Is 3 weeks too long a vacation for a 3.5 year old?

[Jadeey]

With Disney Cruise dates for late 2018 coming out any day now I'm trying to decide how to structure our trip around our cruise.

We are planning a 4 night Very Merrytime cruise in early December 2018. Looking at the dates this year, I'm guessing our cruise options will be 3rd December or 11th December. We are coming from New Zealand and flights are expensive (around $10k) so we like to maximise our trips, but this will be our first time with a child along with us and not sure if we should cut it down a bit.

Options are:

1. Arrive late November 25 at WDW and cruise in December 11. This will mean 14 days at WDW prior to our cruise. We could do 10 Disney park days, a day at Sea World, a water park and a couple of days to either do Universal or just relax. We would stay at Pop and after the cruise would return to WDW for one night to stay at the Poly and do the Christmas party if the dates work out.

2. Arrive late on November 25 at WDW and cruise December 3. Only 7 days at WDW and still want to do a day at Sea World because I know my daughter will love it. We would still stay at Pop and do the one night at Poly after the cruise. (I guess we could move the Sea World day to after the cruise too)


My preference is for option 1 because we are planning to try and take it all at my daughter's pace which will likely mean much shorter days in the parks than we are used to. However, having never travelled with a 3.5 year old before I wonder if 3 weeks will just be too long no matter how slow we take it.

Thoughts?

 

[J'aime Paris]

I think option #1 sounds great!
There will be jet lag, sleep disturbances, different food for your daughter I'm guessing.
More days and a slower pace of touring will probably make the adjustment easier.
Have a super time!

 

[Jadeey]

I think option #1 sounds great!
There will be jet lag, sleep disturbances, different food for your daughter I'm guessing.
More days and a slower pace of touring will probably make the adjustment easier.
Have a super time!

Thank you, that's definitely the option I'm leaning towards! It will make it much easier to leave the park early when my daughter needs to if I know we have plenty of days.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think I'd shoot myself living in such tight quarters for that long! How about spending some time at Pop, but then move to at least a one bedroom at somewhere like Bonnet Creek before the cruise.

 

[Pkltm]

I would do option one! It sounds like a great way to spend 3 and half weeks!

I would maximize the time given the price of airfare!

 

[piccolopat]

With a toddler, the only way I would do that long a trip would be to rent a condo or perhaps a cabin at Fort Wilderness. I wouldn't plan so many days doing things, perhaps limiting park time to every other day. Your child will need some down time and a routine closer to what happens at home. Eating out for 3 1/2 weeks will also be challenging at that age. Being able to cook and have meals in your lodging may be an advantage.

 

[Macprincess]

I agree with having more space with a young child for that long of a time span. Are you comfortable driving and renting a car in the U.S.? If so I would consider an off site condo with at least two bedroom, a full kitchen, in unit washer and dryer and a nice pool area. I would also plan a few days to just hang out.

 

[elaine amj]

I've done it although not at Disney. We had a blast. UK visitors typically come for 2-3 weeks and have a great time...little kids in a small hotel room and all.

My niece will be 3.5 years when we go in August - she will be on vacay for just about 3 weeks and we don't anticipate any problems.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'll be the dissenting vote here. My 3.5 year old would hate being away from home that long. After about a week she misses her home, bed, toys, pets, friends, you name it and she whines about missing it. And you can tell she misses her routine too.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

My vote is option 1. Sounds like a lot of fun, and kids are adaptable. I'm sure you will do just fine on vacation with the little one.

 

[StuckInKS]

Thank you, that's definitely the option I'm leaning towards! It will make it much easier to leave the park early when my daughter needs to if I know we have plenty of days.

We prefer 2-3 weeks trips with small kids because it allows us to take our time and not rush around, taking breaks as needed on long days and just relaxing all morning/afternoon before leaving for the park on short days. It keeps me from stressing about "wasted" time and I can just go with the flow. I think option one sounds fantastic and will allow you enough park days to see what you want at the parks, while going at your 3.5 year old's pace.

 

[Lvsdisney]

I also agree that you may want a bigger space. Lights out at a 3.5 year old bedtime will get old quickly. I know many people put their kids in a crib in the bathroom, but I think your 3.5 yo will be too big for that. Also, to have a full kitchen with (i'm guessing) a picky eater will be a blessing. I doubt you could rent points for a 1 bedroom for 2 weeks, but I agree with PPs about Bonnet Creek or an offsite condo

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with the others. Especially staying that long with a young child, I would seriously consider accommodations that will give you at least a separate living space, a small kitchen and possibly a washer/dryer. I don't think the length is a problem. My DS9 has traveled extensively (we spent 4 weeks in Europe a couple of years ago) and he got used to his surroundings after a while and there is so much to do and see on trips. I just think for comfort and convenience sake, you may want to consider a different type of room.