[ppe]

The best part of living in GA is we can go often for shorter trips.

Our longest......twice we have gone for a week.

We used to do 3 nights, two parks. Now we like to do 4 nights, two parks and one day to enjoy hotel. Heading to AKL next Sunday. The onsite hotels are so nice, why not enjoy one day.

The best part about going more often for fewer days, is we feel no pressure to DO IT ALL ! We know we will be back soon.

Never regretted it and while they are short and wish you weren't leaving........since we didn't break the bank or the time off schedule............we know we will be back soon. I don't think I could stand it if I went for a week and then couldn't go back for a year or more.

[jbtoursejg]

We used to go for 3 -5 days at a time for Halloween adn New Years. We had lots of fun. Sure we wish it was longer but as long as it doesn't take a couple of whole days just to travel.

[disneyguy]

OK I really want to throw my 2 cents into this one because we took a "quick" 4 day, three night trip to WDW back in February. We took the trip because we wanted to go on vacation and wanted to go back to WDW, and decided on a short trip because we just could not afford much more at the time. I would say that quick trips are fine! In February, that was my first "quick" trip and I learned how to tour during a short trip versus a longer trip. Your plans need to be VERY rigid, but be willing to change them. Have a PS for every dinner, and book anything else you want to do. Also, make a list of every attraction that are really and truly important to you. That last tip is if you want to go to multiple parks. If you want so more help or information feel free to PM me.

[KarenT]

We have gone on a few short trips to WDW. IMO it depends on the time of year you go. If it is during an off time and the parks are not crowded it is worth it. You get to do a lot and see a lot due to small crowds. We go to WDW the first weekend of December( after Thanksgiving) every year. The crowds are light so you basically can walk on rides with little to no wait. So we feel like we can do everything we want to do.

If it is a busy time of year you might feel like you did not have enough time to do what you wanted to do.


My advice would be decide in advance what you really want to do in each park. See those attractions/rides first. Then you will not feel like you missed anything.

Short trips are alot of fun... Spend the time on what you really want to do and have fun!

[MissDisney]

Hey Lisa... When we have only had a short time, some of the best moments have come just from BEING there... even if a line was too long to ride a ride. Like, hearing the Beatles band play at UK, or enjoying a glass of soda from a shady spot, just as a parade comes by! Or having a picnic by a great pool, or trying a new restaurant... Probably many DC folks have been to WDW so many times that there is just as much pleasure to be had now in trying new stuff or cherishing the little "atmosphere-ic" moments... I wish I really could go with your family!

[Dana]

The very first time I took my DD in 97, we only stayed for 4 nights at All Star's Music. I couldn't afford anyting else then. It was a magical, but hot trip anyway. I just recently worked my way up to 5 nights and six days. 6 days seems to be just enough for us. I wouldn't mind an extra day or so, but am perfectly content with 6 days. So to answer your question, no way are short trips a waste of time. 4 nights and five days isn't short to me. Go have fun!!!

[geeman]

Do it, do it, do it.
Just got back from a Star Wars Weekend. (Friday Night through Monday evening). Superb.
You know how when you stay a long time, it all feels like it went by too fast - well, imagine that feeling sort of in reverse.
I had a blast.
Only - don't overstress going to the parks. Get a nice resort and re--lax!

[lawwin]

When I was a little girl, we only took short trips to Disney. Those are some of my best memories. In fact, all of my memories of Disney are in those short trips. We lived in Ft. Lauderdale then, so we would pack up and spend a long weekend at Disney, usually a Fri., Sat., and come home on Sun. (if I was really lucky, it was a long weekend and a holiday and we didn't come home till Mon.) Granted, back then there was only MK, POLY, CR, and FW (we usually stayed at FW), but it didn't matter - I always hated to go home and still do. I didn't get my first long trip to Disney until Oct. 2003 and that was my DD's first trip ever (we don't live in FL anymore, and it's a lot further.)
If you live close enough to take a three or four day trip go for it and enjoy it. But, after seeing all the worlds and all the growth last year, I would have to say pick your parks carefully and structure your time wisely. That will be the key to getting the maximum benefit for the least amount of time, and I would have to say that it would also benefit you to stay on property (however, if you are AP holders you can maximize that benefit to the greatest potential in the resort department) Also make use of the E-ride nights at MK if they have one on the night you are going. The list is out and you can really get some serious ride time for not a lot of money and very low crowds.

Just my thoughts, hope they help!!

[RowdyRAider]

Well, I guess I should put in my 2 cents. Last time I went, it was for ONE day. Did Epcot, ALL OF IT, and busted over to MK and did MOST all of it. It was incredible to see all that had changed, but being on your toes didn't give it to me 100%. Grant it I was there for biz otherwise we'd have gone all out the next day, but to get the full effect of Disney World you definitely need a full week...or in my case, 8 months, which, holy cow, starts in 4 days and 9 hours. Starting to lose...patience...feeling...not...Goofy....must... think....happy....thoughts.... alright I'm good to go!

[nse1]

We've stayed 5 or 6 times for a "long" weekend....fly out Friday night and return Monday or Tuesday afternoon. We love it! We either do only our "favorites" or....do things we've never done before. Generally do this in November, January or February.

[BaaBeE9]

I just went for a day and had a great time!

[Pistoljerry]

My wife and I have taken many Friday thru Monday trips and like them just fine. I don't have to use up my vacation time so quickly and it breaks up the year going more often. We live in Indiana and we've had season passes so it makes it a little easier to go on short trips. The only thing we tend to do is have most everything planned well ahead of time for each park to make the most of each hour. We're there when they open and we're there when they close, that's my wife. We have no children with us so that makes a difference too. We look all year long for those few days when they have extra special airfare rates and we constently call the Disney hotels (we like Dixie) to get the best rates. Several times we've obtained better room rates even after booking the room already, they just make the adjustment and give us the better rate, you just have to be persistent. So I think short trips are great so long as you've already been there before. For anyone going the first time I really think a prolonged vacation would be a little better. Have fun!

[MickeyManic]

I am getting so much enjoyment out of everyone's posts. I did make reservations through Mouseketrips (who I think are WONDERFUL), our "important" priority seatings ('Ohana and Chef Mickeys), and am now going to be sitting on pins and needles watching our "countdown go down" every day.

Anyone else going down the second weekend of July?

[tinkerbell]

I think I wouldnt mind 4 nights ..but my DH says its not worth it to drive down there for less the 5 nights 6 days. I envy everyone close enough that can just go any dern time they want to :(

[MagicalMoments]

Originally Posted by Pistoljerry

My wife and I have taken many Friday thru Monday trips and like them just fine. We live in Indiana and we've had season passes so it makes it a little easier to go on short trips.

We live in IN also and have APs. I only wish we could take many short trips! Only thing is, we drive. And driving all day and night is hard to do. But I am trying to pull off a long weekend in Oct to get some more use out of our passes. If not Oct, March 2005 it will be!