I think it may be time to say goodbye to Disney

[Postal68]

We are heading down in 2 weeks for a 4 Night cruise on the Dream and then we are going to spend the rest of the week in the Orlando Area. We are planning to go to MNSSHP on the night we get back from the cruise. Other than that, I doubt we'll go near another Disney Park. We will probably try a day at Universal because the kids want to see Springfield and maybe do Harry Potter.

We have usually gone down every 2nd or 3rd week of November, then that started getting crowded. Then we were going in March or April(non Easter/Spring Break weeks) and that started getting crowded.

We don't like dealing with heavy crowds, and I'm not "planning or scheduling" my day at the Parks, that's ridiculous to us. It's our vacation, at time to relax, not a time to follow a schedule. Plus it doesn't help that Disney is slow to update it's Theme Parks with new attractions. Re-doing an old attraction isn't that appealing, especially considering when they re-do it the old version is usually better.

So with that being said, I think it might be time to bid farewell to Disney and it's crowds and spend our money elsewhere for our vacation dollar(Cruises, National Parks, and maybe see the world)

And, yes, before you even tell me so, I know there will be two families right behind us to take our place at Disney and make it just a little more crowded and the lines a little longer.

 

[patty57]

You sound burned out on WDW. Probably time for something new. As fantastic as WDW is, and as much as I love to go, there is a whole big world out there to see.

 

[Schmeck]

We are heading down in 2 weeks for a 4 Night cruise on the Dream and then we are going to spend the rest of the week in the Orlando Area. We are planning to go to MNSSHP on the night we get back from the cruise. Other than that, I doubt we'll go near another Disney Park. We will probably try a day at Universal because the kids want to see Springfield and maybe do Harry Potter.

We have usually gone down every 2nd or 3rd week of November, then that started getting crowded. Then we were going in March or April(non Easter/Spring Break weeks) and that started getting crowded.

We don't like dealing with heavy crowds, and I'm not "planning or scheduling" my day at the Parks, that's ridiculous to us. It's our vacation, at time to relax, not a time to follow a schedule. Plus it doesn't help that Disney is slow to update it's Theme Parks with new attractions. Re-doing an old attraction isn't that appealing, especially considering when they re-do it the old version is usually better.

So with that being said, I think it might be time to bid farewell to Disney and it's crowds and spend our money elsewhere for our vacation dollar(Cruises, National Parks, and maybe see the world)

And, yes, before you even tell me so, I know there will be two families right behind us to take our place at Disney and make it just a little more crowded and the lines a little longer.

Good - more room for me and my family We've done the national parks, see the world thing already. Going to WDW is liking going home. We relax while we are there, and we've been able to find something new to try each time we go.

 

[Postal68]

You sound burned out on WDW. Probably time for something new. As fantastic as WDW is, and as much as I love to go, there is a whole big world out there to see.

I wouldn't say "Burned Out". We actually have only been there once in the last 2 years, even though we usually make it an annual trip as stated above. I think it's more from reading these boards and hearing about the crowds and such. We've been down there when it was wall to wall and we've been down there when it was empty(one time we were in Universal and our group went to get out the Disaster/Earthquake ride. My daughter did not want to ride it and her and I sat outside and with out exaggeration in the 15 minutes we waited for them to get off the ride, only 2 other guests and about 5-10 employees walked by us. That was the most empty I have ever see any theme park)

As I said, we're heading down in 2 weeks for a cruise and we'll probably stop by at least one park. We'll have to reassess after this visit.

 

[DisneyDetective]

It seems you've exhausted yourself with the Disney experience and are looking for something new and there's plenty to do. We went outside the WDW 'bubble' a last year to St Augustine and loved. I also think its important to mix it up because you don't want to become bored.
Enjoy your holiday!

 

[2Tiggies]

It sounds like you have made a good decision for yourselves for where you're at right now.

It is so much better to recognize what it is that you are not getting out of your vacation and why, now, and make the appropriate adjustments so that you still have a great time, even if that is somewhere else. So much better to enjoy your vacations because they suit your wishes and needs at any given time than to carry on doing the same old same old when things have changed, and then come home and be miserable about it. If you continue to go and don't have a good time, then come back and post about, you'll be buried in replies about how if you hate it so much you should go somewhere else, so why not take the happy memories and not taint them .... and go make some more

Yeah, sure, there will be other's who go 'in your place'; there will be others who decide not to go. And maybe in a year or 10 years or whenever, Disney will be just what you're looking for again, as it is at the time.

 

[patty57]

I wouldn't say "Burned Out". We actually have only been there once in the last 2 years, even though we usually make it an annual trip as stated above. I think it's more from reading these boards and hearing about the crowds and such.

I would take some posts here with a large shaker of salt. Some people let the most minor things impact their vacation. Others are happy to be on vacation and trivial issues don't even make it onto their radar. Your vacation is what you make it. You will probably have a great time, although beginning a post with "It's time to say goodbye to Disney" does make it sound like burnout.

 

[Mousemommy1]

If you're not feeling it, you're not feeling it. No need to justify it. I wouldn't pay top dollar to go to a location that I wasn't enthused about. If I ever get that ways about Disney, I'll stop going too. Only makes sense.

There's a big wide world out there, wishing you happy travels!

 

[BigGreen73]

We don't like dealing with heavy crowds, and I'm not "planning or scheduling" my day at the Parks, that's ridiculous to us. It's our vacation, at time to relax, not a time to follow a schedule.

I'm with you.

You must not be a big fan of the mymagic FP+ stuff that WDW is putting in place either.

Having to plan ever waking moment of your vacation is just nuts. Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing aren't they?

 

[Amunet]

I agree with you! We keep going back, but we do need to do something else. Last year we got Disney-ed out, so we went to Japan for a week instead

Now we're coming back ... mostly cause of my family and ... crazy stuff. But anyways, I agree with a PP, you don't have to apologize if you've fallen out of love with a vacation spot.

 

[supernova]

You sound burned out on WDW. Probably time for something new. As fantastic as WDW is, and as much as I love to go, there is a whole big world out there to see.

I've been saying that for years. I try to see as much as I can all year and sneak in a trip to WDW whenever possible. Lately, if I don't get down there annually as I once did, I don't mind.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Good - more room for me and my family

I can't stand comments like this. So unnecessary.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

We are heading down in 2 weeks for a 4 Night cruise on the Dream and then we are going to spend the rest of the week in the Orlando Area. We are planning to go to MNSSHP on the night we get back from the cruise. Other than that, I doubt we'll go near another Disney Park. We will probably try a day at Universal because the kids want to see Springfield and maybe do Harry Potter.

We have usually gone down every 2nd or 3rd week of November, then that started getting crowded. Then we were going in March or April(non Easter/Spring Break weeks) and that started getting crowded.

We don't like dealing with heavy crowds, and I'm not "planning or scheduling" my day at the Parks, that's ridiculous to us. It's our vacation, at time to relax, not a time to follow a schedule. Plus it doesn't help that Disney is slow to update it's Theme Parks with new attractions. Re-doing an old attraction isn't that appealing, especially considering when they re-do it the old version is usually better.

So with that being said, I think it might be time to bid farewell to Disney and it's crowds and spend our money elsewhere for our vacation dollar(Cruises, National Parks, and maybe see the world)

And, yes, before you even tell me so, I know there will be two families right behind us to take our place at Disney and make it just a little more crowded and the lines a little longer.

I love Disney and have been going since 1976, but the experience that national parks offer is superior in my opinion. We went to Yosemite for the first time this summer and it was one of my favorite vacations ever. I find that we have better quality time as a family too. Plan a trip to national park! You won't regret it!

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I love Disney and have been going since 1976, but the experience that national parks offer is superior in my opinion. We went to Yosemite for the first time this summer and it was one of my favorite vacations ever. I find that we have better quality time as a family too. Plan a trip to national park! You won't regret it!

We haven't made it to Yosemite yet, but we've been to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons and it really is incredible to spend time in nature appreciating non-man-made wonders. We actually ran into a Disney tour group, if you want to remain Disney-loyal, although I recommend going on your own. Even the parks can be crowded in certain areas, but it's easy to step a little off the beaten path.

I think my family has reached the point where Disney is a stop while in Florida, not a trip by itself. I need my occasional MK fix (there's nothing like the opening of the park...I always ), but there's so much to see in the world, and the crowds and noise can be overwhelming for my kids and DH so small doses seem to work best.

 

[rwdavis2]

We only go every 4 years and we've gone often enough where even a higher crowd level at a normally quiet time is not that bad. If a line is too long and we don't want to wait, well, we've done it a bunch of times before. I'm guessing we may go again on 2016 or so, if then. There are so many other places to see in the world.

 

[JanaDee]

We are heading down in 2 weeks for a 4 Night cruise on the Dream and then we are going to spend the rest of the week in the Orlando Area. We are planning to go to MNSSHP on the night we get back from the cruise. Other than that, I doubt we'll go near another Disney Park. We will probably try a day at Universal because the kids want to see Springfield and maybe do Harry Potter.

We have usually gone down every 2nd or 3rd week of November, then that started getting crowded. Then we were going in March or April(non Easter/Spring Break weeks) and that started getting crowded.

We don't like dealing with heavy crowds, and I'm not "planning or scheduling" my day at the Parks, that's ridiculous to us. It's our vacation, at time to relax, not a time to follow a schedule. Plus it doesn't help that Disney is slow to update it's Theme Parks with new attractions. Re-doing an old attraction isn't that appealing, especially considering when they re-do it the old version is usually better.

So with that being said, I think it might be time to bid farewell to Disney and it's crowds and spend our money elsewhere for our vacation dollar(Cruises, National Parks, and maybe see the world)

And, yes, before you even tell me so, I know there will be two families right behind us to take our place at Disney and make it just a little more crowded and the lines a little longer.

Right there with you and you don't need to justify your reasons for wanting to do something else with your vacation time/money. Our next trip coming up will be our last, for various reasons.

There is so much more to see in the world than Disney and I can't wait to explore and give my kids a different experience.

 

[JanaDee]

I can't stand comments like this. So unnecessary.

Yes, the comments are unnecessary. But they make me laugh.

 

[Happyjen27]

Yes, the comments are unnecessary. But they make me laugh.

I was going to play a drinking game for how many of those comments I saw on this thread. I'm still thirsty!!

OP, I'm excited for you to see the world and explore new things. I think after a break, you and Disney will be reunited and it will feel soooo gooooood.

I have only been to Disney once, and I'm really enjoying the planning of my second trip. But, that can't be my only vacation for the year. I also need a different kind of vacation, beach, cruise, National Treasure, something that is not Disney.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'd never make a major decision as to where to vacation based on what I read on these boards.

If you like empty parks, WDW is emptiest in September and part of January (the part that doesn't have a marathon or MLK weekend) if you can go then. If you are having a choice between Jersey Week and Spring Break (at WDW there really are no non-Spring Break weeks in March or April) then you go with the crowds. Universal may be a better fit because even if they are crowded (I was just there and IOA was empty except for the main Harry Potter ride, but the Studios side was crowded) you can stay at one of their hotels and get front of the line access to everything (except Harry Potter but you can use early entry for that.)

Transformers sort of disappointed me because it is basically the same ride as Spiderman with a different set and movie, so Universal is currently re-doing attractions as well.

 

[Ambassador]

After fifteen straight years of WDW vacations, we too have taken a break from the magic for a few years. This year we did a grand tour of the Southwest: our best summer vacation ever! Next year it is Hawaii. Then we may return to WDW for a fresh look at an old favorite. I imagine it may seem like coming home?