Childfree (by choice) Disney Lovers!

[dgbg100106]

We cruise twice a year and a lot of it depends on what time year you cruise. If you cruise around spring break, you will be over run, but if you cruise between artful of school and thanksgiving there are hardle any children. It is all about timing.

 

[weeksid]

My best friend and I are definitely disney "freaks" and are looking forward to our September trip. The last time we went was in July and it was extremely hot and crowded.

It has been a comfort reading other posts that share my view of children in the parks. It seems that they are getting more and more out of hand and the parents ignore their behavior. I realize children will not always be angels but some sort of common courtesy would be nice.

We hope to stay at either the AKV or VWL villas. Is it worth paying the extra price for a view when you are not in your room very much? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[franandaj]

My best friend and I are definitely disney "freaks" and are looking forward to our September trip. The last time we went was in July and it was extremely hot and crowded.

It has been a comfort reading other posts that share my view of children in the parks. It seems that they are getting more and more out of hand and the parents ignore their behavior. I realize children will not always be angels but some sort of common courtesy would be nice.

We hope to stay at either the AKV or VWL villas. Is it worth paying the extra price for a view when you are not in your room very much? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

From what I hear of the VWL, most rooms have a view of trees, so not much choice there. I wouldn't bother staying at AKV if you don't plan on spending a lot of time in your room or the resort. It's a little bit remote to get to most of the other parks besides AK. Part of the true joy of staying there is spending time in your room watching the animals and enjoying the various viewing areas around the resort. It's a great place to take a "no parks" vacation because there is enough to do without having to spring for park passes.

That being said, I am only three weeks and two days from my next visit to the AKV!

 

[dgbg100106]

From what I hear of the VWL, most rooms have a view of trees, so not much choice there. I wouldn't bother staying at AKV if you don't plan on spending a lot of time in your room or the resort. It's a little bit remote to get to most of the other parks besides AK. Part of the true joy of staying there is spending time in your room watching the animals and enjoying the various viewing areas around the resort. It's a great place to take a "no parks" vacation because there is enough to do without having to spring for park passes.

That being said, I am only three weeks and two days from my next visit to the AKV!

 

[krichie]

I'm planning a trip to WDW with my partner in Sept. 2013 for my birthday. We don't have kids, and everyone always asks, "Why are you going for your 27th birthday? That isn't a special birthday." To which I reply, "I don't have kids, but I can still have fun!" I've been to Disneyland five times (I'm from Washington, so it is closer), but I finally decided that I am going to treat myself to the experience of Disney World! I can't wait

 

[franandaj]

We live close enough to DL for day trips, but we still love staying overnight and enjoy our trips to WDW. We own DVC because we love to go there so much. Believe me there is enough adult activities you will have a great time!

 

[zima-cheryl]

We hope to stay at either the AKV or VWL villas. Is it worth paying the extra price for a view when you are not in your room very much? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge (I know a little different) several years ago & it is on our list of "Return To" resorts. We loved having coffee on the room balcony & watching the animals in the morning. We were at the parks a lot during the day, but did take advantage of the vieiwing areas, story tellers & fireplaces in the main lobby too. The bar was nice & dining options are very good (Boma & Jiko). Another big plus is the room size. Even with just two of us, sometimes those few extra square feet make a big difference.

I'm planning a trip to WDW with my partner in Sept. 2013 for my birthday. We don't have kids, and everyone always asks, "Why are you going for your 27th birthday? That isn't a special birthday." To which I reply, "I don't have kids, but I can still have fun!" I've been to Disneyland five times (I'm from Washington, so it is closer), but I finally decided that I am going to treat myself to the experience of Disney World! I can't wait

Hey, I'm a Sept. baby too
I've spent several birthdays at WDW, it is a great place to celebrate.

We went all out on my 40th, right down to the sparkly tiara DH got me for the day. Epcot cast members were fantastic & totally played along/played it up with us that day.
When you (or your travel agent) make your reservation make sure they note it is your birthday. Any ADRs or extras you book, have them mark down your birthday. And be sure to get a birthday pin when you are there. If cast members know they will try to make it extra special. You can't count on anything, but it usually happens. May be as simple as a free cookie or bonus fast passes but all that extra magic adds up and makes for a wonderful birthday.

 

[cbeeindisney]

I'm planning a trip to WDW with my partner in Sept. 2013 for my birthday. We don't have kids, and everyone always asks, "Why are you going for your 27th birthday? That isn't a special birthday." To which I reply, "I don't have kids, but I can still have fun!" I've been to Disneyland five times (I'm from Washington, so it is closer), but I finally decided that I am going to treat myself to the experience of Disney World! I can't wait

My bf and I are going for his 27th bday in August, to which we got the same reply- who cares? Get in as much Disney time as possible, at any age!

 

[krichie]

When you (or your travel agent) make your reservation make sure they note it is your birthday. Any ADRs or extras you book, have them mark down your birthday. And be sure to get a birthday pin when you are there. If cast members know they will try to make it extra special. You can't count on anything, but it usually happens. May be as simple as a free cookie or bonus fast passes but all that extra magic adds up and makes for a wonderful birthday.

Thanks for the tips! It is fun to get special treatment on your birthday, even if it something as small as a song

We will be down there in early September - any tips about weather? I anticipate it will still be quite hot and humid.

 

[zima-cheryl]

Thanks for the tips! It is fun to get special treatment on your birthday, even if it something as small as a song

We will be down there in early September - any tips about weather? I anticipate it will still be quite hot and humid.

Yes - still hot that time of year, but not nearly as warm as July. It will be shorts/light t-shirt weather. Pack a swim suit, a dip in the pool will seem very refreshing some days.

It will most likely rain when you are there. Usually those quick afternoon storms FLA is famous for, so some type of rain gear. And a spair pair of shoes in case one pair gets wet.

It is still hurricane season, so depending on your $$ outlay, flights, etc. you may want to look into travel insurance to help cover things should you either have trouble going or on the end of your trip getting home.

Check the weather before you go & you can adjust before leaving home cheaper than buying something on property. I find weather channel on-line to be very reliable.

 

[ccsmith312]

Just wanted to say how much I enjoy this thread! My husband and I are not CF by any means, but on days when my kids are making me crazy I come to this thread to live vicariously through all of you taking Disney trips alone. =). I can only dream...

 

[JohnandKate]

Between my guy and I we have 7 children.....we are going to Disney at the end of April....this will be my first time to Disney and I'm as excited as a little girl on Christmas Eve!!!!!


Kate

 

[tattooed princess]

I'm planning a trip to WDW with my partner in Sept. 2013 for my birthday. We don't have kids, and everyone always asks, "Why are you going for your 27th birthday? That isn't a special birthday." To which I reply, "I don't have kids, but I can still have fun!" I've been to Disneyland five times (I'm from Washington, so it is closer), but I finally decided that I am going to treat myself to the experience of Disney World! I can't wait

I'm going for my 37th birthday, so tell people that there's someone else weird out there! I love to travel on my birthday!

I haven't been in years and years - since I was 13 at least! My husband has never been - if we had kids, he likely couldn't be one for his first Disney trip!

 

[zima-cheryl]

I'm going for my 37th birthday, so tell people that there's someone else weird out there! I love to travel on my birthday!

I don't think that is weird at all. What is the point of having a birthday if you can't do something to make it special every year?

 

[aiminator]

I have also encountered some strange looks about going to Disney without children. There are so many things to Disney other than "kiddie rides." My brother agreed and joked saying it's best to go BEFORE you have kids that way there will be fewer bathroom breaks haha!

And besides we are bombarded by negative, horrible things in life and in the news... why not take some time to enjoy the bright side!

 

[glaserjm]

Hi all! DH and I are CF by choice as well, although we still consider ourselves fence-sitters for now. We will be embarking on our second trip w/ just the two of us for F&W in October. We've been one another adults-only trip with my parents and brother, and one trip w/ DH's immediate family (he has 11 siblings and 17 nieces and nephews!! )

I LOVED going to WDW with the little ones, taking them on rides, seeing their faces light up, getting to talk to them about all the amazing things, but even more than that I LOVED being able to turn them back over to mom/dad when the afternoon crabbiness started.

Sure kids love Disney, but as an adult at WDW you can do all the same things as the kids and MORE!!!

 

[justtobeme2]

We are a CF couple by choice definitely (I'm 50 he's 43) and this will be our third Disney trip in 4 years. We love it as adults. We have had some issues during dining (HW&V) with children wailing and yelling, not crying, crying for real doesn't bother me as long as parents are trying to make the child feel better. But parents not seeming to notice and even one parent got the hint when she saw everyone looking her way she looked up to her kid and said "I don't care, go ahead honey keep it up" (she was previously ignoring him).

I will never forget that as long as live and people wonder why some places are becoming "child free" zones.

 

[fairytinkerbell]

So happy to find your post! I just posted this question - how do fencesitters have fun anymore at WDW??

 

[spritna]

we are a CF non-drinking couple who just got back from the Kingdom. Plenty to do as an adult. We aren't much into the parades but do insist on fireworks. MK has this little alley on Main Street that has a couple tables in the back. Great place for some child-free peace and quiet to sit and people watch, eat some goodies from the bakery, and take in the Disney magic before Wishes. Step out into the crowd at the last minute.

And I agree with some of you........it really is annoying when asked why we go there without kids.

We also love MNSSHP!!!! Planning an October trip for next year and will do costumes this time. Never have before. I'm thinking Mary Poppins and DH will go as chimney sweep Bert. Not sure though as I don't want to sweat my keester off in that long dress. We always partake in the trick or treating though. And be sure to leave mousekeeping a pile of sweets with our tip each morning!

 

[zima-cheryl]

So happy to find your post! I just posted this question - how do fencesitters have fun anymore at WDW??

Start by booking "off season" and enjoy the lighter crowds & cheaper prices.

Check out the extras you can do. We loved the segway tour in Epcot. I think next up for us might be the train tour. It is a bit early in the day, but looks interesting. We haven't brought ourselves to do a full day tour yet.

Enjoy the good food. There are some good restaurants on property. We are saving Victoria & Alberts for my 45th birthday . There is Wolfgang Puck's place, Kat Cora has a place on the boardwalk and I think there is a steak house in the Swan or Dolpin. We also like Ragalan Road, Coral Reef and Paradiso 37 (sit out on the deck if you go - lovely view!).

If you head over to Downtown Disney there is the Characters in Flight Balloon & La Nouba plus I heard they are putting in an upscale bowling alley.

Time your trip to special events. Spritna mentioned MNSSHP and I have to second that. Don't miss the parade -- we aren't parade people but the Headless Horseman & the Grave Diggers make it worth while!
Food & Wine is a lot of fun and they also have many special tastings & events. We did the dessert party last year & a tequila tasting both of which I would recommend. They have the Flower & Garden festival in the spring, the Christmas Party and in the spring at downtown Disney is the Festival of Masters (art show).

Finally just enjoy being able to go at your pace & do your own thing. We rarely do rope drop, have no qualms with taking 1 1/2 hours in the middle of the day for a meal, and can ride what we want when we want. Want to stay on the TTA for 3 loops, no problem. With just two adults there is less contention about who can/will ride what, who wants to go/do what & working around nap time, tantrums and picky eaters. So enjoy the parks stress free.