Wait, What? You go to Walt Disney World WITHOUT Your Kids?!?!

I can hear y’all already…  “How can you go to Walt Disney World and not take your children?” And… “Walt Disney World is only for kids. What fun is there for adults?” My husband and I have actually taken three trips to the World, just us, and each trip has been absolutely AMAZING! Maybe I can begin to explain it.

Let me just start off by saying how much I love my kids. They are awesome, and we totally LOVE taking them to Walt Disney World. They have all visited Walt Disney World multiple times throughout their young lives, even making a trip to Walt’s original dream, Disneyland in California. They have certainly NOT lived a Disney-deprived childhood. But as much as we love them, we need “couple time” together as well. Where better to celebrate together than at Walt Disney World!

Our first “kid-free” adventure was in January 2012 when we celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. We spent seven nights at Port Orleans – French Quarter. On our first night we arrived at the Magic Kingdom just as Wishes began. We watched it from the train station  balcony. Of course, I cried those Disney happy tears, and it was the beginning of a wonderful week!

Somehow we had “magically” scored a free Disney Deluxe Dining Package. What does that mean? It means free food, and LOTS of it. Like, I gained seven pounds worth of free food that week. (Yeah, that part was not so magical!) But we enjoyed lobster at Narcoossee’s, filet mignon at The Hollywood Brown Derby, sushi at California Grill, and creme brulee at le Cellier. You get the picture. We ate well.

We rode our favorite attractions. We met our favorite characters. We went where we wanted, when we wanted.  We could zip all around the parks very quickly. We did NOT have to take potty breaks every 30 minutes. BUT, yes we took naps in the afternoon. We know how to work those naps into the touring plan. Naps are a MUST, even for the big kids!

Our catchphrase of the week was “Those aren’t OUR kids!” Kids crying… “Those aren’t OUR kids!” Kids screaming about getting in the stroller… “Those aren’t OUR kids!” Kids throwing food in the restaurant… “Those aren’t OUR kids!” It was nice to just relax, not stress about losing a kid in the crowd, and enjoy being together.

After several other family vacations to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland my husband and I took another adult-only trip in February 2016. We spent one night in Jambo House and four nights in a one bedroom villa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village. We enjoyed a Savanna View room, and watching the animals off our balcony was simply amazing. While on this trip I participated in the Princess Half Marathon Weekend, Glass Slipper Challenge. I ran the races early in the mornings so we still had the whole day and night to play in the parks and enjoy our trip together. Once again, we ate at some of the best restaurants on property.

Also, as a way to celebrate 20 years together, we renewed our vows on Luau Beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.  Kelly and I planned the vow renewal ceremony with the help of a Disney Fairytale Wedding coordinator. We told them what we wanted and they arranged everything for us! A limo picked us up at our resort and transported us to the Polynesian. There we met our wedding coordinator and the officiant. The flowers, the violinist, the view, the special meaning of ceremony…. it was nothing short of Disney Magic!

We also took a spur-of-the-moment trip together in November 2016. Some friends were getting married at Disney’s Shades of Green during the week of Thanksgiving. We were able to sneak away from the kids for a few days. We left after work one afternoon and drove straight through to Orlando, a twelve hour trip. We spent two nights on property, one night at Disney’s Pop Century and one night at Disney’s All-Star Music, and then three nights off property about 10 miles away.

So what does a typical Disney Day look like for the two of us? It looks just like a day with the kids!

 

We ride our favorite attractions…

 

We meet our favorite characters… 

 

We Drink Around the World Showcase…

 

We eat at our favorite restaurants… 

 

We kiss in front of the castle…

 

We have FUN!!!!

It never fails. Although we are have a fabulous time without them, we spend most of our time at Walt Disney World talking about what we can do WITH the kids on their next trip! All five of us are currently looking forward to our trip in May 2017. We will be staying in a Lake View studio for eight nights at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Villas. We can’t wait to take the kids back to our favorite place WITH us!

Planning a trip with or without the kids!?!? I can help you plan the trip of a lifetime! I’d love to hear from you!

Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust,

Katie (and Kelly!)