As WDW and I get older...

One of the things contributing to the changes in how we do Disney is the purchase of DVC and annual passes. Knowing that we will frequently return, we can slow down and smell the roses. We indulge ourselves with luxuries we never considered (or even knew about). The DVC and annual pass discounts help a lot! Don't even get me started about some of the amazing restaurants!

The behind the scenes tours are wonderful! (Love those discounts!) Haven't done them all yet, but definitely working on it! Coming up in Jan and Feb I have scheduled Savor the Savanna and Up Close with Rhinos. Our favorite was the Segway Tour when it was offered in EPCOT. The Segway Tour in Fort Wilderness that replaces EPCOT doesn't even come close! The tour that is a must do, is Keys to the Kingdom. So much history and.....a trip to the secret, underground utilidoors! Another one that we enjoyed was Magic Behind Steam Trains Tour which we did with three other couples. (Our BC friends.....before children. ) It was significant because three of the men are mechanical engineers and two them were involved in the family business that built railroad box cars. In addition to these, and others, my husband and I have participated in the granddaddy of them all, Backstage Magic, the all-day, four park tour. Disappointingly, it was the least favorite. The most recent tour, in October, with my daughter was the Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour. It's not for everybody but we certainly enjoyed it!

Unfortunately, due to the fast pace we had pre DVC, not all of our children are as enthused about Disney as we are. Our son and his family, including an eight year old grandson have only gone with us twice. Our oldest daughter, mother of the four year old twins, gets anxiety just talking about going. As a result the boys have never been to Disney. Her husband would like to go but he won't leave her behind. But my pride and joy, my younger daughter, loves Disney just as much as I do! Before marriage and babies she and I had some EPIC mother/daughter trips that included closing down Jelly Rolls (twice!) My four year old granddaughter has been to WDW four times and her eight month old baby brother has gone three times....ok...twice he was in utero.

My love for Disney continues to grow as I get older and I can foresee the day that my husband and I will have ECV races to arrive first at our destination, whether it is for a fast pass or a dinner reservation.

Yes, I have absolutely changed the way I tour. I am so much more laid back than I used to be. I can remember being young and staying open to close, I wouldn't dream of doing that anymore. I'm also much more about eating and shopping my way through the Parks than I used to be, that may be punctuated with a ride here and there, but the rides are no longer the main attraction for me.