DVC Adults or Empty Nesters

[chrissybear]

My kids are 6,8 and 11. My DH and I love to go to WDW without them. We don't do it often because we have to ask my mom to watch the kids while we are gone. She doesn't mind doing it and the kids love going. I feel bad, not because we are going to WDW without them but because I don't want to impose on my parents. I look foreward to when we can go and don't have to worry about what we are going to do with the kids.

 

[dclfun]

I'm an empty nester and widow and still LOVE my trips to WDW. We purchased at OKW when my four children were still at home, my youngest being age 9 and oldest at age 14. Here we are 10 years later and I'm anxiously awaiting the birth of my first grandchild and looking forward to taking him/her to WDW in a few years. This year we have a large family gathering planned the week before Christmas in a 2 bedroom at OKW and another studio. I love the flexibility still and being able to plan whatever fits our needs. During our more park-oriented trips when the kids were with us I'd never have thought I'd be relaxing and enjoying the resorts so much at this point in my life as a Mom finally getting to spoil herself!---Kathy

 

[SandyCA]

I'm 45 and my DH is 51. We bought our DVC in April - no kids. We will go at least once a year and my sister and I will go every other year. WDW/DLR are for kids of all ages

 

[DVC Grammy]

We bought into DVC when we were almost-empty-nesters. 'Til then, we usually went to WDW at least once/year (since 1978). Now we go 3-4X/year ; sometimes we have one or two of our 3 kids and their families join us, sometimes we have everyone together, but we always make sure that we allow at least a couple of "decompression" days afterwards for just the two of us!

It's usually just DH and me on most of the trips, and it's the most relaxing vacation we take (most people think we're when we tell them we go to WDW to relax ).

Aside from having laid back trips now, the two major differences in WDW time as empty-nesters are: 1) we really enjoy the F & W festival with no kids to tend , and 2) we spend very little time at MK !

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We just bought into DVC this year with the intention of using it primarily for our vacations without the kids. Mine are 25, 23, and 18, and they have very different schedules. We are all getting together in April 2008 along with the girlfriends in a 2bdr., but as the norm most of the trips will be studios for F&W, Vero Inn Beachfront, and we are on a Hawaii search for 2009! Is a whole different experience without the kids!

 

[jbrowna]

We have three kids (DS 29, DD 25, DD 23), a DDIL 28, and three grandkids (DGS 6, DGD 3). We usually try to arrange our vacations so we overlap with them a few days at the beginning or at the end. (DD 25 is a CM, so she's always there, but often working, so she doesn't "cramp our style"). We certainly love the family time, but also appreciate the "us" time. Our family still likes to hang out together, and enjoy each other's company. But we're also respectful of the desire -- sometimes -- to just escape. It works well.

 

[Wigit12]

When our son first decided not to go with us, we took our 5 yr old niece with us and really enjoyed seeing the "kiddie" parts of WDW again. After that we took our first trip alone 2 years ago and really enjoyed ourselves.

Ended up being more expensive than the trips with kids
We went to V&A's and other restuarants that we never tried before. We took tours, horseback riding, etc.

And loved just relaxing at night. No rushing and trying to entertain anyone else

 

[spiceycat]

I am single and go to WDW solo.

come join us on the Adults and Solo board.

what is a 'DINK'?

there are several adults who own DVC who have never had kids - or kids are in the future - or past.

trust me you can enjoy and love WDW without kids.

 

[pilferk]

what is a 'DINK'?

DINK = Dual Income No Kids

Basically, a couple both earning a pay check but having no offspring to support.

 

[MonkeyPants]

am 34 myself (soon to be 35 ) no kids....no wife either (tho I am in the market )

If you are a fan of Disney then you are a fan of Disney. I grant you that trips with children often add to the magic of WDW, but its still very enjoyable with them.

That being said I love thr trips I take when the entire family is there with one of my sisters and brothers kids, seeing Disney through their eyes makes everything seem brand new

 

[eliza61]

I was wondering who has older teens or grown kids. I have a 17yr old who isn't thrilled about vacationing with me anymore. Are adults going without kids and still enjoying themselves?

Dh and I took our first trip together without the kids this past March. We loved it! We now keep a packed bag and a ladder next to the bedroom window on the off chance we can make a break for it and go again without the kids. Ours are 16yr old twins and a 13 yr old.

 

[spiceycat]

We now keep a packed bag and a ladder next to the bedroom window on the off chance we can make a break for it and go again without the kids.

thank you!!!

I needed a good laugh!!!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

My wife and I don't have kids, and just by counting my sig... We have made 28 trips to WDW in the last 15 years.

In summary, yeah WDW without kids is awesome!!

MG

 

[Mike©]

I was wondering who has older teens or grown kids. I have a 17yr old who isn't thrilled about vacationing with me anymore. Are adults going without kids and still enjoying themselves?

Don't have kids! Never did! I'm 53 and the wife is 42. Started going to WDW in 1996, joined DVC in 99. We go down from Chicago at least once if not twice a year for 10 days each trip. It's a THRILL every time we go!!!
But then we are the "sunny side up" type of folks and enjoy the "simple" things a great deal.

 

[eva]

We have been empty nesters off and on for the last 4 years! Why do they keep coming back? But seriously, we have been on a number of trips, just the two of us. And guess what?

It is just as fun, if not funner!

It is great to only ride TOT once, eat at nicer restaurants, see Cirque, take backstage tours, drink around the world, visit EPCOT more, etc. We have reserved GV too, for family gatherings. We did that last year and we invited all of my DH family that was over 40. Eveybody got a kick out of a trip to WDW for "OLD" people! Now I have a 18 month old grand daughter and I can't wait to take her to WDW for her first trip in 2009.

The older we get the better we get. They will have to drag my dead cold body out of OKW some day!

 

[Lenc324]

I loved hearing all these respones.........Thanks

 

[Inkmahm]

Of course! DH and I have never had kids but we love WDW for just the two of us! We plan to take friends and family with us over the years but we also will go alone probably 50% of the time.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

We took our kids and grandkids to WDW in May and had a great time - wouldn't have missed it. But we're going back in September by ourselves for a few days because we realized how much we enjoy going at our own pace, and doing the stuff we particularly like to do. The best of both worlds!

 

[JoEllen]

My 17 yr old DD has decided she is not thrilled by Disney anymore either. I didn't hesitate to ask a friend of mine to join me for a May 08 trip for the Flower and Garden Show and she jumped at the chance. I'm divorced and was tempted to sell one of my contracts but I think DD will come around in a few years and I want to save the points for her and her future family.
In the meantime, I'm too chicken to ever go solo, but, I have lots of friends always willing to go with me!

 

[flyerron]

WE were just here with our DS38 & family 2 grand children. We are in our 60's & DW & I are going back in Nov so we can enjoy the adult things.