Is going to DL the first time without loved one(s) sad?

[Disneyland1084]

I'm not necessarily talking about when someone dies. I'm talking about children that loved DL when they were young, but now that they're growing up, it doesn't appeal to them anymore. Or that DH, or significant other that only went all those years for the kids, but is really burnt out on going. I'm basically describing my own family. I leave for DL in two days with DH, my girls 18 and 14 and DS4. My girls still enjoy going, but wouldn't care if we skipped a few years. I'm already thinking about next summer 's trip. We haven't fully discussed it yet, but I've mentioned going alone with DS. My oldest will likely be busy with college and work, DH said he might not go. My then 15 year old might want to go if she's not busy doing something with this motorcycle club she's in. If I'm alone with DS, I'm just wondering if I'm really going to miss the rest of my family. I'd love to hear from Disers who've been in the same situation. Over the years I've thought about the family trip we took in 2015 with my SIL and her three boys, best trip ever. But they're all men now busy with their own lives.

 

[DizMe]

Oh gosh, yes, I've been through that. My DH used to have so much fun when we went with our girls so I was shocked when he told me he didn't want to go anymore when they got older (like 4th grade-up). Luckily, I'd made some Disney friends and we'd meet up in the parks. Honestly, that turned out to be so much fun and helped a lot as I transitioned away from the kid-focused trips. We liked to go to events, explore off-property Disney places, try new (to us) restaurants, and things like that. We always enjoy Dapper Day and this last year I did a SW event for the first time.

My girls still love to go but they are so busy with college and work that it's hard to coordinate. On the plus side, one of them works at DL! They're more likely to do the parks together now than with me since they're closer to one another (location-wise).

 

[Tinkaboo]

Well, as an older solo traveler who made many trips with family (all well documented in numerous beautiful scrapbooks), you’ll always have the memories of your previous trips. This is part of the magic and mystery of life…learning to cope with the changes. If your 15 year old daughter doesn’t want to go, take advantage of the opportunity to spend quality time with your young son who is at a perfect age to absorb lots of Disney magic. Seethe park through his eyes and enjoy the time you have with him one on one. I think you’ll find it would be a wonderful experience.

 

[Disneyland1084]

If your 15 year old daughter doesn’t want to go, take advantage of the opportunity to spend quality time with your young son who is at a perfect age to absorb lots of Disney magic. Seethe park through his eyes and enjoy the time you have with him one on one. I think you’ll find it would be a wonderful experience.

You are SO right. He's at that age where DL truly is magical. I'm so excited for this trip since he's big enough to go on more rides. But don't even get me started on how he's finally tall enough for Space Mountain, but it's closing our FIRST day in the park.

 

[Bossy22]

I worry about this as well but I just told my oldest (DD15) that we might switch it up and do San Diego (SeaWorld, Zoo, Legoland, etc) and she was like, NO we are a Disney family lol! We'll see how it plays out for me but so far the 15 and 14 year old love going as much as me! My wife is the main one who wants to go somewhere else although she still really enjoys Disney. Hope you figure out what works for yours!!!

 

[BriannaRuth]

I've now done two trips without my oldest, who's in her 20s and now has trouble getting time off from work, etc.. Wants to spend her limited time off with her friends, especially since I can't do a lot of the rides she really likes because of my motion sickness. And my husband told me he's "meh" on DL and will go if I want to go, but wouldn't be his first choice. Luckily, my youngest (who's now 20), still loves to go. I miss having her sister with us, especially because she's the first person I ever did DL with and she was always so into the princesses, etc., but I had a great time with just my youngest on this last trip. I am wondering what I'll do if it's ever just me, or me and my husband, though. It's always been more about the kids.

 

[AndrewC]

I'm not necessarily talking about when someone dies. I'm talking about children that loved DL when they were young, but now that they're growing up, it doesn't appeal to them anymore. Or that DH, or significant other that only went all those years for the kids, but is really burnt out on going. I'm basically describing my own family. I leave for DL in two days with DH, my girls 18 and 14 and DS4. My girls still enjoy going, but wouldn't care if we skipped a few years. I'm already thinking about next summer 's trip. We haven't fully discussed it yet, but I've mentioned going alone with DS. My oldest will likely be busy with college and work, DH said he might not go. My then 15 year old might want to go if she's not busy doing something with this motorcycle club she's in. If I'm alone with DS, I'm just wondering if I'm really going to miss the rest of my family. I'd love to hear from Disers who've been in the same situation. Over the years I've thought about the family trip we took in 2015 with my SIL and her three boys, best trip ever. But they're all men now busy with their own lives.

Something wrong with those kids, lol. I never turn away a vacation, especially one I'm not paying for.

Now I can understand if they want to go somewhere else and you're always saying "no way, Disney again!" LOL

But if they're just sick of a vacation, start charging them rent and stuff, they'll very quickly find the value of money and be more than happy to get the free ride to a vacation, any vacation, again

 

[RainyDayPixie]

It definitely changes as kids get older. Like you, I have two older kids (boys- now 18 and 16) and a younger guy (8). Last two trips have just been with the younger and my sisters/cousins. I bought an Oogie Boogie ticket for my 16 yo and he just doesn’t want to go. It is hard, but I understand their lives/priorities are different (my 16yo refuses to miss school at all- so it’s tough making Oogie Boogie work!). I just focus on creating those same memories for my youngest that his older brothers got.

Two years ago (Feb 2022) they rolled their eyes at a DL trip. So we decided on Palm Springs and then LA/Universal- coming from Seattle we chase the sun. It was during that awful rain/snow stint and those teenagers begged to go to DL instead of Universal at the last minute. So we spent $1k to do 10 hr in the pouring rain at DL. It’s still in their bones…

 

[soniam]

This is one reason we bought DVC, to “encourage” us to go once our son goes off to college. I actually don’t mind solo trips, but I usually meet up with local friends or others I have met online.

 

[LoveDaisy]

Have you asked if your family would like a family vacation at a different location? I am wondering if they are tired of DL or if they have other priorities as teens often do? When my step daughters got older they didn’t have as much interest in Disney but were excited to vacation in other places so that is what we did. Spending time with them was more important to me than the location. It is fun to explore places of interest to them and to see them excited about vacations again.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Have you asked if your family would like a family vacation at a different location? I am wondering if they are tired of DL or if they have other priorities as teens often do?

My family travels often. DH and my two DD's got back from Japan a few weeks ago. DD's really wanted to go there. Since they were both graduating, DH took them.

 

[jo-jo]

This is one reason we bought DVC, to “encourage” us to go once our son goes off to college. I actually don’t mind solo trips, but I usually meet up with local friends or others I have met online.

We bought after the kids were out the door. No more college or wedding bills.

We have had a bunch of trips with and without kids/grandkids. My sadness would occur if I went again without DH.

 

[StormyCA]

Mine was the 'loss' of my BFF, my 'Disney Sistah' due to her 'domestic situation' (cough abusive husband cough). My first trip without her was also my first solo trip. I was desperately sad at times and 'sorta ok' at others. I discovered that I'm really not a 'solo person' other than when I'm shopping or eating. But my main 'kick' at Disney (World or -land) is the rides and those just aren't the same on your own.

I've done a couple of solo day trips since then and while I've managed to improve my attitude a bit, it's still not the same or as fun.

 

[jo-jo]

Mine was the 'loss' of my BFF, my 'Disney Sistah' due to her 'domestic situation' (cough abusive husband cough). My first trip without her was also my first solo trip. I was desperately sad at times and 'sorta ok' at others. I discovered that I'm really not a 'solo person' other than when I'm shopping or eating. But my main 'kick' at Disney (World or -land) is the rides and those just aren't the same on your own.

I've done a couple of solo day trips since then and while I've managed to improve my attitude a bit, it's still not the same or as fun.

A few times on a trip with DH, but he stayed in the room......going on rides by myself, I got awful tired of confirming "yes, just one". Felt like I should have a tshirt made up with the slogan.

 

[soniam]

A few times on a trip with DH, but he stayed in the room......going on rides by myself, I got awful tired of confirming "yes, just one". Felt like I should have a tshirt made up with the slogan.

It could be a t-shirt with a red plastic Solo cup on it

 

[DizMe]

It could be a t-shirt with a red plastic Solo cup on it

And you could hold this:

 

[StormyCA]

A few times on a trip with DH, but he stayed in the room......going on rides by myself, I got awful tired of confirming "yes, just one". Felt like I should have a tshirt made up with the slogan.

When we're at WDW nDH (nonDisney Husband) sticks with me until we're done with the rides & we have a late lunch. Then he heads back to Ft Wilderness. I may ride a few more solo (and I so get the 'one, please') and maybe have a treat somewhere and do some people watching. But then I happily commence shopping 'solo'. No 'Are you going to every shop?' (yes), 'Are you going to look at everything' (yes), 'They had the same things in that other shop!' (I know), and 'It costs HOW MUCH?' (Just don't look at the price tags, Darling). Then perhaps a nice cocktail, another ride or two and back to Ft W on the Disney bus. Now THAT's the 'solo time' I do appreciate.

nDH happily goes to WDW every other year or so. He won't go to Disneyland. He says it's too crowded and 'there aren't enough parks'. So my Disney Sistah was my DLR companion.

 

[disneychrista]

It wasn't for me. I have taken two solo trips since that last time I went with my (adult) daughters. And I enjoyed them much more than the last couple "family" trips. We had great trips going as a family but the last trip we took as a disaster for a variety of reasons.

I do hope to take another family trip some day though.