DVC has really changed our vacations.....slowly at first....but it hit me this trip

[edk35]

HOW much our vacations have changed now. We returned last night from 6 wonderful nights at OKW. We got into our resort around 6:30 on Monday night. We took the boat over to DTD to meet up with friends and have dinner. It was just so nice to not feel rushed and we had such a nice time at DTD. The kids weren't begging to go to a park.

This trip started out different from the beginning because we planned TWO trips to Universal. We went to IOA on Tuesday and back on Thursday to US. So that was a huge difference. We always stay on site and only visit the Dis parks so we really broke from the mold so to speak. Then we actually spent far less time at the Disney parks than ever before too. On Wed. we actually arrived at MK at 9:30 We always get there before opening.....so that was very different. THEN on the two days we went to Universal....we didn't go to a Disney park either of those nights....even though we got back to our villas by 4ish each day. Even on those two days...we didn't get there at park opening and we didn't stay til the end either. On Friday we didn't venture out to a park til NOON. We slept in, we chilled......we have never gotten such a late start. On Sat. we went to AK and rode three things with our friends......then went to EC and rode a few things/walked around the countries once and left before 7. My oldest son didn't even go to EC with us. He spent time with our friends that afternoon who stayed back at their resort. The boys even went to Disney Quest twice and joined us at MK on Friday for only 3 hours.

It is funny how with each DVC trip we let go of that "commando park mentality". We have 4 days left on our park passes (didn't get the AP's) and 3 water park/and mores and I think that is all we are going to need this summer when we go back for 9 nights. We are really finding out that we are enjoying not always having to be in a park each and every day.

Now two years or so ago....we never went back to our resort room to rest/chill. We pretty much stayed in a park or park hopped the entire time. I don't know how we did it...... My kids actually enjoy NOT always being in a park now. It is making for some nice refreshing/well rested trips now. IMAGINE THAT!!!

 

[Good Ol Gal]

We are seeing that same trend also!

We were hard core commando.. park opening to closing.

Now we hang in the room, the pool, the lobby... just about anywhere!

This past trip we did go to the park almost everyday, but we only stayed for the most 3 hours. We would leave with tons and tons of fast passes.

We even left AK with Dream Fastpasses that we never used a notch out of!

By the time we got them, at 10 am, we had already done everything on the pass, so we just left.

This relaxing style also helps us eat more in our villa too.

 

[edk35]

We are seeing that same trend also!

We were hard core commando.. park opening to closing.

Now we hang in the room, the pool, the lobby... just about anywhere!

This past trip we did go to the park almost everyday, but we only stayed for the most 3 hours. We would leave with tons and tons of fast passes.

We even left AK with Dream Fastpasses that we never used a notch out of!

By the time we got them, at 10 am, we had already done everything on the pass, so we just left.

This relaxing style also helps us eat more in our villa too.

Isn't it GREAT!! When we had annual passes we never felt like we had to stay in the parks all day/night...however for years we had the magic your ways/park hoppers and we felt to geto ur money's worth...we needed to do just that. This trip we had the same passes basically and we still didn't feel the need to stay for hours and hours to get the worth out of them. It was great. Yesterday we were at Community Hall waiting for our car service and my dh and oldest son were playing pool, my dd and younger son were playing air hockey and I would play the winner of their match. It was so much fun and we were not running around trying to squeeze anything in before our pick up time.

 

[Vickis3js]

That is exactly why we bought DVC. Now we have only gone once and it was enough for us to know that DVC was pretty much our answer to a real "vacation". Now being in Disney is a vacation but all we did was run run run run run. Mainly because we are a family of 5 so our choices were limited for places to stay. I know we could have stayed at many of the Deluxes but at around $600 a night, we went at Christmas and that seemed to be a low average, we just couldn't do it. So we went with 2 rooms at Pop and we honestly never wanted to be in the room or at the resort. So we never were.

Now we plan on getting 10day non expiring hoppers and stretching them for 2-3 trips and staying 7 nights each trip. I could so see us hanging out at AKL for hours every day. I am beyond happy with our decision.

 

[jdvm]

We became DVC members in 1992 and went through the same process. Just wait until you start making quick trips without the kids and don't go to ANY park!
J

 

[Jets fan]

Totally agree. We stay at OKW for two weeks every other year as we come from the UK. In April 2008 I must have spent at least 6 days of the 14 literally sunbathing around the quiet pool near South Point and just ventured into the parks in the evenings for dinner. My sisters and their families still did the 'commando' park thing though, but definitely enjoyed the 'not rushed' feeling.


Tina

 

[edk35]

We became DVC members in 1992 and went through the same process. Just wait until you start making quick trips without the kids and don't go to ANY park!
J

My dh and I were just talking about that this trip. One day...we will be going and staying in a 1 bedroom and how different that will be. Our oldest is 18 and going off to college this fall, our next oldest is 15 and he declared this trip that he doesn't want to go this summer and would rather stay back and train for varsity soccer tryouts. Our youngest of course is 10 and we see many more trips with him, but I see our vacations changing big time after this summer trip. It is all good.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad you had such a great time!
Bobbi

 

[Simba's Mom]

HOW much our vacations have changed now. We returned last night from 6 wonderful nights at OKW. We got into our resort around 6:30 on Monday night. We took the boat over to DTD to meet up with friends and have dinner. It was just so nice to not feel rushed and we had such a nice time at DTD. The kids weren't begging to go to a park.

This trip started out different from the beginning because we planned TWO trips to Universal. We went to IOA on Tuesday and back on Thursday to US. So that was a huge difference. We always stay on site and only visit the Dis parks so we really broke from the mold so to speak. Then we actually spent far less time at the Disney parks than ever before too. On Wed. we actually arrived at MK at 9:30 We always get there before opening.....so that was very different. THEN on the two days we went to Universal....we didn't go to a Disney park either of those nights....even though we got back to our villas by 4ish each day. Even on those two days...we didn't get there at park opening and we didn't stay til the end either. On Friday we didn't venture out to a park til NOON. We slept in, we chilled......we have never gotten such a late start. On Sat. we went to AK and rode three things with our friends......then went to EC and rode a few things/walked around the countries once and left before 7. My oldest son didn't even go to EC with us. He spent time with our friends that afternoon who stayed back at their resort. The boys even went to Disney Quest twice and joined us at MK on Friday for only 3 hours.

It is funny how with each DVC trip we let go of that "commando park mentality". We have 4 days left on our park passes (didn't get the AP's) and 3 water park/and mores and I think that is all we are going to need this summer when we go back for 9 nights. We are really finding out that we are enjoying not always having to be in a park each and every day.

Now two years or so ago....we never went back to our resort room to rest/chill. We pretty much stayed in a park or park hopped the entire time. I don't know how we did it...... My kids actually enjoy NOT always being in a park now. It is making for some nice refreshing/well rested trips now. IMAGINE THAT!!!

I think you speak for many of us about the change DVC has brought. Even after 7 years of DVC ownership, DH finds it hard to believe that I don't have commando plans, as I used to have pre-DVC. Next time, I'm planning to ride along in the golf cart with him one day, and he just can't believe I'm choosing NOT to go to a park. And if an attraction's closed for repairs, I just shrug my shoulders, "Oh, well-next time!" It's just wonderful, isn't it?

 

[edk35]

I think you speak for many of us about the change DVC has brought. Even after 7 years of DVC ownership, DH finds it hard to believe that I don't have commando plans, as I used to have pre-DVC. Next time, I'm planning to ride along in the golf cart with him one day, and he just can't believe I'm choosing NOT to go to a park. And if an attraction's closed for repairs, I just shrug my shoulders, "Oh, well-next time!" It's just wonderful, isn't it?

You know what.....it is wonderful. I feel the same way about closed attractions too because you know you will see it again one day. We even got a couple of movies from Community Hall too...I forgot about that. It was such a nice getaway.....it really was.

I think for us before.......we weren't always sure when we might go again....so you felt the need to DO IT ALL so to speak but with DVC......it is so different. Just love it.

 

[cj9200]

I am in the middle of our New Years trip report http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2067846 (shameless plug) and I realized the same thing. Much our time was spent either relaxing at the resort or eating. Meals were a major focus of our trip. We had breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table so we did the parks that day. Even then, we took a longer than normal break back at the hotel. One of our party needed to rest but none of us felt cheated because we left the park.

My daughter and I had a 4 day park hopper for our seven day stay. We went early to catch the rides we wanted to do and after that we left. Enjoyed the resort then hit another park that night. DVC has totally changed how we tour the parks. Hey, the line is too long, we will do it another day or on the next trip. One regret is that we missed Space Mountain and will not be back until after it goes down for rehab. Otherwise a great vacation.

 

[Coach81]

This is where we hope to get to.. it is getting better each trip. Years ago.. COMMANDO all the way.. lately it has been much more laid back.. we know we'll be right back soon enough with our wonderful DVC

 

[photobob]

My DD who is 16 mentioned that our last trip was the most laidback trip to WDW. I don't feel rushed anymore, like we have to be somewhere at all times. I think the accommodations help in that regard as well. The DVC villas are much more conducive to lounging in the room.

 

[dvcdisney]

We noticed our vacation changing about 2 years after we became members. We were always hurried before, making sure we rode all the rides, saw all the shows 2-3 times each and we generally stayed for only a week. And I always found it a waste of time being at the resorts. Now we have a very relaxing vacation and we spend lots of afternoons at the pool. We take our time through the park. Sometimes we will not even ride all the rides (never thought that was ever possible ) .

 

[MrsG]

Wow, it's not just us!!!!! We also have noticed a change in how we vacation and we actually enjoy WDW MORE (if that's possible). We always did the Comando style as we'd go down once every three years. We felt the need to not miss a thing. Even in the heat of summer, we'd go back to the room for a quick cool-down, usually miss the thunderstorm, and head back out until closing.

Now, the kids are grown and it is just DH & I. I would have never considered WDW a "relaxing vacation" but I really have to say that we enjoy the slower pace because we don't need to see everything, every trip. As someone said, if it is closed when we go, there's always next year. We pick and choose which attractions we go to in each park and when. If there's too long a line, we skip it. We have really taken time to "smell the flowers', something we never did in the past.

To us, our vacations have just gotten BETTER!!!!!!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

My DD who is 16 mentioned that our last trip was the most laidback trip to WDW. I don't feel rushed anymore, like we have to be somewhere at all times. I think the accommodations help in that regard as well. The DVC villas are much more conducive to lounging in the room.

Sometimes us parents want to get sooo much in to make those "memorable moments" over and over. We sometimes forget that our young ones really need some time to not feel rushed too.

DVC does after time help you see the future and consider easy times as memorable times.

Denise... sooo glad you all had a good time and that commando style is not necessarily equal to good times any more, or perhaps I should say is not necessary to create good times.

 

[edk35]

Sometimes us parents want to get sooo much in to make those "memorable moments" over and over. We sometimes forget that our young ones really need some time to not feel rushed too.

DVC does after time help you see the future and consider easy times as memorable times.

Denise... sooo glad you all had a good time and that commando style is not necessarily equal to good times any more, or perhaps I should say is not necessary to create good times.

Hey Rob!!!! Yes we did have a nice trip and yes it is sooooo nice taking it slower. OUR kids actually appreciate it now too. Our older son who is 15 has said for the past few trips "do we have to get up early tomorrow?" So that was a hint right there that I completely DIDN'T GET. Our youngest son 10....he too....likes SLEEP. Imagine that!!! Our dd 18...she never really complained but she too enjoyed MORE SLEEP these past few trips. I have always been the type person that feels "the early bird gets the worm" when it comes to the parks especially. Some trips my dh would get moody and I STILL DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT. How could anyone be in a bad mood at WDW??? Well....lack of sleep, go go go commando style ..... makes for a bad mood. I GET IT!!!!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hey Rob!!!! Yes we did have a nice trip and yes it is sooooo nice taking it slower. OUR kids actually appreciate it now too. Our older son who is 15 has said for the past few trips "do we have to get up early tomorrow?" So that was a hint right there that I completely DIDN'T GET. Our youngest son 10....he too....likes SLEEP. Imagine that!!! Our dd 18...she never really complained but she too enjoyed MORE SLEEP these past few trips. I have always been the type person that feels "the early bird gets the worm" when it comes to the parks especially. Some trips my dh would get moody and I STILL DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT. How could anyone be in a bad mood at WDW??? Well....lack of sleep, go go go commando style ..... makes for a bad mood. I GET IT!!!!

I think you have graduated (with honors) from girl to mom (of the family).... Yes, you do understand... sometimes for some getting started is hard. Sometimes WE understand that WE are early risers and hey... it's kind of nice having some early time to just myself... watching things wake up, and the people getting the grounds ready... I love this time Things smell clear and look clear, and are clear... I get a chance to see how things work at this time. Both nature and Disney.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

This is totally our experience too. This March we are bringing our young nieces so we will be doing the parks again. Our kids (16 and 13) haven't been in the parks for their last three trips. They are busy having fun at the resorts with friends that we bring along, just the two of them...and sometimes even with their parents!

We really enjoy the DVC thing for that reason. We'll be back, no need to rush around.

Now...that doesn't mean mom and dad don't go in the parks....I still can't see how you can do an adult trip for Food and Wine and not hit EPCOT !!! So our family is a little backward...the parents have annual passes and the kids are still working on finishing no-expiry tickets we bought in 2005.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Absolutely, Denise! Though I've never tried APs (would like to some day), we have found that we enjoy spending time doing other things at WDW. We're going spring break for a week, and only have 3 "park" days planned (a water park, MK and AK and/or HS). Going to the Boardwalk and DTD are as much a part of visiting WDW for us as the parks are. We'll spend time at the resort pool, and head over to DTD or the BW for the evening.

My kids are a little younger than yours (DS-13 and DD-6), but if given the choice, they would rather spend a few days at the resort pool or the water park. Both of my kids LOVE the water, so it's nice to have all of the options we have. That's why we purchased points at VB, too.

Speaking of beaches, I have to just love my DH. We always do a split stay in the summer (a week at the beach and a week at Dis). He looked at me last year and said that for the first time, he'd rather spend less days at the beach and more time at WDW. He just really loved WDW and has such a good time there! Now that, my friends, is a true breakthrough!!! Kids will come and go, but you need the DHs/DWs to drink and enjoy the kool-aid as much as you do!