It sounds like you have a good start on the solution to your problem - "we still go and I just deal with feeling stupid and guilty the whole time". At least you're still going and not denying yourself the joy that it gives you! I suggest some positive affirmations to rewrite these terrible thoughts that occur to you. In other words, every time you have a thought like, "This is selfish," then think "but I deserve to spoil myself sometimes." If you think, "This is stupid," then think "maybe to other stodgy adults in the world, but I am still a kid at heart and I know what fun is!"DH and I don't have children, with no plans for any in the foreseeable future. And the couple times we've gone in extended groups with kids, I admit, I prefer traveling with adults. That being said, on our recent visits, I can't help but feel immense guilt for going without any children in tow. It feels selfish in a way, or maybe just immature? To clarify, I do NOT judge other adults visiting and enjoying their vacation, these feelings are all pointed inward and I don't know how to deal with them. Disney is our happy place and is a huge part of our lives, I don't want to stop going. We still take other 'adult' vacations, so it's not like it's because the parks are getting stale.
Does anyone else here battle with this conflict of emotions? It's difficult when I don't like to do the sorts of things most other adults at the parks seem to love like drinking or the scarier rides, and instead I'm waiting in line to meet Princess Elena with a crowd of toddlers.
I don't know how to get past this and it makes me so sad. I've talked to DH about it, but like I said, we don't want to stop going so we still go and I just deal with feeling stupid and guilty the whole time.
I know, it sounds like psycho babble, but it really does seem to help me (with lots of things that prey on my mind, not necessarily Disney.) Give yourself the gift of dedicating at least as much time to "feel good" thoughts as you do to the "bad feeling" thoughts. I found that some of mine stopped being so automatic pretty quickly; others have hung on. Whatever! I just keep going.