How long is too long??

[DonaldDuckFan]

We are planning a trip for the first week in December with our two kids, ages 3 1/2 years and 13 months (both boys). Right now I have 7 nights reserved at POFQ, but are thinking of adding 2 or 3 more nights. So on to my question, how long do you think is too long with young children? We are definately planning on taking breaks in the middle of the day, but with it being off season and the hours being shorter I fear we won't be able to do everything that I want. We just got back from 3 days in Busch Gardens, Williamsburg and my older son was becoming very difficult by the last day. We will have my parents with us for the trip, hopefully in a connecting room so we will be able to get out some nights without the kids.

So what has been your experience with this? Anyone have any tips? Do you think 9 nights would be too long?

Thanks, Amy

 

[WDWorBUST]

I'm interested to hear opinions on this too. We took DD when she was 13 months old to WDW and she did great for 8 nights/ 9 days. However we're going this September and my parents are taking vacation at the same time (My childcare) and are looking at taking extra days from our originally planned 8 nights/ 9 days. I was telling my mom and sister that if they were taking longer and I was going to have to miss those days of work and we were already in Orlando then I was going to extend our trip and me and DD would just stay there those extra days. My dad feels like Sammi will be ready to come home at the end of our original planned time. So I'd like some input too.

 

[ttownanne]

We took our DD last November for the first time at the age of 3 weeks shy of 3 yo, and she was DONE after 6 days. DH and I actually said "wow, we're glad we didn't stay longer!" We're going again this December and still doing the same amount of time, hoping that an extra year has extended her flexibility a bit!

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

DH is a homebody and kids must take after him. DD,4, was ready to go home after 3 days in WDW because she missed the rest of the family and her home. We stayed the full week as planned. She was glad to be home.

 

[kenziesmom]

We took my DD for the first time in November when she was 3 and spent 9 nights. We would go to the parks in the morning, go back to our resort for lunch and a nap, and then back to the parks in the late afternoon. It was a nice break for all of us and the extra days allowed us to alleviated the feeling of not spending enough time in the parks.

 

[newholidayx2]

the most we've stayed at WDW so far has been 9nights
This Aug DS13 & I are staying 14nights

 

[disneygrl16]

We took my brother when he was one for about 2 weeks, and stayed about a week in disneyland when he was 3 weeks old.

 

[Colinsmom]

We went for 8 days/7 nights when DS was 2.25 years old, and had a fairly laid back pace with naps in the afternoon and no late nights. Spent 4 days in the parks. DS was probably ready to go home after 5 days, and we were all ready to go home at the end!

 

[Karalynn]

What a great question Amy!! I'm also in the planning stage for mid Jan 06 and have a 5yo dd and 7yo ds. I'm so excited, I want to stay for 9/10 days!!! I think my husband would be happy with a 5 day stay. We've been 2x before kids and ran around like maniacs doing everything we could in a day. I am realistically planning on taking things at a much slower pace with them (my dd has special needs) So I thought the extra days would give us more time to relax and spread it out. Your question has me thinking now! I'm curious also to see what the 'experts' have to say!!

 

[crisi]

Some of it will depend,

For instance, I could stay at DVC in a one bedroom or a condo offsite or the Ft. Wilderness cabins for much longer than I could stay at POFQ. A small hotel room gets small with four people and sharing space with the kids after about four nights, and after about seven starts to drive me insane. With little ones and a long stay, you spend a lot of time in your room - or the kids wear out fast.

We spent seven nights our first trip with kids (2.5/3.5) and were happy to leave, we'd just hit the wall. The next trip they were four and five and seven nights again, and my four year old hit the wall. This time they will be six and seven and we've added a night. But my kids aren't great nappers and get pretty intense at Disney, so they get emotionally strung out after a week.

 

[DonaldDuckFan]

Thanks for all of your replies... The last time DH and I were there was 2000 before kids for 12 nights on our honeymoon and I LOVED having the extra time for some down days to just walk around the other resorts and basically relax. I keep going back and forth on this thinking staying longer will make it easier for us to have slower days since we'll have more time, but I have the feeling my 3.5 year old might get burnt out the longer we stay. I wish we could afford to do a one bedroom villa, that would probably be the best.

Anyone else have an opinion on this???

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

I think it depends more on the temperment of your child. DS (3) would live at WDW permanently, if we'd let him! We are planning a 12 day/11 night trip in January, and I expect no problems. We've done 2 weeks at other vacation places (not WDW), and he has been fine. If your child doesn't like to be away from home, or has meltdowns, etc when tired, then maybe a longer stay isn't a great idea. Just my two cents!

 

[rt2dz]

Totally depends on the child. I have a neice who is ready to come home from ANYWHERE after two days. Her sisters are good for a week to two weeks before they become home sick. My oldest is good for at least two weeks and would do longer if we let him. He actually hates to be home, unless he has friends over. He likes to always be doing "something"; he's currently four. My middle son was the one I was worried about this last trip. We went for 12 nights (counting travel time) and then had an unexpected trip for another 5 nights immediately following. He likes the famaliar, A LOT. But he did wonderfully too. Just evaluate your child and know you'll make the right decision.

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I also have to say that it totally depends on the child.

When we took our dd when she was 2 she was done after 5 nights. I could tell on our last day that it was a good thing we were leaving because she wouldn't have been able to handle another day. She doesn't get homesick she was just literally worn out. That was with a nap everyday.

Now if it was up to me I would move into the castle and live there forever

 

[3crazymice]

Did 11 nights with DS (2 at the time) last summer, around day 7 we took a day off, played in thepool and had dinner at Chef Mickey's. That seemed to help. He did fine, also we took breaks everyday.