Length of Trip

[Nala06]

Who: me, dh, almost 3 yr old
When: early December 2017
Where: Poly or WL

First real trip to WDW as a family. I went as a child a few times, DH has never been aside from taking DS to MK for a day trip earlier this year. This will be our only trip for probably another 3-4 years.

Dilemma: how many days? I initially thought 7 would be fine, until I started mapping out a rough schedule. I am thinking mornings in the park, followed by resort time in the afternoon, back out for dinner and a park in the evening. After a late night in a park (fireworks, etc) I plan to take the next morning off and do just an afternoon/evening at a park. We want to take time to enjoy DS (DH really liked this on our day trip) and tour the different resorts to check out the Christmas decor (a big reason we chose to go this time of year). Building in those rest times and resort hopping it seems like a longer vacation would be ideal.

What would your recommendations be? My dream would be 10 days of park time (not including arrival and departure days), but is that too long?? Also, how do you structure your days with a toddler? I kind of want to go all out this trip knowing it will be a bit before coming back.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Our first ever trip was with an almost 2 year old (too young) and an almost 5 year old.

We did the parks each and every day, aside form a couple of days shopping. Our trip was for 14 days (as have all our trips except for our Christmas visit).

Ten days will soon fly by, especially as you're not planning on visiting the parks every day. If you're proposing to visit the Resorts as well then I'd say 7 days wasn't long enough

 

[JIMINYCR]

We've gone on trips lasting 7 days, 10 days and 2 weeks. I prefer the 2 weeks. You can accomplish a lot with each length of trip with proper planning but having more days does give you more options. Especially going with a young child youll be more restricted. With a toddler you need to make sure they get proper rest and not overwhelm them with too much stimulus. Build in rest periods away from the parks, try to keep a schedule they can function well with. You know your finances and what works well with time away from home for your family... so if you can swing more days go for it. You wont be as rushed and you can enjoy more that Disney has to offer at a calmer pace.

 

[Weather_Lady]

In our experience, it worked better to start with a shorter trip and make them longer as the kids got bigger.

Our first visit with the kids (then aged 4 and 6) was a 5 night/6 day trip (really 5 days, since the first and last were half-days structured around inbound and outbound flights). We spent 1/2 day in the AK, 2/3 day at HS (with the remainder of that day in DTD, now DS), 1 1/2 days at Epcot and 2 days in the MK, and we split up our days in the way you describe -- rope drop arrivals in the morning, tour until lunchtime, go back to the resort for a lengthy nap break, and return to the parks for dinner and a leisurely evening itinerary, not staying up too late until the last night.

I'd say that in that time, even though we were only touring for a total of no more than 8 hours each day (not including meals), we covered 95% of the attractions in the MK and 75-80% of the attractions in each of the other parks. (Some of those we skipped deliberately, due to refurbs, height requirements or lack of interest, and most of our favorite attractions we did at least twice.) Obviously, if we wanted to do absolutely everything, or to spend significant time at the resorts (other than just going to them for meals), we'd have had to add a couple of days.

 

[Nala06]

We could do most of what we want to do in a 7 day trip, but there wouldn't be as much resort time, and since we are planning on staying at a deluxe it would be nice to use the amenities. I just have to find that right balance between parks and resort time!

 

[Figgy1]

The trip we just got back from included arrival day with some resort hopping, 10 park days, 4 water park and mini golf days, 2 full days of DTD and resort hopping and I wish we could have added more time. .

 

[Nala06]

The trip we just got back from included arrival day with some resort hopping, 10 park days, 4 water park and mini golf days, 2 full days of DTD and resort hopping and I wish we could have added more time. .

We won't be doing water parks or mini golf, but would like to build in some resort time with swimming etc. I feel like no matter how long you go, you always wish you could stay longer!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

We (just DH and I) love being there for 10 days. It allows us to enjoy our resort, take our time, do each park twice, and dine at our favorite places as well as some new ones. If you're only able to do 7, you'll have a great time and be able to do a lot. But if you can do 10, definitely do that, especially since it may be a bit before your next trip.

 

[Jess G]

like @DisneyPrincess5 I found that doing 10 nights is a great way to do all the touring you want as well as have some resort time. Next trip i'm doing 10 nights. 8 park days with afternoon breaks and 2 off days. I'm getting there on a Monday and leaving on a Friday the following week. This way I was able to avoid the extra weekend price hike and still have a good amount of time...

 

[Jess G]

The trip we just got back from included arrival day with some resort hopping, 10 park days, 4 water park and mini golf days, 2 full days of DTD and resort hopping and I wish we could have added more time. .

agree I think I could be there for a month straight and still want more time lol

 

[Nala06]

like @DisneyPrincess5 I found that doing 10 nights is a great way to do all the touring you want as well as have some resort time. Next trip i'm doing 10 nights. 8 park days with afternoon breaks and 2 off days. I'm getting there on a Monday and leaving on a Friday the following week. This way I was able to avoid the extra weekend price hike and still have a good amount of time...

I am looking at a similar stay, arriving early in the week and leaving late the following week. Just trying to decide how late to go! Flights are cheaper too!

 

[officialtom]

We've done 6 nights, 7, 8, and 10. 10 is our favourite, because with that many nights/days, you really get to unwind from regular life and totally relax. The trip we did 6 nights a few years ago was far too short but we didn't have a choice due to work schedules. We hardly got there and then had to check out.

Our upcoming trip in Feb/March will be 11 nights and we are ecstatic!!!

 

[RScottyL]

I would always say that it depends on when you go......slow, normal or peak times!

According to http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-dis...asked-questions-about-walt-disney-world/#busy :

The BEST times to go to Walt Disney World are:

• Mid-November through mid-December (except the week of Thanksgiving). The weather is usually cool but pleasant, the Christmas decorations are up, special events are running, and the attendance is usually moderate. Expect crowds on Saturdays, especially at the Magic Kingdom. Disney’s resorts typically fill up early for all of December, but this doesn’t necessary translate into huge crowds during early December.

Luckily it looks like crowds won't be too bad during that time of year. If it was busier, you might want to stay a little longer so you won't be rushed.

Depending on your budget, a good minimum would be around a week. IMO, doing two days in MK, two days in Epcot, one in HS, and one in AK.

Since you do have a young one that may tire and want to nap, you may want to go back to your hotel around lunchtime to rest for a little bit, then go back in an hour or two!

With Disney, you can't really "wing it", so I would try to do some planning as far as what you want to see and what days! Once it gets closer, you can find out what extended hours they have in what parks and take advantage of that!

 

[mishel635]

I would say, if you can swing ten days, do it! Being able to relax for a half day or even a full day in between park days is the best! Have fun!

 

[21stamps]

I'm opposite of most here. My son's first trip, age 5, was 10 days. It was too long. We went to Key West for a week after and we were ready for it! Actually cut Legoland from the plans (and kiddo is a HUGE Lego nut) because we were just done being in crowds, including crowds at our resort, and theme parks.

I vote for 7 nights. If you stay at Poly, (that's where we stayed) the midday breaks are easy and convenient. The boat launch is usually faster than the monorail.

Another suggestion- If you have 10 nights, what about a WDW/DCL Dream combo? 6 and 4. The cost is very similar if you would be staying at Poly the 10 days anyway. We are doing a very Merrytime cruise this year on the Fantasy..it looks great!

 

[Nala06]

Right now I am leaning towards 10 days of park/resort and leaving on the 11th day. Our arrival day doesnt count much either due to a probable mid afternoon arrival. Planning on just settling in that day. So that leaves 9 days to explore.

I really want to leave enough time to sleep in on mornings after night events, and we would like to hit the night shows in each park once (providing they are all available). So to ge able to spread those out I feel like we would do best with more days. Also dh loves disney springs to we want at least 2 trips there during our stay.

 

[Princess Leia]

My family always seemed to go for 4 or 5 vacation days (plus 2 for travel). 2 full days at Epcot and MK, a half day at AK split with MK (before we stopped going to AK altogether), 2/3rds or a full day at DHS, time at DTD (before it was Disney Springs), and a water park. Our last trip deviated from this as we went to Tampa for an afternoon (honestly cannot remember what we did that morning, but I do remember going to Easter Vigil that night), then Clearwater Beach the next day, then we drove back to Orlando to do DHS for our last day.
For us (family of 4), 4 or 5 days was enough. But if we went back now (which is a bit difficult since my sister and I are now adults, and we all have different schedules), I think we would definitely be okay with 5 (MK, Epcot, DHS, water park, and Uni), maybe even 6 if we split Uni into two days.

 

[21stamps]

Right now I am leaning towards 10 days of park/resort and leaving on the 11th day. Our arrival day doesnt count much either due to a probable mid afternoon arrival. Planning on just settling in that day. So that leaves 9 days to explore.

I really want to leave enough time to sleep in on mornings after night events, and we would like to hit the night shows in each park once (providing they are all available). So to ge able to spread those out I feel like we would do best with more days. Also dh loves disney springs to we want at least 2 trips there during our stay.

I don't know if you've checked hours, but the only late nights that time of year are for MVMCP. Also, you probably won't be swimming. Just keep that in mind. That being said, we are still planning on doing parasailing and Sea Raycers even in the cool weather..so there's definitely things to do during resort days. As well as Mickey's WinterSummerland. A 3 year old would probably love the mini golf course there.
Either way, have a wonderful trip!

 

[Nala06]

I don't know if you've checked hours, but the only late nights that time of year are for MVMCP. Also, you probably won't be swimming. Just keep that in mind. That being said, we are still planning on doing parasailing and Sea Raycers even in the cool weather..so there's definitely things to do during resort days. As well as Mickey's WinterSummerland. A 3 year old would probably love the mini golf course there.
Either way, have a wonderful trip!

I have looked at the hours for this year, and most are technically before bedtime. But don't they typically announce extended/changed hours about a month before?

 

[21stamps]

I have looked at the hours for this year, and most are technically before bedtime. But don't they typically announce extended/changed hours about a month before?

I haven't been this time of year. Friends have told me that they typically stay the same, besides EMH. Hollywood Studios closes at 7pm every night. Epcot 9:30. MK 7 on party nights (unless going to party). We are doing both of our MK days during party days because of crowd predictions. 1 we will leave at 7 before the party, 1 doing a pirate cruise in the morning and the party later.

Maybe someone else here can chime in if those hours could change.