Families with/without Kids

[KnK]

After reading several comments over the past several months regarding things that are adult’s only vs families only (adults traveling with kids), I sometimes feel myself getting defensive.We are one of the adult’s only group. My husband and I are both in our early 40’s and were not blessed with children, but we are big children at heart.

We save our pennies each year to take one long vacation (10 days) for ourselves each September. We do not do the free dining. With the AP discount and DDE it works out to a better deal than free dining. We are not big character fans, so we tend not do those meals.
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On several occasion other guest, because of this, have treated us strangely. We usually spend several nights at a value and several nights at a deluxe resort. Our favorite home away from home is Wilderness Lodge.

We really like the pool slide at WL. On several occasions while swimming and waiting in line for the slide, other parents get upset with us for not letting their kids in front of the line. Surprisingly, we always have several kids that push to the front of the line and we let them go.
During my 1 ½ to 2 hour wait on the curb for any parade, parents get upset for me not letting their kids sit in front of me right when it begins. (I know this has been mentioned before)

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There was a thread awhile back about the issue with early morning family hour at MK. I happened to be a morning person. So I would much rather enjoy going to that instead of evening EMH.

<O</O
One of our favorite things to do each year is people watch, especial seeing kids get really excited over things of the first time.

I know that I am going to get flamed for this thread, but I was just wondering if other folks experience the same thing. I know that this goes in either direction. Families with children also have issues. I really don’t want to turn this into a “them vs us” debate. We happened to love children and are great Aunt & Uncle to several nieces and nephews.
<O</O

 

[Nemo14]

No flaming here - we have 2 semi-grown kids, but we like to take little "getaways" to WDW without them too. I don't mind letting kids in front of me at times, particularly when they ask politely, but I get pretty annoyed at the attitude that the kids are entitled to take over my personal space simply because they're kids.

 

[The Mom]

As someone who enjoys going down the waterslide, I would also be offended if someone asked/expected their child to go ahead of me. The same goes with parades.

If I CHOOSE to let a child go first, or stand in front of me, that's my choice. And I frequently do so. I didn't expect special treatment when my children were small, but always appreciated it when they received it.

I do remember letting a small child sit on a bench next to my daughter and I while watching a parade. Before I knew it, the rest of his family started crowding us out, and actually pushed my daughter off!

I really lit into the mom, and gave her my evil look, which made her finally back off and leave. Since then, I've been less hospitable.

 

[Aurora_25]

My DH and I have 2 children (a 7 year old and a 2 year old) but we try to go to WDW once a year just the two of us. I do notice that sometimes we get looked at funny because we don't have kids with us, but sometimes I don't realize that is the reason because I think they are just jelous that they have to deal with the crying all day and we are free to roam wherever we want.

As for the pool thing, wow! I just can't understand that. Even when I bring my kids, they know that they can't just push in front of people because they want to ride the slide, they have to wait in line, and I have never told someone that they need to let my child go first since they are not a kid themselves. To me that is just rude- I mean, you are on your vacation too. Just because you don't have kids shouldn't mean anything.

I have had the problem about kids trying to sit in front of me for the parade too (even when I am with my own kids). Personally, I'm ok with it if there is room, but if there isn't room, I get very annoyed because not only do the kids try to do it, then I see their parents trying to squirm in also.
There was one time that we waited for MVMCP parade and I had a small girl just come up and sit in my lap. I was shocked so I looked back and saw the mom standing a little ways away saying she was so sorry and that she didn't realize that her child had done that. I had my son on my lap too, the fact that the mom wasn't the one pushing her child up there and appologizing for her child made me feel better and I let the little girl sit there while we all watched the parade and then I made sure she got back to her mom. I am just surprised sometimes at what parents will do at times.

 

[Nemo14]

I do remember letting a small child sit on a bench next to my daughter and I while watching a parade. Before I knew it, the rest of his family started crowding us out, and actually pushed my daughter off!

I really lit into the mom, and gave her my evil look, which made her finally back off and leave. Since then, I've been less hospitable.

:lol: I think you and I went to the same school of Mommyhood!

 

[Lee]

My husband and I are both in our early 40’s and were not blessed with children, but we are big children at heart.

Yeah, my wife and I are BLESSEDLY CHILDLESS in our late 30s sohappy and therefore always visit the parks alone.
Speaking for us...kids NEVER get preferential treatment.
Let a kid go in front of me to a waterslide? No chance.
Let a kid in front of me at a parade? Not gonna happen.
Kids parents have a beef with that? Tough.

 

[KnK]

We had this same thing happen last year. It was about an hour or so until the parade. This family walked up behind us. There was room for just the two little girls to sit next to me. They took a real shining to my husband, they wanted him to hold the full collection of dolls they had. My husband keep those dolls in his lap almost the whole parade! They just laughed and laughed. After the parade, the parents thanked us for being so pateint with the kids and keeping them busy.

 

[Hakunamatata]

My DH and I have 2 children (a 7 year old and a 2 year old) but we try to go to WDW once a year just the two of us. I do notice that sometimes we get looked at funny because we don't have kids with us, but sometimes I don't realize that is the reason because I think they are just jelous that they have to deal with the crying all day and we are free to roam wherever we want.

As for the pool thing, wow! I just can't understand that. Even when I bring my kids, they know that they can't just push in front of people because they want to ride the slide, they have to wait in line, and I have never told someone that they need to let my child go first since they are not a kid themselves. To me that is just rude- I mean, you are on your vacation too. Just because you don't have kids shouldn't mean anything.

I have had the problem about kids trying to sit in front of me for the parade too (even when I am with my own kids). Personally, I'm ok with it if there is room, but if there isn't room, I get very annoyed because not only do the kids try to do it, then I see their parents trying to squirm in also.
There was one time that we waited for MVMCP parade and I had a small girl just come up and sit in my lap. I was shocked so I looked back and saw the mom standing a little ways away saying she was so sorry and that she didn't realize that her child had done that. I had my son on my lap too, the fact that the mom wasn't the one pushing her child up there and appologizing for her child made me feel better and I let the little girl sit there while we all watched the parade and then I made sure she got back to her mom. I am just surprised sometimes at what parents will do at times.

I can totally relate to everything you just said....:lookaroun :lol:

 

[Aurora_25]

We had this same thing happen last year. It was about an hour or so until the parade. This family walked up behind us. There was room for just the two little girls to sit next to me. They took a real shining to my husband, they wanted him to hold the full collection of dolls they had. My husband keep those dolls in his lap almost the whole parade! They just laughed and laughed. After the parade, the parents thanked us for being so pateint with the kids and keeping them busy.

That's when I don't mind it, when there is room and the parents are really nice about it all. To me, it's the parents that are pushy and rude that I tend to not help out.
That's funny about your husband having all the dolls in his lap

 

[Aurora_25]

I can totally relate to everything you just said....:lookaroun :lol:

Gee, I wonder why..... :lookaroun Aren't you supposed to be working or something??? LOL

 

[Glasgow]

The only thing I think kids should get preferential treatment for is line of sight. If you are taller than someone behind you I think it is good form to let them in front of you, especially kids - if you are inconvenienced in any way you shouldn't feel obliged to give up your spot though.. that's just the way I was brought up.

Otherwise, they should wait in line like everyone else - it's part of life and you have to learn sometime. Just my opinion.

 

[Hakunamatata]

The only thing I think kids should get preferential treatment for is line of sight. If you are taller than someone behind you I think it is good form to let them in front of you, especially kids - if you are inconvenienced in any way you shouldn't feel obliged to give up your spot though.. that's just the way I was brought up.

Otherwise, they should wait in line like everyone else - it's part of life and you have to learn sometime. Just my opinion.

I am torn on this particular issue. There have been times that we have staked out a spot for a parade well in advance because we wanted to be up close. Most of the time, its because I (we) want to get better photo angles, etc. I guess I feel that if I take the time out of my day at the parks to spend holding a spot for myself for a parade, I should not be expected to give it up for anyone (other than my wife :lookaroun ). There have been too many times where people just bolt up right before the parade or fireworks start and expect for you to move over.

 

[DisneyBride94]

As young adults, my husband and I spent many vacations at Disney before children....I for one always get irked by people who think that Disney is a place for kids... or a place only for families... I completely disagree.

We completely intend to continue enjoying Disney someday when we are empty nesters. As much as we do enjoy seeing our kids enjoy all the Magic, a part of us looks very forward to being there without them for a vacation or two before we are empty nesters (in the far distant future--though I realize it will be here long before we are ready for it).

I think it is very rude that people would treat you differently... We certainly wouldn't!

I completely get you wanting to go to Disney for your vacations...makes perfect sense to me...but then I'm all for Disney.

I was one of the posters on the EMH for families thread a while back...so I recall some of the discussion there...

I always thought it would be neat if Disney had a couples only resort. Before we had kids, I got rather annoyed having to deal with kids in the parks all day, too... and thought it would be nice if we could've retired to a hotel that didnt' have screaming kids in the pool! LOL.

I have a higher tolerance for kids now that I have three of my own... but the truly terrible ones (and the parents that allow them to act that way) really make my blood boil. Then again, often times its those parents that are worse than their children!

Anyhow...I shall be interested in this thread you've started... and I that I for one think it is great that you and your husband (like my husband and I) enjoy Disney as much as you do... I know that Disney and our love of Disney is an important part of our marriage!!!!:sohappy:

 

[Master Yoda]

Put away your asbestos suit there is no need for it.

I have 3 kids (5,12,15) but thanks to great parents of our own the wife and I are able to come down to WDW minus the rug rats a couple of times each year. We enjoy the parks just as much without the kids. The kids give you a little excuse to act a little childish but I act the same with or without them.

The only thing we might do different without the kids is a little more shopping. Other than that it is business as usual. We do rides, meet n greets, shows and everything else WDW has to offer.

When I get weird stares from others that think I am weird for going down the slide at the resort pool over and over again without being forced down by my child, or because I am in line at a meet n greet with Mickey etc I feel nothing but pitty for them. I feel very proud that I have been able to hold onto a piece of my childhood. I often tell my friends and kids that I may be an adult but I will never be a grown up.

I have never run into a problem at the pool slides that you mentioned. When it comes to a parade if a kid is behind me and he/she has been well mannered and respectful I will let them in front of me when the parade starts. If they have been a snot nosed little brat and especially if they have a set of parents to match they can stare at the back of my head.

 

[Aurora_25]

When it comes to a parade if a kid is behind me and he/she has been well mannered and respectful I will let them in front of me when the parade starts. If they have been a snot nosed little brat and especially if they have a set of parents to match they can stare at the back of my head.

:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy: :lol:

 

[DisneyBride94]

The only thing I think kids should get preferential treatment for is line of sight. If you are taller than someone behind you I think it is good form to let them in front of you, especially kids - if you are inconvenienced in any way you shouldn't feel obliged to give up your spot though.. that's just the way I was brought up.

Otherwise, they should wait in line like everyone else - it's part of life and you have to learn sometime. Just my opinion.

LOL...most kids over 10 are taller than me.

I always try to make room for little ones...but many people take advantage of that...If I make space for your 4 year old...don't you and your hubby squish and block my family out!!!

I can remember when my first was 15 months old...we were staking out some space for Illuminations... My husband and I were on either side of his stroller...a bit back from a grassy area....we staked out the area for a good hour before show time... and at the last minute another family pryed their way in front of us...shoving their strollers over on the grass in front of ours... I was particularly irked by this... Highly annoying... then...once they were there... many other family members came and spread out all over what had been our unobstructed view...

But I've had the opposite as well... last year we attended MNSSHP...we got there early and staked out spots for the first parade...waiting patiently in the rain... well...the parade got cancelled...so for the later parade (which was able to occur) the parade routes were packed extra early and we couldn't get a good spot... DH put our 1 year old on his shoulders...and some nice people invited our 3 and 5 year old to stand in front of them right on the curb... it was kind of un-nerving, because we could not SEE our children during the parade...and I was afraid that when the parade was over that we'd loose them in the mob of people... the young adults that offered the kids the space knew I was nervously watching at the spot where the kids were... and kept lettiing me know they were okay...but i was worried all the same! But my kids got a good spot and I was able to grab them immediately upon the parade dispirsing... The people were so nice to let my kids see the parade.

 

[Lee]

I often tell my friends and kids that I may be an adult but I will never be a grown up.

Amen!
Growing up is completely optional...I have no plans for it.

 

[PSU_Princess]

We are in our mid-late 20's, recently married :sohappy: and no kids yet but hopefully in the next couple of years we will be travelling with kids. We have a great time when we go to Disney because we are both just big kids.

We have never really experienced the parade problems because we usually show up about 15-20 min before the parade starts and try to find the best spot we can (standing in the back and not pushing our way to the front). We have already been advised by family members how we should handle parades once we do have kids. I can tell you kids or no kids if I steaked out the perfect place for a parade and sat there for an hour I would not let anyone push me out of my place although I would allow a well behaved child to join us.

I think Disney is a place for familes of all sizes no matter if you have kids or not. I think most of the problems boil down to things that have been discussed in several other threads.....obnoxious and rude people!

 

[figment1985]

I feel very proud that I have been able to hold onto a piece of my childhood. I often tell my friends and kids that I may be an adult but I will never be a grown up.

Amen brother Yoda!


I feel the same way.

 

[Lucky]

Learning to wait their turn is an important skill for kids of any age. For young kids any apprent line-breaking is just out of excitement. (The real line-breakers people write about on this site - but which I rarely see myself - presumably are teenagers??) In any case there's no obligation to give up a parade spot you staked out two hours before.

But it's perfectly valid for Disney to reserve certain events for kids, just as it designs and reserves certain places and events for adults. Adults without kids who try to crash the Magical Beginnings program including the Little Ones Magic Hour are worse than line-breaking kids, because they should know better.

And I confess I just don't understand parents of young kids who go to WDW without them. To me that's immature and selfish, to decide that they deserve to go but their kids don't. Unfortunately some people have kids before they're grown up themselves.