WDW withOUT the kids? For 20th Anniv. and 50th/40th b-day?

[coffeeyumm]

In February I turned 40... this November my husband turns 50... in April we'll celebrate 20 years of marriage. Since we went to WDW on our honeymoon in 1988 (when it was just Magic Kingdom & Epcot!!), I thought WDW would be GREAT for a 4-day weekend trip with JUST ME AND MY HUSBAND! Is this typical? Is it ALLOWED? :funny: A friend of mine thinks it is AWFUL to go without the kids, but I just LOVE Disney, and honestly I think dh and I would do JUST fine going it alone just once!

If you've had an 'adults-only' trip to WDW, esp. for an Anniversary or special birthday, please share your advice and experiences! If I get enough 'yes' responses, I might just start hinting to my husband about this again, and I'll make sure he has our MJ's email (WENDY!) just in case!

P.S. Kids are 14, 11, and 8 yr old twins... and we'd make sure they were well-supervised during our mini-vacation!! :)

[TammiMcMan]

The first time my husband and I did a parents only trip to WDW, I actually lied to my children and told them that we were going to the Bahama's :secret:. I thought they'd be upset if they found out we were going to see Mickey without them. Turns out, that when they did find out, they were thrilled for us. We had an amazing time and actually the two of us went back by ourselves a few years ago to celebrate our 20th Anniversary/40th Birthdays.

I do admit, that it's not the same without the kids and we did miss them somewhat, but it was so nice doing what we wanted to do for a change. We got to be nice and romantic watching Wishes and Illuminations and we loved hanging out at the Adventurers Club in Pleasure Island. At restaurants, finding a table for 2 is a lot easier than a table for 5. We got to sleep in and hit the parks when we were ready. I could actually sit by the pool with a book in my hand and not have to be scanning the pool and counting heads every 3 minutes. We spent time in the healthclub together, getting massages and we went during football season and spent one entire day sitting in the bar at ESPN. DH had a dozen roses delivered to me from the Disney Florist and the GF staff sent up a complimentary bottle of champagne and a card signed by Cinderella and Prince Charming. I don't think it could have been any better.

As you can see, I highly recommend it :thumbsup: .

[Sean Riley Taylor's Mom]

We have never gone to WDW without the kids but, we are planning on doing it in the next couple of years. With no guilt what so ever..lol. :blush::secret:

The last time we were there alone was in 1996 for our anniversary.

I say go for it and have an amazing time. I am sure the kids will forgive you!!

[kakn7294]

DH and I were just talking last night about looking forward to the day when we could go without the kids. I know of plenty of others who have gone on vacation without their kids. If you kids put a guilt trip on you, just threaten to never take them with you again! They'll forgive you rather quickly that way!

[Jeniflower]

As some one who has (alas) no children yet, I have been twice to Disney and will be going again in just 4 days. I think the magic of Disney is as much for adults as it is for children and have never thought of not having children as a barrier.
Check out Birnbaums travel book walt Disney without kids (or similar title) as this gives great tips for those fun loving adults around us

[ginger19]

My DH and I are taking our kids in October and then doing an adults-only anniversary trip in january. We are going to be mostly golfing but we also want to hit those things that we can't do with the kids. OUr kids are still very young so we don't get much time for leisurely strolls or using the extras resorts have. Rent a boat, go for a carriage ride, etc :thumbsup:

(we are also not telling our kids where we are going besides golfing because they would be very upset)

[dmallan]

My DH and I went in 2004 for our 25th Anniversary. It was a much slower paced trip - for example, we took the time to explore many of the countries in WS that we'd passed by when we were there with kids. We were able to take our time and brouse in the many different shops. We planned several visits to other resorts for dinner or drinks. :marg:

We stayed at POR, so we really enjoyed taking the boat to DTD on several occasions. In fact, the first time we did, it was a spontaneous decision made on our way from an evening snack at the foodcourt. The boat was at the dock and we decided to hop on.

All in all, it was a wonderful relaxing trip!:mickey:

Our next trip is in January and we are taking DD(26). DD(23), and DS(20). They haven't been to WDW since 1994, so it will be another great trip I'm sure! :thumbsup:

[WDWFanatic]

I'm jealous;). DH and I were talking about doing that this fall to celebrate us both turning 40 and 16 yrs of marriage. I got a new washer and dryer for 15:blush:, but that was my idea:D

But....My 12 DS was so sad:( and we have two other family friends that are going in November we're all going together, lol.

DH figured it would cost as much if not more for the two of us to go vs. the whole family. We're staying at Pop and if it was us I wanted to stay at the Poly.

So PLEASE go, and I'll live it through you, lol.

Have a blast!

[mouseketeer mom]

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I think I'd be thinking the whole time..DD would love this..or DS would've flipped over this., or gosh I wish the kids could see this...I don't know. I think I would have a great time, especially being spontaneous and such, but ...I want the whole package deal with me. Crazy kids and all.

[grumpyguy]

my wife and i made our first trip to wdw w/o our boys last sept.i felt a little guilty at first,but
we preplanned a long time,made proper arrangements at home had grandma stop by the house a few times and i must say we had a fantastic time.
i am the biggest kid when i get to disney anyway and oh yes we still rode pp and dumbo and everything else.i left my wife in the dust
when i wanted to ride multiple times on rnrc and sm but she waited patiently for me with a cold bottle of water in hand.cm's let me stay on both as a single rider it was great!!
my advice,tell the kids of your plans way in advance,get the guilty feelings over with and
go,go,go and have a great time!!!
(don't forget to bring back souveniers for them):thumbsup:

[Fortgoofy97]

Go and Enjoy!!!! My DW and I have been making 1 trip a year by ourselves. We have 3 DD's. The first year we went they were a little grumpy but they got over it quick! That was 6 yrs ago, the two youngest are 15,16 and they still moan when we tell them we are going. But we enjoy ourselves! We try to do things we do not normally do! We pick one or two nice places to eat and just enjoy! She'll go on rides with me she doesn't care for and I allow her to drag me into every shop we pass. We are also planning for our trips when the two are off to college!

[TammiMcMan]

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I think I'd be thinking the whole time..DD would love this..or DS would've flipped over this., You're definitely not in the minority, all of us would be thinking along those same lines at some point. The follow through though, is that while you're enjoying afternoon tea at the GF, a round of golf, an evening at Pleasure Island, hours upon hours relaxing & dining, a romantic carriage ride, resort touring, etc., you'd be thinking, gee if the kids were here, they'd never want to do any of these things :D.

DH and I have also done the Disney Cruise alone :secret:.

[Mickie the Pooh]

It is the ONLY way to go. well not the only one but it is a superior way to go.
Disney is not just for kids it is not just for adults WITH kids,

I have been with my kids when they were younger and many times with husband only, we are going in Nov to celebrate 39th anniversary.

In 2 years I will be taking my only [so far] grandchild and that will be a whole different experience than either of the other types.

[Fortgoofy97]

DH and I have also done the Disney Cruise alone :secret:.
If DW and I tried to do that we would get hung out to dry by the DD's! They love to cruise ! They don't get bugged if we go to WDW without them, but cruise without them - we would owe them BIG TIME!!

[martinfamily5]

My DH and I have discussed this. Our 20th is in 2 years and we would love to go with no kids, but I am just not sure that it will work. We will see. You go and have a fantastic time.

[WinnieThePooh]

We did 10 years ago, but it was only for a long weekend. We loved it so much that we are leaving in 19 day for a full week to celebrate our 25 anniversary. I am getting so excited, and the kids are both in college full time, living at home, so they could care less.

Even 10 years ago my kids were ok with it. Its not as if they had an option :D

Go and enjoy!!

[IloveDisney71]

GO FOR IT!
My husband and I went alone and left the kids at home . We had a ball. We didn't feel bad because the kids go at least every year and a half. We didn't go for a special occasion - we just decided to go.
It was great!!!

[PetefromRI]

My wife and I are Disney Nuts like most people on these boards.We took the kids once when they were young and again when they were Teens.We started going alone a few years ago and it's just about the only place we want to go.We have so much fun with no kids and we get to do what we want to do.If my kids were young we'd probably tell them that we were going to New York for a few days for business or some other harmless white lie.Listen,you guys work hard for what you've got and deserve some alone time.So what if it happens to be in Disney.If it was Vegas you wouldn't feel guily about leaving them home.Go and enjoy!!!:thumbsup:

[pwdebbie]

Dh and I are empty nesters and we are planning our FIRST trip to Disney. When we told the "kids" (all grown, most with kids of their own now) their responses were generally the same, "You're kidding, right? You aren't really going to Disney are you? How did you talk dad into that? Hey, wait, you never took US to Disney! Not fair!"

This is a combination 30th anniversary (last April) and my 51st birthday (while we are there). Dh nearly died in 1995 and has been on disability ever since, so planning this trip has been sort of a "faith statement" that he'd still be around for it. I'm planning short stints in the parks and breaks back in the room. And we will probably end up talking about how the grandkids would have liked this or that.

Deb

[coffeeyumm]

I sent my husband the email address of our Magical Journey's agent 'just in case he needed it', and then I sent HER an email with ideas of what would make it a great honeymoon weekend just in case he contacts her! He doesn't know I've emailed her, of course! It's just that when he planned our FIRST honeymoon, we stayed in an airport Days Inn with teenagers running up & down the halls half the night - NOT romantic. NOT what I had imagined at all! So, hopefully if this trip happens, he can get some EXPERT advice on how to plan a 2nd honeymoon! I know he really meant well back in 1988, but he'd only traveled for business, and I think he just reserved a hotel like he would for a business trip! :shake:

We're happily together nearly 20 years later, so obviously he's a WONDERFUL husband, and that first honeymoon trip didn't have a negative impact on us! :thumbsup:

[coloradowendyl]

Ummm...got the email...and waiting to hear from your hubby! I'll do my best! I love mine dearly and we are celebrating 25th anniversary this year. However, romantic getaways not being his speciality, I took matters into my own hands otherwise I would be ending up with a date to Home Depot or Best Buy and then if lucky, dinner out!

I'll make sure you don't end up at Motel 6 near the airport!:D

Wendy

[coffeeyumm]

You are truly the BEST! I'm so thankful you understand... I'm not ungrateful, just realistic! He's a busy man, and he just doesn't think of the 'details' too much! As a matter-of-fact, he wasn't really into 'planning' our wedding (too many decisions to make!)... he pretty much said, "Tell me where to pick up my Tux and when to be at the church, and I'll be there!"... he was happy to let my Mom & I plan it (and we enjoyed doing that!!)

[diznedreamin]

My DH and I went alone for 4 days for our 5th wedding anniversary without DS (he was 4 at the time). I did receive alot of guilt from our friends for not taking our son. However, DH had never been to the World before and I had. There is so much for adults to do, and I got lucky...that trip turned my hubby into a Disney nut, just like me! I say go and enjoy! We had so much fun, we were complete troopers in the parks, and had some amazing meals as well.

P.S. I also lied to my son as to where we were going:blush::secret:

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We went 2 years ago for the first time as an Anniversary celebration - DD was in college at FSU & couldn't care less (she was burnt out on WDW). It was so special - we could wander where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go and stay as long as we wanted to! This year we're going back again, but with AP's as Anniversary gifts to each other. I'm a kid at heart and absolutely love wandering through the Magic Kingdom - sometimes seeing things I haven't seen in years.

This year we've got ADR's for Cape May for our anniversary dinner & other than that - nothing special. I may check into the carriage rides at POR as everyone mentions that they're special and alot of fun.

Whatever you choose to do - enjoy yourselves - it's your special time at the most magical place on earth......:mickey:

:joy:Under 30 days & counting til we're at the Mouse House again!!! :clappy::yay::car: