How long is not long enough?

[real mad hatter]

You know I've just read a thread relating to your Disney vacation and the first thing you've got to decide is "How long should we go for? " .Our first trip in 2004 was a two centre vacation,first week onsite with a 5 day hopper,and second week offsite.Then in 2006 we one the exact same,except with a 7 day park hopper.But in 2008 we decided to stay the full 14 days onsite.As we did in 2010, and this year also.But that first 14 day Disney vacation we wondered to ourselves is 14 days inside the bubble too much.Well to be honest,no it's not,there's so much new things in the two year gap,so many things we hadn't done,or missed because we were too busy elsewhere.So what do you think? I know that certain members here are doing three weeks and wondering what the average American vacation to WDW is?

 

[Sharkreef11]

Our average trip is 10 days. It is my dream to stay 2 weeks. Surprisingly even with 10 days in WDW I don't fee like I get everything I want done or as much as I wanted to.

 

[KCheatle]

Wow! I wish we could go for 14 days! But, I don't know how we'd ever afford that!! With 14 days you're talking outside parks costing more in tickets, food, driving, etc. Just for Disney stuff (i.e., everything can be booked and paid for through a Disney package) I think 10 days would be ideal. Here's how I'd break it down: Day of arrival and day of departure (so there's 2 "days" gone even though they are really only 1/2 days park-wise), 2 for MK, 2 for Epcot, 1 for AK, 1 for HS, 1 for DTD shopping/rest/golf whatever, 1 for water park.

 

[Blueskyze]

I would guess that a week is about average. Our first 2 trips were a week, and then we did a 5-day "long weekend" trip with some friends (which included 2 days of IoA and US), and that just felt too short. We're stretching our upcoming August trip into 9 days, which will include 1 day at IoA/US. I'm very jealous of those of you who get to do the 14-day trips - that would be awesome!

 

[ShookieJones]

I think anything under 5 days would be pushing the envelope.

Every year We've done 8 days 7 nights with early arrival and leaving after 6 on our last day (maximizing every moment)
After about the 5th year in a row we started spending a day and half to 2 days at Universal and it's worked out pretty perftectly.

I agree with Kidd's n notion of reridability (love that park geek terminology) with Disney attractions! At Universal only WWoHP holds anything close to that for me...and that includes a need to return to that area the park to satiate my severe frozen butter beer jones.

 

[fosse76]

Wow! I wish we could go for 14 days! But, I don't know how we'd ever afford that!! With 14 days you're talking outside parks costing more in tickets, food, driving, etc. Just for Disney stuff (i.e., everything can be booked and paid for through a Disney package) I think 10 days would be ideal. Here's how I'd break it down: Day of arrival and day of departure (so there's 2 "days" gone even though they are really only 1/2 days park-wise), 2 for MK, 2 for Epcot, 1 for AK, 1 for HS, 1 for DTD shopping/rest/golf whatever, 1 for water park.

I travel alone, so it's a bit different for me. But I think 6 days is good. Any more than that and I'm ready to go home. But I usually do parks only. I will on rare occasion venture to Downtown Disney, but after I'm done at the parks. I imagine with more people in the group I'd be willing to stay longer.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Our usual trip lasts 14 days but we have done two trips as short as 10 days due to work schedules, and available coverage. We always plan on doing one or two trips off property for shows in the Orlando area and one day at Universal Studios. Those ten day trips it felt like we got cheated out of time. At the end of the 14 days we are satisfied that we have done most if not all of what we wanted to do but always can think of something else to do on a return trip. We would love to do a three week trip and that is in the planning stage now.

 

[captainkidd]

I live about an 80 mins from a local Six Flags. We recently, along with some friends, decided to head back out and spend a day at the park. Immediately I noticed park hours, 10-6 and thought it was a rather short day until we got there and rode all 10 coasters in a 2 hour span and realized there isn't anything else to do. That's how I view universal, awesome thrill rides but its the same experience each and every time.

In some respects, yes. In some, not so much. Hulk and Dragon Challenge or great coasters and I ride them multiple times each trip. However, I don't get the enjoyment from them I get from Thunder or Space Mountain. But there are things Universal does very well. Seuss Landing is very detailed, as is Jurassic Park. And obviously, WWOHP. What Universal lacks is the entertainment outside the attractions. They lack interesting shops. Though some of their restaurants are good, they lack anything overly interesting.

All that being said, their resorts are beautiful, run very well, and the whole resort is a great getaway for a few days.

 

[rsoxguy]

I have done one (many), two, three, and fifteen days. I think that I've done fifteen days four or five times. Truthfully, after fifteen days I'm ready to beat the stuffing out of a Mickey doll. I'm thinking that a week is a good amount of time for a trip to WDW.

 

[tsaintc]

We have been averaging 12 day trips over the last 5 summers; they feel a little to short. So, this summer, we are going for 17 days. In addition, we are heading to West Palm Beach for 3 days (recovery time) before returning home. I can bet that we will still think that is not enough time.

 

[real mad hatter]

Cheers,Really interesting to see so many views,I suppose because were coming from UK,one week is way too short,I've done one week in the Greek islands and even that seemed too short.So to fly all the way across the Atlantic I would want a 14 day vacation,at least,to enjoy all the magic.Maybe in 2014,our next WDW vacation,god willing,we will do a 21 day one.

 

[ScoutN]

How long is not long enough? I guess that is all up to what the person likes. My girlfriend has the length she prefers and that's that.

 

[real mad hatter]

How long is not long enough? I guess that is all up to what the person likes. My girlfriend has the length she prefers and that's that.

Yes,my DW wears bifocals also and she says everything looks longer,well done,glad she's made the right choice.

 

[Ramizallos]

i feel that you need at least 4 full days so you can spend at least 1 day per park, usually i try to do at least 5 day im excited i am spending 6 days on my next trip

 

[Disneydreamer23]

10 days for me

 

[rufio]

Our trips have varied between 5 and 14 days. 5 is definitely WAY too short and 14 is enough, but I would love to be able to do a 3 week trip!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I could easily stay at Disney for 14 days, (and not leave the property), however, being married to who I call Malificent's half brother, when it comes to my Disney obsession, he would have a problem with staying for so long. Every trip, between 7 - 10 days, I always say "I wish we were here longer", if nothing more than to have a couple down days at the pool. (Does that make sense??) The only problem I see with staying that long however, would be a new set of clothes for the tail end of my 2nd week, because I would eat myself into a stupor and not fit in clothes from week 1!!! This is where Mad Hatter's' elastic pants would be beneficial!!!

 

[mollydtt]

I'd stay forever, if I could. After two somewhat short trips this spring (3 days, 4 nights and 4 days, 5 nights) to visit my daughter (who was working as a cast member), I decided that when we go back, we should stay a week.
Although both trips were wonderful, we had to be very flexible with our plans, and had to forgo an excursion to Universal, since afternoon rain kept us from some of our "must-do" attractions at DW until the last day--(We actually went to each park on the last day!)
My problem is that I would never want to leave, anyway!
Final answer--a week. (But we can get non-stop flights from where we live in Texas, so the trip isn't really too taxing....)

 

[EvilQueen-T]

we only live 2.5 hours away so when doing trips where we stay over in orlando we always stay onsite and they've ranged anywhere from a few 2 day trips, a lot of 3-4 day trips, and then at least once a year we do 5-7 days. Even living this close I really enjoy the pace of the longer trips. Anything 4 days or less for us turns into disney commando style and can be utterly exhausting. With that said, however, being this close and season passholders i'm sure we'll still keep doing the short trips. when we have family come in from out of state they all seem to do 7-10 days all onsite.

 

[sgtmgd]

It's odd because I love the coasters at Universal, but the rerideability (I like that made up word) of the majority of Disney's attractions is much higher for me.

5 days at Universal..that would drive me insane, dont get me wrong..I could do a day at each park and perhaps a 3rd day hoping between the 2 to hit somethings I really enjoyed..if you purchase the fast pass equivelent...it really negates the need to spend 5 days..BUT when upper management speaks..."so say us all"

 

[SuprDav]

I love going but 6 nights is about right for us. I'm ready to go home after that no matter where I am.