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.

 

[21stamps]

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!

What crowd calendar are you looking at? I am HOPING that you are correct!!!! Everything I have seen has surprising high predictions this year

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

With a toddler, I assume you'll spend the most time at the MK. Assuming you want two full days there, and because you intend to spend time outside the park, potentially you'll actually want four days total devoted to the MK.

Similarly, you could easily devote two days towards each of the other parks once hotel time and other activities are factored in.

I can't see 10 days being too long at all. I've done a few 13-14 day trips to WDW and the time goes by quickly.

Worst case scenario is you get burned out from the theme parks, and can spend more time at the pool, water park, Disney Springs, resort hopping, etc.

 

[Nala06]

With a toddler, I assume you'll spend the most time at the MK. Assuming you want two full days there, and because you intend to spend time outside the park, potentially you'll actually want four days total devoted to the MK.

Similarly, you could easily devote two days towards each of the other parks once hotel time and other activities are factored in.

I can't see 10 days being too long at all. I've done a few 13-14 day trips to WDW and the time goes by quickly.

Worst case scenario is you get burned out from the theme parks, and can spend more time at the pool, water park, Disney Springs, resort hopping, etc.

I like your worst case scenario In all seriousness though, you describe what I al thinking perfectly. I would rather have some extra days built in as buffers if need be. If we arent tired we can always just go to a park for just a few hours.

My goal is to not feel rushed with this trip. I figure if we allow ourselves enough days, we can do what we want at a more leisurely pace.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

My goal is to not feel rushed with this trip. I figure if we allow ourselves enough days, we can do what we want at a more leisurely pace.

I think that your mentality will impact how rushed vs relaxed you feel, more so than the number of days.

Whether one spends 4, 10, or 14 days at WDW there is always more to do, there will always be things you don't have time for.

If you can accept that doing half days at parks means going on less rides and not seeing everything, you'll be fine. If you're always thinking about the money "lost" when you're lounging around your hotel or having a slow paced meal, you will feel more stressed.

Good planning can add to the relaxation too. Is sleeping in, for example, a good idea? It can be for some people, but there is also benefit to hitting a park at rope drop, getting a lot done in those first few quieter hours, and then taking an afternoon nap. Scheduling your must-do activities can alleviate the pressure one feels at WDW to do as much as possible.

 

[Nala06]

I think that your mentality will impact how rushed vs relaxed you feel, more so than the number of days.

Whether one spends 4, 10, or 14 days at WDW there is always more to do, there will always be things you don't have time for.

If you can accept that doing half days at parks means going on less rides and not seeing everything, you'll be fine. If you're always thinking about the money "lost" when you're lounging around your hotel or having a slow paced meal, you will feel more stressed.

Good planning can add to the relaxation too. Is sleeping in, for example, a good idea? It can be for some people, but there is also benefit to hitting a park at rope drop, getting a lot done in those first few quieter hours, and then taking an afternoon nap. Scheduling your must-do activities can alleviate the pressure one feels at WDW to do as much as possible.

I know one of my favorite days at disney was when my dh and i went to mvmcp while we were down for a friends wedding. I was pregnant at the time and it was my dh first time ever on disney property. We probably only did 3 rides that day, but it was amazing! Just enjoying the atmosphere and each others company.

Then we did a day trip to mk with our 1 yr old while down visiting the same friends. We probably did 10 rides that day and a great time. But i regret not slowing down more and relaxing/experiencing the park more instead of just ride ride ride. Yes we got a lot accomplished, but i didnt enjoy it as much as i did the day we just took it all in w no plan at all.