re: Why are some adults obsessed with Disney World?

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for me, what I find most annoying is that everyone just assumes that if you have kids, you have to go to DW

ever since we had our daughter, we get constantly asked when we are taking her

its like its the ONLY place you can take kids for vacation

that is what I find most annoying

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Yeah some folks can take it too far. But I will say this, you do need to take her here in a few years. I'd say 4 or 5 is the perfect age to go for the first time. The reason I say that is there's a lot of stuff there that will appeal to your daughter at that age that she will be to old for in a few years. How we normally do it is we go every 2 or 3 years. That way every trip there will be things there that your kids like that either were not here the last time or they were too young to enjoy.

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I understand, and I think a lot of people are in the same boat as you. They don't just like Disney or hate Disney they dislike or hate the thought or idea about Disney that is often times off-base and just not correct with how things really are and can be.

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I can definitely understand how the average vacationer could hate Disney especially now that you have to do so much advanced planning. However, if you know what you're doing you can make it a completely carefree trip.

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not yet, as she is only 2

we are taking her with us on a little weekend getaway this weekend though

we rented a cabin on a lake in a state park

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My sister in law and her husband take their son(who is now 4) camping all the time. They have been taking him since he was about a year old. He loves it.


One time when my husband and I went camping...the couple in the campsite next to us had a baby with them(I'd guess baby was like 6-8 months old). They only lasted one night with that baby. They quickly packed up their site the next am. (thank goodness...that baby cried the entire time).

I think someone like you will be able to find success. I do agree that some parents and families feel pressured to do the cookie-cutter activities in Disney. We're not the family that has to have a character breakfast. We're not the family that has to go do this activity or that activity. What we do is look to see what's offered on the days that were going to be there, figure out what we want to do and how we can do those things with the greatest eaves. I mean this in all seriousness, when you guys do decide to go start a thread and I'll really help you planet if you want. There's a lot of off the radar restaurants that are really good and a lot a little hidden tips and tricks to make your vacations a lot better. I strongly believe that success while at Disney World often times is thinking unlike everyone else there because if you think and do like everyone else, that's where you find the biggest lines and the most headaches.

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I mean this in all seriousness, when you guys do decide to go start a thread and I'll really help you planet if you want.

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oh don't worry, I will

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I don't see myself having the money to do DW and another vacation every year.

Impressive for you good sir!

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One more thing I'd recommend is that when you do decide to take your family to Disney for the first time, plan your trip carefully. How enjoyable your trip to Disney is depends a lot on when you go and how you go. I'd talk to some folks who "know the ropes" when it comes to Disney. Your in-laws will be a great source for information. You could also talk to a travel agent that specializes in Disney trips would be a good idea.

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this too

how much does a basic DW vacation run? say 2 adults and 2 kids

$3k? $5K? $10K?

I have no idea

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For a family of your size, depending on where you stay, you can do a week at Disney for $3k or less. Like I said above, do your research and you can even do it with free dining. If you can go during a time when they are offering free dining, it can save you a ton of money.

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Your in-laws will be a great source for information.

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Must not know my in-laws. They went in the 80's when my wife was a toddler and swear never to go back within 100 miles of that place

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say a 5 day vacation, keeping things pretty reasonable, no ballin' type stuff

just a basic vacation with the family

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You could do that easily for under $3K. Stay in a value resort, go during a time when they're offering free dining, etc.

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Must not know my in-laws. They went in the 80's when my wife was a toddler and swear never to go back within 100 miles of that place

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Oh, sorry, I thought you said they were some of those people who go every years. I must have misread.

My wife came across this website a few years ago that might be helpful....

LINK

I've never really read it (my wife is the Disney planner at our house) but from what she's told me, other than the "extreme couponing" stuff this lady has a lot of good info and tips on Disney trips and how to get the most bang for your buck.