Disney without your KIDS!?!?

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Okay...please don't flame me for this one...but in reading posts here and there..it seems it's not unusual for people to go without their kids? I just can't even imagine? Half of the magic for us was watching our kids enjoy everything..the looks on their faces..priceless. I'm assuming people that do this there kids are older and don't really care to go?? DH and I were saying how we want to be at WDW for our 10 year anniversary..but with the kids!! We thought maybe we'd get a sitter one night and do a date night..but I can't imagine being there without them! Anyone?

 

[Mkrop]

I really cant imagine it but hey to each his/her own.

I enjoy our time there so much and I want to see it through their eyes.

Years ago when we only had our one son, we went up to Hershey, PA for an aniiversary weekend. Well the park was open and decorated, Santa was there, many of the rides were open, we were so sad walking around that DS was not with us because we know he would love it!

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm with you....We wouldn't really care that much about the Disney magic without the kids around.....sure there are grownup things,we went a couple of times before we had kids-but now that we have them, disney is mostly for them,with them!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I know alot of people do it, but no, I could never either. I would definatley feel guilty, and sad without them there.

 

[dsnymomof4]

Believe me, I felt the very same way after our 1st trip 5 years ago. I couldn't imagine being at Disney without the kids. We became addicted during that trip and have gone 6 times since then and are leaving in 7 days for our first MNSSHP! That being said, last year during our free dining trip in August, I began to wonder what it would be like to go just DH and I. To walk around the parks, not pushing a stroller, or carrying all that stuff around for the kids, to go on rides that I wanted to go on, not have to mediate debates about which ride to go on next, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love being at Disney with my children and making them happy is my priority when we're all there. But, I wanted to experience Disney for myself - something I don't usually get to do. So, anyway, DH and I booked a 4-day trip in December (my favorite time of year to go). We did the CP (which I probably wouldn't do with the kids), a behind the scenes tour, took our time visiting other resorts (again, boring to the kids), and just got to be together. We had such a great time! Of course, I felt guilty some of the time, but knowing (and the kids knowing) that we would be taking another family trip soon, helped a lot. So, to those who can't imagine being at Disney without their kids, I totally understand. But, if you do decide to give it a try, it's truly a wonderful experience.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I always enjoyed going with my mom, growing up, and even as I went through college. However, nothing matches going with my kids. DH and I were at DL without the kids last month, and it was enjoyable. But we missed the enthusiasm, and joy that our kids experience when we are at disney.

 

[LadyShea]

We were childless due to infertility the first 13.5 years of our marriage, and enjoyed Disney parks many times. We had plenty of "couple time" to last us for many years. Now that we have a son, we don't go anywhere without him...certainly not Disney.

Had we had children early on, we might long for or need some alone time, I suppose, and Disney lovers are Disney lovers so why not go to the parks for that time? Everyone has their own needs and experiences.

 

[Desnik]

I have to agree with feeling the same way. I couldn't imaging going to WDW without our kids! We go every year with them and this year we will be there in Nov for our 2nd trip and it is a surprise! We can't wait. But, that kind of changed alittle recently!LOL DH and I wanted to get away for just 2 nights. When looking into close by options we kept on thinking hey, for these prices we could go to Disney! So we thought wow what would it be like to not have the kids with us and be able to do some adult things. Well we just have to give it a try and will be there in 4 days at the CR with a tower MK view room!!! I am really excited and I thought I would be feeling more guilty about it!LOL I guess because I know we are taking them for a 2nd time this year next month that's helping me! I could never just go for a week there without them especiall if they weren't going at all in that same year! I guess to each his own!

 

[larklynn]

I felt the exact same way. We went for a long weekend for 10 year aniv. without the kids in Sept. We enjoyed each other and had a good time but really missed the kids. Our kids are 7,9, 13. In fact it made us decide to try for another and made us even closer but. It will be a very long time before we do this again.

 

[Camno's Mama]

I think it sounds like fun!

That being said, I would miss my boys and I'm sure I'd feel a wee bit guilty. We've never gone anywhere without them though, so it's not likely. We have talked about doing the Disney marathon though, so maybe we'd feel justified then...

The trick would be talking my hubby into it...I'm sure HE'D rather go somewhere else...GASP!

 

[flipflop]

We've gone twice without our kids - once when they were 14 months and once when they were almost 2. We had a great time and enjoyed being able to do only adult stuff knowing that we would be taking our kids sometime after they turned 3. We are looking forward to taking our kids next year and I don't anticipate that we will go to WDW without the kids again anytime in the near future - our alone vacations will be taken to other destinations.

 

[larklynn]

It helped knowing we were taking them in Nov. Only 47 more days.

 

[DisneyPhD]

DH and I went to WDW many times together before having kids. It has always been our special place. When we did have children we could not wait to share it with them. We love going to WDW with them.

We took our oldest with us on our 10 year anniversary trip. She was 2.

Last March we had an opportunity to go just DH and for a few days (3 nights). We had AP, got super cheap airfare and had Annual Passes. We went as a family in Jan, and were going again and on DCL trip in May. So they were not hurting for time at WDW. My DH had the week off school (teaching) but my oldest DD didn't. We already took her out of school once that year, and would again so we left the kids at home with their aunt and uncle and took a much needed break at WDW just the 2 of us.

It felt strange......... but we enjoyed ourselves. It was our 1st time away from them in addition. Since we had been to WDW so many time before having kids we knew there was a lot to do with them. We hit all the rides we have not been able to ride together since having kids, we ate at restaurants they don't like. We took the keys of the kingdom tour (some thing we can't do with them.) We had a great time. We were able to pack a whole weeks worth of stuff into those 3 nights. It was wonderful to be able to focus on ourselves, or focus is always on the kids needs. It also made me feel better in any other trips, I didn't mind missing out on anything I wanted to do, I got to do it in that March trip.

I actually got to shop some too, they got a lot of gifts!

It was a great time.

This year we will have AP's but we feel we can only take DD out of school once since she is in 1st grade now. We are going in May, it is a good time to take her out of school, most of the work is done for the year. I would love to go in March or Jan too when DH school is on break. I don't feel right going with out them this time because it will have been a year since they last went and I know they both really miss it. Maybe if we all went as family in March and then just DH and I in May............ Don't think that way.


So I see both sides. When we went with out them, I think we missed them more then they missed us. It seemed strange being there with out them. It did not stop us from having a wonderful time (heck even both of us having sinus infections didn't stop us from having a wonderful time!)

 

[livie1205]

on our next trip to wdw (dont know when that will be) my dh and I will be going without kids.....have not left home without the kiddos in two years so it will be fun to have dh all to myself for once.

 

[mrsltg]

We've gone three times without the kids. We miss them, but have a great time anyway. I agree it's magical to see WDW through the eyes of my girls, but it's also magical to hold my dh's hand and have no baby bag, stroller, whiney kids, get to go on a ride sitting next to my husband, enjoy adult tours, long meals with multiple glasses of wine, and doing whatever we want to do.

I don't feel guilty doing anything to enhance my marriage. Happy Mom and Dad make for happy kids. I don't feel guilty when we go to dinner without them, go to a movie without them, or even just grab an ice cream without them. Remembering who we are seperate and apart from being Mommy and Daddy is important to us. Next year we will be taking our two older girls to WDW and the baby (then 9 months) will be staying with Grandma and Grandpa. The year after is our 10 year anniversary. DH and I will be going on a cruise without the kids. This in no way conflicts with my ability to parent or my unending love for my children.

The bottom line is, if you are uncomfortable going away without your kids, you shouldn't do it.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

I'm taking DH on a super quick adults only trip for basically two nights and two days. We will arrive at MCO @ 8:20 on Thursday morning (11/1) and have to leave by 8am on Saturday (11/3) to get back for our DS' peewee football superbowl game--so roughly 48 hours. If DS' team doesn't make the Superbowl, I may be able to move our Saturday flight to later in the day or (gasp!) even stay until Sunday.

To top it off, DH still has no idea!!! His birthday is on 10/15 and this is his gift from me. He has talked several times about going to Halloween Horror Nights which is something we can't do with the kids. So, since I am off work on medical leave I decided to plan a quick trip for just us for HHN. Luckily it works out that I also get a night at MNSSHP. We're staying at CSR in a king bed room--we've always wanted to try this resort/pool, but as a family of 5, it is not cost effective.

Even though DH is not as much of a Disney fanatic as I am, I am hoping that he really enjoys the trip! I know he will be concerned at the cost for such a quick trip, so it may end up being part of his Christmas gift as well!

 

[Us3]

We are leaving in 2 weeks for our "adult only" trip. It'll be the first time in almost 11 years that we've been to WDW w/o kids. My first trip ever to WDW (and dh's too) was in Jan 1997 (we were dating, no kids). He proposed to me at Cinderella's Wishing Well. We went back for the second time in 2003 with our 4 yo daughter (went twice that year). The last few trips have been with our 3 beautiful girls. I LOVE experiencing Disney with them, watching them laugh and smile, and all of the family memories we are creating with them!

BUT with that being said....I'm REALLY looking forward to this adult only trip for our 10 year anniversary. The magic started there with dh and I. I can't wait to be able to get up and go with my hubby, hold hands, walk down the "breakable isle" in the gift shops ....and just take time to browse in general. We're going to ride the coasters, eat when we feel like it, and stay up as late as we want. We're also attending the F&W Festival & MNSSHP.

I don't think there is anything wrong with adults going w/o the kiddo's. My dh and I LOVE the magic of WDW and only hope our girls grow up feeling that same magic. I'll miss them like crazy, come home with tons of "guilt gifts" AND the wonderful memory of me and man being at the most magical place on earth together.

Oh and just in case your curious how the kids feel about it....our dd8 thinks it "very romantic" (her words) and can't wait to see what we bring her. And she says "thats ok, we'll be there next year for spring break and then again on christmas break" I also feel like we're teaching them the importance of an adult relationship with your spouse as well as a family relationship.

 

[debaone]

Disney has so much for so many different types of visits. You can do the exact same things and have completely different vacations depending on your group.

I can't imagine having kids and leaving them behind either, but Disney is great without kids too!

 

[DVCLiz]

I'm leaving in the morning for a week at WDW by myself!!! DD13 has fall break and I had planned to take her, but she made some plans with her dad and stepmom, so I decided to go anyway.

DD13 is not missing out on WDW opportunities, though. We were there as a family for 16 nights this past July, and she and I will be there for New Year's Eve for a week. So she gets lots of WDW time !!!!

I do think people who go without their kids have either younger or older kids, or take more than the usual once every two or three years kinds of trips. Because we have DVC, we take 3 or 4 WDW related trips a year. If we only went once every 5 years, or had a once in a lifetime trip, I would never go without my girls.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

DH and I love WDW. I've been going since I was a kid and really wanted to share it with my DH. Well he fell in love with it also.
My parents even loved it so much that after I was in college they went by themselves also.
We now have our baby girl who we can't wait to take. Diney is so magical for everyone at any age.
I love that it is a place that you can go by yourself, with friends, on your honeymoon, with your kids and even as a Senior and still have a great time!!!!
WDW---- Something for everyone!!!!