For those who visit WDW for 10 days or longer...

[Local_Girl]

...do you attend the major WDW parks every day? Do you check out Universal/IOA and other local attractions, or can you fill a longer vacation by staying on the property at WDW the entire time? If you do venture offsite, do you lump all your WDW time together, and then your offsite activities together or mix everything up?

We have our first longer trip planned in Dec. (hooray!) , which is new for us since we are used to trying to cram everything into a few days. I'd love to know how you plan your longer trips to the world!

Thank you!!

 

[snookhams]

Hi, we are in the process of planning our 6th holiday (vacation) in Orlando, and 4 of these have been for 21 days, we much prefer to have longer to spread things over it means more time to relax, we don't stay onsite as we find staying in a villa works better for us, we have had both our children ill on holiday before and 3/4 days looking at the same 4 walls of our hotel room is not at all fun, we can come and go as we please, eat what we like when we like etc. We feel that as we have come along way (from the UK) we want to do as many parks as reasonably possible so we normally do the 4 WDW parks, Universal, IOA, Seaworld, and Busch Gardens (although we won't be going there again after last years experience) but we would like to do Discovery Cove again. Next year we are thinking of going to Kennedy again as the last time we went our eldest son was 2 1/2 and our youngest wasn't even thought of, so we thought that now they are older (they will be 12 & 8 when we visit) they might enjoy it. We wuite often get to the parks when they open in the morning and leave when we have had enough to swim or shop and then return after having a meal in the evening (it's easier again for us to eat at the villa without to much worry as our youngest has a nut allergy and it means that we can relax safe in the knowledge that he can eat anything out of the cupboard and not to worry the restaurant staff by constantly asking if this is ok or that ok etc.) We are now looking forward to next years August visit and the year after july (that way we can get two trips out of the AP we plan to buy).

 

[worm761]

we are going for 9 nights in 12 days!!! that gives DS and I 8 full days to enjoy disney world. we will not be going into the parks on our arrival day or departure day. on arrival day i am planning on going to chip and dale's campfire. other than that i dont really plan that much. like what days for what parks. i do know that we will have one day that we do not go to the parks and we will be going to disney quest instead. that leaves 7 days for the parks. we will take it slow and just enjoy the scenery. i dont like to feel rushed so i wont try to fit everything in in a short amount of time. 8 days seemed just about right to me. someday we will go down to enjoy universal and sea world. but i dont think we will have time this trip.

 

[Tigger's Friend]

Hi,

Dec. 2003 we stayed for about 14 days. We stayed on-site and mixed our on-site and off-site activities. One day we went to Universal, one day we went to one of the outlets (picking up a free shuttle at DTD's Hilton hotel). The only other day we went off-site we took Mears shuttle one-way to Belzs outlets. At Belzs outlets we bought an all day I-Trolley pass and then hopped on and off the I-Trolley up and down International Drive. We ended our I-Trolley trip at Premium Outlets where we then took a cab back to our hotel with all our Outlet goodies.

This year we may go for 17 days (staying on-site) and a majority of it will be on-site activities as there is tons to do. But, we will do the I-Trolley again as we had a great time doing that. Staying for a longer time gives your trip to WDW a much more relaxed feel as you are able to go at a slower pace.

If you are worried that you will run out of things to do....don't be!!

 

[DVC4US]

We usually go for 10 to 14 days every year. Funny thing is, we usually stay on site for the whole time. We tried Universal and IOA last year and I was not real impressed.(My kids don't really like rollercoasters) We really like to take our time and build in a few down days, where we go to the water parks, DTD, minature golf, or just hang by the pool. By the time we fit in everything we want to do and build in a few down days, the two weeks go by fast. This makes for a more relaxing vacation for us.
LeiLani

 

[Local_Girl]

Thank you for your replies! We'll be there for 12 full days this trip (not counting arrival/departure days) and have been debating about whether or not to try Universal/IOA this trip, but we keep leaning toward spending the whole time at WDW. My DD7 proved to be less brave and adventurous than we expected last year and I'm not sure how she'd fare with the US/IOA rides and attractions that I understand are a little more intense. Anyway we do want to split up our days in the parks and hopefully get in some pool time, but with Dec. weather being so iffy, we may not be able to do a lot of swimming...

Thank you for sharing your experiences--I'd love to hear more!

 

[Planogirl]

We only go for 9 days (at least the last few trips) but we've been to WDW enough now that we plan to always split our trips between WDW and Universal. I would love to go a bit longer and go to the beach or Sea World or wherever. Our son is 10 now and loves simulators so our first trip to Universal this year was a big hit with him. He doesn't care much for IOA yet even though there's only two coasters there. The Universal attractions are more intense but it really depends on what your child enjoys. I think that DS would have enjoyed Universal at that age but again simulators are what he really likes.

 

[lovespugs]

Our last trip was 14 nights in December 2002, and we didn't leave Disney property the whole time! We spent one day at Blizzard Beach, and many half-days in the parks. The weather was cold and rainy for most of our visit, so it was nice to be able to go back to the resort, dry off, and wait for better weather. No pressure to fit too much into one day!

We also saw a couple of movies at DTD, spent some time at DQ, did some tours, and ate lots of slow, sit-down meals (it's just me and DH). We also slept in every day, which is really nice. I think the best thing about taking a long trip is that you get to see a lot, but are still really rested when it's time to go home.

 

[disney daft dad]

our first 2 trip we stayed 2 weeks and we did ALL the major parks, last year (and this year) we do 3 weeks and stay on site the whole time... it is great... we slow the whole thing down and we have more "down time" as well... in the past we came home needing a holiday!!! Now we spend more days at the water parks or the pool and then if we fancy an hour or two at a park we jump on the monorail/bus/ferry and we're there..... Bliss

Val (Disney Daft Mum)
xx

 

[bryantslovedisney]

We are going back after 2years of abstinence from WDW...
Time sure does fly!!! We spent 18 days in Florida, 2 days Universal, 1 Day Kennedy Space, 4 Days Beach and the rest
WDW...It was a vacation of a lifetime!! My 3 boys are a bit
older now...7,11,13 and we are going back for 11 full days!
We're only leaving WDW for 1 day to go to Universal,but
we aren't staying by Universal like last time, we're staying
WDW on-site the whole time(We hated the hotels over there,
poor customer service) My hubby thought that we are staying
too many days(he only wanted to stay 7), but i think it
will be more relaxed and we'll get to enjoy and savor the
moment instead of rushing around! I'm planning on hitting
alot of the restaurants we missed last time, going to the
water parks more frequently, going back to DisneyQuest
(boys loved that)... All in All, I like the longer times(who
wouldn't) I can really escape from reality! Is'nt that the
whole reason people go to Disneyworld???


Can't wait!!!

 

[Local_Girl]

I'm enjoying reading your replies...thank you, and keep them coming!

I agree that adding down days will make for a more relaxing vacation--last year we were a little worn out when we got home. This time DH and the kids will have an extra week off after we return from the trip to recuperate before heading back to work and school...

It's also nice to have some extra time if you have to deal with nasty weather. We'd like to try a water park and spend some time at the pool and with more days to "play with" we can juggle our park days around and swim on the warmer, drier days.

So our big question now is, do we visit any other big parks besides WDW, or stick to WDW and maybe a couple of smaller offsite attractions (DH really wants to see the Titanic exhibit)? I'm kinda liking the idea of all those extra, relaxing "down days"...

 

[cvallee]

We were in Disney for 10 days last July, and will be there for 11 days this nov/dec. My philosophy is that if I have passes to get into the parks for all of the time that we are there, why not use them? we stayed onsite, and went to either a park or a water park every day in july, fighting the heat, and loved every minute of it. why not try to soak up as much of the disney magic as possible!! down time is OK every once in a while, but not a whole day. But my wife and kids need mere downtime then I do. I try to think of disney not as a vacation, but an adventure!!

 

[Virgo10]

My trips usually range from 10 to 12 days. This trip will be 13 days. Because I haven't been to "The World" in a year, I'm not leaving to do US or SW.

My master plan (also known as "THE PLAN" ) has every day full to overflowing with Disney events. I was one of the folks who got transferred out of POFQ. Now, 3 hotels later, I want to put aside some time to use the pools at the AKL, BC and CS, especially the pool at the BC.

Between the Flower and Garden show, Star Wars Weekends and E-Ticket nights there is just too much going on at WDW to even get me thinking about leaving for other places.

If I get back down in Oct. I may go to US then. Every other year for SW (did that in 2002) and US (did that in 2001) it about right for me.

Roberta
*Imagine... Only 7 days, 1 hour and 29 minutes till WDW!*

 

[disneyuk]

Hi Local Girl,

We used to go for 14 nights and try and do the lot ! We would have 2 consecutive days of major parks (e.g. MK and Ak) then have a 'rest day' which would be TL,BB or RC (now no more!) or WnW. Then 2 more days of parks (e.g US and SW) then another 'rest day'. Although we got to see all the parks, it was hectic and never had time to re-do some of the best bits, or to take in the 'detail' of the parks. Such as the smaller rides, and the shows. This time we're going for 3 weeks and are slowing (?) the pace a bit. We are going for major park one day, 'rest day' the next. Although in 'rest day' we now include DC and DQ. Are rest days tend to include an evening event as well - like Cirque, DD, a 'relaxing meal' at one of the worlds at Epcot.

Although we absolutley love Disney (were staying on site at POR ) we like to 'break it up'. SW is slower - although there are a few rides there now, and we are looking forward to DC for our first time. We find US excellent, and try and do that in a seperate week to DS. IOA is good, but we have a few in the group who don't like the big rides, so time there is minimal.

My advice ? have a Disney day off and check out Sea World.
But whatever you do - you'll have fun !

 

[monalsw]

i've been to WDW at least 10-12 times and have never been to SW! i live in ohio and our SW is less than an hour away, so i hate to take the time away from WDW.

i did go to US on our trip in '96 and totally enjoyed it. i also went there on our trip in 2002, and it just didn't hold the same charm for me.

on our last trip in february, we didn't do US. in fact, we only left WDW to go to the grocery store and one restaurant (via lynx city bus). we were there 13 days and we wanted to be loyal to WDW all the way!

we are going back in november, for 10-16 days (undecided yet!) and will only do WDW, with maybe a bus ride into kissimee for necessities.

that being said, i think that everyone should see US and SW at least once, then make the decision how you want to divvy up your vacation time. different things appeal to different people and just because we choose be disney-focused doesn't mean that everyone will enjoy that.

whatever you decide, happy vacationing!

 

[Kimkie]

Hi Snookhams, we have just returned from our second trip to WDW. My 9yr DD has a severe peanut allergy and both times we found Disney to be excellent as regards her eating. I found it very difficult to actually shop for groceries and sweets/ candies were totally out as they seem to have peanut in everything! They seem much more aware of food allergies in the US than we are in the UK and thus more willing to be helpful.

 

[Local_Girl]

I was hoping to get some opinions to help us decide on some things and you guys have given me a lot of great ideas! I think we may try to squeeze in either US or IOA, or SW because we haven't done any of them yet...and if we could try one new thing, it would be a major accomplishment!! I also love the idea (thanks DisneyUK! ) of planning a fun evening event on the rest days--gives the kids something to look forward to (though they'll be just as happy to spend every day in the pool, if we let them! ).

Anyway, thank you again everyone! Now, to figure out which park hoppers to purchase...

 

[Kimkie]

In 2001 we had 14 night in the Contemporary Resort. We did all the early openings then would do something else for the rest of the day, swimming, shopping. We would often nip back int MK for the evening as it is right by the CR. In the second week we did Seaworld and Universal. We found it great to be in one place the whole time and take some time to really relax. I enjoyed visiting a lot of other resorts too as we were not in a rush the whole time. We have just returned from our second trip: 8 nights CR, 5 nights in Naples and 4 nights in Universal's RPR. Although we had a great time, it was much more rushed and there were things we missed due to time limitations. If we are lucky enough to go again I would definately spend more time in one place!

 

[DisneyMim]

Our big trip every year to Florida is for 2+ weeks. We usually spend 3 or 4 nights at a beach resort. Sometimes Disney's Vero and other times Captiva, Clearwater area, etc. Then we are off for 2 weeks at Disney. We are DVC members so we spend the majority of time in a 2 bedroom villa, but usually before that we spend 4 or 5 nights as concierge guests at the Poly. We almost never leave Disney property once we are there. The only thing we do is go to the outlets one day. We don't do Universal or Seaworld, haven't been able to get my kids to go (and they are older!!), but maybe this year? We have APS so sometimes we go into one of the parks for a couple of hours and just have dinner and do a few rides. We like to spend a lot of time relaxing as a family. We might see a movie at DD one night and love to go shopping there as well. We are never in a rush and feel that 2 weeks gives us enough time to really enjoy our vacation. We can do all four parks at a good pace and see some things a few times. We have been going for years so it really seems like a "second home" to all of us and we treat the entire WDW property as such. We have our fav restaurants and try to add one or two new ones each year. There really are soooo many things to do that we never get tired!!