Family of Adults Help?

[CaptainDiscoPirate]

So my family is going to Walt Disney World this June for the first time in a long time. The last time we went the kids were still, well, kids. I'm used to being at WDW with my wife (we honeymooned there ages ago) and we're real pros at handling kids there (went three times with them), but now our children are all grown up. I'm not entirely sure what to do.

We're staying at the Contemporary for the first time which everyone is really gung ho about. We have twins (a son and a daughter) who are almost 22 now and our youngest daughter just turned 18.

As I said before, I'm not entirely sure how to handle this. This is most likely going to be our last vacation with the whole family going, but how do you handle Disney World when you're 57 with your young and nubile children who aren't children anymore?

Any suggestions? We were going to try and hit up Cirque, but lo and behold, it's not running at all while we're there! Restraunts? Other activities? I realize that Disney World is about reclaiming your childhood, but I dont want the kids to feel like we're treating them as we did when they were 6...

Help? Thanks!

 

[k-wa]

As the adult child portion (29) of a an adult family that travels to Disney together, may I suggest dinner at California Grill? The view of Cinderella's Castle makes it a great combination of sophisticated dining and a little magic.
Also, my family and I have had a blast at Jelly Rolls at the Boardwalk -- not sure if you have to be 21 to get in.
I'm an early riser but my husband (and my dad for that matter) like to sleep in. So my mom and I usually go for long walks at the resort we're staying and maybe go to a park in the morning and meet up with the men folk later. It's okay to split up!
We also like to end the day playing cards together at a lounge or on the deck off our room.
The bottom line: Don't be commando about the trip -- be casual and let your adult kids have some time to themselves if they want. Enjoy. And you never know, this may actually <i>not</i> be your last family trip together.

 

[babar41]

Don't forget, Disney brings out the child in all of us! You will probably be surprised at how fun it will be to turn into a child with your adult children! For more adult things, be sure to go to Pleasure Island. The Adventurers Club is a blast. While your there also take in The Comedy club show, but I warn you once you get in the Adventurers Club you may just want to spend the entire evening there.

I agree with k-wa, don't go commando. Try working on a plan before your trip. Maybe have each person plan out 1 day. The biggest thing to remember is.... these are the things that memories are made of. Don't try to make everything perfect. When you do and something goes wrong (and something always goes wrong ), it can ruin the whole trip. Instead just go and have a great time!

 

[ChibiJones]

Have you looked into the tours? Most of them are only for age 16+. DH & I did the Keys to the Kingdom Tour last time, and I'm planning on the Backstage Safari for next May for my graduation trip. Eventually, I want to do the World Showcase one as well.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Renting the boats and going around the 7 seas lagoon is fun for all ages!

Waterparks?

Mini-golf?

We've been to WDW with our adult children, and didn't plan to do everything together, but we did meet for meals, like at the CG, and Narcoosee's.

Bobbi

 

[battricia]

My family went two years ago (and going back this month!), the first time we went with my parents while adults. We had SOOO MUCH FUUUN! My dad especially had fun because he never got to ride the 'grown up rides' because my mother doesn't ride them, and we were young children so we didn't either. He loved them so much, you should have seen him! We even got my mom to ride some rides like splash mtn. and big thunder mountain railroad. We didn't get to ride space mtn last time because we ran out of time and the lines were so long, so this year we will DEFINATELY do that!

We also loved the comedy club at pleasure island, and just generally enjoying ourselves at some decent restaurants. I think for each of us, the best part was watching everyone be so happy to spend time together!

tricia.

 

[JLTraveling]

I'm 28 and have vacationed with my parents a lot during adulthood. As the others mentioned, I think the key is not being afraid to split up...in whatever combinations. When I was married and my mom was still alive, we did lots of activities as a foursome, but also split when it made sense. Sometimes my hubby and my mom would go someplace, or me and my dad....or whatever.

Just don't put unrealistic expectations on anyone, and allow the kids (and yourselves) room to breathe. You may find that this ends up being the beginning of a new tradition of adult family vacations. I wouldn't trade mine for the world!

 

[DanaHesson]

I am 33 and my husband is 30. Last year I decided early in the year that I wanted Disney for my birthday (we had two days left on 4 day passes). I managed to convince my mom and dad that they wanted to come too. We ended up adding days and had a 4 day trip again. This vacation was one of the very best I can ever remember. One of the parts I enjoyed the most, believe it or not, were the times spent standing in line! It gave us lots of time to slow down and have conversations, you know, the "do you remember" kind... We also enjoyed a couple of sit down meals (crystal palace dinner, brown derby lunch) together. My husband and I were more gung ho about the parks and most mornings my parents got a more leisurely start, having breakfast and whatnot, and then joined us at the park for the day... It gave hubby and I some time to spend together, and them some time to spend together... I recommend cell phones (switch to a Nationwide plan temporarily for the trip) for keeping in touch and splitting up. We all had a great time.My parents were very impressed with Disney's attention to detail, the quality of the food, and the caliber of the entertainment. They both LOVED wishes! In fact, we all had so much fun, I managed to persuade them to do it again this year, for the same dates!!!!!
The older your children get, the more they will want to spend time with you again. Now that I am in my 30's, there is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with family!

 

[pixiedust23]

I believe for Jelly Rolls you must be 21. Try PI there are a lot of clubs you can get into there at 18. They have clubs your kids will like to dance in and clubs you can go and relax in.

 

[nukeantz]

For the past 5 years we have been taking our sons and their friends to Disney ,at New Years coincidently ages 22 and 18 . We have a ball. We split up and meet at meal time but usually we end up together. They actually save rides to do with us.

Some things we have done. The comedy club at Pleasure Island.

We do a scavenger hunt (sometimes ends up vicious) a lot of fun. Each "team " has digital cameras. We make up a list for the whole trip of stuff to take pictures of. Such as kids dressing up in disney costumes, funniest t shirt saying, groups of people dressed alike, person wearing most pins, male with shortest shorts, etc.

We draw for hotel names and have a 1 day race to get pressed pennies from chosen hotels. and see who gets back in quickest time using Disney transportation. Teens cheated so we had to confiscate car keys.

They loved eating at Rainforest , House of Blues, and at Wilderness Lodge where the waiters give you a hard time. I make them go to character meal so characters can embarrass them. My personal payback pleasure

These guys are all over 6 feet and good looking and amazing the perks received by tagging along.

Afraid we have done our last trip with them, we made great memories for a life time Hope you have a great time.