How Long to Stay with Four Young Children?

[snicker-doodle]

I'm in the early stages of planning our WDW vacation for January of 2004. We have four young DD's -- ages at that time will be 9, 7, 5 and 2 1/2. Eeeek!

First -- I've read that this is a good (quiet) time to go. Any comments on that? Lines, weather, attractions, etc.

Second -- does anyone have any suggestions on the length of our vacation and the "do not miss" attractions. We're planning on visiting each of the parks and will also toss in a couple character breakfasts. I'm also planning on coming back to our room at OKW for rest/nap time. And....I'm thinking of skipping the water parks -- bad idea? I want to have enough days so we're not running around like maniacs, but don't want to wear out our welcome. Those of you with young kids will know what I mean....LOL!

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!!!!!!

 

[ducklite]

Sherry--

Forget the water parks in January, it can be downright COLD! Besides the cold days there will probably only be one open during that time.

I'd plan on minimum two days for the MK, two days for Epcot, one day for MGM and one day for AK. If you can swing it, spend a full seven days at WDW, with a day on each end for travel. One of the middle days could be a non-park day.

In a few weeks I'm taking my brother, SIL, and their two kids, boy 4 and girl 1. Also will be my DH and DS17.

This is what we're doing:

Saturday--travel day
Sunday--Epcot
Monday--MK
Tuesday--AK
Wednesday--MGM
Thursday--day off
Friday--MK
Saturday--Epcot

We'll also go to Epcot some evenings after dinner.

We're staying at the BCV, so no need to do waterparks--we've got SAB.

Anne

 

[BevS97]

how long can you afford to stay? We are going in December and are staying for 2 weeks. I think you have a much more pleasant vacation if you are there for a longer time as you aren't rushed, and can take things easy. Saying that, in January it will be very quiet, so you shouldn't have to contend with big crowds and long lines, which will make things nicer anyway.

I agree with Anne, if you can manage a full week, then that would be ideal - I wouldn't like to go for any less than that, myself.

We probably wouldn't take a day off (well, we would in 14 days but not in 7), but we wouldn't do an entire day in a park either - we are more likely to go early and leave at 3, or sleep in, swim etc, and get to the park around 2 and stay until late.
We also like to see Seaworld, and we might take in Universal as well, although I'm undecided on that.

And, as scandalous as it is to say on this board, but we will stay off-site! We will get more space, and it will be cheaper, so we can stay longer.

Bev

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I think that you need a least a week. Depending on whether your children are in a school setting or are homeschooled would also be a factor. Just my view that more than a week of missed school is quite hard on kids past about second grade, though I always take my now 5th grader out for a week for WDW. If you are not under those restriction and money allows, I would even push it to 10 days. That would give plenty of down time and lots of time in the parks too.

January is wonderful. We were there last year and loved having no crowds and no heat issue. We needed neither a coat or a bathing suit.But pack both! DS did brave the heated pool a couple times but I think it's too cold for a water park.

One note is to not under estimate the time you will want at Epcot. Many families with small children seem to want to down play this park that we find delightful for all ages. We always want more time there.

Have a blast and think of us in January, we are going in Dec. instead this year.


Jordan's mom

 

[HeatherC]

Hi - I agree...the longer you can spend, the less rushing around you will feel you need to do. We have 3 little ones 6,4 and 2. We find that if we do one day on, one day off, they enjoy the trip much better. And if they enjoy it better, so do we!!!Our last couple trips have been 10 days and this has worked out nicely for us. Hope this helps in your planning.

 

[trracers]

I agree that a week is the minimum we try to do with kids (although we have been known to go for as little as two nights without kids!!) We usually try to go during "no crowd" times and find there is plenty of time to see alot. Unlike most of the others that posted, we start out or end each day in the MK. It is our and our DD5's favorite park and we always end up wanting to go there at some point in the day!

With the ages of your kids (if they are like mine, NOT DAREDEVILS AT ALL!!) and it is warm enough, they will be just as happy with the themed pools as they would a water park anyway. This trip (Sept) will be our first trip to one of the water parks and we STILL haven't decided which one to try!

The character breakfast are such fun! We have done CRT and Hollywood and Vine (which unfortunately is having them anymore) and we LOVE any character meals. This time, we are still doing CRT, but are adding the AK one because we hardly ever see Donald anywhere. We are also doing the Storybook in Norway in case Aurora isn't at CRT (those are her two favorites).

No matter what I am sure you will have a MAGICAL trip and I hope everything goes well...Have Fun!!