Not enough time!! Help me see it all :)

[mommymanda]

We have been to WDW once before, 2007 with my hubby, myself and our than 4year old DD.
What I remember is that we had 5days to see the parks. Spend one each at AK, Epcot, and HS, than used two days at MK. I know we were at AK until late afternoon, than left to wonder downtown Disney and have supper. All but the AK night and the 2nd MK night (where we spent the evening at the resort pool) we were out until closing and watching the night shows.


Now we are going this summer. This time we have 3 kids with us. Our tickets include the 5park days (no hopper) and one pass for a waterpark. We are driving (approx. 21h without stops) so my husband has already added two extra days to his holiday time so we can get to Disney just after lunch on our booking day. Plus my parents are joining us for the trip, and are asking what night DH and I are taking out for ourselves.

How in the world are we going to see it all? I am thinking we won't be able to use the waterpark passes at all Although our oldest would love it. In a magical world I need hubby to try for yet another day off, than add another to our stay...I just don't think he will be approved anyhow.

So what are the recommendations from others? How can I fit everything in without making it a crazy scheduled non-relaxing vacation?

 

[bastos]

You won't.

And that might sound too sharp, but it is true. And that is wonderful. You can go back again. Your best bet is to prioritize what you want and need to see. Have everyone pick some things that are must see - and others that you would like to.

We made the big mistake on our first visit of trying to do everything. We checked off everything on our Animal Kingdom day, and regretted not really seeing anything.

The next time, we slowed down our pace, and really stopped. Our next visit (just the two of us) my personal resolution is to try and get our picture taken at every wandering photographer.

Even seasoned veterans still see new things on every visit. And every visit does have new things to see. One of the strangest things we saw in 2009 was a silly Stitch side show in Magic Kingdom. Later, we found out it only ran for four weeks - and then was shut down. No shade, terrifyingly hot - and not too much fun. But most people who went multitudes of times never saw it. Other things we are still holding out - and plan to visit - but may or may not. ENJOY Disney is my only advice.

 

[Annadesu]

It sounds like you have too many people, and not enough time. Pick your favorite attractions/parks, and go see those first. If you have time for other things, go to those later. But if you run around trying to do every little thing, you're going to be cranky by the end of it.

 

[Turn the Page]

The easy answer is you won't. There is just no way you can see absolutely everything in 5 days. We used to go for 2 full weeks and still didn't see everything.

That in no way means you can't have a great time though. There are a lot of great things to see and do there it won't matter that you don't see everything.

Besides, it gives you an excuse to plan another trip in a year or two.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We also drive down, same general distance. We drive straight through most times - might stop in a rest area for a few hours sleep if required in the wee hours of the morning. We switch drivers (my wife and I) every 2 hours so neither of us arrives exhausted.

If you have 5 park days and a water park day planned, you can make it work without exhausting yourselves. Assuming that you have the same priorities as your last trip, meaning the MK will be your 2 day park and you will not be hopping, I suggest that you do the following:

Spend 2 days in parks, then take your water park day, then your last 3 days in the parks. The first 2 days are physically the hardest unless you and your family "train" for WDW. The heat and walking combine in a way that causes feet to swell and get tired/sore. When we plan a summer trip, we start family walks in the summer a few weeks before the trip to get ready. We build up to about 7 miles on these walks, and it really helps. When we can't do this, we plan our 3rd day as a "down" day (water park and/or DTD/DQ).

Also, follow the recommended parks in easywdw. They are free and more accurate than the pay sites, in my experience.

Have a great trip.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I've been to WDW 10 times. All but two of the trips have been for 3 days or longer. My last 3 trips with DD have been for 7, 9, and 10 nights. We still haven't seen it all. Just accept that you won't be able to see everything. Have each member of your party pick one or two things they want to do in each park. Make sure you hit those. Then start saving up for your next trip. It's addicting.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We only had 4 park days, so you're 1 up on us. We did do 3 waterpark days too and loved those as much as the park days! You won't see it all, but you will see A LOT!! Enjoy!

 

[ArwenMarie]

In five days, you can see each park one day, and then maybe on the other day, do a split...do the waterpark in the morning and then go back to another park (probably MK I would think) in the evening. But you won't get to see everything in every park.

On short trips, for each park, I come up with a list of no more than 5 "must-dos." Anything else that happens is a bonus

Skipping the waterpark is an option, although some kids love the waterparks so much it ends up being a highlight of the trip. In the summer, it might be particularly fun.

One thing we do to calm the pace a bit on short trips is just decide ahead of time to skip a whole park. This lets us spend more time really seeing the other three parks. Is there a park that is at the bottom of your list to see? Consider cutting it out.

In the summer, if I had to cut one, I might cut Animal Kingdom. For some reason, it feels much hotter over there in the summer compared to the other parks, and maybe there aren't as many air-conditioned attractions to duck into? Not sure what it is, but that is one we usually vote to skip in the summer. Just an idea...there might be another park that is at the bottom of your family's list.

 

[Karbase8]

You won't be able to see it all, what is your family's priority? Last trip, we skipped AK we had 5 day park hoppers, we have yet to do a waterpark. I think it's about prioritizing and you will never see it all. It's about quality over a quantity. Enjoy what you can!!!! And just try to make the best of it and enjoy what you do see!

 

[mommymanda]

Thanks for the quick reply's. Everyone is right, I know we can't do it all. I would love to think it means more to plan for the next trip, but it took me 7 years to save for this one, by the time we go again the kids will want more than just Disney. We definitely want to see all the parks, it will be the water one that was an add on bonus anyway we'd skip if need be.

I ordered the planning DVD and am hoping to find the kids travel book from the library. Taking the advice I will have the kids pick out two top things from each park they want to see. We will make sure those are found, and enjoy the others in between.

As for timing I think I've somewhat worked it out.

1) If we arrive at noon our first day than we may have lunch, settle in, and head to MK until closing. That gives us up to 7hours there, we see the light show and have a great start. Of course that simply depends on how tired we are from driving (spreading it over 2days) etc.

2) Epcot

3) Hollywood studios

4) Animal Kingdom, and an evening relaxing at the resort. If hubby and I take and evening off this would be when.

5) Water park, than over to downtown Disney when we are ready (or if we skip the first day in MK, than we'd go here instead)

6) Magic Kingdom for a day

7) Breakfast and back on the road.

 

[darkwing818]

The easy answer is you won't. There is just no way you can see absolutely everything in 5 days. We used to go for 2 full weeks and still didn't see everything.

That in no way means you can't have a great time though. There are a lot of great things to see and do there it won't matter that you don't see everything.

Besides, it gives you an excuse to plan another trip in a year or two.

Excellent advice

 

[junkpix]

If you don't mond sharing:
-How old are the kids?
-Where are you staying?
-What day do you plan to arrive?

This info might get you more specific advice.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Thanks for the quick reply's. Everyone is right, I know we can't do it all. I would love to think it means more to plan for the next trip, but it took me 7 years to save for this one, by the time we go again the kids will want more than just Disney. We definitely want to see all the parks, it will be the water one that was an add on bonus anyway we'd skip if need be.

I ordered the planning DVD and am hoping to find the kids travel book from the library. Taking the advice I will have the kids pick out two top things from each park they want to see. We will make sure those are found, and enjoy the others in between.

As for timing I think I've somewhat worked it out.

1) If we arrive at noon our first day than we may have lunch, settle in, and head to MK until closing. That gives us up to 7hours there, we see the light show and have a great start. Of course that simply depends on how tired we are from driving (spreading it over 2days) etc.

2) Epcot

3) Hollywood studios

4) Animal Kingdom, and an evening relaxing at the resort. If hubby and I take and evening off this would be when.

5) Water park, than over to downtown Disney when we are ready (or if we skip the first day in MK, than we'd go here instead)

6) Magic Kingdom for a day

7) Breakfast and back on the road.

It looks like you have made the typical choice for MK - your arrival and departure dates. Understand that through most of the summer, the worst days to be in MK tend to be Saturday-Monday for this reason. So, you can keep this plan if you wish, but MK will be more crowded if your dates land on those week days. This is a pretty big deal and could spoil your vacation.

You need to spend some time looking at a crowd calendar. Start with the free one at easywdw.

 

[mommymanda]

If you don't mond sharing:
-How old are the kids?
-Where are you staying?
-What day do you plan to arrive?

This info might get you more specific advice.

11y DD, 5y DS and 3y DS. So a bit of an age jump, but we'll manage
Staying at Beach Club resort.

Arrival date is August 23rd, it is a Saturday, but at the end of the month and crowd calculator is pretty much the same all week there...but the slower time.

It looks like you have made the typical choice for MK - your arrival and departure dates. Understand that through most of the summer, the worst days to be in MK tend to be Saturday-Monday for this reason. So, you can keep this plan if you wish, but MK will be more crowded if your dates land on those week days. This is a pretty big deal and could spoil your vacation.

You need to spend some time looking at a crowd calendar. Start with the free one at easywdw.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

You won't see everything but you'll get close! I would skip DTD.

On your AK day, once you are done with AK, that's the day I'd go over to the water park. Or you could do the waterpark first thing in the morning and then go to AK until they close. Then you'd have the night to recover and gear up for the next day.

That would leave you with one day for DHS, one day for MK, one day for Epcot and an extra day to go back to your favorite park.

Have everyone choose their number 1,2 and 3 ride in each park and do those first. Then do the first choices right away and work your way through the other choices. You'll want to be sure to take a break if anyone gets worn out. It's better to do that than power through and be grumpy.

Have a great trip!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Arrival date is August 23rd, it is a Saturday, but at the end of the month and crowd calculator is pretty much the same all week there...but the slower time.

That is awesome - you miss the summer crowds. We have been that week many times, and the Saturday at MK is actually not terrible that time of year.

For the rest of your schedule, I would switch the Epcot and DHS days. You are going to be in DHS on a late EMH day - always a nightmare that time of year. IMO, DHS does not need the extra 2 hours, and you will lose those extra 2 hours in the crowds anyway.

Finally, I know that you want to end your trip in MK, but MK has an early EMH on Thursday, your last day. That is going to make MK more crowded. It won't be terrible, but MK won't be any better than the Saturday crowds that you see when you arrive.

Good luck!

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

We have been to WDW once before, 2007 with my hubby, myself and our than 4year old DD.
What I remember is that we had 5days to see the parks. Spend one each at AK, Epcot, and HS, than used two days at MK. I know we were at AK until late afternoon, than left to wonder downtown Disney and have supper. All but the AK night and the 2nd MK night (where we spent the evening at the resort pool) we were out until closing and watching the night shows.


Now we are going this summer. This time we have 3 kids with us. Our tickets include the 5park days (no hopper) and one pass for a waterpark. We are driving (approx. 21h without stops) so my husband has already added two extra days to his holiday time so we can get to Disney just after lunch on our booking day. Plus my parents are joining us for the trip, and are asking what night DH and I are taking out for ourselves.

How in the world are we going to see it all? I am thinking we won't be able to use the waterpark passes at all Although our oldest would love it. In a magical world I need hubby to try for yet another day off, than add another to our stay...I just don't think he will be approved anyhow.

So what are the recommendations from others? How can I fit everything in without making it a crazy scheduled non-relaxing vacation?

~LOL. We've been going for years and have not seen "it all" in each park! Make a list of must do's and hope for the best! I don't care how much you plan, something will happen to throw you off.

~There was one year, where every E ticket or ride we wanted to do was down for one reason or another. There are weather issues, refurbs, technical difficulties, guests, or anything that can take a ride offline in an instant.

~It took us three attempts -- as in three vacation over three years just to see F! And 2 vacations to finally see MSEP!

~If you want to see the most, choose the park with the lowest attendance and arrive before rope drop! Also, we had to put a limit on those ADR's, it was too much food and took up too much valuable park time. We just make one a day for an early dinner and sometimes a super early breakfast. Have fun!

 

[tina.tina]

I am saying this since you said you want more time, switch to a Value resort & fly!!!!

Having said that, I would want time for the kids to enjoy Storm Along Bay at Beach Club so I would probably skip the water park.

 

[mommymanda]

I am saying this since you said you want more time, switch to a Value resort & fly!!!!

Having said that, I would want time for the kids to enjoy Storm Along Bay at Beach Club so I would probably skip the water park.

Because we are a family of 5 value resorts do not fit us without a suite. We got a deal on the resort so I'm actually paying less for the deluxe resort than I would have for a moderate.

Flying would cost us a minimum of $1200 and that's before baggage and fees, so it just isn't in our budget unless we save one more year and go in 2015...but my goal has been for this summer.

 

[Brian Noble]

How in the world are we going to see it all?

You can't. You couldn't even if you were there twice as long!

But, that's okay---you'll keep busy, and most anything you choose to do in the time you have will be fun. Don't worry about what you don't have time for, and just enjoy the things you do.