First timer - 4 days or 5?

[J. Galt]

We are WDW vets and just returned from our first trip to DL (early Nov.). We also have young kids (girls, 6 and 2) and tend to tour at a snail's pace compared to many. We actually had 6 day tix and used every day on the tix (with one half day in there when we went to the beach and froze to death). The thing we really loved about DL WAS the leisurely pace we were able to keep. At WDW, even with 7 or 8 day park hoppers we always feel like we are rushing, rushing, rushing to see everything we want to see. At DL, with 6 days to blow, we were able to see just about everything we wanted to see... multiple times if we wanted. If the kids wanted to ride the Teacups 5 times in a row... no worries, we have plenty of time! We spent a TON of time at the Princess Fantasy Faire, and Woody's Roundup. We sat leisurely waiting for parades and fireworks, enjoying icecream and scoring terrific seats. We were even able to line up early for the first Fantasmic! (since returning from hiatus) and had FANTASTIC views. Lots of leisurely shopping and blowing time at the hotel pool too. Our kids enjoyed being able to linger over things a bit, and so did we, but that's our family and this might not be the best route for everyone. I know my sister's three boys would probably burn through the parks in three or four days, easy.

We are planning to go back and I would still go back for the same amount of time and get the same length park hopper. My vote for you is for the 5 day. For the small dollar difference, it is worth it, even if you just wind up going back for a half day to see the parades/fireworks.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are WDW vets and just returned from our first trip to DL (early Nov.). We also have young kids (girls, 6 and 2) and tend to tour at a snail's pace compared to many. We actually had 6 day tix and used every day on the tix (with one half day in there when we went to the beach and froze to death). The thing we really loved about DL WAS the leisurely pace we were able to keep. At WDW, even with 7 or 8 day park hoppers we always feel like we are rushing, rushing, rushing to see everything we want to see. At DL, with 6 days to blow, we were able to see just about everything we wanted to see... multiple times if we wanted. If the kids wanted to ride the Teacups 5 times in a row... no worries, we have plenty of time! We spent a TON of time at the Princess Fantasy Faire, and Woody's Roundup. We sat leisurely waiting for parades and fireworks, enjoying icecream and scoring terrific seats. We were even able to line up early for the first Fantasmic! (since returning from hiatus) and had FANTASTIC views. Lots of leisurely shopping and blowing time at the hotel pool too. Our kids enjoyed being able to linger over things a bit, and so did we, but that's our family and this might not be the best route for everyone. I know my sister's three boys would probably burn through the parks in three or four days, easy.

We are planning to go back and I would still go back for the same amount of time and get the same length park hopper. My vote for you is for the 5 day. For the small dollar difference, it is worth it, even if you just wind up going back for a half day to see the parades/fireworks.

I laughed reading this as our experience is so opposite. At DLR we do highly focused touring for three days or so. It is very intense and feels like a sprint. But we have a blast.

At WDW we did 10 days both times. It is not possible to sprint for 10 straight days at WDW so one has to slow down. It seemed liked we had so much time. While we were focused on rope drop (I think we made RD 7 out of 10 days on our May trip this year) we also had lots more early evenings back ot the hotel and several half-days at parks. We did water parks four times (twice each at TL and BB) for 2-3 hours. We did DQ 3 times.

In any case, I guess the bottom line is you can make your own Disney trip be rushed or relaxed whether at DLR or WDW. A rule of thumb is that an equivalent Disney trip at DLR takes twice as many days at WDW. So your 6 day trip to DLR would be like a 12 day trip to WDW. I think most people would find it easy to relax and take it slow if they had 12 days at WDW.

I do not think it is an apples-to-apples comparison to compare 6 days at DLR to 7-8 at WDW because of the additional parks, water parks, etc., at WDW.

 

[J. Galt]

In any case, I guess the bottom line is you can make your own Disney trip be rushed or relaxed whether at DLR or WDW. A rule of thumb is that an equivalent Disney trip at DLR takes twice as many days at WDW. So your 6 day trip to DLR would be like a 12 day trip to WDW. I think most people would find it easy to relax and take it slow if they had 12 days at WDW.

[/QUOTE]


Most certainly! But we can't afford to take a 12 day trip to WDW (either time- or monetarily-wise) so it felt absolutely luxurious to take a 6 day trip to DL and see and do pretty much everything we wanted without pushing or exhausting our little ones. At WDW, even though we get the 7 or 8 day park hoppers, we still can't "see it all" (for example, we've never even been to the waterparks or DQ for that matter). Its very push, push, push, got to catch next bus to make it to PS on time, run to this attraction before the crowds arrive, etc... We still have a great time, but even our "snail's pace" touring gets pushed to the max! It does take a toll on the little ones. At DL, mainly because there are no transportation issues, and there aren't as many things to see, we were able to sleep in, linger, wander and really enjoy lots of the "little acts" and spontaneous character interactions that seem so abundant at DL (and sadly disappearing from WDW). A totally different experience from our WDW trips... both are very fun, they just beg for different tour strategies for our family.

I wasn't really trying to make an apples to apples comparison between DL and WDW. I was just trying to let the OP know that our family had no trouble filling 6 days at DL... we never felt bored or like we had seen it all. We will be keeping DL in our vacation rotation, and I will for sure go back for 6days again. Maybe when our kids are older we can do more "commando".

 

[HydroGuy]

Most certainly! But we can't afford to take a 12 day trip to WDW (either time- or monetarily-wise) so it felt absolutely luxurious to take a 6 day trip to DL and see and do pretty much everything we wanted without pushing or exhausting our little ones. At WDW, even though we get the 7 or 8 day park hoppers, we still can't "see it all" (for example, we've never even been to the waterparks or DQ for that matter). Its very push, push, push, got to catch next bus to make it to PS on time, run to this attraction before the crowds arrive, etc... We still have a great time, but even our "snail's pace" touring gets pushed to the max! It does take a toll on the little ones. At DL, mainly because there are no transportation issues, and there aren't as many things to see, we were able to sleep in, linger, wander and really enjoy lots of the "little acts" and spontaneous character interactions that seem so abundant at DL (and sadly disappearing from WDW). A totally different experience from our WDW trips... both are very fun, they just beg for different tour strategies for our family.

I wasn't really trying to make an apples to apples comparison between DL and WDW. I was just trying to let the OP know that our family had no trouble filling 6 days at DL... we never felt bored or like we had seen it all. We will be keeping DL in our vacation rotation, and I will for sure go back for 6days again. Maybe when our kids are older we can do more "commando".

We are complete agreement. For others who have not been to both resorts, I would not want anyone to read into this thread that DLR or WDW is inherently more slower paced or, conversely, more faster paced (hectic) than the other. Given enough days both resorts can be taken at a slow pace, and with a shortage of days both can feel rushed.

I also agree that the logistics of each resort can contribute to the slower/faster pace feel. Like you I love, love, love the walking distance accomodations at DLR and zero need for transportation. It makes me feel more relaxed knowing I can get anywhere within DLR in 15 minutes max using just my feet.

On the other hand, the spread out nature of WDW gives you more opportunities for a wider range of experiences both inside and outside the parks. This has both posives and negatives.

 

[goofycathy]

Repeat after me "5days!" "5days!" "5days!" "5days!" "5days!" "5days!"
woohoo!

 

[Dobie]

If I were going to be there anyway, I would consider buying a four day ticket, but upgrading to five days if you feel like you want to hit something again. You don't have to go all day every day--for example, it's fun to do something else during the day, have dinner in DTD, and then go see the Electrical Parade or Fantasmic.

 

[J. Galt]

We are complete agreement. For others who have not been to both resorts, I would not want anyone to read into this thread that DLR or WDW is inherently more slower paced or, conversely, more faster paced (hectic) than the other. Given enough days both resorts can be taken at a slow pace, and with a shortage of days both can feel rushed.

I also agree that the logistics of each resort can contribute to the slower/faster pace feel. Like you I love, love, love the walking distance accomodations at DLR and zero need for transportation. It makes me feel more relaxed knowing I can get anywhere within DLR in 15 minutes max using just my feet.

On the other hand, the spread out nature of WDW gives you more opportunities for a wider range of experiences both inside and outside the parks. This has both posives and negatives.

 

[rainyday77]

We went last year with my daughter who was almost 2. We ended up spending 5 days at the park. This was a comfortable pace and the crowds were not bad in Feb. We went back to the hotel for a break in the afternoon. We also did a few part days where we took a few hours in the afternoon to drive to the beach. For $20 a ticket more I would go for 5 days. Another option is to go for 4 and schedule a full day doing the l.a. aquarium and zoo. Just my two cents.

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

Absolutely go for the 5 days. For those of us that don't get to go very much, 5 days is great! You can see almost everything - even at the "let the kids lead" pace. After 2 trips @ 5 days each, there are still things we have missed, but mainly because we did take it slowly and we did several things multiple times (who can ride BTMRR, SM, Pirates, Splash only once a trip)?

Plus, with 5 days, if you do start to feel burn out, you could go for a morning one day and then when you go back for mid-day break, just take the rest of the day off.
My family would never be able to do this, especially since we do slowly enjoy our time in the parks. We would rather sit down in the park and people watch than go back to our room (especially knowing that we won't be back for some time). But I have heard of other people doing this and it works for them.

 

[blackjackdelta]

There are 6 of us, adults and teens and we find that 5 days works for us. Takes us more time to do what everyone wants to do. We also are big film production buffs so we do USH and love to do the beach. To each their own likes, but Disney is a 5 days must.

Jack