5 days at Disneyland?

[mjl1969]

Haven't been to DL since I was 5 years old, now almost 4 decades , a wife , and 2 kids later really itching to go. For background our 2 girls are 7 and 5 years old and have been to WDW every year since our first was born. We love it but I'm thinking DL would be nice way to switch things up. The concern is spending all of that energy in getting there and back from the east coast for 2 parks, DTD, and 3 resorts to tour compared to 6 parks , hundreds o restaurants at WDW. I don't need to be sold because the nostalgia alone for me is a no brainer. Not sure about the family though

Thinking 5 days in mid January at DL and another couple of days in Las Vegas (most flight options go here) would make a nice trip. For those that come from east coast, were you able to fill up 5 days at Disneyland and if so what did your agenda look like? If not what would be other fun ways for a family with young kids to fill the time using Disneyland hotel as a home base, we would have a rental car. Kids too young for thrill rides. Thanks !

 

[krispin41]

My husband and I did a 6 day at DL when they still offered that pass. And our last trip was 5 days with a 6th day at Universal. I like more days because it allows you to take your time. Shorter trips I feel I have to spend open to close in the park. I spend more time at the pool, etc. with more days.

 

[krispin41]

Also, I would really suggest you read the WDW guide to DL. Very helpful.

 

[mjl1969]

Also, I would really suggest you read the WDW guide to DL. Very helpful.

Thanks can this be found online?

 

[mummabear]

We basically alternate between DLR and WDW. You can easily fill 5 days at DLR. You need to remember there is as many attractions at the 2 parks as there is at WDWs 4. No watermarks though and less resort stuff like the mini putt and campfires etc.
LA can also be a fun couple of extra days if your girls haven't been before-enjoy.

 

[GrandBob]

Thanks can this be found online?

A DLR Guide for WDW Vets by Hydroguy

 

[rtfelt]

Most people think WDW has so much more to do than DLR. While this is certainly the case for TS meals, like PP said DLR has only 10% fewer attractions (that's attractions not rides) in 2 parks as WDW has in 4. Everything is just more compact at DLR. You will have enough to fill 5 days. The CS options at DLR are also a lot better.

 

[tiffjoy]

We actually do the opposite of most people. We spend 4-5 days on our DLR trips. Our WDW are typically 3 days simply because of our reasons for visiting FL (to see family). I always find it interesting because while people can't believe we only spend 3 days at WDW, they would think this time would be sufficient for DLR. Really, both parks offer an awful lot to see. We enjoy more than just the rides at both places, so we never do everything there is to do in one trip. Even on a 5 day trip to DLR, there are things we miss.

As others mentioned, DLR is only two parks in a smaller space, but they use that space wisely and have just as many attractions as WDW does in 4 parks.

I was going to just suggest that you might also consider a drive up the coast to San Francisco as an alternative to Las Vegas. It's a beautiful trip, and we have the Walt Disney Museum here.

 

[rramstad]

When they offered six day park hoppers we bought those and found that length pretty much perfect... by the end of the visit we'd be ready to spend time at the pool and felt that we had done everything. Five days now seems fine but it's harder to fit in everything we want to do.

YMMV but DLR has enough for five days, for sure, especially if you are either A) going when the hours are short or B) taking afternoon breaks for the pool, big lunch, nap.

 

[jemmi]

My husband and I recently got back from our first trip at Disneyland. We bought a 4 day ticket and got the 5th day free so really didn't plan on using it. We actually had plans to go to Universal that 5th day. After our 1st day in the parks we decided to use all 5 days. The parks are smaller but they are packed with stuff to do. It was nice to take our time and soak it all in over 5 days. We didn't feel rushed and were able to take breaks and take our time at meals.

5 days allowed us to do our favorite things a couple of times, we rode radiator racers 3 times and toy story mania 5 times! We also saw the parades, stopped to watch the great shows and saw world of color three times. I enjoyed the shorter park hours, they allowed us to soak in the hot tub almost every night. We're hoping to go back next year and I'll get 5 day tickets again, its the way to go!

 

[mjl1969]

My husband and I recently got back from our first trip at Disneyland. We bought a 4 day ticket and got the 5th day free so really didn't plan on using it. We actually had plans to go to Universal that 5th day. After our 1st day in the parks we decided to use all 5 days. The parks are smaller but they are packed with stuff to do. It was nice to take our time and soak it all in over 5 days. We didn't feel rushed and were able to take breaks and take our time at meals. 5 days allowed us to do our favorite things a couple of times, we rode radiator racers 3 times and toy story mania 5 times! We also saw the parades, stopped to watch the great shows and saw world of color three times. I enjoyed the shorter park hours, they allowed us to soak in the hot tub almost every night. We're hoping to go back next year and I'll get 5 day tickets again, its the way to go!

Sounds great where did you stay? Thanks everyone else for replies as well

 

[Tommy_B]

Orange County and LA are about a lot more than theme parks. Who would ever vacation in Orlando if TWDC had never built WDW?

Having said that SoCal is about more than theme parks, you do have Knott's Berry Farm that is worth a day and then San Diego with SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo.

I'd drop the idea of Las Vegas and do 4 days in Orange County for Disney/Knott's and two days at least in San Diego, maybe three if you add Legoland too.

 

[Nonsuch]

...Thinking 5 days in mid January at DL...

Mid January will have low crowds, but both HM and IASM will be down for the removal of their holiday overlays. Visiting the first weekend of January will avoid the shutdowns and all the holiday decorations will still be up

 

[mjl1969]

Orange County and LA are about a lot more than theme parks. Who would ever vacation in Orlando if TWDC had never built WDW? Having said that SoCal is about more than theme parks, you do have Knott's Berry Farm that is worth a day and then San Diego with SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo. I'd drop the idea of Las Vegas and do 4 days in Orange County for Disney/Knott's and two days at least in San Diego, maybe three if you add Legoland too.

Knotts berry farm w 2 young girls?? Totally with you on San Diego but doesn't appear that I can get direct flights on JetBlue or Southwest Airlines from Newark or Philadelphia to any LA or Sam Diego airport hence the Vegas idea and drive 4 hours to Anaheim

 

[pharmama]

Knotts berry farm w 2 young girls?? Totally with you on San Diego but doesn't appear that I can get direct flights on JetBlue or Southwest Airlines from Newark or Philadelphia to any LA or Sam Diego airport hence the Vegas idea and drive 4 hours to Anaheim

Before I'd fly to vegas just to drive to the LA area is look at other airlines. VirginAmerica looks like they have 3 non stops a day from Newark to LAX.

Vegas is great but San Diego, LA etc so much better for kids...

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mjl1969]

Before I'd fly to vegas just to drive to the LA area is look at other airlines. VirginAmerica looks like they have 3 non stops a day from Newark to LAX. Vegas is great but San Diego, LA etc so much better for kids... Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Will keep that as option but reason I want JB and SW is I have lots of FF Miles with them , plus isn't driving around LA & SD gridlock?

 

[Tommy_B]

Knotts berry farm w 2 young girls?? Totally with you on San Diego but doesn't appear that I can get direct flights on JetBlue or Southwest Airlines from Newark or Philadelphia to any LA or Sam Diego airport hence the Vegas idea and drive 4 hours to Anaheim

Hmmm, no to Knott's with Camp Snoopy, but yes to Las Vegas?

I also think a connecting flight tp SNA or SAN with an hour or two layover is better than a 4 to 5 hour drive through the desert.

 

[mjl1969]

Hmmm, no to Knott's with Camp Snoopy, but yes to Las Vegas? I also think a connecting flight tp SNA or SAN with an hour or two layover is better than a 4 to 5 hour drive through the desert.

You might be right about the drive but the desert is so foreign to people in the northeast it might be kind o cool , definitely better than sitting in an airport or battling SoCal traffic, you definitely have me thinking though

 

[lovebug33]

I'm live in Vegas. There isn't much to do here for kids. I would much rather take my kids to knots berry farm or San Diego before I visited Vegas.

 

[tiffjoy]

Will keep that as option but reason I want JB and SW is I have lots of FF Miles with them , plus isn't driving around LA & SD gridlock?

Driving in LA can be challenging, but SD isn't that bad. And all you have to do is time it. It's a very quick drive from Anaheim to SD- we have done it many times. Just leave after rush hour.

Here's how we handle it when we go from Anaheim to SD:

Get up in the morning, get ready
Pack up the everything
Load the car
Head over to a character breakfast at Surf's Up (our favorite, but there is also Goofy's Kitchen and Storyteller's) around 10ish at the Paradise Pier Hotel
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and play with the characters
Go to WOD and let our kids pick a souvenir each
If we stay long enough, we grab lunch at EOS (our girls rarely eat much at character meals)
Be headed out of Anaheim no later than 2:00 (on a weekday)
Be in SD by 4:00ish

Easy. SD is great with kids, although LV actually does have a lot to offer kids as well, which is something a lot of people don't realize. Still, if I was coming out to DLR, I would go to SD, stay in LA, or drive to SF. Your kids will absolutely love the SD beaches.