Hellobee Boards

@highwire: lol! I was just there at the end of April, and to be honest.. It was a lot of money for what you get! The lines were SO long, and the rides seemed so lame!! I remember liking them when I was young and we went a couple times. It was a fun trip, but I feel like I don't ever need to go back again until we have kids and they are like.. older than whining age. When is that? Never? haha

soooo, I just had to go take a peek at the prices. Um, what exactly does a 3 year old get out of disneyland that is worth $86.00 for a day pass alone!????

I'm in the camp of not getting it. I went with family and Ellie right before I got pregnant with Lorelei. Ellie was 4. She was terrifed of and hated lots of it. The things she liked were things like stage shows-- we can go to excellent ones for much cheaper LOTS closer to home. Many of the things she loved most were things we can do here (playing in water features, looking at animals, playgrounds, the pool). My favorite was riding the bus back to the airport. I'm pretty sure that someone had scripted the conversations because every set of caregivers was asking, "so, what was your favorite thing about Disney?" And, to a child, every child answered either, "the pool!" or "the gift shop!" Yeah-- that's a whole chunk of change to pay for a pool and/or gift shop. Plus it's crowded (no thanks), there are long lines... I can just think of about a million things that would be a better time all around. But I know that there are lots of people who love it (including myself when I was little) so maybe I'm just nuts.

I would never even consider going if we couldn't get the military prices (which are SIGNIFICANTLY less). I don't get it, honestly.

You people are crazy; Disney is the happiest place on earth!

But really, I grew up 1.5 hours away and love for Disney is just ingrained in me. I can't say I would have any interest if I didn't live so close and it wasn't such a huge part of my childhood. But it makes me giddy to even think about going. Except in summer. Those people are crazy.

@BananaPancakes: I agree! Disney is so much fun! I've been over 20 times and I can't wait until this baby is old enough to visit. DH and I went in February for our pre-baby vacation and had a blast. I was upset I couldn't have my usual glass of champagne wandering around EPCOT though

ETA - it's not for everyone. Some people love beach vacations and those make me want to poke my eyes out, ha.

@swedishfish: is right, it's not for everyone. I'm with you I find beach vacations boring.

My family are Disney fanatics. I've been 20+ times and keep going back for more. It is expensive but you have to look for deals. DH and I like to go in the off season to avoid crowds and look for major deals. We stay on property so of we can get usually get 30% off our room or free dining, which helps a lot. I love always having something to do, the great customer service, the shows, festivals and activities. If we stay on property we don't need a car and if we get free dining its almost like an all inclusive.

@BananaPancakes: I grew up 3 hours away from Disneyland and took many trips there as a kid. Some very fond memories for me, which is why I think I love Disney so much.

@yoursilverlining: DH and I LOVE the corn dogs!

As far as savings... I've seen 20% discounts sent to us if we use our Discover card. My friend has a Chase disney card that I think you save a certain % at Disney when you use it. I don't think it's a credit card.. I think it's just her debit card.

Like @bananapancakes, I grew up close to Disney World (2.5 hours away), so a love for the place is ingrained in me. But as an adult, I balk at the prices. It is TOO expensive. Yes, the place is detailed-oriented and the service is great, but even with Fast Passes and everything timed perfectly, you sometimes only end up going on a handful of rides in a day.

However, the Magic Kingdom at night is pretty amazing.

I don't get it either...too expensive! We are planning to take LO there once just to say we did and so she can experience it, but you better believe we aren't taking her until she is old enough to remember it! I am not spending all that money just so she won't remember it when she's older!

This is why we won't take R till she is older to appreciate it. Even if we went she is younger and free, under 2, I think, DH and I would have fun but I would rather wait till she is older and will remember it.

Yeah, I seriously have no idea. If my daughter grows up and asks for it, then we'd consider it. If my husband ever gets sent there on business or something, maybe we'd tag along. But we just went along on a business trip to New Orleans, and we managed to have a ton of fun, even in such a child unfriendly city. I can't imagine paying a ton of money at a theme park when we could just go explore a cool city.

We love DW. We always try and time it out to go on a slow week. Prices are lower and crowds are much lower. Try the first or second week of december. The christmas decorations are already up, weather is comfortable, and crowds are almost as low as they'll get!
Yes it's expensive but I think you get what you pay for. Even staying in the hotel is an experience!

I even think its not that expensive when you look at it. You pay for your hotel, tickets, and meals (sometimes) all together, making it seem more. When you vacation somewhere else you usually pay for it all separately. It actually comes close in cost...we added it up once.

It depends if you're a disney person or not. The higher expense is worth our vacation experience to us!

We don't live close so we aren't planning on taking LO until he/she is old enough to appreciate it.