Disney has ruined my vacation...

[Trixiezzz]

We went to WDW in December 2004 and stayed onsite at Pop Century with the $55/night code. Bought our tickets through Hotwire and used meal vouchers,too. It was our 1st visit and we had a blast.

Now, we're trying to plan a summer vacation to Branson MO and I am having a hard time doing it. Disney has RUINED me!!

I've realized that we are going to spend MORE money (because there are no comparable discounts) than if we were to go to Disney. So my heart's not in planning this trip at all!

We'll have to pay $40 to $50 a day to go to Silver Dollar City and all I can think of is, "...for that money, we could go to WDW (on multi-day passes).

Will I ever be able to enjoy a non-Disney vacation again????

 

[Arielle22]

Will I ever be able to enjoy a non-Disney vacation again????

I would go with no. I have enjoyed other vacations and hotels but in the back of my mind is "good but not Disney".

 

[Straitlover]

For your accomodations, please check out Sky Auction. They seem to have lots of Branson properties for a very good price. Best bet is a Ready Set Go auction.

 

[jenndisney]

That is how we ended up back at DL last summer. We planned our first mousefree vacation in three years, but.....since we were going to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, we could just take a day and drive on over to DL. Well, we spent 1 day at the canyon, 2 at Las Vegas, and 5 at DL.
So my husband made me promise that we would not do the mouse this year. Well, on New Years Day, he tells me that it won't be the same as going to see the mouse, so we are going back to WDW this summer. My 8 year old daughter just laughed at us and said, "I knew I would be back!"

 

[vicceja]

Oh my gosh - when I saw this thread I couldn't believe it. But as soon as I read through your message I started laughing

To answer your question - I don't think any other vacation will be quite the same. Disney World is in a class by itself

Ely

2005 - POR June/July
2003 - AS June/July

 

[tinaluis]

I'm right there with ya! We "planned" a spur of the moment trip to the Grand Canyon/Las Vegas after our middle DD was born. All told, we spent more $ than we would have at WDW and enjoyed ourselves less. It's WDW for us from now on!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I totally agree!! People always talk about how expensive WDW is. But try planning a vacation elsewhere, and it quickly adds up!

Even with local, attractions. Last year I wanted to plan a weekend trip to Schlitterbahn Water Park (ranked #1 on Trav. Chan. and BB was #2) for Labor Day. Their on property beach shacks are really expensive and bare basic like camp cabins. It's located in a small town so even the Days Inn was more than a Value Resort and from what I heard from a co-worker not nearly as nice.

Well after costing out the WP tickets @ $45 a day, the room, etc. It was going to cost us close to $1000 to go for 2 days!

I scrapped it and we spent 2 weeks in WDW over Christmas instead and used our DVC points and extra plusses for our 2 days at Blizzard Beach.

So yes WDW will ruin you, and you will have to really open your mind to other places because they will not be WDW. Im not there yet, so we keep going back to WDW

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I agree with you 100%. Once you do Disney, you can't do anything else!

And BTW, I've been to Silder Dollar City. I can't belive it costs as much as it does. Other than going down into the cave, it's no where near as good as a Disney park!

 

[MouseMan]

We went to WDW in December 2004 and stayed onsite at Pop Century with the $55/night code. Bought our tickets through Hotwire and used meal vouchers,too. It was our 1st visit and we had a blast.

Now, we're trying to plan a summer vacation to Branson MO and I am having a hard time doing it. Disney has RUINED me!!

I've realized that we are going to spend MORE money (because there are no comparable discounts) than if we were to go to Disney. So my heart's not in planning this trip at all!

We'll have to pay $40 to $50 a day to go to Silver Dollar City and all I can think of is, "...for that money, we could go to WDW (on multi-day passes).

Will I ever be able to enjoy a non-Disney vacation again????

I Feel your pain. I did the same thing last year with Las Vegas of all places. And once I got there I could only think "Disney would have been a better trip"

 

[vossjemi]

Ok Ok, I'll try not to take any personal offense & try to help you out if I can. I live in Springfield, MO about 30 minutes from Branson. We always get season passes to SDC as it is definitely the better deal than 1 day passes. An adult season pass is $58 and a child's is $48. Yes, that is the season pass to SDC. This is tons cheaper than WDW (although probably not more fun, but I don't know as I haven't been to WDW yet...see 1st trip in my sig! Yeah!) You get a whole season of fun at SDC for what you pay for 1 day at WDW! I about died when I saw that I had to pay the same for a 1 day pass at WDW as I do for an entire season at SDC!

Anyway, here is the link to SDC website.
http://www.silverdollarcity.com/default.asp

You can add on if you want to include white water or celebration city, but I wouldn't recommend it. I'd stay in Splash Country, a cool hotel with an entire indoor water park included as part of your stay. My sister goes down to Branson for the weekend in the winter just to stay in this hotel so her kids can have some fun in a waterpark! There is a link below to the Springfield Chamber of Commerce Links to places in Branson & Springfield, including Splash Country and some of the shows.

http://www.springfieldmo.net/ind-att.htm
And, don't forget about Bass Pro! Although you may not want to go to Branson, you really can have a lot of fun there. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about things you might be interested in.

 

[vanyel]

We started to plan a vegas trip for this spring but after looking at the cost for 3 or 4 days, I presented several options to my DH. One was delay the spring trip and plan & save for a weeklong Sept. trip to WDW instead. He agreed without hesitation.

It's what I wanted all along!

 

[sweet maxine]

Go to getawaysaver.com. There is a message board similar to this one with hotel reviews, park, show and attraction discount hints and helps. I'm planning on going there in June if possible, and I'm also going to WDW as well. I actually think Branson is probably much cheaper than WDW, but I'm sure I'll be in the minority here.

 

[tickledtink]

I agree with you and I live in Branson MO. You can also find Condos for rent on Ebay. You will have fun, but nothing is like WDW. If you need any extra info about the area, private message me and I'll do my best to help you out. I work at an area hotel and have lived here 12 yrs, so I think I may be able to help you with any questions.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The only solution is to do a trip to WDW AND a trip some place else

Seriously though, it might really be best to split your vacation into two shorter trips -say one in the summer and one in the winter, and make one to WDW. Then you'll have two things to enjoy anticipating.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Oh - I think I saw where someone else mentioned it already - if you are going to SDC then definitely get an AP there - if you are going at least 2 days. And although I havent' been they do have Celebration City too now. We just went two weekends ago and stayed at a condo for $129.00 for two nights - 1 bedroom w/ full kitchen and jacuzzi. But that's why we go in the off-season. But I agree - Branson is not WDW - and I hate Branson in the summer. Oh....one fun free thing we always do is go to the trout hatchery....we love it. It's silly but fun!!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I am so happy to not be alone on this.. Look at my countdwon "San Antonio and Schlitterbahn" .. I was talking to DH over the weekend and telling him its going to cost us 1500 to take this vacation for 5 nights this summer. We also have plans to go to Hyatt Hill Country Resort and although I love San Antonio I would rather be at WDW! Besides we just bought into DVC last week and I have point to spend I am addicted to WDW, where is the 12 step program.. sign me up

 

[vossjemi]

Here is a link to Branson's Chamber of Commerce with useful info.
http://www.bransonchamber.com/

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Another vote for the season pass to SDC! We have a condo there and spend as much time as possible on the lake! I really enjoy having the all city ticket, I think the fireworks at Celebration City are worth the ticket alone! An All City Pass for the season is $102 for adults and $91.50 for kids under 12. With that you will get discounts on hotels and also the Branson Bell Dinner Showboat. And you could go back for the Christmas Festival which is wonderful.

There are 2 areas that you can choose to stay in, one is Branson itself (tons of hotels and condos) or you can stay on the lake, which IMO is one of the nicest to boat on around. I think you will enjoy your time there and you should be able to do it for MUCH less than Disney.

Try booking the "Shop till you drop" rate at Thousand Hills comfort Inn 417-335-4727. It should be around $50 per night. It is in Branson. Or as someone mentioned Splash Country. Any questions ask away!

 

[spacemtn1971]

You can always be creative and plan a vacation to Sunny Southern California. I hear that there is a nice theme park in Anaheim.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I suppose I have to disagree. I enjoy other vacations to Disney as I can always do them cheaper and still have a wonderful time! This year DH and I are going to Atlanta and for what I have budgeted, it's going to be about $600 less than a trip to Disney. Yes, we're there for less time, but I just really enjoy anyplace I go with DH if it gets us away from all that we do here at home!

I'm looking forward to our trip in 2006, but I'm VERY excited about our trip to Atlanta and Stone Mountain!! I guess because I don't go to Disney a lot is the reason why going someplace else doesn't seem as fun as a trip to Disney. I will say this though, I don't do Six Flags anymore because the park is just dirty...at least the one in Atlanta is. Staff isn't as friendly, for what you pay it isn't worth my time or money and the rides just don't do it for me.