Getting Bored With Disney???

[bdg100]

We have been to Disney World two or three times per year since 1996. I hate to say it but, we are starting to get bored with Disney. Our crew: Me = 42 yr old lawyer, Wife = 42 yr old hair stylist, Daughter = 12 year old student too cool for princesses, Son = 7 yr old too cool for charachters, even Power Rangers, Son = 4 yr old who still loves all things Disney. We are Disney Vacation Club members and feel, gasp, almost obligated to spend vacations at Disney. We have done everything age appropriate from dancing in parade with Cinderella, riding Tea Cups with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, rides, autographs, pictures, staying at alternative resorts, on site and off site, Sea World, pin collecting, regular and lanyard, beany bag collecting, looking for hidden Mickeys, parades, Halloween and Christmas parties and probably 50 (guesstimate) charachter meals. Any one else have this problem or suggestions? We are probably to the point where we will be planning a vacation that is not Disney, unthinkable only 4 years ago.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Have you taken any tours? Have you done the hayride at Fort Wilderness? Gone to Cirque du Soleil? Rented a bike at the Boardwalk? Viewed Illuminations from the Rose and Crown? Have your younger ones done the Pirate Cruise? Have you talked with PUSH or pulled the rope at Disney-MGM Studios near the Indy Stunt Show? Have you watched DeVine perform?

Maybe you can purchase the new Imagineers Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom and get a new viewpoint on things.

AllEarsNet has a number of "overlooked attractions". Scroll down the menu on the left side.

 

[Yensid FoNaf]

I feel your pain. Being local, I've visited the parks more times than I can count. There are times when I catch myself thinking "What am I doing here? I've seen this all before!" My kids are still quite young, so I'm really getting a kick out of watching them enjoy the Disney magic.

One thing that I've found that helps me enjoy my time is that I keep my eyes peeled for folks that look like they need help or advise. It's been a blast giving people some of the "Magic".

Many people (and you've seen them) have NO IDEA what they are doing! I don't intend that comment to degrade anyone, but there is a visable difference between a guest who has been to the park before and one who is visiting for the first time (or the first time in a long time). I really keep a watchful eye for families with young kids. I offer to take their picture for them if I notice that one of the parents is taking a picture of the rest of the family.

One really fun time is to strike up conversations with those around you while you are waiting for a parade or show. For instance: Couple with two kids sitting next to me at the Share a Dream parade at MK. First time visitors, had only been to a few attractions. I was able to help explain the Fast Pass feature to them and direct them to some attractions that they would probably like. (They didn't even have Philharmagic on their list of things to do!)

There have been lots of these kinds of interactions and people are ALWAYS appreciative! I've NEVER had someone not thank me for my help or advise.

Another thing you might try is (and I hate to suggest this) give Disney a break. Go a year without visiting. I think you'll find (as I do) that other vacations often, just don't measure up.

Keep the Magic my friend! Disney is always changing and coming up with new and exciting things to see and do.

 

[briarroselynn]

I have to agree with taking a break! Have you tried the Disney cruise? I like to take new people with us. I will let my daughter pick a friend or cousin to go with us. This always seem to make thingsnew again. I had to take a break last year and I feel like a kid again! I will be staying the week before Christmas!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I second the cruise suggestion. Be ready to be treated like royalty. I've never cruised with Disney, only with Royal Carribbean. Maybe now that we have a son, we'll have to give the Disney cruise line a try.

 

[ellyn2000]

We've started going every other year to give us a break and there's always something "new or different" every time. This time we're doing the dining plan so that we can eat our way through WDW and try things that we might not normally try. Next time may be a tour. You definitely need a break if you're beginning to be bored, so allow yourself to have a different vacation this year. I know very little about DVC, but think your points can be sold or traded so that you can hava a different adventure and have a chance to "miss the mouse."

 

[jdyer]

As you're DVC members. why not take a break using your points, and try Hilton Head or Vero Beach for a change?

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I agree try Vero . We loved it....well we loved the 2 days we had before the hurricane Also have you done any of the water parks? We had never gone to any of them but then my brother came with us and really wanted to go to one....we were not excited as our kids are 16, 14 and 2. We figured there would not be enough for the little one. We had a great time!!! We will definitly go back to the water parks every trip!!!!

 

[canwegosoon]

I agree with several of the posters. I think trying Vero or HH would be a great switch...more like a beach vacation vs entertainment vacation. Also the cruise is a great idea you can bank and borrow to get enough points(3 years worth). Or try a Concierge collection...there's biking in Martha's Vineyard, great places in europe, hotels near great skiing spots or even an Alaska Cruise. The great thing is that they are your points, you can rent them out, trade them, or take advantage of different locations through member services. I think your kids are moving through a phase, which is making it hard on you. What about the kids bringing a friend. This way they could show WDW to others, and do things they like together. Good Luck

 

[Hoosier Mom]

DL&K Mom:
Which water park best suited your 2 year old? I was planning to skip the water parks with our 18 month old. It sounds like you really enjoyed yourselves.

 

[Cynt]

I agree w/ the previous posters. Go on a cruise. Royal Carribbean's Voyager, Navigator or Explorer of the Seas might be a great ship for your family. They also have a new ship Freedom of the Seas, which is going to be AWESOME, available summer 2006. http://www.freedomoftheseas.com

I'm a cruise addict first and now I'm becoming a Dis'er.

WARNING...Cruising CAN BECOME ADDICTIVE. Here's my favorite cruise site for cruise information and to ask questions. http://www.cruisecritic.com/ Check it out.

 

[hsmamato2]

ahem....there's always that *other* theme park down the road, which has characters and rides that have a little more "cool" power for the tweens.... just know this, those same "bored" kids will spend a lot of time telling you how much they miss their "old friends" -and- you can use your dvc points- and still visit stuff that's interesting-

 

[100AcreWood]

We just returned from our 3rd trip this year (I just kept finding good deals this year). I promised dh I would take 2 years off. He likes Disney but not like me. My dd also loves Disney. But, after this trip I must admit (can't believe this) I too am Disneyed out! So we're planning to try cruising too. We cruised RC before dd was born and enjoyed it. And in 2 years we'll be ready to return with a renewed interest in the mouse.

 

[briarroselynn]

Have you ever cruised with Disney? The cruise is my favorite Disney vacation!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I'd like to suggest trying the "Dining with an Imagineer" (or the new program at Jiko where you dine with one of the Animal program people if you are interested in animals). I'd also recommend the "Backstage Safari."

Both of these greatly increased my interest in Disney by pointing out lots of things I'd never noticed before, and my understanding of why things are done certain ways.

For example, after "Dining with an Imagineer" I learned that Disney got the special "trademarks" imprinted in the cement for the sidewalks in MGM that were made by the companies who actually put down the sidewalks in those locations in the correct time period. So then I had fun wandering around looking for the little sidewalk marks. (Just ONE of many interesting details!)

And on the Backstage Safari, I learned that the animals on the safari ride all have places where they can go so as not to be visible to the humans - because it is stressful for them to feel "on display" all the time. So the next few times I rode I was looking for those "hidden places." Also learned that the trash containers in the different AK "countries" are made from wood appropriate to those countries, so I spent some time looking at those.

At the time I did the Safari, two of the elephants were pregnant. The staff was very excited about this and we were shown some of their preparations for the babies. Now both have been born, and when I see those babies (they were wrestling together and playing when I was there last week) I feel a bit like I have a special connection to them.

These kind of things help me appreciate all the details that make WDW so special, and have made it more interesting for me.

Teresa

 

[bdg100]

Thank you for all who took the time to post suggestions. I talked to wife tonight about where we were going for spring break. I think we will try something different, like vero or hilton, but, I have to admit, reading many of your suggestions made begin to miss Disney, again. Just imagine how ready we will be for it next October or so. Thanks again.

 

[Lady Belle]

Yup, time for a Disney break! I've been to WDW or DL 6 times since '98. I love it and look forward to going back, but I think my next trip will be a cruise. We do have 3 days left on some PHP's, so we might do a quick trip next fall so we can ride expedition everest at AK, but otherwise I don't think we'll do a big trip for at least 2 years. Maybe even longer if we start a family!

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

You know what's weird? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being in Dinsey World more than anything. But I don't know what it is, I think the time when I'm the most "Disneyed out" is when I'm actually there. Not that I really like to use the phrase "Disneyed out" b/c I'm not, but I enjoy Disney even more when I get home and I miss it already or before I go on my next trip and the anticipation of being there again is killing me. But as far as actually being there, at this point, having been there so many times, it's kinda just like going thru the motions. But I don't care, I still love just being there! I never want to leave when I am!

 

[bdg100]

I know exactly what you are talking about. That is how I feel too but never put it in words. I can't wait to get back there but when I am there it seems like it is time to do something else. Like now, for instance. I feel like I was crazy for posting my original post. I am ready to go back - TODAY. How could anyone be bored with Disney? Get a life.

 

[PoohD]

We're DVC members too for two years now. Our kids are teenagers and not real big on Disney so we already have a summer trade with Breckenridge, CO. Try trading, that's the beauty of DVC.