How long of a stay? Why?

[Goofy4]

Just got back from 8 days/7 nights. I had lobbied for one more day and I wish I could have had it (9/8).

The tickets won't cost you much more -- obviously lodging and meals will. In case weather sets in (e.g. Wilma), what I consider the "extra" day is nice to have. Especially with a large group.. We really couldn't make much of our first or last days.

 

[J and R's mom]

I think 10days would be perfect but I've yet to go that long due to work and/or school. The longest we stayed was 8days/7nights when we were married and honeymooned at BWI.

 

[dixipixi]

It depends. When I went with my mom and sister a few years ago, we spent 6 nights. I could have stayed longer, but they were ready to come home.

When DH and I take the kids we always stay at least 10 nights. We have spent as many as 14. We usually only take one big trip a year, though. DH claims that he needs at least 2-3 days to clear his mind and get in "vacation mode", then several days to enjoy himself and at least a day or two to psyche himself up to come back home!!!

It doesn't matter to me...the longer the better, but I would never turn down a trip even if it were only for a couple of days!

 

[PrincessKitty]

We're close by and go about 6-8 times per year, so we generally go for 2-3 nights at a time. Since DH is self-employed and doesn't want to lose any customers by going our of town for a week or two , it works out better for us to take short, frequent mini-vacations (generally once a month, not just to WDW) rather than fewer, longer vacations. I can't imagine going for a whole week or more!!

 

[mare1203]

The usual is 10 days, 9 nights. We have found that we can get everything in in 4-5 days, but 10 gives us enough time to get everything in and time to explore new restaurants and such. By the end we are sad, but ready to come back to reality

 

[jtdl]

We usually stay at Disney for 6 nights. We like to arrive on Sunday and leave the following Saturday (don't like to do the parks on weekends - did that one year). That has always given us the minimum time we need. We usually go to MK for 2 days, MGM for 1 day, AK for 1 day and a rest day on Wednesday. I think the ideal for my family would be 7 or 8 nights which we will probably do in 2007. We will be going in March and it will be warm enough for a water park. Our whole trip is 16 days, but we like to do other things in Florida. This year we went to Daytona to a NASCAR race and in 2007 we will definitely be going to Universal since DS will be almost 6 and able to enjoy more at Universal/IoA.

 

[conwaym98]

We usually go for 7-10 days. I've found that anything shorter with our kids if to rushed and overwhelming. THe longer stays allow us to take more time to see everything we want at a slower, more comfortable pace. On our last short trip (4nights), we were all very cranky by the end of day 3. THe longer trips give us more time to relax be the pool.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Years ago, we stayed 4 nights/5 days, that was the package. Now we "usually" stay 5 nights/6 days, because we have been renting points from DVC owners and Friday and Saturday nights get REALLY expensive, to we go Sun-Thurs. ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!! YIPPEE!!! We're staying 8 nights/9 days only because over the week-end DH is attending a conference in the AM for work and they will pay part of the bill for the more expensive days!!!

We drive and the 5 nights/6 days is perfect for us to get back and forth also in a week. I'd actually rather be able to take a couple week long vacations in a year than one extended one. You NEVER want to leave!!!

 

[MazdaUK]

we went for 2 weeks - its not worth takeing a holiday of less than 2 weeks coming from the UK.

However, DH is now "moused out" - next time we will spend a week on the gulf coast first adjusting to the time difference (missed all the evening stuff as the kids were too tired) then a week at WDW.

DLP you can do in 3 days or less!