Number of Days and Nights

[Nazran]

How do you normally determine the number of nights you will be staying and how do you break that down in to park tickets? I am always concerned about keeping down costs, and I am interested in making semi regular trips to WDW yearly. Will be Wife and two sons (1 and 5)

I am thinking about a 5 day 4 night trip. Tell me if this seems logical or would the WDW veterans do it a different way?

Day 1 - When to leave Dallas? If check in is at 3pm should I just come early and go to one of the parks or should I arrange my flights so that I get there at 3pm and then go to a park that might have extended hours.

Day 2 - Go to a park in the morning, back to resort for a bit, then back to late park.

Day 3 - No park day? Is there enough to do around resorts to hang out there all day?

Day 4 - Go to a park in the morning, back to resort for a bit, then back to late park.

Day 5 - Hang out at resort until check out 11 am? Fly back to Dallas.


Am I cheating myself do you thing? As I see it above I would only need 3 days of park tickets. Obviously not enough time to look over all of WDW, but I will be back again in the future.


What do you think?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We always go for at least 8 days (usually 9 or 10). WE try to maximize the least amount of requested vacation time so we do Sunday to Sunday or Saturday through following Sunday.
I can't bear to get all the way down there and not see it all.

 

[Disney Anna]

First, let me say I have no children. I've been to WDW with kids, but they were older than yours (6 and 5 the first time).

In any event, here's some of my thoughts:

Day 1) I would arrive in morning, go to resort, check in, leave bags and then go to park. You can leave your stuff even if they won't let you into room. I've always been allowed into room before 3 p.m. (usually about 1).

Day 2) I would go in a.m. and back to resort during mid-day. Take break from heat, crowds, get something to eat, maybe nap, lay by pool. Then go back in afternoon, early evening. It will be cooler, more comfy and you'll be somewhat rested.

Day 3) There are tons of things to do at resort without going to the parks. My neice and nephew are happy just swimming. Plus, there are arcades. And at Ft. Wilderness there is a petting zoo and horseback riding. I now never go to WDW without taking a break. I usually take it after each 2 days I spend in parks. I'm just too tired. It's nice to sleep in a bit, eat a relaxing breakfast and just have a slower day.

Day 4) Back to park...

Day 5) Sounds fine.

In my experience, I always spend one entire day in MK and one entire day at Epcot. I then do a split day btn AK and MGM. AK in morning (cooler, animals more alert, do safari first thing) and then MGM.

You know your family's likes and dislikes. It may be best with little ones to do 2 days at MK.

Anyway, these are some suggestions. Have a great time.

Oh, my other advice, take it easy. Don't get stressed. I have seen so many families pushing their kids too hard. Take it easy. It's supposed to be fun. It's impossible to see everything in one trip or do all you want in one day.

 

[Artoo]

For the past couple of trips, my family has gone for seven days (other than those trips, we've done the 5-day thing). The last time we were in Orlando, we only went to MK one day and the rest of the vacation was spent at Cypress Gardens, Sea World and US.
It depends on how much you and your family want to see and do, really. WDW is a big place and there is so much to see and do EVERYWHERE. I would suggest at least 7 days, but that is just MHO.

 

[lady_hlh]

Our first trip with our 3 year old DD was only for 5 nights and it felt way too rushed. The next year we went for 7 nights which was better but this year we will be going for 8 nights. I would do even more days if we could but we need to get my DD back for the start of 1st grade. The price for 3 or 4 days tickets vs 8 or 9 day tickets is very minimal so I think it makes sense to stay for longer at least if you are at a value resort where the room prices are pretty cheap.

 

[blessedby3]

We always go for at least 7 nights and longer if we can swing it. We are booked for 10 nights in Jan
I get tickets for each day that we are there. Once you get to day 5 or so on a MYW pass it is only a matter of a few dollars extra per day and you cant beat that for a park day pass!! We spend as much time in the parks as possible. We usually do commando touring and ride and see as much as possible each day.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We generally break it down by the first four days are spent in at least one park per day. Then we like to have two days to go back to favorite parks, water parks, DTD, and relaxing at our resort. Then we add on days if we want to go other places (like we always spend the first day of our trip at Sea World because we have free tickets, on our next trip we're going to Universal as well). Our very first trip in 1993 was 3 nights and four days. Our last trip was 9 nights and ten days! Our next one will probably be 11 days and 10 nights but I think we may be maxing out the length of time we go next time as it's getting quite pricey staying that long (the way we like to stay that is). I've always wanted to have one whole day not spent at any park, just relaxing so that's what we're doing next time by adding a day.

Also, we've been buying 10 day hopper non expiration passes. Disney ticket prices go up constantly so it's a great way to lock in a ticket price and not have to worry about having enough days. We usually use 6 days on the 10 day pass.

 

[yngsj]

Our past 4 trips were 10 days long. We prefer to not go to the parks on the weekends so 10 days are perfect for us. Our next trip in Sept. will only be 7 days because now that are kids are older we don't want them to miss as much school, and this will be our 1st trip in years that we are actually going to the parks on the weekend.

 

[katieloubear]

We will be going for 9 days 8 nights in Sept...I can't wait! Our first trip and the kids will be 10, 7, 5

 

[fla4fun]

If you are planning to come back to Disney, then I would buy a few more days on your ticket than you will use on this trip, with the no expiration added. It is less expensive per day the more days you buy at one time. When you buy the no expiration option you have the flexibility of coming back next month or next year, or two years from now, and using the remaining days on the ticket, without incurring additional costs. Knowing that you will be using the remaining days later takes the stress of "use it or lose it" away and will make your trip a little more relaxed.

As to when you should arrive, you know your children better than we do. If they are the type that can keep going like the Energizer rabbit, then I think arriving early and hitting a park is a great idea.If not, it may work to your advantage to fly at a time when they can nap, and then be more alert when you arrive. Are your kids early risers? If so, and you are going to the parks early on arrival day, I would plan on staying in the park until about 6pm that first day and then heading back to your resort to get settled and have a nice dinner, so you'll be ready to go first thing the next morning. I would probably pick Epcot that first day, first because with young children, you may not care that fastpasses for Test Track, Soarin, and Mission Space are gone. Second, because it can be a more laid back park experience, which might mesh well after a hectic morning getting to the airport and then getting to the resort.

You definitely won't be able to see it all, but you should be able to see the best of the kid friendly highlights and have a great time. I would at least schedule a half day off mid trip.