Help Me Avoid the Mouse! (Disney World)

[Fowl Play]

I'm talking about Disney World.... my goodness, that Mouse likes his money!

Wife asked to take the kids to Disney World next year. I am all about "Happy Wife, Happy Life" -- so if that's what she want's, I'll make it happen. But I figured I'd at least look into some other options to float by her. 1 week trip, Annual Passes, Animal Kingdom Lodge, air travel, Food... honestly this trip would be pushing close to $15K.

Any other options you guys think I should look into to possibly sway this thing? It would have to be "Grand" probably. Talking small boat cruise to the Galapagos Islands or something crazy to that equivalent, but more family oriented

Kids are 7 and 9, totally cool with traveling. We've done all the major national parks, 10 days in Iceland this year, etc. kids had a blast. Just having a hard time swallowing that kind of money to go stand in lines, bump shoulders with 1,000 people, and hug princesses -- knowing it could be turned into an absolutely amazing nature oriented vacation. Give me all your ideas!

 

[Hunt_Jefferson]

Have fun at Disney World!

 

[idcuda]

You can do this. I fought the fight for many years as my buddies folded all around me. My boys are all in high school now, so I can relax until I have grandkids. Then it'll start all over again.

 

[CptBlkBrd]

We've been to Disney World and Disneyland several times each. Weve never stayed on property. You can go for a fraction of that price if you dont stay on Disney property. You guys are going for a week. By staying in a bnb, you'll save money on the lodging and youll save money by being able to cook meals too.

 

[idcuda]

We've been to Disney World and Disneyland several times each. Weve never stayed on property. You can go for a fraction of that price if you dont stay on Disney property. You guys are going for a week. By staying in a bnb, you'll save money on the lodging and youll save money by being able to cook meals too.

Fowl Play, these are the guys you gotta watch out for.

 

[mulveymo]

As a kid who went to Disney a handful of times at various ages, I can tell you they'll barely remember it by the time they're in high school.

I'd look into Alaska in the summer. Incredible hiking, whale watching, fishing, and you can probably get some peeks at the local wildlife and saw some money.

 

[dreadi]

Go when it's not peak season or a major holiday weekend. Take the kids out of school and go during the week.

Ask yourself how much you're going to spend in transportation staying off property vs staying on property, and how much time you'll spend driving.

Disney has major brands on property such as Hilton. So if you have Hilton points you may want to use them.

Fort Wilderness is nice for the "not a hotel" experience. If you're traveling via RV, it's a nice camp destination. They also have fifth wheels and cabins, you can cook meals in them.

To completely avoid scams, only buy your passes directly from Disney. You can shop your options on their website. You easily spend an entire day in one park. If you or your family are into Star Wars, Galaxy's Edge is great. Budget for collectibles if you're into that, budget big.

You and your wife can purchase and carry around adult beverages in the parks. Since she is suggesting this trip, find out what Disney things to do she's into and find out how to make the most magic happen. Ask the cast members. Ask when you're buying tickets. Make the magic happen for your wife.

Sometimes the fast pass is worth it depending on the crowds.

Take the time to suspend your adult realities and enjoy the happiest place on earth. It really can be magical if you're willing to be so as well.

 

[Bobcat]

Don’t do it! The mouse is the root of all evil!

My wife knows I won’t go. She brought it up a couple years ago and I suggested she have some well deserved alone time and I take the boys hunting instead. It was a win win

 

[JFK]

My family travels a fair bit as well and I’m generally open to different places and suggestions. Disney isn’t one of them.

Kids don’t know what they don’t know. My son asked if we could go to Disney and I asked him if he’d rather do that or go to the mountains and fish. He quickly and confidently said “Fish!” Parents build Disney up as the end all, be all, thing for kids to do and it’s simply not. Expensive as hell and basically zero redeeming value in terms of life experience. You can go see real castles in Europe for $15k. Or fake ones in Florida. Hard choice.

 

[insanelupus]

Growing up, my wife's family went to Disneyland several times.

I never wanted to go. First time she took our kids, I stayed home because of work.

Agreed to go several years ago, it was something my kids (tween/teen age) wanted to do as a family. I set the money aside, and committed to staying in budget, which was generous for the event, AND not fussing about prices while we were there. That last part was key. And i had one goal, get a picture with Tigger! Lol.

Awesome trip! As my wife walked around Disneyland, I heard stories of her family from back in the day I'd not heard in 20 years of marriage. Great memories and I'll go back with them, someday.

For my wife, Disneyland was for her like hunting season is for me. Best I can explain it. I got to share in that, with my kids.

It would be like taking my wife and kids on an awesome elk hunt, the combination of fond past memories and excitement of new adventures together.

It's a once in a while thing. Yes, it's expensive, yes the prices are kind of stupid, all that is true.

But it was HER adventure she asked me to be a part of AND it wasn't about me, it was about me sharing something with her and the kids they will remember for a long time.

If you go, decide to have a good time and make it a wonderful memory, then just relax and have fun. Commit to it all the way and be there to create an adventure with them.

I wish that had been a lesson I learned much earlier in life!

 

[tony]

15K !?

Thats why I'm No wife, I have a happy life.

 

[Moneyball]

My .02...Took my kids to Disneyworld with the wife.

At the same time, my retired parents took a trip with a few other family members. They went to the Dominican, stayed in a 10,000 sq ft AirBnB that came with a chef, maid, and a private beach. They also stayed one day longer than we did at Disney and it was the same cost.

 

[BravoNovember]

We’re planning on going in March. I’ve never been and never wanted to ever go.

That being said my daughter will be 5 and is princess and Minnie Mouse obsessed right now. I’m sure that the look on her face when she gets to “meet” the characters will be worthy of the price tag.

“Buy the ticket, take the ride”
- Hunter S. Thompson

 

[sndmn11]

Duff Gardens

 

[Gman12]

IMO, this is one of those things that you just have to bite the bullet and do. The good news is that once you go, you are off the hook for the rest of your life and never have to endure it again. Your kids are the perfect age and this is one of those battles that is not worth fighting. My suggestion would be to maybe only go to the parks 3 or 4 days and tie in something else with the trip like maybe a few days at the coast for a couple of days. I am with you as I hated going there but my wife and young kids loved it so I went along with the program and pretended that I liked it as well. If I ever go again, it will be with future grand kids.

 

[Thorntoe89]

Don’t support the evil. Wife can get over it.


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[Eship]

Wow, I’m glad my wife and no one in my family likes anything Disney. I’ve never had to go and never will. You might just have to do it and try to have fun, but make it a point to not make it some annual trip like some people do

 

[ColoradoV]

I was hesitant to go to Disneyland the first time my wife and 2 girls wanted to go…

Went in like I do w everything open mind and had blast watching my girls take it all in. They were 3 and 6.

Next time we did Disney world and its spread out nature, 4 parks, taking busses, and the like made us like Disneyland more.. Wilderness kingdom is cool giraffes right outside the hotel balcony.. Girls were 6 n 9. Overall awesome trip!

Last time we went was last summer my girls were 9-12 to Disneyland everyone had a blast. Went w family friends who we hunt/snowmobile w and yeah all of us had fun.

Honestly I would not go if I could not stay on the Disney campus it allows a lot of perks and the hotel pool and amenities are nice. Extra hour in the park is cool. We do 4 days in the park so no rush for lines. If ya know how it works and stay on campus as well as avoid busy times we were able to walk on to most rides. Being able to easily walk back to take a nap = priceless! Fireworks from hotel balcony
were super cool as well..

Crazy but not something I thought we would do multiple times yet here we are. Pry going back for 4 days next yr as others have said in the off season next year.

I would say go and embrace Disney do everything you can to help your fam enjoy it and I bet ya have a good time. My daughters still remember every princess they met even when they were 3……

Not hunting or outdoor related I get it but we also snowboard, hunt, surf, backpack, dirtbike raft, float fish, fish high lakes, or are outdoors pry more than most so fun to rub elbows w city folk and enjoy what Disney is all about once every couple years.

My 2cents is yeah go embrace it and have a good time….

 

[Desk Jockey]

My kids are 15 and 17. We did Disney / Land 3x. It ain’t cheap but the kids really enjoyed it then and remember the trips, except the first one, as great memories.

Trip 1 - Disney land 1 day. We were in CA. Kids were 4 and 6. They loved it but hardly remember. I would have waited a couple of years.

Trip 2 Disney parks and universal. We did a day each at the Disney parks and 2 days at universal. Kids were 8 and 10. Perfect age. Expensive. Would have skipped Epcot. Did a day at a water park that was a big hit as was Lego land.

Trip 3 - Disney parks and universal - kids were 11 and 13. Hit Disney, Epcot and universal during a basketball tournament. Oldest kid was aging out of Disney stuff. Faster rides and Harry Potter at universal were big hits. Epcot great for parents dinner and a little boozing.

A few thoughts:

Do it if you can. Your kids will love it and remember it.
There is no way around it. Family of 4 is going to run $1000 a day with park passes, food and hotel.
Look for deals but there really weren’t a lot of great ones.
We hit the parks early and then went back to hotel for a midday break and then stayed until close.
Fireworks are badass
Universal was a big hit.
Consider Lego land (a bit of drive) and water parks
Take a day off midweek and enjoy your hotel pool and Orlando.

 

[KurtR]

My wife wanted to go when my son was younger and told him about it at the time he didnt like lines and said he was not interested so he dodged that bullet for me. I would have went and had fun either way but after hearing the stories from my brother who has been multiple times its not my jam.