Did TA kill my plans??????

[margor]

Our first trip was sometime in the early 80's with our kids (youngest in kindergarten then) and we are now long time membrs of DVC and returning several times a year from PA with those kids, new in-laws and two granddaughters! It is good to get some info on what you think you want to see and start with a "flexible" plan. You may find the kids are more interested in some things, not interested in things you planned a whole day to do. Epcot isn't really a whole day of interest for younger kids. The weather, the activity level, the lines etc will alter alot of "plans". Remember, this is a VACATION - for the kids too! Go with the flow and have a ball - you will be back! Budget-wise, when our kids were young, we did not plan meals in sit down restaurants which typically cost alot more - require reservations (more plans) and kids don't want to stand in line for an hour when they are tired to get mac and cheese or a hot dog from the kids menu. The meals in the fast food in the parks are great and I think a good value. There is a HUGE Mcdonald's on property! Relax and enjoy! We are leaving for WDW in 2 hours!!!!!

 

[Rpsemont]

Our first trip was 6 days and we ran from 7AM-11PM every day. We saw alot, but it was not relaxing.

Also, the 7 days tickets are only a few dollars more than a 5-6 day ticket, and if you do stuff offsite, it will cost you more for those tickets!

IMHO - if you're watching dollars I would compare the cost of
a) 2 - 7day Hoppers (note no AP); POP, and 1-2 water park/DQ tickets
b) 1 - 7day hopper, 1 AP, POP, 1-2 water parks
c) 1- 7day hopper, 1 AP, MOD and no water parks
With the water slides at the moderates, you might be able to forego the water park.

Or also look at splitting stay between POP and Moderate.

 

[donnajon]

We are going in June for our 3rd trip in 2.5 years. We have DS8, DD5 and DD2. Last May, our three kids did not enjoy DQ. It had some really cool things but seemed for of an attraction for older kids and teens to us. We left after about an hour. We like to spend 2 days at MK, 2 days at Epcot (they have the kidcot stations at every country where kids can make masks and get stamps - China is particularly neat because they will write your child's name in Chinese on the back of the mask and also give a stamp from the year they were born (year of the dragon, snake or whatever - my kids thought that was cool.) Looking for the kidcot stations in each country gave them a purpose to go thru each one and they saw things they wouldn't have otherwise. There is a toy museum in the back of Japan. Anyway, we like to have 1 day for AK, MGM and a water park. Then we will have one extra day to do whatever we want. Rest, go back to another park. Keep with your plans and have a great time.

 

[CarolA]

You need to find a Disney TA. Your aveage TA does not have a clue what an AP discount is.

I have used Dreams Unlimited. (Click on reservations at the top of this page) They have always gotten me an AP discount room and even make your Dinner seating reseravtions and will help you with your planning. It is all on line, but it works well.

 

[eeyore0062]

No, I don't think your TA killed your plans...

Just her commission!!!

I was thinking the exact same thing! A 7 day base is only $7 more per ticket than a 5 day. If you go for 2 days off site with the tickets being about $60 for adults and $48 for kids that adds up to more money, meaning more commission.

 

[DrTomorrow]

ITA with those above. One other thing: the goal of a WDW trip should NOT be "to see everything" (I remember a column once about tourists doing the "3-minute Louvre in Paris"). It should be to having fun with your family, taking the time to do what you want to do - even if it means riding Dumbo 3 times in a row. An afternoon break will really help with a 6YO - it helps two empty-nesters like DW and I . And there certainly will be things that you want to go back to see / do on another day; no need to feel rushed.

Plus, with the new ticket prices, the extra days won't cost very much - and anything offsite will.

 

[DianeL]

There is so much to see and do and then there all the things you don't have to do like get up early! It's a vacation, take your time, enjoy yourselves. If you can do 7 days it will be easier on yourself and the little one.

If you have the time you can do lunch and shopping at DownTown disney when it's quieter there then catch dinner and fireworks or show at one of the parks.

My idea of fun at Disney is to leave the resort when I feel like it, to linger over meals as I watch people or chat with my family/friends. A quiet afternoon shopping at DTD followed by the mad dash to the park i made too early dinner reservations followed by one of the park's night shows (somehow it's always Fantasmic that I do this with). My Mom's idea of Disney fun, be at the parks when they open, choke lunch down as we rush to whatever is next on the list, catch the night show THEN shop till close at DTd if she had her way *g* Either way we still never have enough time. Even with going twice a year now.

Do what feels right for you but I would err on the side of having a more relaxing time at Disney.

Oh how much fun you'll have with a little one!!! Are you planning on a character meal? It might help you too if you put on paper where some of the big chunks of time might go. Keep in mind you sometimes have to park hop and that takes precious time.

Last January we were down with a 1st timer and wanted to give them the long monorail experience from the Ticket Center to Epcot. We bused from AK to MK then had to wait for the Monorail (we wanted to give him the front sit experience because he won't be going again for a long time) and had to wait for 3 trains (they had a training monorail go thru) It was unbelieveable how much time that ate up and it wasn't something we planned.


Anyways, have a blast!!! And don't forget to see if Figment is out and about!!! Gotta push him so we don't lose him :-D

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I totally disagree with your TA.

Our first trip was only 4 days at WDW, 3 days at IOA/US- it was NOT nearly enough time to do even 1/4 of the parks at WDW on that trip.

My next solo trip was 7 days, by myself doing what I wanted during slow time (Jan) and it was "kinda" enough- considering I was by myself to do what I wanted/when I wanted, slow time at the parks, plus we'd just done 4 days there a month before.

Our BEST trip by far was our 12 day trip Thanksgiving-Dec of 2003. We spent about 7-8 days of that trip at the parks, some at DQ/DTD, one day at the water park, some time at the miniature golf, etc. It was GREAT!

There's no way we could enjoy a trip on just 5 days- that's one day at each park plus one day at a water park- or even 5 days at the parks... still not enough time. You can't do every ride, explore all the stuff at each park, etc. in one day for each park. I think that might be impossible even if you were the only ones in the park! (since times for shows, parades, etc. sometimes coincide with one another-plus you add in any meals/character meals/shows/etc. also).
Even AK is not a "one day" park for us... considering we like EVERYTHING there (every ride, etc.) and also enjoy donald's breakfast that, plus we like RFC, all the shows, etc. And people usually say that's the only park they "could" do in one day- to do so is still to miss a LOT there. The rest- forget about trying to do even half of everything there is to offer in one day each park.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

I agree with the sentiments posted by so many above. Remember that kids will often delight in things that parents underestimate. So yes to the posters who mentioned that kids love to repeat attractions, take long monorail rides just for the fun of it, etc. Mine also loved watching the fountains, Living Statues, Chinese acrobats, and the Japanese candy lady at Epcot; lingering on the walking paths at AK; playing in the Animation lab at Disney Studios; and chasing down characters at every turn! Our first trip of 7 days was nowhere long enough to do everything, but we did have the time to linger at least a little!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Not only do I agree that 5 days is NOT enough, I would advise you to buy DD an AP as well as yours! Next year take your vacation a week or 2 earlier and your tickets are paid for! The difference between her 7 day ticket and an AP would be less than 2 - 7 day tickets and my guess is both of you will be longing to return because there is so much more to see and so many things you want to do again! I also agree, get a new TA! Happy Planning!

 

[tanyakoewers]

Well, after all of your information, I decided to call a Disney TA. I am so glad I did. I am getting an AP for myself and a discount at POFQ, we have decided to not get the "extra" option but to keep the hopper option. With the money I will will save I can upgrade to POFQ (with a slide/good enough H2O park for my DD-6 - I'm not a big swimmer anyway) and I don't know that she would really enjoy DQ anyway. So with the money we are saving, it almost covers our airfare and is worth it just for the upgrade.

I would like to thank everyone who has spent time answering all the newbie questions we have. What great info!!!!!!

I am SOOOO excited. I think I will add a countdown now that things are set.

Also, I have also finally convinced my mother to go with us. I have been asking but she never takes a vaction and I know that she will love to go. With the money she sees us saving she is now on the Disney wagon with us.

 

[mom_rules]

Congrats! Have fun planning!

 

[henrylovespooh]

I think 7 days is good. We go for 7 or 8 days. We go to the MK early and ride the popular rides first, then walk around and enjoy the park. Then we take an afternoon break. Then we go to another park in the late afternoon and evening. This allows us to focus on a few key things a day just to make sure we cover our bases. Then by day four of the trip, we map out the last few days by seeing what we've missed.

On my last two trips we never had a day we weren't in the park for at least half a day. I can't see goign all the way there and just hanging out at the pool. I have to do the parks!

Stick to your guys and go for 7 days!

 

[js]

Tanya, this is definately not the right place to ask if you should spend less time in Disney LOL
I've been many, many times and our last few trips have been for 10 days. This last trip in Nov. we dubbed "our trip of trying all new things" and still haven't done everything. My 6 year old and 10 year old have been many times too and still never tire of it. We are planning to go next year and do some Universal and my dd is already giving me a hard time.
Anyway, like another poster said, stick to your guns and keep your 7 days
Have fun planning. Stay on this board along with the Family and Budget boards and you will be an expert before you know it.
Have fun!

 

[Turner5]

Don't rush it. We went to Disney for the first time last summer. For the first two days of our 6 day trip, I made everyone miserable. I was rushing around trying to see it all and do it all because we might never go back. We were getting up early because I insisted this was the only way we were going to do it all. After a tearful breakdown about how hard I had worked to make this trip fun for everyone, I finally chilled. After that, we slowed down. I accepted that we wouldn't see it all, but it was better that way. We enjoyed what we did see so much more and ended up having a better time that way.

Guess what? We didn't have to see it all. We are going back in March, and my whole approach is different.

My advice.....relax with it and don't worry about what you miss! You can't possible see it all in even seven days or five days. Just enjoy what you do get to do. You can go back and do it again (even if you have to scale back how much time you spend and the amount of money you spend).

Have fun!

 

[sbelyo]

Well let's just say that maybe the TA has never been to Disney before. And as far as how many days do you need? I would say that you could spend 30 days there and still not see everything in one trip.

 

[eeyore0062]

With children I would definitely do the early morning hours. If they are anything like the children I know they will be in the best frame of mind then. Leave the parks around one, go back, take a nap or swim in the pool and head back out about 4 pm. Once the kids get older, or if you go on your own, that is the time to get up when you want and hit the parks later. With kids, the earlier, the better!