So, what "other" trip could lead you to take a year off?

[rutgers1]

Ever since we joined DVC a few years back, we have started every year with the same refrain: "We'll take this year off, bank our points, and go for a really long trip next year." An optional statement might be "We'll take this year off, bank our points, and get a 1BR next year." Either way, the plan is always to take a year off.

It hasn't happened......which brings me to the following question: "If you are in the groove of going every year, what other trip could make you feel ok about missing a year?"

This is a really hard one for me. My wife and I feel like we need a dose of Disney each year. We need that feeling of being on the property and not having a care in the world (food everywhere, transportation right there, loads of entertainment, cleanliness, and cheery people). I can work like a dog for the rest of the year if I know that I have that break from reality on the horizon.

Yet our kids need to see some more of the world, or at least the country. We have a cruise (Carnival) planned for February. My wife says that we should get in the car during the summer (our normal Disney time) and see another part of the country. If I am going to do that, I need to have a Disney-like experience --- something relaxing, nothing really to "worry" about, clean, etc.

In hindsight, I think a perfect non Disney World year would still have a short Disney Cruise involved (ok, sort of a cheat, lol). Once I get that fix, I think I can stomach a trip to Wisconsin (where the wife wants to go). Not that there is anything wrong with Wisconsin, but I just get the impression that I will return with the feeling that I need a vacation from my vacation.

 

[Golden Rose]

We've struggled with taking our planned occasional years off, too, but it looks like we're actually going to do it next year. We've been in the habit of doing two WDW trips a year, and next year it looks like we're not going to do any. We're looking at doing two cruises instead. We've already got a 1 week Disney cruise booked (out of Galveston, near us), and we're looking at booking a second, longer cruise on another line. We also considered a trip to Hawaii in place of the longer cruise, but the thought of flying that distance with a 1 year old stresses me out enough that we're leaning toward the cruise.

Our DS loves WDW, but he certainly doesn't consider it a special treat, the way most of his friends do He's gone two or three times a year for as long as he can remember, so he thinks of it as, well, as another home.

For us, it is important that we find something we can all enjoy together. We like a certain degree of comfort; nice rooms, good food, interesting activities. That is one reason cruises work well for us, or resorts in good locations. Those are really the only vacations I'm willing to consider with two young children.

 

[kristenrice]

We took a year off from "Disney" (meaning WDW) and used our points at HHI. Ok, it's still "Disney", but it is SOOOOOO different than WDW. Even my anti-Disney husband loved it! So much, in fact, that he was OK with us buying an add-on there.

For now, the plan is to do WDW 2 years in a row (probably early June followed by first week of April) so we can use AP's/TIW. Then, in the "off" year, we'll do HHI in April or maybe the summer.

 

[GoofItUp]

I'm getting an "itch" to try Europe or South America. (Really I want to try everywhere, but with 2 small kids, I feel like one or both of those is attainable.) We are going to WDW in Mar & June of next year, so I think I'll be ready to put my vacation time and dollars somewhere else. Plus, I'll seriously be out of points!

 

[SmilingGrump]

Look for an all inclusive in the Caribbean (personally, I avoid Mexico because of the greater potential for violence, but there's great places there too). For we Canadians, Cuba has some truly amazing all inclusives. Belize is also a great place, some of the friendliest people around and less "touristy" then most of the Caribbean.

I'd also suggest Europe, but I'm not sure what your budget is ... and the temptation to hit Paris Disney might be too great and break your "No Disney" rule

France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, etc are all great places and you can get by with English at all of them. They can be a bit pricey though.

Central Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia*, etc) have some of the best hotels I've seen for CHEAP but it's harder to get around them if you don't speak the language (though that can be a fun experience too!). There's plenty of tour companies that can take you around to see the sights (just make sure that they hit the Wieliczka Salt Mine outside of Krakow, it's AMAZING and they even have the 7 Dwarves!)

I'd suggest sitting down with your family and talking about everyone's vacation goals. Is it shopping? Sitting by a pool? Hitting another (non-Disney) amusement park? Visiting relatives? Spending quality time together? Spending quality time apart? Cruising? Have them rank their goals, then decide on something that best suits a combined list.

Hope this helps a little. Good luck!


* As a note, the central square of Bratislava looks like it leapt off a Disney movie and it's the cleanest (and poorest) country I've ever been to.

 

[tiggerrr]

We are going to do it in 2013. We're taking six weeks in Europe and that will mostly burn our travel budget and vacation time for the year. So, we are taking two trips next year ending with Food and Wine Fest next October and then at least 18 months off.

Although as the PP said, it will be very hard to resist a day trip to Disneyland Paris while we tour France.

 

[mikeweider1]

The east coast... D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, NYC & Boston...

Take our kids up the coast and show em' that there is more to life than Disney.

(Which as we all know isn't true but I want the kids to at least hear me say it once )

 

[Donut23]

The east coast... D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, NYC & Boston...

Take our kids up the coast and show em' that there is more to life than Disney.

(Which as we all know isn't true but I want the kids to at least hear me say it once )

GREAT Ideas! Keep heading north of Boston and visit Maine! There are some pretty fantabulous National Parks everyone should see, at least once. I guarantee if you go once, you WILL go back.....Acadia in Maine is a lovely choice but head west and be sure to bring extra photo media. I cannot tell you how many photographs of mountains we have.

We were THRILLED this Spring to see so many families when we visited Gettysburg National Battlefield. The new visitors center and cyclorama brings it all to life and there were children everywhere.

 

[Alice-in-wonder]

Or...how about a Disney Cruise out of NYC? We plan to visit NYC a day before our cruise there. Then we have the 2 night getaway cruise to look forward to! The best of both worlds.

 

[BabsBunny]

We just got back, and although we had a great time, I think we are all a little Disney'ed out right now. I also spent three nights at SSR in May with my sister and our family did the three night on the Dream in February with a one night stay at AKV before and a one night stay at BLT after.

My 15 year old asked us what European city we are doing next. (We've taken the boys to London and Munich.) It makes me happy that he appreciates some culture. The older son starts college next week, so I don't know if and when he will be joining us on our vacations. So maybe a trip to Ireland or Italy in April?

Friends have also asked if we wanted to do an all-inclusive in the spring, so options are open. We'll probably get back to WDW for a long weekending during F&WF October of 2012.

 

[My5Mouseketeers]

We have gotten into a "every other year" disney schedule and I love it! On the "off" years we have taken the kids to Yellowstone, Washington DC, Niagra Falls, Mystic CT, rented a beach house (even though we live 10 miles from the beach). I think it's great for the kids to see the country.

 

[moredisneyplease]

a European trip/European cruise!! but i'm sure i'd still find a way to sneak over to WDW at some point. i just cant seem to stay away even when we do have other trips planned.

 

[crisi]

We have gotten into a "every other year" disney schedule and I love it! On the "off" years we have taken the kids to Yellowstone, Washington DC, Niagra Falls, Mystic CT, rented a beach house (even though we live 10 miles from the beach). I think it's great for the kids to see the country.

Yep. The opportunity to do other things when we aren't doing Disney is great. We just got back from DC.

We've done

San Francisco to Monterrey - wonderful. The aquairium is great and I love SF
An ABD trip to Germany - very cool - and still some Disney
Disney Cruise - I've done two and wouldn't go again, but for Disney fans this can be fun
Hawaii - if this weren't so expensive and so far, it would be a perfect vacation
Mexico All Inclusive - Once my son hit the teen years this became his perfect vacation - all you can eat, endless pop, an ocean to swim in.
Camping - Not my favorite, but the kids can say they've done it.

 

[leanne2255]

My year off from WDW will be to Aulani next year. Really love Hawaii and with DVC it makes it a bit more affordable.

 

[bobbiwoz]

When we raised our boys we only went to WDW every third year, and looking back, I think the best vacation that was a " reason" to miss WDW was the year our oldest flew to Space Camp with a neighbor. I began driving south with our other son, and DH stayed at home to work that week and we all would begin our family vacation the next week in Alabama. Younger son and I spent time at National park sites like Woodrow Wilson's birthplace, the Smokies, Atlanta before getting to Huntsville. After the graduation from Space camp ceremony our family headed north through Nashville, Mammoth Cave NP, and then through various beautiful state parks in West Virginia on our way home to PA.

It was one of our best family vacations. In turn each of our sons has thanked us for showing them all of the historic places that we had through their childhoods, and for encouraging a sense of travel to try new things. My mantra was always "there's more to Florida than Disney."

 

[jekjones1558]

OP, if you are considering driving trips then don't rule out Wisconsin. We are from Minnesota and drive to Door County, WI 2 or 3 times in the summer/fall. It is relaxing and beautiful.
Other posters have recommended great spots for family vacations. Another driving vacation we enjoy is Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. If your family has not visited Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper, that is spectacular and certainly to be considered.
For a non-driving vacation, I am with crisi---Hawaii is idyllic. It is probably the only U.S. destination that would get me to consider giving up Disney for a year.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

When we raised our boys we only went to WDW every third year, and looking back, I think the best vacation that was a " reason" to miss WDW was the year our oldest flew to Space Camp with a neighbor. I began driving south with our other son, and DH stayed at home to work that week and we all would begin our family vacation the next week in Alabama. Younger son and I spent time at National park sites like Woodrow Wilson's birthplace, the Smokies, Atlanta before getting to Huntsville. After the graduation from Space camp ceremony our family headed north through Nashville, Mammoth Cave NP, and then through various beautiful state parks in West Virginia on our way home to PA.

It was one of our best family vacations. In turn each of our sons has thanked us for showing them all of the historic places that we had through their childhoods, and for encouraging a sense of travel to try new things. My mantra was always "there's more to Florida than Disney."

Bobbi: I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Alabama! I grew up about 70 miles from Huntsville. I've also been to a lot of those places. Was the Wilson place the one in Staunton, Va. I've been there as well as Atlanta and Nashville of course, as well as Mammoth Cave.

I wish you would have seen more of Alabama. Our state is full of diverse landscapes from green hills and mountains, rivers and lakes to white sandy beaches.

 

[Donut23]

OP, if you are considering driving trips then don't rule out Wisconsin. We are from Minnesota and drive to Door County, WI 2 or 3 times in the summer/fall. It is relaxing and beautiful.
Other posters have recommended great spots for family vacations. Another driving vacation we enjoy is Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. If your family has not visited Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper, that is spectacular and certainly to be considered.
For a non-driving vacation, I am with crisi---Hawaii is idyllic. It is probably the only U.S. destination that would get me to consider giving up Disney for a year.

Oh boy......Wisconsin and Minnesota were once part of my sales territory and I would spend a few weeks there each summer. I'm a water rat but always enjoyed my travels to these two states because they are so beautiful. Really beautiful. The green farms, barns, color coordinated "black and whites" (cows).

In addition.......best and most clean rest areas!!!!!!!!! I'm sure they planned the placement by giving a 45 year old woman 2 cups of coffee in the morning and then let her drive. Well, that was me and whenever I had to find a place to stop......moments later there would be a sign for a rest area! I have laughed about that for years.

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

My "off" year will be 2013, so I can go to Aulani for my 40th birthday in 2014!
At least that is the plan for now. I also really want to go to Hilton Head Island, so we'll see what happens. I will be at WDW 4 times between Oct 2011 and Oct 2012 (to take advantage of the AP), so I'll be ready for a break by then. I am so glad we joined DVC!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Bobbi: I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Alabama! I grew up about 70 miles from Huntsville. I've also been to a lot of those places. Was the Wilson place the one in Staunton, Va. I've been there as well as Atlanta and Nashville of course, as well as Mammoth Cave.

I wish you would have seen more of Alabama. Our state is full of diverse landscapes from green hills and mountains, rivers and lakes to white sandy beaches.

That's right, Woodrow Wilson figured in NJ's history as well, and we were all born in NJ, it was a stop I just had to make. I remember that stop in Staunton, it was our first night's stop, I was thrilled to begin that journey!

I agree with you that Alabama has wonderful sights! Our DDiL, a Louisiana gal, has visited Gulf shores with her girlfriends many times and told us how much they love it. We took a Carnival Cruise out of Mobile during your azalea blooming tome, and it was awesome!