How often do you go?

[srgibbs]

We went as a family for the first time last Sept. and stayed at POR with the free dining. DS was 4 and DD 14months. I talked my husband into it although I don't think he was that excited. We had the best trip ever. We are planning to go back this year in Sept. and also got the free dining again. I think it is just fine to go as often as your budget allows. It is so much fun with small children and they are only small for a short time. I figure we can pull out of Kindergarten without to much work missed this year.

 

[diselderm]

Ksloane, we live in Tyler. We really hate to fly--and I've never seen any really great deals to Orlando from Houston or Dallas, though I don't look too often. I bet we'll end up driving again this next time.

I agree that WDW is great with young children. My DH and I had been twice before having children: our honeymoon (the free video got us hooked) and one other time probably 4 yrs later. When we were about to move a couple of years ago, I thought that would be a good time to take a vacation. WDW was the only place I thought would be fun for all of us w/the 2.5 y/o DD. Everyone thought we were crazy to take a child that age. I knew we'd just have to work around her schedule. We did and it really was a good trip. We have priceless video of her in her Snow White dress w/the princesses and dancing w/ another little girl at Biergarten. That was 6/04.

After that trip we did a land/sea Disney cruise 2/05 (but don't ask about that--I was pregnant and grouchy, we had late seating for dinner, and we are prob the only people to have not enjoyed sailing on the Wonder). The "land" part was good though.

Then somehow I talked my DH into going back 12/05. He really likes it too, but he's embarassed to tell his friends that we're going again. He doesn't think it's as fun not getting to do all the bigger rides, but vacationing is compromised to a degree with little ones no matter where you go.

 

[mareed]

I think my signature says it all for us! We're also from TX. Since we got the Disney bug, I'd say we make a minimum of 3 trips/year. 2006 will end up being more extreme, and we'll have 6 trips total (between DL & WDW). We've flown every time, but we're trying driving for XMAS this year for the first time. May drive to WDW more in the future depending on how it goes. We use AP's, Southwest's Rapid Rewards Program, and stay off-site to economize.

 

[CindyBella]

We are lucky we go about 4 times a year!! Maybe 5 this year.

We just bought our AP in March 2006 for DD birthday. We went late May early June 2006 for DS birthday. Planning an October 2006 trip. We went last year for MNSSHP and loved it!! We will sqeeze in on last trip March 2007 before AP expires.

If I am really lucky, we will go for New Years to see the holiday decorations but, I may be pushing it because that would be 5 times a year!

If we drive it takes about 10 hours but I love having my car with us at WDW!
We flew in May and it really spoiled us!

 

[belle&beast]

We live in northern Indiana and just went in January for the first time with our kids. The plan is to go every other year, which is what we can do financially right now, but I would go every year if we can afford it!

 

[juligrl]

We plan on going about every 3 years if we're able to.

 

[scanne]

Hmmmm, we're SO not the norm.

We're going 3 times in a one year period - maybe 4. We have a trip planned for July 2006, September 2006 and July 2007 (using the same annual pass). I just saved money on our airfare from Southwest and have a $200 credit. So we might go in late May/early June for Star Wars weekends - but that trip will be SO budget - we'll probably stay at Pop or POFQ.

We are so spoiled by our many trips to WDW. But we REALLY love it.

Yes, we are considering moving to Florida within the next 5 years. Been planning the move for about 5 years, but I had two babies in that time, so it put the plans off a bit.

 

[kimkarli]

Wow! We are in Groves, which is next to Beaumont/Port Arthur (Rita area) We are also going this month, and already planning the next trip. We are also thinking December 2007, which will make it a year and a half. I think seeing WDW at Christmas would be too awesome!!!! OP, no it is not too often!!!

 

[emma'smom]

That annual pass...it gets you every time! We planned one trip and said "maybe we'll sneak down for a few extra days to get more mileage out of that pass".

 

[daisyduck123]

We go at least once a year, this year we've already been twice, may go again too!! We always stay for at least 7 or 8 nights too.

 

[elvistaco1]

The first time we visited, we also wanted to return ASAP, but it was two years later that we did so. And now we are going again, Old Gumpy Geezer (me) and DW (from Beaumont), and two grandkids two years after that. Two years gives you a break and an opportunity to spend a boatload of cash in some other needy part of the country every other year.

 

[lclark0621]

We are in TX & we go at least once a year. This year we are going twice!

 

[blanq]

From 1999-2005, we went once a year, and even managed to get a Disney cruise in. But, we haven't been since 2005, and I am starting to go through withdrawl. With some pixie dust, , I am hoping we can get to WDW next year.

 

[luvdiz2]

We go every September for 3 weeks and every January for 3 weeks. We are from Toronto, Canada and fly down. Always stay on site. This year, we are only going 12 nights in September and the 11 night cruise . Worried tho we won't get it all done in 12 nights

 

[sm4987]

I live in North Texas and we go twice a year. We always have gone with a discount. Mostly we drive, sometmes we fly. We leave next friday night and are driving. I just brought DVC whichwill give us he flexibility to go when we want to. Once a year, twice a year, every other year. We cut back on a lot of eating out and other things to do this. Not like we couldn't afford it anyway or otherwise, I'm just cheap and love saving money!!!

 

[mamacatnv]

On average since we moved to NV in 93 we have visited the Mouse about every 2 years. The majority of the visits are to DisneyLand in Los Angeles based on the closer proximity.

Prior to this past trip we had ony been to the World once for the Mllennium Celebration. The upcoming trip will probably be it to the World for a few years. So, 3 trips in 7 years.

In 08 we want to take a trip to Europe for DS's high school graduation.

Since DD is only 7 I see us keeping up the every other year scenario. Once DS is away at college maybe we will go to the World more often as we will be able to pull DD out of school at more convenient times or since she is on year round school we may take advantage of those times off also.

I hate to drive and won't even do the 10 hours to DL, if the airfare is good, off we go........................

 

[diselderm]

I'll have to show my husband these replies so he'll know we're not alone.

Thanks, you guys!

 

[eeyoregon]

Well, it was set in stone that we would go every-other-year...that didn't last long and now we are on the yearly plan

We're from Oregon so it's a "big" trip for us but we LOVE IT!!

So far these are our trips:

1998 Dixie Landings Bayou
2000 Dixie Landings Plantation
2002 All Star Music
2004 Pop Century
2005 Caribbean Beach and Animal Kingdom Lodge
2006 (included our 1st Disney cruise!) Disney Magic and Saratoga Springs

Trying to sneak in 2 visits in 2007 now that I have more vacation time earned.
Next step is to move to Orlando and work for Disney