Is it just me or..........

[TinkerbellMama]

We used to go every 5 years until I finally stayed onsite. After that I was hooked! I go twice a year for two weeks at a time now. We still go on many other vacations over the year so it isn't like we are stuck with one spot. You don't have to only do one vacation a year. You can do 2,3, or more!

We go on two big vacations (meaning a week or more) per year. One to WDW, and one to somewhere else. Works out great for us! I TOTALLY don't get the "nothing to do at WDW" comment. That just boggles my mind!

 

[DVCLiz]

WDW with older kids can be a totally different experience!!!! We still love WDW, even though my daughters are now 12 and 17. You can have a totally different kind of vacation. We take our time knowing we don't have to stand in line for Dumbo anymore!! (Although they will often insist on doing it "for old times sake", and don't ever make the mistake of thinking they are too old for Winnie the Pooh or Snow White!!)

We rent WaterMouse boats, shop, make late ADRs at nice restaurants, etc. On our next trip we'll look into parasailing, since both girls had fun learning to water ski this summer. There's PLENTY to do in WDW for all ages!!!

That said, owning DVC makes it easier to have a variety. We use our DVC HH points for a 5 day stay in a 2BR in July or August, and our BCV points for a WDW stay in March (usually for spring break.) Being able to drive to WDW saves on airfare and rental car expenses, and I buy an Annual pass for myself, and 10 day non-expiring tickets for the girls, so we can usually get 2 or 3 trips from those tickets. Pre-paying all of those expenses makes it more likely that we can take another vacation during the year. This summer it was 5 days in NYC - last summer it was 4 days in Key West. We tend to splurge a little (Broadway tickets, for example) on those trips because our spending at WDW is minimal. You can only buy so many stuffed Disney characters and light up hats over the years!!!

I feel very lucky to have both options.

 

[Dis-Wiz]

This is an opinion from a younger person (16yo):

My family has been very fortunate to afford to go to WDW every year. My parents have been taking me to WDW since I was 6yo in the 1st grade. We have gone almost every year since, and, in my eyes, it gets better with every trip. I seem to find something new and exciting each year.

I don't know why people seem to think that teens do not enjoy disney as much as little kids would. I think teens enjoy it MORE than little kids. I still enjoy the Winnie The Pooh ride (who can't love those adorable little characters?) but I also LOVE the thrill rides. I think being a teen allows me to enjoy both sides of Disney (the adult side AND the kid side).

My sister is also a HUGE Disney fanatic and she is 17yo. She is graduating this year and we have a trip to WDW in July for 10 days (to which we are also inviting a teen friend of ours who is more than thrilled to go).

I agree with the OP on going to see other places once and a while, but you can't stop going to WDW just because your kids will be teenagers and you ASSUME they won't like it anymore.

That is just my 2 cents.

 

[kittythepoohbear]

I can see how some families only go every few years. Growing up, I visited WDW every year mainly because I had family in Orlando, not because my family was taking a Disney vacation. We never had to deal with hotel, food, or other related expenses. I also had a chance as a kid to go to other Florida attractions that built great memories with my family - anybody remember Circus World? As an adult without children, I find Disney to be my little vacation haven. I am a certified Disney lover and still plan on going at least once a year for as long as I possibly can. Financially, it is actually the same or cheaper for me to go to WDW than to travel to many other places. My upcoming trip is $700 with airfare and free DDP. My BF and I are planning a trip to Montreal and it is more expensive. So while we do visit other destinations and enjoy other vacations, Disney to me is financially worth a trip every year for myself. Once I have children I am know that finances will change and it may not be feasible to do a WDW vacation every year. I will probably go back to the Florida family vacations of my childhood, staying with my family and taking the kids to WDW for day trips in between trips to St. Petersburg or Daytona.

 

[DisTeach1]

Well, we have gone every other year since our son was 3. He is now thirteen, and I can see tapering off our trips. We just got back from Yellowstone, and a whole new world has opened up for our son. I feel I sort of cheated him, by just exposing him to Disney previous to this, even though he loves it. We are going to Hawaii next year, and want to go to Alaska. I do think kids need something besides Disney. There's a whole world out there.

 

[HayGan]

Financially, it is actually the same or cheaper for me to go to WDW than to travel to many other places. My upcoming trip is $700 with airfare and free DDP.

That is actually how my mom and I ended up booking our September trip. For the 2 of us it will cost $680 for 4 nights at POP, r/t airfare on Southwest, 2 days in the parks and FREE FOOD. Where else could we go for less than $350 a person for 4 nights

 

[pickles]

My family took me as a teen when there was just the MK, then I went last year with my kids first time in like 25 years! I was so depressed when we got back thinking "that was my once in a life time chance" Then, I found out about DVC and we figured out a way to afford it and now I will be back in Sept a year after my first trip as an adult.

All that said, we chose to be DVC members and commit to going regular because Disney is not just about a bunch of rides. Where else can you go and see fireworks, go for boat rides, parasailing, fishing, biking, see a variety of events and shows, do rides, swimming, waterparks, eat at a variety of places, shopping, zoo , movies ect..not have to drive to anything if you don't want.

I think many folks miss the point as they stay off property. There is just such a difference in the experience. When i get off the plane, I know the biggest thing I will need to do is walk and I certainly can use some more excercise!

This is a vacation. We had started planning where we would go this year(before we joined DVc) and we discovered how expensive stuff can be and that is without all the variety...travel , hotels, time wasted, high ticket prices with only a specific offering.

Will we ever go anywhere else? Probably, our membership is flexible enough we can. But we also figured worse case scenario, we get bored at Disney(is that possible?) we can always just stay on property and start exploring Orlanda and the area

 

[DznyLvr2005]

If I was offered a FREE trip anywhere beside Disney, I'd definately DECLINE, I need my Disney Fix yearly!! I'm an absolute fanatic and these days it's more for the sentimental feeling (AND FUN of course!) but I HAVE to go constantly!! It's a tradition!!!

 

[jarrdisney]

It's really neat to see how people percieve this subject. One thing that I have noticed to be a common trend in these posts is that most people are fortunate enough to go on a couple "vacations" a year, and still consider WDW their fave. I guess you could throw me in that group. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but I plan and save wisely. My profession allows me to travel all over the country. That bein said, there is no place on god's green earth that I'd rather be, than WDW. Whenj saving for an upcoming trip we always end up going to disney. Cause we're obsessed? Maybe. WDW has the best of all worlds. It seems to be the only place that I can go with my family, friends, etc where EVERYONE has a great time. From the moment we arrive, the moment we leave. It's our second home and I'm more than happy to say it!

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

First of all, DH and I love Disney. My whole family loves WDW with the exception of my Daddy. Like many have already stated, there is no other place on earth likw Walt Disney World. I'm still scratching my head over the "there just wasn't as much to do" comment made by the OP. There's something to do for everyone, for all ages. As much as I love Disney, I love traveling just as much. I want to see the world. Through hard work and saving, we have been lucky enough to travel extensively especially in Europe. Europe is a quilty pleasure to us. That being said, I try to plan a big trip and hopefully a WDW trip each year or alternate a really big trip and Disney every other year. That way we have the best of both worlds! I think DH gets more sad than me when we miss a Disney trip.

 

[pinchy]

I'm no fanatic and I believe variety is the spice of life

This year will be my second trip to Disney and I'm really really looking forward to it, but tbh I'm going because my in-laws wanted to take me and hubby on a family holiday. If we'd had money and we were going somewhere on our own we would have chosen differently purely because there are so many different experiences we want to have.... a fly drive around california, safaris around south africa... ancient ruins in mexico.... maybe even a couple of skiing holidays.... we want to do it all if we can

nonetheless I am certain we will have an amazing time in WDW this year and I am 25!

 

[writersblock42]

okay, I will get flamed with the original poster. I have been to disney a few times and I am going back again in a year with all my in-laws due to fulfilling my MIL's opps sorry deceased Great-grandMIL's dream (Say your prayers for me). I will go back again when child #2 is about 7 (so hopefully in 7 years and 9 1/2 months...I hope hope hope). I agree that there are too many other opportunities in the world to spend every year and all the funds at Disney. In fact, my dream is to take my son to Egypt. That being said, one of my father's greatest regrets is that he did not take his three children until we were 12, 16, and 18. So I think every five years is a good spacing. But if it is what you love...then just do what you love.

 

[sukhakuli]

We do travel other places besides Disney World, but we try to go every year or two. My children are very well traveled, and they are both young, too. We took a National Park vacation last April and we drove to Sequoia, Death Valley, Zion, Bryce, Yosemite, and Kings Canyon. The summer before that we took the opportunity during our cross country move to stop at the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and so on. I also too them up to Montana for a month in July when my dh was deployed on a humanitarian mission. Even my 16 month old has been to about 20 states, and has been hiking with us in several National Parks.

That being said, the kids just have more fun at Disney. Cultural or historical stuff is great for kids, and I think mine have been enriched by all of the driving around we've done, but I want to respect what they want as well, so we take them to Disney as often as we can. Next year we are planning to spend our 2 weeks in the German Alps, and I know I'll miss Disney, and so will they, but I think it's time to take them out of the country.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, we spend most of our vacations at Disney World, but not all. I enjoy going there the most, but I think it is important to be moderate in this respect as well.

 

[NancyIL]

My mom lives an hour away from WDW, so that has been my excuse to go to WDW once or twice a year for the past few years. Having said that, as much as I LOVE WDW, I would never make it my only vacation destination. We took our kids to Europe for 3 weeks in 2000, and have been on quite a few nice trips in the US. My DH and I went on a Baltic cruise last summer, and we're going on an Alaskan cruise in 2007 and (I hope) a Mediterranean cruise in 2008. As long as I can also go to WDW at least once a year, I'll be happy.

 

[Coopsmum77]

I love Disney. We do an extended family trip every two years or so. We don't have kids right now, but are starting to give that a try.

That being said...Once a baby is here, we will go on a Disney break until they are old enough to take it all in. There are also other places we would like to see. Once the baby is old enough, I can see going once a year, but with a vacation somewhere else mixed in throughout the year.

We went on a vacation last summer, and took my partner's nephews and niece, and some of my cousins. We went to a beach in NC, and the kids loved it. You'd have thought we gave them a million bucks. We told the kids we were going to take them to Disney World next summer, and they are on cloud nine. Since we may have an infant, we are planning on driving down. The kids (and my brother in law) are most excited about our plans to stop at the same beach in NC on the way home. They just loved it.

My point...I could live at Disney World, but I also want to see and give my family the experiences out there in the "real" world. (Plus I can take my pup on adventures elsewhere!!)

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

same as the OP but not by choice, by affordability. and kids ages. even now when we go, dd is 2 and ds is 5. i would love to go again in another 2 years but being recently separated, i doubt htat will happen. esp since dh and i were saying we would go for our 10 year anniversary in 2009

 

[Race the Reaper]

I tend to agree with others. There are other places besides WDW to vacation. We go to WDW about every 4-6 years only because when we go, we want to stay at a deluxe resort and go all out on everything. Almost every year we head to a beach, a historical town, out west, etc. Our next trip to WDW is in '09.

 

[essmom]

Thanks for all the replies- I loved reading all the posts. We had a great time but it's just a different trip when they are older-maybe my kids are just different and aren't into disney like all of you.

 

[momandseandodisney]

This Sept trip will be my 4th year in a row with my D8 and myself going to WDW

We do our yearly WDW Setp/Oct trip, then we do another weeklong trip in Feb/March (usually a beach dest.)

then the past 3 years we have went to something somwhat educational - in early Summer (usally the first 2 weeks of July) this year we went to Portugal.



So next year for trips we have planned
Feb - Mexico
July - somewhere in Europe TBD
Oct - I hope this time a land and sea disney vacation/cruise.

 

[momandseandodisney]

hey we all travel we go to Norway, France, Japan, the UK, Mexico, and more IN ONE DAY!

When we go to EPCOT lol

I had to put that in there, come on I know someone was thinking it