how long did you go to disney for and...

[moaddi]

did you bring your kids and how old were they? Would you recommend a shorter or longer time?

 

[flipflop]

I've gone on a variety of different length trips. Anywhere from 10-3 days.
DH has been with me on 2 trips - one for 6 days and the other for 3.
We have not taken our kiddies yet. They will be going to WDW for the first time in 2008.

 

[abacobaby]

For our first trip, we carried our daughter and stayed for 6 days, which was barely just enough time. We just felt rushed the whole time.

The second time we took our daughter, we stayed for 10 days and got to do everything we wanted to do, including two days of shopping and hanging out at the resort.

Next year we are taking both of our daughters (they'll be 5 and 1 at the time) and we are going for 6 days/7 nights.

I think a week is the minimum I would go for, especially with kids!

 

[my2princessgirls]

Our first trip our girls were 3 1/2 and 21 months. We stayed 6 night/7days in May and had a great time, but didn't want to leave!

The next trip the girls were 4 and 2 and we stayed 7 nights in November and it wasn't long enough. The parks closed earlier, so it was hard to do everything we wanted and still take naps.

The last time we went the girls were 4 1/2 and 2years 9 months. We went for 7 nights, followed by a 7 night Disney cruise. We still were not ready to come home, especially from the ship. We were all teary eyed getting off of that boat.

Next trip we are staying 11 nights. The girls will be exactly a year older from the last trip. I am really looking forward to being able to do all that we want and not rushing the entire time! We are probably going to try a water park this time, something that we never had time to do before.

For us, longer is better. It allows us to let the girls nap mid-day and us to relax on the patio/balcony. Our girls do much better if we have a mid-day break from the parks, they need that down time if we want to stay until parade/fireworks. We try to keep things similar to their schedule at home, although they do go to bed later on vacation and sometime get up earlier as well. However, when they sleep, they sleep HARD!!

 

[Makdyn]

First trip was 7 day/ 6 nights. Took DDs who were 6 and 2. Would have like to stay longer mostly because I was sick for about two days and just to stay longer.

Next trip in 15 days !!!!! is 6 days / 5 nights, taking the girls who are 7 and 4.

I would really like to go for 10 days at one time maybe next trip.

 

[Elmo888]

Our first trip was in Jan. with DD2 and DD6 for 7 nights.

Our next trip will be in Jan. 2008 with DD3 and DD7 for 7 nights.

It did get a little tight in one hotel room for a week - we used a PNP and stayed at WL. Our next trip will be at ASMusic Family Suites (with a bedroom and living area for separate rooms for sleeping). I wouldn't have wanted to go for a shorter time. I looked at it like a long relaxing vacation, and I didn't want to feel like we had to be at the park to get our money's worth. We just needed to enjoy ourselves, whether it was at the resort, parks, shopping, or eating. It is a different, slower trip with small kids (we had been for our honeymoon and then another short trip with just the two of us). We went back to the resort every day for DD2 to nap, but DD6 napped most days, too (as did DH!). I think that DD6 had sensory overload in addition to being tired.

To be honest, I wouldn't have taken a trip with just a 2 yo. DD6 was almost 7 and at a great Disney age to understand and appreciate attractions, and she might remember the trip as an adult. I don't think that they have to remember the trip as an adult for the trip to be "worth it", but I have memories of early trips (we lived in Florida until I was 6) and appreciate it. 2 yos are generally a lot of work, and they are even more work on vacation. DD2 enjoyed the princesses and Mickey and Minnie, and she seemed to enjoy some of the rides. It was just difficult to tell. Just 6 months later, and she is so much more expressive. I'm excited for our next trip when she will be 3. She dresses herself and is potty trained (and hopefully won't lose her $30 pair of shoes at Epcot again!).

I think that the age that you take your child depends more on the parent. It just depends on how much you want to do (how much work) on vacation and how often that you think that you might go back, as well as other factors.

 

[tweedlemom]

My boys were 3 and 4 when we went for 5 days/4 nights last Sept. It was just enough time since the parks were not crowded. Next year, when they are 5 and 6, we will go for 7days/6 nights. We figure it is the perfect length of time to see everything, not get tired of being there and still leave us wanting more so we can plan another trip after!

 

[bzzymom]

I have been to WDW over 35 times. Mostly as a child. My dad went to a convention every year in Orlando and we came with. I honeymooned at WDW in 1995 and then took a little break. DS was born in 1997 and we took him for his first trip in1999 (2.5 yrs) we have been 8 times. DD was born in 2004 and has been 3 of those times. We usually go for 7 nights. Sometimes 8 nights if we are lucky. We once went for 10 nights when DS was 5.5. I was in heaven, but DH felt as if it was too long.

 

[Metsoskil]

Our last trip was 14 days (11 in the parks -10 day pass and 1 P&PP). Our thought was that we'd go as long as possible that way we wouldn't feel rushed. We stuck to the rope drop, nap, and evening plan for most days we were in the park and got to do lots of extras like dinners at different resorts, tea at the GF, strolling around DTD, etc. Had we only gone for a week it would have felt much more rushed.

 

[Grendalynn]

Subscribing! Going to check back in in a bit when I have more time!! I can't wait to read what everyone has to say!!

 

[RK13]

did you bring your kids and how old were they? Would you recommend a shorter or longer time?

First trip in 2004, DDs were 6,4, 22 mths. Stayed 5 days, 6 nights. Purchased the PH, didn't use it. Went to MGM & AK one day each and MK the other three. DDs loved MK, okay w/ MGM and hated AK.
Stayed offsite 1 night and went to Universal. Took them on Jaws and they were done for the day, By the of the week the kids were pretty beat and just wanted to go in the pool.

Next trip in 2006, DDs were 8, 6 and almost 4. Offsite, 4 days at MK and 1 at MGM. This worked well for us. While at MK we just go on whatever ride we feel like or is less crowded. We do spend one day getting pictures w/ the characters. Kids still want to go in the pool.

2007 was the same as 2006, except we had an extra day. So we went to Epcot.

Since we primarily go to MK, we don't feel like we are rushed to do anything. So 5-6 days works good for us. Plus we take the kids out of school, so two weeks is not doable.

Hope this helps.

Booked POR for 6 nights in Jan. 2008. Can't wait.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Our first trip was 11 days
7 of those in the parks
The kids were 3 and 5 and we felt like we didn't have enough time.

Our second trip was 12 days
7 of those in the parks plus MVMCP
The kids were 4, 7 and 6mo and we STILL felt like we didn't have enough time.

But, we do like to do other things than just the parks. i.e. going to the disney outlet stores, visiting the other resorts by monorail, Character meals, ect. Plus, the kids have a hard time hitting the parks all day, everyday. We usually take a one day break in the middle of our trip and there are some days where we have to take an afternoon break.

Our next trip is going to 23 days!! 10 of them in the parks.

 

[jenseib]

I took my older two when they were 5 and 8 for the first time. They loved it and we went two years after that again. I think both trips were for 5 days and nights. Never long enough.
I took my youngest, who is two in March for 4 nights and she still is talking about it. I want to go back in Dec for 5 nights for her b-day. Still not enough time, but I am hoping to do some different things this time as well.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We prefer longer trips, at least I consider them longer.

The first time with the kids, they were 3 and 15 months; we stayed 9 nights/10 days at ASMo, including one day for Hurricane Jeanne, and we had an awesome time.

The next time was about a year later, DS 1 was about a month shy of being 4, and ds2 was 2 years old. Stayed 7 nights at CBR and had a great time.

Their third trip was early this summer; DS1 was 6 years old, and DS2 turned 4 two days after we got home. We stayed 8 nights/9 days at Pop, and once again, had an awesome time.

DH and I have gone twice without the kids, for our 10th anniversary we stayed 5 nights, but we arrived around 11 pm the first night, and left around 9 am the last day. Definitely not long enough.

 

[monorailsilver]

I have gone from 5 days to 8 days.

The past 2 times with our kids it ws 8 days as it will be next August too.

I do 5 park days, 2 travel days & 1 off day. My kids are still on the young side so I avoid the water parks.

The 8 days are perfect for our family.

 

[Kanga1]

2005 - DD4 9 nights
2006 - DD5 10 nights
2007 - DD6 12 nights
Booked for 2008 - DD7 13 nights

Longer is better and I just can't get enough! DH says, "You're just working our way up to stay a month, aren't ya?"