Do you enjoy your non-Disney vacations as much as your Disney trips?

[CJK]

Dh is really tired of Disney. I know, I can hardly believe it either!! We do go on other trips too however. We enjoyed the Mayan Riviera, for example, but I found myself longing for Disney. Dh said he enjoys our non-Disney trips more than our Disney trips now. I'm the opposite. Our goal was to go on 2 big trips a year (once to Disney and once somewhere new), but I don't think our finances will continue to allow it. If it were up to dh, we wouldn't go back to WDW for at least 5yrs! *gasp* What are your experiences?

 

[maryliz]

You mean there are OTHER places in the world to go besides WDW ???

Can't answer you. The last real non-Disney vacation we took was in 1994. We were at Disney On Ice last weekend and I was "longing for Disney". I love seeing my friends!

MaryLiz

 

[Sandyincanada]

We enjoyed the Mayan Riviera, for example, but I found myself longing for Disney. Dh said he enjoys our non-Disney trips more than our Disney trips now.

Yikes, I may not be the one to help you here because I can't imagine anyone being in the Mayan with that beautiful scenery, beach, the different customs and cultures, the locals, the ocean and long to be elsewhere. If you think seriously about it, what exactly were you longing for? Most people that go to places like the Mayan (myself included) will tell you theres "magic". Magic cannot be manufactured by a company (sorry, even disney) but its a feeling you get inside of you. IMO, if you open your heart, you can find it in alot of places.

We came out of a local store in Cuba and there was a very old, proud, weathered women standing there with her arms outstretched. She had several homemade seashell necklaces she was obviously wanting to sell. She never said a word until I asked her if she was selling her necklaces. She said 1.00 american dollar. I bought 5 (they are dirt poor in Cuba). She took my money and gave me the necklaces and nodded her thank you. I will never ever forget that or how deep it touched my heart. These are the situations that show you magic and can actually change you.

Sorry, on my soapbox again, lol. We do Orlando every other year now, DH also enjoys going to other Countries more than DW. The kids love both vacations. I like that they see other cultures, experience different things, they learn tolerance and they get a different view of the world. Even though we stay in a great resort, we make sure we get off so they can see how the real people live. We've been taking turns the last 6 yrs, Orlando one year and then another Country the other...always winter trips. I find when we do that I get even more excited to do one or the other because its been awhile. I find the trips are soooooo different that I really don't think of the other one at all.

Hopefully, after your DH has been away from DW for a year or 2, he will get the urge back to go. My DH did, it surprised him, lol and I much rather go with him wanting to go then to feel I am dragging him there.

Good luck

 

[CJK]

Thanks for your replies!

SandyinCanada.......I know what you're saying about the Mayan Riviera and the value in experiencing different cultures. I agree with you. I think it's important for us to broaden our horizons too. The story you said about the old woman in Cuba is really moving. We didn't have an experience even remotely similar. Like you, we always feel that while on trips to a different country, we always leave the resort. We loved the natural beauty (loved the sinkholes!) and enjoyed bartering...some of the time. I realize that these are poor countries which is why we try to do some shopping on each trip. However, we had people grab us, yell at us and not leave us alone. I know it comes with the territory and different culture, but it really bothered me nonetheless. We had similar experiences in DR and Cuba. During our non-excursion days, dh wants to relax by the pool/beach, whereas I'd rather not. I much prefer to get up and do something (which is probably why I love Disney so much).

Like I said, I do enjoy trips to new places but I can't deny missing the 'feeling' I get at Disney. Now that I think of it, maybe it's because I went to WDW as a child so I get a feeling of nostalgia when I'm there. hmm. Food for thought!
Thanks for sharing!

 

[dsneygirl]

Yes I do. We have been to Maui twice and IMHO it is the most beautiful place on earth.

We enjoy Disney for fun and to us it is so familiar it feels like going home. It's a very different kind of vacation than sitting at a tropical resort for a week.

 

[Grumbo]

I can categorically say YES we do enjoy them as much.
Last summer we did a tour of the States starting from Las Vegas, through Arizona, L.A, up the coast, San Francisco, Yosemite, over to Death Valley and back to Vegas. We DID do one day at Disneyland and it was nice, but was a small part of our vacation.
The opportunity for our daughter to see other areas, geography and for us to do the same is great. We're going to go to Germany and Austria and around Europe for a couple of weeks this June and July. We won't be seeing Mickey, but that is fine by me. I find these types of holidays (We're staying with friends and that reduces the prices immensely) gives you balance, plus once again are wonderful.
I would say for every Disney holiday we do at least one "non-Disney". Yeah I know thats blasphemy on here but what the heck
We love the Disney Cruises and were going to do it again next year but have found that DCL are pricing themselves out of our league. We're considering another cruise line, and also looking at a few different places.
It all depends on health, finances and work
I won't tie myself down to one place like Disney. That was one of the considerations we made in not buying DVC (Yep I know I can trade outside of DVC but you don't get real value if you go outside imho, plus for the cost of DVC if I'm not staying there I'll pass. One day if I win the lottery I'd buy though )
Thats my take on Disney and outside of Disney. We still enjoy our visits there, but want other experiences.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[alohamom]

I can relate in another way.We go to Hawaii about once every two years and have been doing so for about 12 years now. On the off years we go different places, try new things, including Disney once in a while. However, it seems we always say, oh it was great there but it wasn't as great as Hawaii. My experience of Hawaii being dear to my heart is similar to yours with Disney so I sympathize because I think I would cry or hit the roof if my dh didn't want to go (I am lucky in that he loves it as much as I do!) I am sure you will come to a compromise eventually, perhaps even a two center holiday like one week Disney then fly off to Bahamas for the next from there or whatever.

 

[Sandyincanada]

Thanks for your replies!

SandyinCanada.......I know what you're saying about the Mayan Riviera and the value in experiencing different cultures. I agree with you. I think it's important for us to broaden our horizons too. The story you said about the old woman in Cuba is really moving. We didn't have an experience even remotely similar. Like you, we always feel that while on trips to a different country, we always leave the resort. We loved the natural beauty (loved the sinkholes!) and enjoyed bartering...some of the time. I realize that these are poor countries which is why we try to do some shopping on each trip. However, we had people grab us, yell at us and not leave us alone. I know it comes with the territory and different culture, but it really bothered me nonetheless. We had similar experiences in DR and Cuba. During our non-excursion days, dh wants to relax by the pool/beach, whereas I'd rather not. I much prefer to get up and do something (which is probably why I love Disney so much).

Like I said, I do enjoy trips to new places but I can't deny missing the 'feeling' I get at Disney. Now that I think of it, maybe it's because I went to WDW as a child so I get a feeling of nostalgia when I'm there. hmm. Food for thought!
Thanks for sharing!

LOL, actually I hate bartering and never go near those kind of stores in Mexico. We've been called to from DR vendors but never had any problems in Cuba at all. DH and I both are supervisors and are under alot of stress so those few days for us where we can lay on the beach and not even worry about pulling our wallets out for drinks and supper are precious. Even at DW, we find a few days where we don't have to anything but relax. Hope you and DH find a happy compromise

 

[my3princesses]

Disney or Mexico! Hmmm ... well,

We just got back from a land/sea package with Disney Cruise. The weather was terrible the entire time rain/cold/winds. We saw 5 minutes of sunshine while at WDW and had a day of it on the cruise but the winds were quite bad. All in all, the cruise was not good for our family.

We chose the cruise because we usually go to the Mayan Riveria but wanted to do Disney this time. We thought having a little bit of both (with the cruise we were to stop in Nassau and castaway cay) on the cruise would be just what we needed. Nassau was cloudy/rainy and we didn't go to the beach (told it wasn't generally a safe place). Ship couldn't get to castaway. Therefore we missed out on the part of our holiday that we really wanted (and needed as we really needed to rest).

Needless to say, we've been to Disney now 4 times and we can honestly say (and so can our kids aged 9, 11, 13) that we are tiring of it. All through the trip we talked about Mexico and how much we loved it (and wished we were there). Next year, were going back.

We also take several small trips in Ontario throughout the year - 3-4 days up north, or camping or Ottawa, Toronto and we always like the different surroundings and experiences. We are considering another trip to BC to see the mountains. Canada has so much to offer!

Disney (although magical) is not a holiday where you can rest therefore it is not a holiday but an adventure. Sometimes you just need to sit and enjoy the scenery.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

We go to Lake George every year (as we do WDW). I enjoy my WDW vacations much more. My kids ages 11 & 14 love going to LG. They do have alot of activities, but it's just a getaway trip. WDW is our big one.
I haven't taken a cruise yet, from what I hear I might enjoy that as much and even more than WDW. One day we'll go!

 

[PoohBWV]

When our kids were younger (they are both in university now), we went to Disney every year. Haven't been since 2001 and although I would like to go for a few days to see what is new I can't say I miss it. We have now been going on cruises and find that we really love it. Everyone in our family prefers cruising to Disney (although we still like Disney). As many of you know, I am a TA and am fortunate to be able to host group cruises that I have sold. I really like traveling with a large group and especially like stopping at different ports of call on each trip. We also of course love the service and food, but most of all I love the feeling of being in the middle of the ocean on the ship.

 

[Limmer]

I would have to say I don't enjoy them as much. We have not been on many vacations, Disney cruise and WDW for honeymoon, WDW, Vancouver, Calgary and Las Vegas (it sure seems like more when I type it out) but we both far and away enjoy Disney more.
We just got back from Las Vegas (went for DSIL's wedding) and because I don't gamble and drink very little I did not find it that enjoyable. It was interesting and I am glad that I experienced it but we were not going to travel this year and all I kept thinking was I could have gone to Disney for the same $1600.
Vancouver and Calgary were nice and I enjoyed them but Disney is more my style.

 

[LSmith]

Let me start by saying that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Disney World. We are leaving in two weeks! It will be our 5 trip there.

That said, there is a whole other world outside of Disney. We go to Nova Scotia every year which is absolutely beautiful. O.k. I am from there so I'm slightly biased. Still, it is a great place to vacation. Places like Cape Breton, Halifax (where I'm from), Lunenburg (where we have a cottage) are all heaven. Also, the New England states are great to vacation in. Maine, New Hampshire, and my favorite city, Boston are excellent vacation spots. Last summer we went to Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. The kids loved it as much as we did.

I also had the opportunity to go to Hamburg, Germany in early December for 2 weeks and was blown away at its beauty and history. I really wasn't expecting to be so taken by it. I can't wait to be able go back with my family.

We have also vacationed in the Bahamas, Mexico and Cuba but personally didn't have as great experiences.

There are too many beautiful places in the world to see. Don't limit yourself. I have only just begun.

That said, I can't wait to be in Disney World in two weeks!

 

[scorp111]

My DW and I have been lucky, and have traveled quite a bit throughout the US, Canada, and UK/Europe. We actually have lived together in NC, London UK, Montreal, and now live outside of Hamilton. And the truth is right now, I am COMPLETELY addicted to WDW!! I had never been prior to last September, but we bought AP's, and went down in Dec for MVMCP. We are planning a trip in 7 1/2 weeks as well as a trip in Early September. And while I agree, there is more to the world than Disney, right now, it is the perfect vacation spot for us.

It is an escape from the real world, my DD (19 months) loves it, and it is a good location to have extended family members visit with us. In fact in April, my Mother and Niece will spend 5 days with us, and then my MIL, FIL, BIL & his new bride will spend 7 days with us....


I am sure this is a phase, and we won't be making 4 trips per year every year ( we definitely cannot afford it!), but right now, it makes any other trips less appealing

 

[piglets]

Hi Gang,

Well, I must say that I do enjoy my Disney trips very much--however, my Disney experiences are changing each time that I go. I find that I am taking it easy more often and stopping to enjoy the moment more, whereas before I would be rushing around trying to get "everything in".

I used to travel more often when I was younger to Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, etc., but find that I can tag on a few days at the Gulf and get the same relaxation there.

Now, having said all that, when I am up at the cottage during the summer, I never think that I would rather be at Disney--two totally different vacations!

Just my two cents - have fun wherever you end up and enjoy!