Overkill?

[mrzrich]

Let me first reveiw with you the trips I've taken to WDW in the last several months

June 2005- 6 nights FW
October 2005-2 nights POR for MNSSHP and F&W festival
DEC 2005 -5 nights POP for CP, and MVMCP

Feb 2006- 8 nights FW
May 2006- 7 nights FW
August 2006-1 night POFQ

Current Reservations
Sept 15-17 POP
Oct 13-17 FW
Nov 16-19 POP for Walk for Autism at WW of Sports

I made this last ressie tonight and as I was talking to the CM confirming my Sept, Oct, & November trips I was almost embarassed, like I had to explain myself.

I only live 90 minutes away,and we are AP holders.

After the 7 nights in June we were exhausted. We have come to realize that one or two nights, only going to the parks for one day works better for us. We will do shorter trips more often. Last weekend we did a one nighter at POFQ spending our time at MK. We had a lovely breakfast the next morning and went to DTD before heading hom at noon. It was wonderful!

In Sept we will go to Epcot and in Nov we will do AK. (The October trip is with extended family so the itinerary isn't as set as I would like )

The CM didn't say anything rude, but he was like "Gee you have very lucky children" and I started to feel bad, I mean most people can't go afford to make one WDW Trip and I've had so many.

I'm starting to get the strange looks from people at work and my DH's family.

I guess I'm not really asking a question here, I just wanted to express my feeling to people that understand me

 

[resol37]

This is just a personal opinion and suggestion - feel free to flame as needed.

I can't blame you for going if you live that close. I certainly would! But living that close, I wonder if staying on property is always necessary.

I know when I spend a lot of money on a large purchase, I have some guilt about whether or not I really need the purchase and how some people don't even have a home when I've just bought a $300 entertainment center.

Maybe you could stay off property at a cheaper hotel - I've stayed at one of the hotels on Palm Pkwy (can't remember which one) and it was not in the least bit dumpy - and donate the extra money you would have spent to a charity that helps kids take Disney World trips.

But again, I can't blame you for going that often. If I lived only an hour and a half from WDW (and had the financial means), I'd be there every other weekend. I live about an hour from an amusement park in NC/SC called Paramount's Carowinds, but it pales in comparison to WDW so I only go about twice a summer (they close in the winter).

 

[mrzrich]

Resol37...no flames

The cost of staying on property isn't really a big issue because we camp at FW quite often and its less than $40 a night. All other stays were on pretty good AP or AAA rates.

Its just that I've gotten to the point were I'm embarassed to be honest with people when they ask "What did you do this weekend?" People are staring to look at me like I'm a freak. (note the photo to the right of this post )

 

[resol37]

Heh. I just recently moved back in with my parents. I work the night shift at a government call center and spend my nights on-line. Now every time I go home and my parents ask how work was, my usual response is, "Just hanging out on the Disboard." It's one of the few places we can hang out and be Disney freaks without judgement.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

You shouldn't feel guilty at all providing you can comfortably afford it and enjoy it as a family activity! Lucky you living so close!!!

 

[notnothin]

Don't feel so bad. I get strange looks all the time in the office for my Disney trips, and I don't get to visit nearly as often as you.

 

[ppony]

Oh GOSH! Don't be embarassed! And it's NOT overkill to mel! I'm envious of you and honestly I'd love to do WDW as you do. We can only go about every 3 years and we have to fly so long stays are relaly the only way to go for us. And we just get SO exhausted by the middle to end of the trip. I don't want my son to start saying as I heard another little boy about his age say to his father last we were there "But I'm tired of having fun daddy!" Don't be embarassed! I bet a BUNCH of people would love to do it as you do! Good for you!

 

[sukhakuli]

We live an hour from Disneyland, so I understand. We go all the time. If dh happens to have 2 days off in a row, we spend one of them at Disneyland! Of course, we live close enough that we don't need to stay in Anaheim, either, but our friends think we're nuts.

 

[Pineapple Princess]

You are not alone.
My husband and I go once a month in the summer and twice a month in the cooler months. We just got back from a weekend trip to the WL last weekend, and in 2 weekends we will be staying at AKL. In July we stayed at SS, June was POR, May Yacht club. Seriously, it is our addiction.
I figure, we don't drink, we don't smoke, we don't go out buying fancy cars or clothes. We go to WDW. We moved here to FL so we could do this.
Am I nuts?

But in any case it is nice to know that we are not alone! After the new rates I am trying to figure out where to stay in Oct and Nov.

 

[boandmichele]

we are scrimping and saving for our polynesian trip sept 2007. we might not be able to go again for a few years, and i grew up going all the time. we live in TN.

that said, i dont know why i would resent you for it...you are very fortunate, and if i lived there we'd do the very same thing.

who cares what other people think anyway. you can go to the world 10 times a year, more power to you. have fun, spread the magic, and never look back.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

You know what I think?

Who effing cares what other people think! If it makes YOU happy...then so be it! Come on...if I lived closer I be doing the same thing. And I'll bet if we totalled what you spend at Disney annually vs. what I spend on 'entertainment'...I'd bet you'd come out spending less. Who can beat less than 40 bucks a night?

Have fun on all your trips

 

[Devil_Dog99]

I wish I could go more often. SO instead I just lengthen my stays. DW and I went for 5 nights on our honeymoon 14 years ago and this year we will be down there for 12 nights at Christmas!!!!

I figure at this rate I'll be spendinig more time down there than here at home by the time I am ready to retire!!!!

You go as often as you want and enjoy yourself!!!!

 

[JESW]

Forgive me if I am making the wrong assumption, but you are scheduled to participate in a walk for autism so I wonder if you have a child who is autistic?

My ds11 is an aspergers kid and we have been going to Disney since right before he was 2 years old. (I also have a dd7) We go 2x a year, 8 nights each trip. For my family right now, Disney is the best place to vacation. For my son, it is very familiar and comfortable for him. If we lived close like you I am sure we would go very often.

At Disney I also feel very safe taking my kids out on my own - oftentimes dh will stay back in the room (he hates the heat and he has back problems). Right now I don't think I would feel that way anywhere else.

The last time I called to make reservations the cm announced - our records show that you have stayed with us 20 times - do you confirm or deny? (He was very funny about the whole thing and I was happy to be going back)

Please don't be put off by what others say. My family and friends have stopped asking me where we are going for vacation because they already know. I now have many people asking me for help with their vacation. Every trip I bring back the park maps/guides for different people.

Go and enjoy yourself!

Jill...who is leaving in TWO DAYS!!!!

 

[SarahK]

Don't be embarrassed!! I'd be doing the exact same thing if I lived so close! Have a great time on your next trip!

 

[mrzrich]

JESW...yes, I have a 6 year old with PDD-NOS. He does incredibly at WDW. He verbalizes better, there. He poops on the potty there (which he's never done in any other public place) because he tells us ahead of time that he has to go. He never verbalizes the need to go to the potty anywhere, not even home or school! (At home and school, he just goes independently, since he nows where our potty is)

 

[disney0928]

I say, like the others here, go, go , go!!!
Go as much as you can, when you can. Especially as it is such a positive force in your son's life! I work with Autistic children; my younger son has multiple delay issues and sensory problems. Certainly, not on a level of what you are dealing with, but even my son responds better in WDW!

And I hope that the walk for Autism in Nov. is a HUGE SUCCESS!

 

[Mickey1122]

Nothing wrong with this-your trips are relatively short. We had APs that just expired and we took four trips that totalled over 30 days. We got really good airfare though. We stayed offsite part of the time though.

 

[KarenAylwood]

mrzrich~ I understand your feeling a little funny sometimes (heck, I would!) but when I'm riding Splash mountain 5 times in a row, I think I'd forget

I think your son is lucky to have such a great mom to take him on these trips. My mom and I bonded over trips to Disney together over the years, and they are some of my favorite memories. If I lived as close as you do, I'd try to go as much as possible too!

I think you should keep going and keep enjoying- forget what others think!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Can I please be in your family?

Seriously, if you went to Disney every weekend - WHY would you have to apologize for that? It is your life - do what makes you happy. It's not like you took up a collection asking us to send you there. Enjoy your time at Disney - and don't worry about being judged by others who may be jealous.

Are you SURE you won't allow me into your family? I love Disney!

 

[lillygator]

I would not be embarrassed in the least. We are FL residents and AP holders and we go as often as possible. I work hard for my money and this is how I choose to enjoy it!

And in all the years I have been going to Disney...we still find new things to do and things we've never noticed before.....