Looking for your advice on a short trip?

[mariakc]

My husband and I are taking our Four Year Wedding Anniversary vacation Sept. 17-25. We decided to combine 4 nights at Disney POR and a 4 night cruise on RCCL (the Disney Cruise was quite a bit more ). I am so excited to be able to take advantage of Free Dining during this time..yay! My big concern..... we are only going to be in Disney for 4 nights, do you think we're going to feel completely rushed???? Anyone have any experience with a shorter trip like this? Any tips, suggestions, etc. that might help me decide to continue with the 4 nights or definitely add and extra night or two (which would significantly stretch our budget and vacation time)?

In short, I think I'm looking for confirmation that we'll be able to have a great Disney experience in only 4 nights. What do you guys think?

 

[sunsetandgower]

I normally only go for 5 nights at a time, so I can't imagine why you couldn't have a good time on a 4 night trip. My advice would be to concentrate on what you "really" want to do, and don't feel like you have to do everything.

I always look at these trips with an "there's always next time" attitude, knowing that just because I can only do trips in small spurts at a time doesn't mean I won't be back another time to accomplish what I may have missed out on this time around.

 

[princess&her4princes]

I agree with PP, we're doing a short trip in September, too, we usually are there for a week. But we're taking my Mom for her 60th and on a tighter budget than usual. We are planning what is on our "wish" list now...you don't see it all in a week (with kids anyways!! lol!!) but I think we'll cover some ground as 3 adults on our own for 4 full days....make the best of it, you're in Disney and a shorter trip is a good way to figure out what you'll want to do next time!!!!Have fun planning and Happy (early) anniversary!

 

[dizneydave]

I agree with the others. You will see plenty of Disney in 4 nights and I'm guessing 3 days in the parks? When I go with my family or wife we'll spend 3 or 4 days in the parks and I would guess we'd see roughly 80% of the rides and shows and some of them multiple times.

I don't know if you've been before? Before going I would recommend before finding out what rides and shows the parks have. Then dub about 3 or 4 as can't miss in each park and work your way from there. I think some people feel rushed and that they have to see and do it all. I've been 7 times and I don't know if I've seen it all.

 

[mariakc]

I appreciate your advice so much. I think we may be ok. To be completely honest, I am NOWHERE NEAR as excited about the cruise portion as I am the Disney portion..

I want to surprise my husband with something super-romantic. I saw here on the boards that another couple did a private dessert/fireworks watch party. I'd like to plan something like this for our last night, but my budget is only around $200 total and it seems like these can be closer to $500. Any suggestions????

 

[srwarden1928]

To me its not the nights, its the days. IMO four full park days are the minimum to do "Disney". Now we went to MNSSHP last year and only did the party. We did not consider it a Disney trip. It was a Florida trip, and one thing we did was the party.

 

[nurse.darcy]

I appreciate your advice so much. I think we may be ok. To be completely honest, I am NOWHERE NEAR as excited about the cruise portion as I am the Disney portion..

I want to surprise my husband with something super-romantic. I saw here on the boards that another couple did a private dessert/fireworks watch party. I'd like to plan something like this for our last night, but my budget is only around $200 total and it seems like these can be closer to $500. Any suggestions????

Instead of doing the "cruise" thing (ie; fireworks cruise), Go with dinner at Bistro de Paris (very romantic) and then sit at or near the slushie stand in France and sip wine or a slushie and watch illuminations together. I LOVE doing this.

 

[mariakc]

nurse.darcy- Oh I LOVE that idea! I've never tried that restaurant and haven't heard much about it, but it sounds so romantic!!

srwarden1928- I totally agree. I want to add another day. On the other hand...I was talking with my cousin, a fellow DISer, and she made me laugh by saying...."I have an idea, how about not trying to do everthing in this one trip and going back?" Kind of put me back in perspective.

But I agree with you completely...I just dont think you can do Disney without at least 4 full days.

 

[jliucci]

I def think you will have enough time. We are also going at the end of sept
It should be less crowded at the parks during this time so lines will be shorter. We went last year in jan when it was slow and we were able some of the parks in 1/2 a day. IMO DHS only takes about 1/2 a day. there are only a few good rides and shows here. I would suggest getting a hopper pass and going to DHS at nite, doing a few of the good rides and seeing fantasmic!!

 

[standleyent1]

IMO I think if you are worried about a budget on your last night and want to do something romantic I would have dinner or just drinks at the California Grill on top of the Contemporary. After you can stay for the fireworks watching them from the observation deck, it is absolutely breath taking and very romantic and this is coming from a guy! LOL!

 

[mariakc]

I def think you will have enough time. We are also going at the end of sept
It should be less crowded at the parks during this time so lines will be shorter. We went last year in jan when it was slow and we were able some of the parks in 1/2 a day. IMO DHS only takes about 1/2 a day. there are only a few good rides and shows here. I would suggest getting a hopper pass and going to DHS at nite, doing a few of the good rides and seeing fantasmic!!

I agree, I'm thinking we'll do DHS the first night we get there. I'm hoping fantasmic will be scheduled (crossing fingers!!!).

IMO I think if you are worried about a budget on your last night and want to do something romantic I would have dinner or just drinks at the California Grill on top of the Contemporary. After you can stay for the fireworks watching them from the observation deck, it is absolutely breath taking and very romantic and this is coming from a guy! LOL!

I'm putting my wishes out that we can get reservation for our last night!!! I think this is the PERFECT way to celebrate our Anniversary. My DH is a sucker for all things Disney, so I'm hoping he will find this romantic too..LOL!!!