Adult only trip opinions wanted

[mama4]

Hi. Dh and I will be heading to the World on Thursday 10/25. I'd love some some fellow DISsers opinions on our plans (which by no means have to be rock solid since we want this trip to be as laid back as possible) Here is what we've discussed as of now....

Day 1-Hopefully we will arrive at Epcot for opening on Thursday AM- I want to ride Soarin' and then I imagine we'll mosey around until WS opens at 11 so we can do the F&W thing. At some point we'll need to leave to check into the hotel (CSR) then we plan to spend the rest of the day/evening at Epcot.

Day 2- It depends. Did we see all we wanted to at F&W? We've been to Epcot many times so as long as we can finish F&W and Soarin' on that first day we won't need to go back. If not, we'll go to MK. Never been without the kiddos and I'd like to ride some of the things I've never been on (SM , the new HM)and walk around enjoying the atmosphere for a bit. I know this is a party day but we don't plan to spend that whole day at the parks anyway so I don't mind leaving early.

Day 3- AK simply because I want to ride EE again and for DH to ride it for the first time. I imagine we'll have to be there early right? At opening? Last time I was there on a Saturday it was RIDICULOUSLY crowded but it was in the summer and I'm hoping it will be better this time. THis is defintely our least attended park but I like it a lot and I'd like to do some attractions my kids won't want to do (ITTBAB for instance)

So- do ya think Friday and Saturday sound ok or would you swap those two days? Do you think we'll want two days at Epcot? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Oh- some additional info: We have no ADR's except for the day we leave (Sunday-a non-park day). Also, dh is not a morning person and I probably won't be able to get a full day out of him on Friday (after Epcot ) so that's why I thought it'd be good to plan a laid back day- which leads me back to the ?- would this be a better MK or AK day?
Also, we can't park hop (well I can but not DH so if I feel particularly mean one day I could ditch him ), and last- we HAVE been to F&W once before (in 2004) so we won't be totally lost and we'll only hit the booths we really want to. Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to go over to the "Adult and Solo Travelers" forum for good advice.

 

[larklynn]

Consider pleasure island and some of the other places you may not want to take your kids in the evenings.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

At some point we'll need to leave to check into the hotel (CSR) then we plan to spend the rest of the day/evening at Epcot.

If you don't want to leave Epcot to check into your resort you can always swing by in the morning, before going to Epcot, and check in. Or check in after you leave Epcot.

 

[kmvand1]

I was just wondering how are you managing to go without the kids? I am dying for my husband to take me for my 40th birthday in January, we go as a family every year and just got back last month, but if we went just the two of us for a long weekend it would be soooo much cheaper. My kids are NOT liking me even speaking of it! They are about your kids ages too. I know a lot of people go with out the kids all of the time and I think that's great, I just don't know if I would be welcome home after that!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We don't have children, but I usually take my mom and sometimes borrow other people's children (yeah, I know how that sounds), but I took DH for his birthday in August, just me and him and we had a great time. Everything was so laid back. I am not a morning person , unless I am at WDW, then I am up with the sun. I think your schedule looks great. I would keep AK as a slow day, it would be that way for me, especially over MK. Mk is more of a commando for me. We had a nice leisurely visit to MGM and that afternoon when DH wanted to ride RnRC and see the stunt show, I went my way and saw Little Mermaid and BaTB, and the parade, thenwe mst up after the parade and headed back to the room for some RNR, then to DTD for a stroll. We even made it back to the WL for an evening swim, which was so peaceful and pleasant .

Have a great time

Suzanne

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

Dh and I went without the kids last October and had a really relaxing time. We spent most of our time in Epcot and hopped to AK, MGM and MK. We went in the middle of the week, so I'm not sure how AK would be on a Sat. I'm guessing it would be quieter than the summer. Go in the morning and hop somewhere else if it gets too busy.
We really enjoyed AK by ourselves. We rode EE first and then walked over to Africa. It's the first time we really appreciated the little things there. We got ourselves a drink and watched the drummers in Africa and then walked in the trails around the Tree of life. It was so nice and peaceful. Even if it is busy, it's much easier doing it without the kids and stroller in tow. We went back to the hotel and back out for the night.

Whatever you decide, have a great time.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

DH & I just went for 3 days in September by ourselves & loved it. We went to AK the day we checked in, but it was so hot that we didn't last too long there before we headed back for a relaxing time at the pool. Next morning we were up & over to MK with the family crowd for LOEMH because we had breakfast ressies @ CP. Did alot of the rides that DH & I hadn't done since our DD was little. It was an absolutely blast!! We did a little bit of Epcot our first night since we had ressies at Cape May & then after dinner we took the boat from one side of the lake over to the Boardwalk area and relaxed and people watched around the ESPN Club area. Second afternoon we went back to Epcot and did things in the future world area. Our last day there we tried MGM but it was way too hot and horribly crowded so we left. Since we have Fl. Res. SP we plan day trips to fill in what we didn't get to do. Plus I regret not making it to DTD again as that's always a must do for us when we're alone.

Enjoy yourselves!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

This really is best answered on the Disney for Adults and Solo Traveller's forum.

I'll move it over there.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[DaisyDuck001]

THis is defintely our least attended park but I like it a lot and I'd like to do some attractions my kids won't want to do (ITTBAB for instance)

What's an ITTBAB?

Thanks,
Daisy

 

[Cheshire Figment]

What's an ITTBAB?

Thanks,
Daisy

It's Tough To Be A Bug

 

[DisneyLover75]

I was just wondering how are you managing to go without the kids? I am dying for my husband to take me for my 40th birthday in January, we go as a family every year and just got back last month, but if we went just the two of us for a long weekend it would be soooo much cheaper. My kids are NOT liking me even speaking of it! They are about your kids ages too. I know a lot of people go with out the kids all of the time and I think that's great, I just don't know if I would be welcome home after that!

Hi..

I'm not the OP, but I just wanted to address your question from my perspective. My kids are almost 5 and almost 4, and they love WDW too. I'm going with my friend to Disney in December and I'm leaving the kids with my parents.

Here's how I'm doing it: I'm telling them I'm going on vacation, but not saying where. I don't think it would work with your oldest, but my kids are young enough to just take "vacation" and leave it alone. I'm just not telling them.

I took my daughter (the older of the two) last year and the year before, and I'm taking both kids next year. (My son is autistic and I think next year is the first time he'd be able to handle going, and not be too difficult for me to handle both kids myself. I'm divorced.)

HTH

Edited to add that I'm sorry, I had mixed up your post with the signature line from the OP. for some reason it was in my head that you had a 16 year old too. Sorry.. anyway, if your kids are young enough, just tell them you're going on a vacation getaway for your anniversary and not mention the WDW part. heehee. good luck

 

[larklynn]

We went for an aniv. trip in sept. and it really helped my kids knowing they were going back in nov. I think the fact we went with out them made them even more excited about going back this trip. They have been planning,talking, and counting down ever since 33 more days

 

[mama4]

If you don't want to leave Epcot to check into your resort you can always swing by in the morning, before going to Epcot, and check in. Or check in after you leave Epcot.

I didn't even think of that. I guess we can still check in when we get there even though the room won't be ready. Thanks for the tip.

 

[mama4]

I was just wondering how are you managing to go without the kids? I am dying for my husband to take me for my 40th birthday in January, we go as a family every year and just got back last month, but if we went just the two of us for a long weekend it would be soooo much cheaper. My kids are NOT liking me even speaking of it! They are about your kids ages too. I know a lot of people go with out the kids all of the time and I think that's great, I just don't know if I would be welcome home after that!

Lol. I know what you mean. If we didn't have a family trip planned for January I'm sure mine would've already kicked dh and I out of the house Seriously though, we're lucky enough to live two hours away and we're seasonal pass holders. We usually go 3 or 4 times a year at least for weekend/day trips as well -so the kids don't mind us doing this. If you have to fly, I know this is really a major vacation for you guys- as it is for most folks. If you can't take 2 trips (one for the family and one for you and dh) maybe you could consider bringing a friend or family member along on the family trip to watch the kiddos so you and dh can have some alone time. I know this doesn't help with the cost of the trip but it would be nice to have the alone time. Sort of like having 2 vacations in one.
Believe me, I feel lucky to be able to go to WDW more than once a year but I"d gladly give up a year of WDW to go somewhere else (far away and out of Florida) for a week or two. Because of school, dh work, the ages of my kids, finances- it just doesn't make sense for us to go anywhere else right now- although we may drive to the mountains next year. We do also plan to take ds-16 somewhere around graduation time- just me, dh and ds. Somewhere fun and exciting for him- just not sure where yet. It will also be the first time flying for him and me Anyway, good luck in getting there for your birthday and although it's a ways off....

 

[mama4]

We don't have children, but I usually take my mom and sometimes borrow other people's children (yeah, I know how that sounds), but I took DH for his birthday in August, just me and him and we had a great time. Everything was so laid back. I am not a morning person , unless I am at WDW, then I am up with the sun. I think your schedule looks great. I would keep AK as a slow day, it would be that way for me, especially over MK. Mk is more of a commando for me. We had a nice leisurely visit to MGM and that afternoon when DH wanted to ride RnRC and see the stunt show, I went my way and saw Little Mermaid and BaTB, and the parade, thenwe mst up after the parade and headed back to the room for some RNR, then to DTD for a stroll. We even made it back to the WL for an evening swim, which was so peaceful and pleasant .

Have a great time

Suzanne

Thanks Suzanne. Sounds like you and your DH had a great time!

 

[mama4]

We really enjoyed AK by ourselves. We rode EE first and then walked over to Africa. It's the first time we really appreciated the little things there. We got ourselves a drink and watched the drummers in Africa and then walked in the trails around the Tree of life. It was so nice and peaceful. Even if it is busy, it's much easier doing it without the kids and stroller in tow. We went back to the hotel and back out for the night.

Whatever you decide, have a great time.

This is how I'd like to enjoy AK this time. I enjoyed it on our first trip because the kids had such a great time and the weather was great. Second time it was too hot, too crowded and we were all pretty miserable (except for riding EE) I love the park and I really want to see all there is to see this time.

 

[mama4]

DH & I just went for 3 days in September by ourselves & loved it. We went to AK the day we checked in, but it was so hot that we didn't last too long there before we headed back for a relaxing time at the pool. Next morning we were up & over to MK with the family crowd for LOEMH because we had breakfast ressies @ CP. Did alot of the rides that DH & I hadn't done since our DD was little. It was an absolutely blast!! We did a little bit of Epcot our first night since we had ressies at Cape May & then after dinner we took the boat from one side of the lake over to the Boardwalk area and relaxed and peo
ple watched around the ESPN Club area. Second afternoon we went back to Epcot and did things in the future world area. Our last day there we tried MGM but it was way too hot and horribly crowded so we left. Since we have Fl. Res. SP we plan day trips to fill in what we didn't get to do. Plus I regret not making it to DTD again as that's always a must do for us when we're alone.

Enjoy yourselves!!

Thanks! You sound a lot like us. We have SPs too and take a lot of day trips but we do have the kids with us on our day trips so each one is a 1 park trip (and guess where we end up!- yup, MK every time ) I went this past June for 5 days (3 park days) because DH had a business trip. It was me, mom and the kiddos alone. We had a great day at MK but AK was ridiculous (hot and crowded) and MGM the next day wasn't much better. In fact, ds 5 had a meltdown that day- first one ever in public . I think these two parks are the hardest ones to enjoy in the hot and crowded seasons. Maybe there aren't enough indoor attractions? Also seems harder to get away from the crowds. Oh well- DS-16 and I have vowed never to go in the summer again. DH decided that a long time ago Oh- and we love DTD too. We'll be there our last day (sunday) and we'll have lunch at Raglan Road.