Could we do WDW in 7 days?

[HenDuck]

I am looking at dates in 2006 to take DS to WDW. He has already been to DL twice in 2004.

If I have to pull him out of school (he'll be in kindergarten), I'd like to pull him out for no more than one week of classes. I am thinking the first week of October. We'd fly out on Friday night, 9/29, arrive Saturday, 9/30. I figure Saturday will be used to buy groceries and get settled and "rest" .

Then we'd hit the parks running on Sunday and spend the next week (through Saturday, 10/7) at the World, then fly out at the crack of dawn Sunday, 10/8.

I am not thrilled with the thought of DS having to go to school the Monday after we get back, so maybe he can sit out that day (it will be Columbus Day, but I don't think the school will take it off).

Soooo, my question is, can we do it in 7 days without killing ourselves? And if so, what would you all recommend? I am willing to forgo character meals since we've already done those, but maybe would like to do an Illuminations dinner or cruise. He likes Pooh, Belle, and thrill rides.

We would most likely rent a vacation home, but I am interested in your thoughts about staying on-site to save time.

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to your expert responses!

 

[captcaveman]

In general, if you are going in the off-season, (Jan., Sept., Oct., Dec. 1-15) you could do it with time to spare. That week you chose shouldn't be an issue. And if you split your days in half (go to one park/event in the day and another in the late afternoon/evening) you'll find that it won't let the day drag and you'll reall y like the rest in between.

I would bet you could do all 4 parks without leaving a ride out, go to a water park, go to DTD (with a stop at DQ), AND enjoy the dinner cruise (weather permitting).

 

[mmeb144]

My experience in traveling with my kids to WDW has been that slower is better. Slower for you. The kids will notice things and want to do things that I think are boring. But, if I go with the flow, I have a good time, too. I wouldn't try to do it all.

Buy the official guide and go over all the ride pictures with your DS before time. That way, you can focus on what he wants to ride. Don't push him, or yourself, to go commando.

Try to stay onsite. You can do the afternoon break so much easier. Port Orleans French Quarter has a really nice pool that he would probably enjoy.

Marie

 

[MomofKatie]

I think you can do a lot in seven days. My advice is to get a good guidebook, and plan your trip. You don't have to schedule every minute of your time, but have an idea of what your can't-miss attractions and shows are. Then plan accordingly. You can save time by knowing what you want to do, and where you are going, ahead of time.

The biggest piece of advice I would give that helped us on our last trip is: GET GOING EARLY!!! We got so much accomplished when we arrived at the parks first thing in the morning- got right on rides with no waiting that had pretty long wait times later in the day. It really does pay off, especially if you have a limited amount of time, to get there at park opening.

As for staying on-site, we love it. You might not save a ton of time with Disney transportation, but you sure save your sanity! Not having to navigate the Disney highways is great, not to mention saving the $$ on parking fees. And if you do want to drive, parking is free for WDW Resort guests. Also, WDW Resort guests get extra hours at the parks each day- either one hour early entry in the AM, or three hours late in the PM. This can really help if you are concerned about getting it all done- you could get alot of extra time in the parks!

IMO, the "magic" is wonderful when you stay on-site.

 

[fdecker]

I agree about the guidebook. Come up with a plan and try to manage the tour taking advantage of FP when necessary and rider switch if you have someone to watch the child while you ride.

That said, it can be a difficult pace. Just to try it, we took a 16 y/o DD, 12 y/o DD, and 1 y/o DD and saw every single major ride, show and attraction at all the parks. However, this is a LOT of work with kids and they were completely exhausted by the last day. If you make a list of just the major things you really, really want to see and skip the rest, taking breaks and time to just look at the landscaping, the pretty buildings, the characters and street performers... you probably will have a better time.

To see everything with little or no stress, you probably need 8-10 days so you can spend time going home for a swim or something unless you just don't like one of the parks. For example, everyone always says that (at least until they finish the new roller coaster) you can see everything in AK in half a day. Yeah, everything but the animals. So if you just see the 3D bug show and do the safari, etc, you can do it in a half day, but if you want to explore the oasis, or walk around the path at the base of the tree of life, or stop and watch the parade, it will take you a lot longer to really enjoy.

I find that half of Disney is the stuff you miss rushing to the next attraction. My research found the official and unposted times for everything I could find. That way I could see the Jammitors, Kristos, and Off Kilter in Epcot and waste the least amount of time going from one to the other. I could catch Devine in the morning at AK and watch the Streetmosphere sketches in MGM. I liked having a plan, but knowing where we could deviate or take extra time. Having my own sheet in addition to the park map and daily times guide let us make the best use of our time.

-f

 

[bananiem]

We took our kids in late October 2000 when they were 4 and 6. They were too short to ride several rides so that helps time-wise. We did it in 6 days with day one and day 6 travel days. We did a park a day plus the Halloween Party at MK one evening. We got smarter the next time and added some time. The kids were exhausted but we geared the trip to the stuff they would enjoy at their age, knowing we'd go back again someday.
I think 7 days is a perfect amount of time for that time of year.

 

[Leota]

You can do an awful lot in 7 days in Oct. I don't think it's really, truly possible to do it all on any one trip. There's just so much & half of it is spontaneous.

I think it's a good amount of time, given that you don't want your child to miss too much school. Go - do what you can do & plan to go back another time.

Oh, and I would definately stay onsite if you can swing it. You will save so much time & hassle. Much easier on the kiddos that way too. There are so many perks, I can't even imagine staying offsite.

 

[Mama2jasminANDcaitie]

7 day? heck ya. We do it in 4 park days. I just cant afford all that hotel money!

You can see what you want.. just have a plan have a plan have a plan

 

[HenDuck]

Thanks to everyone for your responses!

We are still "negotiating" this trip in my house.

My first choice would be to go before DS starts kindergarten and get the 10 day MYW passes. BUT if that does not work out, we will have to choose between pulling him out of school in October or December, or going right after school gets out, which I think will be just before Memorial Day.

DH says, "Just pull him out. They can't STOP you..." But as we all know, it's just not that simple. Plus, we don't know which school he'll be attending since he hasn't tested for kindergarten yet and I don't know what the rules will be. BUT I don't want to start the pulling-your-kids-out-of-school debate here.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for the vote of confidence. I know that, no matter when we go and how many days we'll spend at WDW, we'll have a blast and you all on these boards will give us great tips!

Thanks again!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I think you can do a lot in seven days off season. But don't expect to do it all - we still haven't. I would suggest staying on-site though. It just makes everything easier and you have access to the extra magic hours. I also wouldn't really worry too much - kindergarten is the easiest grade to make up when you get back. Have a wonderful time.

 

[crisi]

We've done it in seven days. No bass fishing or horseback riding, but pretty much everything else.

Some buts:

If he wants to to the Pirate Cruise, you lose half a day (but it might be worth it. My kids are that age and had a lot of fun).

If he wants to ride all the rides he is tall enough for AND all the "baby" rides, and ride some a few times, you might run out of time.

A waterpark is also worth half a day, but not two. In October you can spend the morning in the park, the afternoon at a WP and still be in Epcot for dinner and Illuminations.

I wouldn't do an Illuminations cruise - expensive if worn out child falls asleep. I would make time for Fantasmic.

If he still needs naps, you'll lose time. If he is OK with a rest, know the good resting attractions (my daughter napped on Spaceship Earth - 15 minute catnap).

The rental strollers fit a five year old easily and will help you make good time in the spread out parks. World Showcase with a tired five year old and no stroller....nope.

You don't get extensive "browse in stores" time.

Onsite may be a deal if you will use the extra hours. Sounds like you are from out West, which will make extra hours in the evening particularly attractive....especially if you don't want to be up at 4am Pacific time to be at the parks at opening.

 

[kccmommy]

You might check on your school calendar. Most schools here have a 4 day weekend in October for teachers meetings/ fall break. Then you would only miss 3 school days. You probably wouldn't be the only one in the class taking off the whole week either.

 

[eeyore0062]

You can do alot in 7 days, but don't expect to see it all. We live down here and still haven't seen or done it all!

 

[micksterlee]

Ithink one key to a good visit no matter how long you are there is to plan in advance and remember you are there to relax and enjoy ! If you don t see evrything (which you won t) there will always be next time.

 

[golfgal]

Most schools will have their calendar for the next year out in the spring, probably around April. That might help you plan for your vacation time. You might find that there is a prescheduled holiday somewhere in Oct/Nov. I know the MN schools have their teacher convention the 3rd week in October, always, so we can plan something around those days if we need to. Our kids go to a priviate school and they schedule a teacher conference the day before the state conference so the kids have Wed-Fri off. Many families take that week off for trips.

Before the kids came along, I was a teacher. If your son is going to miss a week of school in kindergarten, he isn't really going to miss anything, especially in October. Kindergarten is the easiest grade to take kids out of for trips. I wouldn't give it a second thought. Get any essential class work from the teacher a head of time, do it on the plane. Chances are it won't be anything much at all. Each passing year it gets harder and harder to take kids out of school. Now would be your best chance.