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How do you keep WDW "feeling new?"

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Sat, 06/13/2009 - 13:58
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How do you keep WDW "feeling new?"

Mousetraveler mentioned in the "best WDW scent" thread that he was going to notice new scents the next time he was at Disney. That got me thinking--how do we WDW vets keep the parks and resorts (and property in general) fresh enough that we don't get tired of visiting? Do you try something new each trip? Do you reserve certain special events? How do you keep WDW from getting stale?

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Sat, 06/13/2009 - 14:17
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Good question.

My wife and I experience something akin to this. She tends to think we're doing the same things over and over, while to me just the experience of being there and even doing the same things over and over make the trip worth it.

I can't really explain this, but my thrills are less about the experiences and new things, but the rekindling of old feelings and emotions of the last 35+ years.

To me, a feeling of "all is well with the world" is rekindled when I go, even if I don't do a single new thing.

Don't get me wrong, I love having new things to look at and experience, but if WDW didn't change a bit over the next ten years I could visit over and over and care less.

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Sat, 06/13/2009 - 14:22
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I agree with MT that the "newness" isn't key but we still like to try some new things each time. We always try a new restaurant and sometimes we try to work in a visit somewhere else (like Universal) if the trip is long enough.

I would say though that our approach isn't always just to reminiscence. I would say 5 times out of 7 the thing we're most looking forward to on the trip turns out to be a bit of a drag and something new turns out great. Our "favorites" are always changing. In some ways it seems we just sort of naturally get our newness.

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 14:25
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Disney probably has as close to perfect as you can get, the mix of maintaining what we love, while at the same time putting in some new so we don't get bored.

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Sat, 06/13/2009 - 17:16
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When Caitie and I told people we were going there on our honeymoon, everyone kept saying "You just went two years ago, why go back?"

Caitie had the PERFECT answer: "You go to the beach again and again and it's the same thing - there's a heck of a lot less to do there than at Disney!"

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Sat, 06/13/2009 - 20:08
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teacherdrama wrote:
When Caitie and I told people we were going there on our honeymoon, everyone kept saying "You just went two years ago, why go back?"

Caitie had the PERFECT answer: "You go to the beach again and again and it's the same thing - there's a heck of a lot less to do there than at Disney!"



Some people even fly really far and pay a ton of money just to stay on the beach.

Sun, 06/14/2009 - 01:48
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MouseTraveler wrote:
Disney probably has as close to perfect as you can get, the mix of maintaining what we love, while at the same time putting in some new so we don't get bored.



I think that's true; there's SO much there that something's bound to have changed when you go back, but enough of your favorites are there that you get to reacquaint yourself with the old while experiencing the new.

@teacherdrama: tell Caitie that's a great answer! Also, people go back to the same beach/lake house every year; what makes that not "boring?" The memories and good feelings you get!

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Sun, 06/14/2009 - 17:00
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Good question! My knee-jerk reaction was that since I only just went for the 2nd time in 2 years, it felt new even though I'd been there before, because it had been so long. But the more I thought about it, I realized that wasn't true. What I loved about this trip was trying new things--rides, shows, resort, restaurants, etc. However, I also noticed that some of the rides that were my favorites during my first trip really didn't impress me this time (like Maelstrom, the Great Movie Ride, and Spaceship Earth). I felt they were lackluster. I'd get to the end and go "That's it?" Somehow, I remembered them as being better than they actually were.

So it's probably good that I only visit every few years. Since Disney doesn't really revamp old rides or add new ones very frequently, I'm afraid I'd have the same reaction to all the rides eventually.

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Sun, 06/14/2009 - 18:09
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SoloFriendly wrote:
However, I also noticed that some of the rides that were my favorites during my first trip really didn't impress me this time (like Maelstrom, the Great Movie Ride, and Spaceship Earth). I felt they were lackluster. I'd get to the end and go "That's it?" Somehow, I remembered them as being better than they actually were.

So it's probably good that I only visit every few years. Since Disney doesn't really revamp old rides or add new ones very frequently, I'm afraid I'd have the same reaction to all the rides eventually.



That's a good point; some rides are fantastic the first time through, but you really only need to ride them once every few years. I think that's why, the more often I go, I find myself focusing more on things outside of the parks--resorts, Fort Wilderness, Downtown Disney, etc.

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Sun, 06/14/2009 - 18:12
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SoloFriendly wrote:
Good question! My knee-jerk reaction was that since I only just went for the 2nd time in 2 years, it felt new even though I'd been there before, because it had been so long. But the more I thought about it, I realized that wasn't true. What I loved about this trip was trying new things--rides, shows, resort, restaurants, etc. However, I also noticed that some of the rides that were my favorites during my first trip really didn't impress me this time (like Maelstrom, the Great Movie Ride, and Spaceship Earth). I felt they were lackluster. I'd get to the end and go "That's it?" Somehow, I remembered them as being better than they actually were.

So it's probably good that I only visit every few years. Since Disney doesn't really revamp old rides or add new ones very frequently, I'm afraid I'd have the same reaction to all the rides eventually.

Great Movie Ride to me epitomizes the kind of ride that is great every once in a while but certainly not an every tripper. I find the same thing with Dining. My favorite from the last trip is usually not my favorite on this trip. Maybe it's partially higher expectations and partially randomness. Then there are the things that never disappoint every trip. I think if you go frequently you usually have a rotating list of "must do" things.

Sun, 06/14/2009 - 18:18
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teacherdrama wrote:
When Caitie and I told people we were going there on our honeymoon, everyone kept saying "You just went two years ago, why go back?"

Caitie had the PERFECT answer: "You go to the beach again and again and it's the same thing - there's a heck of a lot less to do there than at Disney!"

I will probably use that in the future. I can't count the number of people over the years who have said something similar to that, yet they're off to the same beach year after year.

That quote belongs in the wdwforgrownups "Hall of Fame" quote page. (Oughta start one!)

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Sun, 06/14/2009 - 22:47
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MouseTraveler wrote:
teacherdrama wrote:
When Caitie and I told people we were going there on our honeymoon, everyone kept saying "You just went two years ago, why go back?"

Caitie had the PERFECT answer: "You go to the beach again and again and it's the same thing - there's a heck of a lot less to do there than at Disney!"

I will probably use that in the future. I can't count the number of people over the years who have said something similar to that, yet they're off to the same beach year after year.

That quote belongs in the wdwforgrownups "Hall of Fame" quote page. (Oughta start one!)

I always use Hawaii as an example but the generic beach is a better one because there is a lot to do in Hawaii.

Mon, 06/15/2009 - 19:46
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Lately I seem to be keeping it new by not getting to go as often as I would like. sad

Tue, 06/16/2009 - 14:40
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MouseTraveler wrote:
teacherdrama wrote:
When Caitie and I told people we were going there on our honeymoon, everyone kept saying "You just went two years ago, why go back?"

Caitie had the PERFECT answer: "You go to the beach again and again and it's the same thing - there's a heck of a lot less to do there than at Disney!"

I will probably use that in the future. I can't count the number of people over the years who have said something similar to that, yet they're off to the same beach year after year.

That quote belongs in the wdwforgrownups "Hall of Fame" quote page. (Oughta start one!)



Hey! That's a great idea! Or at least an article about "what to tell your friends when they just don't get it."

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Fri, 09/03/2010 - 23:05
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Take different people with out and try to get a first timer so you remember that first sense of awe, or just a different perspective Smile Sometimes with kids(niece and nephew) or sometimes with just adults

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Sat, 09/04/2010 - 00:34
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I am finding that I'm going to the same resort a few times in a row until I'm ready to move on.

I'm now going thru an Animal Kingdom phase so probably next year will try for Bay Lake with a little help from Tink. It's so nice to repeat the same place but take the time to explore all the nooks and crannies by slowing down the pace.

I do find that I do less park time than years ago and more resort time and just enjoying being with the people that tag along.

I guess it's a sign I'm getting older but IMO wiser and knowing that I don't have to do everything on every trip anymore.

That seems to keep things new for me. biggrin

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Sat, 09/04/2010 - 01:23
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Awe great thread to resurrect for us newbies!

We haven't been in forever so it will all be new again..but..there was a time we went every 3 months and we would keep it new and fresh by stay at new resorts, dining in different restaurants and skipping rides even if we loved them to bits because we knew we'd be back really soon.

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Sun, 09/05/2010 - 13:54
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chriskre wrote:
I am finding that I'm going to the same resort a few times in a row until I'm ready to move on.

I'm now going thru an Animal Kingdom phase so probably next year will try for Bay Lake with a little help from Tink. It's so nice to repeat the same place but take the time to explore all the nooks and crannies by slowing down the pace.

I do find that I do less park time than years ago and more resort time and just enjoying being with the people that tag along.

I guess it's a sign I'm getting older but IMO wiser and knowing that I don't have to do everything on every trip anymore.

That seems to keep things new for me. biggrin

We tend to bop around to try to avoid "wearing out" a resort. They all have their charms so we figure we just go wherever they have the best deal.

Sun, 09/05/2010 - 13:54
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chriskre wrote:
I am finding that I'm going to the same resort a few times in a row until I'm ready to move on.

I'm now going thru an Animal Kingdom phase so probably next year will try for Bay Lake with a little help from Tink. It's so nice to repeat the same place but take the time to explore all the nooks and crannies by slowing down the pace.

I do find that I do less park time than years ago and more resort time and just enjoying being with the people that tag along.

I guess it's a sign I'm getting older but IMO wiser and knowing that I don't have to do everything on every trip anymore.

That seems to keep things new for me. biggrin

We tend to bop around to try to avoid "wearing out" a resort. They all have their charms so we figure we just go wherever they have the best deal.

Sun, 09/05/2010 - 15:28
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I dont have to do anything to keep it new...Disney does that for me..and even if there is nothing new I still go...Its like that old worn 10 year old sweatshirt I have in my closet..its all about comfort..its my blankie..the place I go where magic has no bounds.

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Mon, 09/06/2010 - 03:13
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Brad wrote:
chriskre wrote:
I am finding that I'm going to the same resort a few times in a row until I'm ready to move on.

I'm now going thru an Animal Kingdom phase so probably next year will try for Bay Lake with a little help from Tink. It's so nice to repeat the same place but take the time to explore all the nooks and crannies by slowing down the pace.

I do find that I do less park time than years ago and more resort time and just enjoying being with the people that tag along.

I guess it's a sign I'm getting older but IMO wiser and knowing that I don't have to do everything on every trip anymore.

That seems to keep things new for me. biggrin

We tend to bop around to try to avoid "wearing out" a resort. They all have their charms so we figure we just go wherever they have the best deal.



Before I bought DVC that was my strategy too but now I'm sorta picking a resort and trying to focus on staying there for the year since I usually break up my trips into several short trips, but I'm not married to anyplace and will take whatever is available to me even if it means doing split stays.

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