When the kids are no longer children...do you keep going to WDW??

[LivieTARDIS]

I'm 19 and I always love going to Disney [I'm actually tring to talk my mom into booking a cruise in winter] We will never be too old for Disney [I have to book mostly character meals at WDW for my mom who is 51]

[Karabee]

"Adult kid" here (late 20's) My parents have been taking us to Disney since we were little and it's always been something we all enjoyed. When I finished Grad School my mom said I could pick somewhere special to go - I love traveling, but I picked Disney World. I think she knew it was coming That of course, meant they went twice that year because they started going on their own every year once we were in college! They focused more on the golfing and spa side of things once they didn't have to pay for us any longer.
After my Mom passed, my sister and I decided we wanted to go back - even though it was our family place. Well, wouldn't you know my Dad decided he would tag along because he missed it. We were still his excuse to go to Disney World - no matter how old we are!
So while I'm not the "parents" I can vouch that they still went with or without us

[Pakey]

As an adult, I've been going to WDW for 35 years. I went before I had children all the way through to having adult children. I've now had 2 vacations there with grandchildren.

The experiences certainly change through the course of time but there's still magic to be found. We now have 2 additional grandchildren who are infants and I can't wait to take them for their first visits!!!

[ekmom]

We have 2 kids, DD26 and DS22. DS and I are the Disney fanatics, DH goes along with it and DD is lukewarm. Last time we went was in 2011 and DD didn't join us. We're planning a trip for March 2013 and I think DD will come for at least part of the time since the focus of the trip is using some money my mother left us when she passed away in February and it's kind of important to me that the whole family be there for at least part of the time. But when I started the planning, she did ask if I wouldn't consider going elsewhere.

[minnie mum]

Originally Posted by Pakey

As an adult, I've been going to WDW for 35 years. I went before I had children all the way through to having adult children.

We must be from the same generation. Since our DDs flew the nest DH and I have had many more trips to WDW, just the 2 of us. And we still love the experience.

The girls always enjoyed their trips with us, and now go with their respective DHs. I think the reason they never went thru that 'BTDT' phase was because we didn't ONLY vacation at WDW. There were always trips to other destinations in between visits to The World. And that's how everyone in our extended family continues to vacation- mixing Disney vacations with vacations in other parts of the world. Keeps things from getting boring.

This year we're doing a twofer: a 'once in a lifetime' tour of Japan, culminating with a few days at Tokyo Disney!

[DVCismyhappyplace]

My parents took us when we were kids. I'm an adult without kids now but DH and I still go to WDW at least once a year. As a matter of fact, before I was married, my sister and I bought into DVC because WE loved going to Disney as children AND as adults!

[DisneyMim]

We've been going to WDW forever. We have been DVC members since 1991 and our kids have grown up with Disney and think of it as our second home. They are in their 20's now and still love to come with us. Of course, they get their own room and bathroom!! This was one of our "future sights" when we bought into DVC and it has been everything we were hoping. Of course now we don't "do" our trips the same as when they were kids, but believe it or not I enjoy them even more. Yes it can be hard to find a time when we can all go, but when we do we have a wonderful time. Dinners have become a huge part of our trips and we spend the time talking and laughing and catching up. People have actually come up to us and told us that we are just having too good a time!! I think if you make vacations a priority they will stay that way. This year for the first time since we were first married my husband and I went without the kids!! We had a blast!!! Our kids were backpacking in Europe at the time and we kept e-mailing each other and they kept asking us if we were okay and did we get lost without them. Yes we did miss them very much, but we loved our vacation. I think it's important to try to spend time with your family at least once a year for a vacation, Disney or somewhere else, even for just a week-end. Disney isn't for everyone and not everyone likes it, but for us it has worked out.

Enjoy The Magic!!

[KerryCM]

My 3 children are all grown with families of their own. We are lucky that my husband and I treat everyone once a year to a family trip. I have to say my children get just as excited about the trip and planning as my grandchildren do. We are spread accross the country, so this is our 1 time to be all together. We plan 2 meals together and then everyone does their own thing.

[winterman]

DH and I took our kids twice and then went by ourselves when DS was a freshman in college. (DD was in high school and stayed home.) We had such a good time going by ourselves that we did it 9 more times in the next 13 years. One of those trips our kids did come with us - we were celebrating DD's college graduation. Actually, that trip with our adult children made it clear to us that we enjoyed WDW more when it was just the 2 of us.

Sadly, 2 weeks after DH and I returned from our last trip to WDW, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died 13 weeks later, in Jan. In Dec. I will return to my favorite vacation spot without him and that will be very hard but there is no place where I would rather go. The next trip will be an entirely new experience as I will spend 2 days alone and then be joined by DD, DSiL and my (then) 6 month old grandson.

[DisNance]

Originally Posted by Knuckleball

We've been to WDW at least once a year for the past decade, often going with relatives who have children just a bit younger than our son. But our son (now in college) and his cousins (now in their late teens) all have developed a "been there, done that" attitude about WDW. So, when we excitedly bring up a potential trip to WDW, the "kids" roll their eyes and tell us they'd rather go somewhere else. On the other hand, my wife and I enjoy going as much as ever! Admittedly, however, even our focus has shifted somewhat from the parks and just being at an on-site resort is now as much a part of the vacation experience as anything else..there just is just something about being at WDW, walking around the resort grounds, etc. We still like going to the parks but I think we could just spend a week at a resort and that would be fine with us...but the "kids" aren't interested!

So, are we the only parents in the world who want to keep going to WDW even after the "kids" get older and lose interest? Maybe there is a support group we could join?!! (LOL)

We have gone with our kids every year since they were very young. Now they all have families of their own. Sometimes they still come with us. But, my husband and I really enjoy just being at Disney. I agree with you that it's not really about the parks at this point. I just love the "Disney Feel" that you get just by being at the resort. We are leaving for our next trip in about a week

[KonaKaiTom]

Originally Posted by winterman

DH and I took our kids twice and then went by ourselves when DS was a freshman in college. (DD was in high school and stayed home.) We had such a good time going by ourselves that we did it 9 more times in the next 13 years. One of those trips our kids did come with us - we were celebrating DD's college graduation. Actually, that trip with our adult children made it clear to us that we enjoyed WDW more when it was just the 2 of us.

Sadly, 2 weeks after DH and I returned from our last trip to WDW, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died 13 weeks later, in Jan. In Dec. I will return to my favorite vacation spot without him and that will be very hard but there is no place where I would rather go. The next trip will be an entirely new experience as I will spend 2 days alone and then be joined by DD, DSiL and my (then) 6 month old grandson.

So sorry for your loss. But much respect and admiration for continuing on the memory and building new ones! Lost my dad under very similar circumstances --- he never knew he had it, died 6 days after being admitted to the hospital.


Tom

[*Fantasia*]

Yes!

[Caseheidi]

DH and I have been married 11 years, been to WDW 7 times and will visit DLR for the 4th time next month. All but the last (and one coming up) were before children for us. We love doing Disney no matter what. We love sharing it with others as we have a few times, but there is something really special about doing it as a couple. We have had big kid moments, and some real romance together. While I will be sad when our kids don't want to join us (DD is currently 3) I will always enjoy time alone there with my love!

[Amy&Dan]

I have a son who is 17, and a16 year old daughter. Dd is definitely more into it than ds, however ds, once there, enjoys it. I find the waterparks and Disneyquest really appeal to them the most.

Also the dining is fun for them.

Ds would have liked to do something else most likely, but he was overruled!

Its our last trip with him for awhile since he's enlisted in the USMC and leaves for bootcamp in Feb.

Its sort of sad when they grow up! But then again, dh and I are already planning ahead for our future kidless trips!

And someday we'll go with our kids when they have kids.


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[disnut8]

Originally Posted by Knuckleball

We've been to WDW at least once a year for the past decade, often going with relatives who have children just a bit younger than our son. But our son (now in college) and his cousins (now in their late teens) all have developed a "been there, done that" attitude about WDW. So, when we excitedly bring up a potential trip to WDW, the "kids" roll their eyes and tell us they'd rather go somewhere else. On the other hand, my wife and I enjoy going as much as ever! Admittedly, however, even our focus has shifted somewhat from the parks and just being at an on-site resort is now as much a part of the vacation experience as anything else..there just is just something about being at WDW, walking around the resort grounds, etc. We still like going to the parks but I think we could just spend a week at a resort and that would be fine with us...but the "kids" aren't interested!

So, are we the only parents in the world who want to keep going to WDW even after the "kids" get older and lose interest? Maybe there is a support group we could join?!! (LOL)

Just wait, just wait. Once your kids have kids, you will be back with everyone. I really got the Disney bug when my son was 16. He decided to come along a couple of times but only for the offsite stuff. And then he found someone to settle down with so they brought our ready made granddaughter (age of 5) to Disney World with them to meet us. And then they brought her back at 6-1/2. And then they brought her back when she was 13 along with her five year old brother.

Meanwhile, we've been going on our own for every three day weekend we can possible squeeze in along with a couple of week long trips for the Food and Wine Festival.