Average Stay?

[disneegrl4eva]

Here is the link to Hydroguy's guide:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

ah this was what I was looking for...Hydroguys thread is a really good read...OP...DL is so very different from wdw and the way things are done plus it is soooooo much smaller than any of the parks at wdw...parkhopping is a given and you only have to walk across the esplanade to get to another park or go to DTD...its not like having to take a boat/monorail/bus to get to another park....most people do stay offsite as there are quite a few really great places just across the street with really good rates...sure its nice to stay on property but its not like how it is at wdw...food is another big issue...wdw has some AMAZING food whereas DL food is ok with a few things that are really good thrown in but the ADR thing at 180 days is not necessary...the only reason you would need to make an ADR is for sit down and character meals (and there are only 5 of them anyways..1 at each hotel and 1 at each park)...personally having not ever been to DL I think 4 days is well sufficient..5 days I think you are going to be over it but it can be doable...you will get to do everything you want in that amount of days for sure.....I usually go 3 days and I am fortunate enough to go often...so definitely read the thread and have fun planning

 

[SilentFeline]

I don't live incredibly far away (5-6 hour drive), but I only go to DLR once every 1.5-2.5 years, mostly because of expense (I really prefer to stay onsite). As a result, my visits are 5-6 days.

I would say that based on what I've read on here, people tend to stay 3-4 days on average, although with the addition of Cars Land I expect that number to climb a bit to 4-5 days. I think it really depends on how often you plan on going to DLR. If your next visit won't be for several years, you should at least consider going for 5 days.

Also, as mentioned several times already, read HydroGuy's threads.

 

[Vexorg]

I usually do 3 days when I go down, that seems like just about the right amount of time to me. More than that and I'll probably be too sore to want to do much after about the middle of the third day, and less than that doesn't feel like quite enough time. It helps that I'm only about 2 hours away by air.

Now if you asked me about Disney World, I don't think I'd go for less than a full week if I went there again. The last (only so far) time I was there it was for four days, and even though I completely skipped Animal Kingdom it still felt like I had to rush to see the other three parks.

 

[HydroGuy]

Sorry for being picky, but it was not clear to me whether the poll wanted to know what the average stay actually is for all visitors, how many days we usually stay, or how many days are needed on average to have a solid DLR visit.

Since DLR is dominated by day trippers the average stay is 1 day.

We usually stay about 3 days.

A person who wants a solid DLR visit should plan 4-5 days.

 

[DisneytheKid]

As of right now (this will probably be our last pre-kids trip) it is just my wife and I so we can usually quickly navigate the crowds to enjoy everything is 3 days. I imagine that once we have kids, we'll probably go for a slightly longer time frame to accomodate naps and the like

 

[disneychrista]

We drive from 9 hours North. The last couple trips we left at 4am arrived by 1pm and went straight to the parks. Then spent 2 full days. We have AP's right now, so I don't mind only going for a half day.

If I had park hoppers I would go for 3 full days. We would leave a bit later (6am) Spending the arrival day hanging out at the hotel or in DTD.

 

[sammons70]

I am a veteran Disneyland visitor. Been there several times since I was a toddler in 1973. It has grown a bit over the years. Had the opportunity to visit the World in 2006, and just loved it. Since you are a Disney World veteran, you surely know how to navigate a park, and make your time count. DL being a 2 park resort, you can see it thorughly, and repeat some favorite attractions in a 3 day visit. I have done this even in summer months. May should be pretty manageable. If you have children, or really like to take things leisurely (leaving the park mid day for a nap) I would recommend 5 days.
Lodging is very different in Disneyland. There are 3 resort hotels, unlike there World where I seem to recall them numbering up in the teens. I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel as a child, but have utilized the Good Neighbor Hotels on my last several visits. They are comfortable and convenient. You can purchase an ART pass (Anaheim Resort Transit) for transportation to and from the parks. The main selling point for me is the price difference. I purchased my hotel and tickets ala carte for a visit next week. The total for those 2 items is $750 (2 people). It would cost me $1,750. for a package at Disney's Grand Californian.
In terms of food, we enjoyed the character dining at Chef Goofy's in the Disneyland hotel on our last visit. Most of the food at DL is counter service style. In my opinion, DL fails in comparison to the World in the area of food big time. My experiences at Disneyland dining are not nearly as memorable or enjoyable as they are from the World. I will say there is enough of a variety in the entire resort that you should be able to find something that you enjoy, but the variety that you have in the World isn't there. HOB and ESPN in Down Town Disney are nice breaks from the hustle and crowds of the parks. The coolest thing about the Land vs. The World is hopping capability. The 2 parks and DTD are all adjoined by the same ticketing plaza, and are within walking distance of each other. No transportation from park to park is needed.
I hope my perspective was helpful. Have fun.

 

[Karenann*]

My family travels from WA state. We go for the longest ticket we can get and sometimes add days on. 8 park days in 2006, 6 days in 2009,2010 and 2011 adding one day extra in 2011.

Some trips we add on a day for SeaWorld or Knotts.

Even with 8 days in May and low crowds, we didn't feel like it was too much!

 

[AryaForQueen]

We stay normally for seven to eight days. We live quite a long way away so it's preferrable to stay one trip for longer (as opposed to living closer and making a couple mini-trips). It's definately best if you plan on fitting in as much possible in one trip,,, which i believe most people do. Lol.

 

[nana50]

We always do 2 days only. I drive up from San Diego early in the morning. Hit the parks all day. Go back to whatever hotel swim, rest and eat at DTD. Next morning we hit the parks again and go home after dinner. Since we go up about 2 to 3 times a year it works for us.

 

[KCmike]

This WDW vet who turned to a DL convert says go at least 5 days. If you can swing it mix in a San Diego combo and stay longer. Hotel Del Coronado, Sea World, San Diego Zoo are all must sees in San Diego. We prefer Disneyland over WDW and love California so much more to Florida.

 

[CamoMama]

I drive down from Northern California, about an 8-10 hour drive depending on traffic and whether we stop for a sit down lunch or just drive through. When I go with the family we stay 6 nights, 5 days in the parks. When I went by myself I stayed for 3 days, but I think if I do that again I'd stay the full 5.

This year I'm doing several trips, but still want 5 days each time. I love being able to relax and not try to cram everything I want to do into justa couple of days.

 

[TwingleMum]

I would say it really depends on a few things ~ 1. where are you coming from?? if like me you are coming from the East Coast then I'd say 5 day minimum. This summer we are staying 14 days. But 3-4 days will be sighting seeing elsewhere. With the recent addition of CL I would add an extra day at least to what ever you originally intended. 2. Do you have kids?? How old are they?? The younger they are the more you will need to slow down so add days for that.

Where WDW vets like us are used to the commando pace of WDW, DL is meant to be savored like a fine wine. We went the first time 3 years ago and I can't tell you the overwhelming feeling that this was Walt's place. Walt walked these lands and Walt rode this ride and built this attraction. It was awesome. So take some time and just drink in the atmosphere and appreciate where you are and the legacy that you are experiencing. Last trip we spent 7 days in the parks and I could have stayed longer no problem.

 

[KCmike]

I would say it really depends on a few things ~ 1. where are you coming from?? if like me you are coming from the East Coast then I'd say 5 day minimum. This summer we are staying 14 days. But 3-4 days will be sighting seeing elsewhere. With the recent addition of CL I would add an extra day at least to what ever you originally intended. 2. Do you have kids?? How old are they?? The younger they are the more you will need to slow down so add days for that.

Where WDW vets like us are used to the commando pace of WDW, DL is meant to be savored like a fine wine. We went the first time 3 years ago and I can't tell you the overwhelming feeling that this was Walt's place. Walt walked these lands and Walt rode this ride and built this attraction. It was awesome. So take some time and just drink in the atmosphere and appreciate where you are and the legacy that you are experiencing. Last trip we spent 7 days in the parks and I could have stayed longer no problem.

You completely nailed this. The overwhelming feeling of it being Walt's park is unmistakable. The nostalgia is thick and so welcoming. This WDW vet completely fell in love with DL. It is now my home park. Thank you Walt.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I really like going for 3 days. 4 just sort of wears me out but is doable--and 5 is too much Disneylanding for me.

We just got back from a 4 day trip (4 solid days in the parks), and by the night of the 3rd day I felt like I was done. It really is a working vacation in many ways--especially in the full heat of the summer when the parks are open till 11:00 or 12:00. We always take a mid-day break and that helps.

 

[disneychrista]

I really like going for 3 days. 4 just sort of wears me out but is doable--and 5 is too much Disneylanding for me.

I agree. 2 days is too little,4 days is too much. 3 days is perfect.

2 full days plus 1 half day is good too.

Our big trip this summer is 4 full days plus 1 half day but I figure that most days we will take 4 -6 hours mid-day to do other things. So hopefully it won't be Disney overload.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I agree. 2 days is too little,4 days is too much. 3 days is perfect.

2 full days plus 1 half day is good too.

Our big trip this summer is 4 full days plus 1 half day but I figure that most days we will take 4 -6 hours mid-day to do other things. So hopefully it won't be Disney overload.

Wow, I didn't know there was such a thing as Disney overload! When it was just DL we found 3 days to be just right. But for us, those days are long gone. I guess the only way to know what's right for your family is to try it yourself. Then you'll either say it was too much or you should add more days next time. Everyone seems to have different levels.

 

[Pesky]

I would say it really depends on a few things ~ 1. where are you coming from?? if like me you are coming from the East Coast then I'd say 5 day minimum. This summer we are staying 14 days. But 3-4 days will be sighting seeing elsewhere. With the recent addition of CL I would add an extra day at least to what ever you originally intended. 2. Do you have kids?? How old are they?? The younger they are the more you will need to slow down so add days for that.

Where WDW vets like us are used to the commando pace of WDW, DL is meant to be savored like a fine wine. We went the first time 3 years ago and I can't tell you the overwhelming feeling that this was Walt's place. Walt walked these lands and Walt rode this ride and built this attraction. It was awesome. So take some time and just drink in the atmosphere and appreciate where you are and the legacy that you are experiencing. Last trip we spent 7 days in the parks and I could have stayed longer no problem.

Agree with this whole-heartedly. While it has been many years since I have been back to DLR, there are a lot of nooks and crannies to explore. I could easily spend half my day simply poking around all the stores on Main Street! Add in the shows, parades, F!, WoC, tours you might want to take -- well, it adds up. I also agree that with or without small kids adds up too. If you want to commando the place, forget most shows, tours, etc., I'd say 2-3 days. Want to add shows or tours? Add another day. Small kids? easily 4-5.

ADRs -- some yes, but you can only book about 30 days out. So sit on your hands until then.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Agree with this whole-heartedly. While it has been many years since I have been back to DLR, there are a lot of nooks and crannies to explore. I could easily spend half my day simply poking around all the stores on Main Street! Add in the shows, parades, F!, WoC, tours you might want to take -- well, it adds up. I also agree that with or without small kids adds up too. If you want to commando the place, forget most shows, tours, etc., I'd say 2-3 days. Want to add shows or tours? Add another day. Small kids? easily 4-5.

ADRs -- some yes, but you can only book about 30 days out. So sit on your hands until then.

You can book them 60 days out. Blue Bayou is one you should do right away especially this summer if you want to go. I booked Carthay Circle at 60 days just in case since it is new. I still need to do Cafe Orleans but don't expect that one to be full.

 

[disneymom0104]

We drive from CO. We stay for 7 days, with 6 in the parks Our trips are only every 14-15 months or so.