Ever felt guilty & if so...

[Aeryn76]

So here is the deal. I am almost 38 with no kids, no husband/boyfriend. I went to WDW for the first time in 2012 with my dad to celebrate his 70th b-day. So now I want to go again but my mom had a bad fall after thanksgiving and required surgery and a few weeks in the hospital and months of physical therapy. She is doing great now but because of bills my dad can't afford to go even though he wants to. I can't afford to pay for us both. So I am thinking of doing my first solo trip in the fall. But I feel bad about going by myself, so any way to help move on from it?

I did talk to my mom and she said I should go by myself. I haven't said anything to my dad yet cause of guilt thing.

Also I asked a few friends to go with me but they aren't a Disney crazy as I am!

 

[karice2]

Don't feel guilty. This is your life. Your parents want you to live the fullest life that you can have.

Going solo is so freeing. I had issues with guilt and taking a trip without my dad when he was recovering from a stroke. I was his primary caregiver but I had to take some time for me and while I worried. I still had a great time.

 

[dreamscometrue101]

I understand the guilt thing and I know its hard but I would just say the best way to get over the guilt is to just go and have fun. Try to plan it so that there is something going on that you're looking forward to doing, such as F&W or MNSSHP. If you can work it you can meet up with other Disers while you're down there.

I'm going down Oct 28 - Nov 8 for F&W, MNSSHP and MVMCP. I'm meeting a fellow Diser for a few meals my first few days and hope to do the same for the end of my trip as well.

I felt guilty when I started planning solo but then my husband said that Disney is my thing and he would just ruin it for me.

Go and have a blast. If you happen to head down while I'm there let me know.

 

[LaLalovesWDW]

There is no reason to feel guilty about going alone. I am sure your Dad would understand and maybe you can do a few activities or attractions that you know he would appreciate and can share with him when you get back. My first solo trip that I took was really inspired when my Dad's health plummeted and I wanted to do something that I knew he had something to do with (he was on the architectural team for Epcot) and it really made me appreciate him more. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Vivianne]

You sound like a very devoted daughter. That's great But there's no need to be guilty about enjoying a trip. After all, life is too short and circumstances change so enjoy your trip while you have the energy & means to do it. My parents really couldn't afford to take us on vacations. The moment I could pay for my trips you bet I was going to see places & enjoy them. I'm sure your parents will be glad for you. Bring back a treat that each one can enjoy.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I am a father of 4 kids. They are still small but when they get older I would want them to go on trips and enjoy them even if I can't go, or they just don't want me to go. Might I feel bad that they went to Disney without me, sure. But I feel bad when anyone I know goes to Disney without me, even if I don't know them well. That's just because I want to go!!! I say go, have a blast, and bring him back some pics from your trip to share with him and buy him something nice. Make it like the goal of your trip. If you go down with the idea you are going to find him something really special, you won't feel as guilty going. Doesn't have to be a lot of money, just something unique.

 

[Aeryn76]

I want to thank you guys for the kind words. I have a tentative date set for the second week of September. I have that week picked because so its the cheapest dates I got so far. But I'm just gonna go for it.

 

[barbaraann]

I want to thank you guys for the kind words. I have a tentative date set for the second week of September. I have that week picked because so its the cheapest dates I got so far. But I'm just gonna go for it.

I am glad that you have decided to treat yourself to a Disney Trip. I am going at the end of August, and I picked my dates totally because of economics too. I definitely get more for my money.

I wish you a marvelous vacation.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I want to thank you guys for the kind words. I have a tentative date set for the second week of September. I have that week picked because so its the cheapest dates I got so far. But I'm just gonna go for it.

Does tentative mean booked? Glad to hear you decided to go. Hopefully your dad will be happy for you and you can enjoy and have a great time. Where you going to stay? How long you going for? Keep us posted.

 

[Aeryn76]

Does tentative mean booked? Glad to hear you decided to go. Hopefully your dad will be happy for you and you can enjoy and have a great time. Where you going to stay? How long you going for? Keep us posted.

I say tentative because I have it in the cart on WDW's website. Waiting for my income tax return to come in. Once I have it, it'll be for a week. And will be staying at a value resort this time around. Last time was the French quarter.

 

[Aeryn76]

Ok here is an update for you nice people! I finally booked my first ever solo trip for Sept 7-13. I am nervous but excited to go.

I finally told my dad that I am going back to WDW and I told him I felt bad that he couldn't go. He understood and he was sad a little about not going. I'm not gonna lie, I cried when I told him. But he told me what you all said to me, "go and have fun." His only rule he had for me was to bring him back a hat & some pins.

I already have plans to start saving for next year for us to do another Disney cruise! We did it last October and we had a blast. Dad loved being spoiled.

And if some of you are wondering why my mom doesn't go with us. It's cause she is one of those people who don't get the "Disney thing". But she doesn't mind when we do our trips.

 

[jen19806]

I empathize- I'm 38, single, no kids & just booked my first solo trip to Disney, I feel a little guilty & haven't told my sister yet, I usually go with my sister & her husband and kids. We have a great time together, but it feels a little like cheating to go without her

 

[barbaraann]

Ok here is an update for you nice people! I finally booked my first ever solo trip for Sept 7-13. I am nervous but excited to go.

I finally told my dad that I am going back to WDW and I told him I felt bad that he couldn't go. He understood and he was sad a little about not going. I'm not gonna lie, I cried when I told him. But he told me what you all said to me, "go and have fun." His only rule he had for me was to bring him back a hat & some pins.

I already have plans to start saving for next year for us to do another Disney cruise! We did it last October and we had a blast. Dad loved being spoiled.

And if some of you are wondering why my mom doesn't go with us. It's cause she is one of those people who don't get the "Disney thing". But she doesn't mind when we do our trips.

I am happy for you. I wish you a wonderful trip. It's nice that you and your dad have bonded doing the Disney thing.

My husband doesn't get it either. So I go alone, or meet up with people when I get there.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Glad to hear it. Now just make sure you find Dad a cool hat.

I think it is awesome you love your dad so much that you cared about hurting his feelings. Some people just don't care that much.

Hopefully you will keep us posted.

I am a bit jealous, you will be there on my birthday. Some day I will make it on my birthday too.

Have a GREAT time.

 

[Lyndarella]

I would start right away talking with your dad about the next time you are going with HIM. It's never too soon to start that plan, even if you don't have a date in mind. While you are planning this trip and when you get back, you can compare the rides of this trip with the rides of when you go next time together. I have a friend I usually go with, but she can't go as often as I can. I always feel guilty when I go without her, but when we talk about my upcoming trip, we also talk about how we are going to do it the next time we go together.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I totally understand the guilt thing. I'm 31, single with no kids, and none of my friends care much about Disney, so I usually go with my sister, or my sister and our parents. But now that sis is a teacher, she can't go with me at the times of year I'd like to go (ie: anything but summer and Christmas, pleeeease!!!) so I've started to just go by myself.

The first time I booked, I felt really bad about leaving sis behind, because we've always experienced Disney together. And I have to admit, even though I had a great time, I missed her a lot. But in the end, it's my vacation, my money, and I can treat myself to some me-time at my favourite place! I have no regrets, and neither should you