Back to planning!

[DYOBL0305]

Our last trip was in August of 2014 for my DD1's 6th birthday. The trip was a surprise for them (we didn't tell them until the morning of our arrival to the resort) and our entire stay was a huge success. We had planned to go back this year for my DD'2 6th birthday in December, BUT with the arrival of our newest bundle of joy a couple of months ago AND after selling our house and embarking on a quest to find a bigger house for our now-family of six, it does not look like the trip will be happening this year after all. We could very well make it back to DW next spring or even next summer, but DH and I would love to give our DD2 the very best birthday just as we did for our oldest princess, so we decided to push it back to December of 2017.

Now, our dates would be end of December (her bday is the 27th) which I know are CRAZY busy/crowded and it's right in between Christmas and New Year's, so we were considering keeping the trip short, maybe just 2-3 days instead of 5-7 like we have done before. The idea would be to spend all of our time at MK since, for our kids, it was the place with the most attractions for them. On a later date we'll go back and hit the rest of the parks as well, but maybe not during the holiday season, at least not that particular holiday season LOL

My question is, for those of you that have done short trips, is 2-3 days enough for MK during that time of the year? Keep in mind my kids will be 8, 6, 4, and 2. Should be consider extending our stay? Am I crazy for even trying? LOL

TIA!!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

I would never skip the opportunity to go to WDW even if it just meant 2 -3 days at MK. Sure, you won't get to do everything, but if you plan in advance and prioritize your FP's and just concentrate on some must-do rides and attractions you can still have a great experience. Just don't try to cram everything in and stress about all the things you won't be able to do. With younger kids (2 and 4) I'd imagine there will be some nap breaks but stick to their regular schedule as close as possible and everyone will be happier for it.

 

[LuckyBelle81]

We went for a 3 day birthday trip in October 2012. Our DD1's bday is 10/31 and our DS's is 11/19 (we now have a DD2 but didn't at that point) so we were there to do MNSSHP which took up one night and we spent the rest of the time at HS or back in MK. I kind of missed going to every park but I think the kids were fine with just MK and HS (they were 6 and almost 3 at the time). It was DS's first trip and DD1's 2nd but her first had been when she was 2 so she didn't remember much anyway so I think that helped in keeping them from feeling like they were missing anything. We felt like 3 days was adequate but I know its not as busy in October as it is at the time you're looking at going. But I agree w pp that I would never pass up a trip to WDW, even if its a short one. If you know going into it that you're only going to be there for a few days and only focus on doing a few things I think you'll do fine. It might actually be a good way to ease into the WDW experience as a family of 6. Our last trip was Nov 2015 and our kids were 9, 6, and 2 we did the week-long shebang. I don't at all regret going but it might have been nice to have a short trial run of a trip before hauling everything and everyone (we had grandparents too) down for a big trip. Anyway, I think you'll do fine with a short trip as long as you plan so that anything that is a "must do" for y'all gets done.

I'm toying with the idea of a Spring Break trip in March 2017 so I've started planning and I've realized that this trip will cost about twice what our last one did because DD1 will be 10 (so we'll have to pay adult prices for her) and our DD2 will be 3 (so we'll have to actually buy tickets and a DP for her this time) so I would say go as many times as you can while you can before you have to start paying more (or at all) for your kids.

 

[DYOBL0305]

Thank you both for your feedback! We've never done a short trip, even before having kids, so I wasn't sure how well that would work for such a busy time of the year. When we were there back in 2014 I was a bit apprehensive about the heat, crowds, taking a one year old, packing, and everything else that comes with a first-time trip with little ones, but we went in with very little expectations, and planned around naps and breaks, so it worked out really well. I guess, keeping that in mind, I thought we'd be fine going during the holidays, especially knowing what we knew and had learned from our previous trip there, but all the posts about what a nightmare the parks are during this time of the year was/is making me a bit anxious. I'm going to try to just do the same as last time, plan as much as possible and keep our expectations as minimum and realistic as possible. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best right? lol

 

[roseaster]

Honestly, not to be a buzzkill, but that week between xmas and NY is an absolute mob scene. It is utterly packed and, really, you will get very little done. Lines are horrible that time of year.

Your daughter is 2, I'm not sure how much she will even comprehend that this is a birthday trip. Maybe consider a different time that is less crowded and less expensive.

 

[Tara1988]

Maybe since it has already passed her 6th birthday, make it a half birthday trip, or Kindergarten graduation trip. Anything to not go during that week!

 

[rsagusti]

We went for a 3 day trip but that was in October. we only did MK and HS, it was great but not crowded. I have never been during a crowded time but I would avoid it.

 

[squirrel]

I too would pick another week even the first week in December would be better. I would want to do a longer trip so I would pick a week that is cheaper (hopefully less crowded) and celebrate her birthday early! It costs less money per day the longer you stay. I'd rather have a longer trip than go on my birthday if I knew it would be more crowded and shorter.

 

[DYOBL0305]

Thank you all. We have tossed around the idea of going the week before, it is cheaper and maybe that would save us from some of the headaches that go along being at the parks during such a busy time of the year. The weather is another thing I hadn't considered. I'm not sure how cold it gets during mid-to-end of December, last time I was there during the holidays I was 9 and I remember walking around wearing either a thick sweatshirt or jacket the whole time lol my mom has always been the type to overreact a bit though so it ma not have been THAT cold but I couldn't tell you now lol when dh and I went end of November a few years ago I remember it being a little cold in the mornings and at night but warm during the day, and we had a couple of storms go through but they lasted but a few minutes. Is it any different in December?

 

[squirrel]

I think it depends on where you live if you think it's cold. I have been at the end of November beginning of December and we hit the water park one day. We wore t-shirts and shorts or capris to the parks. I think most wear layers like t-shirt and sweatshirt or sweater.

 

[DYOBL0305]

Anything less than 60 my kids and I will freeze lol we're from South Texas, we're used to 90 degree weather, even in December. Our winter is in January and we dip as low as upper 30's-lower 40's most mornings/nights, that's really the coldest we get all year.