All of a sudden we have absolutely no interest in WDW (gasp)!!

[BWV Dreamin]

Since joining in 2007, we have paced our visits. Only visit WDW once in a calendar year. We go at different times of the year. Will stay for 3 days post a cruise. Still haven't stayed at all the DVC resorts yet nor seen/ rode everything at WDW. I think the slower pace keeps things fresh. We are 57/66 and still love going to WDW. Waiting on grandkids in the future. I hear that changes your perspective completely ! !

 

[DougEMG]

We tried F&W (hated it)

Thought I was the only one that didn't like F&W. We were there for the first time in 2015 and couldn't stand it. Made EPCOT way too crowded and busy. Definitely prefer F&G.

 

[Magical2017]

We are going to Disney again in January, but this will be our last trip for awhile. Our next trip is to South America. We also want to visit some National Parks and spend more time in the Pacific Northwest visiting family. I love Disney, but the price increases and nickel-and-diming is a bit off putting. We will probably visit Universal on any upcoming FL trips--maybe a long weekend.

 

[disneynutz]

Mine too! Our initial purchase was so long ago, that all trips are "gravy". Our add on contracts, too. I certainly could not afford direct purchase now....nor would I, as we are 60 plus years old. Still not tired of our DVC or DisneyWorld in general.

Wondering what you mean by that. It is a business after all, and it needs to make money. I am much more annoyed at the airlines and their added fees (they started charging for bags when the price of fuel went up....but it went down, but baggage fees remain and have even gone up; what about the car rental agencies and the added costs for "resort fees", "battery fees", "tire fees" and all that?). Magical Express is a godsend for those that cannot afford car rental. Those that lament "Walt and his Vision" need to take a reality check. That was a different world and a very long time ago. Do I miss all the nostalgia of Sunday nights with Walt? Sure do. But a corporation hanging on to nostalgia will not survive for long in this world. It is what it is, and if it doesn't work for you it is time to move on. When I find "it is time", I'll sell my contracts and not look back....but then again, my goal is to outlive my contracts!

True a business needs to make money but 9 billion in profit for the year while continuing to raise prices and cutting what has made Disney different? Greed and ego has taken over and is changing the Disney that we grew up with.

Bill

 

[keaster]

We just purchased 5 years ago, so we haven't reached fatigue level yet! However, with all the construction/rehab taking place we are going to forego WDW in 2017 and do Aulani and possibly a cruise with plans to return in 2018. I think pacing is the key.

 

[edk35]

That would be me. Hate the beach. I live less than an hour from Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, AL, Pensacola, and less than two hours from Ft. Walton/Destin. Haven't been to the beach for anything other than to eat outstanding seafood in years, and we do that regularly.

Give me mountains any day.

Roll Tide!!! My hubby is from Pensacola. I am from Dothan. When I lived in Pensacola (less than 3 years) and on Perdido Key... I rarely went to the beach. LOL However we do love the gulf coast area when we do take a beach vacation. We live in MD now so TO ME....the best beaches are the gulf coast. I have ONLY been to OC MD 4 times in my life and people here JUST LOVE IT. Eh....not me

 

[Murron]

All I can say WolfPack is me too. We still love the parks but two years ago said enough. We used up TIW and the annual pass and will now spend our points in Vero and HH. And now that we've retired, we do river and ocean cruises.....then head to Vero or HH in September. We are original Disney Vacation Club members, so admittedly it took many many years and crowds to get us to this point. And I'm fine with it.

 

[DenLo]

We are in our mid 60s and still look forward to our WDW trips and we still enjoy many of the rides. But then we also go to Aulani every other year too. Plus we like to cruise and usually do a non Disney cruise at least every 18 months. We did a Transatlantic cruise to Europe in April and May and added some nights on post in London. It was a great trip. I think the variety makes a difference.

 

[Lady Hiss]

I'm with you, OP. The attraction of WDW has faded for us. The quality and innovation of the new stuff in the parks hasn't met our expectations. We're opting to bank points and maybe try one more trip before selling. In the meantime, the National Parks and a couple European river cruises will be getting our vacation dollars.

 

[anna08]

I'm in my 40's with school-aged children and I completely understand - we were in the habit of 2-3 short trips per year and now we are down to just one trip yearly. The cessation of non-expiring tickets, the lack of planning to keep the rides/parks fresh and innovative, and just the overall crowd levels now year round have really made us start vacationing elsewhere. We're looking forward to simple resort stays as we age, but we'd love to see DVC expand more outside of WDW for those reasons. Not to mention, for some bizarre reason, flights to Orlando have gotten obscenely expensive from here (i.e. SWA roundtrip tickets in $500-650 range and that's not last minute.)

 

[mac_tlc]

After 24+ years of DVC, we still love the place, but our trips have changed. DW and I are mid-to-not-so-mid 50's. We bought a house in Orlando, so now do the parks only a few hours at a time, DVC usually just a day or two at a time. But we like to have a Theme-Park view at BLT to watch and listen to the fireworks from our room -- more comfy than Main Street. Next month, doing our first Beach Cottage at Vero. Next on the DVC bucket list is a Grand Villa Savannah View at AKL. New Years Eve at OKW so no one has to drive anywhere.

Goal is to eat at every restaurant, well maybe all. Added the Cali Grill Sunday Brunch this past weekend. Our kids still commando-tour. Now have a 4-year old grandson to properly train in all-things WDW.

Yah, prices are high, but given the current crowd levels, they are not high enough. Given the price of everything else, from a Broadway play to the local amusement park, I think the value is still there.

mac_tlc

 

[Sammie]

Everyone is different and that is why it is nice to have options. We are early 60s and love WDW and can't imagine not going. We just do it now at a slower pace. We sleep in, we do more nice meals, we rents boats, take our time and go when it is not hot or as crowded. I can't imagine a year without Disney World. We do love HHI though.

 

[melk]

I understand the OP's feelings. I think our next use of points will be back to HHI. You may want to try the Grand Californian. We just returned and thought it was absolutely one of the nicest DVC resorts we've stayed at. I would have been happy with just a few days to relax at the resort but we did the typical Southern CA things.

While I'm a little tired with WDW, that's what is so good about DVC, there are other very nice options for using our points.

 

[PetePanMan]

sounds like you have a good strategy that should work well for you. Going to wdw every 3 years of so is probably about right given how often you have gone and how you feel. It also allows for some new attractions, restaurants and other changes in between visits. BTW....if you haven't been before, Aulani is incedible and very addictive as well.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am nearly 70 & Tom is in early 70's. We still enjoy going to WDW and really like the option of seeing the MK fireworks from TTOTW lounge on the special nights like NYE and July 3rd.

We were in Aulani last September, going next February, and we've spent time in Vero and Hilton Head this year.

We enjoy resort pool time, and generally only do FPs in parks. I still enjoy Epcot's Flower and Garden show a lot, and December would not be the same without spending time at Disney.

Bobbi

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Wondering what you mean by that. It is a business after all, and it needs to make money. I am much more annoyed at the airlines and their added fees (they started charging for bags when the price of fuel went up....but it went down, but baggage fees remain and have even gone up; what about the car rental agencies and the added costs for "resort fees", "battery fees", "tire fees" and all that?). Magical Express is a godsend for those that cannot afford car rental. Those that lament "Walt and his Vision" need to take a reality check. That was a different world and a very long time ago. Do I miss all the nostalgia of Sunday nights with Walt? Sure do. But a corporation hanging on to nostalgia will not survive for long in this world. It is what it is, and if it doesn't work for you it is time to move on. When I find "it is time", I'll sell my contracts and not look back....but then again, my goal is to outlive my contracts!

Ya ya... So tired of "it's a business" I'm ready to puke.

Point is, the old business was to "plus it", make it the best ever, and win over the customer.
Now Disney is living on its reputation, not what is currently happening.

I liked the old business plan much better. Delivering an exceptional quality product at a somewhat high price.
That business model worked for many years. Let's now see how the "cut attractions and massively raise prices" business model works.

MG

 

[Cee]

We're of similar ages and have no grandchildren, but still love going for Food & Wine, Flower & Garden and early December. We're going 3 times over two years to make best use of our annual passes. We still go into the parks, but for shorter periods of time which we spend doing only our favorite attractions. Most of our time is spent enjoying all the "details" (and resort restaurants) that we missed in our "Commando Years".

HH & Aulani are on my list, but haven't yet risen to the top. We've been to VB and enjoyed it, but aren't that found of beach vacations.

 

[Cee]

This, exactly. We go to the parks for our favorites and right back out. We tend toward the more relaxed Disney.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

Last year, I became bored with the rides. I have been coming here almost every year since 1991, and, in my opinion, the quality of service has gone down. The food at many of the restaurants is not like it use to be.
This year, I am enjoying the resorts (without purchasing park passes) more than ever before.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Last year, I became bored with the rides. I have been coming here almost every year since 1991, and, in my opinion, the quality of service has gone down. The food at many of the restaurants is not like it use to be.
This year, I am enjoying the resorts (without purchasing park passes) more than ever before.

OP back again. I'm thinking we will do this some also. It is not that we're tired of WDW as much as we really do have problems walking after a couple of days. DW has knee problems and I have feet problems (getting old is h___ ). Plus to be frank the increasing cost of the tickets really bug me. So a vacation at just the resort sounds great to me. We love AKV and are owners there. I prefer Jambo while DW prefers Kidani. I could see staying a week there without going to a park as very attractive.