How many days

[carrie s]

Im planning my first trip to WDW for August.Im just wondering how may days do I need to see everything without being too rushed? How many days in each park? I will be going with my DH and four kids,they will be ages 4,7/8,11 and 12.We want to go at the end of August so were there for my DS 8th birthday.The kids want to go to the water parks so Im thinking of spending 1/2 a day at each.

 

[Simba22]

DBF and I have been 3 times together...each time we spent 1 full day at each park and 1 full day at Typhoon Lagoon. we did not rush through anything, just took our time and really enjoyed everything but we did not get to do everything. Our next trip is scheduled for December and we are planning on 2 full days at each park (no water parks though).

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

First, resign yourself to the fact they you are not going to see everything. Not in this trip, not even by your fifth trip. WDW is so big that it's just not possible to see and do it all.

As for how much time to allot for each park, I would allow at least one full day for each park for first-timers. And I would also allow another day to visit your favorte park again and see the things that you missed the first time. My family can actually spend two days in EPCOT alone and we've been to WDW 8 or 9 times.

If you're planning a 7-night trip, then I would recommend getting 8-day passes. The cost is less than $6 more than the cost of a 5-day pass. It will allow you to visit the theme parks for even a few hours without feeling like you've wasted your admission money. And if you add the w/p fun and more option to them, the 8-day pass will have 6 visits to a w/p, DQ, PI or WWoS. A 5-day pass would only have 4 visits and the addon would cost the same amount of money.

 

[ransom]

According to the Unofficial Guide, one should budget 2 days each for Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and one day each for Disney/MGM and Animal Kingdom. That's for the relaxed touring option. If you want to go commando, you can cut those in half, but you'll have to have a good touring plan and you'll spend all your time running from attraction to attraction and will still only get in the most popular ones.

So says the Unofficial Guide, anyway. I've never been to WDW, so I can't say how correct that book is...but lots of people seem to like it.

 

[Hope73]

We have always stayed 7 nites this time it is 5 and I feel rushed. We park hop. Plan one day at each park then you go back and do your favorite rides. Sometimes we may go to a park in the am for emh then swim and dinner at another or go and catch one of the evening shows. Good luck.

Make sure to get dinner res asap you are allowed six month out. You can always cancel but if you wait too long you just can't get them.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

According to the Unofficial Guide, one should budget 2 days each for Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and one day each for Disney/MGM and Animal Kingdom. That's for the relaxed touring option. If you want to go commando, you can cut those in half, but you'll have to have a good touring plan and you'll spend all your time running from attraction to attraction and will still only get in the most popular ones.

So says the Unofficial Guide, anyway. I've never been to WDW, so I can't say how correct that book is...but lots of people seem to like it.

I'm inclined to agree with this opinion. Two each for MK and Epcot, and one each for Disney/MGM and AK. I've personally never done the water parks, so I can't vouch for how long to budget for them. But I have been to "America's Largest Water Park", Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells about a dozen times. And I never have any problem staying busy all day. Were you planning on doing Down Town Disney as well? That would probably be a good 1/2 day if you want to take your time walking through the different shops.

 

[carrie s]

Yes,we want to do downtown disney too.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Smooshdog]

I think the two days in MK is a must! Epcot can also be a solid two days as well. MGM and AK highlights can be hit in one day, but I love MGM so I spend two days there. As far as the water parks go I find that if you get there when the w/p opens, then you can probably head out by 4 that afternoon having hit all the slides...plus that way you can set up something fun like the hoop de doo or some other fun dinner. Have fun with the planning!!

 

[Mousema]

I agree with the majority. 2 days each for MK and Epcot. 1 day each for AK and MGM. The water parks can be 4 or 5 hours each. DTD 4 or 5 hours. Don't forget DisneyQuest, it's a good half day in itself if you like the "game" side of Disney.

 

[the Fidge]

AK took us two days if you do the safair and other tours it will take longer I think. We satyed 6 nights and went to typhoon Lagoon for one day and did not hit downtown Disney but for a couple hours at night. Epcot 2 days and MK 2 days too!

This time we are going we will be staying for 10. We also want to enjoy the resort ammenities too! It really also depends on crowd size too! I beleive you are going at a good tiem of year for crowds. ALso how late everyone can go until. DS gets worn out by 9 and by 10 is in full bear custome!!! GRRRR! I got sick after Mission SPace and went back to our room they went to the pool and I watched the bed spin and watied for my stomach to touch ground it was terrible !!!!! So we lost a day at the parks for that naturally it was the first one we went on as DS heard it was the bestest ride!!!

Another factor to consider if you plan to attend the parades and firworks shows that will chunk out some time!

Good luck and happy planning!

PS beware of Mission Space if you ever want your eyeballs to remain in your skull!!!

 

[carrie s]

Thanks again.I dont know how many days we are going to go for yet,it depends how much money I can save up.

 

[Denise Thies]

However many days you think you'll need to get in as much as you want - factor in kids, etc.