Yearly trips- keeping it fresh

sdomino11

Mouseketeer
Joined
Apr 3, 2014
Messages
271
In April I went to DWD for the 4th time. It was my kids' (DS 7 and DS 5) second trip. We're already planning on going back May 2015 just us 4, and again in April 2016 for a family reunion of sorts. So that's 3 trips in as many years. For those of you who make annual trips (or those of you lucky ones who go more often than that) how do you keep it fresh and fun?
 
My son will be four in September. We went for his first birthday, the December following and then the past two springs. So, he's been four times in his short four years, and we have two more trips planned for 2015.

I think the best thing is to focus on not being over zealous in what you try to do each trip. Which means you will "miss things". Which is ok if you go often. Also, really explore the hotels--there are alot there, especially the restaurants. Changing up where we eat, really makes it feel "new".

Though, honestly, I love going so often. It truly feels like "home" and we have learned the best times to do things, hte best snacks, the best secrets, etc. THat's what we love!
 
We areAP holders and will have visited WDW 6 times and 2 Disney Cruise in 2014. We tend to try different foods and places to eat. We mix up ADR's, Quick Service and snacks. We also try to stay at different Disney resorts. We also like looking for hidden mickeys, and also recently started taking some of the special tours like the Keys to the Magic Kingdom.

There is so much to do and because we go so often, we really like taking our time and not trying to do everything. There is so much detail and history that we enjoy learning all about it.

Recently many of our close family and friends have been joying us, so it is really great to see Disney through their eyes too, being their first time. Brings us back to when we first visited.
 
I recently found myself in a position where I got to go to Disney in 2013 and 2014, with a potential trip in 2015 and a for-sure trip in 2016.

I can't imagine not having a trip planned. Even though I do a lot of the same things, there's so much to do there I don't mind. I get to meet new people, talk to new CMs, try new food everytime I go, and Wishes never gets old.

While personally I don't think I could go more than once a year, Disney is my happy place and that's why I'm okay going so often.
 

We just make sure to do some different things on each trip. We also don't worry about missing attractions or events. We treat it like an actual vacation. We take our time, spend time at the pool(s), water parks, mini golf. We leave tomorrow and have a bass fishing trip planned this time. We are also doing the Villians Unleashed party. We have rented pontoon boats in the past. There is so much to do to mix it up each time. Even......dare I say it.....a day at US/IOA or Seaworld.:scared1: Last year we spent a day at Discovery Cove and did the dolphin swim. The year before we did the HP stuff at IOA and had NFL at Disney to see. This year it's 7DMT and AK is open late so something a little new. Just have fun with it.
 
While personally I don't think I could go more than once a year, Disney is my happy place and that's why I'm okay going so often.

I went three times in one year. I can honestly say the magic had kind of worn off by that last trip. I still enjoyed my time, but it was just too much.

When I was little, we went every year from age 2 to 14. In the beginning it was just the MK, and a two day trip there was long enough for the family. Then Epcot came along, then the Studios. So there was always something new. We took a break from going through my junior high years, but went to DLR one year instead. By the time I got back in high school, so much had changed it was all new again.

We are planning on going about every two years now, and I like that plan. It keeps it fresh for everyone, including my wife who is not a big Disney person. We try to mix it up with where we eat, mixing up the schedule for the kids, and I'm finding with them, that we're doing attractions I usually pass by on my own. Just seeing the parks in the kids eyes is a totally new experience, which is worth every visit.
 
We go every other year, but I have still had the same thought in the back of my mind... and so 2 trips ago in 2011, I got the Hidden Mickey book, and we had a blast with that!(They were 9 & 7) It was something new while doing all the same old things-perfect! Last trip in 2013 (ages 11 &9) they started collecting pressed pennies, so that was another little something new. We also did the Pirate League for the first time-just a one-time thing, but still something new (and awesome!). This trip coming up in November I'm going to ask them if they're interested in Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, another something new to try if they want to. It's only been a year, (so now 12 & 10) and true confession, we're mostly going for Harry Potter! But I agree that it's nice to be able to add a little spin here and there to keep each trip fresh in it's own way.
 

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