Disney vs. Europe Vacation

[bethy]

EUROPE!!!!

BUT, make it tailored to suit you. For me, I wouldn't want to travel with other people for a whole month. I would need more time for it to be just me and my husband. And then also I would want to plan plenty of relaxation in there. I would book one week at a lovely beachfront locale, for example. And then also make sure we weren't on the move every day or even every other day. I would stay at each hotel at least 2 nights. Also, I would want to see a mix of countryside and small towns along with the big cities.

I am so envious of you!!!!

(Can you sneak in a long weekend at WDW sometime during the year to get your fix?) Or do DLP, etc.

 

[Golden Rose]

We took our son with us to Europe when he was 5. We were there for almost 3 weeks, just under a week on land in England, 2 weeks on a Mediterranean cruise that went to England, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and France. I was very careful to schedule a lot of activities that would be fun for all of us, and we had an amazing trip.

When we got back (and had recovered from our jetlag), he said, "Wow, mom, Europe is way cooler than Disney World!"

He now vehemently denies ever having said this, but I had reported it on Facebook to 150 of my closest friends, so he will never live it down!

 

[Wedgeh]

Go to Europe, Disney is not going anywhere.

Europe's been here for a while, and despite the economic situation I can't see it disappearing anytime soon

I spend all my time planning how to get out of Europe and go to Disney, so it works both ways

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Europe's been here for a while, and despite the economic situation I can't see it disappearing anytime soon

I spend all my time planning how to get out of Europe and go to Disney, so it works both ways

No but unfortunately we are going "somewhere"

My mother and I have traveled extensively in Europe, but due to her moblity etc.. those days are probably over. She can still do Disney.

So I would go to Europe while you are "young" enough to enjoy it. I love France for example, but it's not near the US when it comes to being accessible for mobility impaired folks!

 

[lisaviolet]

Next year we are going to Europe for a month with friends - visiting Paris, Normandy, Bavaria, Prague, Venice and Florence.
!

I would be running the airport.

How lovely. Sighing. I'm sitting here smiling just imagining that trip.

Now I have to go read the rest and see if you came to your senses.

 

[cbnsoul]

We had plans (flights/hotel/rental cars) to go to Disneyland then Aulani. A month before the trip we decided we'd just rather go to WDW. Just didn't want to go through all the transfers, flights, time change, etc., especially with a 6 year old. I'm sure we'll go sometime...

 

[sandieb]

I'm feeling a little silly being reluctant about this trip, but we have purchased our airline tickets so it is a go. We have decided to skip Prague (time away from our friends) and stay at Disneyland Paris for a couple nights on DVC points. There is my Disney fix - I hope! This whole trip is really a logistical challenge, and, yes, it is a lot to think about.

We really can't do WDW and Europe in the same year - just too expensive. Someone suggested having a separate grandkids vacation - yes! So I think we are going to go to Maine/Nova Scotia for a fishing trip and enjoy that beautiful area.

Thanks for everyone's encouragement.

 

[Mickyaraben]

I was in the same boat a few years ago. I didn't want to give up a full-on Disney vacation for Europe. I kept debating it all the way until the flight landed. I love my Disney vacations, they are easy to plan and always exceed my expectations. Europe required so much more time and planning, but I am so glad we did it!

This past week we just booked flights for our 3rd trip over to Europe. The last two times we stopped at Disneyland Paris so I could get my Disney fix in. I've fallen in love with DLP. The park is beautiful. The first time I missed the WDW/DL cast member magic, but the second time learned to love the park for its European charm.

We are headed over this time so we can see DLP for Christmas. Can't wait to see the park done up in garland and lights!

Hope you have an amazing adventure and then a great Disney vacation next time!!

 

[sandieb]

I was in the same boat a few years ago. I didn't want to give up a full-on Disney vacation for Europe. I kept debating it all the way until the flight landed. I love my Disney vacations, they are easy to plan and always exceed my expectations. Europe required so much more time and planning, but I am so glad we did it!

This past week we just booked flights for our 3rd trip over to Europe. The last two times we stopped at Disneyland Paris so I could get my Disney fix in. I've fallen in love with DLP. The park is beautiful. The first time I missed the WDW/DL cast member magic, but the second time learned to love the park for its European charm.

We are headed over this time so we can see DLP for Christmas. Can't wait to see the park done up in garland and lights!

Hope you have an amazing adventure and then a great Disney vacation next time!!

Thanks for the encouragement! That is exactly how I feel - giving up a treasured WDW vacation for a lot of planning, travelling and the unknown. I am on-board with having a great attitude, getting my DLP fix, and enjoying something new.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I was in the same boat a few years ago. I didn't want to give up a full-on Disney vacation for Europe. I kept debating it all the way until the flight landed. I love my Disney vacations, they are easy to plan and always exceed my expectations. Europe required so much more time and planning, but I am so glad we did it!

This past week we just booked flights for our 3rd trip over to Europe. The last two times we stopped at Disneyland Paris so I could get my Disney fix in. I've fallen in love with DLP. The park is beautiful. The first time I missed the WDW/DL cast member magic, but the second time learned to love the park for its European charm.

We are headed over this time so we can see DLP for Christmas. Can't wait to see the park done up in garland and lights!

Hope you have an amazing adventure and then a great Disney vacation next time!!

I read this to DH who couldn't believe I had not wanted to go to DLP when we were in Barcelona this year. Well, you have made it so appealing, I am putting DLP on our 2015 calendar!

Bobbi

 

[d3boyz]

We love Disney and have gone every year (at least once) the last 12 years. Next year we are going to Europe for a month with friends - visiting Paris, Normandy, Bavaria, Prague, Venice and Florence. We figured it was time to do something different. So today I was reading the Disboards as we were driving back from the beach. I realized that I would rather take a megatrip to Disney with my grandchildren than this Europe trip. I said something to my husband, who said "OK".

Has anyone else experienced something like this? What did you decide? Thanks!

I love to travel and learn about new places: history, geography, culture, etc. My husband is quite content to stay right here. However, since he finally learned that Mickey's boats are NOT the big gray military ships (no amount of telling him convinced him ... I finally got him ON one of them!), he's all for seeing whatever he can see a la Disney.

That said, we did a 10-day Mediterranean cruise with Disney (the last one in Aug 2007), followed it with a 14-day trans-Atlantic cruise with Disney, and wrapped it up with a full week at WDW before going home. THAT was a phenomenal vacation ... all Disney ... all incredible.

Maybe look to something like a Med cruise via Disney or even Adventures by Disney?

Deb

 

[eliza61]

We love Disney and have gone every year (at least once) the last 12 years. Next year we are going to Europe for a month with friends - visiting Paris, Normandy, Bavaria, Prague, Venice and Florence. We figured it was time to do something different. So today I was reading the Disboards as we were driving back from the beach. I realized that I would rather take a megatrip to Disney with my grandchildren than this Europe trip. I said something to my husband, who said "OK".

Has anyone else experienced something like this? What did you decide? Thanks!

Nope. LOL. Sorry I love disneyworld but there is no denying it's "manufactured"

Europe is magnificient. NO ohter words to describe it. Europe leaves my family breathless, the same with the grand canyon. You look at it and it is simply awe inspiring.

Next, the problem we are having with disney is that so many things are becoming mediocre. Sorry the food has gone way down and some of the rides need major upgrades. Maybe it's because we go annually and it's getting a little stale.

We went to France and England in May, my entire family and my teens had to be dragged back on the plane kicking and screaming. they loved it.

We still do disney but after 4 days, we're fine. no need for us to stay longer. We're off on a cruise next year with no plans for disney for a while.

Go. Believe me Disney is NOT the only place on the planet where memories are made. Maybe your issue is more of not being with the grandkids. plan a seperate trip with them.

 

[LSchrow]

my 2 cents:
especially for those who own DVC (i.e., go often):
WDW = relaxing, more spontaneity, sleeping late/hanging out in room - you've seen/done it before & will again, significantly less expensive

Europe (or any other continent, imho) = more planning, more go-do-go-do, more expensive but amazing experiences: actually seeing/touching remnants of mankind's evolution (and being amazed by the "what ifs" - small changes in history could have created totally different lives for us today), more adventure, foods you've never tasted, people who are so different from you but so much the same

as safe & warm as "the bubble" is (whether it be WDW, our home/town/state/country/continent), there are so many sights, people, adventures, just waiting for us to explore them....right outside our little bubble

enjoy your adventure!!

 

[eliza61]

my 2 cents:
especially for those who own DVC (i.e., go often):
WDW = relaxing, more spontaneity, sleeping late/hanging out in room - you've seen/done it before & will again, significantly less expensive

Europe (or any other continent, imho) = more planning, more go-do-go-do, more expensive but amazing experiences: actually seeing/touching remnants of mankind's evolution (and being amazed by the "what ifs" - small changes in history could have created totally different lives for us today), more adventure, foods you've never tasted, people who are so different from you but so much the same

as safe & warm as "the bubble" is (whether it be WDW, our home/town/state/country/continent), there are so many sights, people, adventures, just waiting for us to explore them....right outside our little bubble

enjoy your adventure!!

One thing I love about these boards is how different people view different things.

My wdw are way more stressful and intense.

I never have to make adr's 6 months in advance when I go to europe. LOL Paris has about a million bistros, brassieres and restaurants every 10 steps.

When I go to Europe the airfare is pretty much what makes it more expensive.
tickets to wdw are ridiculous. 350 bucks pp easy. April I went to Paris, got a 5 day museum pass that got me into almost all museums and a couple of attractions like Versaille for 70 bucks. Notre Dame free. almost every attraction is free or discounted for kids under 16. Hop on hop off bus in london was some thing like 18 bucks, 10 bucks for kids.

Food. LOL, unless I cook in my villa once again, food at Disney is usually more expensive and it's definitely not as good as in Italy or Spain. I'm not even going to mention the difference in Paris. Now don't get me wrong you can get some sticker shock in Europe but most major cities have tons of low cost bistros and brasseries where you get excellent food for decent prices.
I have not had a meal at Disney that I would say was excellent in quite a long time.

And now I have to wait and see how the new fp+ system works out because it may come a time where we are forced to pick our ride times before gettting to the parks.

 

[Pootle]

Nope. LOL. Sorry I love disneyworld but there is no denying it's "manufactured"

Europe is magnificent. NO other words to describe it. Europe leaves my family breathless, the same with the grand canyon. You look at it and it is simply awe inspiring.

Loved your post eliza61, especially the quoted part above . Whenever we're wandering around some pretty place in Italy or Germany for instance, I'm always saying '.... and it's real'

I'm British, and fortunate enough to enjoy 2 trips to Florida a year (although I don't 'love' Disney World itself and visit the parks less and less each year, apart from visits with the grandchildren ). We've also travelled widely throughout the USA and Canada. Western Europe* is on our doorstep and we have been lucky to travel extensively over many years and I note that the OP also did when she was younger.

I love my many trips to Europe* - just back from a wonderful 7-day river cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg, taking in Vienna along the way but, and it's a big but, it did cost more than a 2-week vacation in the Florida (and we don't travel coach across the Atlantic!) so I can quite see that taking a major European vacation and a Disney vacation in the same year may be too much.

So, OP, I'm pleased you've made your decision and I think you are right to refer to attitude being important. If a visit to DLP makes you happier about the prospect, then you were right to include it. It sounds like your time in Europe was a long time ago, and you may find that much has changed. Shops in Germany for instance, no longer close at lunchtime on Saturday . Hope it's wonderful for you

* We Brits do know that we are really Europeans too, it's just that we often choose to ignore the fact, living on islands

 

[msp2mco]

This isn't quite the same, but a year ago, we were planning a family trip to NYC during spring break. No one was looking forward to it or answering my questions about what they wanted to do. Finally my DH said, "Does everyone just want to go to WDW instead?" to which we all answered, "Yes." So, that's what we did.

That said, I would still opt for Europe. Can someone help you with the planning and arrangements? It can be overwhelming, especially when you have extended family around.

When our family has been in Europe, we often make comments comparing what we see to Epcot World Showcase. For instance, when we read that F&W was having a Scottish kiosk and serving Banoffee Tart, we had to find one when we were in Scotland. We didn't find the tart, but we found other variations of it on dessert menus. I ended up making one a day or two after we returned.

Good luck! I'm sure you will make wonderful memories with your family.

 

[Mickyaraben]

I read this to DH who couldn't believe I had not wanted to go to DLP when we were in Barcelona this year. Well, you have made it so appealing, I am putting DLP on our 2015 calendar! Bobbi

Yeah!! Really worth the experience.

 

[MarlaSingersLaundry]

* We Brits do know that we are really Europeans too, it's just that we often choose to ignore the fact, living on islands

Funny!

OP, I'm in a similar situation. We are leaving in 10 days for England. We're fortunate that we have been to GB, Europe and Asia for work and pleasure. But, I'm sad to miss F&W and MNSSHP this year. We have caught the Disney bug, and DW an easy, somewhat less expensive trip for us. This trip to England, (we are footing the bill entirely, vacation, not work) is significantly more than we have ever spent for DW. We are going with our best friends, they have never been before. It will be fun to explore with them, and find new experiences. While I am excited to go, have a nice time with our friends, I keep thinking about DW and all the fall events I love. I'm sure we will have a great time in any event. Next year, we will all to F&W together.

If you have never been to Europe, I am sure you will have a great time! There really is so much to see and experience. A month is a good amount of time to see a lot, though you still may find yourself wishing for more time to fit all the sights in! I love the history, culture, castles, architecture and people. It's truly an experience of a lifetime! I see you are going to DL Paris. We've never visited. I wonder how it will compare. I hope you will share your experience when you return.

Luckily, we have our Nov/Dec family trip to look forward to! I am super excited for that trip! Our first stay at VGF with my parents, aunt, uncle and 12 year old cousin!

 

[Anal Annie]

Thanks for the encouragement! That is exactly how I feel - giving up a treasured WDW vacation for a lot of planning, travelling and the unknown. I am on-board with having a great attitude, getting my DLP fix, and enjoying something new.

Europe is FABULOUS!! We did DLP and Paris + a DCL Med cruise & a few extra days in Barcelona 2 summers ago and it was THE BEST VACATION EVER!! You WILL NOT regret going!! It was the best adventure!! I soooo wish we could afford to go again!! We also had to give up going to Disney that year (and did HHI the summer before to save on buying more park tix) so we were definitely having withdraw symptoms by the time we got back to WDW. But absence makes the heart grow fonder - since we had a 2 yr. break it was so good to go back again. Anyway, I suck bcuz I never finished the last 2 days on my trip report (we went for 15 days) BUT I still have a link to my trip report in my siggie - check it out sometime. (There are still 13 days worth of reading in it!) I put in tons of pics and details galore. It was the best I'm telling you, the best!! GO and have fun!!!

 

[ParrotBill]

Europe is way better in person than the EPCOT version.

On our big family trip we visited Switzerland, Venice, Paris, and Germany and got in a day at Disneyland Paris.