How long should we go for??

[lpbm4]

We are planning our 1st family trip to WDW ever. We plan on travelling the 2nd week of December. At the time of our trip, our children will be 5 1/2 and almost 4yrs old. I was thinking of a 3 night/4 day stay. Arriving early afternoon on Monday and leaving Thursday morning. So we'd have a good 3 days of visiting. Is this too short a time or would you suggest adding on one more day? From what I've read on the boards, we'd probably spend a majority of our time at MK, maybe go at night to Epcot b/c I understand our kids won't be too interested...then Animal Kingdom and MGM for Playhouse Disney. Do you think a 3 night stay would be long enough? Should we try to leave Thursday afternoon to have THurs morning to also sightsee?

ANy help would be appreciated!! TIA

 

[lovewdwdvc]

I would go as many days as you can comfortably afford. Remember that you do not have to have a busy day at the theme parks every day. The resorts are truely wonderful and you can spend a day (or more) going to the pool, getting ice cream, riding the surry bikes, playing in the sand, roasting marshmallows etc.

For each two or three days in the park, I would take a day and do resort and other fun stuff.

 

[DisneyDotty]

What lovewdwdvc said. IMO, you can never go to WDW too many days (but we've only topped out at 11 days. And I could've stayed longer.)
Have a great trip!

 

[lpbm4]

Thanks. We went on vacation for the 1st time last May and my kids could do no more than 4 nights away from home. Finances is probably our biggest issue. Maybe we'll try to do a Sun-Thurs thing and have a day to go to the pool. But weather is not guaranteed at that time. But you guys make great points. Thank you!!

 

[KristiKelly]

I agree with what lovewdwdvc said, as many days as you can comfortably afford. Keep in mind that Magic Kingdom is easily a 1-2 day park, our kids always want to spend 2 days there. Epcot is a full day, I always forget how large it is. Animal Kingdom, is about a 1/2 day for us. MGM is a full day for us (but we usually go twice each trip). MGM has alot of shows and depending on what the kids want to see, we usually can't get it all done in 1 day. We usually go in the fall when it's not all that crowded and the 1st 2 weeks of Dec. shouldn't be crowded either. I would plan on at least 1 day per park, there is also Downtown Disney for some shopping in the evening.

 

[lpbm4]

Epcot is a full day, I always forget how large it is. Animal Kingdom, is about a 1/2 day for us. MGM is a full day for us (but we usually go twice each trip). MGM has alot of shows and depending on what the kids want to see, we usually can't get it all done in 1 day.

I was told that we should avoid Epcot altogether b/c of the ages of our kids, that they wouldn't be interested at all. Is this true? What about MGM? I don't think my kids could sit through too many shows. Would this be more of a half day for us then or plan on a full day?? I can see us at MK 2 days.

What about Animal Kingdom...I know nothing about it! Is it more than a glorified zoo? We go to the zoo enough here. Are there a ton of things for the kids to do?

Thanks again so much for your help!

 

[TikiGoddess]

Hi,
I too agree to go as many days as you can. We went 7 on our last trip and wished for more. My kids were 4 & 2 last trip and Epcot was probably their least favorite. Things they did like there were Imagination w/Figment, skip Honey I Shrunk the Audience next door. The other 3D shows are much better and more geared toward kids in your age range. The oldest loved Soarin which both yours should be able to ride and both also enjoyed Universe of Energy (lots of dinosaurs). Of course they also insisted we ride El Rio de Tiempo twice so there's no accounting for taste...just kidding, it's cute.
MGM was great for their age group. The LOVED the Muppets 3D , the Animation thing was hilarious to them (and me too ), they also enjoyed the Great Movie Ride, Voyage of the Little Mermaid (even though they're boys) and Playhouse Disney. The oldest was also big enough to ride Tower of Terror...make sure they're brave enough for this one although there is a chicken out spot right before you get on. The other thing they loved at MGM was the fact that there were so many character opportunities. If yours watch a lot of Playhouse Disney there are some characters at MGM that you can only see there like JoJo and Goliath and it's also the only place to see the Power Rangers. Last not to miss thing for kids this age is the Stars and Motorcars parade...it was great.
It was our first time to AK and we went there the day we flew home so we really only had half a day, but our boys loved it. It's Tough to be a Bug was a hit w/them even though I know some kids are scared of it. They also liked the Safari. The biggest hit for them though was the Boneyard playground. It is kind of an upgraded zoo, but it still has Disney magic and there's more dinosaur stuff there if yours like that. We would've liked to stay longer as there were shows we missed. Camp Minnie-Mickey is also good for character greetings.

Hope this helps and enjoy your trip!

 

[KristiKelly]

We have taken our kids to EPC each year since they were 2-1/2, our last trip they were 5 & 8. Each country has a Kidcot station where they can make a mask in the 1st country and then have a stamp and a little tag put on their mask in each country by people from each country. Mexico & Norway each have a little ride that our kids like. In the front part of Epcot (not World Showcase but I forget what it's called) there is The Land where Soaring is, we spent 2-3 hours in there at least, there is also Test Track, DD5 LOVED IT!!! Mission Space, your 5-1/2 year old should be able to do that. Epcot is not our kids favorite park but they each have things that they really enjoy doing when we're there.

MGM, the shows are geared toward kids, most anyway. DS really likes the Indiana Jones show, they both loved the Stunt show, there is a Beauty & the Beast show that DD likes also Little Mermaid. Star Tours (Star Wars ride) is fun for the kids. If either of your kids still like Playhouse Disney, there is a Playhouse Disney show. Most of these have specific showtimes and last anywhere from 15-45 minutes. That is how MGM can easily become a full+ day.

We usually do Animal Kingdom in about a 1/2 day or less. We usually just ride the Kilamnjaro Safari I think your kids would really enjoy that.

Are you planning on going back in the next year or so? If so, you could probably skip a park but if it's going to be several years, I would definitely go to all 4. There is something for everyone at every park.

 

[princessjv]

Remember when planning, that park passes are not that much more $$ as you add more days in the parks. IMHO, if you are taking the time and spending the $$ to go (airfare, time off work), then go as long as possible. You may regret not going long enough, but you won't regret staying longer.

Our 1st trip as a family, we went for 5 nights (I felt very rushed, trying to see as much as possible). Our last trip as a family was 9 nights (this was GREAT)!

No matter how long you go for, your trip will be Magical!

 

[lpbm4]

Thank you so much for all the tips!! Sounds like my kids would like MGM more than I thought...esp with the shows. And Epcot too...

PrincessJV--That's why I'm considering one more night...maybe doing a Sun-Thurs. My oldest will be in Kindergarten and I feel bad as it is taking him out of school. But he's still young so I'm not *TOO* bothered by it. But I also don't want to feel rushed. I'm thinking a 4 night/5 day trip may be best. Thanks for your advice!

 

[kimmbagley]

10 days would be a good number.

 

[thelionqueen]

HI there, I realize that finances are a big deal when planning a WDW vacation, but I can also say that you need to have time to enjoy it. And 4 nights is not nearly enough to do even half of the things you are wanting to do. If you can do 2 more nights (6 nights total) I think that would be the minimum to get seen and done what you would like. Five nights would be the absolute minimum I would stay there. Honestly, 4 nights 5 days goes by so quickly and you will be wondering where it went and why you didn't get to the things you wanted.

You should always go for as long as you can comfortably afford, but after having gone for 6 nights (1st trip) I vowed to never go for less than 10 again. I know different situations require certain restrictions, but try to stay for as long as you can, just my .02

 

[mareed]

Definitely make time for Epcot. It's also been my 2 boys' favorite from their first trip when they were 2 1/2 & 5 1/2 to our last trip when they were 6 & 9. They love Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and as they were older Test Track, Mission Space, and Soarin'. They've also always loved visiting the countries and decorating the mask and looking in the shops. I think a 7 day trip is a minimum, but I understand financial limitations. We stay off-site in order to stay longer and our trips are generally 10-12 days. We still don't experience everything in a single trip!

 

[lpbm4]

Anything over 4 nights is a little expensive for us. We're kind of going over budget as it is going for that long. Plus my kids don't do very well for too long away from home so I would prefer a shorter trip. Don't your children get cranky being so "on the go" like that? I know my kids get very hyper doing new things, and then lack of sleep while in a strange place. Is that just me, though? We can always go back next year if need be.

Thanks for all the advice!!

 

[KristiKelly]

Anything over 4 nights is a little expensive for us. We're kind of going over budget as it is going for that long. Plus my kids don't do very well for too long away from home so I would prefer a shorter trip. Don't your children get cranky being so "on the go" like that? I know my kids get very hyper doing new things, and then lack of sleep while in a strange place. Is that just me, though? We can always go back next year if need be.

Thanks for all the advice!!

Are you booking a package or doing everything separately? Booking a package direct through Disney is the easiest way to go but not necessarily the most economical. Check out www.mousesavers.com you can great tips on how to save money. They will give discount codes, etc. I booked a trip through WDW a few years ago for 5 nights @ Wilderness Lodge, then heard about Mousesavers and rebooked room only with a discount code, bought tickets separately and saved almost $550.00. Also, allearsnet.com can give lots of info and pictures of the different resorts, they also give menues so you will know beforehand where your kids will & will not eat and the prices.

The 1st time we took DS (he was 2-1/2), we wished we had 1 more day. The next time, he was almost 5 & DD was 2-1/2 & we stayed for 5 days (still needed more time). We now stay 1 week. Anyway, if your kids get overly tired, I would definetly suggest a break in the middle of the day for a nap or swim. Even if your kids don't normally take naps anymore, they probably will down there - and so will you I hope this helps.

 

[lpbm4]

Thanks, KristiKelly!! I have been looking at packages and going through mousesavers and allearsnet. I was thinking of doing a DVC b/c we could get a much cheaper rate and get a 1BR so the kids *COULD* go back and rest in the afternoon. They both still do "rest" in the afternoon. I think we'll start with 4nights/5 days and build up when the kids get older. Thanks again!!!!