Disney World without kids?

[Toby]

My husband's having Disney withdrawal bad. We have always taken our two kids since they were little - now, one's a junior in college and the other one is a junior in high school. They want no part of going to DW for winter break. My husband wants us , to go for a long weekend, but I have the feeling he's going to be so disappointed without the two kids to go on all the rides. I don't like a lot of them...so I won't be doing his favorites - TOT, Space MT, etc. I'd hate to spend the $$, and have him depressed about the kids not being there. Guess my kids are burnt out with Disney world - too many trips for them!!

 

[tc]

We love WDW w/o our kids. They are both 20 and 21, and, although they would love to go with us every time, we don't take them with us like we used to. Of course, I do ride all the rides, but even if I didn't, there are plenty adult things to do. I say go for it, and see what magic you can create sans kids. Enjoy the romance of the World, and I think you'll like it.

 

[swilphil]

Toby--I think I would feel the same way that your husband does. My suggestion would be to bribe the kids to go with you with whatever it takes. I would think you could at least get the youngest one to go. You still have a little more leverage with him, don't you?? Try to combine a park trip with a trip to the beach or to some of the other Orlando parks. Let the kids decide on the hotel, restaurants, etc. If that doesn't work, I would suggest you and your husband plan a trip somewhere else. Maybe the kids will want to go too, or maybe you will want to go without them.

 

[chrisp]

Our first time to WDW without the kids seemed strange and at times a little depressing on the first day - but we started to really enjoy ourselves by the second day - to the point that the mayor of main street asked us if we were honeymooners. We've been back since without the kids and have had great times - the slower pace and ability to see things the kids were never interested in are part of the appeal. We are however returning with our "kids" (24, 22 and 19) over Christmas and looking forward to it!

 

[mcgrawfan]

I say go by yourselves. As adults going alone, I think you would be suprised how you take it all in and see things in a different light. DH and I have no children and are going for our 3rd trip in 2 1/2 years in January. Although we ride most of the rides since it is just the 2 of us we can do it at our own pace. You can take the time to be together and appreciate all of the detail Disney uses in its parks and resorts.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Surprisingly, DH confessed last night that in some ways, he probably enjoys Disney more now than when our kids were home (we're empty-nesters). If he says we're going someplace after dinner, then the time comes and he's too tired, no one to whine (if I want to go, I'll go by myself). And if he wants to just wander around and enjoy Epcot (his favorite park is WS at Epcot), there's no pressure to hurry up. Yes, I know there are a lot of things he looks back on fondly, but it's just as much fun now, just different.

 

[christianweecare]

I agree. Go without the kids. DH & I went without our kids for the first time two years ago. We are empty nesters, too. We have many fond memories with our DD (24) and DS (20) and still take short trips with them, but we have learned to appreciate our Disney trips in a whole new light. Our first trip felt a bit strange but we have had wonderful trips for the past two years. We leave for our third trip without kids in about three weeks and can hardly wait! It is so nice to try resorts that we never could try with the kids and eat at restaurants that we never could before.
Go for it! WDW is for kids of all ages!

 

[MLAinVA]

We're just the opposite. Our kids are grown and we'll be taking them to WDW for the first time in October 2004. We're not sure how it will work out as they are his and mine and not "ours".

 

[Micca]

It's good both ways, albeit a different experience. Go with or without the kids and enjoy

 

[Kallison]

Dh and I just got back from a kidless trip and we had a BLAST. My 13 year old is already complaining about how he never wants to visit Disney again, so I see more of these trips in my future. DH had a conference, so I had 2 1/2 days of about 8 hours each by myself. Let me tell you, I could have died a happy person, being to go where I WANTED, WHEN I WANTED, stay and look as long as I WANTED with no whining "can we go now". There were times when I missed them, like watching WIshes, I kept saying -- wish the kids could see this. But I went into all the stores in World Showcase they never let me see, tried all the counter service places I wanted to eat, we did the food and wine festival, had a two hour dinner at Brown Derby one night, did Millionaire three times in a row -- DH got in hot seat, I got to #1 but it ran out of time, sat for shows of British Invasion, Off Kilter, Three Dog Night, watched Fife and Drum twice, went to American Adventure, Hall of Presidents, all the stuff WE LOVE!!! I just got my pictures back, I'm grinning from ear to ear in each one, not to mention my hair looked really nice (finally had time to fix my own hair and not worry about three other people getting ready). The kids didn't mind because they hated all the stuff we did! So I say if your kids are older, go for it. I remember my parents going with my inlaws when DH and I first got married and had no interest in Disney World and they had a blast too.

 

[Kallison]

I also didn't mind doing rides by myself (DH refused to do Mission Space), it's so easy to get on the single rider line. You can stand in the queue with DH and take the chicken exit. I usually went by myself and chatted with those around me. Have fun! Why bribe 20 year olds who don't really want to go anyway. Believe me, they will grow back into wanting you on all vacations when they start their own families. We vacationed alone until we had kids in our late 20's. We are now in our early 40's and my parents go on every single Disney trip with us, as well as all our other long vacations.

 

[crazywig]

we're going kidless tomorrow!

granted, ds is only 19 months, but we experienced the parks with him last january, definately a different experience vs. our previous trip with just the two of us.

we now own dvc and plan to take 1 kid trip, and 1 adult mini-trip every year

 

[DaveH]

Do it without the kids. It will feel different at first. If your DH wants to ride rides you do not, you can go to the chicken exit or let him go and do something you want to do. I am not very good at 3" per hour shopping my DW does. We split up and she does her thing and I go do things she does not want to do in the parks. We meet up later. We are empty nesters and we each have grown children with others and do not have ours. If you go often you may want to check out DVC. Be forewarn they do not pressure you but DVC is addictive in a great way.

 

[BethC1952]

It's a whole different "world" without the kids! We love it. It's a chance to be a kid yourself if you want to, a chance to relax and do all the "grownup" things that you can't do if you bring the kids, which includes taking a two hour nap in the middle of the day so you can stay out late (maybe even past 10 PM ) and enjoy some of the night spots.

In 17 days we'll be there with our granddaughter, who's 3 1/2. I can't wait to enjoy it all again with her (and her parents). I also can't wait for 12/12, when she and her parents will fly home and DH and I can enjoy WDW by ourselves for six days!

Beth

 

[mrsltg]

My husband and I had a blast at WDW without our daughter - so much so, that we left her with Grandma and Grandpa again the following year! We're taking her for her big birthday trip in 3 weeks, and while I'm excited, I'm also a little sad that it won't just be me and DH. Both trips with just us were like having a honeymoon all over again!

Go for it!!!

Erin

 

[donac]

We went in AUg with our two sons (18 and 13) A couple of morning and an evening we said just meet us at this place at this time and it was just the two of us. My dh is not too much of a thrill rider so we had a great time. We even rode Dumbo twice (once at night when the castle was changing colors) and the Indy Speedway. We sat through Food Rocks and the ride at the Land. I am looking forward to an all adult trip in a couple of years. ALthough he still wouldn't fdo Little Mermaid with me.

Dona

 

[Dan Murphy]

I love it!!!!! Hard not to have a good time at Disney.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

DH and I don't have any children so it makes for a fun time when we go to Disney. I have been to Disney with children, I took my neices 3 years ago, and it does make for a different experience. My mother drove me nuts, so I didn't really enjoy the trip. Could have saved my $1500! The girls had fun though and that's all that mattered.
There are plently of rides that DH and I just aren't interested in, TOT, BTMR, and Space Mountain, so we don't have to worry about riding alone. Going to Disney without children is loads of fun. Visit the DISNEY FOR ADULTS AND SOLO TRAVELERS board and see what I'm talking about.
You'll have fun, don't worry!

 

[BamaTigger]

Me and my hubby have no kids....and we go to WDW at least 3-4 times a year and we really really enjoy it. We ride all the "kid" rides and just have a ball. And you can really see things at Disney through a different light when you go alone. I have taken my 2 nephews with us once and we had to more or less cater to them, which we didnt mind, but when we back again alone, we enjoyed it alot more.

If your hubby starts getting down about not having your kids with you, then try to make the best of it. Schedule something grown up, like a nice romantic dinner, go to Port Orleans Riverside and take a horse carriage ride, or take a Backstage or Keys to the Kingdom tour. Try to make his trip without the kids as memorable as possible. And if that doesnt work drag him to Mickey's house and make him sit on Mickey's lap!!!


HOPE YA HAVE FUN!

 

[Bill3]

Weve been to WDW when our kids were little, medium and grown,weve been with the grandkids and weve been with the two of us. It's all good. When we go without our family we spend alot more time at World Showcase and eat a little better. With the family we do more character meals and stuff but regardless we have a great time no matter what.