Disney - How much is too much?
 

My husband is a Disney fanactic. We've been to Walt Disney World at least 4 times before our son was born and a couple of times since he was born. My husband seems to enjoy the trip a lot each time. It's starting to get old for me. Has anyone else experienced WDW burnout and why does it seem to hit some of us and not others?

Because some of us are normal. The fanatics have an unhealthy obsession with fantasyland, AKA Disneyworld. I feel for you. Try separate vacations.

We have four boys and started going to WDW when the oldest was 3 years old. We went at least once a year. As the youngest got older, we went on cruises, to Hawaii a couple of times and California. I would say I have gotton somewhat burned out on WDW for a couple of reasons; First, there are other places to go and see and with older kids, it is a lot easier to travel to far away places. Secondly, when I see the cutbacks in quality and service at WDW, I don't feel that I get the same value that I used to. Shorter hours, fewer resort amenities, no coffee in the room or lobby, no turn down service, things that are standard in most hotels charging those rates are now not available or come with a price tag. I was pleasantly surprised when we visited Disneyland just two weeks ago. The cast members and the cleanliness reminded me of WDW and the way it USED to be.

I just got back from WDW, the place was packed, it was very hot and the lines were long. After my 4 year old saw Mickey she turned and look at us and said, "I am ready to go back to the hotel and go swimming now." Priceless! You wouldn't belive all the parents I saw dragging tired little kids through the park commando style. IMO, a vacation just isn't enjoyable when you have to spend a ton of money, stand in lines and eat mediocre, expensive food. 2 drinks cost us over $5.00. <BR><BR>BTW-We did go back to the hotel and I think our kid got more enjoyment out of the pool there than walking around the park.

We went to WDW once & tied it in w/ a beach holiday near Ft. Lauderdale. Drove up on Tuesday morning. Did water parks. Stayed overnight @ Boardwalk Inn. Did WDW Wed. Stayed Wed night @ BWI. Caught a few more WDW activities Thursday morning & we were out of there & back on the beach Thurs afternoon! Perfect for us. (We also did Epcot on Tues & Wed night)

Thank GOODNESS that others feel the same as I do. I was beginning to made to feel like I was the oddball for calling our last Disney trip the last one.<BR><BR>When the kids were younger we went every year. Basically because they enjoyed it and we knew what we were getting for our vacation dollars. The past year it was more crowded than I had ever seen it, the prices were ridiculous, and all I kept thinking was "Oh, not this again."<BR><BR>I'm not bashing - just glad that I'm not the only one who has had enough and is ready to take my family on a "real" vacation next year.<BR>

Went to WDLand in CA two years ago. Was fun, cost a lot, once was enough. I would rather go hiking or mountain biking.

I just don't get the attraction year, after year, after year. We went 3 times in 12 years, and the last trip a few months ago, will be my last for a very long time unless they do something about the crowds. We also travel to many other places. I love the technology and the attractions, but even without lines, who wants to see it more often then every 3 or 4 years? There are people who go 4 times A YEAR! Those fanatics on the Disboards. <BR><BR>The amazing thing is, some of these people don't go anywhere else. They can't even compare a Disney vacation with another type of vacation because they've never been anywhere else. It's a phenomenon that I don't understand, that's for sure, and if you dare question them, they flip out and start talking about "the magic".

I've been to WDW twice and three time to Epcot. It is getting more crowded each year. I decided I would not visit any Disney parks anymore. Then we went to LA wound up in Anaheim and what the heck I figured I'd see California Adventure. My husband bought the tickets and for $8 more we would get to see Disneyland! I wasn't overjoyed. It was enough for me. They only thing we really enjoyed was the Indiana Jones ride. The only park I'd consider seeing again is Epcot if they add more countries. How about Spain, India, Africa? Or more animatronics...

Think of those who have purchased a fifty year time share and feel compelled to go and use their points. Count me as glad I didn't get sucked in.

He, he. Those are the poor suckers who are so adament about how wonderful WDW is, and who will jump all over you if you say anything negative. I guess they think it might hurt their "investment". <BR><BR>If you're bored, head on over to the Disboards and tell them how much you enjoyed Universal, then sit back and watch them come running out of the woodwork to defend WDW and bash you. It's a riot!

Is this place cheaper than going across country, staying at a dude ranch in BC or Montana, traveling to Mexico, Hawaii. Just don't understand why some families place so much emphasis on this place. Seems that for the money you could show your kids a real castle in Europe. Just curious whatever makes your family happy. I just don't understand it.

Betty,<BR><BR>I don't know about your travel arranger/planner, but you are getting ripped off if you pay as much to go to Disney as Europe, or you know how to get great deals to Europe.

Actually Joe, the cost for a week in Disney vs. a week in Europe for a family of 4 is about equal, providing you don't go to Europe in high season. <BR><BR>A week in Disney, with airfare, park tickets, food, hotel is about $ 3500. A week in Paris with air, hotel and food is the same price. At almost $300 a pop for park tickets, that is where you make up the difference in airfare. Also, Hotels and or apartments in Europe are less expensive than Disney.

Nina I travel with my family to Hawaii, where we stay in condos on the North Shore. This year I think we will spend about $5700 for 3 people (paid more for airfare than I needed to), last year about $10,000 for 6 people but we splurged on a lot of dinners out and expensive acitivities ($80 per person boat ride of Napali). How was it for you in Europe? Did you condo it? Where and how much? I suspect that Europe you don't have to rent a car saving some expense. I never have had a car on any of my trips there.

We have three sons (9,7,5) and I am proud to say we have never been to WDW and I doubt we ever will go. <BR><BR>It's sad to see parents who think that a trip to Disney makes them great parents. And just about every other week there's one kid or another who's missing school for a few days due to a trip to WDW.<BR><BR>Long lines and over-priced everything are not my idea of a fun vacation. Every summer we load our kids in the van and see a bit of America. Some of our destinations may not sound very exciting (last year we went to Omaha!), but we always have a great time.<BR><BR>My kids have never been on an airplane but they've traveled to 21 states (they like to keep track) and have visited many great zoos, museums, monuments and other great American places.<BR><BR>To each his own, but seeing America is our idea of a great vacation.

Karen, I did A LOT of planning and research for Paris and Tuscany. In Tuscany, very close to Florence you can rent gorgeous villas (they don't really have condos), for less then $ 1,000/wk. These places are typically on old estates and "agritourismos" (farms) where they grow olive oil, or vineyards. Owners rent out apartments inexpensively because the government gives them huge tax breaks for doing so. There are so many of them. Most of them with pools and gorgeous scenery. They also come with kitchens which saves a bundle on food. We did rent a car there, but not for Paris.<BR><BR>You can get a ton of info on Family travel to Europe on the Europe board. Check it out. I'm quite sure that it will cost less than Hawaii from the East coast.

We have 3 boys and we've been to WDW exactly once. We all very much enjoyed it and it would be fun to go back one day, but there are other places we want to go. . . last summer we went to Italy and this summer we're going to France. I feel the kids -- and us -- are getting plenty of variety on all different types of vacation. (Next year will probably be Seattle, as my nephew and his wife just moved there. We live on the East Coast, so that will be a nice trip for us.)

Well, I am one of those fanatics you all look down upon. I am leaving next week for my 20th visit. What amazes me is how you all think of people like me as unable to see beyond Disney and travel to other places. You don't seem to realize that some of us actually do travel to Europe and other destinations in addition to our WDW vacations. It's sad, and utterly arrogant.

No ilisa we are not sad and arrogant, we just aren't brainwashed by the Disney hype! My kids didn't really like the place they would rather have been on the beach. AND, the crowds are really getting ridiculous. They stopped early admittance for people staying at their resorts, the place gets too crowded and the lines are too darn long plus the food is expensive and awful. McDonald's has better quality.