HELP....is five (5) nights enough for December?

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Planning our first December trip will a five (5) night stay which means for us four (4) park days be enough to enjoy MVMCP, MGM, Epcot, Downtown Disney and touring the monorail resorts? Family of 5 with two (2) little ones. Trying to convince DH to stay one (1) extra night

Thanks a bunch for any advice/tips/suggestions

 

[Ish&DrJones]

I don't know what that first string of initials was (kinda new here) but assuming Magic Kingdom plus the others, I don't really think so. But it depends on how much you want to see/do in those places.

Lines for the very kid-friendly rides (Dumbo, Pooh, etc) are always loooong, and just getting from place to places takes a long time. If you don't mind skimming (or skipping) a lot of stuff, you might be able to do everything you want. Just take advantage of the FP and extra hours (if you're staying on-site).

Personally, if you can convince him for an extra night, do it. I've never gone for less than 6 days, and I still never see/do everything. Disney's crazy big that way.

 

[dizneyluv]

We went went Saturday to Saturday (Christmas Eve to NY's Eve) and it wasn't enough time. I think if you hit your highlights and know in advance that you won't see it all 5 nights is fine.

If you go a slower time than we did you might be able to do more than we were able to.

The Christmas decorations and activities were wonderful and worth the trip.

 

[Happy2B]

I agree, the more days at WDW the better and merrier, especially at Christmas. Adding a another day, you could see and do more or you could have a more relaxing pace and savor this special time. Me, I prefer the latter.

 

[zgirl]

It also depends on what time of the month you are going. We went in early December last year and 5 nights was fine for us. I think Christmas time might be tougher.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

For us it would not be enough time to do all that.
But we like to take breaks etc.
I used to go comando style and head to the parks before they open and not return to the hotel until they closed. At that point I guess it could be depending on how much you wanted to see in the parks.
I would take at LEAST another day in there so you could all really enjoy yoursleves more.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Of course I always prefer as many nights as possible but I think you'll be able to see most of what you want to.
MVMCP (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, for the uninitiated) will give you good oportunity to get the MK done, including the popular kids rides. If you can get there a little while before the party starts as they empty the park out you'll get even more done. I would also suggest doing DD or checking out resort decorations that day, nothing too tiring before the big party.
That leaves a day for Epcot, a day for the studios and a day for DD or resorts (which ever you don't do before the party) and if you have a park hopper, possibly time to go back to the park you want to see more of.

 

[joech]

7 days wasn't enough for us this past spring break and that is why we are going agian this Christmas for 2 weeks. I would suggest you to take advantage of the extra magic hours. My dd went on 10 rides before 10:30 am and the lines wasn't long at all. Also make sure to get the fast past if they are available.

 

[kenny]

I'm of the mindset that NO amount of days is enough. We generally go for 9 days, have been several times, and still have not done everything. We went last December and never made it to the Osborne lights. So, twist my arm, we are going back this year

Seriously though it all depends on what you want to see and how your little ones are. We went last year with a dd who was 2 and did not nap. We were able to go fairly commando with her (one day 14 straight hours) and she held up pretty well. There was a day or two that we took it easy, like the day after MVMCP, but for the most part we did not take mid day breaks at the resort.

As long as the extra night is feasible ($$$), I'd say go for it. The less rushing around you do the more relaxed you are and the more you can enjoy. There is A LOT to do at Disney during Xmas time. Definitely utilize Fastpass and EHM. It will help you get through the bigger rides quicker.

 

[DWDude]

The more the merrier. You don’t want to feel rushed to do one park per day. There is so much you will miss if you don’t take the time to really experience the parks.

 

[diselderm]

We usually do 5 night stays, mainy because we drive and can only take one week off work. So we need the extra nights for travel and recuperation. It has always been fun for us. We never go expecting to see everything but still have a great time. Especially with little ones, I think if you pace yourselves, arrive early in the AM/break in the afternoon/and then do a little in the evening, you'll do well.

That said, I am trying to get DH to allow me to squeeze a 6th night on our trip as well. But you'll have a good time either way.

 

[applechips]

If you can afford the time and the money more days is always better because you can rest and relax some. For us that is not always possible so we try to do no more than 5 nights because we get exhausted w/ two intense little kids (ages now 6 and ~3) wanting to go and do everything!

We did 5 nights and 6 days this past December and it just about killed me and my dh. We go from morning til night though and don't really go back to the room for breaks, we rest and take our time in the parks. But for us, 5 nights plus 1 day on either end traveling wore us out! We love Disney though and *always* WANT to stay longer but its definitely exhausting!

Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[kgc07]

We went for 5 nights in July and it was perfect for us. By the end of the trip we were ready to go home. It was hot and the weather played a big part in this. We are going again next May and will be staying for 5 nights again. We go already knowing we wont see it all and this is okay with us. How long you stay depends on if you want to see it all or are alright with saving some rides/things to do for another trip.

 

[goodferry]

We went for 10 days in December and it wasn't enough time for us!

 

[camdensmom]

All depends on your style. We have a 2 year old and he's already been twice. We've done all of the rides and seen most everything in the past (I lived in Orlando for a few years) so I am more into enjoying the atmosphere, weather, sights, sounds, family-time, etc. We go at a slow pace and with a laid back attitude. We are always sure to check out the attractions that are new, but otherwise we wing it. In that sense 5 days is fine.

 

[helenk]

It depends on when you are going in December. For the past few years I have gone the first or second week in December and I always only go for 5 nights and I have found this to be fine.
I do the early EMH parks and of course MVMCP and I even take a small break in the afternoon.
Last year my mother and I went in May for only 4 nights and we were able to do alot even then.

 

[franw]

Five days is never enough but I have found that each trip has its own special life whether you are there five days or ten.

You might enjoy the five days more if your husband is happier only saying five and will relax more. Mine is not the biggest WDW guy in the world and I usually have him come in for only part of a trip. He is happier and I certainly enjoy not having to worry about whether he has stayed one day too long.

You won't get to do everything you would like to anyway but I'd always shoot for an extra day (or two) if everyone will be happy.

 

[princessesrule4]

Probably one more night for a December trip might be better - there's just so much to do and see! Hope you have a wonderful trip!