Will 6 nights be enough?

[Dis2times]

I'm suddenly thinking we need to extend our stay. We are currently scheduled for Nov. 27-Dec 2 at VWL and Dec.2-3 at WL. I've passed the accommodations stage and now I'm looking at the parks, etc, to select our passes. I thought I was overwhelmed by resort choices...

We'll have 5 full days, sunrise to sunset. I should be pleased with that, but I'm not. We'll have an 18month old and a 4 year old with us. We'll also have passes for the days of our flights. But now I'm thinking we need more time.

We've already cut out AK since we have a fantastic zoo in our hometown and no one in our group is in the safari mood. We aren't doing the water parks. DD and I will only be doing two shows at MGM, so that shortens that. All we have left is MK and Epcot. Personally, I could spend the entire time at MK, as it is all about MK for me.

I'm wondering though if we should extend our hotel stay (and thus probably move to POR instead of WL after VWL) so we don't feel as rushed.

Will 6 nights be enough? Is anything EVER enough?

Lisa

 

[DizBelle]

Remember that at that time of year, the parks will be closing earlier. MK will probably close at 7pm, maybe 8pm on Friday and Saturday. MGM will probably close at 7pm, AK at 5pm. Epcot always stays open until 9pm. And with a 4yo and an 18 mo old, you'll probably want to take a mid day break which will cut into the time you can tour the parks.

If the trip is about the little ones, then 5 full days should be enough to do MK, Epcot, 2 shows at MGM and no AK. But you'd have to be ok with missing some things because of the young 'uns.

I wouldn't discount AK because you have a zoo in your hometown. AK is "nahtazu" (not a zoo - their slogan). It's way more than that. Investigate what the park has to offer before making a final decision.

 

[LegoMom3]

Well, as long as you're within your budget, IMHO you can't spend TOO much time at WDW!! LOL! I am planning a trip for May of '06, and what started out as "a week" is now up to 9 nights! I can't afford any more so that has to be it, but a week wasn't going to do it. We will be doing water parks, and we are also camping at FW and there is a ton to do even right there!
With young ones with you, you'll want to figure in time for afternoon naps or at least "down time." We were there in Sept. and the youngest was not quite 3, and we went back to the hotel every afternoon for a couple of hours to rest and/or use the pool. It did wonders for us in terms of getting a second wind and really enjoying the rest of the day in the parks.
I'm with you in re: to the parks - I'd do MK all day everyday if I could! I've never been to AK but for some reason I'm not chomping at the bit to go, either. I guess it's because in terms of rides, there's not much there that my middle and youngest can do. Epcot got a brief tour (they loved Spaceship Earth, oddly enough), but we didn't even attempt the countries. MGM, however, we all loved and I could give that equal billing with MK as far as allotting time.
If you're not doing any water parks then you don't have to factor that time in, so you may do just fine with 6 days! It depends on the stamina of everyone in your group and how much you hope to accomplish in a given day. My experience has always been, though, that no matter how well I plan, there's always something new or unexpected that comes up and eats up yet more time! Disney has that magical way of doing that.

 

[speedyf]

Anything is never enough....nothing is never enough either....is this turning out to be a thread about future James Bond movies or something?

I would opt for a longer stay if I were you. I don't have much Disney experience, but I know that the longer you stay...the less "rushed" you will feel to do things.

The tickets are really a non-factor. Since you are not going to water parks, you could purchase a 10-Day MYW ticket with Hopper (if you'd like) for only $3 more than a 7-Day MYW ticket with Hopper thru TicketMania.com. So, your park admission won't be much more per person...that's a non-factor.

If you downgrade from WL for 2 night to POR for say 4 nights...the difference will probably be a non-factor as well.

The only things that will be a factor is time....can you/spouse stay away from work for a few extra days? ....also, spending money....how much more will you spend in food per day for the extra days and can you afford that extra money in your vacation budget?

We went to WDW in 2004 for the 1st time in 10 years. We brought our 4 year old son. We had 5 days in the 4 major parks and 1 day at Typhoon Lagoon. Well, needless to say, we didn't get everything done that we wanted to do.

This June...we are going back for 8 Days and we are only visiting the 4 parks. I agree that Animal Kingdom is more than just a zoo. I wasn't too excited about going there as I'm not a big animal lover...but, some of the attractions were excellent. If you don't want to see the animals very much, skip the Kilimanjaro safari. I wasn't too excited about this ride and my 4 year old slept through it. Some of the attractions I enjoyed were:

Kali River Rapids (big tube going down simulated river rapids)
Lion King Show (this was probably the best show we watched anywhere)
Bug's Life (it was pretty fun..3-D type show)
Parade....(my 4 year old loves parades)

There are other rides he wants to try this time as he is now tall enough for Space Mountain and some of the other rides that we missed last year. Just maybe look into it a little more to see if they may have some attractions that interest you.

Good Luck with your decision....
speed

 

[john2u]

I agree, we can do MK all day everyday . But remember AK is not a zoo as fontaine said.

PS you might want to checkout when the MVMCP(Mickeys very merry christmas party) will be scheduled during your visit. This is something you do not want to miss. We went this year during the beginning of December and made plans for 2 MVMCP.

John

 

[glencoe]

I agree, we can do MK all day everyday . But remember AK is not a zoo as fontaine said.

PS you might want to checkout when the MVMCP(Mickeys very merry christmas party) will be scheduled during your visit. This is something you do not want to miss. We went this year during the beginning of December and made plans for 2 MVMCP.

John

Yep,,,,we are going real soon, and although we have 7 nights at the poly planned, my brilliant dh got 4 day hoppers for us . So.....even w/ that limited time (I feel like I will be running a sprint, I guess they don't call it the disney death march for nothing!) I just had to squeeze in a day at AK. I live near an amazing zoo , w/ a great gorilla exhibit as well. Can I say we don't go to see the animals? The shows are wonderful and camp Mickey (looking at the ages of your kids) is a great Character meet. I am planning a half day (well up to about 4 pm) there and doing Epcot showcase at night. I also have 2 full days at MK (thank god for magic hours! ) and a full day at epcot. I chose on this trip to maybe (see I can't commit to this) maybe dump MGM. Ewww I said it. I am whispering now....we are also doing a day at...sea world. We don't have anything like that at any of the aquariums by us! We also added one day to hang at the resort, no parks for a midweek break. Hey if your paying for a resort at least take a breather to enjoy it...right?
Good luck w/ your decision, like everyone says...is it ever enough?

 

[Dis2times]

Update Update! Just talked to my mom and dh. I think she's just plain sick of talking about it with me so she acquiesces to anything I suggest. Same with dh, lol. So we've added another night. Now I have to decide where we'll stay.

So it is a total of 7 nights, 6 days. That should give us plenty of time. We can afford the time off, but I'm not sure about the extra spending money. Still time to decide.

Thanks!

Lisa

 

[scarboroughmom]

I would consider these factors:

How soon are you likely to come back if you enjoy the trip?

How easily can you afford the extra days?

Do your husband and children enjoy hotels/restaurants?

We go every year, so having something to new to look foward to the next time is okay with us. I love being at the hotel and eating out, but my husband and sons have just "had enough" after about a week.

But I also feel that after you have spent all that time, effort, and money to get there, I want to stay for as long as I can.

The pools will be all the "water parks" your kids need at that age. IMHO, MVMCP is a major waste of time and money with kids that age. My kids are 7 and 9, and we still put them to bed fairly early, (by WDW standards), most nights. They simply have a better time when they are rested. After a full day in the parks, and some time in the pools, the kids, (and me), are pooped. Don't forget to pace yourselves so that you ALL have a good time.

 

[Dis2times]

Thanks. I've heard from a few people that MVMCP is a waste of time and money with kiddos as young as mine. I keep them to a strict bedtime and one of the reasons we like going that time of year is that we like getting them to bed early. If they stay up really late for one night, they are bears and it takes them a day or two to recover. My parents will be with us, as well as my two brothers and my sister, so I'm sure someone in our group will hit the Christmas party. We'll have to see.


Lisa

 

[FLORIDAFUNFAMILY]

re-think AK we just got back and it's nothing like any zoo The festival of the lion king show was worth the whole trip, not to mention everything else, you don't realize what your going to miss. Enjoy your trip