Marrieds choosing not to have kids

[TKDisneylover]

I absolutely have to agree with you....The first week of December was by far the busiest time I have ever gone to WDW, but I always go during the down season. I truly thought this would be the quietest of all the trips I have gone. But, I guess with the sporting events going on, there would be more kids there. I just didn't think it would be as busy as it was. I'm happy that others agree with my perspective...I was worried that others might not have thought that!

What month and week have you gone in the past and experienced lower attendance? I'm just curious because we are debating whether to go back in February, October or another time. Feb. & Oct. were two times we have gone and experienced lower attendance. I have to say I think our favorite was the second week of February, DH & I went with my sister & brother-in-law and all the rides were walk-ons throughout our entire visit. We had a great time and it gave us a chance to get away from the cold weather!

I blame all the guides and Disney websites for this. These guides emphasize the "down times" and advise to visit during these times, more and more people are pulling kids from school now to visit during these times of year.

You may be right about this. I would think it would definitely appeal to many parents bring to bring kids during an advertised down time & pfalcioni may have a point also with the home schooled kids too. We purchased Tour Guide Mike this visit (mostly out of curiosity), and did not follow him our first 3days because we were with people who had specific parks in mind for the days they were visiting and went with their choices. It was crazy busy each park we went to. But when our friends left and we followd TGM the rest of our visit we experienced a considerably lower crowds for the parks he recommended. I've also done fine using Birnbaums in the past and have been very satisfied.

I also wonder how much difference the "free" dining & dining plan options have made with people attending at different times?

 

[ChisJo]

What month and week have you gone in the past and experienced lower attendance? I'm just curious because we are debating whether to go back in February, October or another time. Feb. & Oct. were two times we have gone and experienced lower attendance. I have to say I think our favorite was the second week of February, DH & I went with my sister & brother-in-law and all the rides were walk-ons throughout our entire visit. We had a great time and it gave us a chance to get away from the cold weather!

My absolute favorite time of the whole year to go is around the 22 of August. An absolute walk on to most rides. I loved it! Kids are back in school, the September long weekend isn't that close that it affects the crowd attendance, and the weather, well at least for me, is PERFECT! I loved it. Also went at the end of April, and that wasn't too bad either. October was good (second week), but I truly thought that the first week of December would be the deadest - but it just goes to show that there is no such thing as quiet at Disney. It was truly the busiest time I have ever gone.

 

[MapleGirl]

Our trip is less than a month away! Woot!!!

We always go in January. The weather is cool and there are no lines to speak of. I think we've also gone in March and again there were no lines. For that matter, I don't remember EVER going to Disney and having it be crowded! Maybe my definition of 'crowded' is skewed since I'm always so happy to be there (and I never have to drag along cranky kids through the lines!).

Anyway married, child-free and loving life. I have my packing list all set to go and my crazy planning is in the final stages. Another reason for cats instead of kids, we can leave them at home with a big bowl of food and they're fine. Our first anniversary is January 6th (we honeymooned in WDW, of course). We'll be there January 24th. Would it be wrong to tell the CM's this is our anniversary trip? What does everyone think about this?

I visited a childhood friend and her baby this weekend. Cute, well behaved baby boy. I was happy to note that although I enjoyed having him sit on my knee and smile up at me, I had no desire to have one of my own. Hurray! Perhaps I will be spared the dreaded biological clock syndrome. Here's hoping. I'm 25, do you think the desire would have kicked in by now? Who's not in their 20's and still childless? You are my inspiration!

Enjoy your freedom!

 

[TKDisneylover]

Our trip is less than a month away! Woot!!! I hope you have a wonderful Anniversary trip, you'll be there before you know it!!

We always go in January. This is good to know, maybe we will consider this time of year also. It makes sense right after the holiday break for kids that it would be less crowded. The weather is cool and there are no lines to speak of. I think we've also gone in March and again there were no lines. For that matter, I don't remember EVER going to Disney and having it be crowded! Maybe my definition of 'crowded' is skewed since I'm always so happy to be there (and I never have to drag along cranky kids through the lines!).

Anyway married, child-free and loving life. I have my packing list all set to go and my crazy planning is in the final stages. Another reason for cats instead of kids, we can leave them at home with a big bowl of food and they're fine. Our first anniversary is January 6th (we honeymooned in WDW, of course). We'll be there January 24th. Would it be wrong to tell the CM's this is our anniversary trip? Absolutely not!! Definitely call them now and let them know at your resort that you will be there celebrating your anniversary. We did this and they had Anniversary pins for us to wear at the check-in desk. We received many well wishes from cast members in every park and we received 2 free desserts at different restaurants in the parks. Take advantage and ENJOY!! What does everyone think about this?Go for it!

I visited a childhood friend and her baby this weekend. Cute, well behaved baby boy. I was happy to note that although I enjoyed having him sit on my knee and smile up at me, I had no desire to have one of my own. Hurray! Perhaps I will be spared the dreaded biological clock syndrome. Here's hoping. I'm 25, do you think the desire would have kicked in by now? Who's not in their 20's and still childless?Well I have to be completely honest here, we are in our 40's, but when I was about 30 I had a small desire to "consider" having a child. DH & I even went to a counselor to discuss it. He was still completely against it (which he was from the day we met), and the counselor helped me understand his point of view. I accepted it because I love him very much and would never pressure him into anything he did not want to do. It did not take long after that for my feelings about having a child to disappear. Not sure why this popped into my brain, maybe it was some weird freakish PMS thing, who knows?! But I am truly thankful every day that I chose not to have kids!! You are my inspiration!

Enjoy your freedom!

Again, have a wonderful vacation and Happy Anniversary!

 

[nena]

I thought I would share with you, our school's attendance policy.

If children are going to miss 5 days or more, they can go to the attendance office and pick up an Independent Study Packet. The parent, student, teacher and principal all have to sign the Independent Study Agreement. It states that the student must complete the study packet in order to remain at our school, not necessarily in the same class. As a teacher I have not signed some ISA, because the child is performing below grade level or already has a truancy issue. Other students, I will sign for, because they are rarely absent and are performing @ or above grade level.
Don't get me wrong, I do not believe the study packet takes the place of in class instruction. But its better for them to work on something, than just get a week off. I always have my homework packets copied a month in advance, so I send that with them too.
If other districts are like ours, this may answer why so many children are pulled out to go to WDW.
As for my own children, they received perfect attendance certificates for the first trimestre at the end of November. Because they are performing above grade level I have thought about pulling them out for a week to go to WDW during the Free Dining Plan.
I hope my long story helps explain why you saw so many kids.

 

[maddhatir]

This mother is a freaking disgrace!

Girl wins concert tickets with essay faking dad's death in Iraq

 

[Hixski]

That is really pathetic!!!! If they don't take the tickets away then these people will know they can do whatever they can and still get away with it. That 6 yr old will grow up thinking it is ok to lie and cheat to get whatever she wants. Very sad.

On a happier note......

Happy New Years to everyone!!!!

 

[maddhatir]

Happy New Year!

 

[TKDisneylover]

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! ​

 

[chrisw127]

I've never understood why people care about others decisions to have kids or not. Sometimes I suspect that parents who are pushy and rude towards their friends without children aren't that happy with their decision to have kids in the first place. And I have three kids. But I spent years in grad school and then as a lawyer (and if you ever want to meet some childfee women, that's the place to be) and so I know what it's like to be creeping into your mid-30s and not have kids and to have people make obnoxious statements about your lifestyle (even though frankly, I didn't have kids at the time because I wanted to make sure I was ready).

When I had my first child, I definitely had a stronger appreciation for my friends who chose not to procreate because I finally knew how hard it was to raise a child. I adore my kids. I think I was meant to be a mother, which came as a huge surprise because I was not the most maternal person prior to having them. But does that make my choices any more valid than my best friend, who has decided that she'd rather live childfree and has never for a moment doubted her choice? (she's a great "auntie" by the way but I would NEVER ask her to change a diaper). I totally respect her choice. It's not selfish at all. And it's not immature. It's being honest with yourself about how you want to live. Good for them.

Oh, to the poster above who mentioned kids being at Disney during the slower times of the year? Where I live (in NC) we have year-round school (helps with overcrowding) so the kids are off for several weeks at a time during the year. It's apparently catching on in different parts of the country as well.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Due to promotions like Free Dining, etc. there are almost NO real downtimes anymore like there once was.

Someone above posted late August...yes, this used to be good. We went this past August...most crowded we have ever seen the parks. Just awful. Remember that the northern schools don't start back until after labor day.

Sept. used to be great...not so much now that there is free dining.

I think in only hold out remaining is literally THIS WEEK. Starting about January 4th and going to right before MLK week-end will be the lowest times of the year.

The days of empty parks are gone...

 

[WDWguru]

Have you guys seen this? Victoria and Albert's is banning kids under 10 as of January 1! Great move!

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/01/no-young-childr.html

 

[maddhatir]

Have you guys seen this? Victoria and Albert's is banning kids under 10 as of January 1! Great move!

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/01/no-young-childr.html

I have never been to V&A- but GOOD FOR DISNEY!!!!

OMG- I think someone should post this on another thread to make "others" aware of our good furtune!

unless........WDWguru did her civic "childfree duty" and already spread the word??

 

[WDWguru]

I'm looking around for other threads - will post to the dining and Theme Parks boards if there isn't something there already.

Hopefully this is just the start. I'd love to see them do something similar at Jiko and California Grill - maybe no kids under 10 after 9 pm or something.

 

[maddhatir]

I'm looking around for other threads - will post to the dining and Theme Parks boards if there isn't something there already.

Hopefully this is just the start. I'd love to see them do something similar at Jiko and California Grill - maybe no kids under 10 after 9 pm or something.

oooo- and just MAYBE you should advise the people on the family thread of this news....you never know, they MAY be interested.....
hee hee

 

[WDWguru]

I'm scared to even go in there maddhatir - but feel free

I just posted the news to the Theme Parks and the restaurants boards as nobody else had yet. Now to sit back with some popcorn...

 

[Hixski]

I'm looking around for other threads - will post to the dining and Theme Parks boards if there isn't something there already.

Hopefully this is just the start. I'd love to see them do something similar at Jiko and California Grill - maybe no kids under 10 after 9 pm or something.

Those threads are sure to get locked after everyone gets done fighting over there. I will have to check them out later. Thanks for the FYI.

 

[ChisJo]

Please post the link for the thread on the THeme Parks board about the V&A movement....I would like to see the backlash on this one!

 

[WDWguru]

I posted it on Theme Parks but the mods moved it to restaurants where it merged with my other thread. I appealed to the mod that moved it, saying the discussion of adults-only stuff on property has come up there many times, but they won't move it back.

 

[WDWguru]

It took a while, but this one's starting to get juicy... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=22410810