Trip Report Bitten by the Disney Bug

No, this is not a report about bed bugs, but more me asking if it is normal to be borderline obsessed with all things Disney after an amazing week there with my family.

My wife and I recently took my four-year-old daughter for her first trip and the first time that we had been there in more than 15 years (as kids, not together). Everything was wonderful from the resort to the food to the fireworks. We had tears in our eyes the first night when we watched the "Happily Ever After" show, and our daughter turned to us and said, "We made it here!" after we had been anticipating this trip for months.

We rode rides, met characters, spent significant time in each of the parks and grew closer together. Ever since we've been home, we've felt a sadness that the trip has ended but also incredible joy every time we see one of the souvenirs that we purchased, watch a "princess" movie or hear one of those famous Disney songs.

Judging by the fact that many posters on this board seem to make regular trips to WDW, I'm guessing it isn't crazy for us to have such warm, fuzzy feelings for our new "happy place" and long to return? I don't think we will make this an annual occurrence because we would never want to grow tired of the trip, but I can certainly see us making the two-hour flight from Pennsylvania every 2-3 years for the rest of my daughter's childhood. The experience was just so incredibly impressive, and we want to see if we can capture the magic again.

 

[SSH]

So nice reading these types of posts: those of us that go often and/or hang out on these boards sometimes get so caught up in how things are different or less than they used to be. I still love the parks, but not like someone experiencing it all fresh. Thanks for your post! Where did you stay?

 

[winstongator]

We went twice as a family before moving to Florida. Labor Day 2013, Thanksgiving 2014. We told our daughters we were moving to FL right after we got into our room at Port Orleans Riverside. We figured we'd get APs. My wife planned the most of the trips that year. We got good value that first year, so got another. I shifted to working part time and got hooked when I took my daughters for a trip right after their last day of school. A perfect pass holder trip. No rushing, no need to hit the most crowded attractions. Great trip as a dad to see my daughters compromising on which rides to do. It wasn't about the details of the trip, it was about enjoying the time with my daughters.

It took a while but I am definitely hooked. At some point I could see us shifting to every 2-3 years, but having renewed our passes, I'll do what I can to 'get my money's worth'.

 

[Disney Dining Dad]

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, which we loved and thought was perfect for us.

But, we would probably want to try different resorts when taking future trips. Leaning toward the Polynesian in the summer of 2020 at this time.

 

[JIMINYCR]

We made our first trip when DS was 8 yo. It was a good age because he remembers so much about the first WDW experience. Weve been back many times during his childhood and it made him have a love for WDW as much as DW and me. Many of us have raised our kids on Disney, he is now returning with us as an adult. We had years when we went once or twice a year due to finances and when work allowed time off. You are going to want to go much more than you get to. Every time you return youll do more and fall in love with it more... Youll never grow tired of going because WDW continually changes and offers more. Each trip is different and each trip brings unique family memories and magical moments. That Disney desire continues to build and the more experienced you get the more efficient and smoother your trips will be. Congrats on joining us Disney lovers!!!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

I'd never gone and when my BF took me in 2013, we walked in and were seated at the Crystal Palace overlooking the castle. I could see the stage show as they turned on the holiday castle lights and I was hooked! It's such a fun week to spend with my DH (now ) and just enjoying being there and exploring the new offerings and enjoying our favorites. Disney is so big and they keep adding new things so we can never do it all but it's fun to do what we can!
I'm glad your family loves it! Enjoy!

 

[LisaBelle]

So happy you’ve been bitten by the Disney bug! We had a similar experience on our first trip back in 2004. Our son was 8 and our daughter was 4. We sat in MK watching the previous fireworks show, Wishes. Our kids were mesmerized and I cried throughout the show because it was the realization of a dream to bring them to Disney when they were young. At the time I thought it was going to be our once in a lifetime trip and I soaked in every moment. We felt the same way when we returned home. Couldn’t wait to go back! Happy to say we’ve been back 5 more times. Our kids are now 18 and 23 and still love Disney as much, if not more than they did our first trip. In fact my daughter is hoping to do the Disney College Program. Here’s hoping you’ll have many more magical Disney adventures in your future. Welcome to the forums. You’ve found “your” people!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Good news.... you're normal.

Bad news..... Your bank account will forever be drained.

We've been going to Disney every two years when the kids were young starting in 2006. As they got older and they have had activities or finances didn't allow a trip to Disney it would be every third year. Now that they are older I've found ways to make it back once a year even if it was just for a few days. Unfortunately we are taking a year off so no Disney in 2019. I'm planning to take our first cruise in 2020 and of course will stop for a few days at parks. Welcome to the Crazy Disney People Club