Ever gone to WDW *without* the kids?

[lilpixie]

DH and I will be celebrating our 10 yr. anniversary this year. We have always gone to Hawaii and I really do want to go there. However, we took a trip to Disneyland last month with our 3 little girls and had a blast. It made me really want to go to WDW because I grew up in FL and miss it!! Is it crazy to want to go to WDW instead of Hawaii? I kind of wonder if the whole time we were there if I would be wishing the kids were with us to see everything.
Any takes on this?

 

[twoprincesses]

We're in the same boat! My mom wants to go on a trip for my graduation from college... she said we could go anywhere... italy, france, hawaii, etc... she would pay for me, DH, DD 4, DD5, my sister, dad, and herself. I told her, "what about WDW" and she was like, "umm... are u sure?" I told her I'd have to sit on it....

 

[Kae]

DH & I have gone twice w/o the kids since they were born. And are going to DL next month.

At times you do miss the kids for me it is the first day & the day before we come home. Go & enjoy yourself.

Kae

 

[swillis]

I went to Disney once about 9 years ago without my kids. I was bringing my little sister down to start her Disney Internship. We went to the MK before I flew home, and I was sooo sad. My kids were only 2 and 6 months at the time of the trip, but I vowed I wouldn't go back without them. I haven't. We are going together for the first time in May.

I'm sure I would feel differently if I had taken them before. And We do go on vacation each year to other places without them. But I often find myself saying during these trips.."oh Maddie would love that, or Kellen would be so into that"

I can't wait to do this trip with them!

 

[Kayleebug]

We're taking our 10th anniversary trip this year and bring DD with us. It just wouldn't be the same without her.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

We only go to WDW as a family. No flames for others at all but that is just our rule. We do go other places alone.

 

[mareed]

It's not crazy to me. Each June trip in my signature has been an anniversary trip for DH & I for the last 4 years and we have another one coming up! I've taken one trip with each DS alone, and all others have had both DS's along, so they're not missing out. Also, DS's are staying with relatives in the next state being spoiled by grandparents/aunts/uncles, and playing with cousins when DH & I go on our own.

 

[jayhjay]

DH had a work trip to WDW last year and I went with him alone. We had just been recently and are planning a trip this year and just couldn't swing a family vacation. But we had a great time! Got to do more adult things, eat at nicer restaurants, etc. I went on two tours which were fabulous. Lots of folks go w/o kids. Check out the adults and solo travelers board and you'll get lots of good feedback. JJ

 

[MNRMommy]

When you do an adults only trip you can see a different side of disney. We have swum with the Dolphins at the living seas and been back stage at every single park. Had dinner at the chef's table at V&A, sat in a hammock on the beach at the poly and watched the fireworks over Cindy's castle, gone parasailing, etc etc etc. Some of these things are things that not only you can't do with the little ones with you but you really wouldn't want to because behind the scenes would ruin the magic for them (especially those utilidors under the MK).

That said, I have missed them every trip. And, since having the little ones I have used the few trips we have made solo to "try out" just about every recreational aspect and park ride so I could make a detailed list of what I wanted to be able to show the kids when we take them (later this year). I can't wait to see there faces when they see Main Street for the first time (well second time for DS but he doesn't remember having been only 6 months old last time he was there). I miss them like crazy when I see others about there age but since my DH and I had our honeymoon there ten years ago it has allways been our special place to get away from life and re-connect. The second we get off that plane we are in heaven. But since you are going to miss them whereever you are go where you think you and your husband will have the most fun and romantic time. For us that is Disney but for you it may be Hawaii.

 

[Samar]

DH and I are going *without* the kids for a day... because they will be with my mom that day! LOL Definitely a nice perk for testing the waters of a vacation sans kids. Of course, I'll probably be calling every 1/2 hour to make sure they're ok. After all, sometimes you gotta stand in line and what better way to do that than check on the kids.

 

[AtlMom]

We went once as a couple before we had our 2 boys, so I can't speak to the issue of missing them, but I can say that we had a great time as 2 adults! I am taking my mom for a weekend next Spring, and we are just planning it a little differently then the trips where we bring our boys. There really are a lot of great things you can do just as adults! There are the fine dining restaurants, the late night shows, visits to Pleasure Island, etc.. I think it all just depends on how you think you will feel about leaving the kids behind. For us, it wouldn't be a big deal, as we make a point of doing lots of other fun trips and things as a family (and the kids get plenty of visits to the mouse!), but I can understand where some might find it less fun without the kids.

 

[mrsltg]

We've gone twice without the kids. The trips were fantastic - and different! We did end up buying half of the park for her, but otherwise it was great!

 

[eeyoregon]

My first trip to WDW was without my boys who were 3 and 6 at the time. Newly divorced, I went with my best friend and her husband and had the most AWESOME TIME!!!

I have taken my boys several times since my solo trip and had a FABULOUS time too - just a different experience (each in a good way).

I did feel a wee bit guilty (my credit card statement reflected my guilt!) but I knew that 3 and 6 year olds were just too much for me to handle by myself and the 3 year old was too young to enjoy the experience. Now that they are older, we visit WDW once a year

I say go for it and tell yourself you are scouting it out for a future visit with the kids

 

[Carolina Mouse]

DW and I are going next week (Thur - Sun) without the Kids - 12y 10y 9y

We've ALWAYS gone a couple of times a year with the three kids, so this one time without them won't make me feel too guilty!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

DH and I have gone a couple of times without the kids and had a blast. It's a completely different trip -- we go to the restaurants we want to dine at and we can stay up late without worrying that anyone (other than us) will be cranky the next day.

Hey, 1 1/2 years ago I even went with my parents for a trip without my DH or kids. That was fun too.

 

[CharityLynn]

The only 2 times I've been we didn't take our kids. I think it will help us when we take them this year, we now have an idea of what rides they may like and what one we are pretty sure they won't. They stayed with Grandma and were fine but I must say i can't wait to take them for their first time this year

 

[tcolbert]

DH and I have gone every year for the last three years alone to celebrate our Anniversary. This year will make our 4th trip. We've already made a reservation for Victoria & Albert's (amazing!) and for the "Grand Romantic Evening" spa package at the GF along with a his & hers pedicure for May. Last year we rented the Mouse Boats and had a blast chasing each other through the Seven Seas Lagoon. There is a ton of stuff that you can do alone, and you don't have to listen to the little darlings complain about the rides or wait. Do it!!

 

[anewvance]

On our 5th anniversary my dh and I went to Disney for 5 days by ourselves and really had a great time. Last year we did an overnighter to celebrate our 7th anniversary and stayed at the YC and ate at San Angel and went to Pleasure Island.... had a BLAST.

I want to go all out on our 10th anniversary. I want to stay at Poly with lots of ADRs to places I haven't eatten before and maybe do a tour and all.

However, dh and I are going to Ireland in May for 2 weeks... will be the longest away from our kids ever and i'm nervous. But also can't wait for 2 kid free weeks to do what we want when we want.

Congrats on 10 years, we have 2 years and 2 months until we get there.

 

[hollyb]

Honest question. What do you tell you kids when they see that you went on vacation without them? Our kids know that vacations mean famiy time. It would break heart to leave them. The guilt and sadness would have me a mess. Our thinking is that life is to short not to include the kids. Soon enough they will be out of the house and won't want to go with us.

 

[lilpixie]

Hollyb -- I know what you mean about kids being sad about not going on vacation with the parents. A trip my husband and I will be taking will *not* replace our family vacation (we just got back from Disneyland with our kids!!!) it will be an additional get-away for DH and I. But, since we've had kids (our oldest is almost 7) we have never been on any kind of trip by ourselves. Not even an over night excursion or anything. I am a stay at home mom with my 3 litle girls. My husband and I work hard at having a good marriage and keeping the communication open, etc - - but I think some alone time will be very healthy for our marriage. Now, I don't know if that alone time will be WDW or not, but we definately want to take some kind of trip just the 2 of us. Actually, I think I am just about the only one out of my family and friends who has never taken some sort of get-away with a spouse sans kids. We do so many things with our kids -- pizza nights, game nights, matinee movies, the zoo, alone time with each child going somewhere fun, shopping, etc that I just don't think it will be awful if DH and I take an extra little vacation for us. I just think it is important to focus on the marriage relationship as well as the kids. It is just my opinion for myself and I respect that you have your opinion also. Everyone is different!