1st time going to DW! how many days??

[jvincent16]

Hello all. In a few months my wife and I will be going to DW for the 1st time!! We have been to DL plenty of times but never DW. How many days should we plan on without rushing anything? We have about 9-10days/8-9nights set aside. Two days will be spent traveling since we live in AZ so that leaves 7-8 whole days for parks, night life, etc...
We were thinking 5-6 for DW and maybe a couple at VB. Should we just concentrate on DW?
THANKS!!!

 

[drusba]

Unlike DL, you can easily spend two weeks at WDW and not do everything that is there. In fact, you should never go with the idea you must do everything.

I would say a week or thereabouts is a good first shot but even with a week you can easily feel rushed. Geesh, I am a veteran of WDW and consider a week short for ourselves. You have four theme parks. You could do a day at each or easily do two days at each. It is a matter of what pace you want to follow and how long you want to spend there in one day. Then you have lots of other things to consider -- waterparks (2); restaurants (so many you can't count them); Downtown Disney, a big shopping area with movie theaters, restauarants and the best show in Florida or the Southest -- Cirque Du Soliel's La Nouba; nightshows: Hoop Dee Doo (you should seriously consider that one) and the Luau at Polynesian; Boardwalk for an evening of dance or comedy or ESPN sports; Paradis Island for well into the night life, mini-golf; 4 regular golf courses; boating on the lakes; I am getting exhausted just thinking about it.

 

[Wendybird55]

Congraulations on your first DW trip! Am I correct to assume you are a DVC member? (I'm not).

Disney is addictive and it's hard to stay away. Even after a full week there I always feel I can stay another day or 2 for a few more things. BUT, if you're a DVC member you will be coming back again and again so you don't have to feel as compelled to see and do everything in this one trip.

That being said...yes, you really don't count your travel days for much...depending uponyour flight schedules you can use these days to check out the villas, relax - go to Downtown Disney for some shopping (if you're staing at SSR you're right there.)

6-8 days is a good amount of time. You probably want at least one day for each of the 4 parks. Animal Kingdom usually closes the earlier (around 5pm) so the day you do AK you can plan to go to another park in the evening - like EPCOT for dinner and Illumninations. (that's if you have the park hooper ticket). After the 4 park days - you may want to have another day to go back to your favorite park(s). Or you may want a "resort day" to hang around the pool and check out some of the other things around Disney or go to a water park.

I would say 5-6 full days plus your travel days will be a good start for a first timer. Just a few things to remember...
-You most likely won't be able to see and do everything, but that's OK - that's what return trips are for.
-Before you go, read up on the attractions and shows of the various parks and make a list of those you DEFINATELY want to see. It will help give you focus when you hit the parks.
-Make some advanced dinner reservations for those restaurants you really want to go to. You can make reservations starting at 180 days before you arrive.

And most of all - HAVE FUN...everyone has their own preferences when it comes to travel so make sure you do Disney your way.

Enjoy!

 

[jvincent16]

WOW! Thanks drusba! So much to do, so little time
I think we'll leave VB for another trip.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks wendy! yes i'm a dvc'er. this will be our first trip as members!

 

[lisareniff]

We seem to find a nice rhythm with 7 days in WDW (not including travel). One day for each park and an extra incase you missed something (or for a water park, SW, etc.), then 2 days to relax at the resort. We really need those 2 days interspersed, so don't underestimate the importance of relaxation days at WDW. Going to the parks for 4-5 days in a row is brutal. [example: 2 days parks, 1 day resort, 2 days parks, 1 day resort, 1 day park]

 

[wildernessDad]

Assuming that you'll go when the water parks are not too cold, you'd want to go around... (my guess only...) around...

6 or 7 nights.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks everyone! just booked ssr june 13/fri-21/sat. thats nine days minus two for travel so 7 total for the parks. we'll save VB for another trip. thanks again for your help/experience.

 

[TisBit]

Sounds like a good period of time. I would plan on two days each for MK and Epcot and one day each for DHS and AK. Then you will have another day to go back to a favorite or do something different. Take advantage of park hopping, maybe catching fireworks after AK closes in MK or Epcot, etc. You will love WDW and never look at DL the same.