First trip as a couple without kids

[CatNipRules]

Okay, so DH and I have been to Disney many, many times before. As a former Florida resident, we used to go to Disney pretty much every chance we got. We moved to Alabama 7 years ago and have been once since then.

Well, DH and I decided to plan a family trip for 2015. However, our son told us that he doesn't really want to go. He would be 18 when we go. So, DH and I decided to push off the trip until January/February of 2016. This would be our 20th anniversary. So, it would be a special time for us.

I'm trying to wrap my mind around doing a trip without kids. It's hard to think about because we've always done Disney as a family. The three amigos.

So, as I plan/save for the trip,I'm trying to be upbeat about things. I am looking forward to a trip with just DH and me. I really am, but this is new territory for both of us.

So, any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Mostly suggestions on how to go about planning this trip and not feeling guilty/sad about going without DS.... LOL!!

 

[bigtony777]

Go with the mindset that you shouldn't feel guilty at all. My wife and I take at least one weekend trip a year without our girls. I think that it is a much needed time for our relationship. It is nice to be able to talk and not have to stop every 2 minutes for something.

We have taken a trip to WDW by ourselves the past several years. We time it with the Wine & Dine half marathon. I will say that if the food and wine festival interests you at all, that this would be the time I recommend to visit. Plan a couple of nice dinners and do the things that you never do with the kids.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Okay, so DH and I have been to Disney many, many times before. As a former Florida resident, we used to go to Disney pretty much every chance we got. We moved to Alabama 7 years ago and have been once since then.

Well, DH and I decided to plan a family trip for 2015. However, our son told us that he doesn't really want to go. He would be 18 when we go. So, DH and I decided to push off the trip until January/February of 2016. This would be our 20th anniversary. So, it would be a special time for us.

I'm trying to wrap my mind around doing a trip without kids. It's hard to think about because we've always done Disney as a family. The three amigos.

So, as I plan/save for the trip,I'm trying to be upbeat about things. I am looking forward to a trip with just DH and me. I really am, but this is new territory for both of us.

So, any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Mostly suggestions on how to go about planning this trip and not feeling guilty/sad about going without DS.... LOL!!

First, if your son's like ours, this is a temporary situation, going without him. Our DSs went thru the stage of not wanting to go to WDW with us in their late teens, but then changed back by their early 20s. For now, as two adults, enjoy-non-planning, especially for meals. It's lots easier to get a last minute ADR for just two, or even to walk into a restuarant. And I agree about the F&W festival being a great adult time, maybe do one of the culinary demos (they're about an hour llong and cost about $12).

 

[MsDiz]

Well it looks as though you did your job as a Disney parent(s). Before you know it, your future may bring you the delightful job of Disney grandparent! Enjoy your time alone at Disney because that may be short lived. I grew up doing Disney every three years or so. When I had little ones, their Grandpa and Grandma went on our Disney trips with us. It has always been fun with my parents and now my grown children talk of Disney with me when they have kids. Ahhh Disney...the ultimate multi-generational )

 

[pixie08]

Going with out kids can be great! WDW can be very romantic and a great place for you and your partner to reconnect and have fun.

Eat at a fancy restaurant, take a walk on the beach during wishes, take a tour, hit the spa, have an nice dinner and stroll around DTD at night, rent a boat and relax by the pool!!

 

[7165red]

We love going to disney without kids, love the restaurants etc. We especially enjoy it during the Xmas season.

 

[PinkBudgie]

There is nothing to feel guilty about. If you were leaving a ten year old home alone while you went, then you should feel guilty. Instead you have raised your son, he is an adult, and you have "couple time". Very important! DH and I are going to WDW together for our 25th anniversary in June. Our twin boys are 20. We waited to go to WDW for the first time for this anniversary so we could go alone after they were old enough to stay home.

We've taken them to DLR just about every summer before they turned 18. We pay for college now and at this time in their lives they need to be working in the summer to help pay for their expenses. I figure this is our chance to go play now. I'm so excited for this trip! And with just the two of us, it is easier to decide what to eat and when and what to ride, etc. You are going to have a great time!

 

[lazy daisy]

There is nothing to feel guilty about. If you were leaving a ten year old home alone while you went, then you should feel guilty. Instead you have raised your son, he is an adult, and you have "couple time". Very important! DH and I are going to WDW together for our 25th anniversary in June. Our twin boys are 20. We waited to go to WDW for the first time for this anniversary so we could go alone after they were old enough to stay home.

We've taken them to DLR just about every summer before they turned 18. We pay for college now and at this time in their lives they need to be working in the summer to help pay for their expenses. I figure this is our chance to go play now. I'm so excited for this trip! And with just the two of us, it is easier to decide what to eat and when and what to ride, etc. You are going to have a great time!

My dh and I don't have kids and somehow every trip we have adults coming with us lol, if its not my side of the family it's his side... I don't really mind but I kinda miss the days when it was just the two of us....so enjoy your alone time.... It may not last long

 

[TJDisneymama]

Last year for my b-day I decided I wanted to go to WDW without the kids. and we loved it so much we're doing it again this year for my b-day. and hopefully, every birthday after that!

At first I would get a little weepy thinking about being there without the kids but once I got there, I was all "kids? what kids?" lol. J/K. (actually, I'm not, lol).

I love, love, love taking my kids there but as a Disney lover, I love even more when I get to leave them behind and do what *I* want to do because when they're along, I am 100% focused on making their trip magical. It was so nice to just do things at a lesiurely pace and people watch and eat slowly vs. the commando touring and character hunting we do with the kids.

 

[TJDisneymama]

There is nothing to feel guilty about. If you were leaving a ten year old home alone while you went, then you should feel guilty. ime!

strangely, i left my 10 & 6 y.o. home last year and didn't feel 1 iota of guilt. So much so that I will be leaving them home again this August (11 & 7 this time)!

 

[wdwgoofydaddy]

We are doing our first trip without our kids in 25 days for the 2014 Rock your DisneySide 24 hour Party.

We just finished our planing and posted on our blog all the details. We will also be tweeting and posting to Instagram during the event.

Follow along if you want to see if we survive.

 

[Swimnoid]

DH and I are about to take our second trip without kids. Now mind you, my "kid" is 26 and would go with us in a heartbeat if she could. I thought we would not like it that much but we had a great time. Both of my DH's siblings did the no kid trips last year too and everyone loved it.

We took our good old time touring and did some off the wall things. The only drawback is my DH does not like roller coasters or to stay out late which my DD loves to do with me.

Just relax and have a great time!

 

[com_op_2000]

Last year for my b-day I decided I wanted to go to WDW without the kids. and we loved it so much we're doing it again this year for my b-day. and hopefully, every birthday after that!

DW and I have been every year since '93 for her birthday the 2nd week of Dec. It is our chance to get away and enjoy the holidays for ourselves at our happy place.
OP, going for adult only trips are the bomb! You might want to consider a DCL trip. DW and I have gone on our 15, 20, & 25th anniversaries and are planning our 30th anniversary on a DCL.