How much WDW is too much?

[dreamer17555]

Let us know how you feel around the Nov/Dec timeframe

Totally possible but I have 3 DCL sailings between Sept- Feb so I think I am set for my Disney fix. Honestly if I were going to go to a park I would want to do an after hour event at Disneyland and stay there for a few days. WDW isn't hitting like it used to.

 

[loislane]

DH and I took our first trip - our honeymoon - in 2009. Went back with the kids in 2011, 2013, and 2015 (with the last 2 being epic 10-day trips staying at Fort Wilderness!) DH and I did a land-sea in 2017 for our first Disney cruise (on the Dream) followed by a week in WDW. In 2019, my daughter and I did a girl's trip for a week. Then, DH and I were back for a week in 2021. We cruised the Wish in 2022. And then in 2023, we moved to Florida and became APs! Whew!!

In our first year as APs, we visited the parks at least one day every month, but there were still quite a few one or two-night trips in there for various events - Halloween and Christmas parties, etc. We live about 1.5 hours away, but still managed to get in something like 29 park days with our APs.

So far this year, we went for 2 days in May, and I went 5 days in June. Nothing on the books so far for July, but we do have a Disney cruise in August and then we head into plans for Halloween and Christmas later this year.

I guess what I'm saying is that it hasn't been too much for us yet! LOL. The only thing that has slowed down is how often we go in July and August with the heat.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

What is confusing for you?

 

[Karalee402]

It seems for us, even if we feel “Disney’d out”, about 3 months later the nostalgia kicks in. The exhaustion from the trip has passed and we’re left with all the wonderful memories of our stay.

What matters most to us is not having back-to-back Walt Disney World stays that are too similar. We need to make them as different as possible. Different resorts, new restaurants, new experiences. Otherwise we do get the feeling that it is too repetitive even if visiting just once a year.

Exactly this!! Even if I feel "disney'd" out when we're leaving, I get nostalgic for it pretty quickly once we get back home. We watch a lot of Disney YouTube, and that doesn't help. Watching people walk through the parks makes me want to get back asap!

 

[Anna131517]

After our last two trips (spring 2021 and fall 2023) we don’t plan on going back for a long trip any time soon. Even before that we’ve been every other year WDW people and that worked well for us. We may try Disneyland next year, or Disneyland Paris or Tokyo after that. WDW is not as easy and relaxing as it used to be. I hate having to use our phones to plan so much on vacation - it’s just too stressful. I hate being nickle and dimed. The prices are outrageous for what you get - especially for food and hotels. DH and I are doing a DCL cruise this year without the kids and maybe MNSSHP. But we’ve also started doing other vacations like to the beach and cities, and I’m liking those more right now.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

I would live in the magic kingdom if they would let me.

Honestly, I have overwhelmed myself on all things Disney multiple times. It has always subsided so far.

 

[gardenrooms]

This question is one I have been pondering a bit lately. Here is the background as to why:

I am a lifelong WDW fan. Went for the first time in 1981 and have taken some long Disney breaks during my life, but resumed taking regular trips to the mouse house about a decade ago. Then, last year, my family and I got annual passes for the first time. I was determined to make the most of them, lol. I can't recall how many trips we made to Disney with the APs, but I think it was probably something like 14 or 15. And we're not local. So it seemed a large number. I loved all of it, but by this past april, when we did a blowout final AP trip, I was worn out. And my partner was utterly Disney exhausted, lol. Even that final trip, we cut back on a lot of original plans and just chilled at the resort (which was fun). But we both agreed we needed a long Disney break.

Before the end of those AP adventures, we had already booked a short weekend visit for this July just to go to a water park. But since April, WDW seemed to creep back into our minds. Ot at least mine. First, I upgraded our July trip to my partner's favorite club level. Then, I convinced her that we should take a multiple park day visit in October to coincide with my bday. It was a bday request and she was fine with that. But in the past week, I have booked two more Disney weekends (one in December because we have really enjoy the holiday festival at Epcot the past couple years and another at the end of January just because). Again, and to my suprise, my partner went along with these plans (probably because they are a ways down the road). I'm excited for all these upcoming visits (already imagining what we will do when we are there in three weeks), but a nagging part of my mind wonders if it is too much too soon after a year of Disney overload.

Before I did a year of AP trips, if anyone had asked me how much WDW is too much, I probably would have responded with its never too much! But I learned earlier this year that there is a point where it is too much. I can't precisely define it, but I know I was there. And I suppose I am surprised I am all fired up again for disney after only a three month break. I thought it would take a year before I was Disney excited again. Anyway, its just a thought that has been kicking around my head the past couple days and I thought it might be a topic others may want to discuss....

You said you're not local - I'm curious, how long does it take you to get to WDW and can you drive or do you have to fly? I enjoy a nice drive, but for me having to fly somewhere adds stress so even though I'd LOVE to go to WDW at least 3 times every year (and Universal once), if we could afford the airfare, which we can't, both being retired, I probably wouldn't.

We only get to go once every 3 years (we have DVD points we stay on - 10 days part at Kidani Village and the rest at Beach Club plus we now fit in 2 or 3 days at Universal - used to be only 1) and that isn't NEARLY enough, and these days, once I get so I know how do so something well, Disney changes it before out next trip. Drives me nuts!

We live about 6 hours away from DL and like to go several times a year, at different times of year. For me, it's a nice relaxed trip even if once in DL it is hectic. In 2019, just by happenstance (and because we had season passes) we went 5 times, which seemed crazy to us, but then Covid hit, so we were glad we had "overdone" Disney since we had to wait so long for it to reopen, and we certainly weren't tired of it.

I'm jealous of all you who live close enough to go to WDW several times a year. I love both parks. Each had something different to offer. (And I'd LOVE to be able to go to WDW NOT in August ugh!)

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

You said you're not local - I'm curious, how long does it take you to get to WDW and can you drive or do you have to fly? I enjoy a nice drive, but for me having to fly somewhere adds stress so even though I'd LOVE to go to WDW at least 3 times every year (and Universal once), if we could afford the airfare, which we can't, both being retired, I probably wouldn't.

We only get to go once every 3 years (we have DVD points we stay on - 10 days part at Kidani Village and the rest at Beach Club plus we now fit in 2 or 3 days at Universal - used to be only 1) and that isn't NEARLY enough, and these days, once I get so I know how do so something well, Disney changes it before out next trip. Drives me nuts!

We live about 6 hours away from DL and like to go several times a year, at different times of year. For me, it's a nice relaxed trip even if once in DL it is hectic. In 2019, just by happenstance (and because we had season passes) we went 5 times, which seemed crazy to us, but then Covid hit, so we were glad we had "overdone" Disney since we had to wait so long for it to reopen, and we certainly weren't tired of it.

I'm jealous of all you who live close enough to go to WDW several times a year. I love both parks. Each had something different to offer. (And I'd LOVE to be able to go to WDW NOT in August ugh!)

Our flight is a little over an hour and a half (driving is out; I have done it but it basically takes an entire day). I can see how the stress of flying and airports can be exasperating for most people (MCO does not help lol). But flying and airports don't really phase us. Travel is our hobby. So most months we are taking at least a couple trips somewhere, whether it be just for the weekend or multiple days.

 

[nighttowll]

What matters most to us is not having back-to-back Walt Disney World stays that are too similar. We need to make them as different as possible. Different resorts, new restaurants, new experiences. Otherwise we do get the feeling that it is too repetitive even if visiting just once a year.

This.

We had APs for Universal for close to 10 years. I never got burned out. We’d go about 4 times a year, usually once a season. It didn’t get old because we had a different focus each trip. Summer trip, there for the pools and water parks. Winter, there for the holiday activities. Maybe we focused on also visiting somewhere new in Orlando one trip in addition to Universal. Different restaurants or shows. It’s about how you mix it up each time.

 

[gardenrooms]

(MCO does not help lol)

At least we HAD the Magical Express...

 

[movingthestars]

I started wondering/worrying about this when I started going again in 2022 after a long break. We also ended up getting APs this past year so I felt like I needed to go multiple times in the year to make that worthwhile. I agree with whoever said that you should basically do something unique each trip. Getting into the RunDisney races really helped me have a purpose to be there, with doing our favorite things at the parks as an added bonus. And I'm excited to experience the Christmas events this year, which is something I haven't done before!

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I started going in 1972, as my graduation gift. I pretty much have gone once or twice a year since that time. Mostly for a week, sometimes longer. Last year we went with 22 people in our party. After that I was pretty much done, but when my son decided to go to Vegas with his wife for a seminar this upcoming September, I decided to take the grandkids for a few days. Pretty excited about it. Then, my husband and I will turn around a week later and go for a 4-day couples trip. I do all the planning, but our style has always been relaxed touring, so I plan, and make it seem as if we are just strolling the parks. Not easy to do. This time, I have paid for the HS AH event, MNSSHP, and H2O Glow nights. Next time we will do the Rose and Crown Fireworks package. I find stacking the attractions helps with the flow and makes it seem effortless, even though there's a lot of work behind it; however, my family feels no pain, lol. I don't think they would go back ever if they had to do the planning, I just don't mind. I find it a challenge and celebrate when I am victorious. (like last year getting 4 little girls into the BBB at the same time, and heading right over to breakfast at Cinderella's castle (for 22 people - managed to get us all at the same time, and they managed to seat us all in the same area), then Fantasmic dining for the whole party at the 50s diner and O'Hana. I'll admit it was a bit frustrating trying to herd 20 - 22 people and often broke off from the group. Still, we were able to do Tron, Space, 7DMT, GotG, ToT, Slinky and Rise, so it was all good. (They (19) opted not to do AK, but we (3) did). I thought I would be burned out but I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I started going in 1972, as my graduation gift. I pretty much have gone once or twice a year since that time. Mostly for a week, sometimes longer. Last year we went with 22 people in our party. After that I was pretty much done, but when my son decided to go to Vegas with his wife for a seminar this upcoming September, I decided to take the grandkids for a few days. Pretty excited about it. Then, my husband and I will turn around a week later and go for a 4-day couples trip. I do all the planning, but our style has always been relaxed touring, so I plan, and make it seem as if we are just strolling the parks. Not easy to do. This time, I have paid for the HS AH event, MNSSHP, and H2O Glow nights. Next time we will do the Rose and Crown Fireworks package. I find stacking the attractions helps with the flow and makes it seem effortless, even though there's a lot of work behind it; however, my family feels no pain, lol. I don't think they would go back ever if they had to do the planning, I just don't mind. I find it a challenge and celebrate when I am victorious. (like last year getting 4 little girls into the BBB at the same time, and heading right over to breakfast at Cinderella's castle (for 22 people - managed to get us all at the same time, and they managed to seat us all in the same area), then Fantasmic dining for the whole party at the 50s diner and O'Hana. I'll admit it was a bit frustrating trying to herd 20 - 22 people and often broke off from the group. Still, we were able to do Tron, Space, 7DMT, GotG, ToT, Slinky and Rise, so it was all good. (They (19) opted not to do AK, but we (3) did). I thought I would be burned out but I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

I like doing the planning also. But I cannot imagine herding a group of 22!!! The largest party I have guided through the parks was 9. That ws about my limit. Usually its just me, my partner, and our four year old

 

[ST1TCH]

As others have already said, it all depends on you.

The fact that you thought you were done and now you've started getting that excitement and planning several little trips means (to me) that you haven't had too much.

My wife and I are probably 10-15yrs away from retirement, tops. No kids at home. We would probably be classified as the usual "Disney adults". If we weren't an 18 hour drive or 3 hour flight away, we would be there a LOT more often. I grew up visiting my grandparents in St Cloud and going to Disney in the 70s-80s. My wife and her family lived in Orlando for a while growing up. We went on a family trip while dating and then back on our honeymoon. That was 25 years ago. I've lost count of the number of times we've been since. It's probably about every 1-2 years. I don't feel I've ever had "too much" Disney on any trip. And we're practically rope drop to closing every day people. I actually feel like I didn't get "enough" Disney each trip, but we usually just do 1 week. There's always something we missed or weren't able to do.

Our next trip is already booked, making our first visit for the Halloween to Christmas decor change in MK and MNSSHP. Be there 10/30-11/6 this year.

We honestly talk on a fairly often basis that we should move to the Orlando area. We both work remote and could live in another state. We're already in the same weather (Houston, TX) so that wouldn't be a change. But we have aging parents right now where we're basically the only ones to take care of them. So likely not in the cards. Now I'm conflicted though, after having been to Vancouver and Alaska last month, I want to move to the Pacific NW. But it's truly a recurring thought in my mind, while watching different Disney youtubers that I would absolutely love to live within an hour of the parks, have AP to both WDW and Universal and be able to go whenever we wanted, even if it's just after work for dinner and a few rides.

It certainly doesn't help that I get a little misty eyed watching just about anything Disney, like the new Epcot special on Disney+.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Well, that's a pretty large assumption considering I did not write about how we did Disney for that year.

I'm not the other poster, obviously, but you did say your more tiring trips were busy, and that you took a "blow out trip" that left you and your partner "exhausted." I interpreted his first post as agreeing with you, because a few months later you wanted to return for a hotel only trip. Your more relaxing trip was enjoyable, so adjusting how you toured was the key to wanting to return.

So the emoji was used to express confusion. At least that is how I interpreted it.



For me, more than a few visits per year would be too much. After about 5 days the food quality and the rudeness of other parkgoers starts to annoy me, like people crashing into me because they aren't looking where they are going, flash photos on dark rides, and other rudenesses.

We normally eat a lots of produce, so after about 3 days, we start to crave peaches, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, tomato, broccoli, spinach, onions, etc. Breakfast for us normally includes a cup of fruit every day, and that's just breakfast. I'd enjoy WDW a good deal more if every QS offered blueberries in the morning.

 

[danceintherain]

I think my Disneyed-out threshold is probably really high. My burn out tends to come from the people I travel with. They tend to either complain or just be difficult to manage.
Honestly though, I could probably travel just about anywhere, and it would take a while to be "over it."
I've yet to have a vacation where I felt compelled to leave the location. But, accommodations do get uncomfortable with 4 kids. We ended up sharing a cabin with my parents the last trip I took with my kids, and it was too much. Also, my youngest kept running out the door.
I love the actual traveling part for myself, but during the last vacation I took with DH, he started getting anxious about traveling home like 3 days before, so I agreed to go home a day early in order to soothe some of his concerns.

I have yet to find a travel companion whose style matches mine closely enough in order to tolerate more than about 2 weeks with them. My Dad is looking at taking an assignment in Orlando at the end of this year or early next year, and I may treat myself to an annual pass. Then I could do like a night in a Disney hotel, and stay a few nights with my parents. But, I may decide it's a better opportunity to do some of the other things in Orlando that I always skip in favor of Disney.
I don't think I'd get tired of Disney, but APs are much more expensive now than they were the last time I had one (15 years ago).