Four day trip- worth the money for you?

[Megara5115]

We are thinking of going down 12/15-12/20 which will give us four park days with our 11yo and 9 month old (at travel time). Given that with tickets, hotel and flight it will run us about 3500 do you think it's worth if for four days? Our alternative is probably a longer trip in 2017/2018? I'm worried that me, my husband and older son may be disappointed as the other trip we took was almost two weeks.

Based on your experience, do you think this mini trip will give us a nice taste of Disney or leave us disappointed?

 

[Tiki Sean]

Personally for myself to spend almost 1k a day at Disney for so few days it is not worth it. But if it is something you can afford only you can honestly decide if its worth it.

 

[csjordan]

I think it will give you a nice taste of Disney! We have done several long weekend trips and always have just as good a time as the longer trips. We do park hop more to try to get things done, but we love it!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

We are thinking of going down 12/15-12/20 which will give us four park days with our 11yo and 9 month old (at travel time). Given that with tickets, hotel and flight it will run us about 3500 do you think it's worth if for four days? Our alternative is probably a longer trip in 2017/2018? I'm worried that me, my husband and older son may be disappointed as the other trip we took was almost two weeks.

Based on your experience, do you think this mini trip will give us a nice taste of Disney or leave us disappointed?

IMO, too much money for too short a trip. Save the money for a longer trip. For me personally, the flight cost is too much to go for a short trip. (Unless I get the flight free somehow, which has never happened and I don't think ever will.)

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I think it will give you a nice taste of Disney! We have done several long weekend trips and always have just as good a time as the longer trips. We do park hop more to try to get things done, but we love it!

Do you drive, so you don't have the expense of flights? Or do you have a lot of frequent flier miles?
Weekend trips are not practical for people who have to pay for expensive flights.

 

[addiln]

For me I don't think it is really worth it. We tend just to relax our first day there after our flight since we are generally up for an early morning flight. We relax around the resort and take it easy. If we just had the 4 days I feel like we would be trying to pack as much in as we can in a short stay to make it feel like it was worth it. I would skip it and save the money for a longer trip next time around.

 

[Amy&Dan]

That is a lot for four days. Generally when we do short trips its because we have Annual passes and or frequent flyer miles.

On the other hand its hard to put a price tag on Family time! If the $$$ isn't a stretch or stress I say go for it. Especially if this is your only opportunity to travel for awhile!

 

[geekbri]

Our upcoming trip is about $2,800 with flight included for 4 days at the polynesian. For us this is absolutely worth it. It's different for everybody though!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Totally up to you to decide. We've done trips of all different lengths, and been very happy. To address your question another way- you can probably lower your costs to make the trip into a better value.

December is still al long ways off, you don't give details, but I imagine you could find a happy way to lower the costs.

Just off the top, is that with a room discount? What hotel? I usually don't price airfare out that early, but I suppose you have balllpark figure now.

I can almost always do things to adjust my food costs based on available budget. We've discovered we don't value high priced meals as much as WDW does. In other words, I no longer think the current pricing and terms are worth what WDw is charging. It makes me slightly sad to say that, because WDW used to be different.

Another way we've lowered costs is to visit FL for 4 days, but not stay at WDW all of them. WE found we enjoy those trips quite a bit, especially because we can have a great fun for like 1/4 the price. A day at one of FL's many beautiful beaches costs very little!

 

[hjvigz72]

So by using my "Mickey Math", and not really including the baby that's about $235/pp/per day. ($3500/3people/5days) I assume free dining plan as it's being offered during that time? Also - does it include your park tickets? Without knowing what your flights are coming in and out, it's hard to say. IF you have an early flight in and a late flight out, then you really do have at least 5 FULL Days to enjoy it. IF your flight arrives later and your flight home early, you have considerably less time. Since it appears you've been before, then you probably know what you can live without doing or seeing. A trip to Disney is always worth it for us, but only you truly know the right answer for your family.

 

[Amy&Dan]

That is a lot for four days. Generally when we do short trips its because we have Annual passes and or frequent flyer miles.

On the other hand its hard to put a price tag on Family time! If the $$$ isn't a stretch or stress I say go for it. Especially if this is your only opportunity to travel for awhile!

And I do think that will give you a nice taste. The holiday decorations are so beautiful and an extra thing to enjoy. Since your cost does include tickets and airfare that's not out of the realm imho.

 

[KarenAylwood]

We're leaving tomorrow and going for four nights, three full days and we'll get 2 partial days. I think it's worth it this time of the year because we're going with our 2 year old for the first time- days are longer, crowds aren't all that bad yet. I'd say yes to a 4 day trip but I don't think I'd go over Christmas. I just would be too stressed out with the crowds and be afraid I'd miss things with it being so short and so crowded. If it was a dead time in the parks, yeah I'd go for sure. However if it's your only chance and money isn't a stretch, then go. Tough call (which I guess is why you asked us )

 

[SaintsManiac]

Personally to me that price is not worth it. We don't go every year so that we can go for longer trips.

Now I did price out Memorial Day weekend for 2 adults 1 child at POP and it came to $1600 with base tickets. I was tempted, but we don't want to pay for the air fare.

It's really up to you. As I always say, value is subjective.

 

[sharkyandbones]

For us personally, that would be tough because Disney will start getting VERY busy at that time. If we had APs and were sneaking a short trip in, that might be different. But to outright purchase tickets for that time of year on a shortened trip would probably leave us disappointed.

But we're not into the huge crowds. Some folks actually enjoy that sort of thing

 

[tlmadden73]

Personally I think if I had to fly to Disney i would do more than four days. Flights are SO expensive now that you almost feel you need to stay at your destination longer now to make that cost worth it.

For me, I've done TWO four-day trips over the last two years. Mainly because I was taking a toddler (2 years old on the first trip, 3years old on the second) and didn't want to wear him out with a longer trip.

That being said, it also wasn't that costly (significantly less than your quote) since we can drive to Disney in 9 hours and stayed at Pop Century (for less per night, than most "off the freeway" hotels).
Also (mainly to not tire out the boy) I did only two park days (but again, I purchased a no-expiration 10-day pass 2 years ago .. so that keeps the costs down significantly as well)

All in all, the trips were both wonderful times. Sure, I'd love to have been there longer, but I think it was perfect for my son (he enjoyed himself, but I think was ready to go home after four days. We even would make our last day a 'rest day' (no parks, just pool and a another resort for dinner).

I know I'll be back, and I know I can just drive down, so I don't feel the pressure of a long vacation.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Personally I think if I had to fly to Disney i would do more than four days. Flights are SO expensive now that you almost feel you need to stay at your destination longer now to make that cost worth it.

For me, I've done TWO four-day trips over the last two years. Mainly because I was taking a toddler (2 years old on the first trip, 3years old on the second) and didn't want to wear him out with a longer trip.

That being said, it also wasn't that costly (significantly less than your quote) since we can drive to Disney in 9 hours and stayed at Pop Century (for less per night, than most "off the freeway" hotels).
Also (mainly to not tire out the boy) I did only two park days (but again, I purchased a no-expiration 10-day pass 2 years ago .. so that keeps the costs down significantly as well)

All in all, the trips were both wonderful times. Sure, I'd love to have been there longer, but I think it was perfect for my son (he enjoyed himself, but I think was ready to go home after four days. We even would make our last day a 'rest day' (no parks, just pool and a another resort for dinner).

I know I'll be back, and I know I can just drive down, so I don't feel the pressure of a long vacation.

No to hijack but thank you... you made me feel a lot better about our short trip. I haven't done anything less than 8 days in years and years. Now going with a 2 year old we were thinking short was the way to go- I'm glad it worked out for you guys. I've been so many times and I know we'll go back when our second is about this age. I'm just happy we're able to go at all.

 

[tlmadden73]

No to hijack but thank you... you made me feel a lot better about our short trip. I haven't done anything less than 8 days in years and years. Now going with a 2 year old we were thinking short was the way to go- I'm glad it worked out for you guys. I've been so many times and I know we'll go back when our second is about this age. I'm just happy we're able to go at all.

You are welcome. If you need any tips on taking a 2-year old, feel free to message me.

I just think about when I went to Disney in the 80s and 90s:
Just one day on a trip to Florida to visit grandparents
Another two day trip (because Epcot was brand new)
A three day trip when I was a teenager (because of the addition of Hollywood Studios) (staying offsite)
A day trip to Magic Kingdom when going to Daytona Beach for Spring Break.

Those short trips solidified my love of Disney and Walt Disney World and is why I keep going back.

Going on short trips to Disney is really all I know. .. while I look forward to a relaxing 6-7+ day vacation at the World, I am fine with short trips. They are cheaper and just as fun as long as you just go in with the mindset "I can't do it all".

 

[NancyIL]

If you have never been to WDW in December, then yes, I'd do it. I'll be in the Orlando area for 8 days in early December, and planning 4 days at WDW and 3 at Universal.

 

[Tomh]

For me, no, not worth it. We drive from NY to visit Disney World, so it is 10 days in the park, or nothing. Generally, our trip is either 11 or 12 days, with one or two non park days in the middle.

 

[gtpoohbear]

Most of our trips the last few years have been shorter than that - 3 or 4 nights, with 2 or 3 park days. I actually love being able to take shorter trips ore often, instead of one long one every few years. It's just enough to get a good Disney fix without getting exhausted and burned out.

As for whether the cost is worth it, that totally depends on your own financial situation. If it won't cause a hardship, I say go for it. If it means a LONG time before you could come back (or take a different vacation) then I might reconsider. Our trips usually cost us around $2500-3000 including airfare, so it's a similar cost per day.