I was just looking at my 2006 calendar...

[Matt]

and my family (me, wife and two daughters, six and three) will be at WDW for 31 days in 2006. Holy crap. I shall apologize to my children now if we can't afford to send them to college.

So with that said, for folks who go to WDW a lot, what are your tips on keeping it fresh each trip? (Besides "Hey, don't go so much! haha)

 

[fanofdisney]

This isn't an answer, but that 31 days is over how many trips???

 

[Matt]

This isn't an answer, but that 31 days is over how many trips???

Um.. let's see, 8 days in February, 7 days in June, 8 days in October, 5 days before Christmas, and I have a 3 day weekend penciled in IF they do the star wars weekends again.

 

[sara74]

Pardon me for being nosy,but how close do you live to Orlando? Do you have to fly for every trip? Is this a normal year for your family? Is your last name Trump?

Wow, and DH is crazed b/c I want to add 2 days on to our first trip!

 

[Matt]

Pardon me for being nosy,but how close do you live to Orlando? Do you have to fly for every trip? Is this a normal year for your family? Is your last name Trump?

Wow, and DH is crazed b/c I want to add 2 days on to our first trip!

I live in Georgia. It takes about 6-7 hours to drive to Orlando. No not named Trump. I just decided to take advantage of APs this year!

 

[Daxx]

Well, I say that you're rather fortunate to live that close to WDW! How could you NOT go that often!?!? I'm surprised you're not going more!!! I live in Upstate NY and, in 2004-2005, we went for a total of 38 days -- 14 days in July 2004, 5 days in Oct. 2004, 5 days in May 2005 and another 14 days in July 2005. We bought AP's and were fortunate enough to hit on great airfares (ie: $50 one way in May) and a couple of room rate codes. We always stay on-campus at the moderates, so we save some money there.

We bought AP's *only* b/c the AP's were a better value than the 10 day PH plus the additional days we would've had to buy to cover the remaining 4 days! So, we decided to take 2 "big" (14 days) trips and two smaller trips in a year. And, no ... our last name isn't Trump. We just happened to luck out!

We're going to do the same thing this summer -- get the AP's and take 4 trips w/in the 2006-2007 season.

How do we keep it fresh? We choose one special or character meal w/each visit. It might be Sci-Fi Drive In, it might be Chef Mickey's, it might be who knows what ... but it gives us something to look forward to. We make the decision as a family. We also "hotel hop" and check out the eateries at other hotels (ie: Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, the Poly, etc.). And, we always have our "rituals" that we look forward to as well.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Sigh.....Some people have all the luck. With 24-25 hour drive, I don't see myself going to WDW more than once a year. Luckily, we had great airfares so we got to go more often.....


Maybe I should move to Georgia! You bet I'd be there every chance I get! Good for you! Very smart of you to go as often as you like, As for keeping it fresh? I'd do a mix of everthing, resort hop, waterparks, DTD, try new restaurants(or old favorites)maybe even venture OUT of WDW for a day.....

I don't think I'd ever get tired of WDW, no matter how many times I'd go.

 

[Matt]

I doubt I'll ever get tired too. Right now I plan on doing the Backyard BBQ and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party during the October trip, and maybe something else special during the June trip. I'll try to do the Christmas Party during the December trip.

I plan on character meal's each trip. Thanks for the ideas so far.

 

[disneylizzy]

Lucky you!!

We went 2X in 2005 and people around here thought I was nuts. There is always something new to see, though. I'd check out the All Ears Net website for their overlooked attractions.

 

[kjs1976]

I second the hotel hopping and character meals.

Have you done all the water parks and DisneyQuest? Done any backstage tours?

On our longer trips we take a day and an evening to do something off property. We spend a day at the beach, hit outlet malls, or spend an evening at Universal CityWalk. By the time we get back on Disney property, we're ready to hit all stuff Dis again.

I would think that with kids and frequent trips, you would really be able to take your time and go at a slower pace. If you miss something or elect not to do it, you can always do it next trip. One thing I wish we'd have more time for is to just relax around the pool. Kids love pools. It might be a nice break your you!

 

[sweetinmaine]

Living in VT it's hard to get down there more than once a year. This year, because we bought into the DVC we went twice. What we do to keep it fresh is to spend some time visiting the different resorts and then just spending a day at a resort, by the pool, enjoying that wonderful Florida sunshine!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

After becoming DVCers in 2004 our trips have increade from 1-2 per year to 3-4 per year. Right now we are definate on 3x in '06 but like the OP were are waiting to see what's up with SWW for the 4th.

I am in a perpetual state of planning. It is what I live for. It is what makes me happy. Biggest change has been given the fact that we get a villa w/DVC it is much easier / nicer to spend time at the resort (reading a book on the balcony, renting movies, napping, pool hopping, using the spa). We no longer do the parks "Commando" style & really have slowed down to take it all in. Although I do have to admit we do still plan our days around food!

My best suggestion is to just make a list of all the things you've never done because you didn't want to give up precious park hours & start crossing things off your list. WDW has sooooo much to offer.

 

[bettyann29]

All I can say is WOW.. Do you guys want to adopt me and my kids?? Id love to be able to go for that many days every year

 

[loveswdw]

Please tell me you are DVC members. 31 days of hotel costs! Wow--that would pay a good chunk of your membership!