Do you think this is silly?

[UGAFan0829]

The DH and I REALLY, REALLY want to visit WDW for our vacation this year. Initially we had planned to visit Pigeon Forge, TN for 3 nights and go to Dollywood and Splash Country. But after I got to thinking, I decided that maybe we could just go to Disney for those 3 nights instead if I could find something along the same price. We could stay in one of the value resorts for only about $50 more than just going to Pigeon Forge, with 3 day Park Hopper tix included. This will be our very first visit to WDW, and I know that there is no way to do everything in those 3 days, but I think that we could at least do some of it. I know it's only for 3 days, but I'll take that over not going at all. What do you guys think, is it a wise choice?

 

[epcotking]

You can see more of disney than you think you can in 3 days. Plus, if this is your first trip, you won't know what you missed. Here are some tips:

Stay on property - it'll make you feel like you did the Disney thing longer than you did.

Plan ahead - Look at every ride and resturaunt and know what you want to do

Allow time - Lines can get long, but use your fastpasses wisely.

HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[indigoxtreme]

Yes do it. Leave the night before and stay in Lake Park GA, just outside of Valdosta so it is not as expensive. You can get a room for around 59 a night and up. You have summer hours at the parks too so this will help. Don't know how old your kids are, so alot would depend on that as well.

 

[edk35]

You will have fun. Depending one what time of year you go.....will determine what and how much you can do and see. But like the poster said ..you will get more fun in that you expect. Plan ahead...pick the parks that are a must see this trip. Then come back here and start planning for YOUR NEXT 3 day trip back the WORLD to see some of the other parks. I think I would persoally home in on two this trip...instead of trying to get all 4 in a three day period. You can still hop between the two on these three days. Will you get 3 full days at the park??? Yes and stay on site.....it is the best.

Denise

 

[Diznotyzed]

I know it's only for 3 days, but I'll take that over not going at all.

You said it all right there! Since there's no rule about how much you must see on any given trip to WDW, I say any time spent there is a good decision!

 

[jennyl772003]

You won't see everything in 3 days, but it will still be a great trip.

My advice would be to make a list of your "must do's" "would like to do's" and "don't care to do's". Then try to hit the must do's first.

Have fun!

 

[Simba22]

Absolutely do it. If my DBF said to me right now, we can go to WDW but only for 3 days I'd leave now. 3 days is better than no days...heck 1 day is better than none. And especially since it will be your first trip it will only motivate you to go again for a longer period of time.

 

[minkydog]

Let's see...3 days in Pigeon Forge, Home of the endless-all-you-can-eat-pancake restaurants vs. WDW...a no-brainer. Go to WDW and have a fabulous first trip!

 

[Master Gracie]

Oh heck yeah. I live in Tennessee and have been to Pigeon Forge several times. It is nice and all...but go to Disney.

Just plan out what you want to do before you go. Once you have that plan, try to stick to it, but be flexible and I think you will have a wonderful time.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I'd pick two parks to visit and save the other two for your next trip. The Magic Kingdom can be a two day park if you take it easy, relax, and take the time to enjoy yourself. and if I had to pick one other park for one day I'd pick Animal Kingdom, it's got the best range of the top experiences right now. If you prefer shows and such, MGM has a lot of attractions with little wait because they hold so many people and is also a good third park.

I'm trying to talk the family into going to Dollywood someday myself, it looks like it would be a blast.

 

[mill4023]

You could do all 4 parks in 3 days. Obviously you won't see everything, but you could at least experience the best attractions in each.
If I had 3 days, I'd spend it like this:
full day at MK
full day at Epcot
morning at AK / afternoon and evening at MGM.

 

[mickeysaver]

The first time that I went to WDW as an adult with my partner, we had only 3 days. It was in March of 2001, we caught a pre-season Braves game, saw La Nouba, shopped at DTD and around the Orlando area, and visited MGM. That trip was so magical! We certainly did not see or do it all, but it was sso much fun.

That was the trip that started my currently incurable Disney addiction. To my mind, any Disney is better than no Disney at all. Happy Planning! Maggie

 

[MastaMind]

My wife and I stayed for 3 nights at the Beach Club for our last trip. We didn't get to do everything, but we were able to do our main attractions. Just plan ahead and make a list of things you must see and things you would like to see. It was worth it for us.

 

[BCFD 88]

I would choose Disney hand's down. It's sooooo much better than Dollywood. I have season passes to Dollywood but it is nothing compared to the Disney.

 

[bctripp]

I'd go to Disney, pigeon forge is ok, but Disney is way better! Even if it's only 3 days.

 

[Sonno]

Hmmmm... now that's a tough decision... Smoky Montains or Disney World?

Sorry all, I think I'd have to go with the Smoky's; it is, and will probably always be, my most favorite place on Earth.

 

[thunderbird1]

I think we'd take 3 days at WDW over 3 days anywhere else! Heck, I could do 3 days without ever even entering a park. You won't see it all, but I'm not sure you could see it ALL in a month.

I agree with mill4023--a full day a MK, a full day at Epcot and a morning at AK + afternoon/evening at MGM (unless you're really into the shows, in which case I'd probably skip AK and do a whole day at MGM).

Stay on property and use EMH (check the calendar online to see what parks will be open late/early while you're there) and fastpasses (get them early! they do run out). Since it's your first time, there will be plenty to see while you're waiting for your fastpass times to come up.

Research the menus at allearsnet.com and get your ADR's so you don't waste time trying to decide where/when to eat.

Relax and enjoy yourself! And be prepared for the addiction that will kick in once you've been.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Thank you all so much for your VERY encouraging posts. I went ahead and booked a stay at the All Star Music today, so that is all set. We are gonna get our park passes at a later date. (Couldn't just take the $$ for a package out of our budget right now since we are so close to our arrival time, and it would all have to be paid for up front.) I am going to take the advice to make a list of the things that I really want to do, and have even already make a ressie for breakfst at Crystal Palace to eat with Pooh. Words can't explain how excited I am. This will be the first time for both the DH and I, and I really can't believe that we're going! Thanks again everyone!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

No offense to Dollywood but....3 days at Disney is way better than 3 days at Dollywood and Splash Country. I would not try to do a water park at Disney just stick to the big 4. Like someone said earlier 1day Mk and split the rest to suit your desires, if you want to tour the countries and so on Epcot may take a full day if you don't really care about World Shpwcase, Future World can easily be done in half a day. Check the Disney calendar on the Walt Disney World web site at look for EMH during your visit, night time EMH add 3 more hours after closing and morning adds 1 hour prior to opening for resort guests, use that info to pick what parks what days or which parks to hop between on certain days.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

As someone who lives about 45 minutes from Pigeon Forge, I say RUN! Don't walk, to Disney! My family enjoys the mountains, and I enjoy shopping at the outlets occassionally, but I DO NOT understand why people spend their vacations here. I guess you always want what you don't have easy access to, but the traffic is horrible during the summer & fall; the restaurants aren't that great (except the Apple Barn); and all of those cheapo, money-grabbing "attractions" are just so tacky. The Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is the best attraction in the area. And don't even think about Cades Cove -- it will be bumper to bumper for the entire 11 mile loop. And if anyone even THINKS they see a bear, it'll be jammed up even worse!

Have I convinced you to go to Disney yet? The first trip DH & I took to WDW was way back in 1995. We stayed 3 nights at Disney & were able to do a lot! Granted, AK didn't exist then, but we still got to see & do a lot of stuff. We stayed at a value resort (All Star Music) and had a wonderful time.