Disney trip without daughter???

[Angel4135]

I have booked a trip for my husband and I in Oct. It is a surprise for our
15th wedding anniversary and my husbands 40th b-day. I was wondering if anyone has left child/ren at home? Was it still fun? Did you have "the guilt?" I am just having second thoughts... convince me it's OK!!!

 

[Kae]

No. And we are going to go on a cruise & then WDW for our 20th in Oct. We have been on one other trip alone to WDW since we have had kids. But we have taken them a couple of times in between. It is such a different trip w/o kids for us it is a little slower, way better food & a few more drinks

Kae

 

[Shir Kahn]

It's ok! Just start planning another trip that includes your daughter and let her know about it.

 

[CJN]

It's more than okay! We'll be leaving the kids behind (for the second time) this next trip. It makes for a completely different kind of experience. What a great way to enjoy your anniversary!

 

[Angel4135]

Thanks... We did all just go in March and we had a great trip! We had deluxe dinning and it was just hard enjoing all that Disney has to offer with a busy 7 year old wanting to GO...GO...GO! I did book deluxe dinning this time too and thougt it would be nice to get to relax and enjoy the different atmospheres that some of the signature resturants have! We have never been to DW alone. I just wanted to see what others thought of a trip sans kids! Being a surprise for my husband I had noone else to talk to about it!

 

[lugnut33]

I have a large trip report from a recent visit to WDW without our daughters to celebrate our 17 anniversary. Here's the link:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2168700

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Do it and don't feel the slightest bit guilty about it.

I went in March for a 4 day trip without DD5. It was wonderful. I got to do a ton of stuff that I can't do when I'm traveling with her. And it was sooooo much more relaxing than a trip with her. I went with DD in September for a week to celebrate her bithday so it's not like she hadn't been recently.

But I have kept my solo trip a secret from her. I figured there was no point in telling her something I knew would make her really sad. She thinks I had to go somewhere for work. I brought her back some Disney souvenirs and she thinks I picked them up at the Disney store in the airport. Some day when she's older (much, much older), I'll fess up. But it may not be until she's a mom.

 

[suzy724]

my sister and I were the "guilty" ones leaving our father at home last year...at first you may be feel a little bit guilty, but trust me once you start having fun you won't feel that way...don't feel bad..your anniversary is a big deal and you deserve to have fun! im sure your daughter will want you guys to go and have a great time!! remember..life is VERY short

 

[buzz5985]

DH and I went to DW many times before DS was born. And we can't wait until he no longer wants to join us on trips, he is now 12. LOL

Janis

 

[ShannonMB]

I think a grown-ups only trip sounds like a lot of fun, and a totally different experience. I don't think I could do it at this age, though. Gonna have to wait till DD either doesn't want to go with us or until she's a grown-up herself. She and I have similar touring styles, though, so it's okay by me!

 

[islandchick779]

LOL, guilt? No way!!

We actually take an "adult only" trip to Orlando every other year, and we may actually be speeding that up this year since we now have AP's.

I LOVE experiencing Disney with the boys, and it's a much more emotional trip for me, watching my children delight in all the wonder of Disney.

However, I really enjoy grown up time with DH, and it's a slower paced vacation. We sleep in later, do whatever we feel like doing in the parks, and we're not stressing about making sure we get to do this ride or that ride because the kids will really enjoy it.

So, have a wonderful anniversay trip!!! You will enjoy it

 

[cepmom]

DH and I took an adults only trip to Disney this past December for his 40th b'day...we had a blast! I didn't really feel guilty since we had just brought our girls a few months earlier. The trip was a totally different experience with out the kids. We discovered that we really enjoy Epcot, much more without kids. The kids don't like to explore WS as much, so when it was DH and I, we were able to take all the time in the world exploring each country without having to listen to kids gripe about it,lol! We also chose to eat at restaurants where we didn't need to worry about whether they served food the kids would eat . Don't worry about your DD...go with your DH and have a great time...you won't regret it!

 

[Hayloburger]

do it girl!
I feel you pain....we, too, want to go without the kids...but are AFRAID of our own guilt! We are going to do it this year though, because we just went in Dec 2008 (fun Christmas trip 8 days), We are going for 6 days in June, we are doing a disney cruise in october................so, what would I feel bad about? Those spoiled kids will have gone 3 times in 2009!!!

SO, this year we have annual passes and since the kids are going three times, we are PROMISING ourselves that we could actually go guilt free..but CAN we do it? My biggest fear, is sitting there and having a great character interaction and thinking "oh, if my kids were just here!"....but, maybe we will focus on adult things....world showcase, big coasters, shopping, and stay clear of Fantasyland/Toontown!

I am just shopping for cheap airfare, and we are going to go down for 4-5 days.......this is the only year that we will have annual passes, so I gotta do it now. AND, I have never experienced TOT!!!

 

[mpetti]

I have always wanted to take a trip to WDW without the kids. Haven't done it since my DS (11) and DS (6) where born. My DH doesn't really go crazy for WDW so I would love to visit the world with my best friend. I know like you I would feel guilty. But you shouldn't feel guilty. You should go with your DH and enjoy yourself. I am sure you both deserve it. Especially with the way things are today everyone needs a little time to relax and enjoy life. Have fun and do something before or after special with the kids.

Maryann

 

[MelanieC]

Nope - We have never taken a trip without our kids when we go together. To us, life is too short not to spend with them every moment we can. Wouldn't feel right for us to be somewhere without them. To us - being there with our kids is just the best and we can't imagine it without them. I'm already sad that DD is going off to college in another year. She better be able to still go with us,lol.

 

[buckirj1]

You should absolutely go and have fun. I firmly believe that kids and parents need a break from each other occasionally. You already do plenty of stuff together; the kids will appreciate your being considerate of their need to be without you.

 

[Tink888]

DH & I went down for a few days without the kids for our 15th. We had a great time!!!! Yes, I did feel a little guilty at first but it went away once we got there. It's a totally different vacation without kids. You will have a blast. My kids survived, no deep psychological damage was done. I think they even enjoyed their days at home with the grandparents and away from Mom & Dad.

 

[cmusschoot]

I just returned from a "mommy" trip with my girlfriend...this is our 3 such trip. I love Disney, I love to go with my kids but I also love being there without! My kids are 2 and 4. This is the first year my son realized where I was going...and asked to go too!!! I felt horrible...but....

You work hard as parents...and there is nothing wrong to take time to go to be adults. If you don't take time for yourself, noone will hand it to you!

The kids miss you when you are gone and love you when you get back...the next day it is if you never left.

I agree, life is short...take time for you!!!

Have FUN, there are so many things to do...nice meals to be had...etc.

 

[lynn46356]

I finally booked our 25th anniversary trip this week for DH and myself. We've never gone anywhere w/o kids so this is something I'm really excited about. Our sons our 21, 20, and 11 so I'm sure the older ones won't be disappointed. Even if the 11 year old is, too bad. After 25 years, I think we deserve it. We'll hope to be able to get back to WDW with our youngest next year. I can't wait to experience a more low key vacation and during the holiday season. I'm sure we'd bore our son to death visiting all the deluxe hotels to look at decorations, etc. Take the plunge!!!! Happy Planning!!!

Lynn

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

It's ok! Just start planning another trip that includes your daughter and let her know about it.

I agree. You need "mommy and Daddy time" the little ones will be fine without you for a few days.