Reasons why a short trip is still worth it...

[Beckett]

Hi!

I went to WDW with my daughter during Christmas and stayed with relatives in Orlando. It was great, but since we stayed with relatives, I feel we didn't get the full Disney Experience. I am a teacher and I have a short vacation from March 31 to April 5 and I am really wondering if I should stay with her in a Disney hotel during those days. The thing is, I have to fly to Orlando, so I am not sure if it is worth it. Please help me make a decision. Thank you all!

 

[Tuvalu]

Since it is the week before Easter (Easter being April 5th) room rates will be higher and the parks will be crowded. But if you were in the parks at Christmas, you know what to expect

If you decide to go, act soon because availability of flights, rooms and dining may not last long.

As for being "worth it"? We never turn down an opportunity to go to Disney.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I have a short vacation from March 31 to April 5 and I am really wondering if I should stay with her in a Disney hotel during those days. The thing is, I have to fly to Orlando, so I am not sure if it is worth it.

Your issue here is NOT the having to fly to Orlando (I assume that you will have to do this whenever you choose to visit), its just whether to go and stay in a WDW resort hotel.

My answer is - if you can afford it, then do it. Total immersion in Disney is well worth the $$ and this time you won't feel like you have to appease the relatives by doing what they want to do - its now your vacation

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Here's what you can do:

Book a Disney room
Take an early flight out on March 31 and a late flight out on April 5.
Use Magical Express that way you can get there and immediately start the fun and you can enjoy your resort on your last day, or hit the theme parks again. They pick you up 3 hours prior to your flight's departure, so if you get an 8 pm flight, you'll be there until 5.

If you do it that way, you'll have about six days in Florida. That's well worth it IMO.

 

[BrianV]

Most of our disney trips are weekends where we fly down Friday and return home Monday. Two full days. As your only trip ever to disney, clearly inadequate. But if you go frequently (every few years or even more frequently) that is plenty. For me the ideal stay is three full days. You'll have four full days.

So yes, totally worth it. Crowds may be high. But if you are a frequent visitor, again, makes no big difference. See what you can and skip the rest.

Have fun. We'll be down the weekend before from Friday until Monday. (27-30).

 

[JIMINYCR]

Yes its worth it. You can still plan to have a great time even with a shorter trip. You just have to adjust for things like less dining opportunities or less park days, but as long as you plan well, do things you most desire, you can come home feeling like you accomplished a lot. We have friends who often jump on a plane and fly down just for the weekend. It's not a trip I'd want to do but they love the quick Disney fix. And when they come back I'm still jealous.

 

[bigorangeandy]

Go for the trip, get your room, tickets and ADR's if needed as soon as you can. Take advantage of FP+ early booking so you will have a better chance of getting the attractions and times that work for you. As for short trip, we have driven down from Atlanta for a single day a few years ago, and it was well worth the drive.

 

[Beckett]

Thank you for all the replies! What I am worried about is if I am spending too much money for only a couple of days...I feel like it is worth it but maybe I should wait for summer? Oh, the dilemma.

 

[LAKid53]

Simple, because you are going to Disney. We've done a weekend trip, since we can drive. Those two days went by very fast and we did as much as we had the stamina to do. Go and stay at a Disney resort. Think of the memories you and your daughter will make.

Thanks to a very loving (and generous) mom, my daughter and her BF are at Disney right now, staying in a deluxe studio at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Their room has a savannah view and they awoke this morning in time to see the giraffes heading onto the savannah. While I'm sad that they are there and I am home, they've been sending me photos of the resort and all the animals they see from their room. And are having a trip they will always remember.

And mom is earning brownies points from her future son-in-law, so there's an upside for me.

One word. GO.

 

[Beckett]

I want to go, but I wonder if I should just wait for summer instead...I've never gone for such a short amount of days. The thing is, my birthday is on that weekend and I'd love to spend it there...

 

[LAKid53]

I want to go, but I wonder if I should just wait for summer instead...I've never gone for such a short amount of days. The thing is, my birthday is on that weekend and I'd love to spend it there...

Then go.

We always spend our birthdays at Disney. We go over MLK weekend for my daughter's - she was born after Christmas and usually cannot take time off work during the week between Christmas and New Year's - the week NOT to visit unless you are insane. My birthday is in the spring and sometimes falls during Easter. But we still go - typically Monday-Saturday.

Think of the fun you and your daughter will have celebrating your birthday at Disney!

 

[Beckett]

And you guys think on-site is definitely the way to go? It will be my first time onsite

 

[LAKid53]

And you guys think on-site is definitely the way to go? It will be my first time onsite

Yes. If you are concerned about the length of this trip, then stay on site. You won't need to worry about transportation to/from the airport, to the parks and the expense of renting a car. Yes, it's more expensive to stay on-site, but you get to take advantage of extra magic hours. Plus be completely immersed in Disney.

If the crowds at the parks become annoying, resort hop. The Wilderness Lodge has lovely walking trails. Go to the Fort Wilderness campgrounds and catch some of the shows. Go to the Grand Floridian for afternoon tea with your daughter - there is a Basin on the 2nd floor of the Grand Floridian near exit for the monorail. Nothing is more relaxing than taking a long soak in the tub with one of Basin's bath bombs. Plus the GF smells wonderful. Or just go back to your resort, pick up some Mickey ice creams and take a nap.

 

[Beckett]

Thank you all! and why is April better than summer? Just to know.

 

[Tuvalu]

Thank you all! and why is April better than summer? Just to know.

It is less hot and rainy. The beautiful Flower and Garden Festival will be at Epcot. Some weeks in April are less crowded than summer season...just not the week you are thinking of going, due to Easter.

 

[Beckett]

Yeah...so maybe it will be like going in summer. Ugh, I can't make a decision. Thanks anyway everyone.

 

[LAKid53]

Thank you all! and why is April better than summer? Just to know.

Must not have visited Disney World in the summer. Two words: Hot and muggy. Upper 90s with minimum humidity of 85% is not for the faint of heart. And other than when it's raining, that Central Florida sunshine crispy frying you.

Plus as Tuvalu said, the Flower & Garden Show at EPCOT will be in full bloom, no pun intended. As the Park is beautiful.

Go in April. We went the Monday after Easter for a few days. Crowded, but not too bad.

 

[Beckett]

Awesome so, until now, I have been able to get plane tickets for 764 dollars and hotel stay at Disney's All Star Sports for 781 dollars. What do you guys think? Too much for such few days?...

 

[Beckett]

This is without tickets...

 

[LAKid53]

This is without tickets...

I spent well over $1300 for three nights at the GF, and that was after an AP discount. So I would say yes, but I don't know your finances. I know teachers aren't paid what they are worth....