How do you keep your trip refreshing?

[A_NY_Outlaw]

Well next week will be our 3rd trip to WDW in the last 3 years (my 4th if you consider my 2 day trip in March). I was wondering if anyone can give some pointers on how to get more out of the parks than seeing the same old same old attractions. What do people do to keep their annual trips refreshing? Do you try to do new things?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[tigger813]

We just got back 12 days ago. We were there for our first F&W.

This was our 3rd trip since July 2007 and 7th trip overall. We skipped AK as it was a shorter trip. We stayed at BCV so tried to spend a lot of time at Epcot. We did some things as usual but did somethings we hadn't done before. We finally saw the films in France and China and the new version in Canada. On our MK day we had written down ahead of time what things we wanted to do and still be out of there early enough to head back to Epcot. We did a few extra things as it wasn't very crowded early in the day and were still out before 2. At DHS we did TSM and met Prince Caspian. We tried to do something for everyone.

We are headed back for a longer trip in April and plan to also visit Sea World and spend more time browsing the shops, etc. We are trying new restaurants and new accomodations (AKV and POR).

We have also been trying different times of year. We went down in December and can't wait to go back in 2010. I never feel we have seen and done everything that we wanted to on a trip so we always have something to add to our list of things to do next trip.

 

[mdurette]

We go a couple of times every year. The last couple of years have changed because we now have a daughter and it is completely different seeing it through her eyes.

But....when we were adults only.

1. We always planned - 1 park per day and then usally a trip to Sea World.
2. We get a map and pen and then make it a mission to do EVERYTHING - we cross it off as we go. Yes, that meant we sat through some kiddie shows and things I wouldn't have done - but I still enjoyed it all - even if it only my DH and I laughing about sitting through the entire show.
3. We had a rule - never eat at a place we had been to before.
4. Try a different activity every trip. Rent a boat on the Boardwalk, Take a Surry ride, play mini golf, etc.
5. We started a collection of pics with charachters! (but would always leave the line if there was a young child that was turned away because the line had closed). This doesn't happen as much anymore as I see less and less charachters just walking around.

 

[gatrbait]

I'm a passholder and go alot...the best thing to do it stop and smell the roses so to speak.. make a game out of this trip...try to see who can find the most hidden mickey's...there is a book they sell at most book stores and all over disney...there is also a trivia scavenger hunt somewhere on this board...if you do a search I'm sure you can find it...since you have been a few times you don't have to rush rush rush to see all and do all take some time to enjoy your resort...the poly is beautiful and so is the pool the weather right now is cooling off but you might have a couple nice days to use it...try searching out other resorts they all are so pretty and unique. I hope you enjoy your trip and maybe you can relax a little this time and go home needing a few more days off to recover from your vacation!

 

[TravelGrl]

We have gone 3 times in the past 4 years and felt we did different things each time. As PP stated - going in different times of the year helps - since different things are offered.
Also breaking up the trip (if we go for over a week and have 1 day to spend around the resort and DTD), visiting the different resorts is also an attraction to us. When we go to the parks now, we can skip certain rides that aren't our favorites, and concentrate on others - like going on Buzz 4 times in a row to keep trying to get a better score.
Doing other special things like the behind the scene tours. Honestly, I really don't think that we would ever get bored because there are still so many things we haven't tried.

 

[ktbugsmom]

We go every year and my DD and I sometimes go twice a year. She is 8 years old and been going to Disney since she was 2.5 years old. We leave for her 10th trip in 3 days.

Trust me - you can never see it all. So - we try to do something "new" every trip. Try a different restaurant. Go on a ride or see a show we have never been on. Do a new activity (last time it was the AK passport thing and we collected all of the stamps). DH and I usually try to find a nice sit down meal for the two of us - and we put DD in child care. We have tried Yachtsman Steakhouse, California Grill, Flying Fish, Artist Pointe, Le Cellier (but DD has been there too) and this trip we are trying Narcooses.

The other thing we do is bring friends with us who have not experienced Disney. Then we can show them our favorites and re-live all of the fun! The trip DD and I are taking in 3 days is with my SIL and my 2.5 year old nephew. We are so excited to show him Disney! I can not wait!

 

[amyy]

New for our trip this past Aug:
*lady making candy in Japan (learned about her from the travel channel)
*music in the bar at POR (one of my favorites from the trip)
*2 tours
*Hoop de Doo
*new places to eat
*carriage ride at FW
*Finding Nemo Show
*Soaring
*Goofy's Candy Company (don't know how I ever missed the make your treats)
*outlet malls off of Disney
*magic & comedy at night on the Boardwalk (much better then I expected)

That's what I can think of off the top of my head. I think I could go every month and enjoy myself.

 

[mdurette]

" Magic and Comedy Night at the Boardwalk "

Never heard of this .... were is it? Is it run all the time?

 

[beebumble]

We just returned and we had a blast looking for Hidden Mickeys. We bought the book ahead of time and had index cards for each park. DTD stores etc
The photos are so Funny NOW we will make a FIND MICKEY scrapbook.
SO others can try and find them in our photo.
We had many many people comment on how they wish they would have done this
SO try this on your next trip

Last trip We made scavenger hunts for each other.
THe list would include Characters, places ,objects ...
That also made adorable mini books when we got home


Have a magical nite
Beebumble

 

[Brise Nannie]

We just returned and we had a blast looking for Hidden Mickeys. We bought the book ahead of time and had index cards for each park. The photos are so Funny NOW we will make a FIND MICKEY scrapbook.



Have a magical nite
Beebumble

I love the idea of making a scrapbook of the Hidden Mickeys! We already have the book too. Thanks for the great idea.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Well next week will be our 3rd trip to WDW in the last 3 years (my 4th if you consider my 2 day trip in March). I was wondering if anyone can give some pointers on how to get more out of the parks than seeing the same old same old attractions. What do people do to keep their annual trips refreshing? Do you try to do new things?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

its always different. we like to go 8+ days so we can do everything at a relaxed pace. some people i know like to crunch everything into a few days as possible i like to remember its a VACATION. so i get to have adult time and family time. if you are going to MK for a few days why not split up the park into 2-3 parts and just do the one area and once you are done with everything you want to do then move to another part of the park. just what we like to do. and after 5 trips now the only boring part of the trip is waiting for it to get here and the trip home

 

[BarbieGal457]

We just returned and we had a blast looking for Hidden Mickeys. We bought the book ahead of time and had index cards for each park. DTD stores etc
The photos are so Funny NOW we will make a FIND MICKEY scrapbook.
SO others can try and find them in our photo.
We had many many people comment on how they wish they would have done this
SO try this on your next trip

What a great idea! My friend's parents just came back and brought her home the guidebook for our trip, and she's set on finding every one.

To make my trips more interesting I try to eat at a new place every time. I also like going at a slower pace and really just stopping at random areas and enjoying the passersby. The scenery is always changing, and by wandering off the beaten path you almost always find something different and entertaining.

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

Well, on our trip, we did the same old things but kind of in a different fashion. As much as we pounded the parks day to dawn, we slowed down for some of the things we hadn't paid alot of attention to on our previous trips.

Attractions like Swiss Family Treehouse, Tom Sawyer Island, we even got an early and front row spot for Dreams Come True parade and got some great photos out of it.

We also spent a little bit more time at Downtown Disney than we have on other trips. Even took in a meeting to discuss the DVC.

Everybody's tips were greatly appreciated.

 

[BarbieGal457]

Attractions like Swiss Family Treehouse, Tom Sawyer Island, we even got an early and front row spot for Dreams Come True parade and got some great photos out of it.

I forgot to mention this! Usually I don't do the afternoon parade, and will show up for Wishes at the last minute. Last trip was different. We staked out a great spot for the Dreams Come True parade as well as SpectroMagic and Wishes, and it was truly amazing. It was nice to just sit around and much on food from Casey's and take in things I never did before. We had the same spot for all three things, and it was amazing to see SpectroMagic right in front of the castle in the hub. I'll never forget staring up at Wishes mesmerized, so close! In all my trips I'd never taken the time, and now I will.