Is 19 days at WDW too long?

[momtotwinglesx4]

*I* don't think so, because I want to *live* in WDW, but dh thinks I'm getting a little carried away here! We're driving down, so it will actually be 2 days down and 2 days back in addition to the 19 days there. We're buying the family AP's for the 1st time and I want to be sure and get our money's worth Here's the group: dh & myself, and our 5 children who will be the following ages at the time: dd 15, dd 7, ds 7 (twins), ds 3, and ds 18 mos.
We're far from wealthy, but I'm doing alot of saving and looking for good deals on lodging (doing 2 time-share tours for good rates, also won a week at Orange Lake Country Club on skyauction for a great rate). Dh is worried that we'll all be at each other's throats by the end of the trip. I will admit, I'm a bit concerned about this too, as 15 y/o dd can be quite, um, how shall I say this..."challenging" & "moody" (or you *could* say "snotty"!) The kids all LOVE WDW (even the snotty teen, lol) Anyway, the plan is to leave on Dec. 27 and return home on Jan. 18. Am I nuts???!!! I just know that if I shorten the trip, I'll regret it when it's time to come home. Besides, I DESPISE winter and this will mean 3 weeks less of the @#$% frigid weather!



Any thoughts?

Sue

 

[vicnmickey]

There is so much to see and do at WDW. I don't think you could see it all in 19 days. The time of year you are going will be off season, and the parks will close earlier. So with all the extra days you can just take it slow. And if problems start to arise, you could always come home early. Have a wonderful time.

 

[kcarp]

I stayed at FW for 17 days, and really started getting use to the place, I could have stayed another 17 easy, if the money would have been right. I say, stay as long as you can.

 

[gonga]

IMHO, yes. That's a long time in WDW, and belive me I love the place. I also love lobster but would not want it for 19 days - I don't think I would like it anymore. We have been to WDW 40+ times and one of the best things we do is save "something" for the next trip. It makes it fun and unexpected. You can split your time, since you are driving - spend a week or so in WDW and then take the 3 hour drive to Sanibel/Captive Island, which is absolutely beautiful. There are so many lovely resorts to stay in and its lots of fun. We did that 3 years ago and had a great time. Just an option

 

[kamgen]

I would easily do it! There are so many places that you can visit off property if you want to get away from Disney some days....
We were there for 10 days and I could have stayed another 10 easily!!!

Do it!

Kamy

 

[Belle0101]

Our last trip was Dec 6 (left for Disney) through Dec 21 (day we got home). That includes driving time, a day for the Gulf, Outlets, DTD, resort touring ...

We had tickets for MVMCP and then 7 day park hoppers for the parks. I have to say on our last day I was burned out but I really feel that's from trying to do it all because my DH said we couldn't come back for 10 years! Check my timer -- I'm going back in April! Our "days off" should have been days off -- rest at the house and not do DTD, tour resorts, outlet malls, the Gulf, Old Town. That's not really taking a day off.

If you still need lodging you might check into renting a condo or vacation home. There's 6 of us and we would have had a serious problem on our hands had we stayed in a hotel room all that time.

As for the kids -- our 20 & 16 year olds were bored for the last 2 days. It was really slow when we were there so they had ridden their favorites several times, to the point they just didn't want to ride again. The younger one -- 7 & 3 years were wanting to stay longer.

Is 19 days too long? Depends on the group and what your plans are. I'd love to be in WDW 19 days -- I'd just take it easier than we did.

Have a great trip!!

 

[jamsmom]

I don't think it is too long at all. You will have time to relax, do some water parks, get up early if you want, take a nap if you want, play miniature golf,...... I WISH I could spend that amount of time.

 

[dahess]

I personally think 10 days is too long My family only lasts about 9 or 10 days away from our kitty, Patches Marie.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Wow!! 19 days...must be nice!! If you guys took the plane..then it would have been 23 days!! Maybe next time you can push for maybe for a whole month! He he he

I think if I was to stay that long, I don't think I would want to leave the "World". I would have a hard time to leave my "home" and I would be too attached to Mickey!! I would end up finding me a job down there.

As for me, 7 nights would be enough...and if we don't get to see it all...then this just gives us a reason to come back for more!! If my husband is only alive...he would think I'm nuts!! But since he loved too much..he would do it...just for me to keep me happy.

Have a wonderful long trip! New Year's Eve at WDW...what a great way to start your new year...spending it with Mickey!

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

Wow! Thanks for the great feedback! I forgot to mention that we will be going to Ft. Lauderdale for 2 nites during the trip so we'll hit the beach then. Hope it's warm enough! I don't think we'll do the waterparks at WDW because I'm trying to be as budget-conscious as possible and that would mean getting PAP's or paying for a one-day waterpark pass and I'm worried that it will be too cold anyway, especially for the little ones, in Jan.

So far, our Florida lodging is: 3 nights at the Amerihost (2 rooms), 2 nights at a Hyatt in Ft. Lauderdale (2 rooms), 7 nights Orange Lake CC (2 bdrm villa), 4 nights Vistana Resort (2 bdrm villa). Still have 4 nights to find accomodations for, but I'm thinking about waiting to see if I can get 2 rooms at a WDW Deluxe for a great AP rate or possibly rent DVC points for a OKW villa. Kind of exploring the possibilites

I knew I could find support here!

Sue

 

[disneywith6kids]

AS a mother of 6 kids who deeply enjoyed Disney world with them form Dec 3- Dec 27 I say go for it too!!! Nothing will ever erase our wonderful memories(including all the fights and getting lost driving around) but those are everyday normal occurences un less of course you live in TV land where everything is perfect. We homeschool and we're always together so for us we are used to getting on each other's nerves. However, one has to ask themselves, what is life really about if you can't take the good with the bad? My mother swore she would take my 2 siblings and I )on vacation someday when we had more money and we learned to get along better. She died at age 49m and we never did go on vacation. We also still fight(ha ha) Just do it and don't look back. Expect to have problems but map out a game plan ahead of time. When they get unbearable split them up and give them some down time -they'll cool off faster in DW then at home!!!By the way we loved it so much we are going back in April for 2 more weeks.

 

[goofymom23]

There is never a too long at WDW. The longest stay is to short.

 

[zurgswife]

Well,I sure don't think so...we are planning on arriving on Dec 19 (flying) and departing Jan 2....Can't wait......

The only think that might be frustrating would be all the moving...I'd keep looking for specials....maybe wyndym hotels will have a sale like the one I found last fall....2 bedroom Summerfield suites....$74.50 a night.....good luck

 

[Chip126]

I am soooooooo jealous!!! I would love to stay that long!! However, have you looked into staying on property with an annual pass rate??

I will be staying from Dec. 7 - Dec. 16 (all star movies) and with my DC discount I am only paying 69.00 a night. You might be able to budget better with the AP staying right on property the whole time. ( I see you have booked 2 rooms at a couple of places).

Have a great time. If you can go for that length of time, I say just enjoy every minute of it!

Kim

 

[opal]

Our longest trip was 14 days and it was great. The big difference was ours was in August and we did the parks in the morning and in the late afternoons and evening and spent the afternoons at the pool, waterparks, mini-golf, dtd, etc. It may be too cool to do the water activities in January. But the longer trips are so relaxing. You don't have to push to "do everything". You can take time to look for and enjoy the details that make Disney such a great place.

 

[PKK/MJK]

Nineteen days wouldn't be too long for me. We usually stay 12 days and it always seems like we've just started to "unwind" and we're leaving. At the time you're going, there will be special things to do also. During the first part of your trip, the Christmas parade and the Christmas show in front of the Castle should be running daily over at MK. The Osbourne Lights will still be open at Disney Studios. You can check out all the decorations in the parks and hotel-hop to see their holiday decorations also. After January 1st, things slowly start to get back to "normal" and the crowds thin a bit --you can go back to MK to see the regular parade and Castle Show. It's possible the Marathon will occur during your visit (I'm not sure of the dates next year)--if so, it is always fun to watch the runners and cheer them on. Personally, I think you'll have plenty to do to keep busy--especially if you don't try to do things "commando" style. The past few years have been quite chilly at this time, so swimming might not be an activity you'd want to try. Have a wonderful time!!