New Era

[Bill K]

I am a 48 year old father who has been taking his children to disney every year since 1993. This will be my first trip that I will not have my oldest daughter with us! Melissa has grown up and graduated HS! Melissa is going on her own Disney trip with her friends! I don't know if I can handle my daughter going off to college and beginning her life! Where did it all go!!! Sorry but I am thinking about the days we pushed her in that stroller down main street USA!!!

 

[kikiq]

It'll be OK, you'll be alright...trust me. The first trip we took without our DDs, my DH was very emotional kept walking through WDW saying, "Remember when DD1 critiqued MK ( We're a hard core Disneyland family) when she was 4 and DD2 had her first ride on Small World". Remember this, remember that. You will make it, there will be fond memories BUT remember you now look forward to building new memories.

But this mama and her DH so do understand...come here for a hug.

 

[lizanne]

yes, you will survive.

It's different without the kids, but fun in a different way, and you'll always have the memories.

 

[cj9200]

In less than a month, I will be doing Disney solo. DD is a sophomore in HS and would rather be at soccer camp. It is going to be interesting. I agree it seems just a couple of days ago when she hugged Minnie for the first time (at 18 months).

On the plus side, I can go to Food and Wine in a couple of years.

 

[Cee]

Bill, my oldest will be turning 29(the first of many, I'm sure!) this year and I know what you mean, but she still comes with me to Disney and we have so much fun together. I'm sure you will do that too. Disney is fine on your own, but there's nothing like sharing it with those you love and those who "get it".

The good news for me is that as long as I provide the Disney "fix", I'll get to see them from time to time. (See photo to left)

 

[dianeschlicht]

Ten years from now, you will be rejoicing again. First, you'll be able to take those "couples" trips with your spouse, and then you'll get to enjoy those "stroller pushing" trips again with your grandchildren!

 

[Shadeaux]

We took our first trip without daughter (now 22) last fall. It was fantastic! Sure we missed her, but we managed to have a great time anyway. I know this probably sounds terrible, but to torment her I sent pictures & an occasional video to her phone. Don't feel too bad for my daughter....she's been going to WDW at least once, sometimes twice a year since she was 8 months old.

 

[eporter66]

Hey Bill - my daughter is 6 and we have gone just about every year. I had the reverse happen to me as the wife and I went a number of times before our DD. I thought I might have trouble as we loved Disney on our own, hitting the parks, rides, nightlife, golf. But - I was surprised at how great it was to see our daughter loving the smallest stuff. We kind of rediscovered the Disney Magic through her eyes. Now we have a ball doing all the things she wants, and as she gets bigger getting her on some new rides. Last year she did Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain for the first time - who knows what is next.

I am sure you will have a great time in Disney in a new way!

 

[GoofItUp]

Bill, QUIT SCARING ME!! We are at BWV right now with our 3 yo DS and 1 yo DS. I've been thinking about how nice it will be in a few years to not have to lug diapers or sippy cups or strollers. Now I'm scared to death that they'll graduate from hs in the next few minutes and it will all be over!

I remind myself that I always have to enjoy the moment I'm in -- not look forward to getting rid or all the baby stuff and not longing for things that have already past. It's all a great time in its own way!

 

[kikiq]

Ten years from now, you will be rejoicing again. First, you'll be able to take those "couples" trips with your spouse, and then you'll get to enjoy those "stroller pushing" trips again with your grandchildren!

Exactly, today will be our first VGC stay with our DGD. Pool time, cooking in the villa and the family will join us for dinner after a day at the parks. Leaving shortly.

 

[patsal]

Bill, I'm right with you, but in my case it is my son who is graduating and perish the thought, he wants nothing to do with WDW! We will be going without him this year, it will be bittersweet and I know it will be fine. We will find new things to do and enjoy the old as well.
It is time for him to discover what his hearts desire is and move on. I guess my job is well done, if he can stand on his own two feet and live with his choices.

 

[OKW mom to 3]

Wow Bill, I feel your pain! My oldest son is 25 and is broke my heart when we took our first trip without him. However, he participated in the college program and is now a cast member. He absolutely LOVES it! I wonder if it had anything to do with going to Disney so often when he was young?

 

[photobob]

We started going in 1997 with my wife and two kids. We my son was 18 in 2005 and had just graduated from high school we went without him for the first time, we missed him but it didn't affect us having a good time. He has since married and in 2008 he and his then fiance went with us and we stayed in a 2bdr. That was one of the best trips we have had.

My daughter is now ready to start her senior year in high school. She probably will insist on continuing to travel to WDW with us, she loves it. I enjoy new phases of life, might as well they are coming whether you want them to or not!

 

[edk35]

RIGHT THERE WITH YOU..... We started our journey in 1992 and our dd (Brittany) just finished her 1st year of college. HOWEVER she still went with us on our trip last July and is going again this year in July. I am sure though very very soon...that same day will come. We went in late Jan. several times and of course she is back in college during that week but her brothers have days off. I couldn't bring myself to go this past Jan. I will feel so sad when that day comes. She loves going to Disney. Now our 16 year old son...he has been Disney done for the past almost 2 years. He still goes but this year we threw in 4 days at Vero. He took the bait. When I read your last sentence about strolling Melissa down Main Street USA...I got a little choked up.

 

[bnk1120]

I don't know if I can handle my daughter going off to college and beginning her life! Where did it all go!!! Sorry but I am thinking about the days we pushed her in that stroller down main street USA!!!

This is the EXACT reason we bought DVC! I want to be able to have all those wonderful memories with my DD, because time really goes by way too fast! Hope you enjoy making new memories.