Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

My DD will be 7 next week and we have never been. We wanted to wait until she was old enough to remember going. We are getting a nice tax refund and she's been asking so we're thinking about it.

The thing is, I really don't think she will like it. She hates crowds and gets overwhelmed by them. I can see her wanting to hang more at the pool because that's something she likes to do and she won't like waiting in line especially if we go when it's hot.

But I also don't want her to look back and feel deprived. She likes to travel, she loves visiting NYC and Chicago (and for some reason those crowds don't bother her ) and I feel like I'd rather spend the money on the type of trip I already know she'd like.

Did anyone else not do it when their kids were the right age, or not planning to? It just seems so expensive for what you get. My parents didn't take us (though it wasn't the machine it is now) and I never felt like I missed anything- my brothers and I all went as young adults.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

I have zero interest in Disney either. Way too much planning and strategy involved. Too many lines, too many crowds. Basically all the things I'm trying to get AWAY from when I go on vacation.

But for so many people, it's a magical place. To each their own!

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Why not show her some videos online and see if she wants to go? Show her some hotels, some of the parks, etc and see what she says. Does she like Disney movies or characters?

Also, if you go at an "off peak" time, you can avoid the craziness. And there is so much to do other than the parks, as well. The hotels are gorgeous, you can make the park just a snippet of your day. Research what you think she might like, or what park she may like and just visit those for a while each day, taking time to enjoy the hotel, etc.

Not trying to convince you, as I am a Disney fan and I know you didn't ask to hear from us. Just writing to you since you expressed concern that your DD may look back and feel deprived.

Message edited 3/5/2014 6:55:59 PM.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

If you go, line up about 30 minutes before the park opens. You will have a much better time going early morning, leaving to swim in the middle of the day and then go back in the evening. They have a new fast pass system which I am not sure about but it is supposed to reduce the amount of lines you have to wait on.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Maybe just one day at Magic Kingdom and then do the Disney Cruise out of Port Canaveral. The Disney Cruise was unbelievable ! If your daughter enjoys shows, and the characters this may be a fantastic experience for her. It was great for adults as well !!!

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

I really can't imagine any kid who wouldn't love Disney. And there are definitely times throughout the year that are not insanely busy. I enjoy Disney. So I'm biased. But I say go for it. 7 is the perfect age.

Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Me!! I did it with my stepson when he was 9rs of age about 8yrs ago. It sucked, there were fun times but the lines and crowds was just too much even for my SS. DS has been asking about it and maybe I will take him to Disneyland in CA.

I rather a family trip on an island with blue water, which, DS also loves. Worse case maybe a Disney cruise if I can afford it. But quite frankly, Disney is not on my list of family vacations to spend money on.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

I've never gone to disney and honestly with the price I never plan to. Maybe a disney cruise. But otherwise I don't plan on going because my husband doesn't love it wither.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

I'm dreading it. Honestly I'd rather take that money, fly to Cali, do a day at Disneyland then take another trip up the coast. I also have heard the cruise is so much more pricey and obviously you don't get the major stuff kids look forward to at Disney. We're putting money into work in our home right anyway so thankfully this won't be a real problem for a few years .

Message edited 3/6/2014 5:22:31 AM.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Message edited 3/6/2014 7:18:52 AM.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

I go to Orlando 1-2 times a year, but we stay at our timeshare offsite. Something like that may be a good option for you. We spend the week at the pool and go to the parks only one day-obviously you would do maybe 2-3 days at the park. I find the timeshares pool areas much bigger and nicer then the Disney resorts.
Another option would be a week long trip to Florida. You can do 3 days at Disney and then drive to the coast and do the beach for 3 more days. The whole trip doesn't need to be Disney centric.

Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

I love Disney for every age!

We took DS#1 when he was 2; he loved the "magic" of it all....
Then we went back last year- DS#1 was 7 and ds#2 was 3 ....
It was a different experience this time for #1; he knew they were costumes; so no "magic" there- but he loved the rides (esp thrilling ones!) and the shows (things he didn't get to do at 2!)

Of course, for us- we got the best of both worlds.... the magic from #2 and they "fun" from #1....

We went all out.... were there 10 days.... meal plan, rental car, extra shows etc.... the whole trip cost just under 5k, including air fare for a family of 4!

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

We really didn't have any intentions of brining them and they really never asked. Since school started this year they have have been asking if they can go. I always said to my DS (he is older and will be 8 in April) that when he can stand on a line and not complain we can go. He is like your DD, hates to wait for anything.

We decided to go to FL. durning spring break and I mentioned the idea to DH about going for 2 days to Disney and then drive down to our destination since we were renting a car anyway and he agreed (he is anti-disney, lol).

The kids do not know and we are spending 2 days at the parks. I know they will be surprised and now I am really excited about taking them. My kids are 8, 6.5 and 3 when we go. We actually leave the day of DS's birthday.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

I always had ZERO desire to go and my kids weren't really Disney kids until recently. And people seem to get crazy with it and it never sounded like an enjoyable "vacation" to me, in fact it sounded like complete and utter torture to me

My kids (6 and 3) have since gotten really into Disney and DS is in K and hears his friends talk about it and was really asking to go. I knew he too wouldnt enjoy long days, everyday at an amusement park so I figured out a way to do it my way... havent stressed about it one bit, and plan on only doing two days at the park and various other fun things that I know we will enjoy and now I am actually looking forward it!

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

We were reluctant to do it, but I found a great deal and we took three kids this winter and we realized Disney just isn't for us. We dropped over $5k (and that was apparently a steal) and my kids had an "eh" time.
They weren't excited when we told them about it, they weren't crazy excited when we were there but they enjoyed parts of it and had a fun time and now they're asking when they can go back
We don't vacation like other people, though. We camp, we stay with family, we rent cabins in the woods or stay at resorts where KP is required. We really enjoy staycations because we know we live in a beautiful part of the world, we have a boat we use frequently, we take the kids into the city to see museums, eat at different types of restaurants - but WDW seemed like a giant mall to us - food wasn't great, everything seemed very cookie-cutter for middle America, and the cost was very steep for us. I see why/how people like it but it just isn't right for our family to go more than once every few years.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

i'm the same way. DS is only 4.5 but i feel like everyone i know with kids his age has gone already. i'd rather wait to spend all that money until he's older 8-10 and he can remember it. plus right now he's terrified of characters in costumes so its not even an option right now.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Posted by BargainMama

The Disney cruise is SOO much more money than Disney (just as an FYI)

Disney is NOT that expensive compared to most vacations. That is why we go so often. Just depends on where you stay. It can be 10,000 or it can be $2500. Heck, Great Wolf is $500 a night on the weekend, OR more depending on when you go. 2 nights and you are almost a week at a value resort at Disney

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Posted by Kelly9904

Posted by BargainMama

The Disney cruise is SOO much more money than Disney (just as an FYI)

Disney is NOT that expensive compared to most vacations. That is why we go so often. Just depends on where you stay. It can be 10,000 or it can be $2500. Heck, Great Wolf is $500 a night on the weekend, OR more depending on when you go. 2 nights and you are almost a week at a value resort at Disney

See I feel like Disney World is getting really pricey now too! For a family of 4 park tickets for 4 days (not park hoppers ) is over $1200 alone. Add airfare at a minimum of $800, hotel and food, I think you will be well over $2500 for a 4 Night vacation.

I think the 4 nights on the Dream or Magic can be comparable depending on the time of year and category of room. Although those prices are going up too so maybe I am wrong but we priced it last year when we did our cruise, we did a 4 day cruise and 3 days at disney, we foudn the price to be about the same as a week at disney would have cost us.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

To the OP....

A disney cruise might be the right compromise for your family. All the magic that is unique to disney, without the LONG LONG lines and craziness that is Disney world! LOL.

Alot of characters are on the ship and Castaway Cay and we found their accessibility to be much better than most of the time at the parks. On the ship your DD will have nice broadway like shows, pools, a small sprinkler area, mini golf, aqua duck etc...Castaway Cay was just a BEAUTIFUL island we had the best beach day ever there!!!

Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Thanks everyone, there are some great points and ideas here. We were thinking about doing the whole Disney thing, staying at one of the resorts, etc, but I like the idea of a day or two at the parks and a cruise. DH and I also once did Miami and the Keys so now I am thinking about a couple days in Orlando and then driving to Miami, it's only about 3.5 hours away which is closer than I expected.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

No Disney vacations here. My kids are 10, 8 and 2 and haven't really asked either.

My hubby hates the whole idea of it. I don't mind, but honestly the cost is a big factor for us. We send them to private school and we make certain sacrifices. This is one of them. And no, they will not hate me when they get older because there is no emphasis on any aspect of it around here. I first went to Disney when I was a junior in HS. I don't feel like I was scarred for life not going earlier.

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Personally I feel like it's an obligation to take my kids because everyone goes there. However I have no desire to. My kids are at ages where I cannot take them out of school for more than a day so we would be paying a lot for a trip. I feel that there are so many other places I would like to take them to and see myself. We could do a few 4 day trips for the same price!

Re: Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

Anyone NOT do Disney, or not planning to?

We went for the day. We love FL...on our way home from Miami we stopped at magic kingdom.
Another year, we stayed in st Pete and just went for day.
I could not imagine doing a week of it.