WDW fans: How often do you go?

[tigertides]

More specifically for non-locals, how often do you go to Walt Disney World? As a kid, we went every 3-4 years for a total of FOUR times. Now, I find myself taking kids every 2 years. But, as we all know, the costs have increased, experience has not kept up with the prices and crowds, even with all the planning/strategy.

Planning on a trip this year. But typical costs for 5 day/4 night stay for us (our ideal period) runs $3000-4000 with hotel and airfare. Not including food costs.
How does one justify multiple trips a year given that? (barring AP and DVC ownership)

We are also planning our first Yellowstone/Teton trip this summer. And my kids are getting super excited about seeing something new and natural. (even more so than "another trip to Disney World"
In the perfect world, families would do both national parks AND Disney. But in reality, we have to make hard choices where to go on spring/summer breaks.

Until the FP+, wait times, complex planning required, construction improves, Summer 2021 may be our last trip (unless employer pays for conference there)

It's hard to ignore that an "annual pass: for unlimited NPS is $80.

 

[NotTheBatesMotel]

It varies a lot depending on our budget/income, life/job circumstances, kid's ages, etc. I took a few year break after getting pregnant. We were going every other year until we got AP's. Once we had AP's we did a "year of Disney" where we went on several trips in a year. We haven't been back since pre-Covid days. I don't anticipate going until November 2021 at the earliest, but probably not until March 2022, bringing us back to "every 2 years."

 

[SaintsManiac]

I went twice as a child and then didn't return until my honeymoon in 2009. Then we didn't return until 2015 for my daughter's first trip. Since then we have been 7 times. We bought annual passes twice and had 2 "years of Disney."

When we return in November it will be 2 years between trips. We've decided to go every Thanksgiving until we get burnout again.

ETA: I live in Louisiana, so we can drive there. That option makes it easier and when we fly it's not pricey and it's quick.

 

[NotTheBatesMotel]

I went twice as a child and then didn't return until my honeymoon in 2009. Then we didn't return until 2015 for my daughter's first trip. Since then we have been 7 times. We bought annual passes twice and had 2 "years of Disney."

When we return in November it will be 2 years between trips. We've decided to go every Thanksgiving until we get burnout again.

ETA: I live in Louisiana, so we can drive there. That option makes it easier and when we fly it's not pricey and it's quick.

Good point on driving. We live in VA and it's a 12 hour drive. Not really quick but completely doable. We always drive and save a good chunk of $ that way.

 

[StageTek]

Typically once a year from California - September. Depending on work schedule we'll go in late November.

Sept. 2018 to 2019 I had an AP so I went five times.

 

[CarlyMur09]

2-3 times per year since 2017. (Once in 2016). Generally April/May and December, with the potential Labor Day trip thrown in. Last year's May trip got pushed to August though, so we didn't do Labor Day.

Right now, we just have one trip in April/May planned, but we have been talking about a Christmas trip again, since we enjoy the holiday offerings at Disney, so it'll probably be 2 if I can swing it with a new job.

 

[teachmedis]

We were just about at the point where we could go once or twice a year when covid struck. I'd like to go at least once a year. As far as the cost, I don't find it to be that out of line with other vacations. If you go to an all inclusive it's similar. A beach vacation? If you're paying for additional entertainment and quality food, it can cost as much or more. I'm a NYer, so if I go into the city, catch a play and a ballgame, that costs more than, say, a weekend at Disney. It costs my family of 4 almost $100 dollars to go to the movies. It's all in how you look at it.

 

[mamaofsix]

We are from Ontario and have a large family, so Disney is very expensive. We go about every 3 years. The in between years, we go to National parks, camping, etc. One year my husband and I took an Anniversary Cruise through Italy and Greece.

My kids favourites have been Yellowstone and Prince Edward Island. Much cheaper vacays than Disney and such incredible memories. I am glad we don't go to Disney every year. It's meant we can branch out and experiences many other wonderful locations.

 

[Micca]

Twice per year, but you wouldn't have to twist my arm for 3 trips

 

[Stratman50th]

We started in 1989, going at least once a year, sometimes twice until 2012.
We are residents now, live 30 minutes awsy and have only been 3 times in the last 5 years.
For various reasons we have probably made our last trip. Leaving some space for others now.

 

[Raya]

Three times a year from Atlanta. More than that and there's not much new to see. But keep in mind we do shorter stays - 3 or 4 days, so only 2 days without travel - and tend to focus favorites and a little seasonal stuff. Our best/craziest trip was our last one - touchdown 10pm 2/13, immediately to Contemporary for special Villaintine's Day Desserts, Disney After Hours on 2/14, pool day 2/15, fly home 6am 2/16.

 

[NashvilleMama]

1-2 times a year, almost always for a long weekend (2-3 park days, usually just 2). We did a week-long trip a few years back on spring break but now those longer school breaks are really for exploring other places. We're lucky in that we're a short direct flight and have Southwest points and companion pass so almost always have "free" flights, otherwise it wouldn't happen.
BTW, we did Tetons/Yellowstone this past July and it was AMAZING. Even during covid and in an RV to avoid hotels/crowds. Enjoy!!

 

[disneyguy87]

We planned on going every other year (with an occasional yearly trip like we were going to in May 2020...). With the longer-term changes announced (Epcot entertainment cut, RoL not coming back, no more EMH, no ME etc.), maybe once every 3 or 4 years.

 

[Dizznee Freak]

Pre-Rona... Every year as soon as school let out. Now we have not been since 2019, but are 76 days away from our return. Going Forward..we will be back to yearly. We have fun planning the Next trip

 

[Mome Rath]

How does one justify multiple trips a year given that? (barring AP and DVC ownership)

You can't bar AP's from the discussion...

You hunt the lowest times of year to go (for plane tickets and/or gas), only stay when you can get a good AP (or bounceback) rate, eat light, cheap or no sourveniers. lol

 

[Jules123]

We’ve been going about every other year. But we just went in November of 2020 and already have a trip planned in May this year. This may be the last trip for awhile now though.

 

[cjlong88]

I visit 2-3 times per year. Our trips our shorter and that allows us to visit more often. The first time I visited it was an 8-day trip. Every other trip since then has been 2-4 days. I'm hoping to plan our next big 8-10 day trip for 2022 (still debating on late January, early May, and late December).

We usually plan last minute when we find a killer flight deal. We often stay off-site using points, so the only real big expenses are the tickets and car/rideshare.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Once every 2-3 years on average. We’ve been in 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 and then just myself and DD in 2018. DS went on his senior trip to WDW in 2018 also.

We like to go other places, and I like variety, so I’ve never wanted to go to WDW multiple times a year. I usually get the itch around 12-18 months after a trip and Plan it a year out. Also disney vacations are expensive and imo you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere so I always have that in mind when picking vacations.

I was going to take DS next month for his 21st bday but decided against it since there is so much that is limited in the parks. I don’t know if and when we will ever get back. It most likely won’t be as a family trip since we would like two rooms and the prices are just outrageous. I still “owe” DS a trip so we will hopefully sneak away when more things open up.

I live in NJ. We drove twice but never again. We can always find cheap airfare around here to Orlando.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

Growing up my parents took us once a year.

As an adult prior to Covid I was going 2 and sometimes 3 times per year.
I'm only paying for myself when I go though.

 

[hedg12]

We started out going once every 2-3 years, but as the family's grown & grandkids have come along that's increased to 3-4 times a year. We only have 1 trip planned for this year though & I thought we were going to take a break from Disney for a while, but SWMBO mentioned that she wants to renew our APs again. I guess that's what I get for thinking...