wdw as a short break? Advice and opinions please?

[wideeyes]

hi

Hi we were thinking of a week away some where like Cyprus in October however after pricing it up I have found that it is more expensive then expected so I priced up wdw and if we go after half term has finished it is not much dearer to go to wdw and stay at POP for a week.

so my question is, is it worth doing for a week when we have never been before? we have a four year old..

we have booked a two week trip for next august staying at AKL which should be a special trip so should we keep that as our first time?

Also any opinions on POP or ALL STARS.

I have narrowed the choice of times to first week in November, I am wondering when the Christmas theming begins?
or for January for DD birthday?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I am probably in the minority but personally with the long flight etc I would not go to Florida for 1 week even for a 1st trip.
Whilst if you did I am sure you would have a great time and it would serve as a good primer for your 2 week holiday, it takes you a couple of days or so to fully charge up and adjust to the time difference etc

Sorry if this is a bit negative, I am sure many people would gladly go for 1 day never mind a week, but just not us.
If anything especially with high flight prices in the summer we now go for 3 weeks as we find 2 is not enough, having to pay inflated prices may as well make the most if it.

 

[cannp123165]

We went to WDW for 6 days in February (could not get a week, as we booked less than a month before), staying at the CBR!!! We had been to WDW before, but not for 4 years

We got so much done in 6 days, but this may have been due to a lack of crowds anywhere. As it was too cold we did not go to a waterpark.

We spent the 1st day at MK- and got basically everything done. We returned there for another evening in the week. We spent 2 half days in Epcot. Just over half a day in AK, and a day in MGM. Everyday we went back to our room for a 2 or 3 hour nap, due to having colds before we went, so we were not feeling 100%. We also visited DTD twice.

We got so much done in our trip- there were only one or two things we left out! We still had plenty of time to have Table Service meal: Crystal Palace, Donald's Breakfastosaurus, Planet Hollywood x 2, Garden Grill and Mama Melrose's.

We did not have any problems with adjusting to the time. We woke up before 7:30am, and we always aimed to be at the parks by opening time!

We really had a great time- and for us it is hard to go for 2 weeks, so we would definetely consider another 1 week holiday!

If you have any questions for me- just ask

Caroline

 

[florida sun]

I personally agree with Johnny to a certain degree, if this was my first trip, I would be concerned that I wouldnt be able to relax and fit it all in, but then as you are going again next year you have the added advantage of knowing that what you dont see you can always see next year and this may give you a taster for it. If it wasnt your first trip I would say yes go for it, heck I would, but as it is, and this is only my opinion, then no I wouldnt.

However if you do decide to go, I have stayed at both the All Stars and The Pop and both are great. They have wonderful theming and Im sure your dd would love all the giant icons they have there, maybe more so at the All Star Movies.

The Christmas theming this year starts about 13th November that is the first date of MVMCP as we miss it by 2 days, we leave on the 11th

Good luck in whatever you decide

 

[Hilary]

I used to belong to the not-worth-it-for-a-week camp, but am now a convert (and have even taken a six-night trip and found it really worthwhile)!My approach to a one week trip is very different from a longer stay, but I'd already been a number of times and seen all the 'must-dos' before we embarked on shorter visits.

However ... I think a first trip for one week might not be such a great idea.

In your position (knowing there's a two-week trip lined up for next year), I'd either say wait and make that first trip even more special next year, or take the one-week trip as a primer to check out all the things you want to do next year - use it like a hands-on guidebook. I wouldn't recommend going for your first time on a short trip and trying to do a lot in the parks.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Further to my earlier post I do also agree with Sue and Hilary, you could have a relaxing week there doing some planning for your holiday next year and if you stay on-site you could make it work.

One of the reasons 1 week doesn't work for us is I am not the best flier hence feel better in the knowledge we are going for longer.

Again not being negative, it's easy when you have been many times but if you feel you want go for it then go with your instincts

 

[Miffy2003]

I think a week would be fine - assuming you don't suffer too badly with jetlag and are not too far from an airport. However as the others have said, maybe not for my first trip. I think I would leave wishing I could have stayed for longer

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I wouldn't go for a week, for the following reasons:
- Too far to travel for a short time (you spend the best part of a day each way travelling) for a holiday.
- The jet lag would be a pain (worth it for a longer holiday, not so sure about 7 days).
- If budget is an issue, then WDW for a week WILL work out quite a lot more expensive than Cyprus for a week. Even if on paper they are similar, I would imagine that you would spend a LOT more in Orlando than in Cyprus (park entrance, meals, shopping...)

Most of all, I think that you will feel very frustrated that you can't fit in everythign that you want to and probably exhaust yourselves trying!

I would go to cyprus instead, but that's me. If you do go, DEFINITELY stay on site (preferably a hotel either on the monorail or, my choice, one of the Epcot area ones - i.e. Boardwalk, Swan/Dolphin etc... there arew normally some good deals at the Swan/Dolphin...)

Boo

 

[wideeyes]

Hi, Thank you for your advice.

I have to say that you have voiced the reservations that I was having myself.
Think I will leave it until we go next year so we will have a special first trip.
Having a 4 year old it is not ideal to rush about.