I hope all of our readers had a nice weekend, and a belated Happy Father’s Day to all you dads. In this week’s mailbag Steve Russo answers letters in response to his article, “Adults Only.” (April 23, 2010).
Carolyn writes:
Do you know, I had experienced all of this without realising it! Being from the United Kingdom, we don’t visit Walt Disney World as much as we would like to be able to, due to cost restrictions etc., but we used to take our small children about every 3 years or so, though sometimes less time would pass if we bought annual passes. These trips were truly lovely! Then they grew up and now, with my new partner, we do the ‘adult only’ trips, which are equally lovely but in a different way. And I have taken adult trips with my now grown up daughter to Disneyland Paris, which have just been so much fun. I get joy out of different things at the parks now than when my babies were little, but it is still joy – and seeing my grown up daughter queue to have her photo taken with Mickey can still bring a tear to my eye!
Isn’t it funny how we all share these little things regarding Walt Disney World and we’re not even aware of them? You said it best with “equally lovely but in a different way.” Thanks for sharing that.
Joy J. writes:
I really enjoyed your article, I am getting ready to go on my first adult only trip since my honeymoon 20 years ago. My husband is having a convention at the Contemporary and it is the week school starts here at home. We decided I will join him, along with another couple, for the week, including a weekend where he doesn’t have to work. Luckily we take our children to Disney World and Disneyland at least once a year, more if we can fit it in (aka afford it). Our children are 17, 14 and 11 now, so I can see a time coming like your article mentions of touring with our adult children and look forward to it. We are now already out of strollers and character lines which has its rewards. I too cherish all of the times traveling with them when they were little and believed in all of the magic!
It’s surprising how many replies I’m getting from folks that are about to embark on their first “adults only” trip. I guess the timing for this article was right.
Jim P. writes:
As always, a great article, and one seemingly pointed right at me. I am in my later thirties, no kids (my twin sister had triplets so “hell no” was the vote for us) and my wife and I have been going to Disney at least once a year since our honeymoon 6 years ago; we bought into Disney Vacation Club a couple of years back.
We love how the parks and resorts seem to target adults even more so than the kids; we’re obviously the ones paying the tab so they have to keep us happy. As adults we can appreciate the dining experiences, the shows, as well as the myriad of little details that make Disney so spectacular. We’re also able to skip mine fields that parents with kids get caught in every time (worst being the Indy Speedway) and really focus on the good stuff. We now have parents jumping to come along with us while they leave their kids at home and be kids themselves for a week.
We tend to go the slow weeks where we can really accomplish everything hassle free, Labor Day week has been heaven for us; despite the heat and humidity, the place is a ghost town. One guide that we always found to be the best has been “Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World Without Kids”, a great planner on what to hit and miss and lots of little tips to make it a great adult experience.
We actually bought the Disney Vacation Club membership due to my sister having the triplets; she has four total, three two-year-olds and a five-year-old. When they’re old enough we have the villa and they won’t have to lay out a fortune on a vacation. It was a family investment we made but our kids-free journeys will come to an end and we’ll get to see it from the other side of the fence. Luckily we’ll be able to ditch my sister, brother in law and their army of kids while they toil away at Dumbo, Dinoland, and yes Indy Speedway.
I thank you for chiming in – your comments are appreciated and so true.
Jimmy writes:
Steve, what a great article. My wife and I have two young kids, so we’re not quite to that time in our lives like you and your wife. But, we already recognize the need to savor every single second in Walt Disney World with them.
Yes, there’s certainly a Circle of Life thing here for us Disney enthusiasts: trips with our children, followed by adults-only trips, followed by trips with the adult children… then come those trips with the grandkids. Savor all of them.
Larisa writes:
I am going for my first adult only trip this September. My husband and child will be staying home while I go for a long weekend with… my mom! We went on a family trip to Walt Disney World last September 2009, mom included. It was my third trip and my husband’s second visit to the World, but the youngest and oldest members of the party, daughter and mom, had never been. It was their first! It was great to see the look on both their faces as we entered the Magic Kingdom the first day!
Mom was so excited and loved it so much, but felt we had missed a lot due to having a small child and a husband who isn’t much better (yes, he would rather be at Magic Kingdom than Epcot and he finds the World Showcase boring). She was planning to go on her own, when I suggested we go together, just mom and adult daughter. I just bought plane tickets yesterday and the reservations at Walt Disney World have been made for months.
One thing I have read online, possibly here on this site, is to find a spot at the beginning of Main St. in the and just sit and watch the looks on people’s faces coming into the Magic Kingdom the first time.
I just wanted to say that no matter who you go with to Walt Disney World, the trip is always just as fun and special in different ways. I am so excited to be going in September, and look forward to 2011 with my daughter and hubby. This is a little different spin on the adults only: it is adults only, but my mom is still going with her child.
Thanks for sharing. I agree that taking up a spot on Main Street for some people watching is a great way to pass some time – although I’d recommend it with a Mickey Premium bar or some fudge from the Main Street Bakery. Your comments are right on. Enjoy that next trip.
Kim L. writes:
My husband and I have gone to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure for our anniverysary every September for the past five years. Adult friends of ours think we are crazy. “Isn’t Disneyland for kids.” We laugh and tell them that was the old Disneyland. We are in our forties and fifties and enjoy every minute of it. With the Downtown Disney and the fancy restaurants we always count the days to our next trip. Plus we have a Disney Visa card and the whole trip is almost free. We go to the bar at The Grand Californian every afternoon for a few drinks and then to Hooke’s Pointe or the Jazz Kitchen for dinner. Go somewhere else next year? No way we are too spoiled. This Anniversary we are bringing our six year old granddaughter with us for the first time. How much this will change our trip? We’ll see.
Good luck with the trip!
Debbie B. writes:
I absolutely loved your article Adults Only! While I have thoroughly enjoyed several trips with my kids and then with them as adults and their kids, I have really enjoyed our adult only trips. I love not being saddled with “kid” stuff constantly and being able to walk around World Showcase late in the evening. We are free to enjoy a few adult beverages giving a new perspective to the World. The whole experience of adults only is more relaxing and spontaneous allowing us to enjoy the simpler things Walt Disney World has to offer instead of “which ride is next” syndrome we get with younger ones along.
Thank you for the great article to let everyone know that trips with Adults Only can be just as much fun as it is watching the look in a child’s eye the first time they see Magic Kingdom. Each trip should be enjoyed for the experience whether it is with a romantic walk with your significant other or a high energy tour with little ones.
Melissa M. writes:
Thanks for this article! My husband and I (a kindergarten teacher and children’s librarian) love kids, but have decided for multiple reasons not to have any of our own. It’s great to read about all of the opportunities that are open to an adult couple without kids at Disney World. We’ve only been lucky enough to visit once yet (we’re Californians, so we visit Disneyland much more often), but we’re hoping for another trip soon. You’re right- it’s so much fun to watch the joy on a child’s face as they enter the Magic Kingdom or greet a character. But it’s also blissful to be able to head toward another ride on Big Thunder at dinnertime when many children are having hungry/tired meltdowns. It takes all kinds!
Thanks for writing. I appreciate the comments.
Andrew S. writes:
I just got back from Disney World last Saturday. We were alone for the first time in 26 years. At least one of our two boys was with us on all past visits. I found myself talking to parents with kids (and talking to the kids), offering to take pictures for them, letting them go ahead of us in line. Having a child there with you to experience Dsiney magic is addictive, even if they are in their 20s. I drew the line at volunteering to change diapers for strangers, but the rest of our behavior clearly mimicked “grandparent.” Once again, you and I are on the same page. We should meet sometime.
I hear you… and agree on drawing the line at diapers. Thanks for writing.
