5 days at Disneyland - in one chunk, or spread out?

[Smokering]

So I'm trying to arrange my itinerary for our trip to LA next March. We'll be going for two weeks; my sister will be joining us from London for one week, more or less in the middle. DH, 3-year-old DD, DSister and I will be getting Park Hopper tickets for 5 days; my London sister only wants to go to Disneyland for two days (partly so she can fit all our other activities in, but also because she's not really into Disneyland).

So... I need advice! Disneyland is definitely going to be the highlight of our trip; it's our primary reason for going. Once we spend the first day there, will we be immersed in the world and not want to leave? Or would we appreciate it more if we spaced it out, interspersing it with Universal Studios, SeaWorld and so on? I was thinking of possibly doing a 4-day chunk, then a gap and our last day the day before we leave. I also want to bear in mind that it'll be off-season, and if we spread out the days that might mean we can "beat" some quick ride refurbs. How likely is it that refurbs will last more than 5 days? And do they time them around weekends?

Thanks!

 

[DLR29]

Unfortunately, offseason ride refurbs are usually for several weeks. However, depending on when you go in March, it might not be "off season". Even still, there will probably be at least one thing down even during the most crowded Spring weeks.

Spacing out your days is nice just to have some breaks from the parks. While you're at the parks, you'll be getting tired with each day so by the 3rd or 4th you might be exhausted. By then you might be thinking about taking an "off day" or doing some other activity.

 

[SD33]

So I'm trying to arrange my itinerary for our trip to LA next March. We'll be going for two weeks; my sister will be joining us from London for one week, more or less in the middle. DH, 3-year-old DD, DSister and I will be getting Park Hopper tickets for 5 days; my London sister only wants to go to Disneyland for two days (partly so she can fit all our other activities in, but also because she's not really into Disneyland).

So... I need advice! Disneyland is definitely going to be the highlight of our trip; it's our primary reason for going. Once we spend the first day there, will we be immersed in the world and not want to leave? Or would we appreciate it more if we spaced it out, interspersing it with Universal Studios, SeaWorld and so on? I was thinking of possibly doing a 4-day chunk, then a gap and our last day the day before we leave. I also want to bear in mind that it'll be off-season, and if we spread out the days that might mean we can "beat" some quick ride refurbs. How likely is it that refurbs will last more than 5 days? And do they time them around weekends?

Thanks!

I like the way you think

I think spacing it out is fine, as long as you end on a high note...meaning, get back to Disneyland at the end of your trip. When my wife and I went a couple years ago we spaced it out over three days and did Knott's Berry Farm in between. We made sure we spaced our days out in order to beat ride closures and the crowds, similar to what you are trying to do. It worked great and Knott's was so bad that it made us appreciate Disney all the more. Universal Studios on the other hand is a fantastic park and is literally second only to Disney in my book. It's very clean these days, and they have some incredible talent designing their attractions.

We are going to DL again in September and will be doing 4 days. We plan on doing an evening, then a day, then going to Huntington Beach, then Disney for two more days. Gotta end with Disney.

As far as refurbishments in March go, who can really say? They don't always time them around weekends and many of them will last more than 5 days. It's hit and miss. I'm sure someone on this board will have much better information in regards to the refurbishment matter. Good luck with your trip!

 

[momtotwolittleones]

Space it out. It's tiring.

 

[skiingfast]

I would probably go 2 days then 3 at the end. Starting with 2 days will give you a good tast and leaving you wanting more.

With DD I think SW will be good, US not as much.

If you wait until the end with 1 more Disney day, you may not get all of those last minute things in, especially if that last day includes a big attraction that was in rehab before.

 

[lisalisalisa]

Hi there

We will be visiting Anaheim for 11 nights at the end of this month. We have decided to spilt our Disneyland visits. We have purchased 6 day hoppers. We are doing 3 days at the beginning, 2 days in the middle and then our last full day. I am hoping that this will work for us.
Lisa

 

[HydroGuy]

I think spacing things out will be a good idea. Yes, you will lose a little Disney momentum. But you can also take the emotions down a little in between days and work your schedule better around the refurbs and entertainment schedule.

If it was me I would book my hotels for Disney for the whole two weeks just to hold them and then when it gets closer and you see the refurb schedule and entertainment schedule you can choose which days you want to be at DLR for your family and which days for your sister. Then cancel the hotel days at DLR when you will not be there - unless you plan to stay near DLR the whole time and venture from there.

Based on the past it is likely you will not know the refurb or entertainment schedules until early or even mid-February. So you will not be able to make the optimal choice of park days until then. If you can be flexible for park days until then you can get the best of all worlds I believe.

And make sure to see World of Color! Wow!

Here are some links to grasp when you are choosing park days:

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens " http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

"List of American Holidays" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1937849

"Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

 

[Grog]

We've always spaced it out. It's nice to take a day and do something else, but it's also nice to be able to go back to Disney the day after

 

[WonkaKid]

I would probably go 2 days then 3 at the end. Starting with 2 days will give you a good tast and leaving you wanting more.

Seconded. I think this strategy is your best bet.

Enjoy!

Rob