Realistically, can we pretty much "see it all"?

[jeanadave]

Going May 14-21. Staying onsite. Just DH and myself. Just curious if at that time of year, since we have no kids, do you think we can realistically expect to see and do pretty much everything we want to (without "running" from place to place)? Would subscribing to the touring guides help or, considering the time of year, plus no kids, could we just "wing it"?

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I would never just "wing it." Too much to see and do. We are big believers in the Unofficial Guides tours in their books. It pretty much just gives us an idea of where to start etc. We go in Jan which is always low crowds, but by following the tours, it takes a lot of the "standing around and guessing what to do next" issues away. If there is something that we don't want to do that is on their plan, we just skip it. Good luck to you ! I've never been without my kids, (except when I was a kid myself) but would really love to!

 

[jcriket]

I've been so many times and I'll never see it all. As far as the parks go, however it should be no problem for you to see everything you want to see. I would get some kind of guide ( I think the unofficial is the best), and decide before you go what things you want to do, so you have some ideas and don't waste time doing things that don't intrest you. The parks haven't been too bad in early May. I would expect you can take your time, see the better rides first, then go back to the lesser rides later in the day. We always wing it.

 

[Eljay]

I'm not sure if you can ever see it all! If you go crazy and try to do too much, you will be exhausted and you won't have as much fun as if you take it easy. WDW's not going anywhere! If you don't see everything, make plans to go back. They change & add things so frequently, it would be impossible to get bored.
I don't think you need a formal plan, but do read about each park before you go and decide what top 5 or so things you want to see in each park, if time & energy allows, see more. Be sure to see the nightly fireworks shows at MK, Epcot & MGM. The parades are worth seeing also, if you are interested.
Is this your first tip to WDW? Enjoy!

 

[Mysteria]

I wouldn't wing it completely. At least make a base plan of what are must-do's for the 2 of you. You should be able to cover those in that time period without going crazy. Unless everyting is a must do! lol

Myst

 

[LaLa]

You could be there 2 months straight and never see it all I think. Just too much magic. Not enough time in the day!

But boy do we love tryin'!

 

[Ilovestitch]

"See it all" ? No way. I've been 10 times and still haven't seen it all.

 

[aubriee]

No way! I took my GD and eldest son last January for seven days and all we saw was DTD, the four main parks, and Cirque and was still exhausted when we came home. Consequently I went back solo in May for ten days thinking I could do it all then (note I also did three tours that trip). Wrong! All I did was rush around and made myself sick for the last two days. I came back so exhausted that it took me several days to get over it. Won't do that again! I took my younger son and D-I-L in Sept. They were sure we could see everything in eight days and again I was ran ragged and came back half sick and totally exhausted.

I'm taking my 73 y/o mom down there in Dec for her first ever trip and I've already told her she won't see it all and I won't even try. We will touch the main parks, see the Christmas decorations, CP, MVMCP, do an Illuminations cruise and concentrate on the dining (especially the character meals--we have 9 character meals planned with 21 ADRs). I'm taking my GD back two weeks later Jan 2nd-8th and am hoping to do five character meals, ride the main rides, go over to Ft Wilderness one day, do DQ, and maybe a water park and miniature golf. If we do it fine, but if not WDW will still be there for the next trip.

 

[#1MMFan]

Well, I've been loads, and have spent 30 days in WDW this year alone, and still haven't seen it all. I don't like using a plan... way too much like work for me. It's meant to be a vacation, and I don't see how following an itinerary minute by minute can be enjoyable. Just chill and make plans to go back!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

It is not possible to see everything, no matter how many times you go, no matter how many days you are there, no matter anything.
That's why we all love going back as often as possible.
Thank You Walt for giving us this wonderful gift........

 

[luvsdiznee]

You will get a lot more done if you don't wing it. You will be able to do most everything that time of the year if you have a plan. Our first trip was at a slow time. AK wasn't there yet - we got everything done that we wanted to see in 4 days with two kids (ages 5 and 8). We saw more at Disney in two trips than a family I know who goes at least once or twice a year for 10 days each trip because I planned our trips - they wing it!

 

[boomhauer]

Depends - Is this your first trip?

If it is, I wouldn't wing it. I would plan out a bit first. However, I don't recommend the Unofficial Guide. Don't get me wrong - It's awesome and the most in depth book there is. However, if you're not familiar with Disney World, it can be most confusing. Go with Birnbaum's for a first trip. Much better for a beginner traveller.

 

[Hopefully]

I have to echo what others have said - You can not see or do it all in one trip. What you can do, however, is determine what is important to you to see and do, and then focus on those things. With at least a basic plan in place, you can see and do what you have identified as most important for that trip. Just be realistic. WDW is huge - geographically. There is a tremendous amount to see and do beyond the 4 major theme park areas. There are spas, and boating, golfing, water parks and pools, water skiing and hang gliding, tennis and hiking - You get the picture.
I would not wing it at all, but rather I would put a basic plan together. Do not forget to plan time to "Smell the Roses" and take in the magic that is Disney.
Have a wonderful time!

 

[InstImpres]

do you think we can realistically expect to see and do pretty much everything we want to (without "running" from place to place)?

That's Disney's Magical way of getting us to come back again and again and again!!

20+ trips and still a mile long "to-do" list. They get you by keeping things new. Just when the list is getting smaller they add great things like Soarin'

Have a great trip

 

[puffkin]

If you are talking about just the attractions/shows at the 4 major theme parks then it MAY be possible. But you will have to carefully plan and stick to a very tight and exhausting schedule. You would have no time for any sit down meals, afternoon breaks, swimming or anything like that. There is no way you could wing it. I would say realistically you could see about 75% of the attractions with a commando/well planned attack.

When you add in the restaurant experiences, behind the scenes tours, the water parks, the resorts, water activities, golf (minautre and regular), Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island, the night time shows/parades, dinner shows, etc. there is no way you can see it all in a weeks (or even months time).

 

[jeanadave]

Thanks so much for all your responses! This is our first trip together, but with everything there is to do there now, it might as well be the first for either of us! (DH was there in there in the early 70's when MK first opened, and my son (who was age 11 at the time) and I were there in 1989 right after MGM opened). Looks like we'd better make a plan! Thanks again, everyone.

 

[Ashes8380]

Going May 14-21. Staying onsite. Just DH and myself. Just curious if at that time of year, since we have no kids, do you think we can realistically expect to see and do pretty much everything we want to (without "running" from place to place)? Would subscribing to the touring guides help or, considering the time of year, plus no kids, could we just "wing it"?

I went last year, 5 days in the parks with just my friend and I (both 20 at the time). We had no touring plan and no set schedule, just some priority seatings and a vague idea of which park to hit which day. And we saw almost everything we wanted to. For us this meant: DTD, PI, all 4 theme parks, and the Boardwalk. People have responded to your post as if you asked if you could see every single thing on Disney property, and of course the answer to that is no. But if you have a reasonable list, such as we did, you should be able to accomplish what's on it.