How many days are enough?

[MinnieM21]

This is my very first trip to WDW and I'm not sure and the amount of days I should spend at WDW. I'm planning on going to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios, and Epcot. How many days do you think I will need to see everything at these parks? Also, what days are best to go to each park? Thank you so much!!

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

How many days are enough? That's a tough question. I've been going once or twice a year since 1998 and still haven't seen everything there is to see. The longest we've stayed is 8 days and that was not enough. I really don't think there is enough when you're talking about Disney.

 

[Skylarr29]

Well dh and I have been to disney many times before and haven't really done it all! There is so much. I don't know if you are traveling with children or not but if you are you want to make sure to take it slow. Our next trip is in sept and we are staying for 14 nights. That may be too expensive for you , but we are planning on taking things slow and relaxing as well. I would say at least a week to see all the parks, and if you have the time and money probably 2 days for each park.

 

[skiwee1]

As many as you can afford to go for. Seriously, WDW has so much to offer that even if you stay 2 weeks you still will not see it all. We go about 30 days a year for years and we still have not seen it all. I think the minimum you'll need to at least do all major parks and one or two smaller parks is 7 days. Even that would be too rushed for me. If time isn't a problem then stay 14 days. That is what we do.

 

[Disney Anna]

I'm planning my fifth trip to WDW since 1999. Everytime I've basically kept the same schedule. 6 nights, with 5 full days and 2 half days (first day is late afternoon/eve, last day is morning to early afternoon).

I'm flying from Calif., so earliest I can arrive is at approx. 4 p.m.. I usually leave on a Tues. or Wed. Out of airport by 5 p.m., arrive at hotel and can be in room by 6 usually. We then spend evening at dinner, either O'Hana's at 7 or Chef Mickey's.

Next day is Magic Kingdom, unless that's it's early entry day. That is a full day for us.

Next day is usually split btn 2 parks, depends on early entry days, but usually we do MGM in morning then Epcot at nite. We enjoy Epcot in evening so we can do dinner - especially love Le Cellier in Canada.

Next day is "off day." I am exhausted by this day and can't imagine a full day at parks. Spend day exploring something new (miniature golf perhaps), swimming, hanging at hotel, and going to Downtown Disney. Have a nice dinner at one of the resorts, such as Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Next day is Animal Kingdom. This only takes us a half of a day. Then return to either MGM, Epcot or do both for rest.

Last full day is Magic Kingdom again. Usually stay there for full day, sometimes go back to another park we need to finish up.

Next day is usually a half day and is day to return. Have traditionally revisited Downtown Disney.

This schedule has worked really well for us. A lot of it is dictated by a) our far distance from Orlando and flight schedules of Southwest Airliines; b) time of year visiting. We usually go at less busy times of year...most of the time this is ample time to see all that we want, sometimes it is even a little more time than is actually necessary. We once went right after Sept. 11 and everything was so quiet we were able to go through everything very fast with absolutely no lines.

You can never really do it all in one trip. And each family is different. Weather also plays a part. I'm pretty gung ho and will tour thru extreme heat, but others aren't as hardy or have little kids to accommodate.

Hope this helps. Have fun. The first trip is the BEST.

 

[jl3614]

In the 18 years we have been married, my wife and I have probably visited the parks a dozen times, the last 2 times with small kids. The parks are constantly changing, I don't believe you can ever see it all. The time of year you visit, whether or not you have children, your stamina, and your likes/dislikes all factor into " How long is enough?". Most people are limited by the number of days they have available and there budget.

If you do not have children, and have the stamina for long days - park opening to park closing, I would say you could do almost everything in a day and a half for each park, two days at each park would allow you a more liesurely pace. If you have kids you may take longer. Although with small kids you tend to skip somethings which are just too scary - take it from experience, bringing a two year old into "A Bugs Life" at AK is not a good thing to do. Some attractions have height requirements so small children are not allowed. On the other hand, if you are without children you would probably not spend any time at the "Boneyard playground" in Dinoland (AK).

AK, MK, and MGM are basically rides and shows, so you can judge the time to allocate pretty accurately. Epcot is much more interactive. One thing you really like someone else would walk right past. You could spend any where from 30 minutes to almost a half day in the Innovations section alone. Likewise some of the countries in World Showcase could be a 10 minute walkthrough or a couple hours of browsing and shopping.

I would suggest making a list of "must sees" at each park. Spend a full day at each park working through your list. Then with any remaining days revist the parks you most enjoyed or those that have "must see" left which you didn't get to on the first day.

Your tickets will probably allow you to park hop. This is nice, but don't get too carried away, you will be wasting an hour or hour and a half of time with each transfer (maybe slightly less time taking the monorail between MK and EP).

You may want to take a rest day or two - visit a water park, or shopping t Downtown Disney. If you have a car, you may want to spend a day or two visiting the "competition" - Universal Studios, or drive over to the beach, visit Cape Canaveral.

Most importantly take time to "enjoy the magic".

Jeff

 

[MinnieM21]

Thanks so much for all the help! I think I've pretty much got it figured out now.

 

[flynnmnstr]

I would most definitely buy a guidebook (I really like the info and touring plans in the Unofficial Guide) and based on the time of year you are going and whether or not younger or older children will be accompanying you will make a huge difference in the amount of time you will need to see everything you want. Not saying that you need to become a touring Nazi and follow the book to the T but it really gives you some good ideas. I have followed the plans on some trips and not on other and I have always found the the plans work much better than me being creative with my own plan.

Toddlers are time suckers!!! They need diaper changes, feedings on a regular basis and NAPS. Oh please don't forget the naps.
DH and I go at about 1/4 of the speed we used to go at. This past January we were lucky if we got on 4 attractions before lunch with our DS2. We were giving each other high fives.

It also depends on whether you want to go commando or take some time to swim and relax. We always do one park in the morning then go back to the hotel to swim, relax and nap and then go back to another park at night. With that schedule a week is normally a nice vacation. You'll be able to take your time and not be so tired that you'll need another weeks vacation when you get home. Any more time than a week is great; you'll be able to see more and have more time to swim and shop.

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

When deciding the length of your trip it helps to add "rest" days. I find that adding rest days into our itinerary keeps us from getting too tired and helps make the trip seem longer. Depending on the length of the trip we like to do the parks for 2 days...take a day to rest (sleep in, relax & swim at the resort)...parks for 2 days...day of rest and so on. Last year we did the parks for 3 days and then took a day to rest .... but I think the 2 days "on", 1 day "off" schedule works best.

We also try to take some time to relax/nap mid-day on our "on" days too.

Have fun!

Debbie

 

[danny1649]

To good information other poster's have given you but would like to Welcome to the Dis and hope to see you often on the board's.

 

[MinnieM21]

Thank you for the welcome!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I'm curious...Lindsey, do you live on the border of CA/OR or do you have 2 homes, one in each state? I'm from Klamath Falls/Merrill, OR (I would prefer to forget my Merrill time) and lived a year in Ashland, so your location caught my eye.

T&B