Is it better to have more trips or to visit sparingly?

[PlutoTheDog89]

My dad has been retired for quite some time; my mom is semi-retired, my sister is a teacher and I'm a regular ol' cubical monkey. We started going for Christmas about 8 years ago and always enjoyed it. At the time I was still in college so it coincided with my break. Now I have to set aside about 5 days for the trip.

This past year we did Christmas again. My cousin plans on going for Halloween and invited us to come along, as we're the resident Disney experts. The plan was to go for Halloween and then Christmas again. Not sure how it happened, but we stumbled across cheap flights for Easter. After crunching the numbers, we decided to buy an Annual Pass. Even if we just go Easter and Christmas; or Halloween and Christmas we'll save money.

So, right now we have Easter booked, we hope to go for Halloween and Christmas. My dad has made comments like "how many times are we gonna go?!"

We decided to purchase our airline tickets rather than use points. It cost right around $300/person round trip for Easter. During Christmas, that would be one way - so we're saving our points for that flight. I'm technically "point rich" now thanks to a nice signup bonus from my CC. So, we do manage to find ways to save. My dad's biggest complaint is that we try and cram too much into our Christmas trip. He gets testy by the midway point with the crowds and running around, so we told him "if we go Halloween and Easter, we'll be able to hang at the hotel more during Christmas!"

We're staying moderate for Easter at Coronado, as it was the cheapest of the resorts we wanted to stay (CSR, POFQ, POR).

We'll stay moderate again for Halloween and F&W, then hopefully stay deluxe at Beach Club for Christmas again.

Being that I'm a long way from being retired and not a teacher, I have to pick and choose my days. I'd like to travel more and I am strapped for PTO days with bachelor parties and weddings this year, but I figure I'll give my year of Disney one try and see how i like it, along with a few 3-day weekends sprinkled in.

 

[Accident]

there is pros and cons to both I think. What I did notice is the more I went, the cheaper disney got. Partially because I learned more ways to say money but also because we relaxed and made it more like an actual vacation and not a run around crazy at disney trips... We didn't have to do as much in the parks, we did more in the resorts, we weren't going for all the expensive meals and really lowered down to 1, maybe 2. we started to see offsite more, we started to do universal as welll... We also loved different seasons a lot and seeing how disney changes for each one and that was as much fun as doing all the rides. Ride wise we would go after less and start to revisit old favorites we just skipped over with less frequent trips. We got ok with lower prices accommodations...

In short, going more actually let us come more often for the same budget as going less frequent because we had different goals and needs with more frequent trips...

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

My biggest annoyance is the people that go "you're going again?!" "Don't you ever get sick of Disney?!"

Ironically, it's the same people that go to Lake George (NY) or spend a family vacation at the best each summer. This is where I grew up and where I'll continue to go when I have kids of my own.

 

[prprincess]

My biggest annoyance is the people that go "you're going again?!" "Don't you ever get sick of Disney?!"

Ironically, it's the same people that go to Lake George (NY) or spend a family vacation at the best each summer. This is where I grew up and where I'll continue to go when I have kids of my own.

Agreed. Where I live everyone spends a week down the shore each summer...which is not my cup of tea, but you don't hear me saying, "AGAIN!?"

We used to go once a year, and then about three years ago I got burned out and found that little things started to annoy me about WDW. I honestly didn't want it to get to the point where I'd become angry at things, so we took a break, and I think it was just what we needed. We took a short weekend trip to Orlando and went to MK for the day March, which got us excited plan another vacation there again, so we went back in August and had an amazing time! Time away allowed us to gain a fresh perspective on things, and we also got to try a few new things for the first time.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Yeah, I mean, don't get me wrong, I really really enjoyed all my multiple trips in one year.

I might have figured out why this coming trip has that extra spark for me. I enjoy the planning part of the trip and not going so often give me more time to plan and dream about this one... If that makes sense.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

FWIW, I notice those things MORE if there's a solid amount of time between trips.

I agree. Unfortunately for WDW, the changes in recent years have not been improvements.

Every time we go to US, there's something new to see: Kong, Sapphire Falls, etc. WDW used to be the same way. Even if we went twice a year, there just always seemed to be something new, exciting, and that new thing was INCLUDED with the price of park admission.

These days, it saddens us that most of the new additions are tacky extra costs/fees. The Fantaslyland additions are okay, but they aren't anything to get excited about. There's just no comparing the remodeled P Pan queue or the 7D to Diagon Alley, when Test Track first opened, or when Pop opened.

The old $10 e-ride nights have been replaced with ones that cost over $100 per person!

Put it all together, and it REALLY feels like WDW has lost its way. Put it all together, and it is sad to see.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Agreed. Where I live everyone spends a week down the shore each summer...which is not my cup of tea, but you don't hear me saying, "AGAIN!?"

We used to go once a year, and then about three years ago I got burned out and found that little things started to annoy me about WDW. I honestly didn't want it to get to the point where I'd become angry at things, so we took a break, and I think it was just what we needed. We took a short weekend trip to Orlando and went to MK for the day March, which got us excited plan another vacation there again, so we went back in August and had an amazing time! Time away allowed us to gain a fresh perspective on things, and we also got to try a few new things for the first time.

Agreed. if you don't know your way around the theme parks, then there's a big learning curve to overcome.

Once you know your way around WDW, then it kind of becomes a no brainer vacation. We don't have to think about what we are going to do when we get there.

I don't see it as an us vs. them kind of choice. Going some place fresh is exciting, but it takes a good deal of mental energy. You have to be prepared for the unknown. You might eat a bad meal, waste time getting lost, get stuck in a long line.

If you know your destination, then you know exactly what to pack, the location of the restrooms, and how long it takes to get around, where to find your favorite snack, and the best places to park. All those advantages add up.

People who don't know WDW, don't automatically realize that. If anyone says, "Again?" to me, that's my quick response. Something along the lines of, "I'm craving a meal at my favorite restaurant."

 

[mickey1968]

I have been going about every six months since I started going back in Nov 2010. I typically go in early May and either Halloween week or after Thanksgiving. Each time I go I find different things to do and enjoy. The first couple of trips back after a hiatus of 10 years, I tried to see and do everything and about killed myself a couple of times I was so exhausted. But the more I go, the more laid back I am. I bought one of the 13 month AP when I was there in October, then talked myself into going back again Thanksgiving weekend. I am now looking at a trip in April before it gets too hot. I also will go back again probably for Christmas this year before my pass runs out. My trips are shorter now than they were in the beginning, but I would rather go for multiple short trips a year than take one or two long trips.

 

[prprincess]

Once you know your way around WDW, then it kind of becomes a no brainer vacation. We don't have to think about what we are going to do when we get there.

I don't see it as an us vs. them kind of choice. Going some place fresh is exciting, but it takes a good deal of mental energy. You have to be prepared for the unknown. You might eat a bad meal, waste time getting lost, get stuck in a long line.

If you know your destination, then you know exactly what to pack, the location of the restrooms, and how long it takes to get around, where to find your favorite snack, and the best places to park. All those advantages add up.

People who don't know WDW, don't automatically realize that. If anyone says, "Again?" to me, that's my quick response. Something along the lines of, "I'm craving a meal at my favorite restaurant."

Very true. Right now we want to go somewhere for spring break. We'd like to try something new, but to be honest with you, I've put it off because I don't feel like putting in the time and energy to research a destination, and then risk being disappointed. At WDW and DLR I know exactly what I'm going to get, what I want to do, what I need to do to prepare, etc.

I feel like here in my area it kinda sadly is an us versus them...I'm the one who's seen as "weird" because I don't want to spend a week at the shore and actually prefer to fly somewhere out of state for vacation.

 

[Tikitoi]

We're from Upstate NY and used to do the 2-3 times a year. We haven't been for a few years now. But it is okay as we have been to many other places as well as on cruises. So definitely looking forward to our trip next year...

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We started going to WDW in May of 2000, and have been 19 times since. Our longest trip has been six days. The last three visits have been one day at MK and two days at UO (Sept 15), one day at MK and a bunch of spring training baseball games (3/16), and three days (9/16). I never have gotten bored through the years, and the kids and my wife love it as much as ever. Even now as young adults our kids are always wondering when we are going again.

I have two Disney priorities for this upcoming summer, and I'm not sure which I will accomplish 1) a seven night stay at WDW or 2) another trip to DLR

Also, DD has applied for CP in fall 2017. If she gets that I foresee us driving down for several short trips later this year. We are only 9 hours away, so it is easy to justify. Who knows... we may buy our first APs this year.

 

[gingerfeathers]

Confession: A few years ago I got burned out on WDW. *ducks*

In my defense, my ex wanted to go there every year, and each year he got more and more miserable to be around to the point that he was an embarrassing jerk and really cut into my enjoyment of the trips--cutting in line at the boats to go to WL from MK and then getting into it with people who called him out, saying crude things in front of other guests, making racist comments on IASW, you name it. It was actually at WDW when I realized I was in a horribly unhealthy and abusive marriage and needed out.

I'm getting ready to go on my first trip to WDW since those events, and I'm having a hard time getting super excited. I think (hope) this will change when I get there and can start making new memories. I have had a very take-it-or-leave-it attitude about WDW for a few years now, and I want to find the magic again and actually get excited about the thought of going on a regular basis.

 

[Beer Me]

We have been 6 times in 20 years which feels about right. There is always something new when we visit.

Also the only way I do Disney is a full week on site. Anything less seems not worth the trouble.

 

[Tattylou]

I like to do Disney every year, but that doesn't have to mean wdw. I think alternating one year at WDW and the next year at DL is our trajectory. We did WDW twice this year (1st time ever going twice in same year) bc we wanted to see it at the holidays. DH said he felt a little burned out on the buses, the size, etc of WDW and missed the ease of Disneyland. So, our next trip will likely be DL. WDW is easier for us bc we are on the East coast, but they both require a flight bc we are in Boston. I kinda think I need the annual Disney fix though. This time there will be 18 mo between trips and that feels looooong.

 

[Vijoge]

We have been 6 times in 20 years which feels about right. There is always something new when we visit.

I feel the same way. As much as I love Walt Disney World I really don't think I would want to spend my vacation there every year. Next year it's a cruise to the ABC Islands, the year after that? I dunno yet.

 

[Pooh2]

We have not been to WDW in about 2 years. We did go on our first Disney cruise last year (Alaska) and are going on our 2nd Disney cruise this year so I am getting in my disney fix without my husband overdosing on the parks.
I'd be happy to go live in Cinderella's Castle, he would be fine with every three years or so in the parks.
We've also been to Aulani and Disneyland, he loved both. He just gets a little burnt out on the parks and likes a different venue.

 

[luvthemouse71]

We usually average about once a year( some years twice) although we canceled one trip in October 2015 because my dad was dying. We went March last year for about 3-4 days. We are going in February this year and it will be my nieces first trip, so that's exciting.

My sister and I have become cruise fanatics so we've eased up on Disney a little.

 

[NH-to-FL]

I think this falls into the 'everyone is different' category.

In our case we started out visiting WDW one week per year. After a few years we moved to two one week trips per year. Another few years go by and we started taking two, two week trips per year, visiting the parks at a more leisurely pace.. A few years later I retired and now we snowbird near Disney. Interestingly enough even though we are now next door we aren't spending that much more time in the parks. Once or twice a week we'll take a morning walk in Disney, visit a few attractions, and when the crowds start to build head back out to our "life" activities.

So 'more trips' is better for us.

 

[mrzrich]

If you go too much, it becomes less special.

Speak for yourself. I go as often as I possibly can.

Each trip is different, sometimes I go with the whole family. Sometimes I go solo. Sometimes I go with one of my kids alone. The next trip I will take my other kid alone. Sometimes I go on Girls Weekends with my mom or my sister in law. These different types of trips are so fun. When it's just grown ups, we eat tapas style at the various lounges around property. When I have my kids we eat with Mickey or at Sci Fi. When I go with my mom, we go to the spa and have tea at the GF.

Most of my trips are long weekends 2 to 4 nights, with one week long family trip a year.

 

[Farro]

FWIW, I notice those things MORE if there's a solid amount of time between trips. We haven't been inside a WDW park since January 2015. When we go next I'm going to be stunned at the changes, both to rides and the decrease in quality I've heard about. Changes in menus, etc. It's going to be big.

It's when people go often that those little changes take awhile to sink in. My cousins courted at WDW back in the 90s and with FL passes when they were reasonable (and before I introduced them to the modern Universal) they were there often. There were many things they didn't know had changed, because they just did their same old same old, never researched etc.

(I'm only quoting you because you quoted me, so hopefully my answer doesn't seem out of left field )
Maybe you shouldn't already be prepared to be stunned about the decrease in quality! Perhaps if you aren't looking for it, you won't notice it.

I don't really put much stock in the complaints. Not that I don't think the poster had that experience, but that I may view the experience differently. (obviously I don't mean blatant dirtiness, rudeness, etc.)

Also, restaurants are so subjective. Myself, we've never had a bad dinner. Have other people? Absolutely.

And maybe I'll come away with complaints of my own. Or maybe I'll say it was the best trip ever. Who knows...

Anyways back to topic, it's just my opinion. I know, for myself, I would get very bored going every year.