If you've done disneyworld many times how do you keep it exciting?

[prepperpig]

We've been to disneyworld three times, the first when the DCs were only very little, they are now 10 and 8.

We are toying with the idea of one last trip, partly because I have business in Florida anyway. DH is concerned that it will be a bit of a damp squib because we've already been three times (last time we split it 10 days disney 3 days universal).

If you've been lots of times how do you keep it fun and exciting?

In fact I wish we didn't have to take the kids - they cramp our style!!!

I don't mind being compared to a princess , although I'm not a princess and I'm not sitting here moaning about my situation either, simply asking for views and suggestions.

seriously we are going to Italy in the summer and have been three times before. Its not a benchmark, its a completely different holiday. The only things comparable is the cost. Disneyworld will cost us about £5,500 for the fortnight which will include staying in one of the better hotels on site and all meals on the dining plan. Italy in the summer is costing us £5k for a week.

Wow that sounds like you got a bargain there, are you going in the summer holidays??

Have you stayed in a villa before?

No, we always go in October half term Tory partly because of the weather and the lack of queues but also because of the food festival which I really like.

My flight and the transfer would also be covered separately. If I didn't have to go for work it would be £6500.

We stay on site so that we get the free disney dining. Its such a good deal and it means the DCs get to do as many character meals etc as they want.

I think you need to find some other things to spend your money on then. Travel is obviously not broadening your family's mind.

If your kids aren't bored, what's the problem? It's about them isn't it?

I've done WDW 6 or 7 times, and I could COLLAPSE with boredom some days, but the DCs all love it and are now making plans that when they have their own kids, we'll all go on huge family trips there. I can barely contain myself with the excitement of that . . .

I admit that I do love that they are so happy there, that they still get excited, that even the one who has left home will queue up for characters, that it is somewhere that we can all just relax. But would I choose to go there for me? God, no.

And, you've got a bargain - that should make you happy.

seriously I take it you have a fundamental problem with disneyworld in which case I would suggest this might not be the thread for you.

I really don't need tips on how to broaden my mind thanks. I work in an incredibly stressful job running my own business, DH works in a similarly pressurised environment. We have both travelled extensively. Our trip to Tunisia, camping in the sahara and getting the trains around the country to see the sites has been cancelled and instead we are doing pompeii, herculaneum, vesuvius etc. Last time we did Italy we did venice. I am perfectly entitled to book a holiday which is simply fun and lights up my children's faces with delight.

Yes we've stayed in hotels before but prefer villas - just wondered if that might be an idea to change it up a bit? I think staying in a hotel means it's just Disney 24/7 whereas we tend to do more of a variety of things when we're villa based.

We also normally go sept/oct time, I am a bit worried I'm going to be cold in December!

Sorry to digress but I cannot agree that the cost of 2 weeks in Disney equates to 2 weeks in Italy. The cost of flights alone to Orlando in August for my family of 4 (around £4000 with much shopping around) is already almost twice what we paid for 2 weeks in Italy for the whole shebang!

My DC are 10 and 8, haven't been to Florida with them but did once visit there pre-DC, so my ideas/suggestions might be out of date but Fwiw:

I think DS would LOVE the Tower of Terror (but not sure of height restriction?),

DD would enjoy the 'around the world' place. I think I might mean Epcot?

Wouldn't go to sea world or discovery cove having seen that film about the mistreatment of the animals.

Isn't there a massive Harry Potter place now? We'd all enjoy that I reckon.

I think we'd get a villa with pool. Don't think they'd be bothered about the Disney character meals but going to American restaurants and malls would be quite entertaining for them.

Having said all the above, our holiday this year is camping in the Uk!... But i like to plan holidays even imaginary ones.

Hope you have a great time!

As with all things it depends when you book ZaZa. Our flights would be nowhere near £4k. Less than £2300 for four of us.

I would love to find a fortnight's holiday in the summer for four of us in Italy for less than £2k. Ours is costing over £4k and will be close to £5k with spending money for food etc and that's just for a week (although that does include going to pompeii etc)

We did a long weekend in dlp once - it cost about the same as a fortnight in Orlando

I wouldnt go to the same place every year just to please my children if I hated it - yes obviously if the kids enjoy it thats great but its a family holiday and we all need enjoyment. My advice OP is to not go back, or at least dont make Disney the theme of the holiday. If the kids like theme parks then think about California. We are off to California soon for a road trip and will take our boys to Disney - just for a day. Theres much more to do and see in California as its not a them park destination like Orlando. It does have a Legoland, Universal and Sea World to.

Just to the North of Orlando there are lots of orange farms that do tours. They are quite interesting and educational.

We are lucky to go lots of times and we never get bored with it - it's exciting enough for us to just do the same things so I don't find the need to try different things. Not very helpful you though, OP :) Have you stayed in a Universal hotel? That's an amazing experience and was a real highlight for us last time (can you say 'free front of the line passes'?!) Otherwise what an airboat ride? We do try an find different places to eat, actually and I enjoy researching that.