I feel bad about our trip....

[cmonroe]

I'm not always one to go against the current, but for me, Disney is something that I want to continue to experience with my children (DS2, DD5). I spent years of my childhood there, and the majority of our satisfaction is now seeing them enjoy it.

I do agree, however that an intact marriage is the most important thing for children.
I would however take that trip somewhere else and save the Disney trip to spend with my wife and children.

Just my two cents.

 

[Betsyt82]

DH and I went a couple of years ago and left the kids home. We really did enjoy some Disney fun at the ADULT pace. There were a few times when we missed not having them with us....but that passed. We had some great couple time in our favorite place. I say go and have some fun with out the kids.....it is a great place to have some couple time....more than likely you will soon be back again with the kids.

 

[Markstudy]

I know a few super-moms that don't think about the other side of the coin .... being a good wife, and spending alone-time with their husband is just as important

 

[HunnyPots]

It will make you an even better Mommy.........

I don't think so... the OP is a MAN!

 

[DisneyObsessed]

I am so glad this post came up. My DH and I are leaving in 28 days for our first ever trip alone in over 17 years. You guys are making me feel so much better. Our kids have been with us the last 5 trips, so it's not like they haven't gone. Cripes, I was 40 before I got to go for the very first time. Here's to a great trip for all us couples!

 

[bubba73]

My DW's first trip was back during the 25th Anniversary Celebration and we decided that the best way for her to be able to enjoy it more was to leave the kids at home. (Also, I thought it would be the best way for me to show her as much of WDW as I could without having to concentrate on doing just the kiddie stuff.) We had a great time. We slept in when we wanted too and stayed up late when we wanted too. But with all honesty, we were very ready to come back home to get our kids from my parents. The trip was great and we both consider it our Honeymoon and we can't feel too bad for the kids as they have been 3 or 4 times already and neither one is a teenager yet.

 

[cobbler]

Oh my gosh this is me exactly.

Ok now our 10 year is 3.5 years away but hubby and I want to renew our vows at Disney and have contemplated on bringing the kids or not. They will be 13 and 8. I just feel as if it will be torture.

I am glad to hear all the positive comments.

 

[cgbsilver@hotmail.co]

I don't think so... the OP is a MAN!

I did not want to say anything, but was secretly hoping for someone to notice

Christian

 

[wilma-bride]

Me and DH have been to WDW twice, both times WITHOUT our kids. Yes, you do feel slightly guilty about it and, as others have said, sometimes you think 'Oh, I wish he/she could have seen this'. However, as parents you need some 'you' time. You can do WHAT you like WHEN you like, without having to worry about sticking to a routine for the kids. You can have romantic meals, go on all the great rides that the kids might not want to, spend some quality time together and generally have a brilliant time as two adults, not two parents. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should never take kids there (we are taking our daughters this October) but you can have a great time by yourselves.

Please don't cancel your trip - just go and have a fantastic time. There will be other times for you to go with the rest of your fmily

 

[goodferry]

DH and I went on our own in August, we left our four kids at home with my mom and had a blast! We went for our 15th anniversary, and I don't regret it at all. There is so much to do that you just can't when you have the kids along. We did a backstage tour, ate wherever we liked, drank too much wine, enjoyed Epcot with no whining about going to Magic Kingdom instead, rode everything together for a change, swam at night, didn't have to push a stroller or carry a backpack, and had a ball. Definitely do it, you deserve it! Plus, when we took the kids this december we had already had the trip where we did what we wanted and we were able to just enjoy them. So go with your wife and plan another trip with the kids and have fun!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=891338 Here's a link to our no kids allowed trip report for inspiration.

 

[tomerin]

this year we did plan to do a first ever mom and dad only trip. we even bought AP's to do this. due to a sudden financial situation we couldnt do it. cant complain though after all we did spend 10 days at WDW with our boys.

we will be going alone for sure in the very near future for the wine and food festival and cant wait. since my DS's are teens the long trips we usually take is a bit long for them. they still love WDW but ti cuts into their social life. so we decided, they both agreed with us, to take our 10 day trip and split it into 6 days with our DS's and 4 days alone. it looks like we will be taking our adults only trip on our 10 year anniversary too!!!

 

[vhoffman]

I would LOVE to have a trip just for dh and myself, however, there's no one to leave the kids with (both sets of grandparents are gone, no aunts, uncles, etc). They're still too young for me to consider sleep-away camp. The main thing I would look forward to on a couples-only trip is getting to sleep in late--maybe even 'till 9 am! My kids are literally up at the crack of dawn (if they wait that long!) on a trip (although never on a school day ). Really, why does a person have to get up so @#!! early on a vacation! Like what's there to do at that time of morning? Nothing's even open at that time--restaurants, attractions, its still dark outside! However, my kids are literally bouncing off the walls at 5-6 am, regardless of what we do. We try keeping them awake late, a late swim to wear them out, I've even resorted to Benedryl so they'll sleep, (oh, spare me the flames, that's what Benedryl is for!). However, regardless of what we do, they'e raring to go (where???at 5 am!). We can't get any decent sleep with the kids on a vacation. We've given up on just a hotel room and get either two connecting rooms or at least a one-bedroom condo. That way at least there's a door between us and....them! We also skew our sleeping arrangements so the kids aren't in a room by themselves. Usually dh sleeps with ds and mom sleeps with dd,otherwise, if left together they play all night, then still are awake at the crack of dawn!

We're going to Hawaii this summer and staying on three islands, 5 nights each. We have great deals on two islands for condos, a one-bedroom one bath on Maui and a 2bdr, 2 bath on Kauai. However, we have enough Hilton Honors points for 5 nights room only on the Big Island, but we won't even consider cramming all four of us into one room. I mean, I'm not a machine, I need sleep sometime. At least a door to shut between me and the kids for part of the time. Its been so bad that sometimes I've asked dh to take the kids out for an afternoon just so I can get a nap. I really don't want to spend part of a vacation napping, but when you're forced to wake up at 5am, well, you have to catch up your sleep sometime (dh,on the other hand,could sleep through a brass band marching through the room!). We are considering using our HH points for one room, then paying for a second, connecting room just so we can have some privacy. Sooooo, would I take a trip and leave the kids behind? You betcha!!!!!!

 

[TeresaNJ]

You know what, the guilt never ends. My "kids" are 20, 24 and 26, and the younger two pout every time DH and I go to WDW by ourselves. It's not like we don't take them, my 20 yo daughter has been twice this past year and I'll probably be taking her for a long weekend when college lets out this year, and my 24yo son went with us in June and we're taking him back this March for his 25th birthday. So just go and have a good time!! Do I miss them when it's just DH and I? Yes, I do, but it's a different kind of triip when it's just the two of you. It's nice to be able to do what you want when you want, eat where you want to, and be a "couple". Have a great time and a great anniversary!

 

[goofie4goofy]

From another perspective...my DH and I do not have children (out of choice). We go to WDW often and absolutely love it. We never plan our days...we decide over a quiet leisurely breakfast what park to do first that day. We go on every ride we want, we go for nice TS lunches and enjoy cocktails, romantic dinners and night caps at Mizners. We have a great time. I don't know how parents do it...I know WDW is mostly for children, but it's hard work taking kids - I know I could never do it. We went a few times with my brother and his family...Oh my God...the entire vacation was about them 24/7 they're tired/hungry/cranky/hot blah balh balh...not a vacation to me! I remember sitting watching my 5 y/o neice play in the jumping water for an hour. OK it's cute for five minutes....but c'omon. Take the time and enjoy yourself and do not feel guilty...you deserve it and have earned it. It's just a few days..married couples need time away from kids too for grown up time...it does not matter where you are going.

 

[cmonroe]

goofie4goofy,

Good perspective. I can tell you that as most of us parents, we don't know how we do it either.

I read your post and I can remember the days B.C. (before children). The days went just like yours. Ahhh as Edith said, "those were the days".

My DD5 is pretty much a breeze with a little preteen thrown in for good measure. My DS2, to be frank, is a pain in the butt. He throws tantrums, cries, etc. like most 2 year olds. You ask yourself, "why would I want to put up with this?"

The reason I've found is simple. It only takes one smile, look or a hug to make it all worth it. Your heart fills with so much love for that little person that you created, you forget what stress they caused for you 2 hours or days earlier.

I didn't mean to get off track, but I thought your question was a good one.
I thought your perspective was a good one as well.

I guess after reading all of the above posts I'd like to amend my original comments a bit.

Again, I am still of the opinion that I would not travel to my favorite place on this earth without the 3 people I love most.

Having said all that, I am a huge advocate for couples getting out without one's children. I think it is necessary for good sanity.

Every parent knows their children. If they need the break, and the child will understand, then go for it. Again it is not something that would I do, but I think the sanity and health of a marriage is of greater importance.

Great input goofie4goofy!

 

[J&ADisneyMom]

Go, go, go!!! We went last month, sans kids. I was feeling bad about leaving them, but once I was on that plane, I relaxed and had a blast. It's so easy to get into a routine at home and forget that you are not just parents but people with interests other than child rearing. Our kids definitely are our priority but it's still important to take care of your relationship with your spouse. Taking our trip reminded me of all the reasons I fell in love with my dh to begin with. We had a blast. We stayed on site, ate some fantastic meals, were able to sample lots of wonderful cocktails, and got to ride the big rides over and over. We didn't have to ride Dumbo or the Carousel and didn't wait in lines for character autographs, since these are the things the kids like to do and we'll be back with them in Feb. Instead we did the things that WE love to do and really enjoyed our time. Have a great trip!!

Shell

 

[goofie4goofy]

goofie4goofy,

Good perspective. I can tell you that as most of us parents, we don't know how we do it either.

I read your post and I can remember the days B.C. (before children). The days went just like yours. Ahhh as Edith said, "those were the days".

My DD5 is pretty much a breeze with a little preteen thrown in for good measure. My DS2, to be frank, is a pain in the butt. He throws tantrums, cries, etc. like most 2 year olds. You ask yourself, "why would I want to put up with this?"

The reason I've found is simple. It only takes one smile, look or a hug to make it all worth it. Your heart fills with so much love for that little person that you created, you forget what stress they caused for you 2 hours or days earlier.

I didn't mean to get off track, but I thought your question was a good one.
I thought your perspective was a good one as well.

I guess after reading all of the above posts I'd like to amend my original comments a bit.

Again, I am still of the opinion that I would not travel to my favorite place on this earth without the 3 people I love most.

Having said all that, I am a huge advocate for couples getting out without one's children. I think it is necessary for good sanity.

Every parent knows their children. If they need the break, and the child will understand, then go for it. Again it is not something that would I do, but I think the sanity and health of a marriage is of greater importance.

Great input goofie4goofy!

Hey Thanks!

Being a parent is not for everyone or every couple. I never had that biological clock ticking thing. It's not that I or my DH are selfish, we just enjoy different things in life. We have our own business in which we started with all our savings and really put it all on the line over 8 years ago...if we had kids I know we would never have done that. We love to travel...we take at least 8 spur of the moment luxury vacations per year...with kids we would not be able to do that. We eat out 2-3 times a week at upscale restaurants, have cocktail hour every day at 5, shop till we drop, get my hair and nails done,have 3 luxury cars, work out with trainer every morning ....well you get the picture. I am not selfish, I just always wanted this kind of life, and so did my DH. Our day to day life is not much different than vacations...just the location changes. I do however think there are many people that have children that should not or have kids for the wrong reasons. We have a neice and nephew that we love to pieces, we take them places and we have sleep overs and all kinds of fun stuff, we never miss a game or a recital. We love them dearly BUT I know I could not deal with homework, teachers, soccer, basketball, dance lessons, tantrums, diapers, late night feedings....definately not for me. It's not that I don't like kids...I just don't like the idea of being a parent.

Parents really amaze me...I just don't know how they do it. My DH and I have great business sense and have made a very comfortable luxurious life but changing diapers is just beyond anything I could do.

So I guess it is just in the reverse for us...as much as we need to spend time WITH our neice and nephew....that is the same as parents need to spend time with each other without kids. I do know that my brother and his wife REALLY appreciate it when we take them for an afternoon or a weekend...and to be honest I am just as happy to give them back!

 

[jenjenmouse]

Well I must go against the majority here. I can't even think of going w/out my kids. If I were to plan a trip w/out our kids I'd go somewhere like Vegas or someplace I would be glad my kids weren't there. Don't get me wrong, I could have a great time at WDW even by myself but while my kids are little I couldn't. The time will come when they are older and possibly won't want to come. But that is just my kids. My stepson doesn't like WDW and chose not to come with us in the past. We "forced" him to go to Disneyland with us a few years back. He was 14 and we let him bring a friend and he was miserable. He only wanted to stay in the hotel and watch movies and order room service. He told us he wished we wouldn't have made him go when we got home. So I guess if your kids don't really enjoy it then leave them where they are happy. My dd has never had a meltdown or caused us anything but pure joy in the parks. She even loves to sleep in. On one trip we didn't go to the parks until 2pm because she would sleep in til noon. She was 6 at the time. As for our 1 yr old ds, we will see what is in store for us when we go again. We went in june and he was 7 months and he was a joy also. Never cried the entire time except the very last day, (day 9) at AK. It was soooooooo hot I felt like crying so we went into the Rainforest Cafe and when we came out it had rained and the temp must have dropped 20 degees. We stayed until the park closed and never was a tear shed.
I guess we are just lucky.
Whatever you decide, if you go or don't , have fun and happy anniversary.!!!!

 

[pxlbarrel]

Don't think of it so much as a Disney vacation without the kids but as a scouting party for the Disney vacation you will take with the kids a bit later.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

DH and I went in October for our Anniversary and left DD (16) and DS (12) behind with their grandmother. It was a quick trip 3 nights/4 days and it was our first trip alone since 1991.

I did feel bad leaving them behind . . .and I missed them very much, I even called probably a bit too much and maybe I secretly shed a tear in the shower, BUT all that being said, it was great just getting away for a few nights with my DH. It's just a different feel to the trip . . .like, we did what we wanted, when we wanted and didn't have to worry about anyone else but ourselves. If we wanted to stake out a seat for the parade and just sit there and people watch we didn't have to worry about who was bored or who didn't want to just sit there or who wanted this or that . . .we ate on the fly for the most part but had a very romantic dinner at the California Grill for our Anniversary. We really enjoyed ourselves. We saw a lot of different things that we never did with the kids, explored each and every country at Epcot without specifically going to Italy or Germany (our heritages) hung out at Animal Kingdom an entire day without really accomplishing much . . .I don't know how to describe it really, just that it was relaxing and special and it made me feel like I was on my honeymoon all over again. I'd love to go alone again in October 2007 for our 20th Anniversary . . .we'll see . . .

I would definitely keep your plans, go and have a good time and relax and enjoy yourselves.