Disney World and Other Vacations

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I go to Disney once or twice a year, but that's only because my parents live in Kissimmee and are both cast members. Honestly, I could never afford to go as often without those two perks. I am very lucky and grateful that my only expenses are travel and food. If I didn't have my wonderful parents I would probably only be able to go every two to three years.

As far as other vacations, well, I live in the woods just a few miles from one of the most beautiful lakes in the world (according to National Geographic). Camping, hunting, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking are weekend activities.

Before my parents relocated to Kissimmee, they spent several years travelling the country living in their RV. The rest of us would meet up with them when we could, which sometimes meant there were WDW trips on the side, if they were close enough.

Growing up it was mostly Disney every year.

 

[W.E.D.]

We aim for every four to five years at WDW.
In between we like to visit the National Parks. We are interested in international travel as well. Our first trip out of the country was last year.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

1) We were going 2x's a year, but this year it's looking more like 5. We live in NJ and do a combo of flying & driving.
2) My girls are 3, 6 & 9.
3) We go on short trips to the Jersey Shore (yuk), nothern NY (Lake George), All Inclusive Resorts (so far Jamaica twice), and we have a motorhome that we take camping (most recently to Myrtle Beach, SC). We'll do short trips to NYC (usually around Xmas) and Washington DC (if either H or I are sent there for longer than a week for work). Now that the youngest is getting older I feel more comfortable trying longer flights. Right now we're set to visit Paris (and Disney Paris <3) in April 2017 for our 10 yr wedding anniversary.

Vacations are VERY important to me and my H. We both work very hard and travel for work takes us away from the kids, so we make it a point to spend as much time with our kids as we can. When we're home there's always something going on (going to the gym, practices, lessons, homework) so we take at least 3 family vacations a year -- plus one by ourselves with no kids.

We're also at the point where we'll be travelign out of state for soccer tournaments, so we'll turn those into "vacations," too.

We are lucky to have so much vacation time, and we are not people who ever "lose" is -- we use it all up!

 

[Frozen2014]

Awesome responses...

Vacations are VERY important to me and my H. We both work very hard and travel for work takes us away from the kids, so we make it a point to spend as much time with our kids as we can. When we're home there's always something going on (going to the gym, practices, lessons, homework) so we take at least 3 family vacations a year -- plus one by ourselves with no kids.

We're also at the point where we'll be travelign out of state for soccer tournaments, so we'll turn those into "vacations," too.

We are lucky to have so much vacation time, and we are not people who ever "lose" is -- we use it all up!

Totally agree with this. Our Disney World trip last October was our first real vacation as a family. ..and it was so amazing. I had lost my mom 2 years ago, and it made me realize how precious life is. My DS was already 9 and they grow up quick. So I said to DH so would love to take these special trips with our kids more before tHey grow up and are out if the house. Of course, there is the reality of cost. Plus, for Trips like Disney, the best time is off peak times (I.e. Avoid march break, Christmas, and summer because of the heat)...so the frequency also depends how often we take them out of school (and soon we won't do that with our DS). But vacation as a family has become very important, so I do hope to be able to take these special trips every 2 years or so.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I try and get to WDW every two years or so. I don't have children of my own, but have taken my then 13 yr old niece with me on one of my trips. Otherwise when I go it's always with adults. I live pretty close to Wildwood, NJ and used to vacation there for ten days each year, staying at a hotel with my sister's family but we haven't done that since her two youngest kids were teenagers. I went to Williamsburg, VA a few years ago to Busch Gardens and didn't really enjoy myself (kept wishing I was at WDW, actually).

I go on trips to Knoebel's Amusement Park in Pennsylvania for long weekends and enjoy it very much-Knoebel's 'rescues' older attractions from other parks that would otherwise be scrapped and is a treat for people who are into vintage amusements. They have a Whip ride there from 1915 that's still in good working order and fun.

But really, my heart is with Disney. If I had to choose a vacation and only do that for the rest of my life, I'd go to WDW.

 

[PEC]

We are on a pattern of going every year but I have a luxury of not having to fly so that saves some money. I am also finding that cost is somewhat relative. Lodging, tickets and meals often times come out to a little over 100 dollars per person. Granted I am at the campsites but I find that to almost in line with other trips. I do plan a trip in the next few years to the Grand Canyon and then to Washing ton DC and Hershey, PA. Bottomline my DDs are 14 and they start HS next year. I see a couple of more Disney trips in that time. Maybe 3 more. After that I expect my wife and I to go every 3-4 years.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We have gone to WDW about once a year for the last 15 years. Maybe once of twice there were two trips in a year.

When we started going our kids were 3 and 1. This year they are 18 and 15. Truthfully, I would not have cared if we skipped this year, but DD is graduating high school and this is what she wanted to do to celebrate. Who am I to argue with a WDW trip?!

We went to California on vacation four years ago (included a stop at DLR). We usually go to Myrtle Beach 2-3 times a year (3 hour drive for us). We have also vacationed in Washington DC, Williamsburg, and Gatlinburg (more than once in each instance). In addition we have used vacation time/funds to participate in mission camps and mission teams, in which we get to do lots of building work. Different type of "vacation", but always very rewarding.

 

[HHMcG]

Since having kids (they are 9,7&4) we planned to go every other year - 2010, 2012, 2014 but I 'tricked' DH into a Jan 2015 trip. Our next will be May 2017. The kids are less in aww with it each visit and it makes me a little sad. So I need to change up the Disney trips. The 2015 trip was short and budget, 2017 will be Star Wars Weekend.

In the past, between Disney trips we do lots of long weekends (like Baltimore, DC, college football games or Great Wolf Lodge). My ILs live a block from the beach so we spend alot of summer there, so no beach vacation needed. Oh and we also do a 4-5 day ski trip to Vermont most winters. (Ugg, DH's pick) But nothing big or exciting like Disney. I'm trying to convince DH to do something exciting for Spring Break 2016 (a cruise or Legoland Florida or both). If I can convince him to do some other big trip maybe I won't need to push for Disney so much.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

We try to go to Disney every year. We drive and get a great deal ($0) on DVC so that makes it possible for us. We also go to the beach (Gulf Shores, AL) every year as a family. My wife and kids also go to the beach in the spring and the fall with my inlaws. I'm usually invited but someone has to work If not for the DVC and the family condo always providing us somewhere free to stay our vacations would probably consist of a slip-n-slide in the back yard!

 

[ArwenMarie]

We go once a year, sometimes twice.
Honestly I can't think of other places to go right now.
We all dislike the beach. We drive down to the shore a couple of days a year, that is plenty.
We are not big fans of lakes or outdoors stuff.
I will never take a cruise.
If anything I can see us traveling around Europe one day but I'm waiting until the kids are older for that. Ditto for the national parks out West etc.
My husband and I have seen much of Europe as well as traveled around the US so we are in no rush.
Disney/Orlando works for us right now.

 

[SeilerBird]

I live 25 miles away and I go at least once a week, sometimes as much as 4 times (once in each park) a week.

 

[momof2n2]

• How often do you go to Disney World?

We used to go more than once a year (flying from NY), then once a year (after first child), then every other year (after second child and more).
Now we planned to go every OTHER year, but cancelled 2014 when I got cold feet with FP+. Now planning to go next year. It will end up being a five year absence. (Missed 2013 for new baby.)

• How old are your kids (if any)?

Currently 14, 12, 10, 9, 5, 2.

• Where else do you travel? Or type of vacation?

Oh boy....
2016 Planned 7 night NCL cruise and WDW.
2015 Driving from NY to OR in a few weeks with multiple stops in US. Mostly to see friends in OR and Pacific Ocean.
2014 Caribbean cruise. Bahamian cruise (DCL). Florida with SeaWorld, Busch Gardens Aquatica.
2013 New baby = nothing
2012 Sesame Place. And our only ever "Staycation" - did a ton of local activities. It was actually a blast & I slept in my own bed. (2 miscarriages = little travel = bad year)
2011 2 weeks Florida with WDW, Holyland Experience, and other stuff. Week OBX
2010 new baby
2009 Dollywood and area
2008 Sesame Place and area. Week in OBX
2007 WDW
2002 - 2006 every other year Sesame Place vs. WDW
2001 - WDW, Dollywood, and DCL

 

[Monykalyn]

1)

Vacations are VERY important to me and my H. We both work very hard and travel for work takes us away from the kids, so we make it a point to spend as much time with our kids as we can. When we're home there's always something going on (going to the gym, practices, lessons, homework) so we take at least 3 family vacations a year -- plus one by ourselves with no kids.

We're also at the point where we'll be travelign out of state for soccer tournaments, so we'll turn those into "vacations," too.

We are lucky to have so much vacation time, and we are not people who ever "lose" is -- we use it all up!

Ditto this-My H lost his job a few years ago (we knew this was going to happen)-went independent contractor status-and it is best thing that happened. work hard, but get paid for the hard work. Hardest thing was jumping into private insurance market-but I LOVE the freedom of not being tied to a job for health insurance. My position at the hospital I work at offered 25% more pay to not have benefits (still get the Incentive savings plan though -100% matched on first 3% in retirement plan, 1.5% on next 2%=free money for retirement). BUT working for (basically) yourself is harder and longer so we are now prioritizing vacations. My DH dad and stepmom came with us for a couple days on last years WDW trip (this MIL is sometimes a bit...prickly) and it was the best. days. ever. My son dragged grandma on Star Tours at least 3 times (they both adore this ride). The photo of my FIL on ToT is hilarious. I am not sure these wonderful memories could have happened anywhere but WDW.

This years trip happened because this mama realized her baby will be a senior in the fall and off to college after that. Bit of panic and (possibly) overreaction??

 

[Frozen2014]

• How often do you go to Disney World?

We used to go more than once a year (flying from NY), then once a year (after first child), then every other year (after second child and more).
Now we planned to go every OTHER year, but cancelled 2014 when I got cold feet with FP+. Now planning to go next year. It will end up being a five year absence. (Missed 2013 for new baby.)

• How old are your kids (if any)?

Currently 14, 12, 10, 9, 5, 2.

• Where else do you travel? Or type of vacation?

Oh boy....
2016 Planned 7 night NCL cruise and WDW.
2015 Driving from NY to OR in a few weeks with multiple stops in US. Mostly to see friends in OR and Pacific Ocean.
2014 Caribbean cruise. Bahamian cruise (DCL). Florida with SeaWorld, Busch Gardens Aquatica.
2013 New baby = nothing
2012 Sesame Place. And our only ever "Staycation" - did a ton of local activities. It was actually a blast & I slept in my own bed. (2 miscarriages = little travel = bad year)
2011 2 weeks Florida with WDW, Holyland Experience, and other stuff. Week OBX
2010 new baby
2009 Dollywood and area
2008 Sesame Place and area. Week in OBX
2007 WDW
2002 - 2006 every other year Sesame Place vs. WDW
2001 - WDW, Dollywood, and DCL

Looks like you have a wonderful large family, and great you're able to travel.
I see you like cruising too. As mentioned (I'm OP), we have one planned next year with our kids. So excited as it seems great experience for kids too.
I've heard Sesame Street place is so fun for little kids.
Enjoy your cruise and Disney trip next year. That's the best of both worlds!

 

[Parker Clan]

We go every year (fifth august in a row) we don't have kids yet.. Thinking that will definitely change once that's the case.. But will be so fun and a wonderful experience introducing kids to the magic of WDW! We always go to Universal/IoA before Disney so it's a 10 day Vaca or so (drive from CT) One year before we got our pup we went to Emerald Isle (the southern outer banks) in NC! House right on the beach, super relaxing!

 

[Hootch]

In 2010 we toured Washington, DC. (We will have to go back since our daughter was just 7.)
2011 was Disney and Long Boat Key.
2012 was a driving trip throught the Southwest including San Diego, Disneyland (1 day), Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, etc.
2013 Disney, Universal, Long Boat Key
2014 driving trip through the Northwest including Pike's Peak, Great Salt Lake, Yosemite, San Fran, Seattle, Mt St Helen's, etc
2015 Disney, Universal, Long Boat Key
2016 tour NYC

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

We do Disney two times per year. We also do VA beach and a FL beach each once per year. Then we do something different like New Orleans or NYC one to two times per year. My children are just out of school which is why I have more time. When they were very young baby to 10 we could not afford Disney and did not go and did very little vacation wise.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

-Lately, I've been going once a year.
-No kids
-I don't really vacation anywhere else, but I do want to visit SeaWorld at some point, and maybe Universal Studios. But I'm not bored with Disney yet!

 

[lauracitawita]

We like to take at least two trips a year. We have done WDW on average every other year for a while.

A couple of years ago we went to Italy. That was my dream trip. I used to think Europe was never going to happen because it felt too expensive. Once we did Italy, we realized it wasn't too much more than a WDW trip. So, now the plan is a European trip every other year or so. Last year we went to France. This year we went to Portugal.

Our second trip of the year is usually just an all inclusive to Mexico, Jamaica, or somewhere else warm and relaxing!

This year is a little crazy. Like I said we did Portugal earlier in the year and we just booked WDW for November. We are doing our first 2 week stay at a moderate. We got free dining and with the exchange (we are Canadian), we are spending over $7000. That is nuts! We could easily do a trip to Europe for less than that.

We only have one child and we usually travel during off peak times so we get great deals. My DH and I share a car and save everywhere possible because travelling is our FAVOURITE thing to do. lol

 

[tlmadden73]

• How often do you go to Disney World?
• How old are your kids (if any)?
• Where else do you travel? Or type of vacation?

Right now? As of August I'll have gone 4 times in 5 years.
Once with my wife (before she was my wife)
Just a visit to DTD and Universal on our first anniversary.
Last October with my 2 year old son .. a last minute trip joining up with friends there.
This August with my (will be) 3 year old son (and my nieces and in-laws)

I hope to go about every 2-3 years (even if for a short trip) if he continues to be a Disney fan. I've toyed with the DVC, but not sure I really want to commit to vacationing there that much. There are a lot of other places to see.

Where else do we travel? Mainly to visit friends and family (far away) and do "vacationy" things there or on the way.
I live in a beach town, so its not like I need to travel far to get fun in the sun.

Orlando is only an 8-9 hour drive from where I live in NC, so I consider Disney an easy drive .. and we are doing short spurts there because of how close we are rather than the big week long vacation.