For people who take short (3-4 day) trips

[fabfemmeboy]

We always go for short trips, in part because we run out of things to do if we go longer! We usually have 2 park days (with hoppers) and 1 "off" day to relax, hang by the pool, explore, have a nice breakfast, that sort of thing, but you could easily do 3 park days instead. It feels like enough time to us, in part because we go during slow times so there isn't much wait for any of the rides. When the longest line you stand in all week is 25 minutes, you can get a LOT done in two days!

 

[luvthemouse71]

I have done short trips and they're okay if I will be going back, or have another longer trip planned later in the year. I would just feel too rushed if a 3,4, or 5 day trip was my only one for the year. Our usual is 10-11 days. I would love to try a two week trip eventually.

 

[luvthemouse71]

One of my favorite trips to WDW was over a weekend. Flew down from Philadelphia on a Friday after work. Checked into the Animal Kingdom Villas around midnight. Went to Animal Kingdom the next day and did the Wild Africa Trek tour. Spent the afternoon at the pool. Had dinner in Jiko that night. Then back to Animal Kingdom on Sunday for some rides before ME took us back to the airport.

I would like to try a quickie trip like that, but I think I would leave Monday.

 

[3CW]

We never went for a trip of less than 6 days, and never more than once in a year, until we moved closer. Now that we're only a 6-7 hour drive away from Orlando, we can drive down after work on the last weeknight before a long weekend. We then hit the parks for 2-3 days, and use our last day off to drive back and relax a bit at home. Like you, I couldn't see spending the money on the airfare for a short trip.

I couldn't deal with that short of a trip if it was the only time we'd be there all year, but when we were last there 3-4 months ago, and I know we'll be back in about that same amount of time, it works quite well. We don't go commando, but park hoppers are an absolute must. We hit the highlights in each park and that is enough for us until the next trip. It's like the perfect little taste of Disney.

We went for a longer (8 day) trip in April and we were actually starting to get a little burnt out by the end, especially physically. We ended up cutting the trip short a day and driving back early.

 

[3CW]

The only drawback is having a disadvantage in booking dining reservations. I think it's unfair people with longer stays get to book dining before those with shorter stays. It makes no sense to me. Should there be a separate pool, concierge, or lounge for those with longer stays? Of course not.

I've never heard of people with longer stays getting to book ADRs first. I thought everyone got 180 days and those staying on property got 180 + 10.

But you only really get 180+10 if you're staying 10 days, so those with longer stays do have the advantage. If you're staying 4 days, you get 180+4, and all the days of your trip, even the last one, are likely to be booked up for popular places like BOG by those +10 folks before your 180 window has even opened.

 

[thesugarpixie]

I believe 3-4 days is plenty especially if you're flying. it's hard to justify 2 days of driving and only staying around a few days. We snuck in a trip to Disney/see family when our kids were school. My daughter missed a day in Kindergarten so we could take advantage of in-service days over Election Day. I felt like it was the right amount of time with 2 days in parks, 2 days at the hotels. There wasn't much wiggle room for weather, but we had an enjoyable time. I really hate the idea of taking my kids out of school now since they're older, so will take longer trips during summer vacation!

Now in a few weeks we'll be taking our longest trip to Disney (even when we lived in FL), with about a week at a resort. Still planning a few days in park, the other days hotel & family. We're driving from PA, so we'll see how this goes!

 

[Reighngold]

Short answer:
It's Disney World, if you can go, you should go. You will have fun.

Long Answer:
I think a lot depends on the time of year you're going, where you're coming from (travel time) and with whom you are traveling. We do a variety of different trip lengths here's how we break it down:

Holidays/Very crowded days:
Regardless of transportation method - Week or longer. During the Christmas/NYE break we have been known to stay for 2 weeks but we usually split that trip up with a week for my family and a week for the husbands or something like that.

All other times:
Flight of over 4 hours or whole/multiple day drive - 6+ days
Short flight or half day drive - 3+ days.

Since this is about short trips I will say that they are only worth the money if you are not a first time visitor or you plan on coming back again. Short trips are much more expensive on a cost per day basis. If, however, you want a quick and fun getaway and love Disney World (assuming this is you) then they are very worth it. Get to the park early, do the rides you love, go back to your hotel, enjoy the pool, then play the evening by ear. You can't make more than 3 FP+ reservations anyway. We always book one night dinner, even with our 6 month old we went to one and it was great.