Go every year = burn out vs skip a year = miss it

[dijid]

For those of you that keep renewing your APs - do you ever feel burnt out? For those of you who don't renew them - do you miss it?

We got the notice that it's time to renew our APs. We leave in less than 2 weeks Pinkbounc ) for our 3rd trip on them. DH and I talked last year that we wouldn't renew them. We were definitely doing a laid-back beach vacation next summer and then would go to WDW in 2 years right before the baby turns 3. Didn't want to burn out. But I'm already sad about not having a Disney vacation next year. *sigh* I guess I'll just have to tell myself that we will be back in 2 years. That's better than nothing!

 

[moinab]

We go every month!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I cannot not afford to go every month or every year for that matter. Even if I could, I don't think that I would. I get so much more out of Disney when I space out the time between trips. The only back to back trips I've ever done was in June of 2000 and May of 2001. I asked DH could he and I go to make up for a rotten trip that I had in 2000 with sister, mom, and neices!! DH and I were there for 9 days and 8 nights and had a FABULOUS time!!

So my next trip isn't til May of 2006, but I can't wait! I haven't booked anything yet as I'm waiting til I have my deposit saved for that first night room only ressie through Dreams Unlimited. When I get that saved, then I will "officially" book my trip! :happy2: :happy2:

Denise

 

[laceemouse]

We never buy APs, we buy 7 day PHPs and make them last several trips. We once went 2 times in 6 months and it was too much for us, we had a very "been there, done that" feeling. Once every 12 to 18 months is enough for us, but we have a lot of other great vacations in between. As much as we love Disney, we want our kids to see and do LOTS of other things. Next trip....Williamsburg, Va in June!!!

 

[tiggerzpalz]

We are fortunate that we are able to go every year. We belong to the vacation club which helps and we go as a large family trip each summer. We live at the shore, so the beach is an option every day throughout the summer and we take small weekend trips throughout the year when possible.

We never burn-out. We take 10 day trips, don't rush and spend our afternoons hanging out by the pool, having a few drinks and laughing with family. I have a 2 year old and one due anyday and I am excited that they will get to grow up with these fun family trips.

 

[moinab]

Sorry, I was just being a little silly , but that isn't helpful, is it?

We do go almost every month, because we have FL resident seasonal passes and live close enough to go for just the weekend. We prefer to do lots of weekend and long weekend trips throughout the year, rather than a full 2-week vacation. This way, we get in Disney, but also go other places that interest us.

However, there is definitely something to be said for spacing out your trips and letting the anticipation build. I think it would be better to skip a year and miss it a bit, than to go once too often and get burned out.

Another option, of course, (albeit a pricy one) is a Disney cruise, the best of both worlds!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Winka]

We've been making annual winter pilgrimages for the past few years and are planning to skip it this upcoming winter.

I thnk if we do have Disney "pangs" this winter, I'm going to chalk it up to having set up this pattern for myself, a predictable pattern...I will say to myself that it's a good time to break the habit and mix things up.

It'll still be there when you're ready.

 

[Forever42]

Actually, we go just about every weekend. We live 45 min away and go just for the day and either bring lunch or eat at counter service places. My poor DBf, I'm glad he hasn't broken up with me over this.

All my friends and family say, "Don't you get sick of it?!" There's no way for me to - there's too much to do.

 

[2tinksmom]

We go two to three times a year...mostly because we have friends and family who want to go with us. I feel so loved...or maybe it's because we know our way around and the like have personal tour guides and all PS and hotel arrangements made for them!! I love doing it...makes me feel good to see others having an incredible time at Disney on their first trip!! They should call me "Tour Guide Michele"!!
Michele

 

[Lora]

We've gone every year on AP's, but we don't renew them. Here's how we've done it.

Purchased AP's in Sept. 2000 for our Sept. trip.
Used same AP's in May 2001 then let them expire.

Purchased AP's in Oct. 2002 for Oct. trip.
Used same AP's in Sept. 2003 then let them expire.

We're doing the same for our next 2 trips (October 2004/September 2005).

We get about 20 days on our passes. It would be silly for us to renew since we would not get to use them this way.

So far, we haven't burnt out.

 

[disneycuban]

I go about once or twice every year now. That's just because where I live and the discounts I can get. I I didn't live in FL I would probably go every 3 or 4 years instead.

 

[vicb]

We don't buy AP's, we are on the everyother year plan now. Originally DH thought if we went every 3rd or 4th year that would be fine but now he loves it too. If we went every year we couldn't afford to take the kids other places so now we skip a year. Works good for us!

 

[BriarRabbit]

We go every year. After the trip I am "Disneyed out" but after about 9 months we start planning again on the AP. The kids (and the both of us) just love it and they're growing up fast! Enjoy it while/if you can!

 

[doombuggy]

As you can see from my profile, I have gone almost every year for the past 30 years. Ok, from 1984 - 1992, I did not go, b/c I stopped visiting my grandparents in Tampa every summer (I graduated from high school in 1985, get the idea? )

My dad bought a time share and I went with them in 1992 (President's week, did it 2x, never again) and 1997. I went with friends in 1994, then joined the WDC in 1996, so I started going every year again. In 1997 and 2003 I went down twice in a year. In 1998 & 1999, I went to DL instead. In 2002, I went to both places.

Ok, I must be a Disney nut. My mom asks me if I ever get sick of the place. Nope. My favorite place is still the MK, esp. the Haunted Mansion. I still go other places, somtimes, if I can afford it. Going to WDW has become a cheap vacation for me, as I stay with a friend who lives there. I could never get tired of it - as I am sure many of you would say the same!

 

[floridagirrl2]

Originally posted by Forever42
Actually, we go just about every weekend. We live 45 min away and go just for the day and either bring lunch or eat at counter service places. My poor DBf, I'm glad he hasn't broken up with me over this.

All my friends and family say, "Don't you get sick of it?!" There's no way for me to - there's too much to do.

I am so-o-o-o envious . When DH and I go to Epcot, we've noticed a bunch of people arriving Friday and Saturday evenings--we figure they're locals out for dinner--sounds like a blast!

We're pretty close ourselves (2 hours 15 minutes to be exact) but we never go for just the day...seems like a long drive for that....but we have talked about going on quick trips for just ONE overnight stay instead of our usual 3 nights every 1 1/2 months or so.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by dijid
For those of you that keep renewing your APs - do you ever feel burnt out? For those of you who don't renew them - do you miss it?

We got the notice that it's time to renew our APs. We leave in less than 2 weeks Pinkbounc ) for our 3rd trip on them. DH and I talked last year that we wouldn't renew them. We were definitely doing a laid-back beach vacation next summer and then would go to WDW in 2 years right before the baby turns 3. Didn't want to burn out. But I'm already sad about not having a Disney vacation next year. *sigh* I guess I'll just have to tell myself that we will be back in 2 years. That's better than nothing!

We will be heading down for our second trip this calendar year and our third trip since Sept 2003 so we do not burn out. We look forward to getting away from things. We are also booked to return in Sept of this year and Jan 2005.

 

[Forever42]

Originally posted by floridagirrl2
I am so-o-o-o envious . When DH and I go to Epcot, we've noticed a bunch of people arriving Friday and Saturday evenings--we figure they're locals out for dinner--sounds like a blast!

We're pretty close ourselves (2 hours 15 minutes to be exact) but we never go for just the day...seems like a long drive for that....but we have talked about going on quick trips for just ONE overnight stay instead of our usual 3 nights every 1 1/2 months or so.

Some of the bad things about going so often are that we NEVER stay in hotels, we always have to drive 45 min home afterwards, and we don't eat at sit down places every time.

We are going to a sit down dinner tonight, though - Nine Dragons with two of our friends. I'll have a pictoral review up hopefully late tonight!

In which direction do you live? I grew up in the Tampa Bay area (Palm Harbor) and we used to do Epcot for day trips a long time ago.

 

[floridagirrl2]

DH and I are north of Orlando (Gainesville)--we actually have done daytrips to the area (DH takes mandolin lessons from a guy who lives in Longwood), and we regularly take daytrips to St Augustine Beach (1 hr 45 minutes away, different direction)....just don't know if we would be satisfied with a few hours in Disney (it's nice to be spoiled --like you say, a daytrip means no hotel, plus we probably wouldn't do a sit-down dinner since we would want to drive back before dark) .

 

[dijid]

I think we're going to end up doing it like Lora posted. Buy the APs every couple years and use them at least twice while we have them. It probably is better to look forward to the trip, rather than to get burned out.

It is interesting to hear from those of you who live nearby. DH worked with a guy who moved to Orlando and mentioned that he thought DH could get a job with him down there. We aren't interested in moving there, but it was fun to discuss whether it would lose the magic if we lived so close!

 

[Forever42]

Originally posted by floridagirrl2
DH and I are north of Orlando (Gainesville)

I'm actually moving to Gainesville to transfer to UF in the fall. DBf is unfortunately staying here in Orlando, but I'm hoping to find an on campus office job so I can make the trips down on the weekend to go to the Food and Wine festival