I think we are burned out....Anyone else experience this?

[rutgers1]

I never thought I'd say this, especially only 2 trips into my DVC ownership, but I think my family is officially burned out on Disney and might take a 2-year break. Here is why:
1) We have been there a bunch of times over the past 5 years. I feel like we have been on every ride and seen every thing that my 10 and 8 year old kids care to see at this point in their lives. Not only have we been on every ride that they like, we've been on them dozens and dozens of times.
2) We have been there twice over the past 6 months, staying 2 weeks one time and 9 days the other. This last time was last week, and the weather was cold, which forced us away from the pool and into the parks for longer periods of time. The fact that we have "been there, done that" in the parks started to become more clear. We had fun, but we didn't leave with the usual "Can't wait to come back!" feeling.

I think that our interest in Disney will be rejuvenated when the kids are a bit older and can be more independent. I think they will enjoy experiencing the rides without their parents tagging along, and I think my wife and I will enjoy the shopping areas without them pulling us to the next ride. We'll enjoy the pool more when we don't have to watch the kids 100% of the time. Etc. Etc.

I think we'll either rent our points out, bank them, or take a trip to one of Disney's other properties (Vero, Hilton Head).

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[lisah0711]

Maybe you can bank your points and go to Hawaii in 2011! Or how about a trip to Disneyland or one of the other parks? Hope that too much of a good thing feeling doesn't last too long.

 

[tgropp]

My wife feels like this, even after only spending 3 or 4 days a year there. We pick our spots but also plan other activities other than spending the day at the parks. You will be surprised on how much you will enjoy WDW with only you and your spouse when your children are old enough to go on their own and just meet at meal time. It is always so nice to enjoy the magic, even if your stay is only at the resort. Especially if it is in a 1 or 2 bedroom.

 

[littlestar]

Yes, we have experienced burn out at times. I'd take a break from WDW.

Maybe try to take a trip to Hilton Head and a day trip to Savannah, Ga, and ride the trolley with on and off privileges for the day (great fun). Pick a time when the weather should be good. Hilton Head has wonderful bike trails, too.

Or go to Vero Beach or Disney's new Hawaii resort that opens in 2011.

 

[bgraham34]

I can't say that I experienced this but I can certainly see it. For me Disney makes me feel young so I always want to go back and have that feeling. I also don't have kids at the moment either. Sometimes you just need a break to appreciate it more.

 

[wdwnut]

When my kids were "teenish", I would drop them off at Disney Quest and do a bit of wandering around DTD. We also did things like miniature golf to take a break from the parks. I'm really sad the Adventurer's Club closed just before our youngest was of legal age. Now we also go to Karaoke at the Swan/Dolphin as well as a couple of other non-park options.

 

[christa112]

I can see how you can definately feel that way we have been 4 times since 2005 and we definately skipped over things on our last trip that we have done several times and of course we repeat things that the kids love. We have also tried to mix it up by staying at different resorts and dining at different places as well as adding the water parks and Disney Quest on one trip and of course doing pool days.

We are also going to take a Disney break. We are hoping to do a Disney Cruise and then our next trip to FL will be us staying on DVC property, but
hitting other Orlando Parks (Universal, Sea World, and possibly Busch Gardens). We have been waiting for our kids to get older to enjoy these parks especially Universal and now that Harry Potter is coming out we all really want to go.

 

[TisBit]

I can see where you are coming from, especially with two long trips so close together. One thing that has kept me from feeling that way is we have begun traveling with some of our family and friends. It brings things back into focus and stuff we would just skip, we now do. It's also just fun to go with someone who hasn't gone before or in a long time.

There are obvious downsides, but we don't make our plans dependent on someone else, if they back out, we are ok. It also makes it more exciting when we do end up with just a family trip, where we can focus on things we want to do.

Also, trying something new every time, maybe tours or activities you haven't done, can bring excitement back.

 

[omalley1118]

I always worry about this as well. We bought in last year. We have gone the last 3 years, and my kids are now 6 and almost 8. We have 2 trips planned this year!!!!! I know y'all will jump all over me for saying this, but WDW is about little kids to me. I keep feeling as though the "magic" will be over or at least not the same soon--thus the 2 trips this year. HAHA!!

 

[wildernessDad]

You've been twice in 6 months time. Give it some time, about a year, and you will be itching again. I think.

 

[RCM]

Did you ever hear the saying ........To much of a good thing isn't good? We have been members since 2004. We now have 4 married children, 1 child in college and 7 grandchildren 9yrs. & under. We planned on going every three years as a group and then inbetween my husband & I go with adult family or friends. We are going this June with all the kids and have 3 2/bdrm villas and are looking so much to the trip. Not for us but for them. The adult trips we don't have to set a foot in the parks because there is so much to check out at all resorts and just lazy around the pool. So far we are just excited everytime we go because we spread out the visits I think. We are even waiting ROFR for 50 more pts!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I love the resort area and would just keep going just tor elax by the pool, hit the outlet malls and dine in/out of Disney. My son (13) however is suffering from Disney burnout. He's fallen in love with big roller coasters and the usual Disney rides no longer provide the thrills they use to for him. In the summer however he still enjoys the Disney water parks. I think in the near future we will bank our points for cruising and/or visiting other venues.

I look forward (no rush) to the time when he can see Disney through the eyes of his children, I still remember his 1st visit. Something new to look forward to.

 

[TLPL]

You feel burned out with the parks? or DVC? there are so many things youcan do with your DVC points, you don't have to have WDW vacation everytime. Go to Vero Beach or Hilton Head Island and have a vacation by the beach; or take a Disney Cruise; or go to California, Paris, Hong Kong or Tokyo; or even exchange with RCI and visit some place else. DVC doesn't mean you HAVE to go to Orlando every trip.

 

[2binak]

We've gotten burned out too but we've been been to WDW 3 times in the last year so it's time for a break.

Having said that, we've started making our vacations more about spending time at the resorts and less about the parks and that seems to help. When we're at AKV, we don't feel like we're at Disney at all, so for us, it's a little mini vacation within our vacation.

On our off years, we rent our points out to family & friends and let them experience some of the magic of DVC.

 

[kikiq]

I thought I might feel the same after my visiting spree during my DDs college program. Even tried to get my DH to Hawaii this summer instead of our summer WDW trip. BUT when I pressed DH on what he really wanted to do, he said his ideal vacation would be a week at SSR/WDW. He said it's not just about the parks, it's the resorts grounds and activities, exploring, and maybe go off property and see the rest of Orlando and Kissimee...Samantha Brown did a great bit about the surrounding community. There's quite a bit to see and do. And yes, maybe go on a Disney cruise...wait, that's our 2011 trip, DCL/WDW with our DGD who will be 2 then.

 

[rhonimouse]

We have been 3 times in 4 years and heading back in November, I am not burned out but my husband is getting there...He did enjoy our last visit (1st DVC visit) at the resorts (we stayed at AKV Kidani and BWV) with all their various activities. We had stayed at the values or campground previous to this. We are thinking that after Thanksgiving with family we will plan either a cruise or a visit to HHI or VB just to get a different Disney experience....I know it is not the best value for the points, but you could also trade into RCI and visit another part of the country that you have been wanting to see....

 

[zev]

Park burnout does happen. Just don't forget that your DVC is about a place to stay, not the parks. LOTS of options besides the parks at WDW. Like others have said now might be a good time to explore HH, VB, or even a trade to who knows what place. We did not even do the parks at all our last trip, but did a split stay with VB. Still had fun staying at WDW without the parks. (Don't tell.... we did go to Universal, lot cheaper and had adult options at City Walk. Still mad about Adventurers Club!) Good Luck with whatever you decide to do next.

 

[Starr W.]

We're taking a WDW break after our January 2011 trip, won't be back until November 2012. We will be at Vero Beach for spring break 2011.

 

[bwvBound]

Yes, I'm feeling the burnout. I think 2009 killed me with the "Birthday Free" promotion. I was the "+1" for a few family members and one special friend ... and combining these with our annual conference visit in January, D23 Expo in Sept, the "Princess and the Frog" event at the Burbank Studios in Nov and a holiday visit in Dec ... I'm Disney'd-out.

DH? Not so much. In fact he was disappointed last Saturday to find that Costco was sold out of their "4 days of play" passes for DL/CA. I'm guessing he was planning to pick up a pass for the summer season.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Around 45 trips in the last 18 years, and no burn-out here.
I will say that we don't set the alarm in the morning to hit the parks early. We stay up late, spend lots of time kicking back in the nicer restaurants and the bars, and just overall soaking up the Disney atmosphere. The parks themselves are not a priority, although some individual attractions within the parks are.

The closure of the Pleasure Island clubs, especially the Adventurers Club, was a huge blow to our vacation habits..

MG