Disney without your KIDS!?!?

[Mrs Potato Head]

My Dh and I honeymooned at WDW 22 years ago. And we went back for our 15th without the kids (at the time 13 and 10). We have since gone back without the kids many times. And I've gone without DH three times too!

Yes, we bought DVC in 05 - so that gives us more flexibility. Yes, our kids are older now and not as "into" WDW at this time. But WDW was "our" place before we had our kids, so to us it's romantic and FUN to go without the kids.

With more and more folks getting married on property and with so many folks honeymooning there, I'm sure we aren't alone in thinking of WDW as a romantic place to go without kids.

And for the record, going by yourself is AMAZING. You can do whatever you want, not do whatever you don't want to, and stop to use the bathroom or browse the shops without anyone complaining.

Just another point of view....

 

[beattyfamily]

And for the record, going by yourself is AMAZING. You can do whatever you want, not do whatever you don't want to, and stop to use the bathroom or browse the shops without anyone complaining.

I know it's not the same but that's how I feel when we go without DH!!!

 

[ZPT1022]

Not sure why you needed to quote me and explain yourself. I said it was my opinion and to each their own.

I quoted you to say that while you might not do WDW without the kids, you do SOMETHING without them for some couple time, which I think is healthy for a marriage. I then went on to explain what we do. Nothing meant by it. Perhaps I should have edited and spaced it better but I guess that's what happens when you are trying to do too many things at once





ETA- went ahead and removed the post since apparently it was offensive somehow

 

[beattyfamily]

I quoted you to say that while you might not do WDW without the kids, you do SOMETHING without them for some couple time, which I think is healthy for a marriage. I then went on to explain what we do. Nothing meant by it. Perhaps I should have edited and spaced it better but I guess that's what happens when you are trying to do too many things at once


ETA- went ahead and removed the post since apparently it was offensive somehow

Oh, you didn't have to delete it, it wasn't offensive. Just wasn't sure why you quoted me.

No harm, no foul.

 

[tjmw2727]

I know it's not the same but that's how I feel when we go without DH!!!

LOL - us too. My trips with just my dd's have been wonderful. Many times DH will join us for 1/2 the trip and those are the best of both worlds trips.
TJ

 

[DisneyPhD]

I wouldn't ever go without my kids either, BUT we don't get to Disney all that often---just once every few years. So, in that situation, it would seem downright cruel not to bring our kids: "Hey,kids, we're going to Disney World for the first time in four years, and you're not invited".

HOWEVER, it seems as if most the folks who go minus the kids are "regulars" who get to WDW quite often (every year or more). I don't think I've ever read a post from someone who said it was their first trip in xx years, but they weren't bringing the kids. All of the posts I've seen regarding leaving kids at home have taken their kids multiple times, and plan on taking them again soon.

I do know someone IRL though who went for the first time in 5 years, and left their kids at home. Their kids were older too--6 and 3. I did really feel sorry for the kids in that case, especially since the family had no plans to return any time soon. That was about three years ago, and they haven't been back yet.

I agree with you, that is why we went (like many people said, we had a great air fair, AP's DVC it all came together.) I can't imagine leaving them at home and going if they had not been in a while.

It is kind of funny, you get the "why in the world would you bring kids" threads and they "why in the world would you leave them home." I see both sides, but I wouldn't leave them home if they weren't already the most spoiled kids I know about going to WDW.


Because of school we are going a full year between trips this year. It seems like such a very long time!

 

[meandtheguys2]

You know when you have to eat your words...? Just found out that the Cisco Networkers conference is in Orlando this year. We had planned on taking the conference time as a vacation for the two of us...should be interesting to see how this plays out!

 

[rgribik]

My DH and I go every couple of years by ourselves to Dis for a quick 4 day trip, but we also take the kids every year. Our honeymoon was to Dis, and we went many times before we were married, so for us it is a special place as adults. After we had kids, we shared it with them, and they love it also, but it is great to have a weekend once in a blue moon to relive the old days, no responsibility, big people food, sleep, no schedule...... The kids think it is great to stay with their grandparents for awhile, without parents luking around, so it isn't a stressful time for us or the kids.

 

[Momoftwins+1]

Well DH and I went in 2005 when our son was just under 2 years old. We spent 2 weeks there alone and had a fabulous time. I don't feel bad about it one bit either. We had been separated because of the military for over 18 months and we needed to reconnect at a couple level as well as a family level. We spent mornings sleeping in, late nights out, went to things a 2 year old wouldn't want to do or be able to do. It's a vacation we will never forget ( we weren't able to take a honeymoon due to military and then 9/11 happened and well we all know nothing has been able to be planned since then lol )
We now have 3 children and probably wouldn't go to Disney without them again but I'm sure glad we did when we had the chance! I see nothing wrong with it either way...its all up to the couple/family.

 

[DVC Sadie]

We thought the same as most of you. How could we go without our son? Last year I decided to surprise my DW with a short trip,(4 days), just the 2 of us. (We did a 15 day trip 3 months earlier with him). We did the dining plan and went during Flower Power. We missed our son and felt guilty at first but the first time we had a nice, guiet, romantic dinner, just the 2 of us, it was like being on a second honeymoon. It helps you to remember why you fell in Love and married in the first place. I recommend it for everyone, Remember, some day the kids will be gone and it's going to be just the two of you again.

ITA!

We have been going on adult vacations every year since our son was born, both WDW and other places. It is wonderful to have time to reconnect and to fall in love all over again.

Now we are celebrating our 21st anniversay (Oct. 31) and I am both blessed and grateful that I still feel the same as the day we married.

 

[ZPT1022]

Oh, you didn't have to delete it, it wasn't offensive. Just wasn't sure why you quoted me.

No harm, no foul.

I just thought it was nice that you do something. I can understand why you would want to leave WDW for a family trip, but you still value the importance of couple time too. I know a few of the moms at DD's school who won't do anything at all without the kids. It's just sad because they seem burnt out and like some adult time would do them some good but they just won't do it. One that I know has grandparents itching to take the kids for the weekend and the grandparents are capable, but Mom just won't go for it.

I know for us, WDW just has this magnetic pull. We think about going other places (alone or with the kids) and we start pricing things out and realize that we can go to WDW for a longer time for the same amount of money, so we go back again (and again and again and again and again )

 

[asmit4]

Ok, maybe this is a bit too personal, but it's a msg board so I'll post it anyway.

Do you guys that go to WDW with your kids, do adult vacations too? Like at another time, go to another place?

DH and I have been together for 5 years. Life is hectic and I find that when we are on vacation we have the best "closed door" time ever. I see lots of people posting their deals while staying onsite and most rooms are only 1 room. Obviously, closed door fun isn't happening with the kiddies in tow.

We look forward to those romantic trips, those times when we can just completely relax and be together. So I guess my answer would be yes, we would go alone b/c we need that time alone together and we look forward to our vacations.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

DH and I always take one long weekend (3-4 nites) trip by ourselves every year. DH works 3rd shift and I work first. So we barely see each other during the week. We need that weekend trip every year to "recharge the batteries" so to speak! When DD was an infant, we did do two Disney trips without her. However, as she was approaching three we decided that it was the perfect time to take her...she may not remember it but she'll at least love it while she's there. And we were right. Perfect time for her. But we still need that one solo trip a year. We just go to different places (New Orleans, DC, Vegas)

 

[disneygal2007]

DON'T Do it lol my Dh and i went this past feb with no kids and after the first full day it was boring. there were times when it was fun cause we had our grown up fun and at dinner there was no STOP IT!!! HE'S TOUCHING ME and stuff like that But the parks and the shows weren't that exciting at all. I missed them deeply and will never go without them again. Oh and we ran out of things to talk about with the kids not there lol

 

[DisneyPhD]

I know for us, WDW just has this magnetic pull. We think about going other places (alone or with the kids) and we start pricing things out and realize that we can go to WDW for a longer time for the same amount of money, so we go back again (and again and again and again and again )

LOL, I know I used to say if I was going to take an adult only trip and go through the trouble of leaving the kids at home I would not go to WDW.

So when we did get the opportunity where did we go????? WDW of course!

Why did we end up there? I mean besides the great airfare, DVC, low points during the week and AP's. It was much cheaper to do WDW then anywhere else. Plus we knew we would have a good time, we knew the place well so it was not stressful, we didn't need to rent a car, get lost or even think much about the vacation. Just enjoy. I did feel the need to explain to anyone who asked that "yes we did have kids, no we are not crazy and they get to come here often." They were thrilled with the gifts. I was a little concerned we would get a great wish (like get to stay in the castle) and not have the kids there for that. I was glad we didn't get any wishes!

 

[ZPT1022]

LOL, I know I used to say if I was going to take an adult only trip and go through the trouble of leaving the kids at home I would not go to WDW.

So when we did get the opportunity where did we go????? WDW of course!

Why did we end up there? I mean besides the great airfare, DVC, low points during the week and AP's. It was much cheaper to do WDW then anywhere else. Plus we knew we would have a good time, we knew the place well so it was not stressful, we didn't need to rent a car, get lost or even think much about the vacation. Just enjoy. I did feel the need to explain to anyone who asked that "yes we did have kids, no we are not crazy and they get to come here often." They were thrilled with the gifts. I was a little concerned we would get a great wish (like get to stay in the castle) and not have the kids there for that. I was glad we didn't get any wishes!

You are officially the first person ever to be happy to NOT get a wish! I hear you though, we get these ideas of other places to go, things to do, and we start planning and gathering info and WDW just keeps coming out ahead. It's really hard to argue that 4.5 days in DC is more fun than a week and a half at WDW, especially with the ages of our kids right now. I'm sure as they get older we'll try other things but for right now, WDW is it

 

[nessz79]

We go for short weekend trips once a year or so, but we live about 3 1/2 hours away.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Dh and I have taken several trips over the years to WDW without our son. Our son never feels bad about it because he knows it's our favorite place to visit and he also knows that mom & dad need to get away alone sometimes (heck, he's gone on LOTS of trips without US!). Plus, he knows that he'll be going back.

Dh and I love being at WDW alone. We do exactly what we want to do, move at our own pace, and generally just enjoy each other.

 

[1gr8mouse]

Check out my siggie!! We loved our trips alone for alot of the same reasons: cheap airfare, we knew the place, always a clean safe quality environment.

The only negative was our first trip...We were standing in the security line at the airport and I looked at DW and said "we should have brought the kids" thats all it took, she started crying.....I got choked up.....we were a sight!!!
But then we saw the families with screaming kids, fighting, parents trying to control them and we appreciated how lucky we were to have our trip!! The
2nd trip alone was a breeze!!

I highly recommend it, it works great for us......