ww52
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2001
- Messages
- 1,067
Our sixth trip, but first in five years (GF June 1989, BC June 1994, BC July 1996, GF July 1997, GF July 1998, Swan August 2003). Fourteen years from the first to this one, and our kids have gone from 7, 3, 2 to 21, 17, 16. (I guess that means my wife and I have aged the same 14 years, but well ignore that). Oldest is an adult, middle will be in college in a year, youngest is driving. No more kids, so this trip was very different.
My oldest didnt even want to go on vacation with us this year until we decided on Disney. Looking at old pictures and tapes reminded us how special those vacations were. Our more recent trips (such as a cruise) were better in most ways now that the kids are older, but we got the urge to go back to WDW one more time before they are all adults. My younger son said this almost isnt a vacation its sort of like going back home.
I think what strikes me most now is that it doesnt seem like fourteen years since our first trip. It doesnt seem like five years since the last trip. Its a cliché, but they really do grow up fast faster than Im ready for. We have great memories of all the trips and some special moments regarding each of the kids no different this trip.
This was likely it for us at Disney as a family. My wifes not the Disney fan the rest of us are, and she often waits patiently while we are on attractions that are too wild for her. The kids will go back on their own Im sure, especially when they have their own families. And they did promise to take us back for the 50th anniversary. But this one sort of closes the book on Disney as weve come to know it.
Work has really piled up since I was gone, and we spent time in Wisconsin after out Disney trip also; I doubt Ill have time to do a trip report, but Id gladly answer any questions. Crowds were very large (and weve experienced summer crowds on all our other trips), but that probably has changed already as we get later in August. Crowds due to FTP but we did the early morning routine most days and saw just about everything we wanted to. YC/BC seemed very crowded never made it in to Beaches and Cream. Did E-night on 8/5 (also more crowded than expected); MK hours extended to 11:00 without advance notice. As a result , we didnt make it to the Goodnight Kiss (couldnt last until 2 or 2:30 assuming they did it at all that night). Did all four parks, plus Universal and IOA (Spider-Man was the best attraction we saw, and we did nearly 70 in total). Really enjoyed the music in Epcot, especially Baka Beyond. Rain was pretty normal for that time of year excpept one very massive and long storm our first night (7/31). Swan was a great hotel construction at BC was an eyesore in my opinion. Really enjoyed the walk to Epcot (boat is too slow we beat it every time).
Thanks to everyone on the boards for all the information for this and previous trips, especially at the Swan/Dolphin and Starwood threads. Ive learned a lot of things here some very important, some just interesting or fun, all of it very helpful and enjoyable.
My oldest didnt even want to go on vacation with us this year until we decided on Disney. Looking at old pictures and tapes reminded us how special those vacations were. Our more recent trips (such as a cruise) were better in most ways now that the kids are older, but we got the urge to go back to WDW one more time before they are all adults. My younger son said this almost isnt a vacation its sort of like going back home.
I think what strikes me most now is that it doesnt seem like fourteen years since our first trip. It doesnt seem like five years since the last trip. Its a cliché, but they really do grow up fast faster than Im ready for. We have great memories of all the trips and some special moments regarding each of the kids no different this trip.
This was likely it for us at Disney as a family. My wifes not the Disney fan the rest of us are, and she often waits patiently while we are on attractions that are too wild for her. The kids will go back on their own Im sure, especially when they have their own families. And they did promise to take us back for the 50th anniversary. But this one sort of closes the book on Disney as weve come to know it.
Work has really piled up since I was gone, and we spent time in Wisconsin after out Disney trip also; I doubt Ill have time to do a trip report, but Id gladly answer any questions. Crowds were very large (and weve experienced summer crowds on all our other trips), but that probably has changed already as we get later in August. Crowds due to FTP but we did the early morning routine most days and saw just about everything we wanted to. YC/BC seemed very crowded never made it in to Beaches and Cream. Did E-night on 8/5 (also more crowded than expected); MK hours extended to 11:00 without advance notice. As a result , we didnt make it to the Goodnight Kiss (couldnt last until 2 or 2:30 assuming they did it at all that night). Did all four parks, plus Universal and IOA (Spider-Man was the best attraction we saw, and we did nearly 70 in total). Really enjoyed the music in Epcot, especially Baka Beyond. Rain was pretty normal for that time of year excpept one very massive and long storm our first night (7/31). Swan was a great hotel construction at BC was an eyesore in my opinion. Really enjoyed the walk to Epcot (boat is too slow we beat it every time).
Thanks to everyone on the boards for all the information for this and previous trips, especially at the Swan/Dolphin and Starwood threads. Ive learned a lot of things here some very important, some just interesting or fun, all of it very helpful and enjoyable.
Were you able to go out in the rain to the parks? I think myself and DS who is 5 could do it but wondering how you handle having the younger ones who are stroller bound in the rain? Just curious what experience you've had with that over the years.
