Length Of Trip

[Rich196s]

Hi I am planning a Disney World Trip for December 2016. I have been to Disney several times. This will be a first for my wife and 2 young sons. Both my kids will be under 3 years at the time of the trip. What does everyone recommend for days/nights at Disney?

 

[losfp]

I think it really depends on your comfort level. I just came back from a big trip and we had our two girls, 2 and 7. For Disney World, we did 11 nights and the entire trip was 5.5 weeks. Sometimes it was challenging, but nothing too bad, and had a great time.

One thing I have found with the small kids is that you need to actually allow MORE time due to needing more effort to get everyone ready, and to allow extra breaks and days off.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We go annually and won't do less than 7 nights. Our usual is 10 nights/11 days.

We prefer longer trips which allow us to go at a slower pace and enjoy things a little more.

Plus, when it's time to go home, we are good and ready.

 

[librarymom2007]

I won't go for less than 7 days. We generally go once a year.

 

[Accident]

When I get asked., I recommend 5 park days+travel days for friends that are going (or a full week including travel). Just being there is going to be amazing so don't get too carried away extras and understand right now that you will not see it all. Concentrate on the where you are and sprinkle in some special moments like a table service or two, a character meal, etc.

 

[happymommy]

Our first trip with both kids was 11 nights. We were gone a total of two weeks. They were 2 and 4.
I agree that when they're younger, you need to allow extra time. Plus, I kept my kids on their normal schedule. I did not have them out after 7:00pm. They needed their bedtime routine of bath and winding down. We didn't go back to the room for breaks, but we did take it slow and they napped in our double stroller daily.

 

[ajwolfe]

I always think 5 or 6 nights there is a good starting point for folks. We were able to do that length of time in the parks when our kids were that size and no one got overly wore out or homesick including the couple extra days of travel time. But we are the type of family that doesn't necessarily need or want to take breaks in the afternoon and just lounge in the pool for hours on end.

 

[msmama]

Is this going to be a one time trip or every year or every couple of years? I think that makes a difference too. My son's first trip (he was 10 months) we did 5 days, one day at each park and then another to repeat our favorite (that was how it was planned, but in reality we hopped several times, which I don't mind because I'm a disney veteran, I wouldn't recommend it so much for a shorter first trip). We've been going yearly since and trips have ranged from 2 days to 10 days.

I think 5 is the MINIMUM I would go for a first trip.

 

[jeepwreck]

we just got back from a trip last week and we were there for 11 days and we went with 8 people including out 22 month old son.

we liked the longer trip that way we could enjoy everything and nothing was rushed. we spend multiple day in each park and even 3 days in the MK that way we had time to see a lot of stuff

 

[disneypolybride2008]

shorter trips and go deluxe! spend time at the resort/pool and just a little time at the parks... that is what i've learned.

 

[disneyjes]

Our first trip was 2 days Universal and 6 days WDW. We found that to be perfect. We didn't want to leave but we were exhausted on that last day and definitely ready to be home.

 

[quagmire0]

Depends on how often you see yourself going. We only go every 2-3 years or so, so we end up going SAT-SAT or SUN-SUN. We also fly, not sure how you're getting there, so to justify the cost we need to stay there at least a week. Keep in mind though, if you stay offsite, you don't have to go to the parks every day. You can stay 7 nights and have park passes for 4.

 

[tabrizia]

It is really an individual choice. For instance I find 7 or 8 days far to short. We like going for 12 to 14 days. It allows us downtime, we're doing 12 days and have 9 day passes for our upcoming trip, and it also allows us to take things slow and revisit things that interested us.

I think most people can do a fairly nice trip in 7/8 days, even without going to the parks every day. My extended family will be there for 8 of the days we are there and they all have 5 day tickets, a couple people may upgrade to a 6 day ticket, but in general that will be enough park time for everyone and give them time to see the parks and have fun.

 

[tzolkin]

Consider your family's personality:

If you're more fast-paced want to be out all day at the parks, constantly busy and surrounded by people, stay up late then maybe 4-5 days would be your speed.

If you want to relax, take lots of breaks, and enjoy the resorts a 10+ day stay would be wonderful.

With the exception of our most recent trip (one week) we have always gone for 11 nights to two weeks. Especially when our kids were little it was really nice to get up early and hit the parks for 3-4 hours, then go back to the room to relax (get out of the heat and away from the crowds, sometimes nap) until maybe 5pm and then go back out for a few hours. We always get park hoppers so we can be flexible and with 10 park days times two parks each day we never felt pressured to do a lot all at once because we knew we could come back another time. If we were only there for a few days, I just don't think we would be willing to leave the park for a break because we wouldn't have enough time to get to all our "must-see" attractions. Personally, being a park from rope drop to close and trying to fit in everything to "get my money's worth" (especially with young children) sounds like an over-stimulation nightmare, but some people thrive on the excitement.

 

[5stljayhawks]

1 - consideration is budget - I would opt for value room and more days vs mod/deluxe and shorter days
2 - is this the once in the life time trip?
3 - Is this a WDW vacation only or r you getting away? if the later then plan parking every other day, and pools and or beach during off days.
4 - what are your current plans? flying/driving, # of days, hotel..... give us details and we will give you ideas...

With that said, we did our first trip 6 or 7 nights. After day 5, I know I had made a mistake, it was not long enough as there is so much to do. From then on, we book 10 nights+. Most of our trips we stayed in our camper at Fort Wilderness onsite(best campground in the world), cooked most our meals or premade them.

There are plenty of ways to exchange the Disney money trap to extend and to get a few extra nights.

For example go shopping the day after Christmas to pick up extra mickey Christmas stuff. Disney stores have twice upon year sales, which means you dont have to pay park retail. We had some items each day for the kids. Make sure you pack what you need.

 

[andiraye]

One thing that is important to consider. I agree with all the previous posters that longer trips are better as they allow you to go at a slower pace and so half park days or days off, which makes for a more relaxing and, to me, more enjoyable trip.

But keep in mind most of the people who are active on these boards are bigger Disney fans than the average person so they (me included) will tend to choose more Disney over less.

I know lots of "regular" people who find 2-3 days to be more than enough. They just get in, do a day and a half at MK, a day at Epcot and go home. Many of them go back for short trips every few years. Some of them treat their Disney trips as a quick weekend getaways rather than their big annual family vacation. I recognize that finances make this attitude not an option for many but I wanted to include this perspective since it is floating out there, just not so much on these boards.