Hubby thinks "2 days in park" is enough

[ghrkin]

This will be our first trip (november 2012) We have a trailer. i explained that the ticket prices significantly drop after 3 days and that if we only buy 2 days of tickets we will be so exhausted trying to get our money worth. Rather - i am hoping to talk him into 4 or 5 day option so we don't have to make each day 12 hour days in the park. Kids will be 4.5 and 6.5

SO now he said i should figure out the best option... and i also know that the Fort has enough to keep us occupied for a couple days as well.

Could someone (or several someones) give me a reasonable itinerary of how many days they would advise (to stay at the fort and how many days in parks and even which parks) i KNOW he will not consider anything mroe than a week (and i'm guessing in his head he's thinking 4 or 5 days) so i need to be pretty persuasive. i don't think we'll be adding waterparks on this trip.

Thanks all!! P.s. - we will be driving from canada and have flexibility for timing. trying to keep the costs down - but i also don't expect to be back for a couple years. I would like to be well clear of the parks/fort before thanksgiving. so we would be at the fort second ISH week of november. thanks!

Andrea

 

[BearwithMouseEars]

You didnt say how many days your stay would be but you are absolutely right about the ticket prices dropping after the first 3 days . As a matter of fact they drop so much we find it worth our while to just buy a ticket for the entire week we stay and enjoy the parks leisurely . I feel we still get our moneys worth and then some.
Its so much nicer knowing if I dont want to hit a park that day Im not really loosing alot of money . Remember its a vacation and I just know youll love your stay at the Fort.

 

[CDNCruiser]

Andrea, in my opinion you need at least 5 days to just skim the surface.

If you only want to ride the big thrill rides and major attractions you should plan on 2 days for each of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. 1 Day is enough to skim the surface at Animal Kingdom.

Having said that, there is so much more than thrill rides that a mere 5 days is not adequate.

You can easily spend two weeks and not see all that the parks have to offer.

And you'll also want a few days to enjoy Fort Wilderness. It's so much more than just a campground!

Have hubby read some of our trip reports (link below) and he'll see some of the things this Canadian likes to do at WDW!

 

[team bradfield]

what park? I love FW campground

 

[Napria]

Oh, you've got to somehow get it through to him that WDW is not a theme park (or even just a collection of theme parks!). You will all be disappointed if you buy 2 day tickets, especially if you don't plan on returning for a few years.

Last June we stayed at Ft. Wilderness for 2 weeks. We go to WDW every one to two years (see siggy) and we still didn't see even half of what Disney World has to offer. The only way it's bearable is knowing that we'll be back.

For a first trip I'd plan to spend at least 7 full days.

 

[MolonLabe]

For my girls first trip to WDW (exact same ages BTW) I gave us 6 days. 2 in MK, 2 in Epcot, 1 for AK and 1 for DHS.

Having been to MK and Epcot many times and DHS once, I (thought) I was giving us plenty of time.

We missed so much and pretty much spent open to close in each park, each day.

Coming from Canada, I'd say make a week of it. WDW is unlike anything else you have every experienced. There is SO much to see and do. Especially if you want to spend time meeting characters.

I'd suggest what we did is the minimum, especially since you are traveling so far.

I'd also recommend a small "umbrella" type stroller for your youngest, just in case. They can be bought at walmart for $20 and are well worth it IMO. Small and easy to transport.

 

[N365PA]

I would think 5 days at the fort and wdw is a good first time trip.

Day 1 Magic Kingdom

Day 2 Hollywood Studios (You know how hard it is not to say MGM?)

Day 3 Epcot (Personal fav)

Day 4 Fort Wilderness Day (Fishing, Boating, Biking, Movie - Smores at the campfire)

Day 5 Animal Kingdom / Downtown Disney / Back to the fort to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks / lake light show

Thats our general trip if we do 5 days.

Clint

 

[bama_ed]

How many days can you stay at the Fort? You mention a week but can you stretch it an extra day or two?

You have young children and you are coming a long way so you should do all r4 parks if you can. But don't do it kamikaze style - the kids will probably have a meltdown. Try to go for as many days at the Fort as you can and have as many park days as non-park days so you can rest, recover, and enjoy the Fort. Or four park days with three rest days in between (park, rest, park, rest, etc). Don't bother paying for park hopping tickets. Also know you can't burn 2 days in one (if you buy a 4-day basic pass you can't go to the MK on Monday morning and EPCOT Monday afternoon thinking it's okay - i'll just burn two days on my pass. It doesn't work that way).

Tell DH if he waits till you come back in a few years the oldest child will be an "adult" in Disney's eyes (age 10 or older) then tickets will cost more.

Buy your tickets before this summer if you can (which is when rates go up).

Get a Full hookup site (cheapest for a travel trailer) to save money. Buy groceries and don't eat out to save money. RV park and don't hotel on the way down and home. You can pack picnic lunches into the theme parks (stash it in a rental locker but no glass or booze).

Finally, if DH won't go for more park days, as a Disney Dad I say leave his butt at the trailer for the day and YOU take off with the kids.

Bama ED

 

[North of Mouse]

Seems coming from Canada, you would need a week minimum. There are always people here that say you could spend lots of time at the Fort a lone, but we have been going since '71 when they opened and we would never be able to stay there a whole day. Maybe we aren't into fishing, boating, horseback riding, etc. but we go to be in the parks. It's true we walk around leisurely in the Fort in the early night sometime, but the parks call us too much to stay there for long periods. We love it's beauty, but we are not "sitters in the rocking chair" type people to stay at Trails End very long and just people watch. We drive that long distance for the parks - but a couple of days would just frustrate you and you'd not see much of anything. Try for a week - we usually go for at least 10 days 1-3 times a year and still don't run out of things to see and do. We do enjoy touring the resorts and DTD too. Have fun

 

[gillenkl]

Sign your oldest child up for the Disney Yes program and you will save significantly on tickets.
2 DAYS will not be enough and will be torture for all involved.

Driving from Canada (especially considering gas prices) for 2 days isn't even worth getting in the car in my opinion. Your kids will need an afternoon rest/swim break. I can't even imagine spending all day in a park commando with 2 small kids. I don't think your DH really understands Disney. Say you do have 2 days - that only gives you 2 parks and you'll have to skip the other two.

Please look into the Yes Individual Program - a great learning experience for kids and a savings on tickets. If you have questions about this PM.

 

[2goofycampers]

2 days is definitely not enough. Spending all that money on fuel to get there, I'd try to squeeze a few more days into the trip.

 

[jonimce]

Andrea, in my opinion you need at least 5 days to just skim the surface.

If you only want to ride the big thrill rides and major attractions you should plan on 2 days for each of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. 1 Day is enough to skim the surface at Animal Kingdom.

Having said that, there is so much more than thrill rides that a mere 5 days is not adequate.

You can easily spend two weeks and not see all that the parks have to offer.

And you'll also want a few days to enjoy Fort Wilderness. It's so much more than just a campground!

Have hubby read some of our trip reports (link below) and he'll see some of the things this Canadian likes to do at WDW!

I agree. First trip we spent 10 days, all day and still didn't see everything. 2-3 days per park.

Joni

 

[nmb1dsnefan]

I know I am repeating some info from the pp's but 2 days will only get you kuds anxious to see more! Just to see half of what Disney has to offer I would suggest 2 days for MK, 2 days for Epcot, 1 day for AK, and at a minimum 1 day at HS. Although you probably wont see most of the shows at HS and ride most things with 1 day. You will have to focus in one or the other.

After purchading 3 day park tickets the cost per day drops to an average of $10.00 a day there after. You can always add on the no expiration option and if your DH just refuses to do more than a couple of days, you can save them for the next trip. It would save you a ton of money rather than buying two or three days every time you go. Thats how I hooked my DH into more days!!!

 

[ghrkin]

Thanks all! Exactly the kind of info i was looking for. Of course, yesterday we got a wrench in our plans and hubby may not be able to get a leave this fall. If that's the case, Disney and the Fort will have to wait until Fall 2013.

We won't likely know for a couple months if it can be this year or not. So then i'll have to scramble to see if any decent sites are left yada yada. Even though i've said his very maximum at the Fort and parks would be 1 week, our trip is budgeted for 2.5-3 weeks so yes there will be flexibility, we're not "just" doing disney this trip.

My plan is to go back in 3 years, just before our oldest turns 10 to take advantage of one more trip with 2 children.

Andrea

 

[cjalphonso]

Here is my experience:
2 years ago with 4&6 yr old boys, I bought 2days in parks (MK&HS) and I also bought the 14 day aquatica/Sea World pass. We did different parks every day. On the way home I asked what was the most fun parks and in what order.
Aquatica
Sea World
Magic Kingdom
Hollywood Studios.

Point is, kids may have a different view of what is fun than parents do.
Just something to think about.

 

[Goofy-dad]

My wife and I have 3 kids we have been taking them almost every other year and stayed at the fort with out TT for our last 4 trips. This past trip my kids were 6,9,11. We like to spend a day at each park but typically plan on a 'rest' day after each park day. That has worked great for our family.

The rest days are as much fun as the park and we by no means sit around. We take advantage of the boats, monorail, buses, pools, DTD, campfire/movie, water parade, hotels and we love to bring our bikes and bike around the fort and up to the Wilderness Lodge. With kids that age it is very easy to keep them busy at the fort for days on end without ever sitting in a rocking chair

The parks MK is a must with youngsters, followed by Hollywood Studios. You really need to check height requirements with young kids. They do offer child swap, but remember someone will always be waiting, and some kids will get very antsy having to do that all day!

Epcot has some neat stuff to and more educational but the bigger attractions your kids may be too short. At that age my kids were not very into World Showcase at Epcot and therefore Epcot had limited things to offer Nemo, the Land, Spaceship Earth, Ellen's energy, Imagination . . . Animal Kingdom is great we love the Safari and the Kali River Rapids (check height), Bugs Life can be scary for some kids our kids hated it when they were little 2 DS and 4DD we are always done there by 4 or 5. It is my opinion that with kids under 10 park hopper is worthless its worth taking the extra for park hopper and applying to another day at the parks.

You will have a great time no matter how long you go for!

Good Luck!

 

[Joe's Girls]

This will be our first trip (november 2012) We have a trailer. i explained that the ticket prices significantly drop after 3 days and that if we only buy 2 days of tickets we will be so exhausted trying to get our money worth. Rather - i am hoping to talk him into 4 or 5 day option so we don't have to make each day 12 hour days in the park. Kids will be 4.5 and 6.5

SO now he said i should figure out the best option... and i also know that the Fort has enough to keep us occupied for a couple days as well.

Could someone (or several someones) give me a reasonable itinerary of how many days they would advise (to stay at the fort and how many days in parks and even which parks) i KNOW he will not consider anything mroe than a week (and i'm guessing in his head he's thinking 4 or 5 days) so i need to be pretty persuasive. i don't think we'll be adding waterparks on this trip.

Thanks all!! P.s. - we will be driving from canada and have flexibility for timing. trying to keep the costs down - but i also don't expect to be back for a couple years. I would like to be well clear of the parks/fort before thanksgiving. so we would be at the fort second ISH week of november. thanks!

Andrea

2 parks is enough and the two parks i think are great MAGIC KINGDOM & EPCOT the other ones( animal kingdom and hollywood studios) don't have alot of rides. the rest of the days at the fort, there is many things to do. swimming, get on the boat, and at night go to the campfire at the chip' n dale's sing-a-long or the light show and fireworks on the beach. and your kids can go to the tri-circle-d ranch where there is pony rides.

 

[retired and happy]

If you're only looking for rides, go to 6-Flags, or any of the other amusement parks scattered throughout this land of ours. At WDW, there are many things to do and see besides rides. There are exhibits, many of which are hands on. There are shows. There are places to eat, characters to meet, and learning experiences throughout. See all four parks. Enjoy what Walt has built. Enjoy the Fort. Enjoy your trip.

 

[North of Mouse]

No, two days are definitely not enough - will barely get you started It seems time is not an issue, so the more days tickets you get the cheaper per day they are. You wouldn't want to come all that way and just scratch the surface. There's so much beauty even in the landscaping to see in the parks, plus so many shows rides, food, etc. We would take 7-10 days minimum with a first trip for sure. We do that even on our "repeat" trips and never run out of things to see and do. Never having been there will be quite an overwhelming experience for you and completely worth it There are no days that we could just stay the whole day at the fort - unless you ride horses, fish, boat, etc. The campfire program at night is nice. We do enjoy going to the different resorts, eating there and checking them our - some are quite unique! Also DTD is nice for strolling, shopping and eating Enjoy your trip

 

[danielle79]

I agree with most of the replies, if you can convince your hubby of an entire week, that is a good amount of time! We went last Feb and stayed 8 days in the cabins and went to parks everyday! I would do this differently next time and plan a rest day in there somewhere, doing some of the cool things the Fort offers during the day and go to dinner and shopping at DTD at night! My little girls were 5 & 6 at the time and I thought they were a great age, no stroller needed!