How would you cope if you could never go back?

[Jhuff8181]

After 10 years and 15 visits to WDW I think it may be over. We recently sold our ownership in DVC and have now gone more that a year without visiting Disney World. I find myself having to deal with the fact that we may not be going back. I am finding it very hard. I can’t stand to watch TV commercials, look at pictures or even visit these boards any more.

I know with everything that is going on in the economy, if this is all I have to give up then I am doing too badly.

I would love some suggestions for moving on and learning to live without Disney.

 

[npmommie]

Why can't you ever go back?
I understand you may have sold DVC due to money issues? but aside from that why not save and go back at some point if you want?

 

[mom of princessx2]

My motto would be "Never say never". I would just say that we are taking a Disney break. The economy will turn around eventually and you will be back.

 

[jax677]

Why do you think you will never go back? We stayed at the other hotels before we bought DVC and loved them all the same. Maybe you will be able to go back sooner than you think. Maybe in a year or two things will be easier and travel will be easier.

 

[fussymonkey]

I would "cope" by not bemoaning my fate and just getting on with life, cause I'm not a melodramatic drama queen. But thats just me, I guess.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I own a DVC but go to Disney when there is great deals like FD and stay at mods or values. We keep our AP's and really enjoy Disney without stepping foot in our DVC. You can go to Disney without a DVC, just do it!

 

[jodifla]

After 10 years and 15 visits to WDW I think it may be over. We recently sold our ownership in DVC and have now gone more that a year without visiting Disney World. I find myself having to deal with the fact that we may not be going back. I am finding it very hard. I can’t stand to watch TV commercials, look at pictures or even visit these boards any more.

I know with everything that is going on in the economy, if this is all I have to give up then I am doing too badly.

I would love some suggestions for moving on and learning to live without Disney.

I never look at it in these final of terms. WDW will always be there, so as long as you are healthy, you can always return some day.

Of course, I've been over 100 times (lost count, actually), so my view is a bit skewed.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Do what the rest of us who go on a tighter budget do...stay at a value! Maybe you could plan to go during free dining or splurge on the DDP rather than sacking it...but sacking it isn't so bad if it means that it is how to go and still have fun. You could even *gasp* stay offsite. So you no longer have DVC really it isn't the end of the world...WDW is still there. It may take a few years, but I'm sure a little planning could help you find your way back.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Why can you never ever go back? Are they sending WDW into outer space? When your finances get better save up and go.

 

[shaunaday]

I understand why it makes you sad. It is fair to say that most people would be saddened if we got used to things that made us happy and all of the sudden it wasn't a "sure thing" for the future.

Having said that, I also agree that WDW is a frill in life. In this economy, I try to count my blessings and try not to lose focus on what is important. Remember, whether its a year or a decade...WDW will be there when you are ready to go back.

So, to answer your question, if I were in your shoes, I would do this to pass the time:

• 
  Get a huge jar for loose change and call it the Family Disney Fund. It may help you feel that it isn't as far away as you think.
  Stay positive...count your blessings daily!
  Put a plan on paper for what you are going to do with money saved from selling your DVC (having lists of projects and goals is a great way to be reminded of priorities)
  Until WDW is back on your radar expand your vacation horizons.

I hope this helps some.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I too would never say never. So many things in life can and will change. We have a great time and we always stay value. You don't have to have the best to have a great time. In the mean time, you dream, you research, you even plan without an exact date, and when the time comes yo uwill be very prepared and overjoyed to be able to go again. I don't understand the "never"?

 

[srwarden1928]

I dont mean to be disrespectful to anyone, but NO ONE is going to tell me I can NEVER go back to WDW. Period.
Now DW could say we have been to WDW several times, and I would like to go _____ on this break. I would go with her to where she wanted to go--no problem. But at some point in the future there WILL be another time for me to go to WDW. There are actually two places that are my favorite vacation spots that as far as I am concerned there will always be another trip to. One is WDW; the other is St. Pete Beach. Of course one can easily do both in the same trip. We plan to do both this June. But telling me I can never go somewhere is probably going to get me to go there sooner.
One does NOT have to own DVC to enjoy WDW. I do not do timeshares. I have been to enough timeshare presentations in my life. I choose not to even attend the presentations for the freebies anymore. We are making our third trip to WDW in two years this June. DW has already asked to go somewhere other than Florida this October, although she continually mentions what beautiful weather Florida has in October. I would go in December, but I dont think she would want to be away for Christmas. The next trip after June is NOT planned. It may not be even in the planning stage for awhile. There WILL be another one sometime. Telling me I can NEVER just makes me look for ways to make it happen.
Best wishes to all. Forgive the rant. I put myself in what I think are OPs shoes and got upset. for everyone.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I say,
NEVER say NEVER!


I guess from your post it was financial, well many people have had to make changes in their lives but as my dad always says....this too shall pass

SO, until the CHANGES happen in YOUR life, be thankful for all the things you DO have and till you return (being optimistic here) save up, and ENJOY life, there IS life besides Disney (though you'd never know it here on the DIS )
And Good Luck!!! YOU can do it, I just KNOW it!!!

 

[IATink]

I agree that you should NEVER SAY NEVER!! Keep moving forward and things will get better! This is the first year in a long time that I do not have a trip planned, and even though it bums me out...I know that some day we will be back. Things will brighten up! Don't be pessimistic, I have never owned a DVC and have visited almost every year for the last 5 years! You just have to do a value resort and change your spending habits.

 

[duffy]

We went on a trip in 2000 and I figured then that it was our "last trip". We had 2 daughters in high school and college bills were looming. Disney trips disappeared from our radar for a loooong time. We busied ourselves for years with their college adventures, including one daughter's 9-month stay in Poland and the other daughter spending a college semester in the UK.

Then, one day it occurred to me, they had both graduated college, and we ony had one daughter still at home and on the family payroll, no more college bills for a few years, (she was only 12 at the time) and we hadn't been to WDW since the little one's 5th birthday!! She barely remembered that trip. I also realized our 25th anniversary was a year away, so we decided to take the youngest (she turned 13 before the trip) back with us, and we'd celebrate our anniversary too. This was in Feb. 2008. We took my neice with us too.

Then I thought that was our "last trip" too! But early Dec. I got a PIN code for 40% off our room, and thought long and hard about my sister, whose daughter we took with us in Feb. Her son just turned 5, and she wants to take both kids. So, I'm going to go with her, both her kids and also my daughter, who will be 14 when we go.

I'm sure I'll think "this is the last trip" then too! Ahh, who am I kidding! It may take 8 or 10 years, but I'll be back!!

 

[saremca]

I would be really sad since I've been there once a year since 1973. It would be very, very hard to give it up because so many family memories are there. I agree that I'd try to save up all of the extra $$ I could scrounge toward a future Disney trip.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Never say never! : )

 

[Happy Mami]

It would devastate me to think of never going again, but I wanted to send to you for having to consider it.
Take care.

 

[liv luvs disney]

Don't really like to think about it to be honest with you. However, if it meant no groceries or losing my house, then I would definitley be okay with it. Like the others' have said, Never say never. Who knows what tomorrow holds! Even if it took 5 years to save up enough to go, I would take what I could get. I'm bettin' you'll be back one day!

 

[tam626]

I agree with alot of the PP's, Never say never! I would be tryly sad if I knew, without a doubt I could never go back but there's always hope.