How many minimum days at WDW (w/3 yr old)

[Hot Lava]

I am in the investigatory stage of planning a trip to WDW. It would not be until at least September 2013, maybe early December.

I haven't been in 10 years. Back then, we would just go, go, go from open to close. This trip would include people 65+ (and not in good physical shape) and a 3 1/2 year old. So, no gogogo anymore! This trip might also include some days at Universal as well (we would stay at Uni for that time). Universal is a separate issue from the Disney part.

How many days do you think we need to get it all in? I don't expect to hit every corner of everything anymore (or multiple hits of big rides), but I don't really have a sense for how many days we need to hit all the parks at least once (guessing MK more), the rides we want but not kill ourselves trying to do it.

In my mind, I would plan to try to get to the parks at or very near opening time. we would stay to late morning/early afternoon (maybe a lunch there to cap it off). We would then go back to the room to nap for a few hours (maybe one or more of us would sneak off for a drink or shopping), and then maybe an early dinner/a little more park time.

I think we need at least 4 nights, but even that seems to me to be pushing it. I would assume the first day would be truncated, and the last day maybe non-existent (flying home). I also don't think it would be possible to push past 7 nights.

Also staying on property. Where is also another complicated conundrum, but I will need another post for that.

 

[Master Yoda]

To realistically do it all with a 3-1/2 year old in tow and not have to go at it in commando mode, I would look at 2 days for MK, 2 days for Epcot, 1 for AK and 1 for DHS.

As to time frame I would go for early December. All of the holiday festivities will be in full swing and there is nothing like Disney at Christmas.

 

[zero creativity]

We took my daughter when she was three and only went for 3 days in the parks, one day at epcot, mk and dhs. We can only go in the summer so we were early risers and went back to the resort for naps and relaxation time in the middle of the day. We weren't worried about doing everything, just the things that she would really be into and remember. So lots of fantasyland, playhouse disney character meal, things like that.

 

[taz0162]

To realistically do it all with a 3-1/2 year old in tow and not have to go at it in commando mode, I would look at 2 days for MK, 2 days for Epcot, 1 for AK and 1 for DHS.

As to time frame I would go for early December. All of the holiday festivities will be in full swing and there is nothing like Disney at Christmas.

This assessment is pretty good but this would be accounting for days not necessarily 1/2 days. If you are planning half days I would say you might want to plan a couple extra days. 4 is definately not enough. There is so much to do and see. Do research plan out your must see/do things but leave room for a couple things that that were not planed for.

 

[Disvillain63]

Took both children when they each were 3-years old and stayed 7 days each time.

 

[bethymouse]

Well, I guess maybe 5 days? 2 days @ MK and 1 at the rest. I wouldn't park hop though. It was exhausting for all of us!

 

[Susan Savia]

As a young family, we always went for a week. Our kids grew up on Epcot and still today, it's their favorite park.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I know a lot of people who plan 4 days- 1 for each park, but I just don't think it's enough time for Magic Kingdom... especially with a younger child. I know others who will devote 2 days to MK, then 1.5 to Epcot, and hop the rest of the time between DHS and AK, but for the price jump of hoppers- while it means a longer trip- I'd rather just add a couple of single park ticket days.

That being said...my girls were 2 & 4 on their first visit and we devoted 3 days to MK and 1 day to each of the other parks. Epcot is the only park where I wish we'd added a day.

 

[Mrsdonaldduck]

Definitely 2 days at Mk
One at epcot, hs and ak
Do a monorail resort if you can swing it

 

[SJFPKT]

If you can avoid Characters and you are only going to do the things a 3 1/2 year old could do, then I would do 2 at MK 1 at Epcot and a half at DHS and half at AK. This is if you only have four days. All of this is assuming you are at MK DHS and Epcot at the rope drop sending the quickest of your party for fast passes at the major attractions.

Edit: This may be different for other people but I can tell you there just isn't much at DHS or AK that kept my sons interest. That's just us and what we would do if we were in that sort of time frame. My son and I have made spontaneous trips for two days and would just hit MK and Epcot.

 

[Mrsdonaldduck]

If you can avoid Characters and you are only going to do the things a 3 1/2 year old could do, then I would do 2 at MK 1 at Epcot and a half at DHS and half at AK. This is if you only have four days. All of this is assuming you are at MK DHS and Epcot at the rope drop sending the quickest of your party for fast passes at the major attractions.

Edit: This may be different for other people but I can tell you there just isn't much at DHS or AK that kept my sons interest. That's just us and what we would do if we were in that sort of time frame. My son and I have made spontaneous trips for two days and would just hit MK and Epcot.

I agree the first time we went with the boys when they were 3 and 5 we did 4 days and did not go to ak or hs

 

[Jessica Meier]

See sometimes people confuse me. We did 5 days on our trip with our then 3 year old. One full day at MK that included breakfast at CRT. A full day at Epcot visiting every world and the corresponding princesses. A full day at AK with the afternoon/evening for pool time at the resort. And one full day at HS enjoying everything including a leisurely lunch at MM while it rained. Last day was spent at DTD shopping and exploring. Plenty of time to do everything.