which is better, daytrips or week long vacations?

[ldubberly]

Dh has agreed, 1/2 his idea actually, that we are getting annual passes this year for the whole family. It got me to thinking, with four kids between the ages of 5 and 15, what is the best way to get the most of the magic in the theme parks?

1) A couple of three or four day trips so you are engulfed in the magic long term (however, you get exhausted from three or four days of walking everywhere)

or

2) Several one day trips where everyone goes to bed early the night before so they are ready to get up and be in the park at opening and enjoying the magic till close because you know you will be able to catch up on your sleep the next day?

or

3)Do we need to do both throughout the year?

We live nearby and visit Kissimmee often because the Din-laws live there.

 

[tkd lisa]

I picked both.

For my family, I don't like driving after the fireworks. I'm too tired, and my vision at night really bothers me. So we only do the fireworks if we're staying over.

I actually get more rest on the extended trips because we'll take a break in our room. During a day trip, we only get a rest when we're eating, watching a show, or going to a different park. I'd suggest that once you have the APs, and know you can come back when you want, that you'll take it easy even on the extended trips.

Enjoy those passes! I know we've gotten our money's worth!

 

[Brianne]

We prefer day or overnight trips. I like to get my magic in small doses as opposed to overdosed.

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

We don't do day trips since we live 4 hours away, but we do go down for 1 or 2 night stays throughout the year as well as for 1 full week's vacation. The short trips are fun and I love doing them, but I absolutely love going for an entire week (7 nights!).

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sometimes we're in Florida for other things, like visiting our friends, going to the beach or going on a cruise. We find it very hard to be in Florida and not spend even a single day at WDW. Other times, we like our week long stays.

Bobbi

 

[PlutoLuvr]

We're about two hours north, and we like the extended weekends. No Orlando vacation is complete for us unless we do a couple Disney parks, as well as visiting the Universal parks, too. So four days is just right for our family

Sometimes we also like a full week, too!

 

[Fitswimmer]

My parents moved to the Orlando area 6 years ago, and when I visited we always did day trips to the World. Just this year, I purchased DVC and we now do 2-3 night visits and we find that they are much better! Day trips are tiring-you have to drive there and back and since you have no resort to go to there is no afternoon break. I didn't realize how much I missed that until we did OKW in June. Having a few hours in the afternoon to sit by the pool or go back to the room and nap makes a TON of difference in how much we enjoy our visit.

 

[Linzybrooke]

I like weeklong trips, but living in Texas might have something to do with that....someday we want to get to Florida and it will certainly change then! I'm sure it's fun no matter what you do!

 

[ronardo]

Living in Spain...a day trip is not a good deal...

Venga,salu2.

 

[Quinn222]

Neither. I like 4 day trips throught the year.

 

[goNDmay9]

Every year we come down for a full week with the ENTIRE family (total of 8 adults and 3 children). This is my favorite because it is sooo relaxing. We hang out at the resorts mostly and do the parks when we feel like it.

Then - throughout the year - when we can get away for long weekend - we just kind of bop down there. Who ever has the time off goes. Those are really fun too because it is like a unexpected disney!

We are not close enough to do a day trip but i think that i would miss the resort part of it.

 

[Em_in_FL]

I like both...

We live in Central Florida and have AP, so the ease of a day (or 1/2 day) trip really makes this viable for us. You don't HAVE to spend the whole day and feel like you're not getting your money's worth... if it's hot or crowded or raining, you just go home!

BUT, we enjoy going on Mini-vacations at least once a year... an extended weekend at one of the resorts (3-4 days) to get the "feel" of a true Disney vacation...

 

[JRawkSteady]

I live in New York, so a one day trip couldn't happen... but even if I lived in Florida (which I did for a year), I still would want to stay in a Disney Resort and get that full magical experience. A day trip is more of an in-and-out trip to me. I don't feel like I'm getting away from everything