Question for Frequent Visitors

[Deb & Bill]

I looked at this board before we left for DW last week and saw that quite a few of the members here go frequently to the parks. And from what I could tell they were not all from Florida or even Orlando (with annual passes), but had to drive or fly in.

We just got back from our trip and although we love Disney World, the crowds are taking the "magic" out of it for us.

What I am wondering (in a very nice way ) is whether or not (how can I put this....) the frequent visitors feel somewhat "guilty" about going so often since it is so busy?

Thanks

P.S. Also, if you live so close you can go all the time (like with the annual pass) do you just get tired of it and not go anymore? Kind of like someone who lives in New York City and just doesn't visit the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty even though they live right by them?

We go at least twice a year, sometimes three times a year. We drive about 850 each way to get there. We stay a week minimum, usually a few days longer than that. I don't feel the least bit guilty that I might be adding to the crowds. I go early, leave around lunch time, go back in the evening for the evening shows and a few other things, maybe to dine. We spend a lot of time at the pool or the waterpark. After 19 trips in nine years, we know how to visit WDW and make the best use of our time.

My best guess on the crowds can be attributed to those people who really don't know how to visit the parks. They stay all day, stand in lines for 45-90 minutes (we limit our line standing to 15-20 minutes at a time). They don't plan their day, they don't plan their meals and wind up waiting in line for Table Service instead of getting an ADR ahead of time.

We have two trips to DL this summer, our first time as a family (I've never been, my husband went as a kid). Both trips are related to running, San Diego marathon in June, DL 1/2 marathon in Sept. After that, we'll be in WDW for Thanksgiving. And we're trying to decide what we want to do in the Spring 07. Maybe the DCL, maybe back to WDW.

 

[Ted and Holly]

We live close and the magic is not gone, but as Feral says, "different". We didn't go as much as we wanted to this past year, but we plan on going more often. In fact, we just upgraded our APs to PAPs for the water parks. But we definitely "do" the parks much differently. We will go to a park just to see a certain attraction or eat at a particular restaurant. It is a completely different state of mind and way of enjoying WDW.

It has a funny effect. When people visit and we go to WDW with them, they often as us "Well, what do you want to do next?". I usually laugh and tell them that they had better see and do what they want to see because I can go any day and it does not matter if we just stand in front of the stroller parking near Mickey's Philharmagic and stare at each other all day. (Ok, sorry, just finishing a visit with a very indecisive family member.)

I don't feel that I am filling up a spot or making the place more crowded for someone who might not be able to go as often. We avoid the really busy days, but I prefer when there are lot of guests. You definitely see the bad side of some people, but you get to see all of the tiny pieces of pixie dust making magic for lots of people... If you keep your eyes open.

In the end, you really do not want people to limit their attendance. I love WDW, I would not want to see cutbacks and closings due to lack of guests.

 

[Tiziminchac]

I never feel guilty about the crowds. It's more of a bummed out feeling. I'm at a loss as to why people even go on days I'm going. Don't they know that I'm special and deserve to have the parks all to myself? It just ain't right!

And sometimes I do start to get burned out on the parks. But I just take a month or two off and I start to get that "I have to go feeling" again. Sometimes it seems like thinking about going and planning it can actually be more fun than going. My renewal is coming up and I've thought about letting my pass expire but I'm just kidding myself.

 

[Briar Rose's Mom]

I don't feel the least bit guilty that I might be adding to the crowds. I go early, leave around lunch time, go back in the evening for the evening shows and a few other things, maybe to dine. We spend a lot of time at the pool or the waterpark. After 19 trips in nine years, we know how to visit WDW and make the best use of our time.

My best guess on the crowds can be attributed to those people who really don't know how to visit the parks. They stay all day, stand in lines for 45-90 minutes (we limit our line standing to 15-20 minutes at a time). They don't plan their day, they don't plan their meals and wind up waiting in line for Table Service instead of getting an ADR ahead of time.

and from Feralpeg

I really think the reason crowds get to people is because they have this idea that they must do so much to have a good time. I guess I understand that if you can only visit once or you have to wait a long time between visits. I truly believe in quality not quantity. Do what you can do and still enjoy yourself. If you start stressing, you are trying to do to much and that isn't a very good vacation. JMHO.

You both have completely summed up our family's philosophy on visiting Disney. We can afford to go about evey other year for a week and we do. We try to plan it for value or regular season, but if we had to go during peak season we would. We go in early when crowds are at their lowest and leave around lunchtime for a mid day break. We return in the evening when a lot of people have had it for the day and are leaving. We don't try to ride every ride (we use that same 15-20 minute wait time range). If we could go more often, we would. Someday if we manage to move back to Florida we will.

 

[neyankeefan]

We live in the Midwest and have returned every year at least once and sometimes twice because we enjoy the overall Disney experience. We have never really minded the crowds and we've gone during some of the busiest times of the year. It appears you have difficulty relaxing since you say you don't even have time to plan for your trip. We enjoy the planning as much as the trip. For us, the anticipation creates family discussions about what to do, when to do it, trying new things, etc.

I suggest you try and soak in the Disney experience and realize the appeal of going to WDW includes everything Disney has to offer. If you're looking for a R&R vacation with no crowds or people, I really don't think Disney is the right choice for you.

 

[KCinVA]

We go two or three times a year, and strange as it may sound, we actually prefer when it is a bit more crowded. It adds to the magic when you see how many people are enjoying themselves every day. When we went in September last year, it seemed weird that there weren't that many people there, and that a lot of the concession stands and smaller shops weren't even open.

 

[MAKmom]

O I get what your saying... I think. Does anyone feel guilty about adding to the crowd level.

 

[MelanieC]

I sure don't feel guilty. We go at least once a year for about 2 weeks. The crowds are not that bad, even during peak times if you know how to zig and zag the right ways.

As far as feeling guilty, Life is too short and I have just as much right as the first timer to go. Plus if it wasn't for all the repeat business, the parks would have less hours, less lines open etc and it would still be just as crowded.

 

[MelanieRI]

As for the crowds, I like the crowds. To me, a vacation means it's crowed. Whenever we get the chance to walk right on to rides, I feel some of the magic is gone. The rides are over and done with in two seconds. I think a little anticipation is great. Although, I still hate line cutters! lol I ceretainly don't think that anyone should feel "guilty" for going too much. What's the cut-off for too much? Every day? Every week? Every month? Every year? If you aren't a crowd person, then you just have to go at non-peak times and take your kids out of school.

I was born in FL and went all the time growing up. My mom has a picture of Mickey holding my older sis wks w/in her being born. Later, when we moved up north, we still went to WDW every year while visiting relatives in Orlando. By the time Universal opened - I was ready to be done with Disney! Then, when I got married and DH wanted to go for our honeymoon, I reluctantly said yes. Well, seeing Disney through his eyes and then through our DD eyes, has really made the magic come back alive for me and I am enjoying it all over again. My FL relatives are shocked that we visit WDW so much and I get questions like "Aren't those rides so sad now?" and "Isn't really dirty there?" Everytime, I tell them no, I love it and it's great. Until they're willing to go and see it through someone's eyes who hasn't been there yet - they're just over it.