Short trip worth it?

[mkymouse4ever]

Due to coming all the way from Illinois, we always come down for a mininum of 2 weeks usually 3 weeks. but next year (2006) planning on summer for 2 weeks (new rules at work will only give me 2 weeks off now at a time), SO where thinking maybe taking a short trip in fall or early december, for 5 to 6 days. Can someone fill us in how these types of trip are? I know any trip to wdw is worth it, but how do you set your time? Do you go to all of the parks or concentate on only a few? Don't expect to relax as much as usual but do you get much down time? or is it pretty commando? We are hopefully going when it would not be as busy, so hoping that helps.

Thanks for your help, Mky

 

[jcriket]

We usually go for about 4 days when we go, but we live so close we go many times during a year. So I personally think that that would be enough time to do things. And you can do one park a day, but relax. When we go for a week its usually very relaxed.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Our first two trips to WDW were 10 days, our third was 5 days. The five day trip turned out to be really much better than I had expected. Since we knew time was short, there was no preconceived ideas of getting it all done, which made it very relaxing. While a longer trip to WDW is best in my book (I personally could go for a month and still not want to come home) any length trip is time well spent in my book! We did do all four parks but concentrated mostly on MK and Epcot, not for any particular reason, it just turned out that way. I did notice we didn't come home as exhausted as usual. If you are used to going during a peak season and take a shorter trip during an off time, you may surprised at how much you can get done. I would definitely consider going if I were you, you'll never know until you try!

 

[Pooh1219]

If you are used to going for two to three weeks at a time, there probably isn't very much at Disney that you haven't seen or done at least once. What I would do is make this a relaxing trip, maybe doing only one or two parks, and spending some down time at the pool and getting a chance to really enjoy the resort you have chosen. As far as commando-style touring, I don't know why you would need to since you have been here many times already. This would be a great time to stop and smell all those beautiful flowers all around WDW. If you're there during F&W, it would be a great time to stroll around Epcot and try something at each booth. I so envy your ability to be able to go for at least two or three weeks at a time. What a luxury!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I think that 5-6 days is an ideal amount of time if you go on a regular basis. We usually allow a day for each park and then a day to repeat whichever park(s) we want to go back to. Of course you might know exactly which parks you want to concentrate on.

I went a couple of time last year in the time frame that you are talking about. One trip (my DH and myself) was the very end of Sept into Oct for about 5 days. It was nice crowdwise and the Food and Wine Festival was fun, but it was still real hot, which was draining. Also, the hours were not real long so it was hard to take a mid-day rest break and return later. The other trip was with my 5yo for almost 2 weeks. we met my sister and my mother in early December. It was a good time of the year with low crowds, but they crowds were starting to build by mid December. The weather was nice for the most part, but it can be cold then.

 

[becfehr]

I know, I am an odd-ball here. Me and DH are going for 2 days, one at Ep and one at MK. The reason... my 18 month old that I have never been left for overnight yet! This is my first baby and she is (and so am I) EXTREMELY attached, being that I am a stay at home Mom. So... for Mommy just to get away for a quick trip... DH and I are going in for 2 days. DH hasn't ever been, but the way I see it... if he loves it like I do... (and me and DD both survive being apart from each other), we will plan another trip soon, like February! So, like you said... ANY trip to WDW is well worth it!

 

[Spaceship Earthfan]

I just got back from a 3-day trip. Did MK the first day, Epcot the 2nd day, and MGM the 3rd day. It was commando all the way. I was with a friend but I was going so fast she couldn't keep up with me, to the point where I was basically solo. Alot of people might think that that's no way to go on a vacation...but I loved it! Maybe it's the fact that I'm a 21 year old male and never even got tired...but I was able to ride Space Mtn 3 times, Buzz 4 times, TT, ToT, RnR...basically everything multiple times in the 3 days. A 3 (or 4) day trip is more than enough time to do everything one would want to do, if you're willing to go commando and jump from attraction to attraction!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Ofcourse I think it's worth it! However, I wouldn't do a short 5 days trip if it was like a once in a lifetime trip or something. But if you go often enough that you don't feel like you have to do everything at every park during your trip- 5 days or so is still worth it!

We just did a trip 5 nights but we arrived middle of the night (supposed to be late night but flight was delayed so much we ended up in our room about 4am!) -so it was really 4 days plus the day of our flight out (ie: about half day). We did the parks just 3 of those days- 1 full day and the last half day we did at the water parks. It was great and definitely worth it! But we certainly didn't do everything during our trip... and didn't feel the need to do so since we do go often and intend on going again!

 

[nezy]

I have gone for quick trips and have had a blast. No matter how long--I always find time to relax.

I don't know when you usually go to WDW, but since you said your short trip will be in Dec. why don't you do things that you can only do during this time of year, for example,
*Osborn Family Lights display
*Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
*EPCOT_candlelight procession
*visit resorts such as GF and WL to see decorations

This will make your trip even more exciting and w/ a different feel. I am not sure where you are styaing, but you may want to get "nicer" room thatn usual since it is a short trip-perhaps "Concierge" level if you can swing at one of the resorts.

HAVE A GREAT TIME!

 

[byoung]

We go for 3 or 4 days sometimes, have a great time.

 

[MPLsDad]

Since we've been privileged enough to visit many times, sometimes the shorter trips are a blessing in disguise. For our trip next week, we've decided not to visit AK at all and will only go to MGM to see some characters for a couple of hours. We plan to enjoy the resort, MNSSHP, EPCOT's F&WF, and spend one day each at MK & EPCOT. Taking it slow and easy is our mantra - we've been too many time to try and do everything. We've already warned our 5yo DS that he may not be able to ride each ride, so pick one thing in each park. Advance preparation is the key to relaxation. Plan commando, expect commando - plan laid back, and everything else is bonus!!!! Have a great trip Disney Friend!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We went twice within the last year. One trip was five days and the other was four days. This has been our pattern over the past few years -1 0r two shorter visits. Our family really likes this length of stay. I think (for us) we would get a bit burned out with a much longer stay. We usually hit the parks pretty hard, enjoying ourselves immensely. We often skip AK, but that's sort of a personal preference thing I guess.

 

[New England Eeyore]

When I saw the title, I was surprised by your definition of a short trip! My 'long' trips these days are 5 days! Because I have a DH that as the years go by can only take WDW in small doses, my trips have become shorter but more frequent. This past January we went for 3 nights, and I really feel that amount of time was terrific. We always take the earliest flight possible so we get to WDW by noontime and have most of the first day available. On our first couple of trips I felt that I had to do everything, but now I know that I will be back, and there's no need to see everything. We managed to do all 4 parks in January, but it was still extremely relaxing. We even got a massage and facial respectively at the GF spa! I just wish airfare were a little cheaper or I'd be going for a long weekend every other month!

 

[Leota]

Any trip to WDW is worth it to me. I've gone anywhere from 2 days to 14 days. Each trip was great in it's own way The trip where I flew in late Friday after work & home again first flight Monday morning was too short, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I promised DH I would take it easy next year (this year has 3 fairly pricey trips) So I will only be going for a couple days when Expedition Everest opens.Even tho it'll be short, it'll still be great.

 

[Barb D]

The longest we've EVER gone is 4 days. That's all we can afford (really, more than we can afford.)

 

[DisneyMim]

Yes they are worth it. We took a quick three night trip last spring and had a blast! With our kids getting older and our schedules getting worse we just go when we can. As others have said I would not recommend this for a one time or rare visitor, but as you go all the time you will have a good time. We had a two week vacation planned for five months after our quickie trip and I have to be honest, I would not have been happy if that was all the time we were going to spend in Disney for the year. We don't do commando on any of our vacations, not our style. We just go with the flow and always have a wonderful time. I think you will too.

ENJOY!!

 

[Nank]

wow, I can't imagine being there for 2 weeks.

We just went for 5 days and had a BLAST. Sure, we didn't do EVERYTHING possible, but we stuck with mostly MK because we hadn't been there in years and DS 4 had never been there. We went to AK for one day, MGM 1/2 day and Epcot one night. Sure I would have loved more time, but by the end of 5 days we were EXHAUSTED And ready to come home.

Have fun.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I guess I should elaborate about the 2 to 3 weeks in WDW, since I started this thread. Basically we spend part of each day at the park, sometimes we have spent several hours at the park, just depends how we feel. But we do all kinds of things. Swim, Boat rentals, Mini golf, movies at the big PI AMC cineplex, Do the Malls, & outlets, We always rent a car and have learned our way all around the area like a native. All the extra's you do on "regular" vacations we just prefer to do them at wdw. Prefer their resorts and like to have the parks as something to do But we really aren't even theme park type people. Just disneyfiles.

Thanks for your help. I really think we could go down and just concentrate on magic kingdom, epcot, & mgm and take it easy the rest of the time only doing a few things or just our favorites.

Mky

 

[TiggerDaisy]

My husband, in-laws, and I are going to WDW next week for four days. I love the short trips for many reasons. First, it is a vacation and it is great to get away from work and relax for a couple of days. Second, I am usually worn out after four days. My husband, my mom, and I went for five days in 2002 and we were exhausted by the time our vacation ended. I can't wait to go next week. Even though we probably won't do or see everything, it is going to be exciting to just be there. Only 8 more days to go!!!!

 

[k5thbeatle]

If you are used to going for two to three weeks at a time, there probably isn't very much at Disney that you haven't seen or done at least once. What I would do is make this a relaxing trip, maybe doing only one or two parks, and spending some down time at the pool and getting a chance to really enjoy the resort you have chosen. As far as commando-style touring, I don't know why you would need to since you have been here many times already. This would be a great time to stop and smell all those beautiful flowers all around WDW. If you're there during F&W, it would be a great time to stroll around Epcot and try something at each booth. I so envy your ability to be able to go for at least two or three weeks at a time. What a luxury!

Excellent points. This is exactly what we are doing this year. This will be the second time we have taken a short trip to Disney but the first time we are taking such a short trip (5 days) expressely for the purpose of going to WDW (first time was a business trip in Tampa and we tacked on a few days at WDW). I think it'll be well worth it but just like the post above states we would be foolish to attempt to do all and see all in such a short time (not that it couldn't be done) but why would we when we've been there so many times? We want to r-e-l-a-x!!!

...oh yeah and do the F&W festival!