Recently returned from taking my 7 year old daughter on her first Disney World vacation. As a single father, I knew we couldn't keep going back every few years, so I made sure to do a couple extra days (9 days) and do some extra things on this trip (parasailing, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Cinderella's Royal Table, Hoop Dee Doo Review, Wishes Fireworks Desert Party, etc). Although we stayed at a "value" resort that some frown upon (Pop Century), we loved everything about the trip. Also, we spent almost all of our time in the parks, so the resort was mostly just a place to sleep and relax... and the savings at a value resort (in our case) made it the perfect choice. The biggest concern was that the original Hurrican Irene path was to be right over Orlando on the day we were to fly in. Glad it took a turn and stayed to the east (couldn't imagine the potential of telling my daughter that we couldn't make our first big vacation together!)
Now, I personally hadn't been to WDW since Epcot opened, so it was like a new experience for me on most fronts as well. I have been to Disney Paris for the Millenium celebration (just good timing for a work trip!), but WDW still is the best. I'm not sure who had more fun: my daughter or myself!! I was grinning ear to ear just watching my daughter have all the fun and experience magic like no other. I set up many character meals and she was surprised with the interaction with everyone.
So, my dilemna is this. This trip made Disney an addiction like no other! Not only does my daughter want to return, but so do I. The problem is that many other vacations just don't have the same "magic". Originally I thought we might return in 5 years, but now I have made the decision to return in 2, and have already set aside a bit of money earmarked for it! Basically I am going to set up the exact same timing, length, etc as we did... end of August 2013 for 8 nights. We won't necessarily do all the same extras (parasailing, BBB), but it will still be awesome. This go around, I am going to try to NOT tell my daughter and just let her think we are looking at 4-5 years before going again, but let her "plan" for it, so I know exactly what table service restaurants she liked and would want to do again, and what ones we can skip this go around.
So, in closing, SHAME ON YOU, DISNEY! You are just too darn awesome! It sure is great to have a vacation destination where you can forget about all the headaches in the world for awhile and just enjoy being together with my daughter.
Now, the hardest part is going to be waiting for August 2012 when I think they will be starting to take reservations for 2013. And, I am sure after that trip, I will make every effort to go again in a couple years... at least for a short time while my daughter is growing up, maybe it will become an every other year event.
Now, I personally hadn't been to WDW since Epcot opened, so it was like a new experience for me on most fronts as well. I have been to Disney Paris for the Millenium celebration (just good timing for a work trip!), but WDW still is the best. I'm not sure who had more fun: my daughter or myself!! I was grinning ear to ear just watching my daughter have all the fun and experience magic like no other. I set up many character meals and she was surprised with the interaction with everyone.
So, my dilemna is this. This trip made Disney an addiction like no other! Not only does my daughter want to return, but so do I. The problem is that many other vacations just don't have the same "magic". Originally I thought we might return in 5 years, but now I have made the decision to return in 2, and have already set aside a bit of money earmarked for it! Basically I am going to set up the exact same timing, length, etc as we did... end of August 2013 for 8 nights. We won't necessarily do all the same extras (parasailing, BBB), but it will still be awesome. This go around, I am going to try to NOT tell my daughter and just let her think we are looking at 4-5 years before going again, but let her "plan" for it, so I know exactly what table service restaurants she liked and would want to do again, and what ones we can skip this go around.
So, in closing, SHAME ON YOU, DISNEY! You are just too darn awesome! It sure is great to have a vacation destination where you can forget about all the headaches in the world for awhile and just enjoy being together with my daughter.
Now, the hardest part is going to be waiting for August 2012 when I think they will be starting to take reservations for 2013. And, I am sure after that trip, I will make every effort to go again in a couple years... at least for a short time while my daughter is growing up, maybe it will become an every other year event.
