Should we ditch the kids?

[perd]

I posted a week or so ago about not knowing to have fun without the kids. Because our kids are 22, 19 and 17. 2 in college and 1 in high school, and we planned to go in September, and they said it would be really hard for them to do it school wise. Now they are saying go ahead and plan it, and they will just have to get their work in BEFORE they go. I know especially in college, it's hard just to keep up, let alone get ahead.

But we have 40% off and I hate to waste it. Either that, or free dining if that happens.

Original plan was September 10-15, two rooms at CSR, one of us and one for the kids.

I'm wondering if we should either: Plan September 7-15, the 7th through the 10th with us AND the kids, so they only miss a Friday and a Monday of school, and DH staying till the 15th. But is it too late to add on days to our 40% off? I'm thinking maybe it is.

Or keep the original plan.

Or just go without the kids and maybe plan a trip with them another time...I asked about spring break but oldest DD will be a senior in college and doesn't want to plan spring break with her PARENTS, which I can understand...

So...would you let them take a week out of college/high school (high schooler will be a senior) to go to DW, or try to get them there for the weekend at 40% off, or go without them and make plans with them some other time?

Maybe we would even reschedule so we can do Party for the Senses instead if we were going without the kids...

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

I personally would go without the children to have some alone time with your spouse. My husband and I have gone to Disney twice without the children and loved every minute of it. I felt guilty for going without them at first (kids were 15, 14 and 10 the last time we went without them), but we made sure they were going to have a good time with my brother and his family who live at the beach. Knowing they were going to have a good time helped ease the guilt and my husband and I had a blast. The kids also realize how often our family vacations at Disney and knew we would be taking them down soon. It was soooo wonderful to experience the romantic side of Disney! So, if you have the chance to go without the children do so. You and your husband deserve some romantic alone time.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I cannot imagine taking more than one day off of a college class. For me I would have missed way too much information. Our oldest DS is a freshman in college right now. With all of the advanced placement classes he took in h.s. he never wanted to miss a day. I think right now I would suggest going with just you and DH. I think you will have an absolutely awesome time!

 

[Arvandor_Ilfirin]

Missing a week of college would kill me!
Not that it can't be done, and I'm sure it depends on their teacher's disposition (as I've had some teachers who not only frown upon taking vacation during their class, but to also refuse to let them make up anything or tell them what they've missed.) as well as how they are doing on missed school time already. ( if they get the flu the week after your vacation they may be SOL.)

My advice would be to take the vacation, let your kids stay home and avoid the stress of make-up work, and have one of the most fun, romantic and adventurous WDW trips you've ever had! Do all of the exciting things you have never tried before! Bring a beautiful cocktail dress that may have been collecting dust in the closet and show it off in style while watching Wishes from an amorous location, go crazy and act like you're the children again instead of your kids and get all the fun photos you can! Taking your kids is something wonderful, but one of the best things is that you can go without them and have a blast.

I'm sure you'll have a great trip either way, but Disney is no place for stress or normal life concerns...if you bring your kids there with you while school is hanging over their heads it will probably stress you all out and may ruin the vacation. It won't be the last time your family goes to Disney, so live this one like it's your first! Good luck planning!

 

[Indianadisneyfan]

My last trip was without kids (well DGF's kids) DS 12, DD 10 . She said that she missed them. It was nice to be able to walk around and enjoy the parks without somebody saying " I have to go to the bathroom, I'm tired, or I don't want to ride that" We could enjoy walking through the shops and not hearing I want to buy this and that.

 

[pepe of ohio]

My last trip was without kids (well DGF's kids) DS 12, DD 10 . She said that she missed them. It was nice to be able to walk around and enjoy the parks without somebody saying " I have to go to the bathroom, I'm tired, or I don't want to ride that" We could enjoy walking through the shops and not hearing I want to buy this and that.

I can relate, its hard but you have to cut the strings sometimes, both ways. Our children are both grown and married. Son and SIL went once to WDW with us, actually got me on a plane and we had a great trip. Seems they are not into Disney like us but daughter and SIL are nuts along our lines and try to make every trip with us. Daughter did college program few years back and returned home to finish college and then returned to live in Florida and try working for the mouse for 1 year. Those 2 years were wild, wife and I went to WDW 6 times, CM great discount. Low pay brought daughter back to home state.

Back to question, we still go when we can with daughter but they have obligations of their own and we crave Disney at least twice a year, so to sate our lust, we go ourselves. Its a different trip without the daughter and SIL but its still enjoyable. We're always asking other friends and relatives to go along, seems having others along heightens the pleasure of Disney. Different conversation, others bringing new things to light. We'll still go by ourselves, great to sleep in, visit when we want, eat where we chose and stroll the grounds and enjoy the resorts as much as the parks. Sooner or later, we'll all get to go again as a group.

 

[twinspluscade]

I'd also plan on going minus the kids this trip. I'm not sure about their colleges, but when I went classes always started the day after Labor Day--so taking even two days off in early September would've been tricky!

Maybe you could plan another trip for over the summer? Although I realize that gets tricky too with summer jobs,etc.

Kelly

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

My DH and I went for our 25th anni last year. We left 2 children at home. It was the most wonderful time we have ever spent together. The kids have been to WDW several times so I only felt guilty for about 1/2 day. We are planning a trip for next Sept and taking the kids.

Our plan is to take the kids one year and the next it will be just us. Sounds good to me.

I would take the time and enjoy your marriage. It is so worth it.

 

[Vivianne]

I say Ditch Them! You need to reward yourselves for your hard work..Besides it's practice for when they really go on their own.

 

[sewer]

When the kids were very young they were fun, but my son turned 13, and my daughter 16, and began to think mom, and dad are the dumbest things on earth....... ditch 'em

 

[darlak]

I would love to have a childfree week at Disney, but my DH would rather go anyplace else. He's soooo strange. I would also love to have a girl's only trip, but none of my friends can imagine going to WDW without kids. What is WRONG with these people? Maybe we need to plan a ladies only trip of DIS'ers. Anyone interested? We can call it "A Magical Retreat".

 

[clombardi]

The smiley face is chanting,"Ditch the kids! Ditch the kids! Ditch the kids!"

 

[tigger813]

We're ditching our kids July 8-12! But, then we're taking them Dec. 1-8 with my parents who are baby-sitting July 8-12!

I mentioned this idea about just the two of us going to my husband sometime last year. He said, "Yeah, like our kids (2 and 6) would let us go to Disney without them." I said, "They won't have a choice!" Well, this July trip will be our 10th anniversary trip though our anniversary is late December. Then, we can enjoy taking them before Christmas!

Tracey