How Many Days do You Spend at the Parks?

[strasfamily]

Just curious as to how many days you guys would spend at the parks for a 7 day vacation? For us, two of those days would be travel days. I was originally thinking about getting a 4-day park hopper. But looking at the prices it doesn't seem to be too much more for a 5-day. We will be going in December so don't really need a day for pool play or anything.

Which one should I buy?

 

[Taja]

Howdy, neighbor!

I live in the northeast Valley. And no, I really don't talk that way!

How long will you be in Orlando/WDW?

If you will be there five full days, I definitely would go with the five-day PH if budget permits.

Each park deserves the potential of a full day. Realistically, you're going to enjoy some parks more than others. AK closes earliest, so it's possible to go on to one of the other parks for the evening after leaving there.

How long you spend in each park depends on your family or group and their interests. Personally, MK is 1 to 2 day park, EPCOT is a 2 day park, MGM is almost a full day, and AK (in cooler weather, such as December) is almost a full day.

If you're flying Southwest and take the early morning flight from PHX to MCO in December, you'll arrive at MCO around 3:30 p.m., and actually be checked in at your resort (direct transport, no stops) around 5:00 p.m. That gives you an evening for DTD or the Boardwalk--or anything else you might like to do. Just don't make a PS for that night--just in case!

If you haven't already booked your flights, try to avoid the return flight (around 4 p.m.?) that requires changing planes in Albuquerque. The transfer plane is always packed, and those boarding at ABQ have no choice in seating!


__________________
Taja

 

[Taja]

Sorry! Just reread your post and realized you will be at WDW for five day! Blame it on baked brains!


__________________
Taja

 

[candykisses]

We stay for 15 days and go to the parks for 15 days.

We say we're not going to the parks every day, but we do.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I like to go to the parks everyday.

Our first trip was for 7 nights 8 days. To save money I got the 5-day park hopper plus passes with 4 plus options. I saved some money, but was not a happy camper on our non-park days.

On our next trip we were there for 9 nights 10 days. For that trip we had the 30-day tickets. It was so much better to be able to come and go as we pleased without worrying about wasting a park day.

 

[strasfamily]

I think I will go for the 5 day. Originally I was thinking of having a non-park day, but that can be for the two travel days. We would probably be really unhappy on a day not spent at the park - especially since this will be my DD's first time.

Taja - we are in the East Valley. Do you find Southwest to be better than America West out of Phoenix? When we went on our cruise last year I was able to get direct flights for ~250 round trip.

Thanks!

 

[PattiPB]

Where are you staying? When we stay onsite, we tend to not "skip a day" that often, but off-site it's easier to stick to a pool and souvie shopping for a day.

Last April we knew we would spend 4 park days and 1 WP day. I bought 7 day PHP, and we have 3 days and 3 Plusses left over, which we will use in December. The cost difference for the five of us was $500, but those passes will cover two entire trips. My point is, if you have the cash, buy extra now for the inevitable next time.

BTW---we only fly SW at the $99 special. We have had several trips over the years cancelled/changed due to health problems, and nobody beats SW for flexibility.

See you in December (hopefully warm enough for TL or BB!!!)

 

[The Sweetness]

We've always been satisfied with our 1 park per day plan. B/c we drive and leave on the final day by 4pm at the latest, we save that day for AK, and still so just fine

 

[Amirah95]

We spend 5 days in the parks.

 

[ceecee]

The last two years we had an UPH with our package and went everyday. One day only for 3 hours. We have gone in the past for 10 days with a 5 day hopper. Spent a Sunday with family (at their house). Saturday at DTD amd Wed. DD did the Pirate Cruise in the am and we swam the rest of the day. It was great too. Whatever your perference. Since days don't expire you could get more days in case you need them.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

We usually only spend 4 out of 7 days in the parks but we always buy the 7 day passes. They never expire so if we don't use them up at least we have them for our next trip.

 

[Taja]

I tend to fly Southwest because of their cancellation/flexibility policy (my schedule sometimes changes suddenly), and I haven't been able to get a through flight to MCO on AmericaWest. They're our home town airline and I like to support them, but sometimes it isn't possible! My travel dates and times always seem to involve a transfer with AmWest.

If you fly Southwest on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday and book sufficiently in advance, the PHX>MCO>PHX roundtrip typically runs $200 to $220 per person including taxes and fees.

Last year I booked my December flight at $220 (approximately), then they had a special for $180. I called and cancelled (the CSR was terrific and advised me the moment the funds were available to apply to another flight!) and rebooked immediately! At that time you couldn't cancel online and they didn't permit online changes. I believe that has changed now. Haven't had to change or cancel since then!


__________________
Taja

 

[diznee25]

A 7 day trip includes 2 days of travel for us as well. So for a whole 5 days of vacation, we'd go to the parks all 5 days.

I'd only do "off days from the parks" if our vacation was 6 days or longer.

If I were you, I'd buy the 5 day hopper.

Diznee25

 

[MiraDawl]

Get a 5 day park hopper with 2 (or 4!) plus options. You'd be able to spend 5 days bouncing between parks, and on some days visit multiple parks, and then you could also visit the water parks. You could do both in one day, or spend a day at each. This way, you'd be in a park everyday!

Good luck!

~Mira