Usually do long trips. Going in November for just a weekend.

[Buffalo2Disney]

On average, my wife and I usually go to Disney World every year or two and we usually spend around 8 or 9 days there. We love going for that amount of days because it allows us to relax and not be rushed.

We went on a 9 day trip this year in May. My wife really wants to see the Xmas decorations again. We saw them on our very first trip back in 2010. So we decided to book a trip and go again this year in November. Since we were just there in May for 9 days we really can't take more time off of work and really don't have the budget for a long trip so soon again, so it's now a long weekend trip, Friday - Monday.

What's some advice people can give for people like us who usually take longer trips that are now only going to be in the actual parks for only 3 days. We plan on doing Hollywood studios on arrival day then head to Downtown Disney that night. Spend all day Saturday at Epcot so we can enjoy the Food & Wine Festival (our favorite) and then do Animal Kingdom in the AM on Sunday then head to Magic Kingdom for MVMCP in the PM.

 

[juliekzp]

Sounds like a good plan, although I would skip DTD.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I do weekends all the time but I never have time for DTD. Unless there is something specific that I am going there to do or buy, I just don't go there.

Saturday at food & wine is extremely crowded so be prepared. If you have to go on a Saturday make sure you hit the more popular places right at 11 or right after.

 

[disnut8]

There's no right or wrong thing to do. Just go. My husband and I are just short of eight hours north for a drive down to Disney World and we usually went for every three day weekend. Notice I say went. When I got fired by my new idiot boss (who was fired less than four months after he fired me), we have had to stay at home. On my next rip, I am not going to think about anything. I am going to go. Get FastPasses before I leave, fill in the rest of the time with just being there.

 

[staceyrhood]

I would go to F&W on the Friday if possible...much better crowds, Saturdays are nuts! Then HS on Saturday.

 

[Kimosabe]

We've had similar circumstances this past year -- nine day trip last summer, so we've taken some shorter trips since then, and knowing you've recently done "everything" in a longer trip, a weekend is a nice way just to hit the things you absolutely love. Honestly, I would say that a venture over to DTD could actually be fun. Even since May, a lot has been added, and certainly by November, even more will have been added. Maybe pick one of the new restaurants there for dinner that night and just hang out because you can and because you don't have anywhere else you feel pressured to be, even if you're not truly shopping for anything in particular.

We did a Food & Wine weekend in the fall and managed to get tickets for the Party for the Senses on a Saturday night while there. Whether or not that fits into the budget (we gave up some other things to squeeze it into ours), it sounds like you're already familiar with F&W and know about some of the special dinners, presentations, whatever. Maybe check the schedule and see if something unique is happening as part of F&W while you're there and try to schedule it.

 

[InTheWick]

I would switch DTD and HS, or at least stay at HS until 8pm. The Osborne Lights are one of my favorite memories from our trip this past December.

 

[Buffalo2Disney]

The Friday we arrive we will not be on Disney property until around 3:30 - 4:00PM. So the plan is to go to Hollywood Studios first thing. Probably enter Hollywood Studios around 4:30 or 5PM. Do only a couple rides (basically 2 or all 3 FP+ if enough time). Check out the Osbourne Lights and stay until close at 8PM. Then head over to DTD to shop just a little and then we have a late night dinner ressie at Boathouse at 10:30PM.

We know Epcot is going to be busy on Saturday but we really love the Food & Wine festival so we wanted to plan a full day there. Plus we plan on going to MVMCP at MK and it's not on that Saturday so we have to go to MK on Sunday. Animal Kingdom is our favorite park so we have to fit it in Sunday Morning before the party at MK.

We won't have any time on Monday to go to any parks, we will be leaving Disney property around 10:30AM to catch our flight back. We did manage to get a great deal on a royal guest room at POR with the recently released fall room offer they put out yesterday!

 

[InTheWick]

I think you nailed it. That said, if you've never been to the Wilderness Lodge during the Holidays, I'd highly recommend you stop there on your way to MK. It's truly beautiful that time of year.

 

[Mom2m&k]

Have a fantastic time! We usually do long 8-9 day trips but took a short one this last May and found that we really enjoyed it. As others have said because we have been recently on a long trip we didn't feel like we had to do it all. We were there just long enough that we either needed a break or to go home and it worked out great!

 

[lroger01]

For a short trip, the key is not just planning what you want to do, but planning what you can skip. Knowing you planned to skip (for example) all of Fantasy Land takes off much of the stress.

Also, if you have desk jobs be sure to plan enough down time to rest your feet. With a short trip it's so very easy to over do it on the first day. Now if you have a job that keeps you on your feet all day - never mind...

 

[Buffalo2Disney]

For a short trip, the key is not just planning what you want to do, but planning what you can skip. Knowing you planned to skip (for example) all of Fantasy Land takes off much of the stress.

This is a great point and I have never thought about it in that way since we always go on longer trips but that makes very good sense.