Other " go all out" people?

[katyringo]

I'm just looking for my tribe lol!

Anyone else in here the go every 2-3 years, go for as many days as you can get a ticket for, do all the special meals and experiences people?

 

[maleficent55]

Hi!!! Nice to meet you!

I actually made my husband agree to once a year, which he did, but then Covid happened so august will actually be our first time in FOUR years!

I’m a “yes” person in Disneyland anyway
I try to go for as many days as I possibly can
I love booking extras and special dining experiences.

It’s complete and utter gluttony

 

[Pluto468]

When we lived in LA we went at least once a week so we didn't bother with many extras. Now that we're out of state Disneyland is a once every few years treat. We go for as many days as we can, always with hoppers. We get extras like special dining, Fantasmic, etc. This year we're doing even a bit more than usual since we were supposed to take this trip in March 2020. We're staying at Disneyland Hotel for 3 of our 5 nights. Even though we couldn't travel for 2 years, I kept saving up for this trip.

 

[SensitiveDragon]

That’s me! Since I really fell in love with the parks back in 2018, we have gotten into a rhythm of going once every 2 years. While I may not splurge on EVERY experience every time, I do like to do some of them each trip. We did Fantasmic dinner at the Blue Bayou both previous times, and this time I would like to try out the chefs counter at Napa rose, and maybe do a world of color package if they are available. I love going and feeling like all that matters for a week is having fun!

 

[Czardas]

Yep, hi from Australia I’m actually flying in twice this year, to make up for Covid cancellations. We do as much as possible, with no expense spared, although this new booking system for dinning and shows, stresses me out. We don’t come all this way to not be able to see or dine how we want.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Thats me I am open to close, no afternoon hotel break. My first few visits to Disneyland were with friends and we did a 1 day park hopper visit.

Then I started doing solo trips.
My first solo trip was a 1 park 2 day ticket, then after a few years I did 1 park 3 day tickets. Now on my next visit at the end of the month I have 1 park 4 day tickets

I always do a Fantasmic dining package, I always have 1 table service meal per day. On each visit I try different food and go to different food places and I have eaten at almost every food place.

Over the years I have seen every show. For the fireworks I dont do the stake out a spot in front of the Castle, I try on every visit to find a different view from somewhere else in the park.

I used to use the free Fastpass, now I use Genie+ and have prepaid for my next visit.

 

[Pastalady]

That was us, we stayed on site, did all the premium stuff. With inflation, this trip will look different but I am just as excited!

 

[kikismom]

Yes! With the exception of staying onsite. We don't normally do that, we are a down the street at a hotel family. Although our upcoming trip is onsite, it's just my daughter and I, and she is possibly bringing a friend.

I am a total "yes" mom in Disneyland. Churro for breakfast? Yep. Stuffy? Why not!! The 7,000 at home aren't enough. It's like I'm a totally different person once I walk through gates.

 

[mdmost]

That's sadly us. We did the MSEP Plaza Inn package, the World of Color dessert party, and Fantasmic premium dining package. If DD14 and DD12 were still into characters, we would've probably done one of the character meals too.

I'm also a "yes" dad at Disneyland. I think DD14 got 6 or 7 Frozen Apple juices. Oh you're hungry, eat a churro. Oh you want popcorn, sure. Oh you want another Loungefly backpack that you'll only use one time and weren't not coming back for a few years. SURE!!!! We bring a separate collapsible soft sided carry on for stuffed animals. Came home with Pete, the pegasus from Hercules, a heavy weighted Pluto, Donald, and a Goofy. All for 2 kids that have previous vacation stuffed animals in their closets being lonely.

 

[DizMe]

Not exactly, but kind of me . I grew up going to DL, but only day trips. My grandma lived about 20 min away and we were about 1 1/2 hours away, but in those days (1960s), people like us didn't go more than once or twice a year. It was the highlight of the year and I loved loved loved DL.

Had a first marriage with 2 kids who shared my love of DL, but the marriage was a bust. Remarried my current dh years later and had a daughter who was a total princess nut. Took her to DLR for the first time when she was 4. Made it an annual trip until her twin sisters came along and then they got to go too.

THEN I found this board and met a friend from here who lives in my town. She and I found out about Costco APs and that began our friend trips (no kids or husbands) that we'd take about 4-5 times/year for just a few days at a time. Met so many great people which brought me into this wonderful group of Disney friends which led to some fabulous experiences.

I've had an AP every year since then and it's still my happy place. I usually go 4-5 times/year and I love to do events like Dapper Day, Tiki/Adventureland Day, etc. I almost always stay on site, I have certain sit-down dining places that are a must, and I have a very special annual Christmas trip with my sister. We love to try something new, like building a gingerbread house at JK, watching fireworks on the deck in Tomorrowland, staying club level, port and chocolate tasting, etc. I try to find something different each visit. DH only wanted to go when the girls were there, and once they were teens, he stopped going.

I love to meet up with friends at Trader Sam's or Hearthstone etc, and many of those friends I've made by going to DLR often. My younger girls still love DL but they're all in college now and not living at home so it's harder to find a good time to go together.

 

[StarlitNight05]

Hiiii @katyringo! That's me too. Sounds like we all splurge in different ways. It's so hard for me to stay anywhere but DLH or GCH (I may consider PPH in the future if/when they do a room refurb. Their theme park view rooms have an amazing view of DCA). So be careful with that! Lol. I know you're staying at DLH soon

We've done WoC dessert package and planned to do RBT premium this year...however the chances of getting that ressie seem like a longshot. We would do the (also pricy) Blue Bayou package as we like that restaurant, but DH can't sit on the ground for a prolonged period. Whomp whomp. I guess I'll have to find other ways to spend money if we can't do that

 

[Ladyslug]

We usually only go for a long-weekend-type trip (we're in Northern California) so we get 2-3-day parkhopper tickets. But we do rope drop, and I will stay until closing as well (even if my husband and son go to bed earlier), with just a brief break to change clothes/shoes for the evening. We don't stay onsite, but we always try to eat at Blue Bayou during the trip (and now get a cocktail at Oga's and buy Genie+), and last year (after having to postpone the trip due to covid) we did a VIP tour (one of the best parts was the preferred seating for the fireworks).

I'm a "yes" mom at Disneyland also. Someday I'd like to do the chef's counter at Napa Rose, but my real dream is doing a 21 Royal dinner.

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

Yup! Max for us was three times in one year. When they offered the 6 or 7 day ticket, we would do a full week straight. Usually with dining reservations every night, plus special ticketed events like Fantasmic dining. For our 2019 WDW trip, our first ever, we had dining reservations every day, went on the Ultimate Thrills tour, the Animal Kingdom tour, Animal Kingdom After Hours event, two Very Merry Christmas parties (one with dining package), and had dinner at the Hoop-de-do revue. I was on a podcast providing a trip review when i got back, it was 1 hour 45 min long

Last year, we had our first visit back to Disneyland since 2018. Took a year off due to the WDW trip, then the pandemic hit. We made an impromptu visit in August, two and a half days in the park. Had a wonderful time even though entertainment/dining wasn't back up to full capacity. We returned in October for 5 full days in the parks, that was our planned trip with two OBB nights and a bunch of reservations. The combination of the crowds and lack of entertainment/full dining options was a real downer for us. It just wasn't worth the five full days. I think our pent-up lack of Disney trips drove us to stay the five full days, and I think that's the case for a lot of visitors this year.

Our next trip is a shorter one in August. Don't see us doing a full five days anytime in the future. Might be that our kid is now a teen and we are interested in doing other tings in SoCal, but its also in part to the crowds and the disappointment of Genie+ (I was a huge Maxpass fan) and the parks not up to full services still.

 

[maleficent55]

We usually only go for a long-weekend-type trip (we're in Northern California) so we get 2-3-day parkhopper tickets. But we do rope drop, and I will stay until closing as well (even if my husband and son go to bed earlier), with just a brief break to change clothes/shoes for the evening. We don't stay onsite, but we always try to eat at Blue Bayou during the trip (and now get a cocktail at Oga's and buy Genie+), and last year (after having to postpone the trip due to covid) we did a VIP tour (one of the best parts was the preferred seating for the fireworks).

I'm a "yes" mom at Disneyland also. Someday I'd like to do the chef's counter at Napa Rose, but my real dream is doing a 21 Royal dinner.

So much of this is me too! Northern California too

 

[katyringo]

Woooo found the tribe. Our upcoming trip is 7 nights at DLH with 5 day tickets and an OBB day. We are planning on doing a few chracter meals.. we love them. Also some show packages. It's not a cheap trip!

 

[BillFraser29]

Another Nor-Cal visitor and we make it about every-other year. We will be making our first trip since 2019 in a few weeks. Since the parks were closed last year we made a trip to WDW (we had to evac early on our first WDW trip in 2017, so we wanted to finish one properly). We will be traveling with first timers (!!!) so that will be a lot of fun to see them feel the magic for the first time.

Like many others, we can knock everything out (and then some) in 3 days with park hoppers. We usually do 1 or 2 dinning reservations. We rope drop and definitely have a plan of attack at the parks, lol. Using Genie+ for the first time will be interesting.

As life as progressed and our kids get older, I do feel like we go "all-out" a bit more than we used to. We have some bucket list items we will be knocking off on our upcoming trip that I am really excited about. After that, I'll be good for a while. As a kid of the 80's, I am intrigued by Universal's new land coming next year WAY more than a revamped Toon Town. That said, Mickey and Minnie's is a fun ride.

I will say this, I have friends who come to the parks frequently and I honestly don't think I could go all of the time (as much as I LOVE Disneyland). I think it would dampen the specialness and magic that come with DL if I was there more often.

 

[AndrewC]

*Raise hand*

I go a little crazy. It's turned into a nice routine and easy travel for me. I don't have to think about anything once I'm there since I know my way around to the places I'm going and I stay on site, etc. Makes it a very enjoyable week compared to somewhere new that requires a bunch of research and planning, lol

I usually do a October halloween trip. I'll usually do nine days down there (land before noon on Saturday and depart around 7pm Sunday a week later). Most the time the trip is packed full down to the minute, and I sometimes actually drop or cancel plans the deeper into the trip I get because I'm getting exhausted

I hit the ground running with usually landing SNA before noon on a Saturday towards the end of October, I'll grab something to eat at Downtown Disney, or when the Afternoon Tea was there I would do that upon landing. Then off to Universal Hilton for a night before heading back to Disneyland Sunday to Thur. A stop at Knott's Scary Farm Thur night with a midnight or 1am Friday morning check-in at the Universal Hilton again for a Friday day time VIP tour of the park and then Halloween Horror Nights again. Finally back to Disneyland Saturday morning for a bit more park time and then flying out last flight I can catch out of SNA on Sunday around 6pm. It's a very full 9 days

To top it off my activities are usually as follows...

-RIP ticket to Halloween Horror Nights (Guided tour, gourmet dinner in the park, unlimited front of line)
Even though I go twice, there is no way as an out of state person I'm waiting 150+minutes for each maze, lol

-VIP ticket to Universal Studios in the day

-All the table service at Disneyland
Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle, World of Color dessert party, Lamp Light lounge, Fantastmic premium dinner, etc

-Trader Sam's / Oga's Cantina
Now that advance reservations are available for Trader Sam's, I try to finish at least two nights with a drink at the bar, though last trip I managed four times. I usually hit Oga's twice during the trip, or more if I have a friend visiting for only part of my trip.

-Disney's Halloween party
At least once, sometimes twice on the trip. Usually try to do any dessert party they have for World of Color or the parade

-Afternoon Tea (when it was there, I miss this most of all)

-Front of the line ticket at Knott's Scary Farm

-Napa Rose Chef's Counter
This is still the hardest for me; I've been lucky enough to do it two years in a row (2021 and 2019 when I first learned about it). In 2019 I actually did it twice; once solo since I thought my friend would be annoyed at "wasting time" at a long dinner vs being in the parks since she was only with me for two days. Once I realized how good it was I was lucky enough to book a last minute a couple days later so my friend could do it, lol

-Corner room at Universal Hilton with views of Universal Studios

-Disneyland Hotel
Usually DLH because of it's classic Disneyland vibe, but last year I jumped back and forth between the Grand and DLH. Now I'm lost to which I like more, I'll probably continue split stays with a day or two at the Grand and the rest at DLH


I know for some this is absolutely lavish and way over the top, but for others nothing is "special" about the hotel rooms or anything since they're not club level or suites, etc.

It's a lot for me, probably spend way too much every year with this, but it's my one big yearly trip and the weather is some of the best during late October and the Halloween events really top it off for me. I will admit I feel a bit stupid talking to coworkers or anything when they ask what my vacation or travel plans are since I'm a 36 year old man with no children and not even a significant other. Disneyland feels very "childish," but honestly so much of it is enjoyable for adults. World of Color and the parades, Galaxy's Edge, drinks at the Cantina and Trader Sam's, all the sit down table service restaurants where kids would be bouncing out of their seat wanting to be back in the park, etc. Then stuff like Indy and Haunted Mansion just never gets old for any age group. Plus Halloween Horror Nights and Knott's are really geared towards teens and older. I'm sure I'm trending old on the demographics, but it's a fun halloween time, just hope my friends or coworkers don't wonder why I like doing to Disneyland as my big trip.

I'm fortunate to be able to afford this stuff now in my life; ten years ago I certainly wasn't doing this type of trip. Every year I usually reach out to any of my single friends and invite them along for any portion of or the entire trip with me and let them know I'll cover any costs, I know not all my friends can afford stuff like this and I recognize the value in sharing the experience with someone

I probably need to branch out and do more "grown up" international travel, but especially now with COVID I'm much more comfortable with a couple hour long flight down the west coast and then mainly outdoor stuff at the parks. I'll likely remain masked again this year, but honestly 2021 wasn't terrible with a mask.


Edit: I'm open to comments on if I'm missing any "all out" things to do. Also open to any invites to Club 33 if someone happens to be in the parks around the end of October and would like another guest added to dinner, lol. I have absolutely nothing unique to add in return, but I will an absolute gentleman during dinner

 

[AndrewC]

I'll also add that in 2018 when WB debuted their "Horror Made Here!" event I did that as well. While it's MUCH smaller than Halloween Horror Nights or Knott's, I actually REALLY enjoyed the event. They had some interesting concepts for the mazes/houses, the lot lends VERY well for an after hours night Halloween event, and they have some great IP (Joker and Arkham Asylum characters, and IT to name a couple!)

Was very sad in 2019 and 2021 that it didn't return since I was going to make that a standard in my trips.... curious if it'll be back this year

 

[happiestpoe]

This is us. No such thing as a budget at Disney! Calories don't count!

 

[Tinkaboo]

Disney is an annual trip, usually but not always during the holidays. Love the Christmas decor and vibe.

That said, I’m doing first SOLO trip over 4th of July weekend and I can’t wait. Going to spend a lot of time in Avengers and Galaxy’s Edge. Both will be new for me. I’m usually up for a midday break but not this trip. It’s gonna be go, go, go from time I arrive until I leave Monday afternoon. Since Southwest changed my flights, I just bought another ticket for Monday, which was originally going to just be a shopping day. First day CA, then DL, then back to CA.

Doing Hungry Bear for Fantasmic. I just can’t fight for a spot anymore.

Will indulge in all my fave treats…blue cotton candy, Mickey beignets.
Will just be wonderful to be back after COVID.

Depending upon how the economy goes, will hope to visit at the holidays later this year.