How many days in the parks?

[sdfamily]

We are planning a trip in late October. We have the last two weeks out of school. We can arrive as early as the 18th and must depart by the 30th (to be back for Halloween). We're traveling with our three boys (11, 8, and 3).

I'm trying to figure out how many days to plan on spending in the parks. After the 5-day park hopper, the cost only increases a little bit each day.

Oh, and we're Disneyland Annual Passholders.

Here's what I've got planned for now:
- Arrive on the 20th
- Stay 6 nights at Fort Wilderness in a rental pop up (we're campers and have our own pop up here in California)
- Rent points and stay in DVC 1-br at Boardwalk for 4 nights
- Depart on the 30th

So basically, we have 9 days to visit the parks.

My questions are:
- There seems to be a lot to do a FW, without actually going to the parks. In a 6 night stay, should we plan on 2 days of just hanging out?
- We're pretty much a herd of turtles in the morning, so getting to the parks when they open will be difficult. Do you think that's fine?
- How hard is it to return to FW from MK for a little break during the day?
- I'm thinking we need more time, so that we're not rushed. Is that crazy?
- If I add one more night at FW, we'll have 10 days to visit the park. With the park hopper option, that can give us the morning at one park. Afternoon at FW, and the evening at another park. Does that sound more relaxing than trying to cram it all in?

I'm not sure I can convince DH to spend more than 11 nights at DW.

I'm trying to schedule more of a 'vacation' rather than just running around the parks and checking off the list of attractions.

Thanks!

 

[becky1960]

We usually stay about the same time, we also buy 10-day Hoppers as you say, the price is not that much difference. I think that would be the best so you can stretch out your time to see everything. We go fairly early and then come back rest a few hours and go to a different park in the evening.
If you change you mind and have a down day you wont loose much and keep in mind WDW is much larger and spread out than DL.

 

[retired and happy]

You won't be able to see and do everything, so take some time to see what each park has to offer. Check out the online maps before you go. We often stay in the campground during the day, and go to the parks at our leisure. You won't have any problem from FW to MK because the boats run often. The other parks are a little more distant and take longer to return for a midday break. Don't push the 3 year old too much or a vacation can turn into a torture trip. You will definitely want to see FW after dark around Halloween...lots of decorations. Enjoy.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

How many dayz to spend in the parks are strictly up to ya'll,,I would keep a coupl'a free dayz fer hang'n round the Fort. And during that Fort time you may have a hanker'n to wet a line,,so bring yer fish'n poles and a camera.

 

[kc5grw]

I think a lot of it really depends on what you want to see at the parks and how harried you want to be doing it. I know in our 2 trips to the fort so far we haven't left a lot of time for fort activities, but since we do not get to WDW very often, we want to catch everything we haven't seen or the new stuff at the parks. We always catch a little of what's available at the fort. I figure one of these years we'll be spending lots more time there.

 

[SCCamper]

We have a trip planned for mid October for 9 days. What we are planning to do is go to a park one day then have a free day. That way we won't be exhausted the day after a park and get to sleep in if we want to. We have a 5 day pass w/o park hopper. On our free days, we can just play it by ear and do whatever we feel like doing...that way it will feel more like a vacation. We were going to do the meal plan, but decided to cancel it. Last time I had the meal plan, it always seemed as if we had to plan our days around when we ate.

 

[sdfamily]

SCCamper - thanks for the advice about the meal plan. I was looking into it yesterday and came to the same conclusion. Trying to eat at a specific time with a 3YO could prove problematic. When you have to have a spreadsheet (as some have recommended), to figure out where and when to eat, it's too complicated.

Yes, doing the parks with a 3YO is going to be fairly challenging. I had him at Disneyland yesterday and he refused to ride in the stroller and had his own ideas about where to go. Very slow going.....Also, standing in line was really not an option.

I think we'll just have lots of splitting up. That's one of the reasons we chose to stay at FW, the kids can run around more.

 

[Shan-man]

I just want to interject for a moment and suggest that we all express opinions as opinions, and not dogmatic assertions of fact. Case in point...

When you have to have a spreadsheet (as some have recommended), to figure out where and when to eat, it's too complicated.

I happen to like having a plan in place, and enjoying the nicer restaurants at the World, and don't mind a bit that I need a spreadsheet to keep myself on track. That's the way I maximize my enjoyment of what WDW has to offer. For you, it sounds like it would get in the way of your enjoyment. I applaud your ability to get maximal enjoyment without a spreadsheet, but don't think that because it's true for you it's the only way. BTW, this happens all the time on all the threads, and needs to be corrected all around, it's just the spreadsheet jab hit a little close to home! LOL

 

[sdfamily]

Oh, trust me, I've made plenty of vacation spreadsheets.

You should have seen the spreadsheet I created for our 21-day Alaska trip last summer.

I'm just thinking with a 3YO, trying to schedule dining might send him (i.e. me) over the edge. Maybe I'll planning dining options for the rest of the crew and the 3YO and I can head back to the campsite for microwave mac and cheese and 'happy hour'.

 

[FIREKYMMIE]

You can always add days onto your tickets.. I would buy the 5 day passes w/hopper... I love the Hopper you can always go somewhere else if it is to crowded where you decided to go that day. Then if you decide to go to the parks more then you thought you can add to your pass. You can add on to your pass as long as you have 1 day left on it... I think you may send more time then you think you are in the parks but no matter what just have fun!!!!

 

[cjalphonso]

I'll give you something different to think about. I have a 5 and 3 yr old boys. We stayed 5 nights at FW. I only bought 2 single days one for MK and one for HS. I knew my boys would like these best. Then I also bought the 2 park deal from Seaworld and Aquatica, which for $90 gives you unlimited access to both parks for up to 14 days. On the MK and HS days we went early, came back for naps at 1pm, then back when it cooled off till parks closed. We saw everything we wanted to see and really didn't see any reason to have to go back. We saw Seaworld one day and then went to aquatica on another day and left one day at FW. We ate all meals at FW. I am extremely proud to say we spent a total of $8 inside of WDW...and that was for two ice cream sundays

Now, after all was said and done and the trip was over, we asked both boys what there favorite thing was on the trip. Both boys answered without a doubt.....AQUATICA. They had such a great time there. I must say, for there age group, it is the best water park in that area hands down.

Also remember Universal gives the same deals.
Like everyone else on this board, this is just my opinion and experience from 2 weeks ago.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I think a lot of it really depends on what you want to see at the parks and how harried you want to be doing it.

I use to be pretty harried,,seems like when I hit 45 I started loosing it pretty fast,, now I'm dang near bald !

 

[liv luvs disney]

Obviously Disney wants us to stay longer, that's why the increase in ticket price is not that significant after a certain number of days. However, they get A LOT more money from the food, drinks, and merchandise we buy the longer we stay! They know that...and we do too. It works every time.

I agree with a pp that it is totally up to you as to the number of ticket days you purchase. This is just my personal take on our upcoming trip. The previous times we have been, we have done it commando style with dining. We were worn out every night we got back to our room and by the time we arrived home, we weren't good for anything! It took a few days to re-coop from vacation for crying out loud. That is why this time, we are doing it differently. It helps that we are going to be at the Fort because that will be more leisurely in and of itself. We are only getting 4 day MYW (no frills) tickets and the rest of the time will be at the Fort enjoying eachother and what the Fort has to offer. Again, this is just what our family is doing this trip.

Whatever ya'll decide to do, I'm sure you'll enjoy every minute of it!

 

[retired and happy]

I've seen several posts referring to liv luvs disney's upcoming trip with the grandparents. I'm looking forward to a good trip report on that trip with pictures. We go every Christmas but will slip in a short trip in two weeks this year in addition. We'll go to Sea World and maybe Busch Gardens while we're in the area this time. We usually spend a lot of time at the fort (including several days just setting up Christmas decorations) so we have a fairly leisurely visit and get to enjoy many of the offerings of the fort.

 

[liv luvs disney]

I've seen several posts referring to liv luvs disney's upcoming trip with the grandparents. I'm looking forward to a good trip report on that trip with pictures. We go every Christmas but will slip in a short trip in two weeks this year in addition. We'll go to Sea World and maybe Busch Gardens while we're in the area this time. We usually spend a lot of time at the fort (including several days just setting up Christmas decorations) so we have a fairly leisurely visit and get to enjoy many of the offerings of the fort.

I am looking forward to our trip, a trip report (I've never done one), and lots of pictures (hopefully I can figure out how to post them)! My parents have never been to Disney and are actually a little leery of the experience. Can you imagine? I have requested a loop at FW that will hopefully seclude them enough they are not "overloaded". They love to camp and just purchased the camper of their dreams. I know that once their there, they will fall in love with the whole experience. I keep saying "they", but I have actually not fully convinced my Dad to stay. He keeps saying he is going to set us up and drive back home. We'll see. I'm betting when my 8 year old bats those eyes lashes and says, "Papa, please stay with us", it will be a done deal.

 

[kc5grw]

I use to be pretty harried,,seems like when I hit 45 I started loosing it pretty fast,, now I'm dang near bald !

Luckily for me you inherent your hair from your Mom's side of the family. My dad was gray was along as I remember. He said he had starting going gray in his twenties. He also started losing his hair every early too. I don't have either problem thank goodness.

What was the topics of this thread again?

 

[mrsscooter]

We too are also going in later October early November..........for two weeks with a 5 day pass. We are planning to do every other day at a park....with other fun stuff in between. We will be at the fort too, so we are planning on a few down days just at the fort. We did the commando trip the last time we went with everyday at a park and the kids (and us) were wiped out from our "vacation".......so this year we are doing the every other thing with days in between for just hanging out at the fort, or going down to I drive and just hang out. So, hopefully, this will be a true vacation...LOL Have a great time when you go!!