Disneyland for Couples

[mom2dzb]

Hooray! My husband and I are finally taking a vacation without the kids and we've chosen Disneyland. The kids will be well taken care of (spoiled) by their grandmother, so we'll be free to enjoy the parks without constant potty-breaks, fights about who gets to sit by whom, and a forced hiatus of three hours for the toddler's nap. It'll be a whole new Disney for us!

So, are there any experiences that my husband and I will especially enjoy without the kidlets taggin' along? (Besides Fantasmic dessert buffet . . . I've already missed the deadline to call in.)
We usually do one sit down (occassionally a character meal) and lots of snacking throughout the day, for budgeting purposes. This time our food budget it all ours . . . are there any dining options that are especially romantic?

And finally, any suggestions on how to let the kids know we really are missing them while we are away?

Thanks!

mom2dzb

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

My parents do this each November, their kids are 21 & 30 so we don't care too much (well *I* am jealous but sis could care less).

When away from my kids I bring gifts home & a phone call before bed each night.

If you're telling them you're going to DL, you could bring them home an autographed something or a big stuffed animal (toddlers seem to like the big stuff, mine is 2).

As far as making it special.....Blue Bayou or Napa Rose. Also a private canoe ride...not sure if just 2 can row actually...hmmm... My parents try to find new Hidden Mickeys each trip.

HTH

 

[drag n' fly]

Hooray! My husband and I are finally taking a vacation without the kids and we've chosen Disneyland. The kids will be well taken care of (spoiled) by their grandmother, so we'll be free to enjoy the parks without constant potty-breaks, fights about who gets to sit by whom, and a forced hiatus of three hours for the toddler's nap. It'll be a whole new Disney for us!

So, are there any experiences that my husband and I will especially enjoy without the kidlets taggin' along? (Besides Fantasmic dessert buffet . . . I've already missed the deadline to call in.)
We usually do one sit down (occassionally a character meal) and lots of snacking throughout the day, for budgeting purposes. This time our food budget it all ours . . . are there any dining options that are especially romantic?

And finally, any suggestions on how to let the kids know we really are missing them while we are away?

Thanks!

mom2dzb

What a great question! We are doing exactly the same thing next November. I would love to get some adult ideas!

 

[jensmom]

And finally, any suggestions on how to let the kids know we really are missing them while we are away?

mom2dzb

We just did this at the beginning of the month for our anniversary, it was such fun to be there just the two of us! We called our daughter on our cell phone and had her go online to the webcam at the Anne Geddes store in DTD and we waved her goodnight! She loved it!

Here's the link:

http://www.annegeddes.com/webcam.aspx

 

[ScooterL]

So, are there any experiences that my husband and I will especially enjoy without the kidlets taggin' along?

How about dining at Napa Rose or the Vineyard Room? (Or some other nice restaurant of your choice!)

Have you thought about taking one of the Disneyland tours? Take your time and enjoy some of the live entertainment in the parks, or in Downtown Disney. Figure out what adult activities (rides, etc.) that you enjoy and make sure you do them lots of times!

Have a great trip!

 

[Amy&Dan]

My husband and I took a long weekend visiting Disneyland and San Diego just the two of us two years ago. What a nice trip that was! I bought my kids a ton of stuff, they really worked me over good beforehand telling me they needed this, that and the other! I was also feeling a bit guilty so buying them all those things helped with that! They were fine with it (they were 7 and 9 at the time) and like your kids were home being spoiled by grandma. As for nice meals, we really enjoyed eating in DTD. One night we went to Naples, sat outside and listened to the violinist who plays outside that restaurant. Very nice evening. My husband went out and bought me the CD and whenever I listen to it now I remember that night. We also enjoyed some margaritas at Tortilla Joes one night with no "we're ready to go back to Disneyland" from the kids. It was so nice to just sit and people watch and know that we had not particular time frame to follow. It was nice to enjoy the parks at a leisurely pace. We didn't ride as much as usual probably because we were too busy eating and drinking! I agree about the Vineyard Room or Napa Rose. Do things you wouldn't normally do with your kids. Partly because this is an opportunity to be adults and also if you do things you normally do with them, it will make you miss them. For instance, I couldn't go on the Alice in Wonderland ride because thats my daughter's favorite and it would have felt funny and sad to be on it without her.

 

[mom2dzb]

Thanks for all the input! I'm glad to see that my husband and I are not the only ones anxious to leave their children to play at Disney.

Canoe ride for two . . . I'm assuming this is on the Rivers of America (around Tom Sawyer's Island.) That might work. We'll have to see if we think the two of us could manuever a canoe.

The Anne Geddes webcam . . . of course! I hadn't thought of using it to wave to my kids. Now I need to get my mom to brave the internet solo.

Tours . . . I have thought of taking a tour. I haven't researched the different ones available. Any suggestions?

We do hope to have more than one nice sit down meal . . . Napa Rose and the Vineyard are likely to be visited. What about the Blue Bayou? I've never been there, but it sounds like I'd only want to splurge on it once. Should we wait until the kids are along (and maybe older)?

Rides . . . I don't imagine I'll step foot in Fantasyland, unless it's to spot characters (which my kids, oddly enough, aren't that interested in.) I do plan on riding Indy, Space Mountain and Screamin' (if it isn't closed for refurbishment) until I throw up!

Shows . . . I hope to see Aladdin. Last time we were there my family watched it twice without the baby and I.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

 

[PattiPB]

We do this at least once a year to DL, and are doing it to WDW for the second time in 2006 in December!!! My kids are gonna have me on Dr. Phil someday for sure!!!

I agree with everybody saying do a tour!!!!! Awesome thing to do as adults---we've learned a lot and really see the parks through different eyes now.

Obviously dine in the romantic (and pricey!) spots you avoid with the kids.

Go ahead---have another Dole Whip!!!

For the kids: Get/make an autograph book. When you get to the face characters, ask them to jot a quick "missed you this trip" or "see you next time" note to the kids. Some characters can barely scrawl their name, but many of the face characters will be happy to do this for you. You can give it to the kids when you get home. Add to it: On the last page, sign it YOURSELF with a note like "wanna come back to DL with me next April" or a promise to take them sometime soon.