Starting to feel self-conscious about going to WDW without kids

[Kim&Chris]

I know that Disney is a place for both kids and 'big kids', but for some reason I felt really weird and self conscious during my last trip (last month).

During all of our previous trips, I never felt weird having my picture taken with the characters or going to character meals. In fact, I'd be the dorky adult singing along with the songs, or twirling my napkin at Chef Mickey's. But this time, OMG, I felt really overwhelmed and weird. We ended up skipping a few character meals because of it, and I skipped my yearly "Kim hugging Mickey" photo!

Just wondering if there were any other child-free Disney fans who feel the same way?

 

[stinkerbelle]

hello - you just have to be a big kid yourself to enjoy Disney! dont' have to drag one with you!

DH and I don't have any little ones yet...and we want to get at least 3 more trips under our belt before attempting.

I feel kinda awkward, honestly, at Character meals...so we skip them now (not a fan of buffets anyway!)

Go - have fun - and get that picture with Mickey!!!

 

[meandtheguys]

I live for the day that DH and I can spend a week at the World without the guys! Enjoy it for all of us that sometimes wish to take a vacation without being responsible for the kids! Don't get me wrong, wouldn't trade them for the world, but I've never been with just Jack. It would be so romantic!

Have FUN!

Michelle

 

[helenabear]

Child free here... I admit it was a bit weird when I was in my early 20s and going, but the last few trips I was really able to open up. Maybe like me, it was a phase, and hopefuly you won't feel that way the next time you go. Just remember there are many of us "big kids" acting just as you did

 

[Alice28]

Of the 3 times I have been to WDW, two times have been kid-free. And I didn't feel self-conscious. Although we did not do any character meals on my Mom/daughter trip last fall, I still managed to say hi to Mickey and not feel silly. It actually felt liberating to go without the kids----felt free to do what we wanted when we wanted to. Don't get me wrong, I had a BLAST showing my boys around the world, and wish we had another trip planned sooner, but going without kids is fun! Don't feel self-conscious!

 

[castlegazer]

I have never felt what you are describing. Although, I never went to character meals prior to having a child, but now that I have been to some I would very much like to go sans children - I am so stressed out at these meals due to trying to get my son to look at the characters - get him out his high chair, take a picture, remember the autograph book, all without delaying the characters because I get the definate impression from the character mafioso standing behind them (i.e. the character friend) that if I don't hustle its on to another table to heck with you. I would love to do one and not feel rushed and just enjoy ourselves.

In fact some of our most romantic and precious moments together, my DH and I that is, were at WDW when we were childless. Now its just go go go and we don't get time to stop and smell the roses we want to smell.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing to compare the feeling I get wathing my son's eyes when he goes to WDW. I love taking him there and experiencing things that I have never done before and seeing the world through his eyes like this last trip and going on Dumbo for the first time since I was five and for his first time and seeing his eyes light up and hearing the enormous giggles that came out of his mouth.

You see childless people all around you and to be honest with you, those of with children are so busy keeping our eyes on them - checking guide maps - stressing over PS times and FastPass times that we will never notice anyone else and if we do we will probably get a gleem in our eyes remembering those days fondly and dreamining about our next childless trip.

Have a great time and enjoy yourself - I think that Disney can invoke some true romance is like no other place on earth.

 

[olena]

We have no kids and we go to WDW pretty often. We don't feel out of place at all. My money is as green as anyone's and I'm there to have fun.

 

[HaleyB]

I would love to go to WDW kid free, but my kids seem to have a problem with it.

Really though, I hug Mickey. I am an adult. Having kids with me does not make me feel less self-conscious about it. I don't know what it is, some trips I feel more comfortable than others. I can almost always shake it off though, I figure I always enjoy seeing the other big kids at WDW and I wouldn't want to deny another that pleasure.

So I say, hug Mickey. Jump up and down and clap when you spot your favorite Mouse! Go to Chef Mickey's or any other meal you like and play. If you start to feel self-consious about it remember you are really making my day, maybe that will help.

 

[luvwinnie]

I never felt out of place! And yes we went to a Character Meal! It was wonderful and romantic and so carefree.

 

[Fire14]

I am a big kid and have a whole scrapbook of me and the characters. I even did my authograph book this last trip.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I feel fine there, and do many character meals. My 'kids' have been there once, I have been there 11 times. They are more than welcome to join me though.

 

[GEM]

Nope. We've been 10 times as a couple - no kids, just the two of us. I never felt that way at all. In fact, we seemed to see just as many adults without kids as we did with. We've done lots of character meals and never felt at all odd or out of place. We're making our first trip in May WITH our baby, and I'm feeling a little wierd about that! It will definately be different than the trips we are accustomed to.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

We don't have kids yet, but I have never felt self-conscious there with my DH at all. In fact, I am at my absolute happiest in WDW and DH knows it. I love the character meals, and we have some great pictures. I know it will be fun to go with our kids one day, but I don't feel too envious of parents when I see them trying to console screaming children or just generally looking exhausted.

 

[disykat]

There is lots to enjoy about WDW that doesn't involve interaction with the characters. I have no desire to see characters and the only time I spent any time doing so was the time I was there with children. Just decide to enjoy your trip without character meals, photos with characters etc. Why do something that is making you uncomfortable? - you can always start those things again later if you want.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I absolutely do not feel uncomfortable at WDW without my kids, although I can hardly call them kids anymore, they're 18, 23 and 24. DH and I do character meals, but not for the interaction with the characters, we do it just because we want to eat there. If the characters do come up to us, we always get photos with them. If they don't, that's fine, I'd rather be sure all the kids there get the extra attention. Actually, some of my favorite trips to the World have been without the kids, but I'd never tell them that!

 

[DocRafiki]

I do feel sometimes like the characters don't want to spend time with people who don't have kids. At other times, they've spent more time with me/us than people with kids. I do avoid the free-roaming characters if there are tons of kids waiting to see them. But don't miss out on your regular Mickey photo just because of that. You can always go see him in Toontown after dark when there aren't many kids there. The organized queue is nice, too, because you don't get those parents who push their kids in front of you. Epcot is another good place to grab a photo with Mickey. He'll often be around the back of Innoventions at closing time (though it's been a couple of years since I've seen him there). Just check with the CMs for the best sighting, and get there before the kids spot him.

OH... and if you wear Mickey ears, you will get a LOT more character interaction (and cast member and guest interaction, too)!!

 

[BHFan25]

I recently went to WDW by myself with DH and DD who is 10. I seemed to have no problem having fun with the characters. Of course, I was there with my parents who are 67yo. And my mom might push you to get a hug from Mickey! I'm kidding but she does have an autograph book that they sign for her.

We even danced in Frontierland doing the hokey-pokey with the Country Bears! I'm a big kid at heart. DD would have crawled under something if she had seen me acting that way. I had a blast though!

So, I say, if you are really uncomfortable, don't do it but if people make you feel uncomfortable or your imagination makes you feel uncomfortable (worry about what others may be thinking) I say go for it! I can't tell who has kids and who doesn't!

 

[Disney Doll]

I hug the characters, I go to the Hoop-Dee-Do and spin my napkin, I do it all!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't have kids, and I don't feel weird. The one concession I will make to the kids is not hoggin up too much time with the cahracters when we are at a character meal. I say a quick hello, do a little flirt with the "boy" characters, and let them move on to the kids.

 

[wld]

DH and I have been to WDW twice now without kids. We don't go for the whole character breakfast thing anyway and usually I wouldn't stand in line for a picture especially if there were a bunch of kids, mostly because it can be hard for little kids to stand in line and for the most part, for me, it isn't as big a deal to get my picture taken.

I would make exceptions though. Like if there is no one with a character and it is one of my families favorites I would get my picture taken. Also if I always got a Mickey and Me. Great idea! Wish I would have thought of it.......Missed 10 years of cool pictures of the kids and us growing up.
We also had our picture taken with Cinderella the day of our anniversary when we ate at the castle. There was a very small line, mostly adults!! When we got to her, and Cinderella found out what we were celebrating she kept saying how we had just missed Prince Charming and what a great picture that would have been. The couple behind us took our picture. WE would have taken theirs, but her DH holds out for the Little Mermaid. Mine would normally just want Jasmine!
Last time I had my picture taken with the green army man and he made a big deal of it, even pretending to kiss my hand.
But to your question. No I didn't feel funny getting these photos. I might though if I was standing in a long line with a bunch of kids,but that is just me wanting the kids to have the best experience possible, not just waiting in another line.

 

[WDWLVR]

DH and I are childfree and go to WDW at least once a year. On our last trip in December we did a number of character meals and had a wonderful time!

We have also stopped for pictures in the park- usually when there isn't a long line.

We will stand in line and ride Dumbo - it is one of my favorites.

That's what i love about Disney is that it lets me feel and act like a child from time to time. Wonderful feeling!