More not always better or always better at Disney?

[kpossible]

We plan to go next spring w/ our 3 DD age 1, 3 1/2, and 6. I can not decide on the number of days, 4 or 5 day park hopper( not using on travel days). We plan to spend most of the time at MK and maybe 1/2 day at AK and 1 day at MGM ( not sure about Epcot). Would like time for DTD and the pools. Does more time make it more relaxed or with young children is it too much time. Just wondering what other people think the "perfect" amount of time is for first trip with young children. (always need to think about the cost factor too) Thanks

 

[Amirah95]

It depends on where you stay to determine the cost. Value resorts do nicely with 4 nights are more where as the moderate can really tear you apart when you go over 4 nights.

We stay offsite, at the moment, for 7 nights and that's usually equivelant to 4 nights on Disney when we figure the bill.

It all depends on where you want to stay and how your budget is setup. How much are you willing to spend for the entire trip (hotel, tickets, food, souveniers, rental cars, airfair, misc, etc.)? Once you have answered that then you can start figuring out how many days is best your family.

 

[liznboys]

Well, last year we went with our boys who were about 3.5 and 17 months. We stayed for 7 nights at POFQ and spent 5 days in the parks. It was NOT enough. We felt we needed more time, partly to simply relax and take things slower. On our next trip the boys will be almost 5.5, almost 3.5 and the new little guy will be 11 months. We will be there for 12 nights and we'll spend 7 days in the parks. I don't think that will be enough either. But it's all we can afford. We're staying at POFQ and AKL. If we wanted to spend less, we'd stay at the Value Resorts.

Good luck deciding!

 

[disneysteve]

Finances aside, more time is better. You can go through the parks at a more leisurely pace and not feel you have to rush to see everything you want to see. More days also gives you time to schedule down time at the pool or shopping or whatever. After 2 or 3 long park days, we always take a non-park day to sleep in and relax a bit and enjoy some non-park activities like hotel hopping, having a nice lunch, hitting the outlets or taking a swim.

One other comment - you may want to refigure your itinerary of only a 1/2 day at AK. Especially with young kids, that's a great park. There is so much to see and do that they will enjoy. Plus AK has a couple of the very best shows Disney offers - Lion King and Tarzan Rocks. Those are both not to be missed. The little ones also love running around and playing in Dinoland. We always have to drag DD out of there kicking and screaming because she hates to leave. I simply can't comprehend the folks who consider this a 1/2 day park.

 

[kpossible]

Thanks for the tips. It sounds like more is better at WDW.

 

[MinnieGi]

I also agree that with small children more days are much better. We have an almost 4 yo and do the parks at her pace, which means we are not rushing around. We generally spend the morning and early afternoon in the parks and then go back to our resort for pool and rest time. At night we'll go to DTD, Epcot (it stays open until 9:00), or we swim again (DD loves to swim). We generally stay 7 to 8 nights.

 

[Schmeck]

And I wouldn't leave out EPCOT - the Land Pavilion, the Living Seas, the water fountains, the light-up sidewalk, seeing a lot of the characters around the World Showcase, the Princess breakfast in Norway, the Kidcot stations - all great for little kids!

 

[Geomich]

In 2002 we went for 9 days with DS4 and that was perfect. We got 5 day hopper plus passes. Two days (travel days) we just spent time around the resort and pools. On the 2 days we did a waterpark we would just do a dinner show/character meal or Downtown Disney at night that gave us 5 days of the parks. Even though 9 days sounds like alot- for us, it was a way to do most of what we wanted and still get some time to just relax.

 

[sters]

More days with fewer activities is better than more activity in fewer days. By the 8th day, the kids will be wanting to leave even on a more relaxed trip. If you are going flat out, they'll hit the wall on day 3. That's been my experience with my kids.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by Schmeck
And I wouldn't leave out EPCOT - the Land Pavilion, the Living Seas, the water fountains, the light-up sidewalk, seeing a lot of the characters around the World Showcase, the Princess breakfast in Norway, the Kidcot stations - all great for little kids!

I agree. I would actually skip AK and do Epcot instead. Epcot is close to MGM so it's easy to back and forth between the 2 parks on the boat.

We did 3 days in the park with a 1 year old and 3 year old. This year we did 5 days with a 2 yo and 4 yo. The 5 days was just enough time and much less rushed. We haven't had the need to do DTD, but we've been when the parks are open at night and have enjoyed the Boardwalk instead.

 

[pjlla]

I respectfully disagree with the previous poster.... DON'T SKIP AK!!! It is a wonderful park and my children love it! Festival of the Lion King is a fantastic show and I really love Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade!! Not to mention the Safari! Try not to skip this park!..................P

 

[B'rer Karen]

I agree with pjilla. While Epcot is my favorite park, and there are many things there for children, I think young children would get more out of AK. If you can do both, great. But I wouldn't sacrifice AK, unless your children don't like animals.

 

[Amirah95]

Just don't take the kids to AK on a very hot day. AK turns into "Crank City".

 

[kpossible]

thank you all.

 

[Carrieberry]

First of all- i agree DO NOT skip AK. In fact i agree with the previous poster that said not to short change it as a half day park. It is great for kids! We usually start the day over in Dinoland and have a nice longbreakfast and Donald's Breakfatasaurus. Then we take our time seeing the shows and walking the trails. If we get there by 9am, we usually stay until about 3-4 pm. Then we head back to the hotel to revive whether we swim, bathe, or nap, then we head out to Epcot for the evening. I usually find that when we go with the kids we can't do an enjoyable trip in less than 7 nights 8 days. We need two full days to travel since we are in AZ, and then we have 6 left. We do parks in the morning, break in the early afternoon an head back in the evening for a couple of hours. We also do a day off on day 4 just to relax, sleep in, shop or whatever and we top that day off with a character meal at a resort like Chef Mickey's. We have done a 5 nigth trip woth kid's (way too short) and a 6 night trip with just my DH and I and that was perfect. We really can;t imagine doing any less than 8 days with our two boys, even if it meant we stayed at All Star Movies for the entire time. Now we have found it more adventageous (locations and room size) to rent DVC points for Sun-Thurs and do our first two nights at ASMo because the kid's just love it there! This trip we might try connecting rooms at ASMo so we can spread out a little, but if it was either stay longer, or stay in a nicer hotel, I would choose to stay longer!

 

[kpossible]

Now I just have to convince my DH that more time at Disney is better and start saving my pennies.

 

[Planogirl]

Use your time wisely and you should do OK.

We used to get up very early and head to the parks before they opened. We would tour all morning, have a kid friendly lunch and head back to the resort for a nice, long nap. Then we went to another park each evening. DS was always a very energetic kid that never needed much sleep so your mileage may vary.

I agree with the other posters by the way. I would not skip either Epcot or AK. Kids will surprise you with what they enjoy the most. I remember quite well the year of Spaceship Earth for example when DS was 2. He could not get enough of the big silver ball.