How Long Between Trips?

[Disney Khaleesi]

I have been very lucky to have been able to go 2013, 2014, and again in 2016. I would have had the opportunity to go again in 2015, however that trip was in the middle of volleyball season and missing my senior year of volleyball isn't ideal for me.

I think in the future I can imagine myself going every other year once my finances are in order (and I give my soul to student loans.) I would like to visit other places and I am a huge fan of sci-fi conventions. The amount of money I'm willing to drop on Comic-Con is insane.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you for all the great replies. Again, I envy those that have been able to go so often (but in a good way). I'm hoping we'll go again in maybe 2 years but we'll see. Would really love to go with our kids still young (currently 5 and 9) as there really is that magic in their reaction. (But I don't think we'll ever experience a vacation like we did our first time)

I think it all depends on your financial situation and schedules. When our kids were growing up, we really could only afford to go every 3-4 years. We even took them when they were 21 and 23--they loved having another family Disney trip.
To add on a response to your question about when to go, DH and I love going to see the Christmas decorations and especially Osborne Lights. It would be tough to go this time of year with kids though. When we took the kids, we had to go when school was out, and I found early June or later August to be manageable with a plan. It was very hot, but you deal with it. If my choice was going to Disney in the heat or not going to Disney at all, I'd take the heat!!

Am thinking and dreaming about when to go. I think Nov and Dec would be out for us since we don't celebrate Christmas. I can imagine its quite beautiful but we don't want Santa in our kids faces (they already question why they don't celebrate). Sounds like August is crazy hot (although last week would be a good time with crowds) so perhaps we'll do early fall or spring or even start of the year. (Guess I just listed most months). As long as our kids are still pre-high school, we don't have an issue pulling them out of school. So...for now and just dreaming of that next trip.

 

[WEDWDW]

OP,just wanted to say "Welcome to the Club!".

I went to WDW in 2003 for my "One and only" WDW trip.

Next Friday I leave for trip # 31.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Every 2-3 years is good with me because we like to go other places.

We haven't been since 2011 and I am itching to go. The kids talk about it all the time. They really want to go back. We are booked for August 2015, exactly 4 years after our last trip.

After this trip I don't know when we will be back. DS will be going in 2018 for HS graduation. Maybe I'll do a girls trip with just DD in late 2017 since he will be going with his class the following March 2018.

We want to do Puerto Rico or somewhere else in the carribean for 2016. So we will see when our next big WDW trip will be after 2015.

 

[tcherjen]

We too are Florida residents and live almost 3 hours away. We have been going every spring break for the past 3 years. We also schedule in mini trips every 6 or 7 months. We then do a short weekend trip. We also have passes so it makes it easier for us.

 

[DisneyMama21]

We went for our once in a lifetime trip July 2011 and fell in love, bought into DVC and have gone 4 more times since We are leaving again in 2 days for another trip! I cannot believe I've waited almost a year and a half since our last trip...way too long between Disney fixes! So I have trips planned for June and Oct 2015. Its sooooo addictive! Can't stay away!!!

 

[RamieGee]

I'm hoping we'll stay on the every 3 year plan. We went first in 2012 when DS was 1 and DD was 4 (a month from 5). We're going again in May 2015 when DS will be 4, and DD will 7 (almost 8).

I think 3 years is a good span for when children's interests and heights change, letting them experience it different ways. DS of course doesn't remember his first trip so this is going to be VERY exciting for him, and DD can get on every ride from a height perspective this time, so she's excited about RnR, Everest, and Space Mountain. DS should exceed the 40" mark, so that opens up some things for him.

When we go, we like to do it big, so from a financial perspective we have to go less often, too - Moderate or Deluxe hotel on property, park hopping, lots of good Table Service restaurants (we like to the controversial Deluxe Meal Plan), extras like BBB/Pirates League, etc.

However, we also VERY much enjoy our week at a beach house rental in-between trips - we go to the same location and we and the kids cherish this tradition as well. We can't do both Disney and beach house from a time or $ perspective. As the kids get older, we also envision some other different adventures we'd like to take them on.

At Disney, everything stays "fresh" when we go less often, and there are some changes to take note of going less often. The Fantasyland expansion was behind the fence under construction last time, so that will be new this time.

So, hopefully DD will get to go when he's 1, 4, 7, & 10 and DD will get to go when she's 4, 7, 10, 13. We'll have to assess their interest levels at 13/16, but I have in mind that's a year when I'd like to do Hawaii as a family instead. And then, someday I hope I can treat grandkids (!) to a trip to Disney.

 

[ruthies12]

Thank you for all the great replies. Again, I envy those that have been able to go so often (but in a good way). I'm hoping we'll go again in maybe 2 years but we'll see. Would really love to go with our kids still young (currently 5 and 9) as there really is that magic in their reaction. (But I don't think we'll ever experience a vacation like we did our first time)



Am thinking and dreaming about when to go. I think Nov and Dec would be out for us since we don't celebrate Christmas. I can imagine its quite beautiful but we don't want Santa in our kids faces (they already question why they don't celebrate). Sounds like August is crazy hot (although last week would be a good time with crowds) so perhaps we'll do early fall or spring or even start of the year. (Guess I just listed most months). As long as our kids are still pre-high school, we don't have an issue pulling them out of school. So...for now and just dreaming of that next trip.

We went for the first time in my life when our dd was 10 months old. Fell in love with it just like everyone else. We went again just before she turned 3, then again right after she turned her 5 and youngest dd was 10 months.

Now are next trip is next December when oldest dd will be turning 7 during the trip and youngest dd will be just under 3. So we are doing every 2 years just about and I plan to keep that schedule for as long as we enjoy it. I think when the kids are teenagers we will probably look at doing other things. Last two times I thought we weren't going to top our last trip either and I swear each trip has been more magical than the last.

As for when to go, last week of January has been my favorite time to go for low crowd levels and cool weather.

 

[Frozen2014]

OP,just wanted to say "Welcome to the Club!".

I went to WDW in 2003 for my "One and only" WDW trip.

Next Friday I leave for trip # 31.

Ha ha...that'w awesome! Have an amazing time (duh...of course your will)

(but you must live in driving distance?)

 

[Disneylover99]

We went three times this past year because we had annual passes.

Without annual passes we go once a year for two weeks and buy 10 day passes with a few park days off in between.

 

[White Rose]

We went in October for the first time to Disney and thought this would be our only time going (mostly because of $ plus how much amusement parks can you take?). BUT we loved it, even DH was pleasantly surprised as he has little patience for crowds and large venues. So now the conversation isn't "IF" we go back but "WHEN". The kids and I could return tomorrow but DH would need more time.

The reality is that our trip cost us $$$. We're flying from Canada (driving isn't an option for us since my bad back couldn't handle the ride) plus the cost of the park, resort, etc. Now if we did go, we wouldn't "live it up" like we did last time and do everything we did (e.g. BBB, DDP, Photo Pass, MNSSHP)...but I would insist on staying onsite for the pre-booking advantages. And we loved AoA.

So my question is...for those of you that are not annual pass holders and need to travel by air, how long was it until you took that next trip?

When I was growing up, we traveled from PA. We would go to WDW once every 6 years. When we went back, there was enough new stuff to keep us engaged. Also this was when there was a lot of expansion and new parks opening! (1980, 1986, 1992, and 1999)

Now we go every 5 years from NJ, and there is enough new things to keep us entertained.

I really do not know how people can go back once a year and spend a week each time! We travel each year in Oct. We have been on cruises to Alaska, Canadian Coast, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, and trips to Vegas, London/Paris, Niagara Falls, East Coast driving trips, and California, instead!

(We are going to WDW for 1 1/2 days next week because my hubby will be in Orlando for business, and we are staying on credit card points and free flights, so this does not count...hehe.)

 

[Frozen2014]

We went for the first time in my life when our dd was 10 months old. Fell in love with it just like everyone else. We went again just before she turned 3, then again right after she turned her 5 and youngest dd was 10 months.

Now are next trip is next December when oldest dd will be turning 7 during the trip and youngest dd will be just under 3. So we are doing every 2 years just about and I plan to keep that schedule for as long as we enjoy it. I think when the kids are teenagers we will probably look at doing other things. Last two times I thought we weren't going to top our last trip either and I swear each trip has been more magical than the last.

As for when to go, last week of January has been my favorite time to go for low crowd levels and cool weather.

I like your 2 year plan.

Wow...I just looked at crowd predictions for Jan 2015. On Jan 28th , it's marked as a 1, and other days are 2-4. Definnteily keeping that time in mind for our next time.

 

[Elevationist]

Once per year is my goal, though I don't meet it as often as I would like to. Anytime I go longer than that between trips was simply due to a lack of expendable income those years. For me, going once annually is pretty much perfect.

Now if I lived in central Florida, I'd be there ALL. THE. TIME. That's the dream. Someday!!!

 

[conandrob240]

When we buy annual passes we try to do 3x that year. Then spread it out 14-18 mths until the next one. We were off-cycle last year and did a February trip for the very first time and now not back until fall 2015 which seems like a long stint before going back. But, in all honesty, the kids were ever so slightly less interested last time so the break might be good to remind us all how much we appreciate our time there.