How often do you go and do you ever get tired of it?

[JimMIA]

We have eased off on our WDW visits. For the first few years, we went twice a year (it's only a 4-hour drive for us), but now we're going once a year. We don't see everything, and we don't do everything, but we don't need to because we know we're going back.

Our DD is now 6 (going on 26!), so she's at a great age for Disney. Every trip there is some new adventure to enjoy. Last trip was the "Fast Track" trip.

But she's also getting to the age where her interests are expanding. She's just as happy watching baby alligators in the Everglades as she is at a character meal. She went to Science & Nature Camp this summer and actually wants me to take her out to the Everglades and show her how the water flows! (She's already given me an explanation of the hydrology that would put many Rangers to shame. "It starts at Disney, goes down the Kiss-Me river drainage to Lake Okee-whatever -- you know, the BIG lake -- then through the Everglades to the ocean...right, Daddy?" Right.)

She loves Disney, but she's also started ice skating and wants to go skiing. She has a keen appreciation for what is real and what is "just a Character," so when I take her to Yellowstone, Minnie will have a tough time competing with moose, elk, bison and bears. If she sees a marmot or a ground squirrel, Minnie's toast.

I think once a year is fine for us right now. I don't think we'll ever stop going. There is so much variety that she'll never run out of new things to see and do. Heck, I have a great time at Disney! But I can see a different pattern evolving where we don't go every year.

*****
As far as offsite dining, it is abundant and very close. It ranges from fast food to fine dining, with a LOT of moderately priced choices.

There is also a LOT more variety in food offsite. Onsite, you basically have the same dishes presented a little differently depending on where you go, and many components of the meals are cooked in central kitchens and trucked to the restaurants. After a few days (especially if you are on DDP) it all starts tasting the same. It's good food, but it's the same stuff, different day.

The fine dining offsite (IMHO) is better than the fine dining onsite. And all of the food is more reasonably-priced than onsite. I think people who don't at least look at the option of renting a car and eating offsite are doing themselves a disservice.

 

[pennilessinpa]

We bought in 2002 and have never looked back. Oh it was a lot of money to shell out at once and many of our family and friends thought we were nuts (and didn't resist telling us that again and again).

You will see from our signature, how often we've gone since we bought in 2002. We originaly bought the minimum and have since added on twice.

We love it. We keep saying that we're going to trade some points and head somewhere else, but when we look at the exchanges, nothing beats Disney in our mind.

We are a family of 5 with 3 kids (15, 11, 9) and my kids know Disney like their own neighborhood! I can't imagine what these past 6 years would've been like without these trips and that wonderful Welcome Home feel.

We always went in September and then last year I finally got my dream teaching job. Yes, come that 3rd week of September I do look longingly at the DVC wesbsite (but I have my job, so....)

No matter what, we head hoem every year. The kids are always asking when we're going next. (The family still hasn't let up about being nuts though!!)

 

[eporter66]

I want to make it clear that I didnt start out as a huge Disney Fanatic. I had been once as a kid with my family (I was 14 - 1981) and never went back until I was an adult almost 16 years later. On my first trip back, I really felt the "magic" and Disney hit me. We went two more times prior to joining DVC (2003).

So - our travelling plans have changed, as we have gone to WDW almost every year since joining. This year we will be going twice (went in Feb and have and Oct vacation).

For us, there are a ton of benefits.
1. Our daughter loves it
2. Easy to get decent priced flights and direct flights
3. We feel we have not yet fully explored WDW and all its offerings
4. DVC allows us to truly vacation (relax), and not do everything at full speed
5. We have become true Disney-a-holics, so as of yet, we have not once questioned planning a WDW vacation every year.
6. We love the resorts, and staying in a 1 or 2 bedroom makes for a much more enjoyable stay. If we stay 7 days, we are at the resort for at least 2 days swimming, relaxing, (and hopefully) golfing.

Plus, believe it or not, we have not done the other Orlando parks (Sea World & Universal). So we have a lot to see yet.

I would never say that we wont get a little bored of Orlando. But with DVC we could borrow and bank and spread our vacations out so we go once every 2 or 3 years, I think that would be fine as well.

 

[WolfpackFan]

We have been DVC members 5 years now and have been going to WDW at least once a year for the last 6-7 years and every other year for a number of years before that. This last year was very unusual in that we went 5 times (various reasons and unusual circumstances). Having said that, I don't think we're really tired yet of going to WDW BUT we may be getting a little tired of going to the parks (and we don't do commando style visits). Every visit we seem to do less and less park wise and I can see soon going down and not even doing parks some visits.

 

[dallasdisneymommy]

We have been members for almost four years. The first few years were a big rush of "DVC is the best thing EVER!!!" -- we went two, sometimes three times a year, added more points on, and took trips with extended family. It was great, I have so many fantastic memories of those trips.

However...in the past year or so I got the distinct feeling that we were overdoing it. Our trips seemed more like work, they felt less magical, and my oldest daughter (who is only 7) actually said "Disneyworld is so BORING." Boring. Unreal.

So now our plan is to do the every other year thing. This summer, we spent a previously-planned week at Disney, a week at the beach, and a week in the mountains. It felt really good to show my kids other things and give them other experiences, and it made me really look forward to our next trip to Disney.

I'm finding that it's all about balance for us. We love Disney and always will, we will just have to guard against burnout, because to fall out of love with Disney would just be too sad.

 

[Dina]

We go once a year, every year, and nope we never get tired of it. We don't enjoy travelling outside of Disney with our kids yet. DH and I have travelled alot before them, I've driven cross country, gone to Hawaii, driven through Canada and visited the UK. My kids can do that when they're older if they choose. We take them on day or weekend trips to major cities (D.C., NYC, Baltimore and we're from Philly), because I think that's important (and we're very lucky we're 2 hours drive from some pretty incredible cities)-- but other than that we do Disney and a few weekends at the beach each year(my parents have a house), and that's it for vacations. We have lots of friends that go to the same shore point every year for vacation, we just go to Disney instead of the shore. We like to get to our vacation, and just relax--- we're not really into touring and sightseeing on vacation. But, that's us. As far as Disney, we're not commando tour people, I don't make many plans--- some ADRs (that's the bulk of our plans--- where are we eating dinner) maybe a hard ticket event or LaNouba -- soemthing like that, but that's it. We get up, and do whatever we feel like doing that morning--- some mornings it's just laying at the pool, some morning it's going out to breakfast, some mornigns it's a park. We get very little accomplished on each trip (compared to many people who go occassionally), but that's fine for us, and maybe that's why we don't tire of it. We also make sure we stay at a resort that's relaxing and enjoyable on it's own (we don't really need the parks)--- which is why we bought DVC. It's also a spot that we have nice accomodations (more than a hotel room), and it's easy to get flights from Philly to Orlando. It's not really about the parks for us--- it's just a great place to relax.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm here to tell you that after 11 plus years of being members (and we purchased after age 50, so no little ones), we are still not tired of vacationig at WDW every year and even multiple times a year. We have come to think of many of the places in all 4 parks as our go to vacation. We know exactly what we want to see and do each trip. Even then, we will often come home from a 10 day trip where we have stayed completely on Disney property and have still forgotten to do a specific attraction that we wanted to do. We do still go to the parks every day, and now that we have grandchildren, they can occationally join us as well. Even our adult "kids" look forward to vacations at WDW with us.

 

[JimC]

...Our DD is now 6 (going on 26!), so she's at a great age for Disney. Every trip there is some new adventure to enjoy. Last trip was the "Fast Track" trip.

But she's also getting to the age where her interests are expanding. She's just as happy watching baby alligators in the Everglades as she is at a character meal. She went to Science & Nature Camp this summer and actually wants me to take her out to the Everglades and show her how the water flows! (She's already given me an explanation of the hydrology that would put many Rangers to shame. "It starts at Disney, goes down the Kiss-Me river drainage to Lake Okee-whatever -- you know, the BIG lake -- then through the Everglades to the ocean...right, Daddy?" Right.) ....

A bit off topic but I can not resist being a father of two grown daughters...

JimMIA -- she sounds wonderful -- enjoy every precious moment because they grow so quickly.


Now back on topic...

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Honestly, yes I get tired of the parks every so often but not the resorts since there are so many to enjoy now. We only have 180 points (hoping to buy more at the BLT)so we only can go once a year.

But, being able to travel to Florida during the winter is priceless. We feel we don't have to do the parks commando anymore or even every day. On our last trip which was 5 days at Disney we spent 4 nights at the BWV with a bw view studio and one night at the AKv. We spent just 2 days at the parks and the rest of the time enjoying the resort. The AKL is a destination in itself due to the unique restaurants, animals, cool pool etc, so we spent one night just exploring everything it had to offer.

Next time we go we are planning to do Discovery Cove and SeaWorld (I have been going to Florida for 40 years and I have never been to SeaWorld) & maybe do Univerisal for a few days the next time. Also, we try to go to VB which is only 2 hours away and it is such a great resort. Its the perfect end to a great Disney vacation.

 

[ransom]

We go annually. When folks say, "Don't you get tired of it?" my response is, "Do you get tired of Christmas?"

 

[bobbiwoz]

We take 3-5 trips annually, and we anticipate each one with eagerness and anticipation. I still get sad when I have to leave, but DH doesn't, he says that's the best part of owning DVC, he knows he'll be back, and soon at that!

Bobbi

 

[edk35]

We go once a year, every year, and nope we never get tired of it. We don't enjoy travelling outside of Disney with our kids yet. DH and I have travelled alot before them, I've driven cross country, gone to Hawaii, driven through Canada and visited the UK. My kids can do that when they're older if they choose. We take them on day or weekend trips to major cities (D.C., NYC, Baltimore and we're from Philly), because I think that's important (and we're very lucky we're 2 hours drive from some pretty incredible cities)-- but other than that we do Disney and a few weekends at the beach each year(my parents have a house), and that's it for vacations. We have lots of friends that go to the same shore point every year for vacation, we just go to Disney instead of the shore. We like to get to our vacation, and just relax--- we're not really into touring and sightseeing on vacation. But, that's us. As far as Disney, we're not commando tour people, I don't make many plans--- some ADRs (that's the bulk of our plans--- where are we eating dinner) maybe a hard ticket event or LaNouba -- soemthing like that, but that's it. We get up, and do whatever we feel like doing that morning--- some mornings it's just laying at the pool, some morning it's going out to breakfast, some mornigns it's a park. We get very little accomplished on each trip (compared to many people who go occassionally), but that's fine for us, and maybe that's why we don't tire of it. We also make sure we stay at a resort that's relaxing and enjoyable on it's own (we don't really need the parks)--- which is why we bought DVC. It's also a spot that we have nice accomodations (more than a hotel room), and it's easy to get flights from Philly to Orlando. It's not really about the parks for us--- it's just a great place to relax.

See I have to say that I am ready for your type DVC vacation. We bought in Jan. 07 and have taken 3 DVC trips thus far and we have been to Disney many times over the years and all the trips were always a park every day....until OUR FIRST DVC STAY LAST SUMMER....then we started to slow down some....not a lot but we are realizing that the resorts are fun to hang at too. I am right at that place now with whether or not to buy an AP or not....because I want MORE DOWN TIME at the resort. My kids loved loved loved BCV this past trip. I think they could spend a week there easily and only hit the parks a couple of times.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We have been members for about 10 years and have visited WDW for 10 years before becoming members.

I can't say we are 'tired' of the same old Disney as it changes so often. I can say, we are no longer 'commando' visitors!!! Actually we went 2.5 years without stepping foot in a theme park!! We go about 3-4 weeks per year and one weekend while my oldest DD is cheering in the Worlds competition. We love seeing the same friends yearly when we go for 2 weeks in the summer. It is great seeing the kids grow up!!!

We have no regrets in buying and have actually added the additional 15 years to our OK contract!!! This way, our girls can pass on the magic.

 

[justloveit]

We never get tired of it, we joined when our oldest had left the nest and our next 2 were teenagers 6 years ago. We couldn't afford it before that time. We now go 2-3 times a year. Our children still love going to Disney whenever they can. We took 2 of our youngest DD friends along 2 years ago, and they all had a great time. We now have two that have left the nest and our youngest is going to college next week, and DH and I are looking forward* to enjoying time to ourselves at Disney in October. DD wants to take some friends in May after completing her first year at college. Our oldest DS is married and we have a DGS, who we will take when he is old enough. Our other DS just got married and wants to go to Disney and we will gladly either take them or make a reservation through DVC for them.* My point is that trips to Disney evolve through all phases of your life. You have the opportunity to enjoy Disney through the eyes of small children right on through to adults, Disney has something for everyone. And the memories......priceless!******

 

[edk35]

We take 3-5 trips annually, and we anticipate each one with eagerness and anticipation. I still get sad when I have to leave, but DH doesn't, he says that's the best part of owning DVC, he knows he'll be back, and soon at that!

Bobbi

I always get sad too...usually about 2 days before we leave. Now that we are DVC members......I recover REALLY FAST THOUGH. Once I get back...I get right back into planning the next trip. It is great medicine.

 

[gscott8075]

We used to go to WDW a lot - so we bought DVC. My kids were 5 and 7. Now they are 13 and 15. We have not been to WDW for several years. They choose to go to HHI and we love it there. It is Disney quality without the hectic pace of the parks.

We also enjoy VB - we just returned last night.

We have the option of WDW and I agree that the resorts in and of themselves are fantastic.

I have two resorts - one oceanfront and one close - for beach vacations. Without DVC, we would not get such terrific accomodations.

 

[njmeisje]

We do one WDW trip every year (or every other) and then do HHI every summer. I think the thing that makes WDW more enjoyable with DVC is the slower pace. Knowing you come so often, allows you to slow down and enjoy what you are doing, rather than worrying about being late to the "next" thing.

 

[edk35]

We do one WDW trip every year (or every other) and then do HHI every summer. I think the thing that makes WDW more enjoyable with DVC is the slower pace. Knowing you come so often, allows you to slow down and enjoy what you are doing, rather than worrying about being late to the "next" thing.

I have a HH question......what all is there to do there. My kids see that promo on the DVC dvd's we get when they do show all the resorts and they think there is not much there. How far is the beach? Can you walk there or do you drive?? Our kids are 17, 14 and 9. thanks

 

[moredisneyplease]

I think this is a great question poster! And it looks like we have kiddos the same age....I have two boys too, 3 and 8 months. Personally I've been visiting WDW since 2001 and have about 10 trips under my belt (half of those trips as DVC owner/DVC stays) and I havent tired of it yet. Honestly, my trips have evolved over the past years:

1) At first they were adult fun/romantic
2) Then i started going w/ friends because my husband (almost anti disney) got tired of going and that changed and those were a blast!
3) The past 3 years my trips have turned into family trips (I think my husband really enjoys seeing the boys enjoy Disney) with the focus on little kid rides

the future
4) even anti disney DH is excited about the boys being tall enough to ride the big rides (space mnt, big thunder, splast, EE, R&R, ToT, etc etc) and takes out the tape measurer to measure our 3 year old on a weekly basis!
5) This time next year we'll be doing a BIG family trip to VB and WDW with my family, my folks, and my sisters and their families. It will be the first of its kind for me
6) As DVC opens more non WDW locations (like VB and HH) we'll have more options and will enjoy those!

I see our DVC membership taking at least 20 years from date of purchase (when the boys turn late teens) to lose any sort of magic and by then the boys will probably want to go w/ their friends! Its been my favorite purchase/investment of my entire life!

 

[MinMouse]

We have been members for almost five years. When we first joined we went 2-3 times per year staying Sun-Fri to maximize points. As our girls have gotten older we've gone for longer stays and we're now down to once a year (although our June trip was 11 nights!). We still love it. After our recent long trip we thought maybe it's time to scale back and sell off a contract or two (we have three contracts!). So we talked to our girls thinking they were ready for some different trips. To our surprise didn't want to give up Disney. Guess we're staying!