What Would a Pixie or Pirate Do?
My kids are 2 and 4 and we are considering a trip to Disney World in January next year. We've heard mixed ideas from others who've visited with young kids. How many days and nights should we plan our vacation for?
-Roberta Y.
WWAPD?
Caitlyn L:
I would say 6 nights 7 days, this way you can build in mid-day breaks and lots of down time for the little ones. This will give you plenty of time to see and do the things on your must do list!
Sarah H:
I have taken all of my kids to Disney when they turned 2 1/2. Both times we stayed for 5 nights and went to the park 5 days. That way we could visit all the parks once and got to spend two days at the Magic Kingdom. The biggest thing to remember about going with young kids is to go at their pace. You will not be able to do everything. You need to have a plan of a few essential things that must be done. Everyone will have more fun if you are not trying to squeeze too much into one trip. Plus you will miss some of the magic that you can experience with toddlers if you rush from one ride to another. Kids enjoy the little things like fountains, watching the parades, balloons, or whatever might catch their eye. I love going to Walt Disney World with little kids, it’s amazing watching them experience all the Magic!
Lisa R:
I think children ages 2 and 4 are the perfect ages! I mean really all ages are perfect. My 6 month old nephew loved his 1st Disney Cruise as much as his 3 year old sister did. The sites and the sounds and the magic. As for Disney World, your children will love it. There is so much to do that a 2 and a 4 year old would love. I would plan for at least a week. January is a slow time crowd wise so having 6 or 7 park days would be great. You can take your time and visit your favorite parks more then once. I suggest 2 days at Magic Kingdom, at least! I also recomend a double stroller. You can bring your own or rent one from an off site vendor for a great savings over Disney Stroller Rentals. Your DVP can help you come up with a touring plan to fit your family's needs!
Julie B:
I think it's great to take kids to WDW, it's such a magical experience for them! I have 2 little girls & started taking them from age 3. They really knew the characters & alot of the Disney movies by then, so it was quite an experience! Little kids do tire out alot more quickly than the bigger kids & adults - so staying on property in a Disney resort is a must!! It is nice to be able to take a 'midday' break & hop back to your resort, get some pool time or a nap in & head back to the parks in the evening for more rides & fireworks! Now that my girls are a bit older, 5 & 8 we typically do an 8 or 9 night stay. I would suggest maybe a 5 or 6 night stay since your kids are younger, for as 'magical' as WDW is, it can be a bit overwhelming, you just need to pace yourself & enjoy the magic:)
Laura L:
I have found conversations on traveling to WDW w/ toddlers and preschoolers can lead to strong opinions. From my own experience, it really isn't much different than going through your normal day to day activities, if you go about it with the understanding you can't and won't do it all in one trip. Going in January is a great time as it tends to have less crowds and the temps aren't so oppressive.
As for how long to plan for, you don't want to pack too much into a small amount of time but on the other hand, you don't want to make it a long drawn out trip. I have traveled with little ones as young as 3 months. My youngest is now 4 and we found 6 days/5 nights is a great stay. We always make sure to have a mid trip day off from the parks and always take breaks during the day. My kids always slept well in their strollers but a little down time in the room for everyone always helps.
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