Is 5 days enough?

[andyman8]

I would definitely not recommend a first-timer spending anymore than 7 nights. That said, I think 5 days is enough. In fact, most of my trips are five days (four theme park days and a water park day).

 

[lhermiston]

I think five is fine. I took my wife and daughters (5yo twins) down to WDW for their first trip last April. We did 5 days and it was fine. I did do a lot of planning ahead however and basically scheduled out each day (with plenty of breathing room in case there was a hiccup)

This was the basics of our trip:
- Monday: Princess Breakfast, MK in the a.m. for dumbo and teacups (the two MUST DO attractions for the girls), EPCOT in the pm
- Tuesday: MK, fireworks at night
- Wednesday: MK, late start since we did fireworks the night before
- Thursday: MK (We really love MK and this was a day to catch anything we missed or to redo something like Splash or Philharmagic)
- Friday: AK

We skipped HS this time around and we took midafternoon breaks each day so as to not get totally worn out. The only complaint was from my wife, who would have liked another day at AK. I think when we go back, we'll stick with five days and do one less day at MK since we will know which attractions to skip.

Anything more than a week seems excessive to me unless you are spending an entire day at the hotel or the waterpark.

 

[gilesmt]

We are on the west coast also, WA. We go dlr every year about. We went to wdw first time in 2008 for 8 days with a 2 1/2 yo, with napping everyday we felt we did okay but wished it was longer. In 2011 we went for 6 days, definately did not see everything and wished it was longer. We are going in may this year 14 days, 13 nights. Takes one day for the time change when you get there, we usually fly red eye, but can't this time so getting in at 9:30 pm. Rope drop every day, but usually long swim breaks in middle of day. We never make it past 9 or 10 at night, but we try to see all the night shows once, except fantasmic we like DL better. We see wishes from poly and the electric water parade from poly, then walk back to our hotel SoG. If you do it in 5 days you will miss a lot, Epcot will need two days. But it can be done, get a plan like touring or ride max if you do 5 days. And skip things you know you can do at dlr, like we have never waited 2 hours to see soaring, we just see it at dlr, but try some of the others to compare, like space with just single seating, or splash with double seating, or haunted mansion, with the differences.

 

[ZoZo]

If you can swing 2 more days, I would. We usually go for 9 days and it is just about enough even though we could probably stay longer. Since you are coming such a long way from CA, I would add the extra time. Trust me, you won't be bored! Seeing WDW is tiring and 5 straight days of parks is tough. With a couple extra days, you can spend some down time at the pool, Downtown Disney, etc and get to see mostly everything.

I agree with this - if you can swing the extra two days, I would totally do it. I have a suspicion that you'll regret it if you only have five days, especially since it's your first trip,

I fly from the West Coast, too, and always feel that if Im going to invest the time and money to go to WDW, I want to maximize my trip. I never go for less than seven days, and find that eight or nine days are even better. There is so much to see and do, there's never enough time to do it all.

 

[dminnie]

It just depends on your family. The longest we have gone is for 5 days. If we have more time in FL, we like to spend a couple days doing beach or other things on the west coast. Everyone seems happy with that. I would like to try a longer trip sometime and go at a bit more relaxed pace...but...we never go on any vacation at a relaxed pace so I'm probably dreaming!

As far as parks, 5 days is great. You see all 4 parks and hit one again. I'm not sure I'd get park hoppers on your first trip. Maybe just see one park per day and save the $. You can always take a break in the afternoon and return to the same park. It does take up a lot of time to travel between the parks and that might not be a lot of fun to navigate on your first time there. Maybe save the money on the park hoppers to help pay for another day? Some people swear by park hoppers and others never get them. We are in the "never get them..don't miss it camp".
It is a long way to fly to only spend 5 days. In your case, you might want to add a couple days, maybe even visit Kennedy Space Center if that interests you.

 

[Chuckers]

I know you're going to be exhausted on Sunday, I've done the same flight/trip to Disney, however, I would pop for the 6th day because Sunday night is Extra Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom.

Most sites tell you to avoid EMH at any park, but the Sunday Night at MK is AWESOME. I *LOVE* the park at night and Sunday Night is usually not that crowded. They also tend to add an extra MSEP on Sunday night. The park is absolutely stunning and fun. You have to show your key card to get on the rides. When I did it in July, the busiest time of the year, it was a walk on for almost every ride at that time.

My suggestion, take a nap on Sunday, if needed, and go to the MK later at night, maybe see the fireworks and then stay for EMH.

 

[jemmouse]

I think 5 is enough.Sure more could be nice but 5 is better than 4 ...

We go every year, and stay 5-6 days and even with going every year we still feel we miss somethings. Just maybe do your research beforehand and know the list of to do's.

Good luck and HAVE FUN

 

[disney1990]

Five is not enough to see and do everything - Disney World is so much larger than Disneyland. Our first trip (before Animal Kingdom) we did 4 days. We went from Rope Drop in the morning until park closing all 4 days. When we got home, we needed a vacation. 5 days is a good start; you'll be back - LOL

 

[DizzDoll]

We find 9 nights/10 days is perfect for us, so that's what we do. We get the first flight out of Newark on our arrival day, and the 7:30 PM flight out on our departure day. It's amazing what you can accomplish and still find time for a dip in the pool if you feel so inclined. For us, 5 days never ever cut the mustard. The 2 times we did that, we felt rushed and didn't see/do some of the things we wanted to do, but on the other hand, due to my "financial economy" at those particular times, we were privileged that we were able to go at all and we really appreciated our time there. As others have said, if you can swing another 2 - 3 days, do so, I think you'll be glad that you did. 99% of WDW is slowing down and "smelling the roses".

 

[hops&dreams]

I think that 5 would be ok knowing that you aren't going to be doing everything, and probably plan on coming back.

How old are your kids?

If you have a game plan and plan on hitting just the highlights, I think 5 days would be fine.

For my family, when we are at WDW, we are on VACATION. This is a huge departure from the attitude from most on this board - we sleep in, and for the most part, don't have a game plan past what park we are going to on what day, and where our dinner is that night. Other than that, we mosey through he parks and get on whatever strikes our fancy. We take a "down day" in the middle of the week, (usually our Animal Kingdom day) where we sleep in and don't get to the park until lunch or later. Or we stay at the resort and do laundry, swim, etc... depends on how long our stay is.

Because of this lackadaisical attitude, we have stayed for 7 nights (1st trip) and 10 nights (2nd trip). That being said, we DO make good use of our parkhoppers - we tend to stop in MK just about every night on our way back to our hotel, if just to grab a popcorn, Dole Whip, or ice cream bar, or to ride It's a Small World before bed!

So, depending on how small your kids are and the awesome attitude you seem to have going in, I think you'll be fine.

 

[TJDisneymama]

coming from the west coast, I absolutely would add a couple days if you can manage. 5 days is hardly any time for a first timer.

 

[ghtx]

That leaves 5 days for seeing the parks, really just one day in each park and the last will be whatever we missed or really want to see again (5 day park hopper).

OP, if you are just planning on one day in each park, and then the 5th day in another park, then you don't need the PH ticket (you just need a 5-day base MYW ticket). You only need the PH ticket if you want to go to two parks in one day.

As to your original question, yes, 5 days is enough. I can't remember the last time I took a trip to WDW that was longer than 5 days.

 

[LisaTN]

no

We have never gone for more than five days... we think it's perfect... a day for each park and then two days for MK. I am a disney LOVER.... but more than five days and we start to wear out.

Head for rope drop for each park and you'll get a ton done.

I think five days is the perfect length of trip

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

If 5 days is what your time and finances will allow, then make the most of your 5 days! As you said, you won't see everything but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the World. I prefer to have at least 6 full days, but I have taken shorter trips and had fun as well.

I agree with this. Most people will never be able to take a trip long enough to see and do everything there is at WDW; and some days at WDW are better than not going at all IMO. Yes a longer trip is ideal for many people, but not everyone can go for 7,9,or 10 ten days, and that doesn't mean your trip will be rushed or less magical if you have to go for a shorter length of time. Five days will give you time to see and do some things in each park and if you do your research and have a plan I am sure you will have a magical trip!

 

[davedmaine]

We're planning our first trip to WDW in May, and we're planning on taking a redeye from CA, and arriving fairly early on Sunday morning. Our initial plan is to just chill out on Sunday, see the resorts, take a swim with the kids, hit up DTD, and just take it easy.

We are planning on leaving late Friday (9pm flight), so that we have that final day to play.

That leaves 5 days for seeing the parks, really just one day in each park and the last will be whatever we missed or really want to see again (5 day park hopper). Is this enough time? We're playing around with adding 2 more days, but I'm not sure if the extra two days would justify the cost if we can cover a lot of the parks in those 5 days, especially because I'm guessing those last two days are going to be CROWDED since it will be a Saturday and Sunday.

Obviously we aren't going to see every single thing in all of the parks, because that's not possible, but we'd like to see as much as possible within our time frame.

Since we've never been I want the kids to have lots of great memories and see everything they want to see.

Yes, 5 days will be enough. Do two at MK and one at the others.

 

[puertorican00676]

We did a 5 day disney trip. We planned most of our time from when we got there till it was time to get on the magical express back to the airport. We did a first day at HS, then parade and fireworks at magic kingdom, next day a magic kingdom day and then fantasmic at night. The next two days we went to epcot and the last day we went to animal kingdom. It was not for the faint of heart! Every night we returned to our room to get a shower and go to sleep! We had lots of fun! Tiring, but we did get to play at the parks well. Not much more. You should get to find out what you want to do and prioritize. That will get your expectations right. Our party were all adults, not much resting time in between and always moving! We had a great time! Resting we did when we got back home! Jajaja hope you have a great magical time! Be it 5 or 7 days!

 

[mummabear]

We have gone for 5 days for our last two trips. This time we have 19 days in Orlando and 10 day passes (hopper/w p&m) for disney. 5 days leaves you feeling like you wish you could stay longer but not over it which is a good thing in my opinion. Disney is a busy vacation and some people (like my poor DH) start getting over the crowds the lines etc and the magic starts dwindling.
If you don't think it's good value to add the extra nights you will have a great time and get heaps done in 5 days. Just put good thought into what parks you are going to what days (or evenings) to fit in any fireworks or shows you may want to see. On your first night as people suggested you could do Chef Mickey's and follow that with the pirates and pals cruise to watch wishes,then your first night in the prk you can do rides while everyone else watched the fireworks.

 

[smidgy]

not enough. esp for a first trip. we plan 2 days each at MK and epcot. one day each DHS and AK. that's without water park days. which is fine, to me a water park isn't a must. neither is downtown disney. but we do like a resort day.
even without a resort day, you will want a break during the day. some pool time/ relax time.

If you have the money and the time, I strongly suggest a longer trip.

we recently went with our son's family in august. (yuck, but she's a teacher). they were going to do 6 days and we paid for their extra day to make it at least 7.

when our son's were younger we took them twice, each trip was one week. I guess that was ok.. (but we had hoppers).

 

[Christen99]

We ended up booking 7 we just booked our flights, and put our deposit down! We got creative with our flight, and we're taking a redeye the night before, and arriving at 7:30 am the morning of our reservation. Woohoo! Obviously our room went be ready upon arrival , but we can store our luggage and go explore DTD, eat, swim, etc.

 

[smidgy]

We ended up booking 7 we just booked our flights, and put our deposit down! We got creative with our flight, and we're taking a redeye the night before, and arriving at 7:30 am the morning of our reservation. Woohoo! Obviously our room went be ready upon arrival , but we can store our luggage and go explore DTD, eat, swim, etc.

yay!!!! have fun!!!