How Often Do You Visit DW (for those that don't have DVC)?

[kohlby]

We've been irratic. We went three years in a row pre-kids, then waited a few years.

We went twice that year. We went again 3 years later. Then again 2 years later. Then again 1 year later. We did US/IOA only the next year. So our next trip will be a little under 2 years later. We were initially going to take this year off - we looked into a cruise but realized Disney would be cheaper and easier. Another year, we were close to going to Williamsburg instead, but realized Disney was cheaper and the kids would enjoy that better, so we changed our plans back.

We figure it out as we go. We originally were never going to take kids in strollers, but our first trip had a 2 month old and barely 3 year old. We said we would never take a 2 year old - but the third child had a trip at 2. So, we've learned not to plan ahead too much since we change as we go.

 

[bjscheel]

It has varied, but for now we've kind of agreed on every other year. It's actually going to be 3 years between trips this time, but we did go to Disneyland/San Diego last year, so not 3 years Disney-free. Once we went just 1 year apart, and it felt a bit like we'd just been there- it was too soon.

DH wants a vacation every year, but he doesn't like to have to drive on vacation, so WDW is an easy pick. (He drives for a living, all day every day) DD15 especially wants to see more places, so we do those on the off years. We've done Wisconsin Dells, Branson, Colorado Springs, and San Diego. Thinking about Yellowstone for 2015, but in order to fly on SW points, the closest we can get is Salt Lake City, then it's a 6 hour drive. Have to see if DH is up for that.

 

[jezebel73]

We started when my daughter was 15 months in 2006 and went in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. By then she hit school age and we slowed to every other year - 2012 and booked for 2014. We LOVE Disney and would go every year if time and money allowed, but since I prefer to go more off-season, this means missing a week of school for her. I figure if I switch up to another locale on the opposite years, I can do those during the summer or a school holiday with less change in the crowd level than you see at Disney and less missing school. Another reason is that she is approaching Disney "adulthood" age 10 and will become more expensive!!

She now finds more interest in other types of vacations - tourist type things like NYC or other large cities - than she would have at 3 or 4 years old. Plus she is more independent, so a venue less toddler-friendly is no problem.

That all being said, if we lived near WDW, we'd probably be there all the time. LOL We live close to a theme park and get season passes every summer here already.

 

[monorailsilver]

We are on the every 5 year plan.

We were going every 2-3, then 3 but 3 kids and $8000 trips are not in my yearly budget.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

I think we are very lucky for one, to be Florida residents, and two, to be only about a 6 hour drive from WDW.

So we go at least 2 times a year. Always during WDW "proclaimed" slower seasons. We have made it a tradition to do the annual MNSSHP, my two boys just LOVE it. We usually go in early/mid October and again in the Spring.

Our boys are pirate crazy, and they have a few other Disney characters and movies they love (Donald Duck, DuckTales, Toy Story, Mickey Mouse) so I think that helps for us. And I'm Disney crazy.

We also live on the incredibly beautiful Gulf of Mexico, where most people travel far to visit! We do a lot of "staycations". Our boys like water sports, paddle boarding, and we get family passes to Big Kahunas water park.

My husband is from Seattle, and my family lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Usually once every two years we visit those places, too. Since we are visiting family, it usually doesn't cost a fortune like most vacations do.

Probably next year we will try out a Disney cruise.
We also don't spend thousands on each trip; we like doing more trips instead. Our trips to Disney usually are only about 6 days or so. Being "nearly local" certainly helps!!

 

[Dragonfly_34]

We've been averaging every 3-5 years because DS17 isn't a huge Disney or amusement park/rides fan. Now that we have three kids under the age of 5 who love all things Disney, I have a feeling we'll be going a bit more frequently provided we can plan and budget accordingly. The years we don't go to Disney, we usually spend a week at the beach and take more long weekend/local trips.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

3 trips in the past 29 years, only 1 of which was really focused on Disney.

 

[texasroni75]

I did the math, and since 1999, we have averaged one trip every 2.5 years. One particularly good year, we went twice the same year (and it was awesome!). I personally never get tired of WDW. If we could, I would go at least once a year. On non-Disney years, we try to do smaller day-trips to zoos, inexpensive camping trips, etc.

 

[happymommy]

We live a quick 2 hour flight from Orlando (we fly out of BWI usually) and in the past have gotten very cheap airfare (sometimes $79 each way). One time we did drive, but were gone for 2 weeks (11 nights at Disney, kids' first trip with us, then one night visiting family in Naples).

We've averaged about 1 to 2 trips a year (took a year or so off, but went 2 and 3 times a year some years).

We do go elsewhere also on vacation too - Hawaii every other year (kids have been 6 times now - we used to live there), Caribbean, one cruise, Williamsburg, St. Louis (family visits), Arizona, etc...

Now that my kids are older, though, they are busy with their own plans, so it may be we won't go often at all. Case in point, this spring break DD went with us, but DS went on a service trip with a small group from school to New Orleans to work on repairing a lady's home that was destroyed by Katrina. He wants to go again next year, so he won't join us again wherever we decide to go. Then he'll be in college, so that's a done deal - his break will likely be different than DD's and he may decide to go somewhere with friends or come home for a short visit - who knows?

There is always something new to do, so we don't get bored at all there!

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

We drive 1100 miles each way to save $. We have only been twice with our kids, but the trips were 2 years apart. We may be going back this oct though. The last trip and the poss oct trip are work related so had it not been for that we probably would've waited longer in between Disney vacations.