-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Has your next trip just seemed unreachable??
- Thread starter EaglesfanNJ
- Start date
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
To WDW? Kinda...We never really plan too far in advance for them.
Disneyland, though....2012 feels like it's about 50 years away instead of three.
Disneyland, though....2012 feels like it's about 50 years away instead of three.
BrerFrog
Active Member
So I guess that makes the trip a little bit shorter to you, right?
LoriMistress
Well-Known Member
DH and I go to WDW every four years. Unfortunately, it's what we can afford. We live in California, and the flights for round trip is expensive. I enjoy planning the trip, instead of a "last minute trip." We go to DLR an average every two years. We go to other places for trips/vacations, but we visit either Disney park(s) every two years.
Big Cheese
Member
LOL, Your husband is right. They'll never remember it anyways.
I want to do a photoalbum so bad of "The Happiest Place on Earth" and fill it with pics of kids crying, etc.
I think 5-6 is the perfect age for a first timer.
I just got back last week when it was 95 every day and never saw so many unhappy kids in my life.
As far as trips, going back in February. WOOT!:sohappy:
toetheline29
New Member
I've only ever gone with my immediate family, and as my parents are in the process of getting divorced, it is really unclear when any of us are going again. My siblings and I find it hard to imagine a trip without both parents. My one sibling refuses to go unless both parents go, which isn't going to happen. I'm the oldest, and I'm in college, so none of us can come close to affording a trip on our own. I'm thinking of doing the CP, but a regular trip to WDW is a long time away for us.
Sometimes I think it's easier to not know when I'm going back, though. It seems like it would be easier, but sometimes I think it would be tougher to have a fixed number of days until my next trip. This way, I can always imagine I'm going at any time. I can price out trips during for during breaks from school, just because. I frequently think something along the lines of, "You know, if I really wanted to, I could just fly out early on Saturday, hit two parks, and fly back late that night...."
My thoughts on taking children who likely won't remember are as follows: even if your child doesn't remember going to Disney when they were really little, you will. You'll always have the memories of them when they were this age, discovering the magic of Disney. You can take pictures and video that will be priceless later. My parents took me when they knew I wouldn't remember it, and there's something kinda cool about knowing that I've been going to WDW since before I can remember.
Sometimes I think it's easier to not know when I'm going back, though. It seems like it would be easier, but sometimes I think it would be tougher to have a fixed number of days until my next trip. This way, I can always imagine I'm going at any time. I can price out trips during for during breaks from school, just because. I frequently think something along the lines of, "You know, if I really wanted to, I could just fly out early on Saturday, hit two parks, and fly back late that night...."
My thoughts on taking children who likely won't remember are as follows: even if your child doesn't remember going to Disney when they were really little, you will. You'll always have the memories of them when they were this age, discovering the magic of Disney. You can take pictures and video that will be priceless later. My parents took me when they knew I wouldn't remember it, and there's something kinda cool about knowing that I've been going to WDW since before I can remember.
DisneyDreamer08
Well-Known Member
His thoughts exactly! He always says, we can just take them to the Cape, they'll never know the difference! I guess if we were ever to take an infant/toddler it would be more for us than it would be for them
IfWeCanDreamIt
Member
My family and I won't be going for at least another 4 years only because I'll be heading into university, which unfortunately requires a fair bit of change. Luckily though, we've been there 5 different times throughout the years. Once in 2001, than 4 years in a row from 2005 to the present year. I'm glad we got to do that, but just think, by the time 4 years go by, there will be so many new things to experience in the parks. It will be almost like your first experience all over again, without the lack of wisdom or knowledge about planning a Disney trip. Just let the excitement build!!!!!!!
a2grafix
Well-Known Member
This December will be my third solo trip to WDW in the past three years (Oct 2007 and Aug 2008 were the other solo trips), all at the Shades of Green, and I believe that once it's in the books, I will put on the Disney brakes for a while.
Life gets in the way, and it did for me. I was very fortunate as a kid to be in a family that had the repetitive chance to visit WDW on a contunual basis from the mid-to-late 1970s through the early 1990s, mainly due to my father's business associations and dealings with Disney.
But as soon as me and my friend vacationed at WDW in August 1993, my next trip to WDW was not until October 2007. Life gets in the way sometimes, but Disney has always been on my radar.
It took me 14.5 to get back to WDW, partially due to me and my enlistment in the US Air Force, but when I was stationed in the Pacific Rim, I had to chance to visit Disneyland in Anaheim for a day in June 1999, before the California Adventure project was completed.
With the global economy as it is, my life as it is playing out right now, and with the WDW Fantasyland expansion, another trip to Orlando might be out of the question for a few years. But with the Harry Potter land about the open at Universal Studios, I still might plan a Central Orlando trip in the near future.
I have plans in the works to revisit Anaheim and my ultimate goal is to visit Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Paris Disneyland soon. I'm also planning a trip to Europe, so Paris' parks are in the forefront after Anaheim, in addition to Hungary, Spain, United Kingdom, and Italy.
Life gets in the way, and it did for me. I was very fortunate as a kid to be in a family that had the repetitive chance to visit WDW on a contunual basis from the mid-to-late 1970s through the early 1990s, mainly due to my father's business associations and dealings with Disney.
But as soon as me and my friend vacationed at WDW in August 1993, my next trip to WDW was not until October 2007. Life gets in the way sometimes, but Disney has always been on my radar.
It took me 14.5 to get back to WDW, partially due to me and my enlistment in the US Air Force, but when I was stationed in the Pacific Rim, I had to chance to visit Disneyland in Anaheim for a day in June 1999, before the California Adventure project was completed.
With the global economy as it is, my life as it is playing out right now, and with the WDW Fantasyland expansion, another trip to Orlando might be out of the question for a few years. But with the Harry Potter land about the open at Universal Studios, I still might plan a Central Orlando trip in the near future.
I have plans in the works to revisit Anaheim and my ultimate goal is to visit Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Paris Disneyland soon. I'm also planning a trip to Europe, so Paris' parks are in the forefront after Anaheim, in addition to Hungary, Spain, United Kingdom, and Italy.
smk
Well-Known Member
WOW, Great post. I feel the same way and frequently do "plan" trips that I know I can't take, sometimes it does make me feel more in control of things. Even tho we waited until our kids were old enough to really remember the trip we still have great memeories of their first trip and they were 9,11 and 13. I think parents always enjoy watching their children enjoy something, no matter what age. You are fortunate to have so many good memories of going with both parents, it is important to make memories with people we love.
PattyBell
Active Member
We toke our DD for the first time when she was 3 y and 8 m. And she loved it. Just to see her jumping all around saying " LOOOOKKKK there is Mickey....Goofy". And when she met the Princess? She couldn´t speak.
It was an amizing trip.
Then we toke her when she was 5y. She remembered some things and was so happy to be back.
Our next trip is in january, she will be 6y and can hardly wait.
It was an amizing trip.
Then we toke her when she was 5y. She remembered some things and was so happy to be back.
Our next trip is in january, she will be 6y and can hardly wait.
plaz10
Well-Known Member
I'm a college student and I really don't have the time or money to go down every year, even though I would love to.
Plus my boyfriend just started med school - so we REALLY don't have the time or money to go.
But the mental planning of another trip does help
I'm thinking our next will be after the fantasyland expansion. so we're talking 3 or 4 years until our next return. but im very much looking forward to it! haha
going on wdwmagic everyday helps keep the disney dreams at bay...for a little
Plus my boyfriend just started med school - so we REALLY don't have the time or money to go.
But the mental planning of another trip does help
I'm thinking our next will be after the fantasyland expansion. so we're talking 3 or 4 years until our next return. but im very much looking forward to it! haha
going on wdwmagic everyday helps keep the disney dreams at bay...for a little
montyz81
Well-Known Member
We have a similar problem. Live in NH and had planned to go every 3 years. My wife is convinced that going every year will make it seem like it is as easy as driving to Six Flags New England. She also thinks it will loose the magic for him the more we go. I am in the middle on this. I think it can get regular the more you go and going ever few years gives Corporate Disney the change to change things in the park so you see new stuff ever time you go. Also, we don't visit everything so that we have a chance to try new rides every time we go. The strategy has worked so far. Each of our last 3 trips have been completely different experiences. So I am all for spreading out the trips. Living vicariously through the WDWmagic board members and making each trip a unique memorable experience.
My wife and I have been every year since 2001. We moved the dates around a little but since 2003, we have spent every New Year's at WDW. Our oldest daugther took her first trip when she was 8 mos old and she is now 6 yrs old. Our newest addition (2nd daughter) will make her first trip at New Year's this year and she will be 8 mos old.
Our trips are always 8 to 10 days long.
You will be surprised what a child will remember even from early age trips. My oldest will point things out now that she remembers when she was real young and I cant believe that she actually remembers it.
Our trips are always 8 to 10 days long.
You will be surprised what a child will remember even from early age trips. My oldest will point things out now that she remembers when she was real young and I cant believe that she actually remembers it.
This certainly isn't the direction i wanted to take the thread by any means... so i'll leave it at this. I've said this numerous times before, but it's up to the type of child you have, and up to the adults to determine what kind of vacation it will be. To each his own, so i don't blame you one bit for thinking 5-6 is the ideal age... everyone is different and i respect any person who thinks that way. We took a 15 month old and had the time of our lives. You are 100000% correct in that she will not remember the trip anyways, but we will, and we have beautiful pictures and video to prove it (see my trip report for the evidence if you'd like) But hear this...... I live near the Jersey shore and i could have plunked down $1500 for one week in a shore house, plus spending money, plus food and groceries, plus entertainment. Or i can spend less than that and go to Disney World, which we just did.
So no, her husband is not "right". EVERYONE is right because it's a subjective thing, it's opinion, and it's to each his own
My family and I won't be going for at least another 4 years only because I'll be heading into university, which unfortunately requires a fair bit of change. Luckily though, we've been there 5 different times throughout the years. Once in 2001, than 4 years in a row from 2005 to the present year. I'm glad we got to do that, but just think, by the time 4 years go by, there will be so many new things to experience in the parks. It will be almost like your first experience all over again, without the lack of wisdom or knowledge about planning a Disney trip. Just let the excitement build!!!!!!!
Well said, and you truly captured what i was trying to get a feel for with this thread. By the time we go back so many new things will be there, the new Fantasyland obviosly being #1 on that. So the excitement can start!
stainofmind
New Member
I can relate to a lot of the pain vibes I'm getting in here. Although we've managed to go each year/winter since my first trip (this year will be my 4th), we plan to take next winter off, which is too bad, because my youngest will be 3, which is how old my oldest was on her first trip, and I remember her elation.
We're taking the year off because we want to experience something else, and something cheaper. Flying in from Wisconsin (non-direct to boot), and dead-set on a moderate (at the very least), it adds up.
If I had my way, I would go multiple times a year. I find the whole experience more magical than I think even my kids do. Not being there really kind of sucks. I have even gone so far as to try to convince my almost retired folks to relocate to the Orlando area, and looked for jobs and/or clients in the area.
We're taking the year off because we want to experience something else, and something cheaper. Flying in from Wisconsin (non-direct to boot), and dead-set on a moderate (at the very least), it adds up.
If I had my way, I would go multiple times a year. I find the whole experience more magical than I think even my kids do. Not being there really kind of sucks. I have even gone so far as to try to convince my almost retired folks to relocate to the Orlando area, and looked for jobs and/or clients in the area.
SMK great post yourself!! You are absolutely 100% correct... it is important for us to make memories, no matter what age. We enjoyed her interacting with the characters, playing in the kiddie pool, watching the fireworks...it was endless.
Those miserable kids that some other posters want to talk about making an "Album" of... that's because their parents push them to the brink and have no clue when to stop... We knew we should take breaks in the afternoon and take naps... as a result, our 15 month old made it till 11 pm one night, no meltdowns.
DisneyDreamer08
Well-Known Member
Hey EaglesFan... you're right, I totally started getting people off topic! Sorry about that
Just for the record though, I'm totally on your side! Just from reading the trip reports on this site (yours included) I know many families have a truly magical time at Disney with infants/toddlers. And believe me, I will do my best to try and get my husband to realize that! :animwink:
Just for the record though, I'm totally on your side! Just from reading the trip reports on this site (yours included) I know many families have a truly magical time at Disney with infants/toddlers. And believe me, I will do my best to try and get my husband to realize that! :animwink: