Anyone been back after long break?

[Portugal1000]

We were once a year visitors prior to covid, 2005 to 2019. 2020 cancelled of course and then we never went back but thinking about it now. Feel like we visited during the glory years and really interested to know if anyone in similar situation has been back and whether you think it’s worth the huge increase in cost. Thanks

 

[steve_rob]

We were there last September, which was our first trip back since April 2018 (so five and a half years), considering we used to visit either every other year or maybe every third year at worst. And we really had a fantastic time, BUT we treated this as a bit of a blow-out experience. Having not been for so long and it also being DW's 50th birthday trip, we did splurge and had a way higher budget than we would ever have dared and did everything that we wanted. And because of this, it's likely that the next trip will also have quite a gap to it; even if we keep to a normal-ish budget again, I can't see us going back until at least 2028, maybe 2029.

 

[Kate_45]

We went in Jan 2023 after last going in 2010. It was great. Took kids that didn't exist the last time we went. However my husband, their dad couldn't come because of a bereavement. We'd all love to experience it with him but at the price point it is now it's not going to happen. So I'd say disney has gotten better, not worse, but not in the same proportion as the price increases, making it worse value for money. I still dream about going but I can't justify actually doing it.

 

[ajb_tic_tac]

We were regulars but last year is the final year until everything announced at D23 this year is open and ready. Could be 6-7 years before we go back but can honestly say until a lot of new and substantial attractions are open we have no interest in going back.

I will want to visit Epic Universe in a couple of year's though so will probably do Universal and then something else (but not Disney).

 

[CVG]

I'm going back (have been back) a few times since our last family visit in 2003. I don't like all the mobile phone attachment stuff. Prices have increased way beyond normal inflation levels. We're trying to get used to trips that minimise extra costs. We just pay for park tickets and nowt else (or little else). Accommodation is paid for. We cook in our kitchen. We no longer buy the tourist tat.

We too will likely gravitate more towards Universal once Epic opens. the Universal Express Pass is a far better product than the current LL system at WDW.

 

[nursejackie]

We went every year for 8 years, then had a change and went to Disneyland California then Disneyland Paris, unfortunately then COVID hit. Booked to go back to WDW in 2021, two trips actually, 1st for a runDisney event in February, and 2nd in August, both cancelled as not allowed to travel to US. Returned in 2022, and Booked again for 2025. It is more expensive than ever but what isn't? A friend booked 2 weeks in September in Turkey, £6k for two people!!! My first words were 'you could have gone to Disney for that!' The magic is still there for us, and as long I am working and physically able, we'll continue to go. Trip back to California on the cards

 

[Portugal1000]

Thanks everyone. Interesting to read. Our best friends in same position as us and currently on the plane. Can’t wait to hear their experience, wish we were with them.

 

[DanM3]

Our next proper trip will be next year which would be a 10 year gap. But we went on a last minute trip this year and did Epcot for the day. We found it to be just as good, but very very expensive (which is saying a lot as the parks were expensive in 2015)

 

[DisRon0711]

Took 2 years off from the parks but have done staycations. Have a trip planned for the parks this nov and can not wait to get back with the kids being a little older

 

[meggiebeth]

We also had a few years’ break because of COVID. Our last trip before COVID was 2019 and we returned for the first time since COVID in February 2022, a few months after Brits were allowed back in the US. It was very different then with all the COVID rules, but we still loved it. We went again later in 2022 and then again this year and love it as much as we ever have. I do miss FastPass+ but that said, I much prefer the new set up with Lightning Lanes to the old Genie+. It feels much like FastPass+, just payable.

 

[cheryl.UK]

We went in 2022 after a 3 year break. It wasn't the best trip. No 3 week or AP passes was an issue as we had booked for 24 nights The magic was still there but we are not fans of Genie +. We loved FP+ but paying an extra $28 per day each just jars with us especially as we couldn't always get the rides we wanted. Maybe being able to book some in advance will change our minds but who knows. The cost of car hire in 2022 was exorbitant so we went car-less for the first time. This added to multiple days without park passes made it a very different trip.

We are going next year but with APs so maybe it will more like old times.

 

[johnandmaz]

We came back a few weeks ago from a month long trip. It was my 17th trip to Florida (although 7 were in RAF) but our first since 2018.

A little shocked at price rises but that's because I'm a tight wad. Still remember the $2 to the £ rate from the 90's. However we've had the Florida blues since we got back so it must have been good - it was btw. So I guess despite the huge cost increase it was worth it - and we stayed at GF, BCV, OKW & PBH. 6 years worth of holidays blown in a month.

Planning to go again in 2026. Although i'm about to book a surprise 10 day non park trip to Clearwater and Boulder Ridge for Wife's Birthday next September. Not telling her until Christmas Day as a big reveal.

 

[SpectroMartin]

I waited 22 years to get back to Walt Disney World. I went 1997 for the 25th Anniversary then 2000 for the Millennium Celebration. My homecoming was in 2022 for the 50th Anniversary.

In 2000, they had just introduced the original FastPass and there was no app so I completely missed out the 60 days pre-booking of FastPasses etc. Jumping to Genie+ was a bit learning curve in 2022 and added quite a bit of stress. However, I massively appreciated the reduced wait times whilst there!

I feel like I went in the glory days, particularly in the year 2000. At MK there as a daytime parade, two performances of the MSEP and fireworks. In Epcot there were a lot of street performances and Tapestry of Nations performed nightly which was such a spectacle.