One long trip VS 2 shorter trips in a year?

[wrighteous]

My boyfriend and I went on our first trip to Disney World together last September. We both had been before, but not in a long time and never together. We had an absolutely amazing time! So much so that when we got home (to Long Island, NY) we made a pros and cons list for moving to Florida! Neither of us have ever lived anywhere but our hometowns, so this might have been a little crazy to think about right away, but we caught the Disney bug (myself more than my boyfriend lol)!

We are planning another trip for this upcoming September for the same amount of time, about 8 days. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, wondering if moving to Florida to be able to experience Disney anytime would be as amazing as it sounds. Then I was thinking, I wonder if just being able to go down there twice a year instead of once would be enough to satisfy that Disney craving? It's been a little over 6 months now since we were there, and I'm itching to go so badly! Having to wait another 5 months seems torturous lol. I see the commercials for WDW almost everyday and I'm like ahhhh wanna go right nowwww!

While my boyfriend had a great time last year, I did have to twist his arm a bit in convincing him to go again this year. He said he wants to see other things, but I'd be more than happy to just go to Disney lol. So more than once a year may not fly with him.

I was curious if anyone who used to go once a year has changed their vacationing and now goes down there twice a year, or more? Even having 2 smaller trips vs one longer one is something I may consider for the future. Do you find more than once a year to be too much? Or has anyone caught the bug right away and decided to take a leap and move to Orlando? I'm just wondering how you fulfill your Disney World needs? Thanks!

 

[Anal Annie]

We bought into DVC to satisfy our cravings and to hedge off the ever rising hotel resort costs. DVC isn't for everybody and it IS expensive but we've more than covered our buy-in costs with the trips we've made since (Aulani was a "biggie"). We usually buy the DVC discounted AP's and go 2-3 times a year. But we HAVE had a couple of years where we took a year off in-between passes (they were LONG years to wait out). We bought enough points to get 2 weeks a year in studios during "Magic" season (most DVC resorts have 5 price seasons) and the "Magic" is one down from "Premium" which of course covers the Christmas holidays and 2 weeks of spring break surrounding Easter. If we manage our points right we can get 3 trips a year (usually 2 shorter ones during a cheaper season and 1 longer one during a higher point value season). I think it's normal to get "addicted" to the magic but make sure you're financially ready for the commitment if you start planning multiple trips. The park tix pricing is another major expense along with rising meal costs (another reason DVC made sense for us since we can get DVC and AP discounts on tix and merchandise) plus we plan to eat all of our breakfasts "in" to save on meals.

 

[gtpoohbear]

Our timing is a little different, but we have transitioned in the last few years from one big trip (8-9 days) every 2-3 years, to a shorter trip (2-4 days) about once a year (sometimes twice). I definitely like this way better. It's less exhausting, and there always seems to be a trip close enough that I feel like I'm in the "planning" stage.

Personally, I would never want to move to FL. I'd rather WDW be a vacation and something special. But plenty of people feel differently.

If your BF isn't as "into it" as you are, maybe the two of you could go together once a year, and then you do a solo trip once a year too. Or bring friends/family if you don't want to go alone. My DH is similar- likes it but not quite as much as me. So the kids and I sometimes go without him. Makes for a good compromise.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've done many trips over the past 8 years. It started as a yearly trip, but I loved it so much, I started going down alone with DS multiple times a year (DH isn't really into Disney and would usually accompany us on one trip). We fly from NY (so very similar to you in terms of travel time). We've done trips as short as 3 nights and as long as 8 nights. After doing so many trips (I've actually lost count, I think we've done 23 over the past 8 years?), I really prefer the longer trips. We like to do so much more than just the parks - the water parks, swimming, mini-golf, special events, tours, pirate cruises and kids clubs for DS - so it's nice to put some breathing room into our trips to just sit back and relax a little bit. For our shorter trips, we are usually going to experience a specific event - for instance we went for a long weekend last May to do Star Wars weekend and go to Trader Sam's and we went for three nights about 2 years ago really just to ride Maelstrom one last time. Going less, but for longer stays also saves on park tickets (unless you plan on getting an AP and can get value out of it) and flight costs. If your boyfriend is reluctant to do it, I would plan on one trip together. That being said, it's pretty much decided that we will move to FL once DS graduates from HS and DH is pretty on board with that!

 

[PaintsWindColors]

I try to make two trips every year- one long trip for WDW (7-10 days) and a shorter trip to DLR (4-5 days). I live in Missouri so the flights to Orlando and California cost about the same. I find that a quick trip to DLR cures my craving until I can make it back to the big resort again - however, I never stay onsite at DLR and try to pinch pennies as much as possible.

 

[pa. dad]

I have a few suggestions. If your boyfriend likes but doesn't love it:
1. Mix in some Universal parks to give him some more variety.
2. Try the 2 parks in Disneyland Ca. If you love the FL parks, I;m sure you'll love them too.

I can't help you if you like the CA parks even better and you then want to move there instead. But the more variety you mix in, the longer it will take before something becomes "old hat".

 

[Disneylover99]

I prefer a longer trip over two shorter trips. For me, the longer you go, the more relaxing it is. You don't always have to try to pack so much into each day. We spend part of the day by the pool on longer trips.

 

[LtRazor]

We used to do smaller trips but we have transitioned to getting annual passes once every 3 years and then do 2 separate 14 day trips while the passes are good. We like it because we don't feel rushed to get this in a day, can relax at resort and have fun day even outside resort/park, and feel we got everything we wanted in and definitely get money worth of AP. We have done Disney Commando Style and I much prefer this!

 

[Anonny]

Financially - Ticket price is much better for eight days than two four or five day trips. One RT plan fare instead of two.

Your boyfriend is right, there are many other interesting places to visit.

Does it seem odd to you to move just to be near a theme park? People do it. Do you have job skills that transfer to Florida?

 

[Robertfam08]

The pro of more frequent shorter trips is less time to wait until your back! But a longer trip is definitely more economical. Less money spent on travel, on tickets, and if you go during free dining possibly less spent on food. (Assuming your other trip is during a non free dining time.)