Four day trip- worth the money for you?

[GillianP1301]

Tough call and really it's totally dependent on your financial situation. If $3500 is expendable income that you would easily have every couple of months, then for sure go for it. If it takes you a year or more to save that $3500, then I would start to say it may not be worth it for a short trip and you'd be better off waiting a bit longer and going for a longer amount of time.

 

[aimes0105]

I think everyone balking at the cost is stuck on the total you you listed. Most people don't add everything up including flights, rental car, meals, souvenirs the way you have (and would probably be alarmed at the "real cost" of their vacation if they did!). Your actual package cost of $2200 for two adults and a Disney adult (over 9) is perfectly reasonable. In fact the person comparing her $1500 All Star package is probably two adults (and one less night) and then the 5 person longer stay package for $4400 are right in line with what you're paying for your group size at five nights.

ETA: Plus you said four days because that's the length of your ticket but you'll really be there for five nights with six days when you count arrival and departure days. I get why you're not counting those days but in order to compare to what others are booking your trip isn't as short as it seems at first glance making that cost all the more reasonable for what you're getting.

 

[hjvigz72]

Could you fly out of a different airport to save a little more? Hartford, Providence, etc? I'm on your side on this one regardless. Disney at Christmas.... if you can afford it, do it.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

On second thought, are you sure you want to travel in December?

For us, the whole month of December is a frenzy of activity! Special December gathering requests come at us from all sides: work, leisure activities, the neighborhood, etc. Children = a host of additional event requests.

Also, many folks find WDW beautiful at Christmas, and it is -in a shopping mall kind of way, but it is VERY commercial!

 

[jade1]

ETA: Plus you said four days because that's the length of your ticket but you'll really be there for five nights with six days when you count arrival and departure days. I get why you're not counting those days but in order to compare to what others are booking your trip isn't as short as it seems at first glance making that cost all the more reasonable for what you're getting.

Yea that was my point earlier. For $15 I would go into MK on arrival night just for Holiday Wishes and the decor and snow on Main Street, much less 3 FP+. Same on departure day.

Unless this package doesn't allow add on days.

But isn't it already 5 nights, so at least 5 park days, maybe 6?

 

[jade1]

Just quickly, if the package includes 5 parks days and hopping:


Thurs MK (arrival night) Wishes

Fri AK AM, break, DHS PM, Fantasmic, Star Wars Fireworks

Sat EPCOT AM (Frozen), break, AK PM Rivers of Light, Night Safari

Sun MK AM, break EPCOT PM, Illuminations

Mon DHS AM, break, Choice PM (Prob MK again-so amazing at XMAS)

Tues Choice after check out, 3 FP+ (if 6 park days)

Happy Planning:

 

[TJDisneymama]

I'm in the same boat. I've never been during the holidays, and I've always wanted to do MVMCP. The kids have a couple days off in mid- November so I booked a 5-6 night stay at POP (depending on if we fly in at night or next morning, and if we fly out late Sat. night or Sunday........also waiting on flights from Boston to be released .) Either way we should have about 5 park days, Tues-Sat (worst case scenario - 2 half-days and 3 full days). I have a bunch of airline points and also some ticket/hotel discounts, so it should only come to about $2000-$2500 including dining plan and party tickets. The cost isn't TOO bad, but I keep wondering if 5 days is enough. But then I think this will probably be the only chance I get to see MK decorated for the holidays (I know it probably won't be FULLY decorated that early) and to go to the Christmas Party so......

 

[MommyTaraLee]

Taking my DD for a surprise mommy/daughter 4 day trip next week.... I know the memories will be worth double what I am spending!

 

[WDWNY]

I've done a couple of 5 day trips and I love them because I'm always exhausted if we stay much longer. Personally because of flights I don't do 5 day trips unless the flights are $200 or less round trip pp because I don't think it's worth it and know I can always go back another time.

 

[MainMom]

If I'm paying for 4 of us to fly we are staying minimum of 7 days. It's just not worth it (to me) to stay any less.

 

[DC to Disney]

We rarely go to WDW for longer than 3-4 days, and we fly there. We like to travel to other places, too, so our trips to WDW are more like long weekends. We get hopper passes so we can visit two different parks in the same day. We've been there before, so we don't feel like we need to do everything during each trip. We have a list of "highlights" and new attractions that we do each time. It's the perfect length for us.

 

[HM]

We used to do 7 night trips.
Then prices started to rise.
We now take 3-5 day trips instead. Still fun.

 

[Ellwood970]

When prices were reasonable we would fly down from the northeast for 4 days and it was worth it. Now the prices are not reasonable and it is not worth it for us.

 

[yaddakal]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond.
The breakdown is (approximately):

Room/tickets/free dining- $2200
Airfare- $900
Car rental- $150 (non-negotiable for husband)
Misc- $250 (possible character meal, souvenirs)

If the dates were Sept 29- Oct 4 where the crowd calendar indicates ot *should* be significantly less busy would your opinion change if you said no before? T would be about $200 less. We live in the northeast so driving not an option this trip.

To me.. Totally worth it

 

[Dreamport]

In my humble opinion, 4 days didn't feel like long enough for two grown-ups, let alone having an infant along for the ride! We only went because we had found two hopper passes unused from our childhood. Personally, I'd save up for the longer trip, with the added perk of your littlest being a little older as well (but still in the under-three-gets-in-free).

 

[wdw&sonny]

Absolutely worth it!
I read most of the posts and predominately they said it was not worth it for the price.
I spreadsheet all of my costs, and for my family of 4, we average about $1000 per day at WDW (usually Deluxe).
We took our first shorter trip in January 2009. It was our first winter vacation ever.
We loved it. We knew the timing would be tighter, but still felt we had adequate time at all 4 parks. We needed less "down time" during the afternoon, because of the milder temperature.
If you can save some money, great (consider Bonnet Creek? since you'll have a car).
Most importantly, I have never looked back at a WDW vacation (or any vacation) and said "I wish I had just saved that money". NEVER. The kids grew up so fast. If I could go back, I would take more vacation, especially those short escapes.
Do it!

 

[North of Mouse]

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?

Nope, no way, no how, would we spend that much money, time, and effort for 4 days!