Ideal WDW Length of Stay

ToddyLu · Feb 12, 2016

Disclaimer--I do not have children. Is this the first time EVER to WDW? If so, I would make for a 7 night trip. Something simple to get your feet wet. I would stay at whatever DVC resort I purchased. We own at AKL and go once or twice a year for at least 7-10 nights each trip. With little ones I would spend more time at MK, AK and Epcot ( mainly for adult enjoyment). You are right, there is not a lot going on at DHS especially for little ones. There is Star Tours, ToT and RnRC open. I think there is some PLayhouse Disney/Disney Jr stuff, too. The park is limited and I just wouldnt waste time there since I do not know if little ones would like those rides???

If this is your first time ever to WDW please take in to account the shear scope and size of the place. First timers have no idea how spaced out the place is and can get easily overwhelmed. We take a bus to MK that takes 20 minutes without leaving property. Trying to get little ones out the door them back again for naps would be a big factor. If none of you have been before( I couldnt tell if this was first trip as family or for parents too). Honestly, I would do 7 nights and visit the DVC resorts to check them out prior to purchase. I would rent DVC points for the kitchen and w/d, especially not knowing how the kids might do with packed and full days of go go go. It would matter based on how kids would do out of their normal routine and vacation should be relaxing for adults. Just rmemeber that DVC allows you the enjoyment of returning over and over again for many years. What ever I did I would go in with a light heart, go with flow and enjoy. I hope you guys have a fabulous time.

ldo · Feb 12, 2016

I agree with others--1 split stay for 4 nights each is perfect for a 1st trip. Also, for your ages, make the second part be AKV. Why? If you are getting tired of the parks, there is tons to do at AKV. There is an excellent community hall with kids crafts, games, pool table, ps4 players. A parent has to stay (not a drop off--like at Simba's clubhouse at night time--so parents can go out alone), but there is a large balcony overlooking the savannah with table/chairs. My kids have spent hours there, and I get some coffee, relax and read a book, and once, even did a conference call with headphones on that balcony. They also have MANY activities all day. For kids and park touring, we let them set the pace. Morning touring, back after lunch, pool, relax, and then decide if we want to go back for evening or just veg at the resort. The one thing my kids did NOT want was a sit down meal in the evening. They wanted quick service or spaghettios in the room.

han22735 · Feb 12, 2016

We still like to take trips that are 8-11 days long. After our 3rd trip recently as DVC members we are finally starting to slow down and enjoy our relax time more than rushing through the parks. I'm looking forward to spending more time at the resorts.

TiggerBouncy · Feb 12, 2016

disneynutz said:
Your are a DVC owner, stop the madness!

No longer do you do each park every trip, you can sleep in. During your ownership you will stay at all of the resorts and spend days in all of the parks and they don't really change that much.

I would limit to 8 nights, 2 split stays, with the resorts close to the 2 parks that you will visit. One MK resort and one Epcot or AKV. Next vacation, one MK resort and another resort/park.

Take your time and set a new pace, enjoy the kids, pool time, activity center time, visit the horse stables, rent a surrey bike at the resort.

Bill

This, this, this, this, this. Can't say this more.

When I started DVC, It was "I have to be there for 10+ days. I have to see everything! Get to each park at 8am and stay till closing. Do the Disney Death March. Go! Go! Go! Plan fastpasses! Move it! Experience each thing for the optimum time and hurry to the next thing! Then it was that with a "rest day" in between so that I could survive the Disney Death March the following days.

Now? I go there for 1-2 days. I go there for 4 days. I go there for 10 days. When I am there, I may literally only do 4 rides or so - my fastpass plus a few extra that my app says have a short line. Never bother fastpass in Epcot for anything other than Test Track and Soarin'. Towards the later part of the day you just walk onto Spaceship Earth, Imagination, Living with the land or Nemo. Maybe we make a dinner reservation. We go back to the hotel in the afternoon and return for the fireworks. See a few shows in Hollywood. Catch the new star wars stuff. Drop into Magic Kingdom and hit up CoP (never a line) and PeopleMover (never a line). Grab some FP's for Mine Train, BTMR (before the refurb), Jungle. Maybe hit Tiki. Our "Must Do" list can be counted on one hand which is why I can do 2 days and be perfectly content. Sometimes I just need to "get away" and do a long weekend to clear my head.

Now that you are a Disney owner, get out of the mindset that you have to see and do everything. Remember you will always be back. instead mix in a few favorites with one or two new experiences each trip. There is a wealth of things to do that many people never know about. Time to learn to take things at a more relaxed pace! Disney doesn't have to be stressful for you anymore!

MouseOfCards · Feb 12, 2016

Wow! Lots of great tips! Thank you so much, everyone. This isn't our first time at WDW, but our first time since having kids. Before this, we were exactly the "must see everything" mindset. Sounds like most popular is an 8-day stay with 2 resorts, and to take your time. My follow-up questions are:

1. If staying at 2 resorts, should we rent a car (we'll be flying into Orlando)? Thinking mostly about getting around from park-to-park and resort-to-resort, and picking up groceries to make use of the kitchen.

2. Is it best to pay extra and get 8-day and park hopper tickets?

MouseOfCards · Feb 12, 2016

ldo said:
I agree with others--1 split stay for 4 nights each is perfect for a 1st trip. Also, for your ages, make the second part be AKV. Why? If you are getting tired of the parks, there is tons to do at AKV. There is an excellent community hall with kids crafts, games, pool table, ps4 players. A parent has to stay (not a drop off--like at Simba's clubhouse at night time--so parents can go out alone), but there is a large balcony overlooking the savannah with table/chairs. My kids have spent hours there, and I get some coffee, relax and read a book, and once, even did a conference call with headphones on that balcony. They also have MANY activities all day. For kids and park touring, we let them set the pace. Morning touring, back after lunch, pool, relax, and then decide if we want to go back for evening or just veg at the resort. The one thing my kids did NOT want was a sit down meal in the evening. They wanted quick service or spaghettios in the room.

Why did your kids not want sit down meals in the evening? Too restless/excited? Also, what age kids?

ForeverAlice · Feb 12, 2016

Six to eight nights but I say that because it sounds like you are planning on coming back each year for sure (possibly DVC) Otherwise I would say stay longer if you thought you wouldn't be returning for a long time.

MouseOfCards · Feb 12, 2016

com_op_2000 said:
DVC is designed for relaxing vacations.
You will learn over time to enjoy other things outside the parks.
As for doing the parks, my one recommendation that has gotten the most likes here on the DIS is:
Go to the parks for 2 days, take a day off, go the parks for 2 days, take a day off, and continue like this; to allow yourself time to enjoy those things outside of the normal commando style vacation. Also, from needing a vacation from your vacation when you get home.

Is this better than visiting parks in morning, returning to resort in afternoons to relax, going back to parks in evening?

gdrj · Feb 12, 2016

MouseOfCards said:
Wow! Lots of great tips! Thank you so much, everyone. This isn't our first time at WDW, but our first time since having kids. Before this, we were exactly the "must see everything" mindset. Sounds like most popular is an 8-day stay with 2 resorts, and to take your time. My follow-up questions are:

1. If staying at 2 resorts, should we rent a car (we'll be flying into Orlando)? Thinking mostly about getting around from park-to-park and resort-to-resort, and picking up groceries to make use of the kitchen.

2. Is it best to pay extra and get 8-day and park hopper tickets?

Renting a Car- To be able to get groceries, RX, and other things a car can be helpful. We tend to use WDW transportation most of the time even with a car but there are others who swear to use a car only. As far as on property travel, IMO it depends on where you are staying and where you plan on going. Also depends on car seats and traveling with or renting them. Another option is to rent for part of your stay (if it helps the budget). You can rent National Alamo and drop off on property, and the shuttle will bring you back to your hotel. There are also DTD hotels with other car companies.

Tickets- The difference between 7 and 8 days is about 11 bucks. To me it seems worth it. Of course if you decide to have some resort days you could save a few bucks. We always do Park Hopper but with young children if you think you will just do 1 park a day you can save a couple hundred dollars (pays for the car). All depends on what you plan.

gdrj · Feb 12, 2016

MouseOfCards said:
Is this better than visiting parks in morning, returning to resort in afternoons to relax, going back to parks in evening?

I prefer AM Park, pool/nap (not the kids me!) and evening parks/ fireworks or movies at resort etc...

Anal Annie · Feb 12, 2016

We never waste money on renting a car. DME is free and we find driving to MK is a major time suck so even when we drive down we don't usually drive to the parks. Plus I HATE wasting time to go off-site to go grocery shopping. When we fly we get a small grocery order from Garden Grocer for breakfast items and beer. We drive down every once in awhile and restock our Owners Locker with booze & sunscreens with good dates on those trips. Having an Owners Locker means when we fly we rarely check bags (ONLY if we fly SW or used to have free on Jet Blue and even then not always). But we fly whatever airline is the cheapest and use whatever airport is the cheapest (we live near DC so have 3 major airports all about an hour away). We also always buy AP's and try to plan at least 2-3 trips during the course of a year so we get good value out of them. Now that our DS is in college tho we may not be buying him an AP after this one expires. I don't think he will be able to go with us on all of our trips after this year....

We usually take advantge of staying on site and go to EMH's and we often take a break of some sort in the afternoons (either for a pool break or a nap or whatever). Sometimes our DS will stay in the parks without us now that he's older and then he'll just meet us at whatever park we hop to for the evening.

You will eventually develop your own habits and customs as you get more trips under your belt...

Geomom · Feb 12, 2016

MouseOfCards said:
Wow! Lots of great tips! Thank you so much, everyone. This isn't our first time at WDW, but our first time since having kids. Before this, we were exactly the "must see everything" mindset. Sounds like most popular is an 8-day stay with 2 resorts, and to take your time. My follow-up questions are:

1. If staying at 2 resorts, should we rent a car (we'll be flying into Orlando)? Thinking mostly about getting around from park-to-park and resort-to-resort, and picking up groceries to make use of the kitchen.

2. Is it best to pay extra and get 8-day and park hopper tickets?

1. We never rent a car, we rely on Disney transportation. For a split stay, bring your luggage to bell services and tell them where to send it. They'll send it over to that resort in the afternoon. When we have a 2 bedroom (when traveling with family/friends), we'll bring pancake mix from home and pick up some groceries from Disney. If we're traveling by ourselves, we get a studio and buy pastries/fruit for breakfast and bring cereal from home.

2. Think about what your planned vacations will look like--will you do 2 trips inside of a year, in that case a DVC annual pass may be worth it to you. In Massachusetts, we have both a February and April vacation--as long as the April one isn't the same time as Easter, we'll buy an Annual pass during a 1 week April vacation, do a 3-5 night fall trip (food and wine or Thanksgiving), and do a 1 week during February break. As far as park hopper--we found that with young kids we only hit 1 park a day, so it wasn't worth it to pay extra for a park hopper. But...if you're in walking distance of a park, that does increase the chances that you'll do 2 parks in a day--even if it's just to have dinner in Epcot or see fireworks at Magic Kingdom. As far as 8 day--if you're flying in, decide if you have enough time to go to a park on your arrival or departure day. It is a small incremental increase/day once you get out to 5 days. If you're planning a down day in the middle, you might still go into a park for dinner. And...if you're traveling during Epcot's Flower and Garden or Food and Wine festival, it's more likely you'll be at Epcot for part of a day to eat from the kiosks--so that would be a case for a parkhopper.

ldo · Feb 12, 2016

kids and dinner: Definitely in the 3-8 age range, they were tired and restless from the day and wanted to eat ASAP and then veg in the room. They were fine for a sit down lunch, like Crystal Palace character meal, etc. Even as tweens, they preferred to come back to the room and eat spaghettios, etc. and relax after the parks. If we did a "fancy" dinner, like an early dinner at 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickeys, that was the "main event" for a resort-only day, and that worked fine.
also skip the park hopper--you can add it later for the same price, if you need it. I would rather do 6-8 short days on an 8 day trip. Even if some of those days are just going into the park for a few hours and doing 3 FP rides.
I like taking ME and the WDW buses and not bothering with car seats, etc. I drive all the time at home--not driving is part of the vacation for me.

BWV Dreamin · Feb 14, 2016

We go either 6 or 7 nights. We only visit one park per trip. This keeps everything fresh and not over saturated. Our favorite non park things to do are mini golf and relax at the pool.

DizDaD7 · Feb 15, 2016

I'd always say more is better, but realistically, we've had 2 separate 11 niters, and they've both been great......The problem is, it's hard to go back down to a week long trip.... Even 8 nights never seems like enough.LoL

tb1972 · Feb 15, 2016

I personally never attempted a split stay when my kids were that young. Right now with kids ages 11 and 13, I find it to be a hassle with split stays. We only do splits if absolutely necessary. To pack everything up after a few nights, check out of first resort by 11:00 and then potentially wait to check in to new resort until 4:00 is just not worth it. Your young family may be without a room for many hours which may be an inconvenience. I was unclear if you already were a DVC member or were considering it? If you are DVC, you will have plenty of time to experience all resorts so I'd avoid the split.

sgtpet · Feb 16, 2016

This sounds like a great plan. I figure a good 10 days will allow plenty of relaxation and enjoyment of your DVC location. You will want to spend multiple days (2-3) at the Magic Kingdom with the young children, 3/4 of a day at Animal Kingdom, 1/2 day at EPCOT (depends if Soarin is working when you go could be a 3/4 day) and a 1/2 day at Hollywood Studios.

keishashadow · Feb 16, 2016

We are able to visit several times a year :woohoo:

. I love WDW but find 5 nights/6 days is plenty when combined with staying @ Universal onsite for 2 nights.

Some trips we just visit a day or 2 pre/post cruise. We're taking one out of San Juan in April. One of the reasons I like to sail from that port is our flights usually connect in MCO. This year we're tacking on 2 nights at Universal and 5 at AKV. :Pinkbounc

Unless with our GD, no commando'ing allowed. This time of year we especially enjoy spending time by the pool.

BLLB · Feb 16, 2016

MouseOfCards said:
Wow! Lots of great tips! Thank you so much, everyone. This isn't our first time at WDW, but our first time since having kids. Before this, we were exactly the "must see everything" mindset. Sounds like most popular is an 8-day stay with 2 resorts, and to take your time. My follow-up questions are:

1. If staying at 2 resorts, should we rent a car (we'll be flying into Orlando)? Thinking mostly about getting around from park-to-park and resort-to-resort, and picking up groceries to make use of the kitchen.

2. Is it best to pay extra and get 8-day and park hopper tickets?

1. We have never done a split stay. Our kids are both teens now, but when they were little, the thought of packing up all the "stuff" and moving it mid-vacation was just not appealing to me. We have also never rented a car. We have a car service pick us up and do a grocery stop.

2. We always did an 8 day park hopper, but probably could have gotten away with not doing that. I always want to keep my options open once I am on property.

DenLo · Feb 16, 2016

With 12 nights I don't feel so sad leaving WDW. With less than that, I find myself when we have 7 days or less left, with a depressed feeling that we are leaving in less than a week. Crazy I know. I am also more contented when I know that we have only a few days left after spending 10 days at WDW.

Ideal WDW Length of Stay

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