Is it mean to go without our kiddos???

[mommy2allyandaveri]

You all make some very good points.

I have no problem leaving them, I really miss them when we are not together but I also feel it is very important for a married couple to have alone time and remember why we got married. Also at some point the kids will be gone (many, many years from now) but I want to know that we will survive without kids around. We are going to Cancun this summer with out them. The issue is DL. I just feel guilty because it is such a kid place.

I think my parents are going to drive them down for us half way through the trip so we can have some adult time and some family time. Best of both worlds, I hope it all works out that way.

I am even thinking of splurging on the GCH for the 2 nights we are alone and surprising my DH!

 

[kaoden39]

My hubby and I are going without our kids in September. Do I feel guilty? Maybe a little but do you think they would feel guilty if they got a chance to go without us? No way! Our eldest who was 14 at the time went to Disneyland with her highschool band in December she didn't miss us at all. She didn't even bring me home a map. They will at least get a lot of gifts from Mom and Dad after the trip. So join the rest of in not feeling guilt.

Michele

 

[Cinderlala]

You all make some very good points.

I think my parents are going to drive them down for us half way through the trip so we can have some adult time and some family time. Best of both worlds, I hope it all works out that way.

I am even thinking of splurging on the GCH for the 2 nights we are alone and surprising my DH!

It sounds like the perfect trip!

 

[Brady's Mom]

GO GO GO!! My DH and I went for my bday in Sept. 07. Without our 4 DS's. They stayed with grandma and we had 5 days of just us at DLR. Well, not all of it was at DLR. We tried Magic Mountain. YUCK! and did some dining we wouldn't have done with the kids. We only regret not seeing Wicked when we were there. We would gladly trade our yucky experience at magic mountain for a redo to Wicked. Other than that we had a really great time. We got up when we wanted , didn't worry about which rides certain kids wouldn't go on. We wandered the shops that we would never take rambunctious boys into. We rode all of the rides we wanted to (most without a long wait) and then rode some of them again. Really it was just all about us and what we felt like doing. We felt guilt at first, because our ds's really love DLR, but we got over that quickly enough when we got there! All in all, I would do it again, with just DH. But, we also really love to go with our kids, so of course, we will do it again with them. (We're thinking December!!)

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I'm really excited to do what I(we) want to do. I totally forgot about wondering through the shops and stuff. I love doing that but don't usually get the chance with 2 littles ones.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Have a great time. Even though I tend to be a big guilty baby about DL and not taking my DS, I certainly don't see anything wrong with it for others. Wish I could get over feeling that way! Someday!

 

[DL4my2kids]

My example and opinions differ though. Yes I feel it is okay to go without the kids. Have I or will I, no. I love Disney because I get to see it though the eyes of my children.

Bad me has never been anywhere without my kids. My first attempt will be this summer when I leave them with DH alone overnight.

 

[SeansMom]

My youngest is 15 and I'm struggling about leaving him home for a trip to DL with just my DH. And being 15, he doesn't even really want to go with us unless we bring a friend.

In the end, I think it's good for us to spend time as a couple, and we have plenty of friends and family willing to help out with Sean, so it's all good.

I say go, have a good time, and enjoy yourself. There is always "next time" for the kids .

 

[drgalyen]

Okay, we did this last Christmas! I did NOT feel guilty before we left. I felt DH and myself needed time alone! When we both hit Main street we teared up! My DH spent most of the time taking pictures of other peoples kids!!!!!!! I was laughing at him- I didn't think it would bother him at all. So on that trip we decided that we would never go to DL without kids again. We as a couple would go somewhere else like Vegas or Hawaii- DH wants to go there now.
We even went to DL for our honeymoon so don't think we've only gone with the kids. We had a blast before kids but since we've had them its just not the same without them now.

 

[dalepool]

When we would go to DL or WDW and it was a family trip I took care of everyone. It was not a family vacation, It was a vacation for husband, Daughter and her best Friend. I would do what ever it took to make those trips fun and complete for everyone.

I would then take a trip to WDW or DL/CA SOLO. Ya, Me alone no one to take care of. I can do what ever I want when I want oh I do love the sounds of that still. I am letting my husband go with me on my June trip. He uses an electric wheelchair, but is able to get around easy at DL. Being that husband is going with me on this trip I decided to plan another trip for oct SOLO. Just seemed like the right thing to do.

Well long story short --- Yes Yes take the kids for the "FAMILY VACATION" then take a "Lets be Kids again trip" for you and husband.

Have fun

 

[muppetfreak]

We went on our honeymoon, & then 10 years, (& 3 kids later) we decided to go back. NO KIDS The guilt that I felt was from the people around me. I was really worried what other people were going to say. You know the "how could you do that!" question. I have never had so much fun in my life. GO FOR IT! We had such a great time that we are now on our 3rd year of our couples only DL vacation. It is a totally different experience, than if you had the kids with you. I HIGHLY recommend giving it a try. Who cares what everyone around you might say, do what YOU want to do. Trust me, you will not be the only couple there without kids.

 

[muppetfreak]

We went on our honeymoon, & then 10 years, (& 3 kids later) we decided to go back. NO KIDS The guilt that I felt was from the people around me. I was really worried what other people were going to say. You know the "how could you do that!" question. I have never had so much fun in my life. GO FOR IT! We had such a great time that we are now on our 3rd year of our couples only DL vacation. It is a totally different experience, than if you had the kids with you. I HIGHLY recommend giving it a try. Who cares what everyone around you might say, do what YOU want to do. Trust me, you will not be the only couple there without kids.

 

[daisy_77]

We have gone to WDW w/o DD before. She was only 1 and had no idea what she was missing. In 2006, I went to WDW on a ladies-only trip and had fun, but would have had more fun if I had left my guilt at home. I felt bad the whole trip and even shed a few tears. WDW is very far and we can afford to go every other year...so no more WDW without DD. It is our family vacation place. DLR, on the other hand, is somewhere I could go without DD and be fine with it. It is closer than WDW and more accessible. I will miss her tremendously and will probably buy her lots of goodies. Actually, I am going without her on June 6-8 and plan on spoiling her with princess stuff that I get her while I am there.

 

[kaoden39]

You know it's funny I love my time alone at Disneyland. When I was younger and I would go with my parents I would wander by myself. My DH and I are going in September and he plans on going on a bike ride with friends. I am going to do DTD, DL and CA while he is on his ride. I am looking forward to doing things by myself. Do I feel guilty NO. Do I feel guilty that DK's are staying home with DM? NO!

Michele

 

[Vacation Dad]

If you happen to live close by, have an A/P, or it is special occasion such as a honeymoon I can understand going on your own to DL as an adult. If you happen to be in Anaheim for a day or 2 at a convention it can make sense too. Once you start having children though, I can’t imagine going to DL without them. I especially can’t imagine planning a trip specifically to go to DL for an adults-only vacation. DL is a great place, but there are so many other places that I can’t wait to go visit with just my wife. And don’t think that this is just a guy thing, my wife would be even less interested in a trip to DLR for just the 2 of us than I am.

I realize that this board is made up of Disney fanatics, but I just thought I would put in my thoughts. As much in the minority as they might be! Everybody views things differently though, so have fun with whatever it is that you decide to do.

 

[kaoden39]

If you happen to live close by, have an A/P, or it is special occasion such as a honeymoon I can understand going on your own to DL as an adult. If you happen to be in Anaheim for a day or 2 at a convention it can make sense too. Once you start having children though, I can’t imagine going to DL without them. I especially can’t imagine planning a trip specifically to go to DL for an adults-only vacation. DL is a great place, but there are so many other places that I can’t wait to go visit with just my wife. And don’t think that this is just a guy thing, my wife would be even less interested in a trip to DLR for just the 2 of us than I am.

I realize that this board is made up of Disney fanatics, but I just thought I would put in my thoughts. As much in the minority as they might be! Everybody views things differently though, so have fun with whatever it is that you decide to do.

Second honeymoon here! After being in the hospital for 5 months and 1 week last year and almost dying it something I need. And we need it together. The kids will get their own trip as well.

Michele

 

[avalon451]

Vacation Dad has it right-- everybody has different needs and feelings about whether or not you can do DL with or without kids. And that's cool!

When we went in March, my oldest DD, then 12, got very sick the first day. She would get better a little in the afternoon and get to do a few things in the parks, but then she would crash, and wake up worse the next day. She missed so much! My DH and I switched off taking the other two DD's to the parks and staying in the hotel. So, I decided to take another trip with just she and I, in October, to make up for all that she missed. What is so cool about this, is that my 2 other DDs, 10 and 6, are fine with it! They are such good kids. DD10 said, "Mom, that's a good idea, because I felt so bad that she couldn't do all the rides we did." My DH is taking time off work that week and planning special fun things to do around here with the younger 2.

And HEY-- DD13 and I love the same kind of rides! She can stay up late with me, and get herself dressed and showered, etc., and pretty much take care of herself! It will be like going with a friend. I am so happy to get this chance to have some extra time with just my teenage daughter, while we still get along well-- before the eye-rolling gets to be constant!

I do feel kind of guilty for not having the whole family along. But still... oh! It is going to be fun, and I am SO looking forward to it!

 

[kaoden39]

Poor thing. I know how she feels. We went March 2007 and I was so sick. I ended up going into the hospital 2 weeks after we got home and I almost died. I was in intensive care for almost 2 months. And finally was released after having to learn to walk again and recover the use in my right hand and arm partially after being in the hospital for a total of 5 months and 1 week. I know this trip may seem selfish but I am making up for my missing out so much last time.

Michele

 

[pixiewings71]

Kaoden39, just wanted to say HI Neighbor! LOL

I understand what everyone is saying. We do have AP's so we can go a lot if we choose. In fact we may go twice this month. We don't know yet but we might......lol We do live 6 hrs away so it is a drive but for us it's worth it. We are going to take the girls with us this weekend, they want to go so we are all going! YAY!!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

so glad you are here with us today !