How Long is Too Long?

Many times I am asked how many days would I suggest to see and do everything Disney World has to offer.  The answer to this question has one quick answer and one that is more complex than this blog has time to answer.  The quick responses that you will never experience all of Disney World.  There will always be a restaurant, attraction or show that you didn't have time to get to, and will thus be saved for your return trip.  The long answer is that it truly depends on the kind of Disney vacation you are looking for.  

The One-Day/One-Park Vacationers

If your family wants to experience as much Disney magic as possible on your vacation, you will want to consider multiple days to spend within the parks, time to explore your resort and Downtown Disney.  For years, my family did a one-day/one-park trip, which was enough for us, since our vacation encompassed just Magic Kingdom and an off-site hotel.  We would add a day at Universal and/or Sea World, the occasional Gatorland and Space Coast visits along with a few night at the beach.  This works great for a week-long "Florida" trip, but clearly lacks focus.  If you knew my family, you would need no further explanation!  While we experienced many of the highlights of Florida tourism, we didn't have a true fulfilling Disney immersion with our one day.

Most of this is due to the fact that when we were making our annual trek to the Sunshine State, Disney had two parks, and my parents weren't convinced that EPCOT Center would ever live up to their expectations (nor could their pocketbooks take such a hit).  Nowadays with four theme parks, two water parks, four golf courses and 27 themed resorts, Disney World is a destination that deserves your undivided attention. Having said that, memories can be made with a one day/one park ticket - so don't count it out!  A full day at Magic Kingdom park is a great option for families with limited budgets, those who have limited time, as well as those who are hesitant to jump into Disney Destinations with both feet.

Multiple Day Vacationers    

For many families, a week-long Disney vacation is typical, while some opt for 3-5 days.  Each of these allows for multiple days within the theme parks and time to enjoy the resort.  A popular ticket option is a multiple day base ticket, which allows a visit to a specified park once per day.  Guests are permitted to come and go throughout the day within the specified park.  Many guests chose a 4-day base ticket which allows them to devote one day to each of the four theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

Other families choose to add the Park Hopper option, which allows guests to enter any number of the theme parks each day.  Adding the Park Hopper is a great way to create flexibility during your vacation.  Families with Park Hopper tickets can hop from park to park to experience various attractions throughout the day.  You could begin your day at Animal Kingdom and take in several attractions before heading to Epcot for a phenomenal lunch in the World Showcase, then head to Magic Kingdom for an evening of thrills and fireworks.

The Walt Disney Travel Company is no dummy when it comes to pricing.  Theme park tickets are reduced the more days that are purchased, the Dining Plan must be applied to each night of your stay, and Water Parks can be added on for the length of your ticket.  It is important to look at all the elements of ticket pricing before making your final decision.  

Disney World vacations are not "one size fits all."  Each family must choose a package that works best fits their vacation needs.  More time in the parks?  Water parks included? Downtime by the resort pool?  Shows at Downtown Disney/Disney Springs?  Character dining?  There are many things to factor!

The Dork's Plan

As our family has changed, our travel planning has also changed. For my family of 5, with young kids ages 7, 5, and 18 months, we typically stay 7 nights at a Disney resort (our most recent two have been at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, with our upcoming being at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa) with a 7-day Park Hopper ticket and the Disney Dining Plan.  We have found that this amount of time works best for us so we don't feel rushed.  It is enough time to see most of what we hope to see and do the majority of the things we hope to do without feeling disappointed for not getting to everything on our list - which will inevitably happen.     

What is your favorite way to experience Disney World?  Leave your comments below.  As always, speak with a Disney Destination Specialist for ways to get the most out of your Disney vacation.  

Dining at the World - Our Favorites

This is the time of year that my family develops our annual case of Disney Fever.  Call it holiday spirit, call it a change in the weather, but I know exactly what to attribute this Disney-inspired longing to.  

We are nearly 180 days out from our travel dates!

Historically speaking, this is the McDowell's sixth (or seventh) trip together and more than I can count as an individual.  Needless to say, we have experienced many of the dining experiences available within the Walt Disney World Resort.  Over the years our favorites have changed, and we have racked up some that we don't care to experience again for one reason or another.  Let me share some of our favorites in no particular order!

1900 Park Fare - Dinner 
We love to visit Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa any time to experience the ambiance of the Victoria Era of Florida.  Dining with Cinderella and her prince is an added bonus!  We are always treated like royalty from the characters (Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drisella, and occasionally Fairy Godmother - all subject to change).  The food is basic buffet fare, but  our experience has always found well cooked, hot food with decent service from cast members.  The number of characters rotating to the table keeps the kids engaged - and offers a great incentive for finishing their food!  
Our Best Memory: Cinderella plucked a 2-year-old mesmerized Maggie from her high chair, pulled her to the floor and into her princess lap for a snuggle session.  When the Prince arrived, Cinderella and Maggie were still gazing into each others eyes, when he decided to join them on the floor for more cuddles, ending with a Cinderella kiss - where we could not wash away the lipstick from Maggie's cheek!

Cinderella's Kiss!

Whispering Canyon Cafe
This spirited, rustic BBQ restaurant has gotten some mixed reviews on several message boards lately, but we still consider it one of our favorites.  We love the Canyon Skillet, which arrives family style to your table, and offers all-you-can-eat BBQ irk, ribs, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, and baked beans.  Cornbread completes the meal all within the wild atmosphere of the restaurant, which is adjacent to the Wilderness Lodge lobby.  Early on, we weren't as excited with the antics of the cast members - making a mockery of guests by placing napkin-hats on their heads, bringing pitchers of beverages to the table instead of the typical mason jar, screeching when folks ask for ketchup, and announcing celebrations, like birthdays to the patrons at the top of their lungs - however, the food won us! The truth is that anyplace that offers unlimited milkshakes will always win for us!
Our Best Memory: Our youngest was making a mess on the floor - as toddlers do - and our server brought a converted trash bag and tied it around her neck.  As it draped to the floor, we laughed hysterically at our child covered in the world's largest bib!

Maggie's Giant Bib

Unlimited Milkshakes!

Ohana
While this restaurant offers characters at breakfast, we typically spend our table service time at dinner, as to maximize our morning energy within the parks.  Ohana is located within Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and transports its guests to lands with volcanoes and seaside landscapes.  While you can no longer see Magic Kingdom from most areas of the restaurant, the food at this restaurant keeps us coming back!  We love the family style entrees served from large skewers, and friendly staff!  While I am not a huge meat eater, I love the atmosphere with ukulele playing, coconut races with the kids, and limbo and hula hoop contests.  
Our Best Memory: Everyone is treated like family, with the servers introducing themselves as Cousins.  This sparked our oldest to call everyone cousin for the rest of the trip.  

Ohana 

Garden Grill
This restaurant is often overlooked at Epcot's Future World.  Nestled within the Land pavilion, Garden Grill offers a few unique experiences that we absolutely love!  Offering another family-style meal, this restaurant rotates to display views of the Living with the Land attraction on the first floor below.  On this attraction, guests learn of Epcot's hydroponic gardens, and the research that is taking place on site.  It is from these gardens that much of the produce served at Garden Grill is harvested.  I love farm-to-table dining, and am amazed even more that it can take place within the Walt Disney World Resort!  Characters spend time at each table and include Farmer Mickey, Farmer Pluto, Chip and Dale.  The food here is always fresh, and includes salad, beef filet, turkey breast, stuffing, fish of the day, mashed potatoes and vegetables.  Garden Grill also offers a fantastic hidden Mickey in the foliage paintings on the wall!
Our Best Memory: Chip came to our table for photos and autographs and tried to strike up a conversation with me.  He was obviously trying to tell me something important, but I was having difficulty understanding what his hand gestures meant.  He grabbed my son's autograph book and wrote under his signature, "I saw you today in Adventureland!" We laughed for a long time after that!  How fun for the characters to recognize and remember us across theme parks! 


Wherever you decide to make your danced Dining Reservations, remember to take advice with a grain of salt.  Well meaning friends may try to deter you from a restaurant that your family may absolutely love!  Read the restaurant descriptions through official Disney websites and make your own decisions!  As always, a Disney Destination Specialist is a great resource when trying to weed through information!  Happy dining!