• On Jan 27, 2020
    Heather from IN Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I'm trying to plan a vacation to Disney World for myself and my 5 year old. This is his first time going. I was wondering how long of a stay is good? What should I plan on doing? Any suggestions to make the trip better?

    Heather,

    Five is such a great age for a first trip! I am sure you will both love it!

    As you can imagine, the longer you can go, the better. But that is not always in everyone's financial budget or friendly to their work schedule. So let me suggest it in two ways;

    Option 1: The Ideal Trip
    With a little one, a trip can actually go on too long. So I would say that a schedule that allowed you a day each at EpcotDisney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and 2 days at the Magic Kingdom would be perfect. Even better if you had an added day for pool and relaxation time in the middle of it all. That would make it a 6 day trip, not including arrival and departure considerations. With some good direct flights from the Indianapolis International Airport, you could arrive early enough and depart late enough to keep the trip to just 6 days, with park visits on both those travel days. 

    Option 2: Controlled Magic Trip
    Those 6 to 8 day vacations don't always work out for us, so we sometimes will go with a shorter plan. We still fit in a no-park day, but we go to Epcot on our arrival day, and combine a half day at the Animal Kingdom with a half day at the Magic Kingdom. After another full day for the Magic Kingdom, and one for the Hollywood Studios on our departure day before an evening flight home, and we get it all done in 5 days.

    With your little guy, I would suggest you could even skip Epcot to get more time in at the Magic Kingdom, and amend your trip as follows;

    Arrival Day: Hollywood Studios 
    Day 2: Magic Kingdom
    Day 3:  Pool day
    Day 4: Magic Kingdom
    Departure Day: Animal Kingdom

    As for making the trip better, you are already taking him to Walt Disney World. That is special in itself. I would not worry too much about 'plussing up' the trip. But certainly a few fun meals, especially for dinner on your pool day, would be a great idea.

    Write this Hoosier back if you have more questions!

    Have a Magical Vacation!
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Meet the Panelist: Doug, Indiana

I am one of the Dads on the planDisney Panel, and I love to help parents plan their vacation, with a focus on showing them how it can be fun for them too. I am also here to help Dads plan some nice surprises for the Moms in their life (they deserve it!). Learn More About Doug

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