Our second trip to WDW - a letdown from the first?

[TheLittleRoo]

We LOVED our first trip to WDW last Sept! The kids were 11, 4, and 18m and had an absolute blast. We stayed at POR in two rooms and had free dining - - really had a blast.

I'd love to come back again this coming September, maybe even get free dining again, but we'll probably have to do some belt-tightening and either stay in two rooms at POP or one room at a Deluxe with our family of five. God forbid, we might even have to stay offsite.

So anyway, my question is this: is the second time back to WDW as wonderful as the first? It seems like it may be a letdown, since everything was new and the thrill of discovery was everywhere. Especially if we're on a budget this time, although the kids won't notice where we stay or that we eat CS a few more times than we eat TS...

Can anybody share their experience returning to WDW with kids? Were they still thrilled, or starting to get a little "less impressed"?

Thanks!

 

[Fairydust.Indy]

Maybe just a little bit of a let down...but just a teensy bit! Every trip is a brand new experience...you won't be let down...that's for sure, in my opinion!! Your kids will be at new ages, and enjoying different things. Each and every time we go, it is a new and different experience, because there are just so many different things to experience. Maybe just do the stuff from your first trip that you really enjoyed, and try new rides, shows, hotel and restaurants. It may even be a little bit more relaxing, because you know more this time!! Good luck.

 

[Mousema]

I've found that each trip is exciting for a different reason. This trip will be my 8th and it will be exciting for me because it is my first solo trip. You can always find something to make it magical.

 

[pixie dust 112]

As you can see from my signature, I've been quite a few times....every time is magical! My kids always love it too. Let me tell you, I've never heard them say oh no, not disney again! We started going with kids when my 2 oldest were 1 and 3 and the littlest was "on the way" Now they are 15, 13 and 11 and we're going for our third time since July in a month. SOmehow it's always magical. I always cry when I see the castle, and smell the scent of Main Steet for the first time each trip , because we're so happy to be there and I always cry when I'm leaving the MK each trip, because I'm so sad to be leaving such a wonderful vacation.

 

[MommyBoo!]

We have found that every other trip is better. Our first trip was fantastic! The next was ok. The one after that was fantastic! Last year was great but not as good as the year before. Really weird, I know, but that's how it's been. The good news is our next trip should be fantastic! LOL

There were reasons those trips were not as good and last year there was a crisis at home that I had to deal with long distance without letting the kids know until we got home - very stressful. It has just worked out to be an every other trip thing.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I think your second trip will be better! Why? Because you know things now that you did not know before. You know some of your family's favorites, and you know some places you do not want to do again. When you read the travel books (my fav Unofficial Guidebook) you will easily "see" the park in your head and all the touring plans will actually make sense.

We are staying off site this year in a house. The price is fantastic, and it's only about 15 minutes to the parks. We get our own pool which makes staying off site worthwhile. Just something to think about.

As far as budget, the kids will not care. For your older kids give them a specific spending budget and be very firm ahead of time that you will not "cave in" and give them more. When kids know what they have to spend, they quickly learn to budget. We also plan to bring in sandwiches for a few of our park days. This will save big bucks.

Rest easy. It will be delightful or all the people on this board who go again and again would have never gone more than twice.

 

[littleelvis]

We just did our second family trip last month and it was as good as the first. If not Better!!! Like every one has said you know what you like and don't and our kids always do better when they know what to expect. Good Luck!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We have been going since 1977, with kids now grown ,and just the 2 of us and after 38 some visits, it just keeps getting better and better. We know what to do, what we like, know what its going to cost us, we discover new things every trip, always stay deluxe ,never have a car and never leave the property. Our first trips were in the 4 day stays, only one park but now we're into 8-12 night stays and feel we never see or do everything and enjoy the life at the resorts as much as the parks. We think about going elsewhere but when I run the figures in comparison to how much enjoyment and fun versus the amount of money, we have a better time at WDW, no transportation needed, dinig places out the wazoo and four parks to trip our fancy, why go elsewhere. We've even gone back in one year 3 times, just can't get enough relaxation and Disney.

 

[Ragetti]

I've been a few times... though often quite seperated by time, so maybe I didn;t have the trouble like this that some have had. But let me say that coming up on this trip, my wife and i are looking at it more like "going home" than expecting a brand-new awe inspiring trip. That's my advice. Think about like continuing your last vacation rather than a new one. Bring some of the first-time magic back with you.

 

[Sweedee]

We went in Feb '06 and Sept '06. While it wasn't quite the BUILD UP the 2nd time around as the first, it was not a let down at all!!! In fact, what we did like better is that we were more familiar with everything the 2nd time. We were able to focus on different rides cause we didn't get to ride everything the first time. We enjoyed different experiences, and some were the exact same and we loved them!! We are going again in Oct, but we are planning on doing only one day at MK, and spending a day at Sea World. We are just as excited as we were last year! Different ages and different stages definitely bring different fun!! But a letdown???? not at all!!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

my question is this: is the second time back to WDW as wonderful as the first?

While nothing can beat all the excitement of a very first trip to WDW, by no means is it a letdown. Our trip this coming October will be our fourth. Each trip for us has been different and if you are able to learn something from each of your previous trips - what worked, what didn't, what you like, what you don't - subsequent trips can become more comfortable and you'll find yourselves being able to relax more. We can honestly say that we look forward to our annual journey (and are thinking of adding a second yearly trip) to WDW and find ourselves even planning our next trip before we've even left the Orlando airport.

 

[themudd4]

We LOVED our first trip to WDW last Sept! The kids were 11, 4, and 18m and had an absolute blast. We stayed at POR in two rooms and had free dining - - really had a blast.

I'd love to come back again this coming September, maybe even get free dining again, but we'll probably have to do some belt-tightening and either stay in two rooms at POP or one room at a Deluxe with our family of five. God forbid, we might even have to stay offsite.

So anyway, my question is this: is the second time back to WDW as wonderful as the first? It seems like it may be a letdown, since everything was new and the thrill of discovery was everywhere. Especially if we're on a budget this time, although the kids won't notice where we stay or that we eat CS a few more times than we eat TS...

Can anybody share their experience returning to WDW with kids? Were they still thrilled, or starting to get a little "less impressed"?

Thanks!

Can I ask why you are staying in two rooms? POR where you stayed before has rooms that accomadate a family of 5. Unless you are just wanting two rooms.
Also, since your youngest is under 3 years old you can stay in one room at the value resorts too, and have a crib for the youngest.

Now to answer you question...nothing will beat that first magical trip to WDW, but if it wasn't great each time, then there would not be so many people return year after year. I sometimes feel like we are stuck in WDW mode and can't do anything else.
Have fun with your planning!

 

[minnierocks]

You will not be disappointed! Just plan some new and different things...which is very easy to do considering it's WDW...
We thought the same thing, but had just as much fun the second time and I cried just as much when we left the second time around!
Even after we had the trip of a lifetime, at Disney's expense
my 13 year old said...how soon can we go back?
We are currently planning our fourth trip (this one is definitely on a budget), and we can't wait to get there!
Go and have lots of fun!!!

 

[Bethmsu]

On my 2nd trip I had a GREAT time, maybe even better than the first! We stayed at a value instead of a mod and were only able to go 5 days not 6. I was thinking it would be worse, but since we had been a year ago we felt more relaxed! We had seen and done a lot of the things so we could focus on what we really liked! We enjoyed our hotel, spent less time worried about missing things, we barely even took any pictures. We just relaxed and had a swell vacation.

less stress=more fun

I'll bet a 2nd trip gives you all a chance to enjoy WDW even more!

 

[DizneyNutz]

You will never recpture ALL of the same feelings of that FIRST trip. But with that said, there is always Disney Magic on every trip. When you know that you are coming back things seem a little more relaxed, not just trying to see everything on the one and only trip. So go and enjoy your next adventure and see things you didn't on your first trip. Look at it this way, how many people have bought into the DVC. Are they just going on vacation? No the magic is still there always, just maybe in a different way. Some things you cannot get enough of and never get routine.

 

[SarahKate]

We went Feb. 06 and went Feb. 07 too. I had the same fears of going again the very next year. Mainly I was worried because we really did see SO much in 06 and I was worried that it wouldn't be fresh enough.

But luckily we were able to eat at ALL new places, and there were a lot of things we realized that we missed.

We also rented a car this time so we could explore a little more. This was great for us because we got to see a LOT of different resorts, and went exploring I-Drive and all the shopping there.

Was it a letdown for us? NOPE!!! I personally had a better time this time!

And that was even with me having a nasty fall at Epcot and not being able to walk the last couple days (well, I could walk very short distances but had to use a scooter for the parks).

I think what was nice about this trip is that we HAD seen most stuff before. And so we were able to really take our time. We knew that if we missed something at a park that we'd have another day to do it. It was just soooo relaxing for us.

 

[punky'smom]

Our first trip was the end of June 1999 and of course every afternoon it rained. The boys were 7,9 & 14 so they were not that happy to be soaked or to wear rain gear while waiting in line. But our 2nd trip was great. We learned more thanks to all the info on the DIS. We bought into the DVC and we go in April usually 3rd week. Crowds are manageable then..

 

[ziggybaby]

Hi there
We're in the same boat as you, we last visited WDW in May 05 and we'll be returning this May.
When we decided to get married, there was only one place for us to honeymoon, Disney.
My wife's (to be) sister and her partner are coming with us, so we'll be able to share their excitement of seeing WDW for the first time and hopefully it'll be as enjoyable for us.
I don't think there will be any problems as the magic will get better and better

Many thanks​

 

[Cee]

....it keeps getting better and better. We also have grown children and have
been going to WDW for many, many years. Each time you go, you figure
something else out that will give you a better experience. We just about
have it down to a science now and yet are still learning and loving it. My DH
and I can now go for a few days and hardly ever leave the resort, not feeling
compelled any longer to go to the parks if we don't want to. We know there
will be another time, God willing..........................

 

[jdorow]

I was a late starter. My family never went when I was young! Since my DS and DD have been born we went

All Star Sports 2000
All Star Movies 2004
Beach and Yacht Club 2004
Sunday, POP!

I really feel like my kids are spoiled but i am also thankful I get to go to Disney as well. It is a great place, I feel like I know the routine now and very little let down.

Once bonus....25 and snowy at home!