Save money and don't go to Disney this summer?

[mermaidwannabe]

We enjoy visiting places within driving distance and that can save a considerable amount of money. A person can stay at places like LaQuinta or Holiday Inn Express and visit often free or at least low cost state and national parks and such places. Exploring old towns and historic sights won't normally break the bank either. Plus there's camping which I prefer to do in a cabin.

Montana is a huge state though so a lot depends on what part of Montana you're located in. Northern California would be my pick if it's doable. Or maybe Canada.

We had a trip planned to Canada one year, but we are 6 hours from the border, and so much of the terrain is similar to Glacier National Park, which we go to every year for a day (since we are up that way visiting family). I also had a Redwoods trip planned one year, and it ended up being a longer drive there than to Southern California (go figure but it's true!) so we thought why not do DL and get to swim in the warmer ocean of San Diego.

 

[beaucoup]

We were doing WDW every year for a while. Once the trips started being predictable, we started going elsewhere instead. I am really enjoying going somewhere new each year now. It will be a while before we return to WDW. The parks will need to change and make it worthwhile to spend the money to see new things there and not experience the same each year.

You have to weigh the pleasure you are getting vs the money you are spending. If you can go each year and still get all excited, then go. If you get more excitement from visiting a new place, then go there.

I am really enjoying seeing the beautiful natural places this country of ours has to offer. We fly there, then do a 2 week roadtrip, and fly home from another airport. We've visited Northern CA, WA, OR & British Columbia, Canada. Yosemite, Mt Rainier, Mt Hood, Mt Saint Helens, ....... We live on the east coast so they are nothing like we have here.

 

[java]

I grew up going to marvelous places all over the country, and I always said, "we are not going to be THAT family that goes to Disney every year." We had a whole big world to explore. And then we found ourselves going to Disney 5 years in a row. Before the trip, I told DH, this is really it, we are off Disney for a while after this. At the end of the trip, oldest DS said it is not as much fun anymore because we go so frequently. He is ready to venture out. My 8 year old DS is not so convinced--he's sad that we are not going back to Disney next year.

We have already decided on Niagara Falls/Football Hall of Fame/Cedar Point for next year, and I don't think we'll hit Disney in 2013 either. Maybe 2014. It will bother me not to go but I want to open my kids' eyes to other things, including some national parks!

We did Ohio last year and had a great time!

My tips
Stay at lighthouse point at cedar point! On the water and walkable to the park.
Cuyahoga National Park in Ohio is Free and great for a day of hiking. We loved it!
Oh and the drive through safari was a blast! Like nothing we've done before.
http://www.africansafariwildlifepark.com/

We loved it and would definately do it again when we go back.

Oh and great pizza near Cedar point. Shoot I can't remember the name
Found it Mona Pizza In Sandusky! Mmmm yummy crispy crust pizza and I'm from ny I know pizza!

 

[Karenj2]

We have an every 3 year plan, although I've been finding ways to sneak in a trip to WDW... What our plan is, is we do WDW one year, jersey shore another year (not my fave, but the ILs), and then one year to somewhere we haven't been yet.

 

[Priorityonecb]

We do several trips a year, but I also like to do Disney once a year too. Our girls have travled since they were born, and have been to all but 6 states so we are not "just Disney" here. I love Disney for the value, and the fact that once I am there I am fully emersed and don't have to worry about driving or anything...just having fun!

 

[robsmom]

I totally understand. We did Disney (World, Land, Cruise) a few too many times. I agree with a prior posted who said that at a certain age it is "easy", but as they get older many things are easy. I love Disney, but i really love exploring new places as well. I am from NJ so what is reasonable for us my not be reasonable for you. Some trips we have loved:

Williamsburg - you get the history and there is Busch Gardens to spend a day or two playing. You could easily tie this into a Beach vacation in Virginia or even North Carolina.

Cruises - we love to cruise. The price can be reasonable compared to Disney and food and entertainment are included. DCL is great, but as much as I love Disney, there are other cruise lines that are more reasonable for the same quality!!

New England - Beautiful in the summer. Maine coast, Boston for some history. Many options.

Have fun.

 

[2girlsR2good]

We are saying "no Disney in 2012" right now. Spring break will be a DC trip (very excited about taking my gals there). It will be much cheaper than Disney. Summer is always a week at the beach--also cheaper than Disney, but more work for me. I think we will alternate spring breaks between Disney and a "city" trip somewhere in the US for a few years. The girls are 7 right now and are ready to start seeing more places than just Disney. Once they are in their teens, we'll try to add some international destinations too, and I can see Disney going by the wayside then or becoming a quick weekend trip every now and then. My parents live in Jacksonville FL, so I can zip over pretty easily when we are visiting them

 

[mermaidwannabe]

We are 90 miles from Yellowstone which we go to for just a day trip every year and as I said in a pp, we go to Glacier for a day trip so they do see those. All of your posts have made me really think about what is important on our vacations. I guess it just worries me that if/when we go somewhere else, we won't have as good of a time, and since we only go on one vacation per year (usually 10-12 days), it's a scary risk. Plus, our winters here are LOOONG, so I guess that is why we love going to the beach and where it's warm. When we've gone to DW, we also go to Cocoa Beach and Clearwater Beach afterwards and same with San Diego after DL. Would love to have my girls see the East Coast. I have grandparents in Cincinnati, and we used to LOVE going to Cedar Point. Just never thought about going to Ohio for vacation, lol, maybe because I used to live in Marion where there isn't much to do.

Thanks for all the replies! Need to do some soul searching and have a family meeting.

 

[mdsoccermom]

We are 90 miles from Yellowstone which we go to for just a day trip every year and as I said in a pp, we go to Glacier for a day trip so they do see those. All of your posts have made me really think about what is important on our vacations. I guess it just worries me that if/when we go somewhere else, we won't have as good of a time, and since we only go on one vacation per year (usually 10-12 days), it's a scary risk. Plus, our winters here are LOOONG, so I guess that is why we love going to the beach and where it's warm. When we've gone to DW, we also go to Cocoa Beach and Clearwater Beach afterwards and same with San Diego after DL. Would love to have my girls see the East Coast. I have grandparents in Cincinnati, and we used to LOVE going to Cedar Point. Just never thought about going to Ohio for vacation, lol, maybe because I used to live in Marion where there isn't much to do.

Thanks for all the replies! Need to do some soul searching and have a family meeting.

No. It does not need to be a scary risk. I will be honest, it makes me nuts when I read that people are afraid to go to another place because they may not like it as much as Disney. Travel is what you make of it. If you go into a trip automatically ready to compare it to Disney, then yes, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. If you go into it realizing it will be a totally different and unique experience, you'll be fine.

 

[roadtripper]

We are a DVC family and have done WDW at least once a year since 2002. We had a family wedding in Ireland when the kids were 10 and 8. When we were planning, DD10 said she couldn't wait to try the rides in Ireland (none!), swim in the hotel pools (no pools--and they were B and Bs), and hang out on the beach (not on the itinerary). We mostly drove around, saw beautiful stuff, hung out in pubs listening to live Irish music, and had a blast with family. Until we drove across the country a few years later, she referred to the Ireland trip as "the best thing we've ever done." Then the cross country trip took its place.

Take a chance, do some planning (include the family), and your kids will surprise you. Have fun!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

We are a DVC family and have done WDW at least once a year since 2002. We had a family wedding in Ireland when the kids were 10 and 8. When we were planning, DD10 said she couldn't wait to try the rides in Ireland (none!), swim in the hotel pools (no pools--and they were B and Bs), and hang out on the beach (not on the itinerary). We mostly drove around, saw beautiful stuff, hung out in pubs listening to live Irish music, and had a blast with family. Until we drove across the country a few years later, she referred to the Ireland trip as "the best thing we've ever done." Then the cross country trip took its place.

Take a chance, do some planning (include the family), and your kids will surprise you. Have fun!

Awesome post, thanks! And to the person who said it's what we make of it, yes, good advice.

 

[gracie1]

I have only been to Disneyworld once, and when we went we were there for 12 days. I keep saying that I want to go back but when I start thinking about it and planning it in my head, I tell myself there are so many other places to see. So this year we are doing a cruise to Bermuda for 7 nights. We normally only vacation every other year, depending....but maybe we will be able to go to Niagara Falls in 2013. Other than that, we are going to start doing things within driving distance, such as Hershey Park, Washington DC, Busch Gardens, etc.

There is so much world you can see for the same price, if not less than Disney!!