Did TA kill my plans??????

[tanyakoewers]

Hi there. I am planning our first trip to DW March 4-11th. I have booked our flight and have waited to get rooms because we weren't able to set things in stone as of yet. Well.... now we can. I planned on getting an AP for myself and a MYW ticket for 7 days for my DD who is 6. I'm getting the AP to save at a Mod resort otherwise it would be POP (it makes up the difference for the dates we are going). We planned on spending 1&1/2 days each at MK & EP and then spending one day each at AK & the Studios. We would then have one full day for "extras" like h20 parks or DQ if we wanted or just to rest in between and the 1/2 days when we arrive/leave. So, I thought I had things pretty set. Yesterday I went to a local TA to see what kind of discounts she could get before I called to make reservations and she told me there is no way I need 7 full days at Disney- that I should plan on 5 days and then 2 days offsite.

She didn't offer any "options" to do on those 2 offsite days and she has been to Disney many times with small children.

I guess my question is, am I planning to many days???? I know that some of you would spend 100 days there if you could. This is sort of a budget trip for us. Maybe I am just second guessing now that it is time to "show them the money" but I really want to be able to see all of the parks (and I know that you can't see everything everytime). Can we do this in 5 vs 7 days. Does she have a clue?????????????

Just asking some opinions for all you Disney experts out there.

Thanks so much for letting me "put out" my worries.

P.S. Any advise for a newbie? Can't miss? Don't waste your time here?

 

[safetymom]

I think 7 days is a good amount if you haven't been before. You might want to plan one or two down days at your resort though just to relax and enjoy the sun, pool, vacation.

But I think with 7 days you won't have to rush through the parks.

 

[TrickyFish]

Your TA is insane. My last (first) trip was 8 days and I still missed so much... I didn't get anywhere near seeing all of AK, never made it to DQ or the Water Parks. That could be because we didn't rush around everywhere, but its a vacation, why you want to? I think your 7 plan is more on the mark.

 

[Chuck S]

With a 6 yo, the seven days will give you time to go back to the room for naps in the afternoon and to "unwind" rather than pushing yourself and your child to the brink of exhaustion.

I have friends who really don't "like" Disney, and claimed to have seen "everything" in 3 days (yeah, right) but prefer the thrill rides at a Six Flags more than Disney. Your TA may simply a non-Disney person. IT really depends on what you want out of your vacation. Do you want it to be relaxing and enjoyable, or do you want to feel like you're on a commando raid to see all there is to see in a short a time as possible.

 

[Buzz's_girl]

I think it depends on what you want to do. There is so much to see and do at Disney that even with 7 days you wont see it all. With a six year old, (I have one too) I would say that the seven days allow you to take your time. You will quickly find out what you like and what you don't...for example, my kids were not fans of Epcot at all. (we went in August and it was hot and humid and all they wanted to do was swim). Because of the heat, we ended up at the resort every afternoon to swim and relax.

Not sure if you are getting park hopping or not, but if not, the 7 day pass gives you a little more flexibility as well.

I think you should go with your gut. Everyone does Disney differently...so you should follow your plan as long as it is working for you.

Another trip for you doing WDW with kids, is to make sure you are both having fun...kids can get tired easily in that kind of environment....if it all becomes to much, head back to your resort for a rest....after all it is a vacation!!!

 

[dis4fun]

7 days too many at WDW?? Never!! We try to always plan 9. The water parks in between regular park days will be a nice rest.

Keep in mind also since this is a budget trip (all of mine are), it will cost you more money if you do ANYTHING offsite. If you do any non-Disney parks or dinner shows you will be paying considerably more money out.

I know you will have a wonderful seven days at WDW!

 

[Yensid_MD]

The first time we went it was for 5 days and we felt like we barely scratched the surface. I agree with down time for the young one, take advantage of the pool at the hotel and all that. Sounds like she was trying to make the number of days work for the money you have and was coming up two days short. Look at www.mousesavers.com for more suggestions on how to save money. Price things out yourself. Meals can be an expensive part of the trip, so eat breakfast in your room. There are lots of ways to make Disney more affordable.

 

[noladave]

On our last trip (july/aug 2003), we spent 8 days, 7 nights, and still had trouble getting to everything. Part of that was having 2 young kids (at the time - ds9, dd5), and needing rest stops, and the fact that kids tend to want to ride a specific ride over and over again (my son couldn't get enough of Buzz, Space Mountain, and Mission Space). Also, we chose to spend 1 day at Universal.

So, having a 6 year old, I would suggest you go for as many days as you can afford. We are going back in about 10 days, and only staying for 5 days this time, but that's because of other restraints, not becuase we don't want to stay longer. In a perfect world, we would have liked to stay 6 or 7 days.

Hope that helps - good luck with your trip planning!

 

[mom_rules]

We've been quite a few times and never less than 10days.

We still can't fit everything in that we want to do (we
spent 1 day at Universal-could have used 2 or 3). Next time,
if we intend to do some "other" things I will book for 14 days.

 

[DizBelle]

With just me and DH, 8 days/7 nights seems to be the right length. And that is a Disney ONLY trip - no water parks, no Universal, no Sea World. With 8 days/7 nights, we could squeeze in 1 day of Universal but it would mean missing some Disney stuff. And we go all day every day with little or no breaks. We do go at a time of year when the parks close earlier so that isn't that big of a deal.

Back on our first trip in 1995, it was for 5 days/4 nights. I can't tell you how depressed I was on our departure day because I WASN'T DONE YET. And this was when there were only 3 major parks.

All I gotta say is go for your original 8 days/7 nights.

 

[eeyore0062]

Hi there. I am planning our first trip to DW March 4-11th. I have booked our flight and have waited to get rooms because we weren't able to set things in stone as of yet. Well.... now we can. I planned on getting an AP for myself and a MYW ticket for 7 days for my DD who is 6. I'm getting the AP to save at a Mod resort otherwise it would be POP (it makes up the difference for the dates we are going). We planned on spending 1&1/2 days each at MK & EP and then spending one day each at AK & the Studios. We would then have one full day for "extras" like h20 parks or DQ if we wanted or just to rest in between and the 1/2 days when we arrive/leave. So, I thought I had things pretty set. Yesterday I went to a local TA to see what kind of discounts she could get before I called to make reservations and she told me there is no way I need 7 full days at Disney- that I should plan on 5 days and then 2 days offsite.

She didn't offer any "options" to do on those 2 offsite days and she has been to Disney many times with small children.

I guess my question is, am I planning to many days???? I know that some of you would spend 100 days there if you could. This is sort of a budget trip for us. Maybe I am just second guessing now that it is time to "show them the money" but I really want to be able to see all of the parks (and I know that you can't see everything everytime). Can we do this in 5 vs 7 days. Does she have a clue?????????????

Just asking some opinions for all you Disney experts out there.

Thanks so much for letting me "put out" my worries.

P.S. Any advise for a newbie? Can't miss? Don't waste your time here?

If you want to only go to WDW and want 7 days, stick to your guns. I think to really do WDW right, you will need AT LEAST 7 days! There is no way you will see and do everything, even then, but it will give you a better opportunity. If possible, I will PM you.

 

[jenjersnap]

We spent a total of 10 days in Orlando this past December, 2 of which we spent off-site (went to Seaworld) at the end. We were so sad to leave the Disney resort and felt that we did NOT see everything, not by a LONG short. A 6-year-old, IMO, will need an afternoon break and one day of downtime so the days just fly by. In fact, 4.5-year-old DS and I are going back next week for some Mommy & Me time as well as to hit some of the things we missed. Buying an AP made that decision much easier.

I think the advice you've gotten is excellent, but I just wanted to share our experience. Have a wonderful trip no matter how long you stay!

 

[gigi1313]

echo echo echo to all the sentiments already posted...

the trip we took in '01 when dd was 6 and ds was 4 we were there for 9 days/8 nights and imo it was one day too short... we had a few little "want to do's" that we just did not get to do... although the part of the day that helped us get the most out of our trip was the daily nap! we are early risers so we were up and at 'em first thing... but by lunch time we were "done" so we'd head back to the hotel, take a nap (missing the mid-day rain) and wake up refreshed to face the second half of our day... there's no better feeling than leisurely walking into MK well rested and ready to enjoy our time together as a family... unfortunately as we were happily heading in, we were watching other families that pushed a little too hard dragging screaming crying overtired overheated unhappy children out of the park

 

[experiment626mom]

You need a new TA. Seven days is a great amount of time for WDW especially with kids. We usually do 7 -10 days and still think of things we didn't get to do!!

 

[Duet]

Listen to your DIS friends and stick to your original plan!! I think your plan is perfect - 1 1/2 days at MK & Epcot, 1 day at AK & MGM, and 1 day left over to do whatever!! For never having gone before you did a great job!!

Enjoy!!

Sounds like your TA needs a little pixie dust.

 

[andrabell]

Find a new Travel Agent. DH and I go for 10 days at the very minimum and still feel it's not enough to do everything and have a relaxing time.

 

[deanna2426]

I am a TA and she is absolutely insane!!! I am a Disney lover with small kids (2& 5 1/2) and think she is even more insane!!!

I would definately plan on 7 days! I recently had clients who had never been there, but could not go for more than four nights. They had a five year old and a six year old. They wanted to see as much as possible, so didn't really allow much time for breaks. Needless to say, but the third day their six year old was so overstimulated, he refused to go on any other attractions (including Peter Pan). They now understand why I recommend that first time visitors try to go for longer stays or have touring plans that aren't as ambitious.

I say you should go to Disney for the whole seven days. Take your time and enjoy it!!!

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

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

Just her commission!!!

I suggest finding a travel agents that really knows how to plan a trip to Disney World. Sure you could do it less, but why would you if you don't have to? I've been going there since I was an infant & I can tell you my list of things to do & see is still pretty long. Even if you get your fill of the parks, there is so much more to entertain you.

A vacation is to be enjoyed! So please...ENJOY!!

 

[kalamazoo]

I agree with everyone else who said to get the 7 day pass. The price difference between the 5 and 7 day hopper pass (with expiration) is so minimal - something like $7. Way more worth it to have the 7 days and go at a more leisurely pace. Even if you don't use all 7 days at least you had the option and won't feel too bad that you "wasted" $7. The waterparks/DQ option is the same price whether you take a 5 day or 7 day pass. The only thing that makes a difference is if you want to get the non-expiration option - then there's a bit more of a difference in price.

 

[ksoehrlein]

I lived in the area for a year and a half while I worked as a CM, have been back for 3-12 days every year since, and STILL have not seen everything at the 4 main parks! How she could say 7 days is too many is beyond me!