How Long Do You Stay?

[Cinderella]

How long do you stay in Florida, or how long are you planning to stay, if it's your first trip?

We used to do two weeks but the last couple of trips have been one week ones. Haven't been since October 06 - a couple of problems on last trip put me off going for a while but we're ready to go again in 2010.

And because the kids are older, we're planning to stay for longer and do the Universal Parks, Busch Gardens etc, as well as Disney. The question is - how long to stay? We want to have some rest days too - would 17 days be a decent amount of time to fit everything in? Also, what other places outside of Disney are must sees with teens?

We were thinking about renting a villa - but since free dining is on offer, we'll probably stay in Disney. A split stay is another possibility but I don't really like all the repacking and moving.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

We've been 2 week's, 3 week's and 4 week's I prefer 3 week's.
I think 17 days is fine.

 

[irongirlof12]

we have done 14 and 16 nights...but would love to stay longer

 

[wayneg]

Longer the better for us. This August will be another 25 night trip, still won't be long enough to fit in any rest days, we never have.
My Brother has enough with about 5 days, my Uncle won't stay longer than 7-10 days.
DW does not like changing hotels at all, will only do it for a cruise, would never change hotel to hotel.
Is the free dining worth staying onsite over a villa? prices for next year look expensive to me, doing it this year but too expensive next year for me.

 

[jackieleanne]

I have only ever been for 14 nights but would love to go for longer. I would say for me any less than 14 days is to short. Especially when pretty much 2 full days are spent travelling.

 

[madmumof2]

I have been for 5 weeks, 2 weeks and have another 2 week trip in October.

If it wasn't for the amount of spending money you would need, I'd do 5 weeks again no problem!

I think 1 week is too short for me, although 1 week is better than nothing if there's a bargain to be had, and I would snap it up, just not plan too much.

17 days is perfect I think. If the price is right, I may be adding a couple of days on to my October trip if I can!

 

[london75]

We've been steadily cranking up, first 7, then 10 then 14 then 15 (small blip for 4 days for sneaky anniversary trip) now 21 days!

Never ever have a rest day either and can't imagine 3 weeks being any different although DW seems to think we'll sit around the pool even though it's always her that wants to go back to MK!

 

[penlanspice]

17 days sounds about right for what your looking to do, make a rough plan of your days and see where you come out?

No matter how many times we've been or how long we stay for we still never want to leave, I know some people would hate to be away from home for a long period of time but not us.
We done a variety of days,
7 days
2 weeks
3 weeks
usually 3 and half weeks
Our wedding we did just over 6 weeks and still didn't want to come home!!LOL

Sam

 

[Claire L]

We have stayed for various lengths minimum of 11 nights and maximum of 21 nights. I think 17 nights sounds ideal though

Claire

 

[Jets fan]

We have stayed for two weeks and three weeks. We have also stayed in Disney for two weeks and then gone onto a beach for a week. To be perfectly honest, I would go to Disney for a long weekend if I was offered - the longer the better!

Tina

 

[suzycute]

DD and I are only going for 8 days this year which will be way too short but much better than no days. We've never been for longer than 2 weeks but I think my ideal would be somewhere between 2 - 3 weeks - 17 days sounds perfect!

 

[jtlover]

We have been 7 and 14 days and this time we will be going 10 days.

Would like to do 3 weeks some time

 

[saratogagirl]

the longest we have done is 23 nights, our shortest trip will be for New Year this year 8 nights, a certain mod (MandyMouse) has assured me that a short trip is lovely, I am going to beat her with a big stick if she is fibbing x

 

[Lizzybear]

I've done 3x 2 weeks (doing other Orlando attractions aswell) but this time we're doing 7 nights (just WDW apart from HHN for the bf!) after Boston and New York and before Miami or Clearwater. Gives us a Disney fix but still means we get to visit other places too

 

[jen_uk]

We always go for either 16 or 17 nights and thats just right for us, we do all of WDW, US, IOA and Seaworld and can fit all that in

 

[MorningGlory]

Done 2 weeks the first time, and it was way too short.

18 days this time (8 of them in St Petersburg to start) is still not going to be enough I fear. It was the best I could do considering we only planned it and started paying/saving for it 7 months ago.

Next time will be longer again, hopefully

 

[wayneg]

the longest we have done is 23 nights, our shortest trip will be for New Year this year 8 nights, a certain mod (MandyMouse) has assured me that a short trip is lovely, I am going to beat her with a big stick if she is fibbing x

Oct we did 9 nights, Xmas was 9 nights and next month 9 nights. Works well for us as DW only has to take 2.5 days hol to do a 9 night trip. Or Only 2 days if it includes a bank hol. I am sure you will love 8 nights.

 

[Ware Bears]

We've done 14 nights, then 21 nights, and this year it will be 17 nights. I think anything over 7 nights is fine. Let's face it, however long you stay it's never going to be long enough!

 

[Cyrano]

We go on our first trip is in 10 weeks time and it is for 21 days
Given that we are going in high season we hope this compensates for how busy the parks will be

 

[Cinderella]

Thanks everyone. Some of you have had really long trips - now I'm wondering if I'll be able to pull off 3 weeks.

Cyrano - are you going in July/August? If you plan well and get there at park opening - it honestly won't be too awful. Plus - at least the parks are open longer then.

Saratogagirl - last time I did 7 nights in Saratoga Springs after a trip to Aruba. Time before we did 8 nights - VWL only. I think that extra night helps as you really feel like you're getting a full week.