One Vacation a Year

[MinnieGi]

I don't think there is anything wrong with going to Disney every year while they are so young. Actually we did the same thing. Disney is a wonderful family destination. At those ages vacation is about family time and enjoyment and Disney IMHO make is easy and worth it.

Our kids are now 11 & 7 and we no longer go to Disney every year. We like to explore new places. Then it also makes Disney something we all really look forward to on that every 2 year cycle!!

As your kids age it becomes so much easier to explore other places and I think b/c of all our Disney trips my kids are excellent travelers. Also their sports activities through tournaments and competitions have had us explore and vacation at other spots. DD is on a competitive dance team and DS plays travel hockey and soccer. Although guess where DD's dance team danced this past June?? - right down Main St. USA in the 3:00 parade!!

 

[AllesonWonderland]

We mixed it up with other vacations. We used to do disney once every 3 years.

One year disney.
One year had to go visit family in MN
One year another fun location - we did Colonial Williamsburg/Busch Gardens, Washington DC, St. Augustine, FL for just a couple of examples.

My family wants to go back to doing Disney every 3 years so I will continue my solo trips. Which is fine because I love them.

We're on a 3 year rotation as well. Disney, cruise, road trip (or stay home to save money for other vacations. LOL)

My brother just got married last week, so we went to Disney for that...now everyone's wanting to know if that counted as our Disney trip or if it was a bonus.

 

[Colleen27]

I have to say that I think a younger child enjoying other types of vacations depends on the kid. We only have one, which I know makes a difference in making travel manageable, but we have taken him on a NYC vacation when he was just shy of 4 years old and to DC when he was about 4 1/2, and he did great and enjoyed both of them a lot. In New York, we did Natural History Museum, running around Central Park, visiting the huge toy stores, a boat tour around Manhattan--he loved it all. In DC, we visited Air and Space more than once, Natural History Museum, and Museum of American History (remember, all the Smithsonian ones are free!), and of course Lincoln Memorial and walking on the Mall--again, great time and loved seeing everything. He's always been pretty easy-going and good in restaurants, luckily for us.

Just wanted to throw that out there--depends a lot on the kid whether or not they will appreciate and enjoy certain types of vacations, and places like NYC or DC can be "little kid-friendly"!

I have three and with the older two 4-5yo was about the age where other destinations became more enjoyable for us too. Under 4 is the "Disney is easiest" stage in my opinion - once the kids start school, even if only pre-K, are securely potty trained (meaning past the "I have to go NOW!" phase), and can get around without the help of a stroller other destinations get easier.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Hi--we are only taking a "big" vacation once a year, too. I quit my job 2 1/2 years ago--now I'm a SAHM to our 3 kids, ages 7, 4, and 1. We are also trying to save for retirement, college, and a 6-month emergency fund...so as much as I'd like to take 2 big vacations in a year, we just can't do it and still accomplish our other goals.

We're doing something Disney-related every 2-3 years. We went to WDW in 2008, overseas for an adoption trip in 2009, then back to WDW in 2010. In 2011 we went to San Diego for our big trip (Lego Land, San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, etc.--it was a blast!) This year we are trying a Disney cruise, and in 2013 we are going to Colorado. We do plan to do either a Disney cruise again in 2014 or another WDW trip, haven't decided yet.

One thing we're trying to do is take a long weekend "local" trip once a year, too. We live in Texas, and there's quite bit to see within a few hours of driving. This Spring, we are using my DH's hotel reward points for 3 free nights in San Antonio. We'll visit Sea World and a few other things there.

I have a whole list of other places I'd like to take the kids--New York City, Washington D.C., Seattle, The Smoky Mountains....but I feel those are places we can visit over the summer when the kids are a little older. We like to visit WDW in the off-season and therefore need to pull the kids out of school for that, so we'll likely do that one more time before my oldest starts middle school.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

{Flame Proof Suit in Place}
1) I would not do WDW every year if on a budget.
2) There is a big world out there to see.
3) Both in-the-country and out-of-the-country.
4) OMG !!!
. . . Grand Canyon (the only place that NEVER disappoints)
. . . sunset in Maui
. . . wonder of London
. . . uniqueness of Greece and Greek Islands
. . . majesty of Paris
. . . glory of Rome
. . . serenity of the Orient
. . . history of Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown
. . . grandeur of Rocky Mountains (both Canadian and US)
. . . hustle-bustle of New York, Broadway, Times Square

NOTE: Although lots of folks like cruises, I have found that popular
cruises (like the Caribbean), are of places that are pretty much all the
same. And, if I wanted on-board activities, I could do most of those
at home. When cruising, I have found jewels in European and Oriental
river cruises and 21-30 day cruises to a multitude of countries.

NOTE2: Now that we live near WDW, we vacation differently. We do
Hawaii in even years, and either Europe or the Orient in odd years.
One just cannot believe the wonders that exist when limiting their
time to WDW.
{Flame Proof Suit Back on Hanger}

 

[Eeyore98]

We *can* only afford one vacation a year, and that's with careful planning. We do Disney probably 2 times out of 3. But honestly, most of the other destinations that we can afford (meaning, not Europe) don't live up to the satisfaction of a WDW trip. The only exceptions would be amazing natural sights like Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon. We are pretty much limited to places we can reach by car in a long day's drive (~18 hrs or less).

In the 5 years since we've been able to afford a yearly trip, we have done:
- 3 WDW trips
- Vegas (bleh)
- a Carnival cruise (completely HATED the ship but enjoyed DH finally getting to see another country on our one port of call)

It's been 18 months since we've been to Disney at this point, and my plans for our future trips are WDW next, and then Niagara since DH has never been.

 

[marie1203]

{Flame Proof Suit in Place}
1) I would not do WDW every year if on a budget.
2) There is a big world out there to see.
3) Both in-the-country and out-of-the-country.
4) OMG !!!
. . . Grand Canyon (the only place that NEVER disappoints)
. . . sunset in Maui
. . . wonder of London
. . . uniqueness of Greece and Greek Islands
. . . majesty of Paris
. . . glory of Rome
. . . serenity of the Orient
. . . history of Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown
. . . grandeur of Rocky Mountains (both Canadian and US)
. . . hustle-bustle of New York, Broadway, Times Square

NOTE: Although lots of folks like cruises, I have found that popular
cruises (like the Caribbean), are of places that are pretty much all the
same. And, if I wanted on-board activities, I could do most of those
at home. When cruising, I have found jewels in European and Oriental
river cruises and 21-30 day cruises to a multitude of countries.

NOTE2: Now that we live near WDW, we vacation differently. We do
Hawaii in even years, and either Europe or the Orient in odd years.
One just cannot believe the wonders that exist when limiting their
time to WDW.
{Flame Proof Suit Back on Hanger}

We all know there is a huge world outside of Disney. Just like you like to go back to Hawaii some of us like to go to Disney it is just a personal preference.

 

[Colleen27]

{Flame Proof Suit in Place}
1) I would not do WDW every year if on a budget.
2) There is a big world out there to see.
3) Both in-the-country and out-of-the-country.
4) OMG !!!
. . . Grand Canyon (the only place that NEVER disappoints)
. . . sunset in Maui
. . . wonder of London
. . . uniqueness of Greece and Greek Islands
. . . majesty of Paris
. . . glory of Rome
. . . serenity of the Orient
. . . history of Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown
. . . grandeur of Rocky Mountains (both Canadian and US)
. . . hustle-bustle of New York, Broadway, Times Square

You have an interesting interpretation of budget. The OP said going to Disney once a year consumes her family's entire travel budget, so unless she lives overseas I seriously doubt skipping Disney would open up possibilities like Europe and the Orient. And I don't know about you but I don't think the majesty of Paris and the serenity of the Orient are best experienced at toddler pace, at least not for those of us who will likely only visit those places once in our lifetimes!

 

[4GoofyCrew]

We have traveled the US (California, Maine, Tennessee, etc.) with our kids. Right now they are both at the 'perfect' Disney age. In another year or two we will probably go back to traveling again - we'd like to take them to Yellowstone NP, Alaska, etc. Eventually, probably when they are middle school/high school, we'd like to travel to Europe with them. It would truly be a trip of a lifetime as none of us have ever been there.

Don't get me wrong, we love Disney, but we want our kids to see more than just that. It is a big world out there - go explore it!

So yes, to answer your question, we do typically do one 'big' vacation a year. And no, we won't do Disney every year...we just happen to be going for a repeat in 3 days.

 

[Couchy]

Dh and and I are lucky enough to go on 1 big vacations a yer a a few weekend trips.

We usually alternate between WDW and an All Inclusive in Mexico or somewhere like that. This year we are taking 2 WDW world trips b/c we got a great deal on 1 trip and bought AP's

We usually go away two weekends a summer for mountain bike races (usually camping is free and only have to pay entry fees for the race).

We also tend to go on a "winetrail weekend" once a year in off season

After this WDW trip it may be a few years b/c we are looking at Italy and France for upcoming trips. Those are not budget at all

 

[lisaross]

We do one vacation a year.

We started doing "big" vacations when my youngest was 4 - before that we did smaller weekend getaways!

Since 06 we did 2 trips to Disney - 8 night and 10 night!

Last year we did a Cruise - 9 night

The other years we do trips that are not as expensive but still fun - ths summer we'll be doing Niagra Falls and visiting with friends in Buffalo - a couple of years ago we did Outerbanks, NC/Virginia! The more local trips cost us about 1/2 of the "bigger" trips.

If you could only afford ONE vacation a year, would you go to WDW every year, or do it every other year with a different vacation in between?


We will be at the BC the 3rd time in a row this coming summer. And although I have researched and priced a ton of other destinations, we just feel that with the ages of our children (6,4,2), Disney is the best place to go.

Of course, I realllllly want to do an all-inclusive resort, or take smaller weekend trips, etc., I really don't know if I can take being away from WDW for 2 years

In the future, when we make more money, we do plan on taking two vacations a year, but right now money is tight and we are saving every last penny to afford vacation this summer.

I just feel like I'm missing out on other things and depriving my children by ONLY going to WDW!!!! But, those other places will still be around when they're older and we want to explore more, right?

 

[eliza61]

You have an interesting interpretation of budget. The OP said going to Disney once a year consumes her family's entire travel budget, so unless she lives overseas I seriously doubt skipping Disney would open up possibilities like Europe and the Orient. And I don't know about you but I don't think the majesty of Paris and the serenity of the Orient are best experienced at toddler pace, at least not for those of us who will likely only visit those places once in our lifetimes!

I always laugh at the bolded when people say that. Full disclaimer, my in laws are from Europe so my sons have been going there since they were newborns.

Europe is an absolutely amazing place to take toddlers. do you guys think Europeans skip toddler stage? Absolutely every single museum in Paris has an childrens activity and truthfully outside of the Smithsonian museums I find they are usually better than other city counterpart.
Notre Dame, La Tour Eiffel, all are baby friendly. How do you walk disney with a toddler? Well paris is just as easy, it's pretty flat and sorry but the folks in Paris are a lot more accomodating with parents with strollers than the guest I've seen at the world who go crazy if you don't break down your stroller in 5 secs to get on the bus. It's one of the reasons why we rented a car when our kids were small.

Personally, I feel it's really that parents want to be able to enjoy europe without the kids that lead people to think it's a place to go with adults or older teens.

Like I said before the French and Portugese have children too and they also know how to entertain them. They just don't have a giant mouse.

I just think there is a huge misconception that Europe is "hard" or "boring" for children. It's a wonderful place to visit with all ages.

 

[Fly4free]

Typically my family of 4 takes a Disney vaca every other year. Now that my kids are older we especially enjoy other vacations. My kids have traveled to Europe several times, as young as age 3, and have done great and those were the family favorites.

Our vacations to Disney have been truly magical, but after a while it gets hard to differentiate one trip from another when reminiscing. There are so many wonderful places to see, especially as your kids get a bit older. I have never forgotten my family's different vacations that I experienced as a child, and want to give my kids the same variety of experiences.

We are forgoing our usual Disney vaca this year to save up for a dream vacation in Hawaii. I will have to find something short and inexpensive for this summer. Planning/finding a different place will be half the fun.

 

[kkandaj]

We don't do a "big" vacation every year, because we like to travel for long weekends throughout the year and can't afford to do both.

This May will be the second time we take our kids to Disney (last trip was Oct 09). DH and I have already discussed that this will be the last time for several years (8 or so) before we go back. We just have so many other parts of the country we want to see.

We have a camper, so we camp 4-5 long weekends (just a few miles from our house, but on a lake) every year, travel to Branson (4 hours) twice a year and once in awhile in the winter will rent a hotel room for a weekend in our city as a "get away" for us and the kids. We love giving ourselves and the kids those little breaks. It is much better for us mentally to have "budget" trips 6 times a year, then one week long trip to Disney.

My kids FAVORITE "vacations" are in our camper, a few miles away from home. They play with rocks, sticks, ride their bikes, roast marshmallows, get to invite their friends out to play, swim in the lake. We usually spend about $200 on the 5 days weekends.

In the next couple of years, we really want to take the camper all over--Colorado, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Oklahome, Texas. I'm not ready to take 2 day trips in the car yet, though. I also want to take my kids to DC, but will wait until they are a little older. I want them to know some of the history since that will probably be a place we only hit once.

Kids that are young like yours (and mine) will have fun anywhere. Seriously, you can have staycations--where you take the week off and plan things to do around your city. I don't beleive at all that Disney is the only place young kids can go to have fun. I also agree with a PP that said vacations and the DIS is not realistic of the rest of our nation. We travel way more than anyone I know and our travel is all budget. Most of the families I know do not take yearly vacations.

 

[kisaacs]

We're lucky enough to be able to take several vacations a year, but there is no way I'd limit myself to Disney even if we could only take 1. Right now we're going to WDW about every 18 months or so. Our kids are 2 and 3. DH and I loved to travel before we had kids, and our kids are just starting to get to the age where we're willing to go on more "travelling" trips rather than just "vacationy" trips, if you know what I mean.

This March, we're taking our first real travel trip with them and taking them to Iceland for a week. I think that showing them the world is one of the best gifts we can give them, even if they are in love with everything Disney. They'll love swimming in geothermal pools, seeing huge waterfalls, and going dogsledding. And if you go off season, it's really not that much more expensive than WDW.

Kristen

 

[EcstaticMom]

We will definitely do it every year because the kids just loved it.

 

[Ember]

I think so long as you can afford it and get enjoyment from going to Disney, it's a perfect choice. Some people enjoy going over and over, and there's not a thing wrong with that. DH and I are avid travellers and there's so much to see, but we still manage to end up at one Disney or another every 3 years or so. This spring we're doing Tokyo Disney when we go to Japan. I'm also determined to do Hong Kong while we're so close, then I can check "seeing all the Disney's" off my bucket list! (At least until they open Shanghai Disney...)

 

[MomToOne]

And I don't know about you but I don't think the majesty of Paris and the serenity of the Orient are best experienced at toddler pace, at least not for those of us who will likely only visit those places once in our lifetimes!

My favorite place in all this world is Paris. I've been multiple times. I can just wander the streets aimlessly there for hours and hours and be my happiest. But I REFUSE to take my child there until she's older. It would completely ruin my "Paris Zen" to have a child to run after or listen to complain endlessly And I refuse to ruin my Paris memories that way - they are my refuge in time of stress, I need them!!!

On one trip to Paris back in my single days, my sister and I ran into a family in the hotel who had brought their teenage daughter to Paris to shop for her prom dress. I always thought that was the coolest idea. So I'm saving that for DD11s first trip there! Until then, she'll have to live with EPCOT LOL

(More on topic: we did Disney for many years straight, but as DD got older, we found other interests. We did a Western Caribbean cruise last summer, and are going to China this summer. When the time is right for you to do different trips, you'll just know it and will do it. Don't stress about it right now if you are happy doing Disney.)

 

[disney4us2002]

When our kids were small we tried to get to Disney every 4 years or so. We just couldn't afford to go more frequently as a family of 5, due to the cost of flying, Disney tix, hotels, dining, etc. We often did beach vacations because it was fun, family-friendly and relatively inexpensive. If cost is an issue, I can't see how world travel even came up. I have no idea if Europe is child-friendly or not and it certainly wouldn't have mattered because my kids didn't have passports and heck I didn't until last summer. We did an "educational" trip to Williamsburg when my boys were not too young - maybe 7, 10, and 14 and they HATED it and begged us to never plan another "educational" trip! Not a chance would I attempt to take them to an art museum even if it were in Paris, lol.

 

[Pigeon]

We take one really expensive vacation (and I count WDW in that) about once every four years.

Two years ago, we rented a vacation house on a lake in the Adirondacks, which is in driving distance for us. We had kayaks for puttering around the lake and did the Lake Placid stuff a few days. The kids (now 11 and 14) loved it and think it was a much better vacation than Disney. It cost us less than a quarter of a Disney trip.