When is more too much?

[Tammy]

I have a good friend who's husband is an exec at disney. They get free passes, hotel discounts ect... They have older children. She keeps telling me to not go as often or Disney will lose its magic. We have been going for 2 to 3 weeks a year beginning 5 years ago. For those of you who have been going far longer than us do yall think there is any truth to that statement? Do your older children still enjoy going with the family? We will be staying a record 15 nights on our upcoming trip and she assures me this will be too long. We stayed 11 nights last June and still were not ready to come home. Any thoughts on what she says?

[TW1]

Yeah, she's trying to keep the lines shorter for herself.

Go for it. Enjoy yourself!

[m.poppins]

the more i do, see, and experience in Walt Disney World the more magical it is, for me anyway.

[DVCerLee]

What about all those annual passholders? They enjoy Disney a lot. Of course, things change. They way you tour changes. You are able to take time to "smell the roses", visit all the shops, see all the shows.
We were at WDW for 10 days. I could have stayed 20.

[Eveningsong]

To each their own.

We love Disney and can't get enough.

[Nelle]

Our children were in HS when we bought in to DVC and we thought that we would go every other year. We did that for the first few years. Our children have vacationed there with us and without us. Our DS was in the College Program and has never tired of going. Our oldest DD wasn't that interested the first few years but now wants to go whenever (of course it helps that her BF loves it there also). Our youngest loved it the first few years but now is more interested in seeing the world, which is great with eveyone else.

Every time we have gone back to WDW we have a great time. It's going home! Sometimes we either stay at a different DVC or focus on different things. When people purchase a second home do they tire of it? It's what you make of it.

Nelle

[zulaya]

She may be thinking that the magic would rub off the more you go. Maybe she's numb to the magic because they can go whenever they want for free?

I know I always have a plan for the next trip and sometimes trying to fit a quick one in here and there.

I have my vacation plans for Disney planned through 2010. How sad is that?

[TrvlPrincess]

We have gone to Disney (me) since 1999 and My husband since Disneyland opened up. and we are obsessed by Disney. There is not one trip that we do not enjoy or when we come home get the Disney Blues! so we start planning for the next. THe DVD on the DVC I think I know it by memory I play it constantly.
I buy all the books I can get a hold of. We have DIsney China, subdue touches thru the house, clothing (that we use in the parks only, we work in offices)
WHat I suspect is that the Magic has come out of her probably since her husband works there he might have seen or heard something negative and it has taken the Magic out of HER!
Plan and do as you and your family like and do not let her tell you anything negative (I also have serveral close friends that work there in different areas, and try to tell me inside bad things but I tell them not to)
I never get tired. We are going in August, November and January!!!! :dancingba

[glypnirsgirl]

I agree with all of the PPs. Magic is what you make of it. I have been a DVC owner since 1994. At one point, my son did get sick of going to WDW. He does not enjoy rides that much and I had a tendency to be a park commando. Once he hit the age that I felt like he and a friend could be on their own, the magic began to come back for him, because he could do the parks his way --- or just hang out at the pool.

This year, my husband and I have been 3 times and we have 3 more trips planned in the next 9 months - a total of sic trips in 16 months. We leave on Friday and I have completed the plans for this trip, but I am working on the plans for the next one! I love the planning an anticipation as much as I love the trips. It just gives me something to look forward to.

Elaine

[Tammy]

Thanks guys! That shorter line for herself post cracked me up! Maybe there is something about getting things for free that makes it less worthy. Who knows! Alot of our friends think we are nuts not just her. They say "ya'll are going to disney again?" It's all in their tone! Or my favorite is "ya'll can go to Europe for what ya'll spend on disney every year!" All valid points but I am allready preparing myself for when my kids get older and do not get so excited anymore. They are almost 8 and 10 years old. I can't even imagine Disney at this point without them but I love reading ya'lls post about couple trips without the kids. I also do not like hearing the negative things about disney because it reminds me of the feeling I got when I found out Santa was not real. I suspected it for a couple of years but really did not want to know the truth! Life can be hard sometimes and it is soo nice to have something that brings a smile to your whole family's face! I really hope I never lose the magical feeling I get when I walk down main street!

[I'mNoPrince]

We are doing 12 days for the first time in one trip but have done up to 27 days in a years time.

I think this will be our best trip . Plenty of time to sit around and people watch to spend the extra times watching a performer a bit longer. No real rushing at all and if we see something we want to do not in our plans we have plenty of time to do it.

Have fun on your trip with DD in HS now we will be doing less trips but making them for longer stays 15 days sounds real nice.

[Hallfamily4]

I can't see Disney losing its Magic. Each time we go, I see something new or enjoy something in a different way. We usually spend 10-14 days at a time, every one to three years. We just purchased DVC in January and I am so looking forward to vacationing EVERY year!! I agree with other posters, it feels like I can now "stop and smell the roses" because I know we have plans to return soon.
I too, get the blues on the trip home....we were "home" in March, and now I am looking forward to the next trip in December!
Like anything...it is what YOU make of it, not someone else...so go and ENJOY every moment!!

[bernie]

I so do not agree with that statement. If you love Disney it never looses its magic. I no sooner get through planning one trip and I am planning the next two trips. We try to stay at least 10 to 12 days each time and we would stay longer each time if we could. The planning and anticpation is exhilerating and the thought of turning onto to Mainstreet and seeing the castle during the day or right when it gets dark and the lights on the street go on absolutely makes we soooo happy. My daughter is 24 years old and still comes with me and my husband every May and October, because she absolutely loves Disney. My other daughter is 29 and comes only at Christmas time because she is not a warm weather girl. We even get excited watching the commercials on tv. The magic is always in our hearts, we have two stones one on the walkway at the Polynesian where we spent many happy times, birthdays and anniversaries and one at the transportation center. We visit them when we are at these destinations. Enjoy yourself and don't listen to other people. Disney is a magical place to be and if you love it enjoy it, no matter how many times you want to visit.

[glypnirsgirl]

We even get excited watching the commercials on tv.


LOL - I thought that I was the only one that does that!

Elaine

[nono]

I think it depends on one's personality. I'm probably not Disney-obsessed, but travel-obsessed. I love traveling, and not just to WDW.

I see DVC like a marriage --


all perfect in the beginning...
then :jawdroppi Oh Lord, this is what I got myself into...
hopefully to be followed by a deep appreciation of the wonders and forgiveness of the shortcomings. :thumbsup:


Personally, I find that taking a year off brings back the magic for me (haven't convinced the H yet to do this in our marriage ;) ) This also gives us time to travel to other places! :coolcar:

[Disneyfreak]

I also do not like hearing the negative things about disney because it reminds me of the feeling I got when I found out Santa was not real. I suspected it for a couple of years but really did not want to know the truth!

You have got to be kidding :jawdroppi

What next .......... are you going to try & tell me that Mickey Mouse is not real!!!:innocent:

[greenban]

You have got to be kidding :jawdroppi

What next .......... are you going to try & tell me that Mickey Mouse is not real!!!:innocent:


Attention all kids!!!

Santa *IS* real!!!

Some adults, as they age loose the sense of wonder that enables them to believe in Santa, just like the adults in the Polar Express.

-Tony

[Tink22]

I agree, it's what you make of it. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the same comment - you're going to Disney again?!? Of course, I'm going again, I'm hooked! Where else can you find so many things to do for each member of the family, no matter what their ages? Honestly, we have thought of trying something new or going somewhere else and several times and can never come up with a better idea. Everything we like is right there. With other destinations you need to drive all over to find things to do, but it's not like that at Disney. We also like to spend at least 10 days there at a time. Any longer is a bit too long for my husband because he sees $$$ signs and gets tired of eating out and lots of people, but he does definately want to stay 10 days. Part of that is the drive from PA is long (18 hrs.) and we don't want to get back into the car. That's another great thing about Disney, you don't have to have a car unless you want to. Now that our kids are older, 1 graduating college on Mother's Day, 1 in college and 1 left at home with mom and dad, we will probably fly more often. It used to be cheaper to drive with 5 of us. Our kids have loved it at all ages. I do have to admit that DD14 would want to bring a friend now that her brother and sister aren't going. I guess Mom and Dad like a slower, relaxed pace. We don't have to be in the parks from opening to closing. We see our favorite things, the new things, and spend more time at our villa and checking out other things, like renting boats, shopping, etc. It is still magical every time! Have a great trip!

[extremesoccermom]

For me it just continues to grow!
DH and I made our first trip in 1994 when DS was only 4. DH did not want to take a Disney Vacation but I wanted DS to have a trip there. We loved it and went back in another 4 years when we adopted our DD4. We looked at DVC then but just couldn't imagine that we would really use it that much or make it worth getting. Although DS18 doesn't enjoy it any more and has not come with us for the last 4 trips DD13 loves it and can't wait to go again and again.
Since that trip we have been a total of 22 time and I have trips planned into 2010. We just bought a resale a year ago in June and are so excited to use it for the first time this Oct.
My mom is in her 70's and still loves comming with us although every trip she says this will probably be my last trip.
I all the times we have been there I still don't think we have done or seen it all. Every time I try to plan a new tour, experience or event.
My home is filled with Disney rooms and my friends find Disney things at garage sales and buy them for me. I just think of Disney or listen to Disney music and feel the pixie dust. When I told the kids I wanted the new German Shepard puppy to have a Disney name DS just rolled his eyes and complained until I told him to come up with a name that I get to approve. His choice was Belle(!!!!), OK I guess he hasn't seen Beauty and the Beast in awhile so I agreed.
Anyway the bottom line is some people like my sister have been once and that was enough although I am trying to talk her into taking the kids 6 and 1 next year if they have the free dining again. Then you have my mom and I that just can't get enough of it.

[Tink22]

To extremesoccermom:

We have a westie named "Tinkerbell"!

[OL60]

Tell her you want to do an experiment on her hypothesis.

If she will provide you with the same deals she gets (Tickets and rooms when you want) you will test the theory she has that you will get burned out on Disney.
Ensure that she signs that she will provide tickets and rooms for free until you tire and thereby end the experiment.

And if this actually flies with her - my family and I volunteer to assist you in your research :beaniepro:goodvibes

[Baltosam]

I never get tired of going to WDW but for me and my family we all agree that you can stay too long at one time. I'm not sure how long that is though. Last year we were down for 14 days.

We had a great trip but all of us were sort of ready to come home. We were on the DDP that trip and frankly were just sick of eating! I'll never do a long trip on the DDP again. Also we have two dogs a German Shepard and a Carin Terrier and all of us sort of missed those two members of the family.

So I would rather do two 7 day trips over one 14 day trip.

With that said though, I think 10 days is the perfect length of stay for a single trip.

[JimP]

So I would rather do two 7 day trips over one 14 day trip.
We are just the opposite. We prefer a longer trip.

We generally like to see most (but not all) of the parks on each trip. When we are there for a longer time, we do not feel any need to rush... we spend more time relaxing... and we come hope somewhat relaxed. On a short trip... it all seems more hurried.

/Jim

[Tammy]

I agree that the one thing I am ready for is going back on our normal diets. I really never cook on vacation and generally I feel just plain gross towards the end each trip thinking about all that I have eatin. Which reminds me it is time to go on my diet as we are hitting typhon lagoon the first day of our trip. Gross I hate dieting!

[robinb]

We have been going twice a year since we bought at OKW in 1997. My DD's first trip was at 4 months old and she has been to every single Disney park in the world. Her last birthday was spent at Disneyland Hong Kong. She begged me to allow her to celebrate her birthday at home this year instead of at WDW :scary:. She wants a regular kid's birthday party. So, we compromised. She will have a birthday party the day before her birthday and then we will fly to Orlando for her actual birthday which is on a Sunday. I told her that most kids don't have a party on the actual day anyway and she went with that. Unfortunately, she is an only child and she is old enough to get bored after a while park-touring with only her parents. She would prefer to go back to the resort and find someone to play with at they pool.

[Ransom]

As long as I go once or twice a year, I don't see how I could get tired of it.

I spend 50 weeks NOT at Disney every year, then 2 there.

I'm supposed to be worried about which?

[lmm1516]

Our family has been vacationing at Disney 4 to 5 weeks a year for the last 10 years. My children have grown up on Disney property. We still can't get enough. The minute we return home from vacation we are looking forward to our next trip....it can't come soon enough. It really is our home away from home and it is still VERY MAGICAL for all of us!

[TinkLover]

Our friends say the same thing to us, you're going to disney again.... yes of course, we don't get tired of it at all, it seems we always find something that we haven't seen or done before. I'm really looking forward to our Nov trip cause 2 of our 3 sons are going with us, which is rare that they go.

[ILuvDVC]

Our children grew up vacationing at Disney. They still can't wait to go and they now take their own children. The granchildren always are asking when the next trip is. The oldest who is 15 has been going since he was very small. Disney is a place we never tire of.

[greenban]

I agree that the one thing I am ready for is going back on our normal diets. I really never cook on vacation and generally I feel just plain gross towards the end each trip thinking about all that I have eatin. Which reminds me it is time to go on my diet as we are hitting typhon lagoon the first day of our trip. Gross I hate dieting!

This is one of the main advantages to being a frog.....

....

We get to eat what bugs us!


http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/rth0601l.jpg


-Tony

[dianeschlicht]

We have been going to Disney World since 1982. We started out with a trip every 2-3 years, and then graduated to more often and on-site. That lead to a DVC purchase over 11 years ago and multiple trips a year. Do we tire of it???? ABSOLUTELY NOT! The only regret I have with each trip is that it isn't long enough (even the 13 day ones), and the next one isn't soon enough!

Robinb, I understand where your DD is coming from. I too was an only child, and I longed to have playmates with on vacation. Try having her choose a friend to take with her on her next Birthday!

[glypnirsgirl]

:iagree: My son is an only child. From the time that he turned 6, he was allowed to bring a friend with him to WDW. It works best if the friend is also an only child so that child does not have issues with their siblings. We also occasionally played host to second cousins (my son is not only an only child, he is an only grandchild, too - so we had to go out to my cousin's children). This works really well. DS was usually quite happyas long as he had someone to play with. Once he hit his tween years, I would allow the kids to even go off on their own once we got to thr parks. Once he turned 14, he was allowed to go to the parks on his own with a friend.

Your daughter will be so much happier with a friend. Just playing in the pool is more fun with someome her own age.

Elaine

[Cruisin]

We have been going every year to disneyland/disneyworld for 7 years, finally going to WDW for 14 days for the first time. We get to enjoy it much more now, we have done the rides, if there are long lines we pass now, enjoy the resorts more, more waterparks, pool time, kicking back. It is nice to relax in such a wonderful place. I think people who are only into rides(attractions) would certainly get bored going year after year, we keep saying that we should go to universal some time, but we just can't find the time!

[JimP]

We have been going every year to disneyland/disneyworld for 7 years, finally going to WDW for 14 days for the first time. We get to enjoy it much more now, we have done the rides, if there are long lines we pass now, enjoy the resorts more, more waterparks, pool time, kicking back. It is nice to relax in such a wonderful place. I think people who are only into rides(attractions) would certainly get bored going year after year, we keep saying that we should go to universal some time, but we just can't find the time!

Cruisin,

This is the first time that you are taking all 4 boys to WDW together right? I think they are going to have a blast. Knowing your boys... I think they will like staying at BCV over the OKW GV.

/Jim

[Cruisin]

Yers we have been to WDW, first time for 2 weeks, and first time for all 4 boys, can you believe we have split them into pairs for 3 years!!

[JimP]

Yers we have been to WDW, first time for 2 weeks, and first time for all 4 boys, can you believe we have split them into pairs for 3 years!!

They are getting old enough that they will find ways to entertain themselves. You and your DW can probably have some "date nights" if you want. That wouldn't have been possible earlier.

/Jim

[Cruisin]

We made reservations for 2 at Lecellier,Narcossees,and California Grill. :)

[Tammy]

Cruisin, I think you should take the leap over to universal some trip. We do it on our longer trips and we all love it! We get the 2 park per day tickets off the internet. You can't do it all but you can have a good day visiting both islands of adventure and universal. They have some amazing rides and special effects shows at both parks. We usually rent a car on property at the alamo car care center as it is cheaper than a cab. Probably shouldn't say this on a disney site but I would go for it sometime if I were you!

[DSNY FN]

We have been going for 2 weeks a year since 96 and we still love it even our kids still love it mind you our oldest is only 11 and she was PO'd that we left her home last Dec when we went down for the MO meet.

[Cruisin]

Oh, we definitely want to do Universal, and I think the next time we will, we have split our boys into pairs the last 4 trips, this being the first time the older boys will be with the younger(8,10,13,14) They will want to share with each other everything at WDW, so this will actually be an extremely fun trip, they absolutely want to do everything together! Next time universal for sure, it is hard to beat that ticket price, also aren't they building a Harry Potter area?

[7swans]

We made reservations for 2 at Lecellier,Narcossees,and California Grill. :)

Excellent Choices!

[7swans]

I think it depends on one's personality. I'm probably not Disney-obsessed, but travel-obsessed. I love traveling, and not just to WDW.

I see DVC like a marriage --


all perfect in the beginning...
then :jawdroppi Oh Lord, this is what I got myself into...
hopefully to be followed by a deep appreciation of the wonders and forgiveness of the shortcomings. :thumbsup:


Personally, I find that taking a year off brings back the magic for me (haven't convinced the H yet to do this in our marriage ;) ) This also gives us time to travel to other places! :coolcar:


This is pretty much my mindset as well, a longer family trip, there are 9 of us not counting the older childrens significant others & our DGD, every 2 years (preferably in the fall) seems ideal to me.

With DH already signed on for the Class of 2009's senior trip, he has found a way to visit more frequently!