How many days for each park???

[DizNee Luver]

I grew up at Disneyland. But I've gone to WDW several times too.

You will need a full 2 days to get through all of Epcot and you must move with a purpose through World Showcase. If you really like to browse in the shops and see the impromptu entertainment, it's tight in 2 days. 1 day is usually enough for Animal Kingdom. But, sometimes Rafiki's Planet watch has nothing going on, sometimes there's a ton to do there. 1 day is usually enough for the studios. For you, you may wish to skip Fantasmic. If so, you definitely can get through this in one day. MK normally takes 2 days. But if there is a Christmas party, go to that too.

For our very first trip, as far as the 4 main parks go, we had 2 days each at MK and EP and one day each at DHS and AK. We also had a flex day at the end so we could go back and hit a park again or clean up what we missed. We made dinner reservations at one of the hotels so we could remain flexible as to which park to hit that day. We got through everything and chose MK again for our flex day. Total of 7 full days in the 4 main parks on that trip. We got through everything save a minor show or two duplicated at Disneyland Resort in those 7 days and could have gotten to those had we wanted. We also got to meet characters, listen to some of the little entertainment they have on main street or around world showcase and the like too.

I like the idea of having flex days at the end. I'm thinking of planning 2 days at MK, 2 days at EP, 1 day at DHS & 1 day at AK. This would leave the last days as flex days......I really would like to end our trip at MK....it seems like the natural choice of the place to go to first & last.

 

[Disneylovingdad]

We went down this past September. Me, the wife our son, my father in law, aunt, and another couple and their 2 little ones. We did not get hoppers because of cost, but mainly it was going to be a lot dragging everyone and 2 strollers from park to park. We planned 2 full days at each park (no water parks) when we did AK, we actually did the entire park in one day. Saw everything. We decided then to add a 3rd day at the MK. I guess it pays to be somewhat flexible in the schedule, especially with you not having been there before. This was our first time with kids.

 

[pika2000]

Minimum 1 and 1/2 days. 2 full days are nice, but you might still miss a few shows/parades (no fret, more reason to come back, right?). I would plan breaks in between though (checking out downtown Disney, relaxing at the hotel pool, etc). Going to the parks non-stop can really be exhausting and might decrease the enjoyment on the later days of the trip.

 

[trekker93]

Our trips are typically 2 weeks - 14-16 days, and depending on the weather we will vary. In Sept. when we go down, the weather can be very hot so we like to go to the water parks 1-2days. Then we like to spend 3 days each at Epcot and MK with AK & HS getting 1-2 days depending on the heat. Honestly, you only need 1 day for HS while AK due to its size and variety can take 2 days.

 

[.:allisonr:.]

We're going for a week in June, and as of right now, we're doing 2 days (back to back) at Magic Kingdom, 1 day at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Epcot, and a half day at Animal Kingdom. We've got park hoppers, so hitting more than one park on any given day will probably happen, too.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We went down this past September. Me, the wife our son, my father in law, aunt, and another couple and their 2 little ones. We did not get hoppers because of cost, but mainly it was going to be a lot dragging everyone and 2 strollers from park to park. We planned 2 full days at each park (no water parks) when we did AK, we actually did the entire park in one day. Saw everything. We decided then to add a 3rd day at the MK. I guess it pays to be somewhat flexible in the schedule, especially with you not having been there before. This was our first time with kids.

I definitely thought about the packing up & moving in my decision on not getting a hopper originally.....there will be 8 of us, 2 in strollers plus feeding supplies. I"m still leaning to keep it that way. Being flexible for the last few days is making more & more sense for us!!

Minimum 1 and 1/2 days. 2 full days are nice, but you might still miss a few shows/parades (no fret, more reason to come back, right?). I would plan breaks in between though (checking out downtown Disney, relaxing at the hotel pool, etc). Going to the parks non-stop can really be exhausting and might decrease the enjoyment on the later days of the trip.

We usually do the afternoon break or take in a few shows inside in the a/c....lol even those shows can be good for recharging. It will all be dependent on how the twins are doing & coping.

Our trips are typically 2 weeks - 14-16 days, and depending on the weather we will vary. In Sept. when we go down, the weather can be very hot so we like to go to the water parks 1-2days. Then we like to spend 3 days each at Epcot and MK with AK & HS getting 1-2 days depending on the heat. Honestly, you only need 1 day for HS while AK due to its size and variety can take 2 days.

I know my older kids wanted to do the water parks....but I don't want to lose park time doing that this trip....it's also December..so not like it's summertime & they'll need it???? Thanx for sharing your breakdown....it kinda looks like we might be leaning that way as our breakdown.

We're going for a week in June, and as of right now, we're doing 2 days (back to back) at Magic Kingdom, 1 day at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Epcot, and a half day at Animal Kingdom. We've got park hoppers, so hitting more than one park on any given day will probably happen, too.

Sounds like most people agree that 2-3 days for each MK & EP are needed while 1 or possibly a 2nd day for AK or DHS. I really appreciate everyone's responses on this thread!!!!