2nd time as good?

[tracy021083]

We had our first trip to dlp 2-6th June this yr with our son (6) and daughter (almost 4)
Since we got back all the kids talk about is disneyland and going back! They watch the parades constantly on you tube, talk about what we did there (our daughter is princess mad), even had our son write us letters asking when we are going back and leaving spaces in the letters for us to write a date for him!

I thought it would be a good holiday but it was completely magical for them!!
We had perfect weather so that helped a lot, and we did lots like cafe mickey, inventions, princess makeover, lunch at auberge etc.

But I just have the niggly feeling that it won't be as good second time round as we already know what to expect etc. how did you all feel second time? Did you do anything differently?

We would be looking to go at the same time again if we could afford it, but our 4 nights / 5 days at the sequoia plus flights from Manchester (don't fancy the long drive) and food/spends there cost us in total £2000. It was obviously worth every penny but trying to figure out how we can afford to go back is difficult. Hubby only really wants to stay on site at a disney hotel as thought it was more magical with characters after breakfast and enjoyed the close walk to the parks but I was wondering if there any recommended offsite hotels not too far away with free shuttle bus?
When we booked last November the offer was under 7's free (food vouchers not included) and next year our son would be 7 so the same holiday is £140 more than this year at disney. Cheyenne or Santa Fe are same prices as this year at the sequoia but they don't have a pool and our kids are water babies plus we said we would like more chilled out time next time as we were so tired being out morning until night.
Anyone know when flybe flights are released for next June?

Any help appreciated x

 

[Ware Bears]

I think second and subsequent visits are even better it feels like you're coming home.

 

[Jonjo]

I've always found that each visit is as magical as the last, and while we are there DW and I are already planning our next trip even before we leave.

You will also find future trips become more and more relaxed as you become more familiar with the resort and get to know all the short cuts around the lands, and when to go for lunch and dinner avoiding the large crowds.

 

[Belle's World]

I'm 12 trips down and planning my 13th which will also be my 7 week old baby's first - although we are waiting until he is 18 months. If it wasn't just as magical each time we wouldn't keep going back! Plus there is a lot you can do to make it different each time, for instance we have now stayed at all the on site hotels- I can definitely say the more money you spend the better the hotel. The only thing I will say with regards saving money is look out for the deals, Disney regularly do an under 12 go free promotion and there are frequently up to 40 % off sales occasional 50% flash sales as well but they are normally for quite short notice trips. Also to make it different eat at different restaurants- we have practically done them all now. As the children get older there will be more rides hey are able to do etc. Go up in Panomagoque the hot air balloon over the village. Buffalo Bills Wild West Dinner Show is also great.

 

[cherrymarzipan]

Every trip can be magical and there are bound to be things you missed last time. Knowing what to expect and anticipation can be exciting in itself and little changes like window displays and different characters out and about will add novelty.

We have been visiting since 1997, often several times a year, and haven’t yet stayed at the DLH or done the park tours. We still get really excited and find every trip magical. I have to say though that nothing beat that first holiday for sheer wonderment. It was the 5th anniversary of the park’s opening. We had done no research at all, had never heard of YouTube or this board (if they were even around back then!) and were just awestruck by everything – the château with its square trees, the size of the floats in the parade, the music everywhere… I still remember the excitement of buying the children their first balloons (we had Donald Duck too back then) and having them tied to their strollers, of navigating by the park map, of sitting in IASW thinking “I’m actually HERE, sitting in IASW" which was the only ride someone had told me about beforehand (although at first we had gone into the little after bit where the Princess Pavilion is now and wondered why this person had made so much of it!) and even the novelty of buying our first capes and carrying on in the rain.

You may never quite regain that initial euphoria but there will always be something new, some different experience and as others have said, familiarity and experience can really enhance subsequent trips. Every time we step through the gates we get the same rush of excitement.

If you are unlucky with the weather next time that might influence your mood after having been so lucky the first time but weather can never be guaranteed and you are just as likely to be lucky again.

I would definitely say go for it, why deprive yourselves of a lifetime of fantastic repeat trips?!

 

[adr2.8i]

i shall put a spanner in the works here and say our 2nd trip wasnt as magical it was nothing that disney had done wrong, we still had a fab time, but alas, my son who was 6 just didnt find it as magical as our first trip.

our first trip was when he was 4 and his face was a picture from start to finish. he was bowled over by the whole experience. we had photos with almost every character, he got autographs of everyone including hotel reception staff, he was fully immersed in it all. thats why we saved up to go again last year. This time though he was rather chilled and didnt want to get photos or autographs coz "they are stupid and for babies" our little boy is growing up too fast! My daughter who was 2 was amazed by it all and so thats when i decided there and then that i would love to have my 40th birthday at disney next september.......ive been saving and planning for it ever since..........but.............shock horror.........this summer we had a week in butlins staying in a caravan, and now for next year my kids DO NOT WANT TO GO DISNEY!!!???? they want to go back to Butlins instead!

 

[HappyPanda]

I first took DD who was then 5 for the first time in March 2012, since then we've had two further trips and another one planned for October this year.

I found the first trip to be amazingly magical and although the subsequent trips can never recapture that 'first time' magic, they were still magical in their own way.

For instance, on our 2nd trip we had a lot of 'firsts' such as doing the Princess Lunch and Dinner in Inventions. On our 3rd trip DD had become so at home with the parks she was able to guide us around and say where she wanted to go.

I think by leaving it a year between visits the next one will be just as magical