How often is too often?

[WDWRook]

We took the kids, DS9 and DD5 a few weeks ago in May for their first ever trip and seven nights. We had such a great time, but bought into the DVC and we are returning this September for five nights. We are debating our plans for the next trip and contemplating going May 2017 for five nights. That would be three trips in 12 months (two of which being during the same school year and taking kids out of school both times).

Our first trip was crazy busy, but very efficient and a ton of fun. We hit all four parks, hit all the major attractions, were in the parks open to close five days, with one day off. We hit all the major dinner spots CRT, BOG, HDDR, Ohana Breakfast, SAI, Flame Tree, Raglan. This coming trip we are trying to be different, so we are doing the MNSSHP at MK, the DVC party at AK, a water park (not sure which yet), and Epcot again since we only got a couple hours at WS and to see the FEA and Soaring (which was closed) and do F&W vs F&G. Then, thinking to try HS again for a full day but the only new thing will be Star Wars Fireworks, which did not happen the day we were at HS. So, its a fair bit different than our first trip. And we are staying at PVB vs POR our first trip.

Is going in May again too much too soon? Part of me says they are only this age for a short while, and part of me worries the kids will get burned out or bored with too much WDW. We could wait, and do Oct next year. We also definitely want to hit up the first two weeks in December some year for the Christmas party so maybe wait and do that next year? in 2019 DS9 will be in sixth grade and it will be more difficult to go during the school year, and at some point we will look into Vero Beach and HHI.

 

[sharadoc]

One year did February, June and December. There was something fun going different every trip, we loved it.

 

[RLGNC]

I might think twice about taking the kids out of school twice in one school year, but other than that, I think "how often" is totally subjective.

 

[lovethattink]

There's no such thing as too often!

 

[Klayfish]

That's all a matter of your appetite for travelling, planning, etc... We love WDW, especially me and my kids. My wife loves it too, but isn't as obsessed as we are. We bought APs last July 4th, and our trips have been:
July 4th 2015 - stayed for 17 days
Labor Day 2015 - stayed for 3 days
Thanksgiving 2015 - stayed for 4 days
Christmas 2015 - stayed for 4 days
Presidents Day 2016 - stayed for 4 days
June 2016 - we'll be staying for 17 days

It was a very short turnaround from Thanksgiving to Xmas, but I'm SO happy we did it. Best holidays ever!! We decided to stay home for Memorial Day weekend simply because we've got a 17 day trip coming up in two weeks. Honestly, I was disappointed we made that decision. So for me, 6 times in a year is not too much at all.

 

[westie55]

This is a really personal decision. For some people, three times a year is fine. For others, it would seem repetitive and monotonous. The good thing about Disney, as you mention, is that there's so much to do that you can make each trip unique by staying at a different resort, eating at different restaurants, even doing different parks. For me, 3 full weeks a year at WDW would be too much. I don't even enjoy repeating attractions in the same trip. However, I could easily do 3 shorter trips, and in fact have done that in the past and had a great time. I think once a year is about right for me.

Another thing you might consider is doing a trip to Disneyland instead of repeating WDW 3 times in short succession. There are lots of different shows and attractions out there that make for a unique experience. The Grand Californian villas are great!

 

[JimmyBean42]

and part of me worries the kids will get burned out or bored with too much WDW. We could wait, and do Oct next year.

If your kids are anything like mine, they watch the same movies over and over again, go to the same playgrounds over and over again and eat the same things over and over again. And yet never get bored. And the way you've done your WDW trips is seems like you change it up every time, so I think they won't get too bored. Add in some pool days, try the mini golf, keep switching up. Then you get to try everything too.

 

[dkrauss]

Your trip plans seem spaced out nicely from a cost/planning perspective. My wife and I did WDW in Dec 2015 then again in January for the Marathon weekend.........and then a Disney Cruise in March..........that was too much on with respect to the cost coming back to back to back (The cruise is what did us in financially ) The concern about taking the kids out of school is something to consider. You need to feel out your school district and the kids teachers. Its not like they're high schoolers tho. Your concern about going to WDW too much............................can you really go too much Nope! The only thing you have to worry about is affordability.

Doug

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Too much Disney? Is there such a thing?

I say go until they and/or you are no longer having fun, and you will know when that is. We've take DS who is now 21 year every year since he was 6(he did miss one year due to college activities). We've covered just about all of the events and times of year too. When he got to his teen years we could tell that he was bored, taking a long a friend helped with that-they did what they wanted since they were old enough. We also took his ex-girlfriend along last year-not a great idea on that one, but hindsight is 20/20.

This year we had planned to go without him, but now he's decided he wants to go and it be a family only trip "like it use to be". So while we may have lost him a little in his teens, I think he's come back around, lol.

DH and I have already been 1 night in January, 3 nights in February, and are returning for 9 nights in September with DS. Planning on booking a bounce back offer if it's available before we leave, no plans to quit Disney anytime soon. Really wish they had a rewards program, we would be like supreme diamond members by now, lol.

 

[DisneyMom111]

Too much? We just went to WDW 2 weeks ago and I wish I was going back today!! HAHA But my son is 15 and we have been many times since he was 4 and he never gets sick of it. He's ready to go back too. It never gets old, there is always something different to do! And, we did Nov '15 and May '16 so I had to take him out of school twice in one year, there was no issue. If you guys want to go, do it!

 

[gap2368]

We took the kids, DS9 and DD5 a few weeks ago in May for their first ever trip and seven nights. We had such a great time, but bought into the DVC and we are returning this September for five nights. We are debating our plans for the next trip and contemplating going May 2017 for five nights. That would be three trips in 12 months (two of which being during the same school year and taking kids out of school both times).

Our first trip was crazy busy, but very efficient and a ton of fun. We hit all four parks, hit all the major attractions, were in the parks open to close five days, with one day off. We hit all the major dinner spots CRT, BOG, HDDR, Ohana Breakfast, SAI, Flame Tree, Raglan. This coming trip we are trying to be different, so we are doing the MNSSHP at MK, the DVC party at AK, a water park (not sure which yet), and Epcot again since we only got a couple hours at WS and to see the FEA and Soaring (which was closed) and do F&W vs F&G. Then, thinking to try HS again for a full day but the only new thing will be Star Wars Fireworks, which did not happen the day we were at HS. So, its a fair bit different than our first trip. And we are staying at PVB vs POR our first trip.

Is going in May again too much too soon? Part of me says they are only this age for a short while, and part of me worries the kids will get burned out or bored with too much WDW. We could wait, and do Oct next year. We also definitely want to hit up the first two weeks in December some year for the Christmas party so maybe wait and do that next year? in 2019 DS9 will be in sixth grade and it will be more difficult to go during the school year, and at some point we will look into Vero Beach and HHI.

Last year I did 3 6 day trips 1 7 day trip a few 3 day trips and a few 1 day trip

I was at Disney just about 1 time a month some times 2x. I do not think you can go too much

 

[rwdavis2]

We go every 4 years or so. Every 2 would be OK but I would get tired of it. I overdosed on Disneyland when working periodically in Los Angeles for a couple years. And that was just 3 visits.

 

[isabellea]

Personally I wouldn't take the kids out of school twice in the same school year (once maybe but definitely not two). Yes family time IS important but sending a clear message to my kids that school and education is their #1 priority is also essential for me. Could you plan your second stay after school is finished? Also, you might want to consider buying an AP...

 

[DisDadDVC]

We do 3x family trips per year. April break, summer, and Thanksgiving. Sometimes we will add in short trips for a race, quick daddy/daughter trip etc.

 

[Hootch]

People have different views and priorities. Only your family can decide what is best for you.

We went a lot when the kids were younger. It was easy entertainment for them. We could hit the beach for a couple of days without a problem. As the kids got older, we decided they should experience more of the history and culture of the country. We have had two 15-17 day road trips to the West Coast (one included a day at DL). Our son complained that we did not give him to do Half Dome or rim to rim at the Grand Canyon. I told him that he could choose that for later. Boston, Philly, DC, parts of North and South Carolina, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, NYC this summer (just got back from four nights at the beach) and some I am sure I missed. Recently WDW has been an every other year visit.

The kids will be in college soon and our travel decisions will change. We plan to end up in Southern Florida which will give us plenty of Disney access.

There is no right or wrong decision. It's what works best for your family.

 

[aprincessatlast]

I guess there is only one way to find out. Try it and see.

We did and found we are in the "that is too much" camp and it is "repetitive and monotonous" crowd. We found that while Disney can be fun we do not buy into the "each trip is unique" line. It is all just Disney World and there are too many other places to explore to say that (too many other Disney's too). That is us though, we tried the many trips in a row thing to find that out. Happy travels!

 

[caralovesdis]

Too much is very subjective.

We got Annual passes last March and then we went in May (glad we did it for Star Wars Weekends!), August for a surprise for my son's birthday, October for fall break and then in December to see the Osborne lights one last time. This year we were able to go in January still with our AP and me with a girls trip for the princess race.

It was a lot and honestly we were tired. We are taking a break until October from WDW but we do miss it and will be getting another AP in October as we didn't renew. There are still lots of things to do and things we missed even going that much.

Honestly, 3 times in a years period isn't THAT much

 

[WDWRook]

Personally I wouldn't take the kids out of school twice in the same school year (once maybe but definitely not two). Yes family time IS important but sending a clear message to my kids that school and education is their #1 priority is also essential for me. Could you plan your second stay after school is finished? Also, you might want to consider buying an AP...

We definitely can wait until school is out next year, or wait until October or December. I guess that is what I'm trying to determine. Our 11 month booking window for May 2017 starts soon (although I'd try to flip to BCV at 7 months to check that place out). May or October would be basically doing a regular trip and redoing most of the same things. December would be different with Christmas going on. If we went in May, I'd consider the AP. If not until October it would not make sense.

 

[alliecat523]

We got APs last year and went 6 times since then. Most were short trips, and by the last one, i was ready for a Disney break. We had a blast every single time, but I was ready to do something else.

Taking kids out of school is up to each family. I think your kids are still young enough to not have that much impact on missing days. My DD is in middle school now and we found out quickly that missing just a day or two made a huge difference. You have to do what is right for you. Only you know what is best for your kids.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

There is only one rule for how much is too much:

Are you having to finance any of it on a revolving credit? If so, maybe you need to cut back.
If not, there is no such thing as too much.

The great thing is that there is SO MUCH TO DO - and SO MUCH VARIETY that every trip can be something different. That's why I love DVC. We have taken trips where we have barely visited the parks. Most of our time was resort hopping. We had just as much fun as a full day in the parks. We spend days at the pool now without feeling we are missing out. I still haven't been back to the mini golf sources since I was a kid - wanted to for a long time. Eventually I am sure I will go. The only rule is to make sure you are having a good time.