gatherings for both sides of the family. Since we don't have children, we bought thinking that our nieces and nephews might enjoy going with us from time to time, or making reservations for a niece or nephew with children of their own.

[VrBchJ]

I bought in my late 50s. No kids and my husband hates all things Disney. But I have lots of girl friends who enjoy going for Food and Wine. My brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew and their kids are fans. One year I take my niece's family and the next my nephew's. My brother and sister-in-law get to go everytime. Several times my brother and SIL come down without other family members and then the three of us really have fun. I go solo too and get to be very selfish and just do what I want to do.

OT Cask Peg it's good to hear from you.

[disneylovinsenior]

Our preferreds are BWV and AKV and you can do the following:

1. You can go to the Hall of Presidents or the American Adventure and not feel like the ones you are with are doing you a huge favor by letting you drag them to such boring shows.

2. You can actually make a reservation for dinner at Victoria & Albert's.

3. If you play golf, you can play any day you want and any time of day you want.

4. You can get up at 6:30 a.m., have coffee on the porch while watching the sun rise, boats and people passing at BWV or animals at AKV, and not even think about getting to the park early.

5. You can go to the pool, have a few, spend some time in the hot tub, read a book and not be constantly watching to assure those you are with are not drowning.

6. You know you can go to 9 p.m. Cirque show or 9:30 Hoop Dee Doo and not worry about kids being too tired.

7. You never have to go on Dumbo or Alladin or [fill in any others that drive you batty].

8. You can tell random young people you don't know that the sickening Mission to Mars ride used to be a very impressive, imaginative and comfortable ride called Horizons.

9. You can walk past any ride that exists and no one with you will express disappointment if you don't go on it now.

10. You can go to Jellyrolls at BW without finding a sitter.

11. When Fantasmic ends you can just sit and wait until the crowd moves out before leaving because you are in no hurry to get anywhere.

12. If you want to see a parade you just walk up 5 minutes before it starts because you don't have to worry about ones you are with not being able to see over those standing in front of you.

13. You can actually spend a couple hours going through the real zoo portion of AK without those you are with believing they are missing the excitement elsewhere.

14. You can go to any restaurant you want and not ask to see the kid's menu.

15. You can if you want just go to a park a few hours a day and not care whether you get on any popular rides. In fact, you can go just to do two things and then come back and lounge at the pool.

16. You can go to a park just to see stage and and street shows.

17. You can spend time shopping for things you actually want to buy for yourself.

18. You can have a rather late dinner at Jiko's, a nice bottle of wine and then go back to the room and do what you couldn't do when the kids were around.

Of course, you can also buy souveniers for those who aren't with you so they won't fear they have been forgotten for you will always remember what it was like with them and what it is like without them.

:surfweb: EXACTLY!! YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON! We have been visiting Disney since the year it opened - children, grandchildren, and now just my DH and I. This is great - especialy the dinner choices. Never see a chicken strip or hot dog again! Thanks for the smile.

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Loved reading this thread!
My DH and I took our first non-kid trip in over 17 years (the age of our son) this past March. Our two kids were at WDW with their high school band and we did our own thing. Stayed in a studio at BWV. Highlights included:
Going to the Bellevue Lounge for a libation the first evening, to unwind after our flight.
Enjoying breakfast (OK, coffee and pop tarts!) on the porch one morning, with a great view of some wandering ducks.
Spending most of a day at the pool just relaxing.
Going to dinner at Boma (our favorite) and visiting the sample units at Kidani.
Walking over to Disney Studios at park opening, riding RnRC three times, then leaving the park to spend the rest of the day at Epcot and BWV.
Hanging out in the lobby of the Grand Floridian one afternoon, listening to the piano player and people watching.

We are enjoying the parks less, in large part due to lots of crowds (we're not flexible about time to visit) but we love the resorts and general atmosphere of a Disney vacation.

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I see your tag is Illini Al, but you are in Ohio. We are Illini fans and we still live in Illinois. Anyway, we didn't buy our DVC until we were emptynesters. My husband and I are both 59 and we love going with our kids and grandkids or by ourselves. We relax much more now that wwe have DVC. We don't feel like to have to do the parks commando style. We volunteer to stay in the room with the grandkids if they want to swim, or we let our kids go our at night if they want to and we stay with the grandkids. It has been wonderful and we hope to have many more years enjoying our DVC.