Is there such a thing as too much Disneyland?

[SFMommy]

I know this sounds like a strange question...but can you have too much Disney in one year?

My DH and I took our DD (5) for her first trip in early May. It was the most perfect, wonderful vacation ever. Everything went exactly right. Not one hiccup or problem the entire trip. We did all the character meet-and-greets, two character meals and went on every ride that we wanted to without waiting more than 10 minutes.

Now we are considering a last-minute trip over Thanksgiving and I'm wondering if we will all be disappointed because we were just there in May and it was such a great trip that maybe it just won't compare and maybe it is too soon to go again.

We're trying to make it a little different this time. Staying onsite at PPH instead of off-site at Hojo's. There are also some things that we didn't do on the last trip...Little Mermaid wasn't open yet and we never saw the Aladdin show. And there wasn't a parade when we were there in early May. Plus we will be there for the holiday decorations, which we've never seen.

I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that this trip will be great too. And that my daughter won't be disappointed because she's seen it all already. I guess I'm sad that her first Disney experience is over and we can never re-capture her first time.

What do you do to make each trip special and memorable?

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I'm willing to bet decorations will be more than enough. And I think every disney trip is memorable. You don't have to do a ton to make it totally different. You may never recapture her first time but you also get to create her second time

 

[mydisneymoney]

We went in February 2011 and then just a month ago and now we are looking at going again in December for a few days to enjoy the Christmas season. I guess it depends on how into Disney you are. Each time I go I see something new and enjoy the oldies but goodies. I would to pull off a trip in December but still in the planning stage. We'll see what happens.

 

[MinnieMama09]

For us, going last year and experiencing the holiday season at DL for the first time was a WHOLE new experience for us...which is why we are going back (also for Thanksgiving) again this year! The decorations are beautiful, the Christmas parade, fireworks/castle lighting, the list goes on...it really is that much more "magical"! My kids just loved seeing all the characters in their holiday attire, oh and had fun at Santa's Reindeer Round-up too! Especially being able to stay on-site, at least for us that has always made the trip extra special!

Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving in DL! We can't wait for our trip too!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We have gone to Disneyland 24 times since 2005. It's the type of vacation our family most enjoys. Here are a few things to keep in mind. No, it's not too soon if this is the kind of experience you and your whole family enjoys and you can afford to go. Every trip will be different in good and possibly not so good ways, but that's ok. Were all 24 trips to Disneyland "perfect"? Definitely not. We have had illnesses, exhaustion, moodiness, frustration, basically all of those things that happen periodically to everyone in everyday life. During those same trips though there have always been happy, sweet, fun, exciting, and great experiences that keep us coming back for more.

You described your May trip as "perfect." It's really important that you just enjoy your next Disney vacation for what it is so you don't waste valuable time and emotional energy comparing the November trip to your leftover warm fuzzy feelings from the May trip. A Thanksgiving trip has a lot to offer. Disneyland with all the Christmas trimmings is beautiful and, even though I hate the trite phrase, "magical." As you pointed out, there will definitely be attractions that you can visit that you missed last time, some of them seasonal things that won't be there at other times of the year. Be prepared to have a different kind of experience and go with the flow and you should be fine. Also, this isn't to deter you but just to prepare you, expect larger crowds than you experienced in May. Arrive at the parks early, take advantage of your Magic Mornings, use fastpass, make some advance dining reservations, and take afternoon breaks. You should be fine.

 

[blackjackdelta]

When does that happen, I have been going since 55 and have not stopped yet.

Jack

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

There is nothing as magical as the holidays in Disneyland. Stop over thinking it and enjoy all the holiday magic.

 

[DizMe]

I go about 5 times/year and I love each trip. Sometimes I go with my kids, sometimes with a friend/sister/grown dd. That means that I do different things depending upon time of year and who's with me.

Yes, I have at times found that I was done with Disney by the last day. However, I'm usually ready to go again in a couple of months!

My dh is good for about 2-3 days a year, and if it were up to him, we would only go every 3 years or so. That's why I like to leave him behind most of the time . He simply can't relax, and that CHARGE! approach to Disney wears me out. No wonder he's done after 3 days.

 

[DanT]

When does that happen, I have been going since 55 and have not stopped yet.

Jack

same for I!

My wife and I always enjoy our trips to DL...and now our kids are grown and married...and they always try to go when they can, and even go with us from time to time.

 

[DanT]

When does that happen, I have been going since 55 and have not stopped yet.

Jack

same for me!

My wife and I always enjoy our trips to DL...and now our kids are grown and married...and they always try to go when they can, and even go with us from time to time.

 

[HydroGuy]

I have confession to make. My name is HydroGuy and I am addicted to Disney.

However, even I can get "Disneyed out". I had six days at WDW in March, three at DLR in June and three more at DLR in August (right before the D23 Expo). Then I had the Expo for three days. After the Expo I needed a Disney break.

I agree with others that HalloweenTime and Holiday decorations would be different and I could go back for those now. But another trip like the others this year? Not ready. Maybe by next spring.

 

[GenGen22]

I can never get enough of Disney. And even I have been several times everytime I go I discover something I never discovered before. Wheather it's a ride or a cool store or a show or a really cool Disney treat or restaurant, there's always something magical. And to answer the question of going twice in one year. We went at Christmas time and turned around and went in the summer right after that. There will be different things every time you go, trust me. Now that I have gone at Christmas time and during summer now were going to WDW at Christmas time. I still have Disney Quests I want to fulfill like going to DL during the Halloween festivities and a Disney cruise and Disney in Hawaii and Paris... This has all started with DLR.. The magic I have felt whlie at DLR has inspired me to seek more Disney related vacations as there is nothing else like it

 

[Sherry E]

Look at it this way:

Being at DLR during the holiday season is not just about simple decorations. If all that the holiday season at DLR had to offer was just decorations, it might not be that big of a deal. You can see holiday decorations anywhere, after all.

It sounds corny but you will know what I mean when you get to DLR and step into the holiday magic (and there's that trite word again, longtimedisneylurker!). The holiday season around the Resort is a whole different experience. It's a whole different feeling. There is an intangible vibe/mood around DLR in November and December that is not present any other time of year, but you can feel the difference when you're there.

It's sort of like the usual elements that are in effect to make DLR a wonderful place to visit on a regular day are magnified and enhanced 1000 percent during the Christmas season. It's more sensory overload than you would find on a normal day at DLR, but in a good way. It's more fantastic. It's more amazing. It's more beautiful, just on an aesthetic level. It's more festive. All kinds of holiday aromas, music, colors and flavors are to be enjoyed around the parks, hotels and Downtown Disney, but they are delivered with that special Disney flair that is so unique.

So, yes, I do think there can probably be too much Disneyland for some people. Definitely so. And I can understand being afraid to risk having a less than stellar time since the last DLR visit went so perfectly. But this will be a totally different, immersive experience unlike your previous DLR trip. It will be special and memorable on its own, and you won't even have to try that hard to make it so! Just stand in the middle of Main Street when the (fake) snow is lightly dusting your shoulders and hair, and that is sure to evoke smiles and giggles from your DD!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I guess i must qualify, we only go once a year due to our schedules. I would like to try and do Hydroguys Disney schedule and see if I would burn.

Jack

 

[Nonsuch]

I have confession to make. My name is HydroGuy and I am addicted to Disney.

My name is Nonsuch and I am addicted to Disney
I only realized after my trip last month, that it was the 5th trip to DLR in 12 months
I also had 2 trips to WDW, in an unsuccessful attempt to view a Shuttle launch
It's time to take a break...

I agree with others that HalloweenTime and Holiday decorations would be different and I could go back for those now. But another trip like the others this year? Not ready. Maybe by next spring.

I am also skipping HalloweenTime and Xmas this year, but am planning an October 2012 trip to include CarsLand and Halloween

 

[Rynosaur]

i went for 5 days this past july, 3 days in august this last weekend and the weekend before that. my wife and i really enjoy it and have yet to be sick of it.

The last two weekends we have mainly just walked around the park. we pretty much only rode about 2 maybe 3 rides a day and we averaged at least 8 hours a day.

Like, last saturday we rode, the snow white ride, watched captain eo and rode star tours and we were there from just before noon and we left just after 11 at night.

 

[rentayenta]

For me, no. However June 2010 we went for 6 days and by the end, DH and the kids were totally burned out.

 

[elaw]

Since I dont do "commando" anymore, i'd have to say no. I've been to DL over a dozen times this year and find something special and different on every trip (usually 8am - 2pm for day trips). Being somewhat "local" and an AP give one the advantage of not feeling they have to do everything because if you miss something this trip ...you do it next time. And for me this allows for a very relaxing and immersive experience.

 

[brocklesnar69]

In a word, yes. I once went to Orlando for almost a month. I spent 7 days at Universal, and 10 at WDW. By the time the vacation was over, I had had enough of Disney. It's been three years and only NOW am I starting to get the itch again. (This time for DL)

 

[dznycastle]

I am also a Disney lover. I am a premium AP holder and go once or twice every month. During the holidays I go more often. There is always something new to see or do or eat! Sometimes I go by myself and sometimes my hubby goes with me. He likes to have a meal and people watch. I love to pin & vinylmation trade and do shopping for my grand-daughters who have moved to Washington. When my grown children come to visit a trip to Disneyland is always on the schedule. We all make new family memories!