Cheerfully child-free. Anyone else?

[Danauk]

So fellow CCF guys, I was just wondering what things you particularly liked doing at Disney. Do you go for character meals? I personally haven't yet but plan to in the future, it is just something we haven't got round to yet. Do you have pictures taken with the characters? I sure do, I just line up with the kids!! What about the evenings? We usually go to one of the deluxe hotels for dinner then maybe back to the nearest park to watch a late parade or fireworks. We have never been to DTD in the evening, loud clubs aren't really my DH's thing. Do you go on the rides aimed at kids? We haven't really at WDW as there is so much there we have yet to do, at DLP though we have been on everything!

 

[RC Fan]

So fellow CCF guys, I was just wondering what things you particularly liked doing at Disney. Do you go for character meals? I personally haven't yet but plan to in the future, it is just something we haven't got round to yet. Do you have pictures taken with the characters? I sure do, I just line up with the kids!! What about the evenings? We usually go to one of the deluxe hotels for dinner then maybe back to the nearest park to watch a late parade or fireworks. We have never been to DTD in the evening, loud clubs aren't really my DH's thing. Do you go on the rides aimed at kids? We haven't really at WDW as there is so much there we have yet to do, at DLP though we have been on everything!

Hello!

I go to character meals, although I generally go more because of the food at 1900 Park Faire and Crystal Palace.

I like Disney for the following reasons: nice (read HOT) weather, good rides, good food and good drinks. I also love the fact that I don't have to worry about transportation.

I certainly will go on any ride that looks interesting, whether or not it is a kids ride. This past year my niece and I went on One Fish, Two Fish in Seuss Island at IOA. We probably got some weird looks, but really did not care.

I am not really much of a fireworks or show person, so I skip that stuff. As far as Pleasure Island, probably the Adventurers Club is the only club of interest to me. I love to have a nice cocktail, but I am not into the whole dance club scene.

 

[goofygirl]

Do you have pictures taken with the characters?

Yep! I have pics of me with Goofy, Mickey, Aladdin and Cinderella!

I've never done a character dining thing. I don't do clubbing either. I do like the parades and fireworks.

As for rides "aimed at kids", aren't all the rides at WDW aimed at ALL ages, really? There's the exception of "kiddie rides" in Toontown and the like, which I obviously do not go on- they are for small bodies!

 

[Lil Lil]

Great thread! I'm another cheerfully childfree ! DH & I knew from the beginning we did not want any kids. We enjoy our freedom and love being able to do whatever we want. I love coming home to a peaceful house! No screaming kid, homework to deal with, etc...When people say I'm selfish, I just reply yep, 100% selfish! I know I get strange looks when we say we are going to Disney. Hey Disney isn't just for kids. There are lots of things for adults too. I just chalk it up as jealousy.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Can those of us who support your decision not to have kids and adore cats drop in to this thread? Can we call ourselves Friends of the Child Free?

You bet! All supportive friends are welcome!!

As for what I do at Disney? Whatever strikes me as fun! One year another child-free friend and I went and had pictures taken with every character we saw! We rode the Pooh ride because it was new and we both love the character. In DL one year the park was empty after dinner and we hit every ride in Fantasyland! If we got looks, we didn't care becuase we were having fun!

 

[hiwaygal]

Hello Everyone!

I've been trying to find time to post here for a couple of days now, but things are crazy busy in my child free world!

DH and I are both in our early 40's, we've been married almost one year and I'm pretty sure we will remain child free by choice. Every now and then I think "maybe..." but those moments come and go pretty quick and Mother Nature may very well put an end to those thoughts before I do!

DH stays home and takes care of the house (laundry, cleaning, etc.) and our three dogs. I'm an engineer and work full-time so our "roles" are not traditional to begin with! My mom seemed to have more of a problem with this than the "no kids" part.

We don't have a lot of disposable income, and we aren't able to just up and go at the drop of a hat (with three dogs) but we are very happy in the way our lives are going, and looking forward to lots of trips to Disney when we are finally able to buy DVC (next year, I hope).

What's funny is NO ONE asks us when we are going to have kids, no one seems to care. For many years I told my family that I didn't want kids, so maybe they realized I really meant it.

Anyway, just wanted to "join the group"!

 

[maddhatir]

If you are referring to my post, I was answering a question that had been asked. I was a lurker on this thread because I have quite a few happily child-free friends. Sorry if I offended.

Actually I was not referring to any one post. It was a gerneralization.
Heck- I can't remember what I did 10 minutes ago- let alone what all the posts say on this thread

 

[maddhatir]

So fellow CCF guys, I was just wondering what things you particularly liked doing at Disney. Do you go for character meals? I personally haven't yet but plan to in the future, it is just something we haven't got round to yet. Do you have pictures taken with the characters? I sure do, I just line up with the kids!! What about the evenings? We usually go to one of the deluxe hotels for dinner then maybe back to the nearest park to watch a late parade or fireworks. We have never been to DTD in the evening, loud clubs aren't really my DH's thing. Do you go on the rides aimed at kids? We haven't really at WDW as there is so much there we have yet to do, at DLP though we have been on everything!

DH and I have done Disney 9 times alone. Last year we took 4yr old niece. BOY what a difference. There is no time to relax!

We are going alone again in Sept. We dont do character meals, not on purpose anyway! a few years back we went to eat breakfast at , I think, it was the Yacht Club and Goofy and Chip and Dale were there. DH didnt want me to leave him alone so that I can go up and get some food! Goofy did end up coming up to us. Its just not my thing to be bothered by characters while dining.

However, after going with my niece and getting pics taken with characters, I MAY do this, DH and never done it in the past. I wouldnt stand in a long line though. I AM looking for the Maddhatter at the MNSSHP this year! I will get a pic with him! and YES we are doing MNSSHP and I am going tirck or treating!

DH and I usually go on the "kiddie" rides. POOH etc. Its just something that has to be done while in Disney- its fun! The only thing is- we just stroll along- no hurrying to get anywhere, wake up when we want to, lay at the pool and take a nap. Have some drinks. Love doing EPCOT at night and "drink around the world"

We like to walk around Downtown Disney- I cant wait to do Adventurers Club again- and maybe hang out at the House of Blues, have a drink, or 2, or 3 and listen to some music.

ahhhhhhh- I can't wait! 23 more days!

 

[KristaTX]

I usually go to WDW with either my husband, my mom, or both. And sometimes other family members (adults or teens) are with us. My favorite times, though, are when I'm with either mom or DH and with my adult DIS/Disney internet site friends (many of whom have kids back at home or grown kids) from around the country every December . You should hear us all singing along on Pirates and Splash, or all shouting in unison "Tommies" on Kilimanjaro Safaris, or cheering for our guide as he/she returns in the Great Movie Ride

I have had my picture taken with characters, and I like to ride a lot of the rides in Fantasyland. I especially enjoyed Fantasyland at Disneyland a few months ago, and I rode many of those rides multiple times when I was in the park alone (DH was at a conference). I loved that Alice in Wonderland ride!

About the only things I don't often do that are aimed at kids are Toon Town, Playhouse Disney, and character meals (I would rather eat and not try to interact with the fur characters while I do so).

From personal experience, and from watching other people in the parks and reading things on the DIS, it seems to me that WDW is often more fun for adults than for kids, even for the majority of adults who take kids (unless they have kids or a spouse who are making them horribly miserable by whining and complaining.) I think there are many parents here who would agree with me, although not all.

I can tell from the joy parents get out of sharing their experiences and photos of their children that many parents experience just as much or even more pleasure than their kids feel simply from watching their kids take it all in and play in the parks. The fact that there are thousands upon thousands of adults (primarily) who are part of the DIS and so many other sites says that adults probably love it for some reason or other at least as much as kids . Sometimes I'm kind of sad that I don't have kids because I will never get to take my kids there and feel that joy that parents feel. But I do get to go with my mom (KayTX) and see the joy (and happy tears!) on her face .

 

[Muushka]

I finally feel like I belong to a group of people!!

Check out my new sig!!

 

[Aidensmom]

I never said that people w/ kids come on here and are rude.

I will admit- I am one of those who posted on threads regarding kids, I post pics of my niece- who I love dearly- but love being child free MUCH MORE!~

And if I know people on some of the threads that I happen to be on and they post pics or comments about their kids- I will comment. Sure the kids are cute.

But I do not make an effort to actually take my mouse and click on the family thread to see whats up.

I am not going to argue with anyone about this. This is a CHEERFUL THREAD and I will not make it turn bad!

I don't think most that posted were trying to make the thread turn bad, I know I wasn't. I just shared my experience because I wanted to say that I enjoyed my childfree life and wasn't planning to have children and was very happy, but I was still happy after I unexpectedly got pregnant also.....basically my point was that though I have a child, I really understand what it is to be cheerfully child free.

 

[maddhatir]

true- I thought this was a CHILD FREE thread.
I MOST CERTAINLY never just drop in on the family thread.
Not to be rude- but I really dont care to here about how some people THOUGHT child-free is what they wanted, but them OOOOPS I changed my mind......so that means you are no longer CHILD FREE
and another comment,again, not to be rude- but IMO I would think that people that can not conceive would not be on this thread because it is titled.......CHEERFULLY CHILD FREE!

I don't think most that posted were trying to make the thread turn bad, I know I wasn't. I just shared my experience because I wanted to say that I enjoyed my childfree life and wasn't planning to have children and was very happy, but I was still happy after I unexpectedly got pregnant also.....basically my point was that though I have a child, I really understand what it is to be cheerfully child free.

I was kinda referring to the response to my above post- I didnt want anyone to think I was being rude with that response and the thread just taking a turn for the worse!

 

[Hixski]

I was kinda referring to the response to my above post- I didnt want anyone to think I was being rude with that response and the thread just taking a turn for the worse!

Don't worry. NO ONE is going to get mad. Remember we are all CHEERFULL on this thread. Right everyone? CHEERFULL.....

And now back to our regularly scheduled child free lives.

 

[goofygirl]

I don't think most that posted were trying to make the thread turn bad, I know I wasn't. I just shared my experience because I wanted to say that I enjoyed my childfree life and wasn't planning to have children and was very happy, but I was still happy after I unexpectedly got pregnant also.....basically my point was that though I have a child, I really understand what it is to be cheerfully child free.

There is a difference between being childfree and being a fencesitter.

To me, you were more of a "fencesitter" and not someone who has decided to defintely live childfree 100%.

Someone who is willing to accept a pregnancy if it happens unexpectedly is someone who is open to the possibilty of parenthood, and therefore not 100% committed to the childfree lifestyle. A lot of childfree people are NOT open to this possibilty of parenthood, I know I am not.

 

[robinb]

There is a difference between being childfree and being a fencesitter.

To me, you were more of a "fencesitter" and not someone who has decided to defintely live childfree 100%.

Someone who is willing to accept a pregnancy if it happens unexpectedly is someone who is open to the possibilty of parenthood, and therefore not 100% committed to the childfree lifestyle. A lot of childfree people are NOT open to this possibilty of parenthood, I know I am not.

So only people who would definately abort an unplanned pregnancy need apply to be considered "childfree"? If you have even the smallest smidgen of a doubt you're a "fencesitter"? I think you are closing the door on a lot of your sisters and brothers in the childfree lifestyle with that kind of black and white thinking.

 

[Muushka]

Please lets not go down the road that this seems to be heading.

Can we just leave it as "Cheerfully Child-free" and leave it at that?

Otherwise I will be forced to give my opinion and I really don't want to go down THAT road.

 

[Danauk]

So fellow CCF friends, anyone have a fun weekend planned? DH and I are heading to Alton Towers, our favourite theme park tomorrow, then staying over night in the hotel there. Then on Saturday we are going back into the park as we are booked on a behind the scenes tour there. I can't wait. They have only done 3 tours this year so we were really lucky to get booked onto one.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm happy to see that there are some people with children that accept and understand that their choice is not for everyone. The reason this thread is even necessary is because of the questions and attitude those of us who have chosen to be child-free receive from others.
However, having said that, there are other threads for those who have children and choose to go to WDW without them, so this really isn't the place for that. My understanding was that this is really for those of us who have never had, and never will have children. How each person chooses to remain child-free is personal, and I don't want to see this turn into an argument on reproductive choice.

 

[maddhatir]

So fellow CCF friends, anyone have a fun weekend planned? DH and I are heading to Alton Towers, our favourite theme park tomorrow, then staying over night in the hotel there. Then on Saturday we are going back into the park as we are booked on a behind the scenes tour there. I can't wait. They have only done 3 tours this year so we were really lucky to get booked onto one.

Actually! Friday DH and I are going over our friend's house for a "Disney Dinner" the friend's have kids! They will be in Disney some of the same days we will be. We will probably meet up with them one day. So we just want to talk about our trips. Their daughter can't wait to go to MGM with me a ride TOT and RRC! She is only about 9. They want to do that on a Saturday! I told her TGM says NO to MGM on Saturdays! I told my friend this and she said- oh thats OK- we will just get up very early and do MGM before any of the crowds hit! WHAT!? early--

But that is funny you ask what us CF people are doing this weekend and I am spending the one day with kids planning for Disney!

I may be thrown off the thread for this!

 

[maddhatir]

I'm happy to see that there are some people with children that accept and understand that their choice is not for everyone. The reason this thread is even necessary is because of the questions and attitude those of us who have chosen to be child-free receive from others.
However, having said that, there are other threads for those who have children and choose to go to WDW without them, so this really isn't the place for that. My understanding was that this is really for those of us who have never had, and never will have children. How each person chooses to remain child-free is personal, and I don't want to see this turn into an argument on reproductive choice.

ITA with both you and goofygirl