Is 7 days at WDW too long?

[JoannaTN7]

We took my daughter when she was 4 and actually did SIX park days because my husband loves EPCOT and it's really hard to get that park done in just one day. To be honest, having the extra days in EPCOT and Magic Kingdom was really nice because we didn't feel so rushed to get done the major attractions in just one day. We also made sure to have a day off to go see what else WDW had to offer (we ended up taking her to Fantasia Gardens and having a great time before hitting what was then Downtown Disney). I agree with those who think extra park days will result in a less stressful vacation. I'm sure you'll have a great trip either way, though!

 

[mkla2015]

We have found for us that 7-9 days is the right amount of time- we get to see everything but don't feel rushed. Our last trip was 14 days and after day 9 everyone was a little Disney-ed out. We're looking at possibly going in January for 6 nights and I'm thinking it's not going to be long enough!

 

[Nancyg56]

I think anything else would be too short. Our first trip back was 8 days, and on our last day my DH said he wished we had booked 10. There is a lot to do and see, and no way will you get it all done. I think that anything less and you would chance rushing around trying to manage all those thigs you wanted to do, and actually miss what makes Disney so charming. We use DIsney as a vacation and so we use the resort amenities, and we dine, and we resort hop as well as go to the parks. WE like to enjoy the ambiance and then return home not needing a vacation from ou vacation.

 

[Walker24]

That's a perfect amount of time. We have gone 7 days and splitting 3 days at the park, one day midweek at resort, and 3 more days at the park. There is so much to do and he is going to get tired so mid day breaks are a good idea

 

[GrandAdmiralStrife]

Just sing to him, "there is more to see, than can ever be seen; more to do, than can ever be done"

 

[ForeverAlice]

No not too much at all.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

I stayed at four seasons and felt 5 nights /4 days was rushed. And we did not see Hollywood studios and could have done another day at magic kingdom. 7 days sounds perfect. Also you might want a break day so even 8 does not sound too much

 

[druidia]

I made the mistake of telling DH that we would go for 9 days, but since our first day is the day we fly in, and our last day will just be breakfast at Ohana before picking up a rental car, we really only have 7 full days.

I figured 2 days of MK, 1 in Epcot, 1 in HS, 1 in AK, 1 day to just relax and go to DS, and 1 more day to go back to one park. We have one son who will be 4, so we won't be doing most of the more popular rides since he won't be tall enough.

DH's head is spinning, and he is asking why we can't just go for 4 days? (Because I don't want us to feel rushed.) Why do we need to go to all 4 parks? (Because there is something our son will love in every park.)

He is a bit worried about the money involved, but I said I would pay for it out of money that I am saving just for this.

I figured we would go back to WDW when DS is tall enough to ride everything, but right now he is at the age where he thinks the characters are real, so I wanted him to visit before that magic rubs off.

So is a week too much?

I think my answer would be geared more towards the age/height of your son during the trip. We have 5yo twins. We've taken them 1-2x per year since they were 8 months old. The trips from baby to 4yo were quite limited in the rides due to height restrictions, which can mean a lot of walking around and standing in line for characters, which was fine when we were childless adults, but is not much fun when kids still need to be entertained for those long lines. Once they hit 40" our trips became a lot more fun for everyone since that added more rides to their menu. At 5 they are still thrilled to see characters...at our last trip 3 weeks ago they made it a point to find certain ones to get pics and autographs, and they also found an interest in pin trading.

So I have to say, now it is actually more fun going with our kids. But when they were too small to do much, if I weren't so close by I probably would have waited longer to take them on such an expensive visit now that I know better.

 

[PrncessA]

7 Days is not long too long! We began our trips in 2009 and we started with 7 days, since then we have increased our days and our last trip was 11 days, and I wish we could go for longer. DH and I are doing an adults only trip in a few weeks and we are only going for 5 days, I am freaking out about that a bit. I need MORE TIME! LOL

 

[bigbabyblues]

No, it isn't too long. We just got back from a trip with 7 nights/8 park days, and it wasn't long enough. Our normal trips are 9 park days, and that works much better for us.

 

[kreckl]

Is this your first trip? How does your son do with travel? How tall is he?

 

[MinMou]

Is this your first trip? How does your son do with travel? How tall is he?

It would be our first to DW, but we have been to DL. He will be 4 and is already 40"+ at under 3 yrs old

 

[kreckl]

I would think it would be great. We first when went our son was 5. Because we were there for a full week, we didn't stress when someone wanted a break and preferred returning to the resort, or took ( a lot) of time to watch the ducks near the castle, etc. We could relax. If you rush around theme parks all week you will likely regret it. Savor the moments, have an ice cream and follow your son's pace. One thing I would recommend is to allow time to revisit favorites, whether that be another ride on the carousel or spending more time watching the Epcot musical fountain. The small splash pad there was a favorite of ours that we stumbled upon. Our son happily played ( Epcot is much roomier, and he needed to run and play and get away from all of the people for a bit) for a long time, and when we decided to let it happen and not rush to the next place/thing/attraction we got a cold drink and took tons of happy pictures...There is so much to do and see. Maybe decide on some highlights at each park, like 2 or 3, and just see what happens with the rest of your day. Our second trip was when DS was 8, and it was very different. Still awesome. Just make sure you get enough sleep/rest and eat well and you'll have a great time!

 

[gatormom2tots]

We just got back from a 17 day trip (this includes 14 day stay at Disney). i thought for sure this time we would feel like it was "enough"...but no, we are talking about a 3 week trip next time. But I don't think we are the "norm!" We are slightly obsessed!

 

[aretha30]

No too long at all in my opinion. This year our trip is 10 nights/11 days. We could do longer if my DH and mom had more time off work! We love Disney and we never feel as if we see/do all that we want to do each trip. There is always something we missed that we end up putting on our must do for the next year. That is one of the things we love about WDW.

 

[RachaelA]

DH and I did 4 days the first time we went together pre-kids. We immediately decided after we wanted our honeymoon to be there because there was so much we didn't get to do! We do 7-8 days every trip with our kids (DD1 is 4.5 and has been 4 times. DD2 is 2.5 and was been there twice). I find 7 days to be pretty perfect. We don't do rest days so I feel like we get a good amount of time in each park. Our trip in Oct/Nov is 11 nights at Disney (plus 2 travel nights).

 

[emsstacey]

If you only go 4 days, you won't have any time to enjoy the resort or revisit favorite things from each park. 7 days is still a very busy time.

 

[mernin]

Our first trip with my DD was when she was 3.5 and we stayed for 10 nights off site. We visited sea world, 2 mk, 2 ak, 1 EP, 1 hs, 1 water park, 1day off + a party night for MNSSHP. We had easy days and weren't there from open to close. My daughter was tall enough for som elf the bigger rides but really played it by now we were feeling. I'm glad we went that long vs 4 days because I would have wanted to do more all day if we only had 4 days.

Our last trip, dd7 & dd3 we went for 7 nights and planned something everyday. Also didn't go open until close but had a park each day.

We are planned for 3 days before & after a cruise in 2017, and that isn't enough but it's all we have to use. They will be full days.

 

[perkinsrose]

For us, 6 nights seems near perfect. One trip was 7 nights, 8days and a bit long and that included a jaunt to Universal too.

Six nights is enough for us to enjoy, do everything we like and not too sad to leave by the last day. But our family of 4 is all in on the trip--we're all on the same page when it comes to Disney. It does help to have it roughly planned and all paid for before we go.

 

[jessg]

I think its fine we are going 9 days 2 travel days and 7 full vaca days. Also the difference between 4 and 5 days isnt really that much at all we are doing 5 day water park and more tickets, I think your plan is a great one remeber while disney is fun for kids it is also for adults too!