Disney has ruined my vacation...

[eeyore45]

Oh dear, I think not only am I in this category, but I've pulled dh in!!

You see, my dh is having a midlife crisis, does he buy an expensive car? Get a divorce etc? No, he wants to climb a mountain!! OK, climb that mountain dear... maybe we'll come too. We are involved in the scouting program, and both our ds's are counselors at a camp, and we do visit them, roughing it, tent camping, outhouses... then we got a tax refund check, and dh took us (we have a dd 8 too!) to DISNEY!! WOOHOOO! He loved the results of the planning (thanks Dis)...

Now dh is planning to climb Mt Rainier, but is feeling guilty. So I went online and found some great cabins and started to plan a trip, airfare etc. DH said, I think we should go to disney instead! *faint* ummm dh you climb your mountain... we'll fly with you to Seattle, etc etc...

Well, who knows? Apparently dh wants to go back to disney!!

 

[NMW]

We do a fall or winter vacation to WDW 1x per year and take the kids out of school. Then we vacation in the summer. Usually Mrytle Beach SC or Nags Head, NC. These vacations never come close to our Disney trips! I don't even really look forward to them! In fact, I have completely stalled booking something for this summer. DH asked me the other day where we are going and I was just like "huh, it's almost March, isn't it?"
I think what we need to do is buy way more DVC points so we can get a 1 bdr villa at BWV in October and also get one in the summer! Then I would be really happy!!

 

[elliemae1192]

I know just what you mean. Every time we do a non Disney vacation we end up saying to each other at some point "we could have done Disney for what we paid for this". Nothing else will ever quite measure up.

 

[n2mm]

Here's a bandaid......did you know that there is a DISNEY CATALOG OUTLET in Branson??? yes there is. So you can go to the outlets and hopefully catch some bargains at the Disney Outlet. Hope that will help a little.

I do know how you feel. A few years ago for our 10th anniversary we were going to drive from Wash. DC to Hilton head, then to Mrytle Beach and after we got all of the hotels arranged, I looked at hubby and said, I would rather go to WDW and he said "do it". So I canceled everything called WDW and got a CM rate on a room at WL just 3 weeks before arriving. Got great airfare, a great car rental and it cost us less than the road trip to the beaches!! Hope your trip turns out as good!

 

[tickledtink]

You are so right about a Disney Catalog Outlet Store being here in Branson. I visit it about twice a week to get my disney fix. Gotten some really great bargains.

 

[cyndibelle]

oh mercy...disney has struck again....yes....we all know how you feel..my brother calls us the disney cult...yes once you have been to disney it sucks you in...there must be something in the air there that takes over your brain...cause i will never be the same again....

 

[lisajl]

I am so glad I am not the only one! But, of couse I am on this board...we are all Disney crazy!

While I love going other places like most of you, I, too, think...Geez, we could have bought tickets with that money we just spent on Mackinac Island!

Lisa

 

[Okiemom]

Oh, man , I love Branson. We did WDW 5 years ago, IOA & Universal 2 years ago, and doing WDW again in November. Disney is great and we love it, but Branson has lots to offer too!! We can do Branson so much cheaper too. For one thing we can drive, and don't have to pay for flights and you can get hotels very reasonable. In Disney, we spend alot of food, because it is sooo expensive to eat there. At Branson, you can eat at so many different places, for sooo much cheaper. We love the shows, there are go-carts for the kids, Para-sailing in summer, lots of outlet malls, etc... Sdc and Celebration too. And must have that fudge at Grand Country Mall!!! So we love them both. Just depends on what we can afford.

 

[Karibeth19]

Here's a bandaid......did you know that there is a DISNEY CATALOG OUTLET in Branson??? yes there is. So you can go to the outlets and hopefully catch some bargains at the Disney Outlet. Hope that will help a little.

That was the first thing I thought of when I read the OP's post! In fact, we lived in Springfield for 3 years in the 90's and I absolutely hated it! (Sorry, no offense, Vossjemi!) I swore I would never go back, even to visit. Well, I had totally forgotten about the Disney Catalog Outlet in Branson, because it opened right before we moved back to Oklahoma, and I think I was only in there once. When the Disney Store in our mall closed for remodeling last month, a friend reminded me about the outlet in Branson. So, the next week when my husband had to go to Springfield on a business errand, I shocked him by asking if DD and I could go along. I just needed a Disney Fix so badly!!!!! It was totally worth it because I got some great stuff really cheap and it satisfied my Disney craving (at least for a little while, anyway! ).

 

[wide awake]

Thanks to those that posted about the waterpark. My sister and I, plus my DS are going to visit my dad on March 19th. DS will LOVE the waterpark !!! Also, my dad keeps telling me to buy a condo in Branson, that I can rent it out and make money...what do you guys think? My dad has only been in Nixa for 6 months, so while I've always trusted his judgement I would like some feedback from those that have been there awhile. Thanks so much.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

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.

Disney has completely spoiled us for Six Flags, and maybe any other vacation! Our WDW trip in 2002 was supposed to tide us over for 4 years, so the following summer I took the kids on a whale watch in Gloucester and bought season passes to Six Flags to use in Massachusetts and closer to home at Darien Lake. All of us kept remarking that Six Flags New England was OK, but could learn a few tips from WDW. Our hotel accommodations were disgusting, not to mention completely lacking in any kind of magic! Even day trips to Darien Lake were disappointing. The parks seemed unkempt compared to WDW, and the staff could indeed not have cared less whether we were enjoying ourselves. While we did spend (a little) less money than if we'd gone to WDW, the value for the dollar just wasn't there. Now when I see ticket prices for Six Flags, I note that it's almost the same price as a day at WDW - and the kids agree they'd rather be at WDW. Works for me!

(BTW, the whale watch was fantastic. )

 

[OKSTATE99]

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

The only place I know of is HAWAII. That cost even more if you want an ocean view at a nice resort. But everywhere else pales in comparison.

 

[Sandyincanada]

Disney, IOA, USF and BGs have all spoiled our vacations for anything that remotely resembles a theme park or activities. But every other year, we go to an all-inclusive in the Caribbean in the winter and love it, too. Its a totally different kind of holiday, one we treasure just as much. Kids love both vacations too. Price works out to be about the same with Disney coming in abit cheaper, I think. In the summer, you'll find us at the lake

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I am right there with you. We were planning on going to Cape Cod and then got an email code and just couldn't pass it up!! Disney is SO addicting!

 

[vossjemi]

That was the first thing I thought of when I read the OP's post! In fact, we lived in Springfield for 3 years in the 90's and I absolutely hated it! (Sorry, no offense, Vossjemi!) I swore I would never go back, even to visit. Well, I had totally forgotten about the Disney Catalog Outlet in Branson, because it opened right before we moved back to Oklahoma, and I think I was only in there once. When the Disney Store in our mall closed for remodeling last month, a friend reminded me about the outlet in Branson. So, the next week when my husband had to go to Springfield on a business errand, I shocked him by asking if DD and I could go along. I just needed a Disney Fix so badly!!!!! It was totally worth it because I got some great stuff really cheap and it satisfied my Disney craving (at least for a little while, anyway! ).

No offense taken. Springfield isn't for everybody. We actually lived in Tulsa for 3 years in the 90s and LOVED it so much we hated to leave. If we could have picked it up and moved it to Missouri, we would have. But, we wanted to be closer to family, so here we are. We picked Springfield primarily because of its proximity to so many lakes. We are surrounded by them...Table Rock, Taney Como, Stockton, Pom De Terre, Lake of the Ozarks. My DH is an avid fisherman, so he loves to be able to take his pick of lakes all within an hour or so. In the summertime, our kids just love going to the lake almost every weekend. Its good family fun time.

Now, I have a question while we're talking about amusement parks....has anyone ever been to Cedar Point? I've seen it on the Travel Channel and it seems awesome, but don't know much about it.

 

[tickledtink]

vossjemi
My DH grew up in Erie, PA and went to Cedar Point often. He just loves Cedar Point. Swears by it. Although going to WDW this year, I don't think it is his favorite anymore. It does have the most and the best roller coasters, though. :thewave:

 

[jlovesee]

I wanted to throw in my two cents sense we are talking here about one of my favorite parks. SDC is absolutly worth the money, plus you usually can get a discount (like $5 off) with a Coke can. Leaving in KC we go to SDC all the time, and think of it as our disney in MO. The employees are just like Disney's they are extremely nice, and get into the fun a lot. The shops are great all local craftsman, such as pottery, iron work, furniture (the sofa I am sitting on right now was made in SDC), etc. The food is amazing best in any park in my mind outside of Disney, and the rides are fun, even though there could be more, but they are working on that. Some must do's I like to mention are the Frisco Silver Dollar Line, with the best train holdup anywhere (shake your fist and call em ugly!), Fire in the Hole on the first indoor themed roller coasters, WildFire, Shoot out in the Flooded mine, and new for this year is PowderKeg a family launched coaster. (lauch is almost exactly like Rockin Roller Coaster). No matter what you have to have atleast one day at SDC if not more.

Celebration City is more traditional amusement park, but I agree the lazer, fireworks show is worth the price, plus they are re-doing it this year, and guess who is doing it? the same company that did Illuminations! Also Wildcat is the best wooden coaster out there period, its worth the price too.

My husband is Reg Rep for ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) in MO, KS and AR so that's how I get some of the inside info, if you have any other questions let me know as I love SDC. My email is jlovesee@TPOmagazine.com

Jennifer

 

[Earstou]

The only place I know of is HAWAII. That cost even more if you want an ocean view at a nice resort. But everywhere else pales in comparison.

I have to agree with that!! We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the island of Hawaii and it was wonderful! One guide book (Frommer's) even says it's perfect for families who love DL. There is a tram that looks like the monorail, but at ground level, and canal boats, or, you can just walk, the grounds are beautiful. Great pools and a salt water lagoon you can snorkel in that's great for beginners (my kids!!!). I could go on and on.
My kids keep asking to go back, but it IS expensive!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I'm going to go against the grain and say YES, you CAN enjoy other trips just as much as Disney! I love Disney just as much as the next princess, but I've been on other vacations that I enjoyed just as much. I went to Las Vegas when I was 18 and it was my favorite vacation to date. This year, I had the choice to go to Vegas (again) or go to WDW (again). I chose WDW, since I'll have dd with me. But I'm sad I'm not going to Vegas. Well, a little sad.

 

[frannn]

baby and bought a house (not in that order), DH and I would take 2 vacations/year. We would go to WDW in March, and drive up to the Catskills in upstate NY in the fall or winter. The NY hotels were all inclusive for the activities we enjoyed (eating, tv, workout room, bingo, tennis, walks). The cheapest we ever paid was 50/person/day, plus tips. As soon as the cost started creeping up (as did our bills), DH and I would say, "wow, it costs almost as much to go to the hotels than it does to go to WDW!" We decided to only take one vacation/year, to WDW! DH still occasionally moans that he loves the solace and relaxation the hotels upstate offer, and feels that he doesn't have much say in the vacation choice.....but upon further discussion, still arrives at the same conclusion- WDW is the ONLY choice for our family. BTW- he still gets time off twice a year, so all is not lost. He spends it home while I am working!