Hi Sandra,
I'd set Disney on the back burner for a while & have a great summer. You're right...it's an expensive vacation & it's certainly not one that has to be done every year or two (some people never do it
). Maybe a trip to WDW is something you can do in a few years if & when the urge hits again. Just do whatever is fun for your kids. Enjoy whatever makes them happy. As you've probably read on the "University" threads here on this Board...they grow up way too fast.
We took our 3 kids on an expensive trip to Florida/WDW one year when they were small (7, 6 & 4 1/2). They had a great time but just loved the beach. When we asked them on the way home if they wanted to go back to WDW some day, the boys (7 & 6) said "no - just Daytona Beach". One day the next summer I heard the hose going in the back yard & ran out to see them filling their 12'x12' sand box with water. I asked them what they were doing & they said "making Daytona Beach"
. After that we did vacations at the beach (Virginia Beach, local beaches, etc) that were "way cheaper" and they loved it. They really didn't care about WDW...as far as they were concerned, they'd "been there, done that"
. Now DD was too young to remember WDW so that's why she & I went in 2000...DH & boys didn't want to go back so we went without them (DH's suggestion). Of course DD & I love WDW & seem to want to go back again & again
but who knows...maybe next year we'll feel the same as you & do something else. Or maybe next year DD won't want to vacation with Mom.
I know I've rambled on here a bit
, but basically, you've experienced Disney many times & it may or may not be something you'll want to do again. Just don't worry about it. As I said above, enjoy your family time any way you can...it sounds like you do lots of fun things with your kids (you sound like a great Mom
)...treasure the family time together wherever it may be. The kids probably don't really care where you vacation as long as they're with you and having fun
.