Is one day enough

[luulu1999]

I am looking into us going to WDW for the first time in May....i am at a lost when it comes to planning for this it is all so overwhelming.....what resort dining plan or not water parks or not etc etc......is one day in each park enough.....I was planning for a week but also wanted to do sea world and possibly the water parks so I am just trying to get help to decide what I need to do

 

[Reddog1134]

Most people will tell you its enough for Animal Kingdom and Hollywood studios but not enough for Epcot and Magic Kingdom.

You can do a lot in a day if you plan right but you won't get any where near doing everything.

 

[Merida DunBroch]

For all the parks? One day each is definitely not enough.

I suggest at least two days for Magic Kingdom, a day for Animal Kingdom, two for Epcot and one for Hollywood Studios.

 

[Spunky946]

I don't think so.

 

[katt789]

I usually think that for a trip a day in each park is usually enough. Animal Kingdom is generally a half day park, so I usually hit up MK in the afternoon of that day and it gets more MK time without adding on a whole other day.

 

[Jasperann]

You will not see everything even if you have 2 days in each park. Especially on a first visit. Just don't do what we did and go commando and about kill yourself trying to do and see everything because it is not possible. I think one day at each park is 'enough' to figure out how many days you will want in the park the next time you go... because there will most likely be a next time.

Just go in with the intention of enjoying what you do see.

 

[randy2005]

Definitely not enough

1 for Animal Kingdom
1 for Hollywood Studios
2 for Epcot
2 for Magic Kingdom

 

[pklein09]

The amount of information on Walt Disney World is overwhelming. The first thing you should understand is that you will not see or do everything in a week. It just isn't possible. I would get a good guide book and look for the things you most want to do and try to see/do those things.

I personally do not do the water parks because the resort hotels have wonderful pools. I'm already paying a lot of money for park tickets, and I can't justify another $50+ per person just to get wet. Just my opinion....

I also do not use the dining plan. We tried it twice and it just did not make sense for us. I will say that you should look at the restaurants and their locations and try to decide now where you want to eat so you can make ADRs (advanced dining reservations) now. Yes, now. The sit-down restaurants do fill up, especially the popular ones. Look online for menus to help narrow down the choices.

Every resort has its own vibe. Again, look online for pictures and videos to see what appeals to you. We love Boardwalk for the night time activities and we love Old Key West for the peace and quiet. We've stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and while it is a lovely resort, it wasn't for us.

For us, planning is half the fun of the vacation. Our kids are now old enough that they have their "wants" as well, mostly which restaurant in which to eat.

Have fun!

ETA: We stay on resort property the entire time we're there. We've never taken the kids to Sea World or Universal. On our honeymoon in 1992, we did a day at Universal. Our impression was "meh," and we've never been back. We though about going since Harry Potter opened, but it would cost about $600 for all of us to go. That's a lot of money to just walk through the gates. I'd rather spend that money at WDW - it would cover a couple of days of meals for us.

 

[Jacksonev1]

One month is never enough......

 

[pklein09]

One month is never enough......

You got that right!

 

[Reddy]

hmmm one person said AK was a half day
I spend 2 days there - love it, but slow down & smell the roses for it
if you just run from one E ticket to the next E ticket then half day is all

for your kids ages I would plan one day each park with 2 days for MK for this first trip.

I like the quick service meal plan - that way I don't have to worry about tips/paying while there
it is 2 meals per night - we usually have breakfast in the room (dry cereal/fruit bars) with the refill mugs

are your kids tall enough to ride all of the rides?? watch the you tube videos of the ones you think they are tall enough for & decide if they can handle them - helps if you know what is going to happen so you can figure how they will react

 

[parkhopping]

I will give you the same advice I give to all first-timers: plan for 1 day in each park and leave your 5th day open. After you have been to each park you can decide where you'd like to return for the 5th day. Don't attempt park hopping and keep your expectations of how much you will be able to do realistic. There is always the second trip (or third, or fourth, or...) As far as the water parks and Sea World go, I would recommend saving those for another trip. If you still really want to do them this time, consider staying for additional 2 days. But I don't think they are worth shortchanging your time at the 4 main Disney parks. Don't forget to plan downtime in the afternoons - going back to the resort isn't absolutely necessary, but if you do want to stay in the park, find a place to sit and relax with a Mickey Bar or popcorn for a while. Most of all, be flexible and have fun!

 

[AppleSister1]

I will give you the same advice I give to all first-timers: plan for 1 day in each park and leave your 5th day open. After you have been to each park you can decide where you'd like to return for the 5th day. Don't attempt park hopping and keep your expectations of how much you will be able to do realistic. There is always the second trip (or third, or fourth, or...) As far as the water parks and Sea World go, I would recommend saving those for another trip. If you still really want to do them this time, consider staying for additional 2 days. But I don't think they are worth shortchanging your time at the 4 main Disney parks. Don't forget to plan downtime in the afternoons - going back to the resort isn't absolutely necessary, but if you do want to stay in the park, find a place to sit and relax with a Mickey Bar or popcorn for a while. Most of all, be flexible and have fun!

This!!!! Just know you'll fall in love and want to come back. Seriously, I wouldn't commando but I WOULD do some research and pick your 2 or 3 must-do's for each park....after that, it's gravy. Take it slow, enjoy the ambience, enjoy your resort. I think if your expectations are too high, you won't enjoy it as much as you could. And for a first trip....I'd personally skip Sea World and the Water parks.

 

[pjhootch]

I agree with Parkhopper too. One day for each park, and a fifth day free to do what strikes your fancy.

We love Universal and Sea World, but with a 4 and 5 year old I would just do Disney the first trip. The best rides at Universal are geared to bigger children.

The dining plan probably is not worth it with a couple of kids that young... AND trying to keep track and figure out the dining plan when everything else at Disney is brand new... don't bother. If you overwhelm yourself too much it isn't fun.

The best possible advice I have is to not overplan and don't try to cram in too much.. Read as much as possible, do some basic planning about what parks for what day of the week, and which rides your children aren't tall enough for.

The waterparks can be a nice break if you are there during hot weather. They certainly are expensive though, and again, a 4 and 5 year old may be perfectly content swimming at your resort.

As far as dining reservations, maybe make a couple? First decide where you will stay. Then figure out which days you will visit which park. THEN make a reservation for something you want at a couple of parks, or even each park. Personally, with children that age I would go for lunch or breakfast reservations. Even with a reservation you sometimes wind up waiting to be seated, and then it can take a while to be served. Tired and hungry youngsters take the joy out of a sit down dinner pretty quickly.

 

[rhanson77]

You can't possibly see everything in a park in one day, but you can get a good feel for each park.

I've been on 4 vacations in the last year, spending about 30 days in Walt Disney World, and I still haven't seen or done everything. Part of it is that there are some things that I have to do every time I go!

For a one week trip, 1 day AK, 1 day HS, 2 days MK and 2 days Epcot is a good start. If you want to go out of WDW to see Sea World or Universal, you are going to have to do some major planning.

My suggestion is to make a list of must-do's. Looking through the planning websites, I would suggest for you to decide which rides must be on the plan, which parades and firework shows must be on the plan, etc. Don't put too much on the list as you don't want to over do it. If you try to do too much, you won't enjoy the experience and will always be rushing around.

Also, at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, there is so much to see besides just the rides. You have to plan character greets and just time to see the castle, main street, etc.

I hope you are able to come up with a plan that will give you a wonderful experience!!

 

[stindall]

Spend one day on each park and then decide from there. Never skip anything based on another persons opinion.

 

[jojomoore]

Based on the age of your children, I would spend two days in Mk and 1 day in the other 3 parks. MK is a very large park but there is a lot to do that is appropriate for young children and lots of chances to meet characters. In the past, the earlier you get to the park the more you will accomplish, but with the new FP+ and reservations of FP this could change. The new FP+ system will allow you to reserve fast passes up to 60 days prior to travel. I would study the WDW resort website for attraction descriptions to decide what your family will enjoy most and to familiarize yourself with fast pass rides. I have read that it is best to go directly to the Enchanted Tales with Belle first if you are interested in this attraction. It is very helpful to have a general touring plan and study park maps because it will keep your family from being overwhelmed with all the crowds and choices. I usually plan 45minutes to 1 hour for each attraction. Also, make sure that your children take breaks and don't over plan activities to prevent children from getting to tired. I wouldn't plan late nights followed by early mornings. Also, do not travel between parks or park hop on your first trip as this takes a lot of time. also plan meals in the park you will be visiting or in a nearby resort each day or at your resort. The meal plan could save you a little money and is plenty of food but is restrictive and you have to keep up with the credits. We have used the regular dining plan and paid out of pocket and there are pros and cons for both. The dining plan is fine for young children but restrictive for tweens. Make sure to make reservations for table service restaurants as soon as possible. Crystal Palace breakfast is my family's favorite. Chef Mickeys and CRT are special experiences to.WE always stay in a Disney resort and utilize bus transportation. Familiarize your self with WDW transportation system for traveling between parks and resorts as buses run from resort to park but not from resort to resort. As for the water parks, I would probably save this for later and use this time to explore your resort and swimming pool. Planning can be overwhelming but if you research and plan but realize that having fun is the most important thing, you will have a great trip.

 

[luulu1999]

Thanks for all the info...we went to DL our first time over Christmas...I am now in limbo about going back to DL or going to WDW...I had decided on WDW but now am leaning back towards DL because that's where the kids want to go back to and I know a little more about it

 

[sammons70]

My wife and I did not feel 2 days was enough at Epcot. There is so much to do at the World. By adding Sea World and water parks in, you are covering a lot of ground. If you keep this schedule, you and your family should sit down with a guide book or park maps ahead of time to decide what attractions you do not want to miss. Have priorities. If it looks like you want to do almost everything at MK or Epcot, take a second day there, and skip one of the other parks.

 

[tlkgt76]

I am looking into us going to WDW for the first time in May....i am at a lost when it comes to planning for this it is all so overwhelming.....what resort dining plan or not water parks or not etc etc......is one day in each park enough.....I was planning for a week but also wanted to do sea world and possibly the water parks so I am just trying to get help to decide what I need to do

I've spent a total of 31 days in the four parks spread over various vacations and I still haven't seen or done it all (especially when considering dining). I usually try to plan at least two days each for Magic Kingdom and Epcot, then one day each for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. We did split one of the waterparks once with Animal Kingdom, but it felt like we were cut way short.

I will add that I've never been to WDW in May and the time of year that you visit can make wait times in line vary greatly. I've been there in March, July, August, September, November and December. The best time to go as far as low waiting times (sometimes NO waiting times!) was September.

Do a ton of research (the boards here are AWESOME!) and pick out the things you just can't miss, then go from there.