Going to Disney Without The Kids... 'Cause We're Evil Like That!! ~ updated 9/21

[willwriteforears]

This means the only time I have to myself is while I am at work So I've been trying to keep up with DIS from work but I don't have the "blocks" of time I would like for reading and writing... because for some reason they actually expect me to do real work while I'm at the office

My workplace suffers from the same affliction.

As LL said, don't worry. We're here!

 

[ForeverDance]

Chapter 4: Rest and Relaxation the Disney Way

For this adult only trip DH and I both agreed that it should be a relaxing vacation… the problem is we don’t completely agree on what makes a trip relaxing

DH is a completely spontaneous person who hates having anything planned. This means that a relaxing trip to him would involve zero planning. He would love to be able to wake up and decide where to go and what to do at the spur of the moment.

I on the other hand, along with most of the DIS population I’m sure, am a planner. I like knowing exactly what we are going to do and when. I don’t want to have to make decisions while on vacation so I want to have everything planned out before hand. I want to simply wake up, refer to my plan, and be on my way.

For some people this would be a totally irresolvable problem. In fact, I have read quite a few posts on DIS about this exact problem. Ahh but you see DH and I are veterans at solving irresolvable problems. And so my friends we do what any other couple would do… we fight!



Okay not really. We compromise.


Side note – I think too many people get compromise wrong. For some reason people seem to think that compromise means that one side gives in letting the other side “win” which results in one party (and sometimes both) being unhappy. And still other people think that it means each giving up something important to them and then neither party is happy. Compromise is defined as “settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions b: something intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things” (Merriam-Webster). The important thing here is the “blending”. If you can take the things that are important to both parties and blend them together you will end up with a solution that everyone is happy with.


Okay where was I? Oh yes we were compromising…

I booked all the required ADRs as soon as we booked the vacation. I showed DH the menus online and he helped me decide where we should eat. Most days we have 2 table service meals booked since we are on the deluxe plan, but a couple days only have 1 booked so that we have some days that are a little more “open”. And there you have it, our compromised solution.

So now for the important question… are we both happy?!? You bet!


DH is happy because he knows he’s going to get to eat some great meals. He also knows that outside of the times that we need to be somewhere specific to eat, we can decide to do anything we want (thank you park hoppers). I’m happy because I know where we will be to eat and if DH can’t decide where he wants to go at any particular time, we can easily go to the place where we will be eating which saves me from having to make decisions while on vacation. It’s win/win!!

Now that we’ve dealt with the major issues, I’m going to let you in on a little secret… there were actually quite a few things that we did agree on for this trip (shocking I know).

And here they are:

NO 7 am wake up calls
NO rushing to make rope drop
NO racing from ride to ride
NO going on rides we hate


Up Next: So What Will You Do?

 

[willwriteforears]

Glad you and DH were able to (truly) compromise!

I'm also a planner, but I can do okay with spontaneity if it's planned in, e.g., "on this day we won't plan anything and will do whatever whenever." It sounds like you did something similar!

 

[Lady Lallie]

That sounds like such a great compromise. I love that you have the DO NOT list either. That's awesome. I think our next trip after the September one will be more relaxed.

 

[ForeverDance]

Glad you and DH were able to (truly) compromise!

I'm also a planner, but I can do okay with spontaneity if it's planned in, e.g., "on this day we won't plan anything and will do whatever whenever." It sounds like you did something similar!

Planned spontaneity is my favourite kind (as long as I don't have to make too many decisions). Of course living with someone who is truley spontaneous I have had to learn to "plan" to do unexpected things How do you do that? Simple, I keep a list (mental or otherwise) of things that I need to do certain things: DH wants to go to the drive-in tonight... I have a mental list of the things we need and where they are kept. DH wants to go camping this weekend (actually happened last night) I have a list all ready with camping recipes and packing essentials and I already knew exactly which site(s) I would want should we go camping

Now you're wondering how I knew which sites I wanted, right? That's another way I plan for DH's spontaneity... if he mentions something in passing like "in might be nice to go camping some time", then I research that thing so that I know what we need/want to do it and then keep that information in a safe place for fast retrieval later. 'Cause I'm a planner and this keeps me sane

That sounds like such a great compromise. I love that you have the DO NOT list either. That's awesome. I think our next trip after the September one will be more relaxed.

After 2 trips in 2 years (this being #3 in 3 years) it was easy to come up with a list of things we didn't want to do. If you do decide to go on a relaxing trip maybe you'll be able to pick up some dos and don'ts from our trip.

 

[willwriteforears]

Planned spontaneity is my favourite kind (as long as I don't have to make too many decisions). Of course living with someone who is truley spontaneous I have had to learn to "plan" to do unexpected things How do you do that? Simple, I keep a list (mental or otherwise) of things that I need to do certain things: DH wants to go to the drive-in tonight... I have a mental list of the things we need and where they are kept. DH wants to go camping this weekend (actually happened last night) I have a list all ready with camping recipes and packing essentials and I already knew exactly which site(s) I would want should we go camping

Now you're wondering how I knew which sites I wanted, right? That's another way I plan for DH's spontaneity... if he mentions something in passing like "in might be nice to go camping some time", then I research that thing so that I know what we need/want to do it and then keep that information in a safe place for fast retrieval later. 'Cause I'm a planner and this keeps me sane

Good ideas! If I end up with a spontaneous DH, I'll probably employ your strategies.

 

[pooksma]

In my line of work we call that" reaching consensus".

We always plan our ADRs by making separate lists and then comparing.

One thing we are doing as kidless travellers is eating a few places DS would not want to go. Also having a couples massage at the S&D.

 

[ForeverDance]

In my line of work we call that" reaching consensus".

We always plan our ADRs by making separate lists and then comparing.

One thing we are doing as kidless travellers is eating a few places DS would not want to go. Also having a couples massage at the S&D.

Our kids are pretty good eaters, well DS is a little picky but can usually find something he likes, so we haven't really had to change where we would like to eat for them. The one thing we are doing this trip is much more TS meals since we don't have to rush to rides for the kids.

 

[ForeverDance]

Chapter 5: So What Will You Do?


Last installment I established those things that DH and I will definitely not be doing which begs the question: What will you do? So here dear readers, is the list of things that we would like to do.

Disclaimer: DH and I agreed early in the planning that we would not have a list of must do (darn it that should have been on my previous list). Therefore, this list contains things that we would like to do… should we have the time… and should we feel like doing those things on any particular day.


On to the list…


Eating: Yes there will be much eating of delicious, high calorie, totally bad for you foods. This is probably the thing I am looking forward to most… That sounds funny I’m going to Disney where there are a million great attractions and shows and I’m most looking forward to the food. But you see, I love lovelove food and DH and I have been trying to eat healthy for a while now. I’ll admit that the food we are eating is very tasty (thank you Biggest Loser Cookbook!) but I do so miss the “ooey gooey goodness” of those high calories foods that we have cut out. So when we go on vacation I intend to take full advantage of the plethora of fantastic foods that can be found at Disney

Drinking: Yep I’m talking about alcohol here. I almost never drink. This is in general a good thing but it does have its draw backs. For one, I will feel a little “happy” after only one drink. Because of that I rarely drink any more than one drink while out with the kids. This means that I have had to forgo sampling the many tasty looking drinks at EPCOT. I would really like to rectify that this year and DH is dying to try beers around the world.

Goofy’s Candy Co: Seriously how did I miss this place the last two trips?!? I love me some rice krispy treats and white chocolate… and I can get them together… and for only 1 snack credit!

Pleasure Island: DH and I intended to go last year but we were so tired from the early morning/late night combinations that we just didn’t make it there. I really want to check out the Comedy Warehouse and Adventurers Club and now that they are closing this year it’s all the more reason to take a trip over there.

Toy Story Mania: It’s new. I’ve never done it. It looks fun.

Haunted Mansion: This is one of the few rides I remember from my first trip when I was 9. As a result it is one of my favourites. It was closed for rehab last year so I am looking forward to checking out the updated version.

Spaceship Earth: This was also closed for rehab last year so I’d like to see the updates on it as well.



Up Next: It’s All About The Food

 

[willwriteforears]

Nice list! I must admit that I missed out on Goofy's Candy Company during my trip. But I did know about it, and I still missed it. Take a picture of that white chocolate-covered rice krispies treat for me, please!

 

[Lady Lallie]

How did I miss your update yesterday! Bad DIS'er Bad!

Anyhoo, I love your lists! What can I say? Lists are my things.

I am the same way with drinking, don't feel bad. I talk a big game and then I'll have one drink.

I can't wait to hear more about the food!

 

[ForeverDance]

Nice list! I must admit that I missed out on Goofy's Candy Company during my trip. But I did know about it, and I still missed it. Take a picture of that white chocolate-covered rice krispies treat for me, please!

Ok I'm making a mental note to take a picture of it just for you That is of course assuming we actually make it there because as you know I'm making no promises about anything this trip.

How did I miss your update yesterday! Bad DIS'er Bad!

Anyhoo, I love your lists! What can I say? Lists are my things.

I am the same way with drinking, don't feel bad. I talk a big game and then I'll have one drink.

I can't wait to hear more about the food!

Last year DH and I picked up some drinks for the room at a grocery stop on the way down. I bought a whopping 6 coolers for an 11 day trip... I drank 3

 

[luvfigment]

I am hooked and want to know where you are going to be eating. We are contemplating on the Deluxe Plan.

 

[ForeverDance]

Chapter 6: It’s All About The Food


Oh how I do love food And Disney has some of the most scrumptious foods known on earth Besides all of the deliciously sinful snacks I will be partaking in (mmmm Mickey Rice Krispy Treats here I come), DH and I will be dining at these locations:


Saturday September 13th
Le Cellier @ 1:20 – this was the most important ADR for us and of course the most difficult to get. DH and I ate here last year for dinner on our anniversary and really wanted to make it back here this year. It took me two weeks of calling 2-3x a day to manage to snag a spot. We had wanted dinner but lunch is what they had. I am most looking forward to the pretzel bread and crème brulee

Maya Grill @ 7:00 – DH and I wanted to spend the first night relaxing at he resort. There’s nothing in particular here that is calling my name but there is lots on the menu that sounds tasty.


Sunday September 14th
Donald’s Safari Breakfast @10:15 – We did the breakfast at Donald’s Restaurantosaurus last year and loved it so I am hoping that the new one at Tusker House is just as good. As an added plus DH likes Donald (I think it’s because they share some similar personality traits ).

Coral Reef @ 7:00 – I’ve wanted to eat at this restaurant ever since I saw pictures of the inside on one of the restaurant pictures threads. I also really like the menus and I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of a diver while we are there


Monday September 15th
San Angel Inn @ 12:00 - There have been plenty of bad reviews on this place but our family has always enjoyed this restaurant. For me it’s more about the atmosphere although the food is okay. DH actually enjoys the food here (DS really likes the food but he’s not going this time ).

Liberty Tree Tavern @ 5:40 – I actually love that this one is like having an old fashioned home cooked meal like grandma used to make. And there’s characters so that’s always a bonus… Yes I realize I am a grown woman but I love me some characters and I’m not afraid to admit it!


Tuesday September 16th
Crystal Palace @ 10:05 – This is my favourite character meal. I absolutely love my friends from the Hundred Acre Wood… especially Eeyore. Last year DH told Eeyore that he was my favourite character of them all and he gave me an extra hug and a kiss


Wednesday September 17th
Chef Mickey’s @ 10:30 – We haven’t tried this one yet but it is one of our favourite things… have you guessed what that is yet… that’s right buffet!! Yep I know it’s not always the best use of credits but we don’t care we love buffet… and characters which this one also has.

Sci-Fi Dine-In @ 6:40 – We had lunch there last year and enjoyed it so we are trying dinner this year. I love the flavoured cola.


Thursday September 18th
50’s Prime Time Café @ 1:45 – We’ve never done this one and thought it looked like a fun place to eat.

Friday September 19th
Boma @ 10:45 – Did I mention we love buffet? I did eh. Okay well then I also want to try this one out so I have an excuse to wonder around AKL. I’ve wanted to stay there the last three years but have never been able to justify the money.

Spirit of Aloha @ 5:15 – This is the one meal that DH and I are looking forward to the most. It sounds like it will entertaining



Those of you who have been paying attention will probably notice that we have not used all of our allotted DxDDP credits. We get 42 credits and have ADRs using up 26 credits. But remember, DH likes to be spontaneous so we have not planned out everything and will eat wherever we can get it at those other times or at CS.

Of course, because I like to plan, and because I like to know that I’m getting my money’s worth (DH is all about convenience and really could care less about getting our money’s worth) I did an assessment of using the free DDP over upgrading to the DxDDP. Guess what, with these ADRs and the things I expect we will eat we are saving $1.57 by upgrading to the DxDDP (verses paying out of pocket for the additional TS meals and appetizers). Since I know we are already getting our money’s worth out of the upgrade I can sit back and enjoy the spontaneity of the remaining meals… yes I know we could easily order something that is $1.57 less at one of our meals thereby removing the savings. But, we could also order something more expensive. So you see the logic works… at least in so much as it makes me feel good.


Up Next: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

 

[Lady Lallie]

Your ADR's look great! We have a few of the same. We WERE going to the the deluxe but decided to save a bit of money. We probably should have just stayed with it but oh well. You live and you learn.

Have you eaten at Liberty Tree Tavern before? I am really looking forward to it, especially since they are getting rid of the characters.

 

[willwriteforears]

The ADRs look great! I'm really regretting that my friends and I didn't do more TS meals on our trip--but we were following the UG's Touring Plans, which doesn't allow for much TS time (and we were cheap). But my next trip will have more planning and saving time so I can fit in all the yummy TS places I want!

And I know you've already said you'll take pictures of food, but just a friendly reminder...

 

[ForeverDance]

Okay obviously I've been having a really busy couple weeks. DS was with us for the last 2 weeks which is fabulous. It just makes life busy. You see he is in soccer over the summer and his mother lives in a town about 30 minutes outside of ours. So his practices are in that town and games are all over the place.

On top of that DD broke her arm a week ago so there has been some running around due to that. She saw the orthopedic surgeon on Friday and she had to have the arm aligned a little . She made it through that ordeal okay. The upside is that they removed her plaster cast and we paid to have a fiberglass cast put on instead. It is lighter and more durable and she can actually move her hand some now so she is feeling a little more independant. Plus she made her momma so proud when she chose lime green as the colour for her cast... what a proud DisMomma I am.

We also took the kids camping last week so we were away for a while. That was a lot of fun... except we couldn't go fishing (DD wasn't able and DH and I didn't have time to renew our licenses before we went... because it was a spur of the moment trip and what fun would it be for DS to fish all alone?) and DD couldn't go swimming. We are planning on going camping again over labour day weekend since we did have a really good time and DD should have her cast off by then.

Anyway. I do have an update on the way so just hang tight.

 

[ForeverDance]

Chapter 7: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

When we decided to go to Disney just the two of us I thought for sure we would finally be flying instead of driving. I really love flying I love the feeling at take-off. I love seeing all the cars and people looking like children’s toys before you get too high. I love the way the country side looks from 30, 000 ft. And of course I love how fast you get where you are going.

Unfortunately DH does not share my enthusiasm for flying. In fact, he absolutely hates it. But being the oblivious wife I was I didn’t realize just how deep this hate ran until we started discussing flying for this trip.

Now I’m going to have to make a confession… sometimes I can be a little... shall we say, emotionally driven. I wanted to fly because… well because I wanted to and I thought it would be fun. So I did what any good wife does… I worked up some “fuzzy logic” to come up with numbers that made it look like a good idea to fly . It wasn’t necessarily cheaper than driving but it was close and when you add wear and tear on the van I argued that it made the most sense. I presented the numbers to DH and he sighed and agreed to fly.

Or at least I thought he agreed.

Over the following couple of days DH would make random comments about hating to fly. But he would say it with a smile on his face so I thought he was mostly joking just to bug me.

About a week after our, okay my, decision to fly we finally had a real conversation about flying and as we were talking the following series of realizations came about:

“Wow he really sounds upset talking about flying”…
“I wonder if that’s because he’s afraid of heights”…
“But the plane is closed in so he’s not actually afraid of flying is he”…
“Hmm he won’t look out the window of a tall building”…
…

“OMG I’m a horrible wife”


Yes. I am the most horrible wife in the world . I know full well DH is afraid of heights and it didn’t really occur to me that it would extend to flying… really how much higher can you get?

It was at that point that I decided that it didn’t matter the cost we would drive down. But because I like to work things out I did re-do the number using real logic this time and here is what I came up with:


Driving:
Kia Sedona gets 25 miles/gallon according to AAA fuel cost calculator (this is fairly accurate in practice)
Miles from London to Orlando (via Sarnia) round trip: 2602
Gallons: 104.08

Extra Oil Change: $45.99

@$3.67/gallon (current US average *in May when I ran the numbers*): $381.97 + 45.99 = $427.96
@$4.00/gallon (forecasted peak price between April 01-Sep30 in US): $416.32 + 45.99 = $462.31
@$5.30/gallon (US equivalent of CDN forecasted $1.40/litre): $551.62 + 45.99 = $597.61

Flying:
Robert Q for both of us round trip (we will not leave our car at the airport): $244
So to break even with cost of driving
@3.67/gallon – we would need to find flights for $183.96 for both of us round trip
@4.00/gallon – we would need to find flights for $218.31 for both of us round trip
@5.30/gallon – we would need to find flights for $353.61 for both of us round trip

The cheapest flight I was able to find for the times we want (when I looked in May) was $528.00 round trip for the both of us. Which means that driving is cheaper anyway.

And now for a segment I am going to call:



Confessions of a Road Tripper

I actually like driving. Yes I wanted to fly (because I love flying and haven’t flown anywhere since I was 14) but I really do enjoy driving. Here are the things that I like best about driving over flying:

• You make the schedule – you can leave and return at any time you choose.
• No lost luggage – it has never happened to me but I would worry a little about our luggage getting lost.
• You can pack whatever you want – there are no bag and weight restrictions when you drive.
• You don’t have to worry about a flight time being changed or a flight being outright cancelled.
• Getting groceries for your room is easier and cheaper.
• The drive is an extension of the vacation – it gives us more time to spend together and can sometimes be an adventure unto itself.
• And the best reason... we can wear our "Twenty four hours in a van can give you such a crink in the neck shirts!".

Here we are last year wearing our shirts

And here is a closeup of the shirt (not the best pic but you get the idea)

So there you have it. Come September DH and I will be driving down to Florida.


Up Next: The To Do List

 

[willwriteforears]

I'm glad you got to spend some time with DS! Sorry to hear about DD's broken arm, but she did put you in good stead with that lime green cast.

I have a love-hate relationship with driving, myself. I love the "romantic" aspects of road-tripping--seeing the landscape, being able to stop if you want to look at whatever, etc., but I hate the actual driving bit. The physical, sitting-behind-the-wheel-hardly-moving-your-arms-because-the-road-is-so-straight bit. And the time required (since my vacation time is limited).

But I think road-tripping with a spouse could be fun! Hopefully you and DH will have some lovely memories from driving as well as at WDW.

 

[ForeverDance]

I have a love-hate relationship with driving, myself. I love the "romantic" aspects of road-tripping--seeing the landscape, being able to stop if you want to look at whatever, etc., but I hate the actual driving bit. The physical, sitting-behind-the-wheel-hardly-moving-your-arms-because-the-road-is-so-straight bit. And the time required (since my vacation time is limited).

For me the worst part about the driving is the sitting for 24 hours straight. After about 15 or so my behind starts getting sore and numb