Annual Trip

[miler1600]

For those of you that take annual trips. Are they all as nice as the first time or do they lose a little bit of excitement each time? Does staying at a different resort change anything?

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

I haven't lost any of the excitement any time we take a trip to WDW, it feels like the first time except for the knowledge you have about the parks that only makes things even better during your stay (you see so many people who have done no planning and are completely lost ). We do enjoy changing resorts, so far we have stayed at all the moderates besides CSR and have stayed at POP a couple of times including our upcoming trip, I would like to try ASMO sometime as well. I think the different feel you get at all of the resorts because of the themeing adds alot of excitement. You would think at some point you might start to lose some of the magic but its never happened to me yet.

 

[eliza61]

For those of you that take annual trips. Are they all as nice as the first time or do they lose a little bit of excitement each time? Does staying at a different resort change anything?

It's funny but for us, our trips seem to be getting better with time. Our first trip was magical but I think because we were in a "Pixiedust" fog so we don't remember much details. Now that we've been a time or two we are more relaxed and we really enjoy our vacation, probably because we take the time now to "experience" all the small magical moments.

Our goal was to try and stay in every resort but now that we're dvc members we kinda stick with that. We love coming back to our "old" favorites.

 

[DisneyChristmas]

We make at least two overnight trips a year plus a longer stay every two years in mid-December. There are always new things to see and do. And if we can't catch everything in one trip, no big deal - we'll see it next time.

Some attractions never lose their appeal. Parades and fireworks – yes – must see every one at every park again and again. I’ve seen the movie at France pavilion how many times??!!

One of the best things about being a frequent guest is that we can take the time to stop and notice all of the details of "the show" - rides, entertainment, building details, landscaping, animals, birds, cast members we see from visit to visit.

We've done most of the backstage tours over the years as well.

Christmas time is wonderful. If it weren't for DH talking some sense into me, I could watch all three performances of Candlelight Processional and come back the next evening to see it again. DH also has to coax me away from the EPCOT fountain and the Lights of Winter Arch. I'm mesmerized by the music and motion...oh yes, hours and hours at the Osborne lights over the years.

BTW – DH and I are counting the 46 days until we arrive at WDW again.

 

[Cmbar]

We make at least two overnight trips a year plus a longer stay every two years in mid-December. There are always new things to see and do. And if we can't catch everything in one trip, no big deal - we'll see it next time.

Some attractions never lose their appeal. Parades and fireworks – yes – must see every one at every park again and again. I’ve seen the movie at France pavilion how many times??!!

One of the best things about being a frequent guest is that we can take the time to stop and notice all of the details of "the show" - rides, entertainment, building details, landscaping, animals, birds, cast members we see from visit to visit.

We've done most of the backstage tours over the years as well.

Christmas time is wonderful. If it weren't for DH talking some sense into me, I could watch all three performances of Candlelight Processional and come back the next evening to see it again. DH also has to coax me away from the EPCOT fountain and the Lights of Winter Arch. I'm mesmerized by the music and motion...oh yes, hours and hours at the Osborne lights over the years.

BTW – DH and I are counting the 46 days until we arrive at WDW again.

I agree with this post because it just seems each trip gets better and better. We try to add new events each year so we can experience things a little bit different! This year will be our first year with just the four of us We usually bring along a grandparent or aunts and uncles. We are really looking forward to just being with "us"! I think the trip changes because you know more, but is never less magical each year. We try to switch resorts and this year we got a 40% off and went for the GF! Probably never jump up to a Monorail Deluxe again, so we will see if the magic is better, worse or just about the same!

DisneyChristmas - Are you doing a Mid November this year? How long are you staying? We leave in 45 days and I know the Christmas Processional won't be there yet! Are you going to miss that or are you lucky enough to stay a long time!!

 

[ciera321]

When I think back to our first trip to DW I think how much we missed being newbies. When we go now we know where to eat, what resort to stay at, extras like parasailing, things we just didn't know then. We're usually planning our next trip back on a DW vacation, we just love it!!!

 

[DisneyChristmas]

Hi Cmbar!

We're doing just an overnight for MVMCP on November 12. So no CP for me this year. We vacation in the Sarasota in November and March, and that’s how we manage to drive up for the overnights twice every year. Our most recent long December trip was 2006. I wish that we could get to WDW EVERY December.

 

[grannyminnie]

I agree with a couple of the above posters in that each trip gets better! I don't know how...you'd think that over the years, with such knowlege of a place, it would become boring. It's NOT, tho...it's that comfortable feeling of "I'm back home" and in my "happy place" all over again.
We too enjoy going to different resorts, but are now only interested in the deluxes.

 

[rie'smom]

We go to WDW 2x a year and really enjoy ourselves. Our pace has slowed and that makes it more relaxing.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Yup we went 4 time with-in a years time last year and we so wanted to go back but just couldn't with DD starting HS. Now we will juts do less trips but make them Longer 12 to 14 days.

I agree with the others the more you know the better the trips get and it seems like the more you get done at a much slower pace.

We have even flown down for a 3 night trip and had just a blast.1 day in DL a few times as well.

 

[daisyduck123]

We've been twice this year already (May & August) and are going again at Christmas. Our trips have been from 7-10 days each.

Each trip is always great!
We always try to do something new each time. This summer, we took an Illuminations Cruise for the 1st time. In December, we're trying the Spirit of Aloha Dinner show, a sleighride at WL, & going to MVMCP!!

We've also been trying a lot of different resorts lately (joined DVC...so no more POP or CBR for us! And I LOVED CBR).

 

[byoung]

We go 3 or 4 times a year, love it more each visit.

 

[miler1600]

You guys are very motivating. I am so glad to hear that it is even more fun the next time. We had such a blast the last time, but while planning this one, even though we may not get to go, I noticed that the experience will make it so much better. I feel so much more organized.

 

[trivial]

OP, very interesting question... I've wondered that myself. I'm relieved to hear that the trips only seem to get better over time. I'm really excited about our next trip, because although we had a really great time on our previous trip, we were still WDW virgins and didn't know as much as we know now.

 

[miler1600]

OP, very interesting question... I've wondered that myself. I'm relieved to hear that the trips only seem to get better over time. I'm really excited about our next trip, because although we had a really great time on our previous trip, we were still WDW virgins and didn't know as much as we know now.

Lol - I guess we are virgins as well.

By the way we have 3 year old twins. The loved WDW.

Good luck with your twins. I know they can be very difficult in the first year, but let me tell you, they are so much fun at 3 years old. They play together all the time and have that bond. ---Sorry everyone else, got off track. LOL

 

[trivial]

(Going further off-track...) That's good to hear... we'll be going back when they're about 4½, and I was a bit worried that they'll be too young to really enjoy and appreciate it even at that age. I'm sure they'll have a blast though. And yes, I'm really looking forward to them occupying themselves instead of requiring our attention 90% of the day!

 

[pepe of ohio]

NEVER!! Each trip gets better and better, and we speak from experience, our 39th trip this past September. When the kids were around it was a different DW and trip. Now its me and the wife and sometimes our daughter and SIL and we appreciate Disney more now then before. We stay 10 plus nights, really enjoy the resort, always deluxe, and see what we want, rest when we want and dine where we want. We have our favorite things to do and see and now that the commando trips are over, and I believe those were caused by staying on too short of visits and trying to see everything, we can't wait to go back.

We have been buying AP's and try to squeeze 2 trips in a year about 6 mos. apart. With the AP's we figure they paid for them selves in a have a trip, then we just pop around, maybe just to eat in a park or catch a parade or one attraction, second trip is like free. As I stated before, staying 10 plus nights gives you so much extra time to enjoy everything at a leisurely pace, gives time for the resort pool and pool picnics and checking out other resort lounges, casual shopping what wife likes and I now don't mind. We spend some evening over in FW, Trail's End Crocketts Tavern for beer and pizza and peace and quiet. Just sitting in the Outer Rim in the CR at night watching the boats, EWP and enjoying the atmosphere is priceless. We get the same enjoyment from doing nothing but nothing as we do from the parks. Disney lose interest the more you go, never in a million years.

 

[grannyminnie]

I always enjoy reading your posts, Pepe of ohio. Your thoughts on Disney echo mine lots of times. I'm in the age bracket with married kids but have to visit WDW with my sis, because my hubby doesn't do Disney, and doesn't understand why I NEED to keep going back! ("you've already seen it; what's the need to go again?") Anyway, for me, it's just warm and fuzzy, and tho our trips are nowhere near the length of yours, I put a great deal of enjoyment into the planning so that we can get the most out of our time there.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we will be back the week before xmas and it will be our 4th trip this year. I never lose the excitement. After my last trip I wasnt happy with the disney magic so we are making sure we get it back in december.
I am really looking forward to my Dec trip to the BWI the staff there is really second to none.

 

[miler1600]

Pepe, 39 trips. Wow. How young were your kids when you first started taking them? How did things change as they got older. I feel the need to take mine while they are really young as many times as possible because I don't want to "miss out". They are already growing up so fast.