do you take days off, or parks everyday?

[high_on_disney]

We’re going to have 7 full days (and a partial day on our departure day we will likely use for Downtown Disney). Would you take a day or two off, or hit the parks every day?



My kids (6&4) are not into water parks, so I had thought about PH instead of PH+, but if I go beyond 5 days I have to buy the PH+ so there is a non-linear adder to the cost. The last time we went (kids were 4&2) we hit the parks every day, but took some days light. I keep thinking we might enjoy a day off, but I’m not sure we won’t be sitting around the hotel thinking”lets hit the parks”



I hate having to buy PH+ when we don’t need the full features of it. What would you do? It’s either $881 for 5 days on a PH, or $1212 for 7 days of PH+. Of course enjoying the trip is most important, and this $300 isn’t going to kill the budget (but it helps); I just don’t want to buy more that we need; although I realize the tickets don’t expire.



What would you do?



Thanks,

Barry

[wdwgrandma]

If you are going to have your own transportation, you might just enjoy a day or two off to go exploring! When we go in June with our two DGDs, we bought them 5-day park hoppers (we have APs), but we will be there 7 days and will spend one day doing resort things - afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian, riding the monorail to each of the monorail resorts and checking them out, etc. We will probably also drive to some of the other resorts so the girls can see them!

And remember, there is also miniature golf and horseback riding.

[BevW]

We always take a day or two off. We call them rest days. Not so much rest as shopping and exploring.
We do the little boats at DTD, and spend the entire day at DTD, then we play PuttPutt at either Fantasia or WinterSummerland. Then there's always the resort touring...see how the other vacationers live.
There's always something to do on a day away from the parks!

[Eeyore1974]

If I were going for more than five full days (six nights only leaves you five days plus travel days) I would definitely take a day off in the middle to do something a little quieter. Full days in the parks are busy and you might enjoy a quieter day relaxing by the pool or doing some exploring like wdwgrandma suggested. We unfortunately, have never gone for longer than that, just seems that's the way it ends up (time off+money, plus travel days etc). One of these years I'm going to do the vacation of my dreams and stay 10-14 days and do it MY way. :wink: (that will probably be a really expensive one :lol:)

[high_on_disney]

Thanks for the great suggestions. unfortunently to take one day off still leaves me needing six days in the parks, thus upgrades me to PH+, which drives the cost up from $881 to $1105; maybe I'll just get the 7 day for $1212 and have a day for next trip....

Thanks,
Barry

[Davyandjoanne]

Hi, we are going in December for 14 days and have just taken the PH option as our kids arn't into the water parks eather. we have decided to take a couple of relaxing days off by the pool and then we are going to visit Sea World and travel to the kennedy space centre.
am looking around to see what ealse is available and i see plenty of advice on this site as to what is good.

Hope you have a great holiday no matter what you decide to do:D

[Greg]

Wow hard decision, and way too many factors. Running in the parks for 7 straight days with little ones (even without little ones) is hard. As others have said there other things to do around WDW even if you don't have your own transportation (not sure if you'll have a car or not). Also depending on what resort you stay at (again not sure if you're on the WDW property or not), there are a lot of things to do around each.

We have two older son's and always take a morning or afternoon off and just to relax and explore outside the parks. :yawn:

good luck :wink:

[Keith]

We don't plan that much but it always ends up that out of every week we spend at least a couple of days doing something else. Downtown disney, disneyquest, shopping at the mall etc.

We have annual passes so ok, it doesn't matter to us in quite the same way but still, time wise, we never do parks every single day.

[Whitequeen]

We do plan 'Free Days', but they seem to be as busy as the Park days!! :rolleyes:
I think it's important if you have kids with you! Cranky kids don't make for a good time!! :(

[Redkop]

we defo have rest days, so the kids can go to the pool, mrs redkop can max out my CC and me can sit by the pool and drink plenty of ice cold bud ice and not worry about driving anywhere :D ............heaven

[Chris/Lisa]

mmm we end up 'popping' into the parks most days and maybe having the odd 1/2 day off. mind you, we dont spend whole days in the parks anyway - usuallly back at the hotel by 6 or so - we arn't that bothered about going to the malls and if you dont drive there isn't much to explore

[ukwdwnut]

we normally do whole days at the parks till chucking out time, so we do a park or 2, then have a day off to go shopping(max 1-2 days during the holiday)or do a water park(we normally do four days at the Wp's) a couple of beach days (this year & first visit, clearwater & cocoa, might try elsewhere this year OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS THIS YEAR PEEPS) might have 1 day at the villa relaxing/playing with the kids by the pool. :)

mike

[Musicmixer]

:unsure: All this advise. Well here is my two cents worth. We are currently planning our next visit to WDW for nine days (& nights) at Wilderness Lodge. During these nine days we will be taking two days off from the parks so we can rest a bit and do some other things. We will be purchasing 7-day PH+ passes (9-2=7):D and possibly using one plus option on one of these nights @ PI. We plan to spend most or all of at least one of these days exploring the Boardwalk & the DTD area (Marketplace & West Side). The other will probably be spent resort hopping and or just relaxing at our resort. Hope this will be of some help to you guys. You can always take my DW's motto: don't just shop till you drop, continue to shop for at least an hour after you drop!!!:nono: Which ever way you decide to use your time enjoy yourself...

[Kevin]

We have alsways taken a few rest days especially when the kids were younger. It sounds like this is not going to be your last trip, so why not buy the plus pass, you can have a few rest days if you want and then use the passes when you next visit, or if you feel upto it hit the parks every day. If you do end up with unused days, it is really a good excuse to return.
Whatever you decide have a great time :tigbounce

[dcfromva]

high_on_disney,
We also enjoy taking days off. There is loads to do outside of the parks. There is Downtown Disney with lots of cool shops to look at, there is minature golfing and you could always spend some time at your resort or go resort hopping.
Another option would be to go to Universal Studios or Sea World for a day.

-DC :ears:

[Bambi]

This trip we took days off and it was really nice sleeping in and not getting up so early to hit the parks. We did Downtown Disney, went swimming and played minature golf and of course did laundry. The nights we were off from the parks we would eat at other resorts for dinner giving us the chance to take a peek inside the other resorts.

[tajainaz]

On our pamper ourselves, ladies only trip in August, 2003, we had UPH tickets as part of our Fairytale Package, which really was a bit of a waste. Neither of us was interested in the water parks or Pleasure Island, and the only day we had planned for DisneyQuest it rained all day, so we decided not to go there! However, they were extremely convenient.

Depending on your children's endurance levels, you're going to need to take breaks throughout the day, either in the parks or at your hotel/resort. So that will shorten your daily "park" hours by at least an hour or two. You know your children best, so plan accordingly. WDW is huge and involves a lot of walking inside the parks, so be prepared.

And with summer heat and humidity, arriving at the parks early is the best way to start the day. That is from someone who hasn't managed park opening yet! We flew in from the west coast, and by the time our internal clocks adjusted, it was almost time to go home (it's 3 hours earlier PDT). Besides, we had a good excuse--we were pampering ourselves!

If you like to relax and kick back, and your hotel/resort has the amenities you need for a day away from the parks (enough to keep your young ones from whining about going to the parks), five-day park hopper passes probably would suffice. Realistically, you'll probably find once you arrive that you wish had a pass for each full day of your visit. There's always something you didn't manage to do the previous day, or you may want to return to a park for the fireworks or parade.

Too many variables! What ever you decide, enjoy!


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[CoryChevalier]

I only take days off maybe to go to Universal :-) Other than that it's parks, waterslides and downtown disney everyday! hehe

[luvalab]

We usually just hang out at the resort the day we get there. Then do the parks the other days. This year even though we will be staying for 8 nights,I'm only getting 6 day tickets. I figured we don't go to the parks the day we get there or the day we leave, so why pay for it.

[high_on_disney]

Thanks for all the great advice! I think I'm going to just buy the 7 day PH+, and perhaps have some days left over for next trip. Even if we decide to go to the parks every day (taking some days as light days, of course), I'll have the "+" portion of the ticket left for next trip, when my kids may be of waterpark age.

Thanks again,
Barry

[dawnflower]

For our group there is 2 schools of thought, (1) Go at a nice slow enjoyable pace. We sleep in and get to the parks around 10, we leave around 2, come back around 4 and leave at closing, then we shop at DTD, or go to a resort and watch the electric water pagent from the beach or explore the Boardwalk. This means we use all 9 days in the parks.

Or option (2) we take the parks a little quicker, spend less time resting, get to the parks at opening. But we take full days away from the parks to sleep and swim and shop and explore. We always let the kids set the pace, and we know that hopper passes never expire so we are not worried if don't go all the days on the pass.

I guess looking at it, we either keep a slow/moderate pass from begining to end of vacation, or, we go fast, rest, go fast, rest.

Guess its just which one works for your group.

I don't think this was any help at all!! :D

[high_on_disney]

Hi Dawnflower,
Thanks for the thought, and it was a help. I think you characterized well the schools of thought I've been considering. We're going to take your approach and buy enough PH+ to cover all the days, and if we don't use a day or two, no problem; if we end up only spending four hours in a park one day, there is no reason to caluclate the cost per hour for that days admision!.

Thanks,
Barry

[BigThunder]

Ok, here's my thought on 7 full days. YOu will need at least 2 days MK, 1 day Epcot, 1 day MGM & 1 day AK. I think it's very doable in 5 days. Especially if you feel you will be back in a couple years. We have only done water park once in 9 visits. I don't want to pay for those features I will not be using either. And we absolutely ALWAYS take a day or two off. It depends on the amount of time we are staying. I dont' know where you are staying but I like to take a day & enjoy the resort. WDW resorts are so lovely & have so much to offer within them. My kids enjoy swimming, especially in their pools as they are all so themed! We will usually do a day off & swim & then hit DTD or go out to the outlet malls. Also fun is just checking out other resorts. Plan on hitting the monorail resorts. Research the dining ahead of time & plan it around lunchtime. Then you can take a break at one & grab a bite!

[robertchance]

Whenever I went to WDW it was always go go go for us. We always felt that we could rest when we returned home. The bottom line is to do what floats your boat and listen to your body if/when it tells you something.

[dj's mom]

We just got back last night from 10 days. We had 5 day PH+2. Our little ones are 3 and 5 also and it was alot of running. We also drove to the beach one day. It was our first time at WDW and though we had a wonderful time and took breaks in the afternoon, next time I would only plan a park every other day. The kids liked the hotel pool and WP the best! We went to Typhoon Lagoon twice and it is great for little ones - large play area, a really little slide just for them and plenty of shade.

[crow11ad]

This time we are probably going to rent a car. Simply because we are going from 12-4-04 - 12-10-04, and during this time the christmas decorations will be up. This will give us a chance to do the resort hop thing and see all the resorts so next time we will now where we might want to stay. Also, since we went 4-5-04 - 4-10-04 for our honeymoon, it was a rush job. We tried to get everything done that we could. We saw Wishes, Spectro, Illuminations, and Fantasmic. But as far as really any other shows, except Indiana Jones, we did not have the time to see them. I also wanted to go to Universal, because I wanted to go on the Jaws ride and some others, but we didn't get to do that. So hopefully being there for 7 days, we will be able to. If not that's more of a reason to plan another trip.

:mexwave: :hug: :five:

[ukwdwnut]

your body will tell you when you need a rest day believe me :D :D

[tajainaz]

Also, since we went 4-5-04 - 4-10-04 for our honeymoon, it was a rush job. We tried to get everything done that we could. We saw Wishes, Spectro, Illuminations, and Fantasmic. But as far as really any other shows, except Indiana Jones, we did not have the time to see them. I also wanted to go to Universal, because I wanted to go on the Jaws ride and some others, but we didn't get to do that. So hopefully being there for 7 days, we will be able to. If not that's more of a reason to plan another trip.

Believe it or not, you'll have just as much difficulty fitting everything you want to do into 7 days! But, as you said, it's a good reason to plan another trip!


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[ukwdwnut]

we could'nt fit no where near what we wanted to do into 14 days let alone 7 :lol: so when we got back from first trip the very next week we booked it up for the next one. even if you do fit it all in you'll still wanna go back time after time after time. although we've still got 2004's trip to do yet, we're planning 2006 trip already, which is for a wedding

[Kitten]

when I've been to Florida with my parents we had a few days off, a luxury we could afford on a 3 week holiday, somedays we just chilled by the pool, other days we went to Old Town in Kissimee, they have an old car ralley there every saturday night, which kept my dad amused while my mum, sister and I hit the rides and shops. Doing disney every day can be a bit tiresom, and some days you just need a day by the pool to recharge yours and the kids batterys so that you can hit disney full force the next day.

[candyman]

our way is to always buy an anual pass . we usually go for 2 weeks and we only visit disney we do not do the other parks.but although we usually vist wdw every day we usually split the day . if we are gonig to a nighttime show=parade =firworks then we visit one of the malls in th morning. or downtown disney later in the day if we do the parks in the morning . this year really is the holiday of a lifetime it is my new wifes first visitand as we have a disabled daughter , who sometimes has "off days" we are visiting for a whole month. this means if dd gets upset when we arrive at the park then we can just turn around and spend the day by the pool .we are staying in a private villa with a pool becuase she loves swimming but for the first week we are staying in carribean beach just so dw can see just how great it really is .
also to make it a real holiday of a life time we are traveling upper class wit hvirgin !!
i just cant wait

steve

[tajainaz]

we are staying in a private villa with a pool becuase she loves swimming but for the first week we are staying in carribean beach just so dw can see just how great it really is .
also to make it a real holiday of a life time we are traveling upper class wit hvirgin !!
i just cant wait

steve


Isn't it wonderful to be able to do something really nice for yourself and your family occasionally? Other than sometimes feeling overwhelmed (and don't we all at times!), I'm sure your DD will absolutely love WDW! As you said, you will have to adjust to her needs, but it's a trip all of you will remember!

After reading that you are traveling upper class to really make it a special holiday, I laughed when I realized our "pamper ourselves" trip in August 2003 included flying Southwest! Of course, our flight was only five hours, and with take-off scheduled at 6:30 a.m., the flight wasn't crowded, so cattle call boarding and no assigned seats weren't really a factor. My offbeat sense of humor just noticed: bargain flight, concierge level hotel, bargain flight! :lol:


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[jimfortk]

My offbeat sense of humor just noticed: bargain flight, concierge level hotel, bargain flight!
That's keeping your priorities in order

[candyman]

i did ask the price forthe grand floridean but nearly fell off my chair when they told me the price
we can only afford it because i sold my busisness a few years ago and i have decided to blow the proceeds after all thats what money if for
last time i was there with a different mrs candyman , i really thought i would never be able to afford to go again as thew business was not doing too well but life changes and wow i can go again !!!!
i never even concidered making a choice of econ flight and upgrade hotel mmmm should have thought of that BUT as i am a really big guy i think the thought of some one having to squash me in to a cattle class seat would keep the rest of the flight happy for hours but not so me !! just imagine those japanees rush hour trains where they hire people just to push extra people on to the trains and you have a mental picture of what it would be like .
lol

[tajainaz]

I agree, candyman! I think a cross-country trip in the U.S. is about my limit in cattle class, as well. And I'm relatively short!

We fly Southwest a lot because they have a hub in Phoenix and fly out of the airport my friend, Leu, uses as well. At least when we meet at our destination, we're in the same terminal--although frequently not on the same concourse!


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[candyman]

my big problem is not that i am 6 foot tall but it is that i am 330 lbs and big bums dont fit in cattle class seats !

hey i have just played a video tape from my last vsit in 2001
wow i feel like i am there

does anyone know the current parades it was share a dream +spectromagic(my favourite) and stars and there cars in mgm
are they still the same ?
are there any projected changes we dont go till mid november?
steve

[tajainaz]

does anyone know the current parades it was share a dream +spectromagic(my favourite) and stars and there cars in mgm
are they still the same ?
are there any projected changes we dont go till mid november?
steve

Here's a link to the information on parades (http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/parades.html) on this site.

I don't know when WDW begins to deck itself in it's holiday finery. SpectroMagaic remained the same during the holidays last year, but the Disney-MGM parade had a holiday theme when I was there in December.

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[red91wing]

i would hit the space center one day just to get relaxed and out of Disney or if you want to stay in Disney leave the kids with a resort baby sit center and hit Pleasure Island or just shop

[RJM_NJ]

If you stay at the Yatch or Beach Club they have a great pool to spend the day at instead of the park. You can even rent a boat or bikes, or just play on the beach for a while.