Disney with kids - is 3 weeks in August too long?

[dossie]

Just can't get enough of this site today.
We are considering extending our trip to WDW (August 2007) from 2 weeks to 3 weeks. Wanted some advice as our children will be 3 and 5 and wondered what people thought about the length of stay for children of this age (without a car!!)
All advice welcome - thank you

 

[TandCmum]

actually i think 3 weeks would be better because you can take things at a slower pace and spend plenty of time cooling off in the pool. we will be doing 3 weeks next september with our kids who will be 3 and 5 too, although it should be a little cooler than August it is still very hot so having th extra time to chill out will make it much more relaxing

 

[Rascal1003]

Hi, I have no experience with taking children (our first arrived 5 weeks ago and we are taking him in Sept for the first time) but would suggest that 3 weeks is probably a nice length of time to go.
3 weeks gives you the flexibility to have all-important rest days (by the pool for example) just to recharge the batteries.

Orlando can be a bit full-on if you try to see everything in a short time, but if you can have a rest every now and again, you will benefit when you get back into the theme parks.

Is there an obvious reason not to have a car? They are very cheap (free with some tour operators) to hire and run and give you a real sense of freedom to go where you want, when you want. This could be usieful if your kids get bored on a rest day, at least you can go out somewhere like the Florida Mall or somehting.

Either way, you will have a great time I am sure.
All the best.
Russ

 

[Cinderella2006]

I think 3 weeks would be fantastic, I am very jealous, we are only going for 2 weeks, and I am limited to school holidays being a Nursery Nurse. Going for an extra week gives you time to relax more and take things at your children’s pace. I also agree with Russ, I don’t know the reason why you have decided not to hire a car but even if it was just for a week, it gives you more freedom.
Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[angel659]

Hi

I think 3 weeks is a fantastic idea. This has actually given me an idea. We are not sure what are going to do next yr. I have recently found out that I may start uni in Sep 07, so we cant actually go Oct now next yr. We will also be re-stricted to term time. At least 3 weeks you can take things slower. You will need to in that heat. Last time in Aug it was really hot and the crowds were high. Yes definately go for 3 weeks.

 

[kkymmy]

I would LOVE to go for three weeks....so much more relaxing and the kids can go on their fave rides more than once and there will plenty of chances for you to baby swap on the rides you guys like too...

Also definately make time to get out to the malls and a look up and down I-Drive and unless there is a very good reason for you not to have a car, I would get one even if only for a little while....you will miss out if you don't get to the american malls/stores

 

[Laurajean1014]

I would like three weeks, but I think kids will think it's too long. It will be quite hot and you will spend more time at the pools or WP than in the parks. Also, 3 weeks w/o a car can get a bit hairy. I love Disney, but a day at the mall or outlets is a nice change of pace.

 

[mozzman]

my 2 youngest will be 3 & 5 when we go in march 2007 i will make a trip report when we get back and probably have a few tips i have discovered,we have a 5 park flexi ticket and the ultimate disney we will be pushing things in 2 weeks so i would do 3 weeks if possible but only if i was in a villa personally i cant live in a hotel room for 3 weeks with little-uns doing every park is possible in 2 weeks but there is no chill out time.trouble is i cant take 2 weeks my commitments to work wont let me never mind.have a great trip

 

[carolfoy]

I agree with the others, 3 weeks would be perfect, leaving enough time for afternoon rests and pool time and knowing you won't miss out on anything.

 

[Soprano]

Just can't get enough of this site today.
We are considering extending our trip to WDW (August 2007) from 2 weeks to 3 weeks. Wanted some advice as our children will be 3 and 5 and wondered what people thought about the length of stay for children of this age (without a car!!)
All advice welcome - thank you

Personally, 3 weeks in WDW for us would be a touch of overkill. But not three weeks in Orlando! I have never been in August, so understand you need a lot more time as its very busy. I'm not keen on crowds, but note you are a teacher and have children so see you have restrictions when to go.

Are you planning to visit other places? SeaWorld? Universal? etc

 

[TandCmum]

i take it you are staying onsite at disney? which is what we did last year and we only had a car for a week and it was a lifesaver. It was far easier bunging the kids in the car than trying to get on the buses with buggies and bags etc. We also found that sometimes when the kids were tired we would just go for a drive so they could nap in the car, as with many children they will not sleep if you try and put them to bed but as soon as the car starts moving off they go, and this did save us from having some meltdowns. I don't think i would like to manage without a car again so if you can get one i would definatly recommend it.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We are going for 3 weeks in August, mainly because the prices are so high we figured it was worth making the most of it and we had all our theme park tickets bought anyway.

Do not tend to spend each & every day at the parks and find plenty of time to relax, shop and visit other places such as Clearwater etc

It is quieter from the middle of the month onwards but naturally it will be very hot though.

My main concern would be going for that long without a car, naturally it comes down to personal choice and where you are staying etc but I would have thought with 2 children having a car would make it a lot easier.

 

[AndRu]

We are going for 3 weeks in August, mainly because the prices are so high we figured it was worth making the most of it and we had all our theme park tickets bought anyway.

Do not tend to spend each & every day at the parks and find plenty of time to relax, shop and visit other places such as Clearwater etc

It is quieter from the middle of the month onwards but naturally it will be very hot though.

My main concern would be going for that long without a car, naturally it comes down to personal choice and where you are staying etc but I would have thought with 2 children having a car would make it a lot easier.

Spot on.

We're doing three weeks in Aug '07 when our kids will be 12, 10 and 9. As Johnny and (others) have said it gives you time to spread things out - you don't have the mad rush of having to do everything in 13 days so you can take your time. In the heat of August I think this will be appreciated.

However, my own personal view is that if you're onsite for three weeks without a car is too much Disney!! If you are going to make the most of your time there, get car and go and see the other delights that Florida has to offer. Spending 21 days in a holiday resort anywhere is overkill; there is so much besides WDW that it'd be shame not to see some of it.

 

[Disney owl]

I'd love to do 3 weeks so I'd say go for it

But my 3 weeks would be in a villa not an hotel room & with a car. Is having a car out of the question? As a non-driver I do appriciate how much easier it makes your holiday if you have one.

 

[arieliwish]

I think 3 weeks will be great, but agree that it would prob be best to stay in villa or split accommodation.

Anyone know what crowds are like in august as we're considering going around 15th aug 07 for 2 weeks - only been in sep before and there were no queues for anything (there were 2 hurricanes though!).

Lynn

 

[janine]

We just did a 3 week trip, and honestly I could have stayed another 3 weeks with all the things I still never got to do.
We had a week on I-Drive doing Seaworld, Discovery Cove, Universal etc, then a week in Disney (where I was having my wedding), then a lovely relaxing week at Clearwater/St.Petes Beach,( ooh and Busch Gardens, I know that's not very relaxing).
We never had a car for the first 2 weeks, only for our last week. Your kids will have so much fun.

 

[mattnkatsmum]

I only go away for a week at a time (work commitments )so I am very jealous.

The only thing that I would add that August is very hot and humid and we are usually fed up with the heat after a while. Also, we always stay on site and I would not recommend staying three weeks on Disney property. Even if we were going for a fortnight I'd be ready for a break from Disney magic after a week or so.

But still, lucky, lucky you. I say go for it!

 

[Lizzybear]

I don't think i'd want to spend 3 weeks JUST doing WDW as I love the other Orlando area attractions like Universal etc. I'd like to do 3 weeks in 2007 but I feel as if even though the extra holiday cost may not be much more the money spent in an extra week could be. Plus my bf most likely can't get that much time off at once. I figure we're only 22 and 24 though so there's plenty of time for the longer hols!

 

[lorapinky]

Three weeks will be perfect!

I just wish I could go for three weeks! I cant complain though as I am going for 18 days!

I think if you can it is best going for a little longer then 2 weeks so that you can have a rest days here and then!

 

[Miffy2003]

I went in August for two weeks when my DDs were 6 and 3 and to be honest I would have happily stayed for another week

Other trips we have stayed for over three weeks and had a fabulous time.

I think a lot will depend on your children though - mine are very adaptable and love travelling and changes of scenery, but I know some children can experience homesickness.

It will be extremely hot in August but there are lots of ways of coping with this

If you are going to be onsite at WDW for 3 weeks solid I really recommend you rent a car for at least part of it, if only for a few days. This will give you many more dining, shopping and entertainment options. The onsite transportation is excellent, but is limited in so far as it only works onsite