Does the magic diminish over time?

[El Tel]

Has anyone found that their love of WDW increases, decreases or stays the same over time? The reason I ask is this.....

My family went to WDW in 2000 as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' millennium celebration. We stayed at All Star Movies and loved it.

Well, we must have been thinking rodent lifetimes because we enjoyed WDW so much we returned in 2002, but this time staying at a cheap, offsite hotel to keep costs down (Villager Premier near Seaworld). Again we had fun, but it wasn't as magical as the first time. There may be reasons for this: the hotel was awful; we had to travel daily through traffic to get to WDW; the people we went with always wanted to do other things (leave early, go back to the 'hotel' or go shopping at malls).

Since 2002 we have saved up a lot so that this year we are staying at AKL, are on the dining plan, have MNSSHP and Keys to the Kingdom tickets, and are going alone. I'm therefore hoping the magic of our very first visit will return, but I'm a little worried that the magic then was due to the novelty and wonder of experiencing WDW for the first time. Can someone reassure me on this?

 

[msmouse]

I understand your concern. When we visited once every two years, I thought it was the most wonderful place on earth. When my sister and I started going on our own, we were able to go quite often. I worried about it becoming old hat. I am happy to tell you I get more excited about going now than ever. We go about once every 3-4 months. We are now able to relax and take our time doing things we would not normally do since we know we will be back in a few months. I am convinced now that it will never lose it's magic for us.

 

[jimmiej]

Our love for WDW has increased! See below for the frequency of our trips. DW & I have determined two things: On-site is MUCH better and going by ourselves is the ONLY way to go! We stay in a different Disney resort each trip and that helps keep things fresh. Go and have a great time! You'll love KttK tour!

 

[sticker231]

I don't think it will ever lose the magic. I hadn't been in over ten years and went last October with the kids. We loved the place our parents stayed at and decided to buy in that timeshare. We found a great deal and ended up buying two weeks. DW said do you think we will get sick of it. I responded "hell no!".

The look on the kids faces when they see their favorite character or just got off a ride the really love is amazing. Since we plan to visit for two weeks a year, there is no ruch to see everything during our planned days. We can see what we missed last time and they are always adding or improving.

The Magic will never be lost!

 

[disnut8]

I go five or six times a year. We stay (it's just the husband and me) at various places, either on Disney property or offsite. Last tiem was Memorial Day weekend and Coronado Springs. Next time will be late September for the opening of the Food & Wine Festival. Then Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends.

Does the magic ever end? No, not for us. Because each trip brings something new for us. The September trip is focused on Survivor performing at the American Gardens Theatre. For Thanksgiving, I have a dinner reservation at Cape May Cafe (eaten here before but not for Thanksgiving). Christmas will be all the decorations.

I've found that the magic is what we make it.

 

[momof2minnies]

Just to be in the parks and see the reaction of people we don't even know, who are there for the first time,is magical and priceless! We went to Universal last year and I left saying the main difference is you do not see anyone getting overly excited, emotional or teary eyed there. It never gets old at WDW!

 

[kaysmommie]

I think offsite might have made your trip less magical. I"m sure you will have and awesome time at AKL and doing keys to the kingdom. We usually go to Disney every year (took a couple years off when I had DS) and it is always magical for us. We would love to go for a weekend without the kids sometime in the future because that sound like a good time too. Have a great vacation.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

For DH and I the special feelings and magic continue and grow stronger in ways. Our first trip with our kids 11 years ago was the most magical. Our kids were pre-teens, none of had ever been and everything was new and wonderful. Since then we have gone back many times. For me the most magic comes from sharing it with someone who hasn't been before, or hasn't been for a long time (we love taking our grandkids). However, DH and I find NEW magic every time we go. It may be a new restaurant, a new ride, or just a new area we haven't explored much. There is so much to see there and so many changes always going on that it never gets boring or old for us. We do love it! (We still have places we haven't explored yet)!

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

I understand your concerns. Like many people who posted already, I frequently visit WDW. Sometimes my parents ask me..."Isn't it getting old to you?" or "Why not try something new?". I cant!! I have too much fun when I go to WDW. And the best part is feeling relaxed, and knowing that it is ok if you do not get to do everything you planned, because it leaves something fun for the next trip. You will always discover something new and enjoyable on each trip, and will make new memories, as well. As long as you have the magic in your heart, I don't think you will have to worry about WDW getting 'old' to you.

 

[TnTsParty]

I also agree that the more often you go seems to make the magic more - if that is possible. Oh that and staying on site. Something about being right in the middle of everything and not having to drive till we check out!! Being a native Floridian I had made numerous trips to WDW as a kid and prior to my sister asking me to go in March of 2004 I last visited WDW in 1995. I didn't realize that March 04 trip would turn into a stepping stone to 7 more trips with one planned in Oct and would get my DH hooked on WDW as well. Its just that Disney Magic that makes you want keep coming back. There is always something different going on at Disney. Also because I know we will be coming back in a few months that we don't have to rush to get everything done in that one visit we can always do it the next time. I am sure you will have that "magic" staying at AKL - we LOVE that resort!!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Mine keeps increasing. I have been to WDW at many different stages of my life. Once in elementary school (age 10), once in middle school (age 13), once in high school (age 17), twice in college (age 21), and then last year my husband and I went (mid 20's). Each time my experience has been different. New parks, attractions, restaurants, hotels/houses and travel partners each time makes it more magical and more enjoyable. This last time when my DH and went by ourselves (we have a 1 year old), we weren't there as long but it was our first time going to WDW together and first time staying on property. This was the MOST special time because I felt part of the magic the whole vacation! I loved not having to navigate around Orlando and I loved being there and experiencing things through my husband's eyes! We will always stay on property from now on. Now he's hooked and we hope to take our son soon, AND the anticipation of his first WDW trip is so EXCITING! For me, WDW is a special place and I always find the MAGIC!!!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Our love for WDW has stayed the same since our first trip. WE LOVE WDW. Now that it is just my wife and myself going the love is still there. We have our favorite places to eat etc. We are going again this year by ourselves in October for F&W festival and Mickeys Halloween party. We will be going with my sister and husband and cousin and wife in early December for the Christmas shows.

 

[AStamm]

We made our first family trip two and a half years ago, and as you can see by my signature, will be working on trips #6 & 7 this year (as well as a first trip to Disneyland two weeks ago). Every trip is magical for us. There is always something new to see or do that we haven't been able to fit in previously--and that's saying a lot since we usually spend 8 days on each trip! No matter how many times I see a parade I never get bored with it.

If for some reason you aren't experiencing that magic, start looking at the people around you. For many it will be their first trip and everything will be brand new. Just seeing the joy on others faces is often my most special memory of the day.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Never ! Since 1977, our first trip, we've been back over 35 times. Trips started out being 4-5 day stays and now have reached to 10-12 day stays. Never enough time to suck up all the Disney we can. Kids are grown now, and only our daughter and hubby usually meet us there but we find new things to see and do every trip. We could enjoy ourselves without going to any of the parks.

We enjoy the HDDR just about every visit. Good night for a bash, food and beer and wine and a show. We stay deluxe, no other way for us, we're into the resort themeing and ambience and spend alot of time just picnicing around the pool with some cold liabations. We resort hop, lounge to lounge and eatery to eatery, list is endless. Rent a pontoon boat in the evening and tour the lakes, take a zillion pictures, make memories.

Magic dying, never, even though the attractions are common place to us, we have favorites and as we have gotten older, browsing the shops has become a favorite passtime. We enjoy the relaxed feeling of being welcomed on property, being catered to and pampered. Great dining all over, free transportation, yes we use the bus system and like it, many resorts to visit, shopping galore and DTD, plus golf, waterparks, just too much for the eyes and soul to take in each trip. Hence the many returns.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Has anyone found that their love of WDW increases, decreases or stays the same over time? The reason I ask is this.....

My family went to WDW in 2000 as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' millennium celebration. We stayed at All Star Movies and loved it.

Well, we must have been thinking rodent lifetimes because we enjoyed WDW so much we returned in 2002, but this time staying at a cheap, offsite hotel to keep costs down (Villager Premier near Seaworld). Again we had fun, but it wasn't as magical as the first time. There may be reasons for this: the hotel was awful; we had to travel daily through traffic to get to WDW; the people we went with always wanted to do other things (leave early, go back to the 'hotel' or go shopping at malls).

Since 2002 we have saved up a lot so that this year we are staying at AKL, are on the dining plan, have MNSSHP and Keys to the Kingdom tickets, and are going alone. I'm therefore hoping the magic of our very first visit will return, but I'm a little worried that the magic then was due to the novelty and wonder of experiencing WDW for the first time. Can someone reassure me on this?

I would agree with the other posters that the magic increases for us!!

In speaking from our own experiences and reading your post, I can certainly understand the problem. First off we always stay on site. For us it is part of the magic. I can speak from experience as we have done both. When you leave WDW property it feels like the magic is fading/draining right out of you and "leaving my body" as I like to joke with my sisters.

And a big thing is going with other people. I have some really great friends and family but that doesn't mean I'd want to take them on my vacation with me and have them be with me 24/7 for a week straight! People are different. Their "touring styles" are different. And just because you get along with someone smashingly at home does not mean it's going to work on vacation! Especially when you're with them all the time. You wouldn't even be with these people that much if you were home. That alone can make a good trip go bad!! Don't ask me how I know.

The best thing for us to do is to completely immerse ourselves into the magic.
That's why we stay on site and use Disney's transportation 97% of the time. We take advantage of Disney's pools and Disney shopping! We belong to DVC now so I like to get the dreaded grocery shopping trip out of the way even before our trip begins so that once I'm on Disney property I don't have to leave the property. We do leave the parks early sometimes to go back and take a nap but it's not nearly as pain in the behind as leaving the WDW resort complex. That's why we take the Disney busses. It is a breeze to walk out of a park and catch a bus back to your resort. Of course you know this, you stayed at ASMo your first time.

Traffic, malls, highways and biways these are all a part of everyday life. When you're on vacation --especially a vacation to WDW-- you want to escape everyday life! At least I know we do.

It sounds like you're going to have a great time on this upcoming vacation!! Please let us know how it was when you get back.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Never ! Since 1977, our first trip, we've been back over 35 times. Trips started out being 4-5 day stays and now have reached to 10-12 day stays. Never enough time to suck up all the Disney we can. Kids are grown now, and only our daughter and hubby usually meet us there but we find new things to see and do every trip. We could enjoy ourselves without going to any of the parks.

We enjoy the HDDR just about every visit. Good night for a bash, food and beer and wine and a show. We stay deluxe, no other way for us, we're into the resort themeing and ambience and spend alot of time just picnicing around the pool with some cold liabations. We resort hop, lounge to lounge and eatery to eatery, list is endless. Rent a pontoon boat in the evening and tour the lakes, take a zillion pictures, make memories.

Magic dying, never, even though the attractions are common place to us, we have favorites and as we have gotten older, browsing the shops has become a favorite passtime. We enjoy the relaxed feeling of being welcomed on property, being catered to and pampered. Great dining all over, free transportation, yes we use the bus system and like it, many resorts to visit, shopping galore and DTD, plus golf, waterparks, just too much for the eyes and soul to take in each trip. Hence the many returns.

Well said!

 

[Ghost]

Has anyone found that their love of WDW increases, decreases or stays the same over time? The reason I ask is this.....

My family went to WDW in 2000 as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' millennium celebration. We stayed at All Star Movies and loved it.

The first time I entered a DIsney park I fell in love, I wanted to go back... After more then 100 Disneyland Resort Paris Visits and 3 Walt Disney World visits I had enough... NOT!!! It is gotten worst. I want to go there all the time, stay and enjoy Disney? I think about Disney, dream about it and write about it... I am addicted

Well, we must have been thinking rodent lifetimes because we enjoyed WDW so much we returned in 2002, but this time staying at a cheap, offsite hotel to keep costs down (Villager Premier near Seaworld). Again we had fun, but it wasn't as magical as the first time. There may be reasons for this: the hotel was awful; we had to travel daily through traffic to get to WDW; the people we went with always wanted to do other things (leave early, go back to the 'hotel' or go shopping at malls).

Staying of site might take away some of the magic. Going with people who ar not into Disney is the worst thing... going back to the hotel? shopping?...

Since 2002 we have saved up a lot so that this year we are staying at AKL, are on the dining plan, have MNSSHP and Keys to the Kingdom tickets, and are going alone. I'm therefore hoping the magic of our very first visit will return, but I'm a little worried that the magic then was due to the novelty and wonder of experiencing WDW for the first time. Can someone reassure me on this?

AKL is awesome. Altough I never stayed there I go to BOMA for dinner and make sure to visit all the animals. Magical place. You'll see that staying onsite in the middle of it all will be another experience like the first time... no, wait... It will be even better....

MNSSHP is awesome too. I love halloween and there is no better place to celebrate... Enjoy the candy, the atmosphere, the special parades (do the rides during normal operating hours, except for Haunted Mansion, is a must do on a halloween night)

So don't worry, enjoy... I know I would

 

[goofy4tink]

I, also, had that once in a lifetime trip to WDW back in '99. My mom, dd (then 6) and I went, stayed at DxL (now POR, but forever DxL to me!!!). I was back within 18 months!!! Now, I'm over the 10 trip marker!!!
Is it the same as the first time I saw Cinderella Castle? Nope, nothing will ever replace that look in my dd's eyes when she saw that. That's one of the reasons my mom went...she wanted to see her dgd's face that first time!!!
Now, although I don't get that same 'feeling' when I get there, I do get a nice, settled...ah, I'm home feeling as soon as I get to my resort. I have found something new and different to do on each and every one of our trips. So no, the 'magic' hasn't gone away, it changes a bit, but it sure hasn't gone away!!!
OP..you are going to love AKL!!! If that doesn't bring back the old magic, I would be very surprised!!!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Our love has increased. We always stay on-site to keep tha magic going.

 

[Luvchefmic]

On -site, off-site, the Magic is within you I have been going twice a year since 1985. Through the 80's & 90's with a growing family this decade so far mostly solo. I see something different each and every time....by the way you will love AKL, wonderful place