How many days

[Nala06]

Trying to set a budget for a trip next december for my family (me, dh and an almost 3 yr old). Planning on staying at the Poly or Wilderness Lodge. We dont plan ok going back for a few years due to the possibility of expanding our family shortly after. How many days would you recommend?

I would like to take things slow, because rushing from place to place is a recipe for disaster w a little one, and I want time to enjoy the resort we are paying $$$ for. I initially was thinking 6 days, but sketching out a rough draft with rest days makes it seem like maybe we will need more time. But there is a fine balance of adding days and trying to stay in budget.

Hopefully someone who has btdt can help shed some insight!

 

[Jess G]

I found 7 nights 8 days to be a nice length trip.... We usually do parks from say 9am-1pm break and then go back from 5pm-close. Some days we stay at the hotel all morning and will leave for parks @ 1pm and stay till closing time... not sure what your budget is but personally I would stretch the trip as far as my budget realistically allows. Poly would give you easier/closer transportation because you have the monorail advantage for both MK and Epcot. So basically if you stay at Poly less transportation time will result more resort/park time.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

How long is a piece of string ???

1) How long since you've last been ?

2) Do you intend to visit all the parks ? (2 days x Mk, 2xEP, 1xDHS, 1xAK, DS, BB, TL etc)

3) Don't forget time away from the parks for naps

4) Build in Rest Days

5) What is your budget ? Have you included meals in that ? Park Tickets ?

There are so many variables, it's hard to suggest how many days.

We generally go for 14 days at a time, last trip was at AKL, with Dining Plan and tickets and rental car

 

[Nala06]

I found 7 nights 8 days to be a nice length trip.... We usually do parks from say 9am-1pm break and then go back from 5pm-close. Some days we stay at the hotel all morning and will leave for parks @ 1pm and stay till closing time... not sure what your budget is but personally I would stretch the trip as far as my budget realistically allows. Poly would give you easier/closer transportation because you have the monorail advantage for both MK and Epcot. So basically if you stay at Poly less transportation time will result more resort/park time.

That sounds like what I would like to do. Those midday breaks sound like lifesavers. And the ease of getting back from 2 parks quickly if we are at the Poly helps save time as well.

 

[Nala06]

How long is a piece of string ???

1) How long since you've last been ?

2) Do you intend to visit all the parks ? (2 days x Mk, 2xEP, 1xDHS, 1xAK, DS, BB, TL etc)

3) Don't forget time away from the parks for naps

4) Build in Rest Days

5) What is your budget ? Have you included meals in that ? Park Tickets ?

There are so many variables, it's hard to suggest how many days.

We generally go for 14 days at a time, last trip was at AKL, with Dining Plan and tickets and rental car

1. We went for a day trip a few months ago when my baby was 1 bc we were in the area visiting friends. It was such a tease! Definitely fueled our desire to book a full trip sooner rather than later. I went to wdw twice as a child, dh has only been to mk and epcot on small trip as an adult.

2. The plan would be 2 days mk and ak, 1.5 days epcot and 1 day dhs. Half day at ds. Definitely want at least one full rest day at the resort/ds.

3. Yes to naps! Planning on doing park open to lunch, the back from dinner to however late we can manage.

4.

5. Trying to establish budget. Hoping to get around $5-6k (which is kind of crazy to think about right now). I have rough cost of meals and tickets (including mvmcp) and it seems the bulk of the budget gets eaten up by lodging. Adding a few days in tickets is minimal. But tge lodging gets pricey.

 

[Nala06]

Budget includes airfare, tickets, food (no dining plan), lodging and extras such as mvmcp, menory maker.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Budgeting and planning time at WDW differs so much from family to family. So much depends on your vacationing style, what you want to accomplish during your time on property and what pleases you. We have found 10 days are OK but prefer 14 days. The 10 we find gives us time to do plenty of what we want but the14 is just right to get in that much more and be a more manageable and relaxing pace. We enjoy doing extra disney events and some off property trips as well. If youre not planning on going back for several years, I'd do more days to get in more park time and activities. You can plan ways to cut costs food wise and stay at a cheaper resort to help you add days. No matter what you budget, stick to it and dont overdo what you can afford.... buying souvenirs and snacks add up. Weve had some very pleasurable trips on a bare bones budget and others where we saved up a lot and splurged. Whatever you end up saving and budgeting.... the money you spend doesnt make the trip, its the things you do as a family that counts and you will long remember.