Looks like we're going back!

[MoonFaerie]

We made our first trip as a family this past December, and we had a blast! We went into it planning on not making a return trip for several years, and I was just starting to look at booking our beach vacation this year.

Then I registered dd for kindergarten, and ds got his first loose tooth. After the Santa doubt we had last holiday season, I was hit with the reality that my little ones really aren't little for much longer. DS turns 7 this year! Our years before he's an adult by Disney's standards are so short!

If that wasn't enough, the kids out of the blue, have been talking CONSTANTLY about our trip for the past week or so. So I think our plan now is go to WDW again this Dec, then the beach next year over spring break, and another WDW trip in Dec '12, before ds turns 10.

Now the planning begins again! Where to stay seems to be the biggest dilemma.

 

[dolphindan1]

We made our first trip as a family this past December, and we had a blast! We went into it planning on not making a return trip for several years, and I was just starting to look at booking our beach vacation this year.

Then I registered dd for kindergarten, and ds got his first loose tooth. After the Santa doubt we had last holiday season, I was hit with the reality that my little ones really aren't little for much longer. DS turns 7 this year! Our years before he's an adult by Disney's standards are so short!

If that wasn't enough, the kids out of the blue, have been talking CONSTANTLY about our trip for the past week or so. So I think our plan now is go to WDW again this Dec, then the beach next year over spring break, and another WDW trip in Dec '12, before ds turns 10.

Now the planning begins again! Where to stay seems to be the biggest dilemma.

Its a great time for them kids and a great time for you to enjoy them...My 2 boys are 9 and 13 and next Nov will be our last year for awhile...we always take our kids out of school but my 13 year old will soon be in HS and we have no desire to do that then...SO this Nov will be our last trip for a while...He also was on the school basketball team last year and missed the 1st week of practice after tryouts cause we had already booked the trip...the coach was very understanding...Baseball now...

We went this past Nov and I got him to take a couple pics with Daisy and Mickey but it will probably be the last ones for a while as he is too coll for that now...My youngest is feeding off his brother so he is goring up faster than we want...

anyway its fun to take kids while they are young and I can only hope that they will enjoy Disney when they have a family of their own

 

[southernbelle5672]

How fun! I'm excited for you

 

[PoohsFan1]

Congrats on going again. We feel the same way about our kids. My girls are 6 and 8 and even though they have not gotten out of Disney yet (and probably will never), they are getting older. My girls were 4 and 2 when we first brought them, and it is so funny to watch the video or see pictures of them at that age with the characters....I actually miss it, but then again we have such a good time with them at this age because they love to do all of the big rides so no worrying about child swapping or meeting up later because one kid doesn't want to do something the other kid does, instead we can enjoy it all as a family

 

[Fantasmic23]

We made our first trip as a family this past December, and we had a blast! We went into it planning on not making a return trip for several years, and I was just starting to look at booking our beach vacation this year.

Then I registered dd for kindergarten, and ds got his first loose tooth. After the Santa doubt we had last holiday season, I was hit with the reality that my little ones really aren't little for much longer. DS turns 7 this year! Our years before he's an adult by Disney's standards are so short!

If that wasn't enough, the kids out of the blue, have been talking CONSTANTLY about our trip for the past week or so. So I think our plan now is go to WDW again this Dec, then the beach next year over spring break, and another WDW trip in Dec '12, before ds turns 10.

Now the planning begins again! Where to stay seems to be the biggest dilemma.

Congrats on your decision to make a return trip to the World!! And woohoo for the planning (my favorite part of any WDW trip)!!

On our trip last month, DH said, "Okay, we'll come back to WDW in a few years." Yeah, right. As you can see below, we'll be back in late November/early December. We played the "Where should we stay?" game for awhile. I really wanted the Contemporary, but our financial reality set in and we're booked at the POP. I don't care where we stay, as this is our FIRST time staying on Disney property!

I totally understand about the Santa Doubt. DS (who will be 8 in April) is right on the cusp and DD (11) finally learned the truth last December. Kids in school talk, you know? I was actually happy that she believed for as long as she did. I remember when I found out when I was 8, I was completely crushed.

Anyway, congrats again on your return trip!! I personally feel you're never too old for Disney.

 

[LowesChevy]

Awesome! There are plenty of threads with loads of information and pictures to help you decide where to stay, but it will be hard to choose.

As your kids get older, it will probably be harder to take them out of school every year like you mentioned. Luckily, we were always able to take time from school and take family trips year after year. To me there is nothing like that time with your family and we have alot of great memories!

Happy planning and do not be shy on posting questions if you have them! Have a great time

 

[MoonFaerie]

Last year, we stayed at Coronado. I didn't dislike, but I'd like to stay somewhere else. I really really want to stay at one of the Epcot area resorts, since that's where we'll be the most. I'm just not sure I can get on board with the cost. We're considering Dolphin, but I really liked the convenience of the dining plan and room charges. I'm hoping we'll see Dec discounts soon. Last year I got the 40% pin and we booked at the beginning of Feb.

I totally understand about the Santa Doubt. DS (who will be 8 in April) is right on the cusp and DD (11) finally learned the truth last December. Kids in school talk, you know?

It was the youngest that brought the Santa doubt. She wasn't even 5 yet and not in daycare or school or anything. I cringe at the thought of how more worldly she's going to be now that she'll be in school.

 

[sharadoc]

Congratulations. If you look at my signature, you KNOW I'm going to agree that it's the right decision.

Kids are young for so short a time, and right now, mine are totally enjoying Disney and want to go nowhere else. DD turns 10 next year, too, so this is her last year as a "child"

The wonderful memories and the joy on their faces is SO worth it for us. Plus the parents love Disney as much as they do.

If you're looking for a great place to stay that is great for the kids, I'd recommend a family suite at All-Star Music or the cabins at Fort Wilderness. The campers decorate their sites, so it's like being in the middle of a Christmas Wonderland the whole time!!

Have fun planning - you know we're all here for ya!

 

[BBG-BLT]

Man- I sooo hear you! We went our first time with kids when the twins were about 18 months. My sister got us a timeshare off-property so all we had to pay for was airfare and tickets into the park for us 2 adults. We had a great time but didn't think we would go back until the twins were like 5. Well then she talks us into going again the following year (now the twins are 2.5) and we had a great time.

Well 6 more trips in 5 years and we buy into DVC and now own at BLT. Our first trip on property and we REALLY love it now. Welcome aboard the Disfanactics train. See you at a DVC walk though in the near future

 

[scot@dvcstore]

Congrats, your hooked. Enjoy this time with the kids because you can never get it back. They will rememebr these vacations forever.

 

[francie57]

This comes from someone whos "kids" are now 27 and 24. We have been going to Disney with them since they were really young. Our 27 year old went the first time at 1 1/2 and its been every year since. Both kids can still tell you about things from trips when they were under 7 and can even still remember people's names. The memories will last forever. We still go every year and both kids have still been making the trips - sometimes with friends and other with just the 4 of us. We still love our family trips and have another coming up in Aug. We were lucky to be able to continue our trips even through all the college years. We never considered not going because we had both in college for several years together, it all works out in the end and nothing can take away the memories, even as they get older.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Doing the Happy Dance! board.