Can the 'Magic' last??

[marvali]

There are two points some have already mentioned that I want to repeat. When we went to WDW last year and then decided to join DVC, it had been a while since we had been, and our youngest DS's first trip. We had a week in a rental home and pretty much did the commando approach to the visit. Everything was very rushed. We are looking forward to our return trip this summer using DVC because we plan to just take our time and if we don't get to do some things, we know we will be back soon and can do them next time. I expect it will be much more relaxed and a true vacation.

The second thing is the versatility of DVC. Not only do you have Hilton Head Island Resort (we were just there) that is a totally different experience, Vero Beach (we are doing three nights there this summer) and the Disney Cruises, you can use your points in so many other ways around the country and literally the world. The thing that attracted us is that we can go stay at a DVC resort and they are a unique and relaxing experience in themselves. I can see the day later in life where we go "home" to AKV and just enjoy the resort, the restaurants and just relaxing on our balconey looking out at the animals on the Savanna.

And as some others have mentioned, it is interesting to see the changes over time. Our two oldest DS's had done the wide eyed visit when younger, and were more commando hit the ride types this last trip. But DW and I had a great time strolling around at the youngest DS's pace while he experienced it for the first time. Soon he will also be all about the rides (he is already that way too somewhat), but then we will have grandchildren to take and see it through their young eyes again also. For us, the parks will become more the experience (like World Showcase at Epcot, DTD and the Safari's at AK), while the rest of the family attacks their interests. But the rest of the time will be an opportunity to continue to enjoy family time while together at the resorts. And then there is also the option to branch out by staying at a DVC resort, but doing other options like Sea World instead of the ride heavy parks.

Don't get me wrong though. At almost 50, myself and DW (not far behind me) aren't quite ready to give up the excitement of the rides yet either. But DVC has the flexibility to change right along with us. We will just define "magic" differently at different times.

 

[solgent]

We haven't owned for very long, just two DVC trips in Aug 06, 07 and one planned for 08.

Still, here's the way I think about it.

I visited DW (twice, it was just Magic Kingdom then) and DL (once) when I was a child, around the ages my kids are now, and I loved it.

I visited DL once as a college student with my brother and my boyfriend, and I loved it.

I visited WDW (6 times as a FL resident) and DL (once), as a parent of young children ages 0-6, and I loved it.

Now I've visited WDW (3 times) as a parent of school aged kids 8-14, and I loved it.

So I figure we'll continue to enjoy it and our kids will continue to enjoy it.

 

[Maribel]

Soon after becoming DVC Members we also noticed a change in our approach to visiting WDW. Out with the commando mentality and in with the wonderful vacation mentality. We now take our time and do what we want to do, when we want to do it. No more rushing around. DVC has given us a whole new view of WDW. There is so much to see, if you just take the time to look.

I completely agree with Disneynuts. I used to go to WDW every two years or so - comando style. After 4 days I was tired and needed a vacation from the vacation. I have to say I also used to get tired of the parks and the crowds.
We still go for four days, but know we do it at a different pace. We spend time at the resort pool, go for dinner without any rush, see the other things in Orlando (outside of disney) that there is to see.
We have made Orlando our getway destination instead of our rush away destination.
This year we are using part of our points for a splurge staying at the Disneyland Hotel in Paris, and I think in the future we will use our points in California, Hawaii, and Vero Beach. And if they continue opening destinations outside WDW, we would love to try them all.

 

[Disney Doll]

We've gone 2-3x/year for the last 17 years and the magic has lasted.

I will say the magic does change a bit from "oh my God, look at that, can you believe how they did that?" to "I love that every time I see it".

We feel less of a need to commando tour and more able to relax a bit, stay by the pool at the resort sometimes, tour around the area a little, do a little shopping or sightseeing.

But I can still feel myself relax the minute I drive through the gates and smell the Disney air.

 

[byoung]

We go 3 to 4 times a year and we our not loseing the love for DISNEY!

 

[james'mommy]

DVC and an Ap has totally changed our way of vacationing. We don't find the need to go commando any more. We'll head to Epcot just for dinner or go to the MK just to ride Buzz. For us the Magic has grown stronger since buying DVC. It's been great fun in our quest to stay at all DVC resorts (we will accomplish this in August). Now we are working on going to stay at Disney every month of the year so we can try all of the different special experiences. We love DVC.

 

[DizneyNutz]

Unlike most everyone posting on this board, I am going to say, "yes" occassionally a trip won't be as "magical" as what you've hoped for, planned for and aaahhh yes, PAID for! Every once in a while you're gonna hit the wall. This won't go "just right" and that won't go "just right" and you can honestly leave WDW thinking, I AM STICK A FORK IN ME DONE---I am selling DVC and giving this up!!! The good news is that this feeling will NOT last and by the time you get ready to plan another trip (usually by the time you get home from the last one) you are over the "little" things that seemed SO BIG at the time and you're so ready to go back!!

I would say that anybody that LOVES Disney, you know ALL of Disney, cause let's face it, it's not all pixy dust, to invest and enjoy it. You can't go wrong with DVC because even when it's bad, and it will be, if not bad, then not great, you still know that the next trip is just off the horizon and it will be GREAT!

It REALLY changes the way you look at WDW. You take it a lot less like "this is it" we gotta bust in there and do it! You tend to enjoy more and go a little slower.

 

[TCPluto]

We're looking at a DVC membership (resale) that would enable us to travel to Disney every 18 months or so. We're excited about the concept, but a little concerned about losing the 'magic' of Disney by going so often for so many years. We love it, and can't wait to go back this fall, but can it lose it's spark after awhile? Please share your insights.

After 10 yeaqrs, it hasn't for us. It will change they way you vacation there, but it's every bit as magical.

 

[RumpleMom]

Our trips have changed as our kids have grown. They used to love the characters, then wouldn't go near most of the characters(one or two exceptions) in the early teen years, then it's back to loving all of the characters now that they are twentysomethings.

DVC makes it possible to take the grandparents for a relaxing vacation, extended family and the kids' friends. Now the family is interested in trying new places to eat. Yak and Yeti AK is a new favorite.

We love knowing what to expect for our vacation. It feels like our second home.

 

[Chellymouse]

We are newer members and are looking forward to not having the commando approach to our WDW vacations. We almost need a vacation from our vacation and that's going for 9-10 days a year. DVC also offers more than just WDW. The magic is what you make it. We've been to WDW 7 times in 9 years with trips 8 and 9 planned for this year. Everyone is different.