I guess I don't understand why everyone gets so frustrated at this question.
I don't disagree that just being in the parks is special, but I don't think just because someone ask for suggestions for special things to do means they don't appreciate "just being there."
As a very average family with 2 kids, we as a family, have decided that to us Disney World is a very special place and we want to be able to spend a week there every year. Because we want this, we don't eat out a lot, we don't have lots or expensive clothes, cars, things in general. We live in a small "starter" type home and have chosen to stay here even though most of our friends have "outgrown" their homes and upgraded (okay to be fair half of that decision was to have extra money for life experiences/vacations and half is because I don't want to clean any bigger of a house
My husband's first trip to DW was at age 21 after we were married and I only went once as a child when I was 8. DH and I decided one thing we wished we could have done more was take family vacations - so we made it a priority to take our family to Disney and our first family trip was when DD was 15 months of age (and to each his own but that was not to young for us - was great); we've gone every year since (except year DS joined the family) and our kids love DW like DH and I do so as a family we make budget conscious decisions 356 days to make our 9 day trips possible each year.
But each trip we look for something "special" - not because it isn't special enough just to be there but because we want to keep exploring Disney and not do the same exact trip every year. Could we walk Main street every trip and just enjoy the windows, the castle and the ambiance? Of course, and we do, but think of all the amazing things we would miss too. Every trip always has it's unplanned surprises (some good, some bad) but there are so many things to do at Disney you could live in Orlando and not have done it all (great example is there are still things podcast team hasn't done) so we always look for that one "special" thing we will do for each trip to add to our list of Disney experiences. Last trip it was getting haircuts in the barber shop. Several trips and we had never even been in barber shop. DS didn't want "fancy" hair cut, opted for plain buzz with no color or frills but was thrilled when the cast member offered to give him a tissue full of mickey head confetti (which he had been collecting like pennies off the pavement all over parks that trip) was an unexpected thrill for him but wouldn't have happened if we didn't plan "something special". Was a pretty cheap thrill. The trip before that we took the boat from Hollywood Studios to Epcot one evening and stopped to visit the resorts in between because we'd never been between the two parks on the boat and wanted to see the hotels - totally free. And we all appreciated every minute of it.
I always ask friends or cast members for something special to do because I can read a book and see all the 1000s of things to do but I expect (and God willing) I'll visit Disney several dozen more times before I grow old and die- and I'm willing to bet I've still left corners of DW unturned- so I'm going to ask others - what did you do that was "special" to make the most of the time I do get to spend there.
Our best trip ever was in 2004 we were "trapped" at Disney during hurricane Jeanne confined to the Wilderness Lodge for about 36 hours straight - and it was special just being there enjoying my family. But that doesn't mean next trip I'm going to spend a day and a half sitting in my hotel room to just think about how great it is to be alive and at Disney World.
I guess what I'm thinking is, if we weren't all looking to learn something new and find something "special" at Disney -then why are we listening to the podcast in the first place? Don't get me wrong - the group is funny and that makes it enjoyable to listen to, but for me I tune in for info, to hear what others who love Disney, like I love Disney, have found to see or do to make my next trip "special." And honestly if we all just loved being there - then there wouldn't be special tours to take or even the three later Parks -because everyone would be content to to sit on Main Street and smell the roses in the rose garden. Walt wanted the park to keep growing, and I want to keep exploring.
Maybe there are some folks who aren't looking for something special - but I don't think just because you are looking for for something special that it means you don't appreciate just being there. Some people are looking to make the "best trip ever" and I definitely agree that's a SUPERhighway to disappointment; but some of us do ask for something special just to keep expanding our existing appreciation of the Disney we know and love. Just my opinion, not trying to force it on anyone just sharing how I hear the question from my perspective. Seems to me like we could give this question the benefit of the doubt.
And Kudos to the family who can take 6 kids to DW for $300. That's is a very special family you have!
It was heartwarming to say the least, and the pics of the kids enjoying themselves were pure magic
I think it was kinda a reality check for me too....instead of fretting over our next Deluxe vs DVC stay, I need to focus more on the people that are going with me (my family) and enjoying time with them
Just my impression, YMMV
