Questions for empty nesters

[photobob]

DW and I will become empty nesters in about 2 1/2 years. We have always enjoyed taking our kids to WDW, but at the same time we are excited about the possibilities available to us when we become empty nesters.

Just looking for your experiences on how trips have changed. I think it will be great to be able to go when we want to go instead of just when school is out. We did have a short three night trip a year ago with just DW and me. I'm planning on going 2-3 times per year in studios, instead of once a year in a 1 or 2 BDR.

 

[SamSam]

We didn't buy into DVC until after we became empty nesters. We thought that we probably wouldn't go once the kids were gone. Wrong!!! We started going more often and staying longer. The biggest difference is that we have become more foodies, and where we eat has become a big focus of our time there. We still get annual passes because we like to be able to pop over to whichever park we feel like visiting, even if we only stay long enough to walk around a bit, go on a favorite ride, relax and enjoy an adult beverage.

 

[MrsG]

DH & I are loving it!!!! I am still stuck with school breaks as I am a teacher. But we don't mind the studio at all. We can go at our own pace, eat a restaurants that WE like, and make it more of a relaxing romatic get a way. We were just talking last night about how much we enjoy our trips to WDW, just the two of us!

 

[disneynutz]

Still prefer a one bedroom. More resort time, more us time and less park time.

 

[oakmanner]

You will soon learn the joy of F&W and doing what you want when you want. No hurry, take your time, and really have a relaxing vacation.

 

[twinklebug]

DW and I will become empty nesters in about 2 1/2 years. We have always enjoyed taking our kids to WDW, but at the same time we are excited about the possibilities available to us when we become empty nesters.

Have you and DW told the kiddo(s) about being empty nesters and what it means?

Odd things about kids: they tend to keep coming back.

ETA: It's conceivable that you could be true empty nesters if you're willing to pick up and move the nest every so often so the kids can't find it

 

[dianeschlicht]

We too didn't purchase DVC until we were about to be empty nesters. We have spen 12+ years of membership enjoying invitine friends and family to join us and aso have enjoyed trips with just the two of us. Our usual is that we invite guests for the first part of the trip and move down to a 1 bedroom villa for he last part of the trip when it is just the two of us.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Have you and DW told the kiddo(s) about being empty nesters and what it means?

Odd things about kids: they tend to keep coming back.

ETA: It's conceivable that you could be true empty nesters if you're willing to pick up and move the nest every so often so the kids can't find it

I agree.......ours are 18 & 21.....we went F & W for the first time last year..and have booked again this year....but our 21 year old son is at FGCU in Ft Myers...so he over with his girlfriend to meet us for F & W

 

[cdmickey]

All replys so far ring true. You always have the option of bringing the children (but it sure is great when you don't).

 

[palhockeymomof2]

All replys so far ring true. You always have the option of bringing the children (but it sure is great when you don't).

yep it's a lot cheaper

 

[bobbiwoz]

We didn't buy until we were empty nesters, and for us, that true experience won't be until we both are retired and then we can stay for at least a month. For now, we enjoy all of our trips, as a couple, with friends/family, but the best part of being empty nesters at this moment, is having DGC to take to Disney with us.

This happened in November, just walking along with DGD aged 5. We're walking along World Showcase, looking for characters for pictures. We're holding hands and DGD looks up says "Babci, I love you ." I do not think that I have ever felt better!

Bobbi

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We didn't buy into DVC until after we became empty nesters. We thought that we probably wouldn't go once the kids were gone. Wrong!!! We started going more often and staying longer. The biggest difference is that we have become more foodies, and where we eat has become a big focus of our time there. We still get annual passes because we like to be able to pop over to whichever park we feel like visiting, even if we only stay long enough to walk around a bit, go on a favorite ride, relax and enjoy an adult beverage.

I second that. This is just about my DH and I to a T.

 

[photobob]

Have you and DW told the kiddo(s) about being empty nesters and what it means?

Odd things about kids: they tend to keep coming back.

ETA: It's conceivable that you could be true empty nesters if you're willing to pick up and move the nest every so often so the kids can't find it

You make some excellent points! My daughter who is 16 really enjoys the WDW trips and she'll probably be going to college nearby, we may have to sneak away. My son who is 22 along with his fiance went with us this past summer but it was the first time in about 4 years he had gone.

The F&W idea sounds really good too. Maybe an October trip for F&W and a mid-late May for F&G. We have been to F&G before but not F&W. We really love Epcot.

Our little taste when we went last February sure was nice. We just strolled around the parks, did an attraction here and there if we felt like it and had nice meals. I think we used every available Disney transportation, bus, boats, monorails. Can't wait do it again!

thanks for your replies, hope to read more.

Bob

 

[Donna M]

We are almost there. One is 18 the other 20. In three weeks only our son is coming down but he's bringing a friend. Next year they will both be in college. But then money will be really tight!

 

[DisFlan]

yep it's a lot cheaper

So true! It's a TON cheaper.

We bought DVC as empty nesters to share it with nieces and future grandchildren. We love having family along, but we've found we also enjoy it a great deal when they aren't. The whole vacation moves at a totally different pace - a very enjoyable, slower pace.

DisFlan

 

[ACDSNY]

Have you and DW told the kiddo(s) about being empty nesters and what it means?

Odd things about kids: they tend to keep coming back.

ETA: It's conceivable that you could be true empty nesters if you're willing to pick up and move the nest every so often so the kids can't find it

Oh so true! Ours are 21 & 24, both married and still wanting to travel with us! I can't wait to take DGS in Nov.

We enjoy the F & W days at Epcot too.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Still prefer a one bedroom. More resort time, more us time and less park time.

Yep! That is us too.

 

[mouse]

We always renew our annual passes, purchase the Tables in Wonderland card, and also the DVC golf membership and then we are set. We sleep as late as we want. We spend more time relaxing and reading by the pool. We dine later. We often catch up on movies we want to see. We drink more wine. We play lots of golf. We can stroll more leisurely around the World Showcase. We can just have a Mickey Ears ice cream bar for lunch(or breakfast) if we want. We care less about the crowds. We make fewer dining reservations, because it is easier to get a last minute ADR for two. We often use our Levy card to get the first available table at some DD restaurants. Oh, and our daughters and their families never say "no" when we invite them to come along.

 

[btrim]

We also bought after we had become empty nesters. We love it. I second the 1BR theme. We love to be able to sit around the resort and read and relax and go to the parks in a leisurely fashion. That being said, we have not been to WDW very often alone. We love taking our grown children, their children and friends. DVC just changes your attitude about your visits. If you take your time and enjoy your DGC one visit, then you always know you will be returning to enjoy other things you might have missed before. it is the best thing DH and I have ever done and we don't regret it for a minute except we wish we had done it sooner.
Right now it is so cold in Illinois, I can't wait until I retire and can spend the months of January and February in Florida. This is the only time I wish that I was older.

 

[Kathi OD]

DH & I have been empty-nesters for a couple of DVC years now. Sometimes we invite the kids to go along, and well, like this past weekend, sometimes not. The best part is being able to make decisions on where to go, what to see and where to eat based on what WE want, not the kiddos. We also don't worry about trying to fit it all in with every trip any more, rare are the days we are at the park for rope drop. Some days we don't, dare I even say it, even see the inside of a park. There has even been a trip when we went park-less for the entire trip!

The added benefit of overall less expensive probably comes in as the #2 perk. We just returned from a 4-day stay and other than food, spent a total of about $350. With kids we'd never be able to get out of WDW for less than a couple thousand.

We still get a 1BR, even if it is just the 2 of us. I like having a washer/dryer (less to pack) and a kitchen for whatever we might want to cook in the room (although, believe me, it's not much).