Short trips to the World worth it?? Talk to me....

[Nanabug02]

Okay, because we always take long vacations to Disney (8-10 days), we can't really afford to go back for another year and a half. This is KILLING me! I already want to go back again....

I've thought about taking a short trip sometime in between...maybe fly in Friday and out Monday. But is it worth it?? Does anyone take short trips? and what do you try and get in while you're there?

Okay, everyone....give me the pros and cons.

 

[lovmy2girls]

We went in July with AP's Spent 10 nights at the Poly. Really spared nothing down to meals, and everything else. Looking back still can't believe we spent that much. But anyway....
Just go budget. Stay at a Value or moderate and hopefully you had ap's after that long trip you already have your tickets.

 

[Nanabug02]

Anyone else?

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

I'm going for the weekend (thursday-monday) I'll let you know if it was worth it when I get back!!!

 

[goofy4wdw2]

i'm curious, too...we're going Friday-Sunday because we can't go any longer for a while...has anyone done this and not enjoyed it?

 

[Nanabug02]

BUMP

 

[llij]

I've been many many times just for a two day quick visit. When my grandmother was alive, she lived a few hours away from Orlando so we would fly to visit her and do a little side trip to the Magic!

We definitely thought it was worth it and would do it again in a heartbeat. What we did was focus in on what we really wanted to do i.e., spend a day in MK and a day at Epcot. Didn't do a character meal and just went budget. We've always enjoyed it and never regretted one second of it.

I say go for it!!



ETA: I forgot to mention that our trip in January will be a quick 3 day visit to celebrate my DD's birthday. We'll do it again in September for my other daughter. Yes, it is worth it!!!

 

[Harligirl]

Hi all

It is SOOOOOO worth it!!! DH and myself (no kiddies) went in Aug. and had a blast! We were there from Weds- Sat. Of course hurricane Charley put a damper on things but not too bad.


We are going with extended family in Dec and then DH and myself are going back for a "quickie" in Jan. Our trip in Aug we bought APs and I just want to use them like crazy before they expire!! I know that once they do expire, it will be a while before we go back


When we went, we did not plan anything- we did MK, MGM and Epcot. Just slowed down and took it all in. No schedule, no time limits, no rush, just fun!! It was so great!!

If you have the $$ and the time- GO FOR IT!!!

It is a great Disney fix!
Lisa

 

[hig4s]

IMHO it depends on if you feel you can afford how much it costs to get there.. Since we moved to Florida (two hours away) we take day and short trips regularly. I think day trips are great, we don't always go into the parks. Just go to shopping center and Disney Quest sometimes. Of course if you are going to make more than a couple trips a year an annual pass can be the way to go..

 

[trirae]

I would think 4 nights would be about the minimum. Of course it depends on how much the travel to WDW costs. We did 4 nights, and it felt rushed, but we hadn't been before, so there was so much to do. BUT I would consider it again if it were my only choice.

 

[daisylove]

We take short trips all the time. In fact we will be going again friday -sunday after thanksgiving then dec9-12. These will make 6 trips this year. It helps living in sofla we have the annual passes but they are so worth it. Sometimes you just need some magic. We all have our fave parks and places so we know we wont do everything but we do manage to get quite a lot accomplished. Thumbs up for short trip. Usually we stay at a vlue but sometiomes splurge for a night or 2.

 

[liquidsky88]

I think any trip to the World is worth it. We were married there last year. We decided to spend NYE in Disney this year. We usually take 10 days so we could see everything. This year we decided to take only 4. I would think a few days is better than no days.

 

[NancyIL]

I was at WDW for a week just last month, but really wanted to visit again during holiday season. I have an AP, so I'll be doing a quickie 3-night trip Dec. 11-14. Just 2 days in the parks to see Osborne Lights, Candlelight Processional, and decorations. It will also be a cheapie trip...staying at Pop Century.

 

[MrShiny]

Yes it is worth it! a fewtimes, I've had to travel down that way for short work trips (OK, one was to Puerto Rico, but I couldn't just fly right over WDW and not stop!).

You can't approach it like a "normal" WDW trip. Focus on one park or area.

The neat thing is you are suddenly in "the world" and then back out again. Like eating a Hersey's kiss instead of a whole chocolate bar. The juxtaposition can make it seem all that more magical.

Go for it!

 

[Blueberry]

Yes..we have taken two short trips to WDw this year..One in March when my DH was at a business confernce in Jacksonville, I went along and we did three days in the parks, one day each at MK, Epcot and Universal. it was well worth it...We went budget and just had fast food in the parks and a few small purchases, nothing big.

In May we had so much on our March trip we decided to go back again, we drove down and had three days there again in the parks. Got to see the Flower Festival for the first time and had a wonderful..even though short trip.

I say go for it, we drive so it keeps the expense down for short trips, but look for good airfare, a good deal on a hotel and just go for it with fast food, makes it much more affordable...

 

[dizneycc]

We do short trips alot. If you want to do the parks, it is best to go on off season. I always make a list of what I want to see, so I don't miss anything. There isn't time to go back.

Short trips are good for anyone who visits often and doesn't feel like they need to squeeze everything into one visit. That would be impossible and certainly not relaxing. We only plan on one park a short trip and relax and explore more.

We come home very relaxed, not stressed from a whirlwind vacation

Enjoy!

 

[twinkles0819]

I am also doing a cheap trip Dec.7-10th. I just went to Disney in August for my birthday and that was for a WONDERFUL 9 days. I saved up a lot for that trip and cannot wait to do that again but I needed to go back sooner and I thought a short trip would do me good. Because of Disboards I learned how to save here and there and I definately decided what I did and didn't need. Here's a breakdown for my up-coming trip....

Gas- $80(driving from NC)
Hotel- $130(3 nights thru priceline) It would have been nice to stay on-property but as long as I'm going to WDW I do not care. This is for Sheraton Safari hotel which is a good hotel.
Food - $100 (counter service and outside food)
MVMCP tickets -$80 already have 2 days left on hopper passes
pet boarding -$60( cannot take puppy along)

Total - $450, I'll probably make it $500 to get a little souv. or something

And this is what I will be doing too.....

Tuesday- Drive Down (go to Boardwalk at night or something)
Wednesday- can either tour Hotels GF, Poly and see decorations, or I can go to AK, MGM, Epcot or even universal/IOA(i have left over tickets too from there)
Thrusday- get to MVMCP @4pm....8 hours in the park is more than enough
Friday- Drive home

I have NEVER done MVMCP before and I cannot wait to go so I have to make small scarifices here and there if I want to get to WDW before 2006.

Sorry for the long post

 

[Magic2000]

This will be our fifth short trip to Disney!!! We always do our big Disney vacation in the summer - but since 2000, we've been doing a "quick" trip in early Dec to see the decorations!!! We either come in on Wed or Thurs and stay til Sunday.

We do it a little slower and it is so nice!!!! Definitely NO REGRETS! We do all the parks, CP & MVMCP!!! We even splurged in 2002 and got to stay at the Grand Floridian - with all the Christmas decorations!!! Absolutely wonderful!!!!

Go and have a great trip!!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We've been doing long weekends since after our first summer visit in 1981! We did not want to wait until the next summer and it became a family tradition to go for a long weekend every Jan/Feb or March. We'd do 3 nights - early flight out, afternoon flight back.

Now my kids are adults, so I will meet a friend at Disney for 3 or 4 nights. Usually choose 2 parks ( 2 one day passes, not hoppers) and take out time exploring whatever we enjoy. Always visit MK and then choose a different second Park.

A short trip might not be good for a first visit - unless you did lots of research, stay on site, and know you'll do the highlights - not try to fit in too much. It could still be fun, especially if that's the only way it is affordable or vacation time is limited.

Small bites of WDW can be wonderful and relaxing! Have not done less than 3 nights as that does seem worth it, given the cost of the flight etc. I'll do 3, but 4 nights is perfect for a getaway!!

Enjoy the weekend!!!

 

[Ilovestitch]

My bf and I stayed 8 days at CBR this past May, but we got PAP's so we had to come back again. So, we are doing a short 4 night trip next month b/c we've never been during the holiday season before. And because I wanted to stay at the Poly, but I know we can only afford a few nights during value season.