Park Days for First Visit

[EllenMurphy]

Hello,

I am new to the Board! I have not visited Disney since I was a child but a huge Disney fan and my husband is not a Disney fan. We are looking towards planning a trip for fall 2022. My kids will be 4 and 7. My husband does not do well with crowds so I am looking for some advice:

• How many park days would you suggest? We most likely wont be down in Orlando more than a week and would like to see more than Disney
• What parks should we focus on?
• Do you space out your park days? Would this be better for my husband who is not a "crowd" fan?

I appreciate your insight and expert advice! This is all very new for me!!

 

[TinkSassy]

WDW just the 4 parks is minimum of 5 days (more would be more relaxed). If you are only there for a week - seeing much more in Orlando will be difficult while seeing all of the WDW parks. Which parks to focus on depends on your family. I love MK as that is the classic park and it is a definite 2 day park. My non-Disney folks love Epcot - as they like food and wine so we eat and drink our way around the showcase. Animal Kingdom is one I really like - but there is less to do there - if all the shows are back open it is a full day park or if you like to wander and enjoy the scenery and animals it can be a relaxing day. Hollywood Studios is great for all Star Wars fans (not sure your kiddos preferences or your DH) and the Toy Story area is great!

Honestly I would stay at WDW for the week and get 6-7 park days with hoppers. This will allow more relaxed touring. For non-crowd people - I like rope drop in the AM and then we leave the park in the rush of the day 12-4 and go play at the pool, have a nice meal, shop at Disney Springs, have a nap and then return in the evenings refreshed. I like hoppers so we can do different parks in the AM and PM so we can change the feel or pace of the day if we need to. If I can get one non-park day in the middle I do so I can sleep in, enjoy the resort and maybe explore around town.

 

[maryj11]

To avoid crowds go in September not near Labor Day. Maybe towards the middle or end of September. October seems to be more crowded than September because of all the Halloween festivities.
Since I’m a Disney fan I would at least do 4 days of Disney parks and visit each park.
If your staying at Disney or close you could space out your Disney park days. Going to all 4 parks in 4 days straight can be exhausting!
I would try to make some of your park days on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Those days seem to be least crowded for all the parks. I would especially do Magic Kingdom on one of those days. Avoid Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Mondays. Weekends are the most crowded for all the parks.
If I had to pick which parks to focus on, my number one choice would be Magic Kingdom. Having younger children I would definitely go to Magic Kingdom. Then you could check out the other 3 parks online and choose whichever you think you family would like.

 

[abnihon]

I would get 5-6 day park hopper tickets with one pool day in the middle! I also like to do character meals on my break days. Topolino’s is a great choice. And maybe dinner at Disney Springs or a resort meal like Sanaa.

 

[EllenMurphy]

Thank you so much for all of this advice! I promised my DH it would not be all Disney so we do need time to see something else and I assume we would want a pool or resort day. I do think MK would be a two day thing as with my young kids and my first time back would be of the highest interest. Is Epcot of interest to younger kids? I know for sure MK and HS as we all love the muppets and star wars. All I know of Epcot is the world pavilions...

I am still very new to all of this so really appreciate your help!

 

[abnihon]

My son likes Epcot. He could spend hours in the Seas Pavilion.
The 7 year old would like Soarin and Mission Space.
And if they like Frozen that’s where the Frozen ride and characters are.
There is also a new Ratatouille ride opening soon and some new child friendly areas that may be open in 2022.
My son also loves the boat ride in Mexico and the gift shop in Japan! (Lots of video game merch like Sonic the Hedgehog!)

 

[Erica Ladd]

If that’s the case with your DH I’d still get 5 day PH tix because you never know if he’ll change his mind about Disney. Also taking a mid day break would allow you to take the kiddos on an evening adventure while he rests and the PH tix would allow for maximum flexibility. I’d hate to go for a week and not do each park, even if one or two is just for half a day. Plus that gives you 2 days to do something ‘not Disney’ I don’t think it’s necessary to have a ‘dedicated pool/resort day’ but use those days to see something else AND hang at the pool/resort

 

[DeeBee3]

I recommend seeing all the parks because you probably won't be there again for a while. I would focus on picking a time of year that is less crowded - September would be the best of fall or maybe early December. Once you get to October and Halloween, it's crowded through end of year.

Making the conditions as comfortable for your hubby would be the best for everyone. I would also NOT do all day long park days. Work with your family schedule. If you are early birds, take advantage of that, but also enjoy whatever hotel you are at and some pool time. Or just relax time.

If staying off-site, take all of that into consideration on the timing of everything. Traveling, parking, etc. It will add on a significant amount of time and you want everyone to realize this so no surprises!

The big thing is to not overdo it. You always see and hear about the families who try to cram it all in for their once in a lifetime visit and it becomes so stressful that it's unenjoyable. Don't do that! You can't possibly do all the rides and everything. Just look up what's interesting to your family and focus on that stuff. Make a list.

Maybe your husband will embrace the magic after all!

 

[Kitty & Covs Covs]

I’ll be devil’s advocate and say you *could* do it all in 4 days if you did two MK days, one AK, one HS, and then did two Epcot evenings. You might do:

Day 1: MK
Day 2: AK until mid afternoon, take a break, Epcot dinner
Day 3: HS
Day 4: MK and final dinner at Epcot

This would give you 3 days in Orlando for other things.

You might also consider staying on property for the whole trip but not purchasing tickets for the whole time—so you can enjoy the Disney theming of the pool, transportation to Disney Springs to eat at themed restaurants, or even build in a water park day to relax. Then you’d feel more like you could go see other sites in Orlando without wasting park time/tickets. For your husband, maybe you do two days in the parks, one day doing something else in Orlando, then two days in the parks for example—but you’re still in the same hotel on property.

 

[EllenMurphy]

Thanks so much for all of your helpful suggestions!

 

[TinkSassy]

At 7 I was in awe of the World Showcase! Now if we can get the international staff there we have done Kidcot - that is fun if your kids like to hear about other places. They are helped with projects by people from the country they are in on the showcase. I enjoyed the time to chat with them as well. They also have Seas, Frozen, Gran Fiesta (with Donald) - lots of character meets.

What does your husband like? What is "non-Disney" to him? Sharing that may help us help you - for example, I have a runner in the family that "hates disney" but we planned a trip around one of the Disney Runs and he had a blast because he had something that was all about him. What is your husband's thing?

 

[EllenMurphy]

He is an introvert and does not do well with crowds. So, I think he views Disney as super crowded and hectic. He is a quiet guy. He is going because he knows its my dream to go but he finds crowds draining.

 

[EllenMurphy]

So, I guess I worry if I overplan and its gogogo that he will not find it pleasant. Does that make sense?

 

[maryj11]

Plan some good table service meals. I know all hubby’s love to eat! That might make it more enjoyable for him lol. Maybe choose Epcot for him, they have a lot of good restaurants. I have a girl who hates crowds and hot weather but brightens up when she knows we are eating at one of her favorite restaurants .

 

[SG131]

So, I guess I worry if I overplan and its gogogo that he will not find it pleasant. Does that make sense?

Yes go go go is unpleasant. I really really think you should give up the idea of exploring more of Orlando. He will enjoy the trip more if he can take the parks slowly. If you only do 4 or 5 park days you will feel like you have to rush to do as much as possible (there's literally no way to do it all in 5 park days). If you spread it out and take midday or evening pool breaks I think that would be a lot more enjoyable. I think you're trying to cram too much in and it will definitely be unpleasant. Epcot is definitely worth at least a day. With the Frozen ride, Ratatouille coming soon, hopefully the Moana-inspired water section, and nemo there's plenty for little kids. It remains to see what else of the re-imagined Epcot will be open at that point.

 

[maryj11]

Yes go go go is unpleasant. I really really think you should give up the idea of exploring more of Orlando. He will enjoy the trip more if he can take the parks slowly. If you only do 4 or 5 park days you will feel like you have to rush to do as much as possible (there's literally no way to do it all in 5 park days). If you spread it out and take midday or evening pool breaks I think that would be a lot more enjoyable. I think you're trying to cram too much in and it will definitely be unpleasant. Epcot is definitely worth at least a day. With the Frozen ride, Ratatouille coming soon, hopefully the Moana-inspired water section, and nemo there's plenty for little kids. It remains to see what else of the re-imagined Epcot will be open at that point.

I agree about trying to do other things in Orlando beside Disney. It can be a bit to much. Unless it’s a day at the beach.
There is so much to do at Disney, it can take up a week easily.
I would definitely not try to fit everything in at Disney in a few days.

 

[scbruno]

If he does not like crowds go in September and take it slow. He may enjoy the trip more and possibly agree to go back at some point. Stay on property so if it does get crazy you can go back to the resort until the crowds leave for dinner and you can go back.

 

[CheshKAT]

Our first trip was Jan. 2007. Very slow time and very little wait times. Our friends planned our itinerary which was fairly busy but we got to do a lot of Character meals/meet/greets. My "claustrophobic" Hubby was not thrilled with the gogogo part but eventually agreed that Disney was fantastic. and couldn't wait to return. We have been back 5 more times as a family. Our last trip was 2018. He may surprise you

 

[decheez]

I am a huge introvert and have major issues with crowds (think bad anxiety and panic attacks), but honestly Disney World is one of the places I can best handle it. There's so much to do and I'm always focused on 'what's next'. We also tend to book table service restaurants most days so I can have a break during the day. I can understand wanting to do other things in Orlando, but like others have said I would recommend taking at least 5-6 days at the parks. There is just so much to do especially if shows are back at that point. I would probably recommend 2 days at MK and one day each at the other parks. Yes it is crowded, and yes there are people everywhere, but unless you're going at peak time, it's manageable. There's lots of places to take breaks and if you're staying on property it's easy enough to pop back to the room in the afternoon for a rest.

 

[Blondie58]

Hello,

I am new to the Board! I have not visited Disney since I was a child but a huge Disney fan and my husband is not a Disney fan. We are looking towards planning a trip for fall 2022. My kids will be 4 and 7. My husband does not do well with crowds so I am looking for some advice:

• How many park days would you suggest? We most likely wont be down in Orlando more than a week and would like to see more than Disney
• What parks should we focus on?
• Do you space out your park days? Would this be better for my husband who is not a "crowd" fan?

I appreciate your insight and expert advice! This is all very new for me!!

Opinions as asked for: If your husband is not a crowd fan he will NOT enjoy time at any park. There are crowds at all parks. (And what is crowded to one person may not be to another.) For younger ones I would focus on Magic Kingdom Fantasyland area, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Tom Sawyer Island etc, Animal Kingdom Dinoland area and safari, Hollywood Studios Toyland area, Tough to Be a Bug, Frozen Show and Muppets. I would skip EPCOT. Space the days out? It depends on your children. It depends on other things you wish to do in the area. Some children would be fine with three days in a row others may not. Not a crowd fan - spaced out days may just prolong crowd dislike. Maybe get to the parks for littles and move on to other areas of interest in Orlando. (From expereince: In 80s we went to Magic Kingdom with our six year old. He hated it because of crowds and line waits. The next day we went to Wet and Wild Water Park. He loved Wet and Wild. He did not want to return to EPCOT but we "dragged" him back for half a day. We ended up spending three more days at Wet and Wild. Fast forward to adulthood: He (and all) love Disney with FAST PASSES. We expect there will be crowds.)