What's the make up of this group????

[JenniBarra]

I voted "Getting There," but I feel like that category is a technicality if it comes down to how recent my last trips have been. I am vet in grand total of trips, but the time frame is spread out. Trips in 1985 (teen), 1997 (trip w/extended family planned by my mom), 2002 (first trip that I was responsible for planning), every year/every two or three years leading to 2009 (my last trip.) So I am familiar with most attractions and the layout of the parks, but FPP is totally new for me, and I'm used to ADRs but they did not have the scarcity then that they seem to have now.

 

[BK2014]

Not sure where I would put myself. I did college program and advanced internship but I last worked there in 2000. I know there is a ton of new stuff now that I haven't seen. I guess I'd place myself in other but that wasn't a choice.

I am in the same boat. Went multiple times growing up in the 80s and 90s. Did the college program in summer of 2000. Went a couple more times in the mid 2000s, but then didn't return to the parks until last December. Now own DVC and will likely be going every 18 months or so.

 

[DisneyMom93]

I just made Vet with 6 trips from 2009-2017. I feel like I'm a Vet because I've been more than six times and consider myself Disney experienced, but not compared to Annual Pass Holders. I think they should be in a class by themselves! I can't compete! LOL.

 

[Clare Voince]

I'm not sure why you have the 10 year time limit.. I've been less than 6 times in the past 10 years, but have been there 18 times in my life, so I'm definitely a veteran.

 

[HarperLeigh]

Vet. Just under 20 trips in 11 years.

 

[2Zoomers]

We have been going twice a year since 2011. It's hard to believe that our trip in October will be #13.

 

[mel&me]

Currently in the getting there, Usually go every other year.

 

[Peepster]

Next month will be close to our 60th trip. Know that lots of peeps have many more. It will also be one of our last and while it has a tinge of sadness we also know it's time. We've gone from doing the parks "commando" to buying DVC and taking more relaxed trips. We've done the kids, friends and family trips (and while we love them all, selfishly prefer to go just the two of us). But we're both aging, have some health issues and are ready to part with our DVC membership. Vacationing there has also grown beyond the disposable income we will soon have available, too. We still love the Cast Members and hope to visit occasionally. Can't replace the great memories we've made through the years. That's the very long answer to saying we feel pretty much like veterans. LOL!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I would have guessed DIS was 70-80% vets based on this definition -- seems about right to me.

We just got back from trip #20... heading back for W&D in Nov, quick weekend trip in Dec, then next Aug for our longer annual trip. We do new things EVERY TRIP. Whether it's a new show/entertainment/fireworks of some sort, or a new tour or special event, we are never bored.

The way we tour changed starting with trip #3, maybe... once I felt like I really knew the parks well enough to play it by ear in between ADRs (and now FPs). Then there are the obvious changes from going with DS at 15mos, to now DS12 and DD11.

 

[Oneanne]

I've kind of lost track but I think my first trip was around 1989/1990. I've done at least annual trips since then, and within the year that I had an AP (mid-2015 to mid-2016) did four trips... altogether I'm probably at around 40 trips. My touring style has totally changed over the years: used to be 100% commando and now it's stop and smell the roses. Each trip I mix it up and hit the favorites but also find new things to do. Next trip is in November, then it'll be quite a while before I go again because lifestyle and interests are changing.

 

[wookiebeck]

The time frame in this survey makes it tough to vote. I am a veteran of WDW. Type A, super-planner and commando. Twelve visits, each 1 to 2 weeks in length over the course of my life. That is a lot considering many can only do a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Over the past 10 years, we have chosen to do other vacations including Universal Orlando, cruising and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We have slowed down our pace of visiting WDW. None of the magic has been lost, though. I am waiting to begin planning a return trip.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Sorry all- unable to edit survey options. Please feel free to ignore the ten year time frame if you'd like

 

[leahlefler]

We have only been twice in the past 10 years, so definite newbies. I grew up in California and have been to Disneyland a gazillion times, but only to WDW five times. The first time when I was in college with my parents at OKW, then off-site, then at Dixie Landings combined with a cruise - all prior to the year 2000. I have since married, moved to the Great Lakes region, and have 2 kids - we went in 2015 to CSR and my parents joined us. We had an absolute blast and we are going again in Feb. 2018. I use DisBoards extensively for advice as our last trip went off without a hitch and we had our ADR's and fast passes, which made the week more enjoyable. I know a lot of people don't like to plan out vacations, but it is SO worth it for WDW when you are there and don't have to stress because you have everything set up for a great time.

 

[dizneyfiend]

Missing a demographic.

Need - "Used to go frequently, but it's changed so much I've found other happy places."

I spin by the boards every few weeks to keep an idea of the pulse, but neither the parks, (nor these boards ) hold the magic they once did.

But - like everyone who cheers for a happy ending - I keep hoping we see a renaissance!

I'm curious- what is different for you? I know a lot of people feel this way and would love some insights on what has changed. On the boards as well.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Newbies vs Park Veterans?

Curious as to the population of the disboards- Would you classify yourself as a Disney newbie or a Disney veteran? I feel like my responses to some of your questions may vary based off this status.

We were pretty much Disney newbies in 2010- had a 5 day vacation with two kids under 4- and we spent the majority of those days inside a park getting what we thought was the most value out of the pretty price we paid. Fast forward 7 years and 6 trips later and our touring style has COMPLETELY changed.

I'd say I am newby. I have taken well over a dozen trips to WDW but many in my youth which I didn't plan. As an adult, I have planned 5 trips.

 

[mamamelody2]

I guess I'm getting there. Went in 1978 when I was in 2nd grade. Then 2010 and 2016. Going again this November.
Although based on the ridiculous amount of research I have done, I am a veteran. LOL.

 

[sky13]

Currently in the getting there group.
But I also live in a place where there are 5 other Disney resorts that are closer to me than WDW. Don't actually know anyone else who lives here who's been to WDW as many times as me, most people think I'm nuts for flying all the way there for Disney (and this is before they find out how many times I've been there)...

 

[Peepster]

I'm curious- what is different for you? I know a lot of people feel this way and would love some insights on what has changed. On the boards as well.

For us, it's not simply our age, but a few things we miss from the past. For those that have been guests for many years, the food prior to the dining plan was extraordinarily good. Yes, we realize the dining plan supposedly makes it affordable for families, but you have to buy in bulk to make it work. Dumbs down the menus. Just responding to "what changed" for us. Prices (food, tickets, souvenirs) have grown at a much faster rate than inflation. Just supply and demand, what the market will bear...but is beginning to exceed our disposable income. That's a change for us. Hotel rooms, like the Poly , really used to be special in our opinion, but now certainly don't warrant $300-$500 per night. Heck, the Ritz-Carlton down the road is less than that. But does a trip go by that we don't experience some Disney Magic? Nope! The Cast Members ALWAYS make it happen! Never changes!

 

[Meriweather]

Vet at both WDW and DLR

 

[ols386]

Park vet here, at WDW.

I've only been to DL once. Will probably never go back because it's further away from where I live.

My favorite of the two is WDW because it's so much larger than DL.