basic question...

[Newliskeardfamily]

Is one day enough for each of the 2 parks? If we do a third day, which park would best justify a second day?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is one day enough for each of the 2 parks? If we do a third day, which park would best justify a second day?

Depends on how much you want to do/see. For me - 2 days minimum at DL, and at least 1 1/2 days at DCA.

That's if you don't want to feel like you're rushing around, trying to cram every little thing into a small amount of time.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Is one day enough for each of the 2 parks?

Not even close

 

[mamapenguin]

If you can only do a 3 day single park ticket then DL gets a second day. I would really recommend parkhoppers if at all possible. 2 days is not enough, but it is better than nothing and I would be grateful just to be there.

 

[Newliskeardfamily]

Depends on how much you want to do/see. For me - 2 days minimum at DL, and at least 1 1/2 days at DCA.

That's if you don't want to feel like you're rushing around, trying to cram every little thing into a small amount of time.

Thanks for the info! Any tips on which hotel?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks for the info! Any tips on which hotel?

Not really, I live in the area

 

[Newliskeardfamily]

fair enough. As a local, would you recommend the Aquarium of the Pacific?

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, one day in each park isn't really enough time. I do think you can usually hit many/some of the "highlights" in one day (although, it depends on when you're going), but you'll have to prioritize which attractions, shows, characters, foods, etc. that you want to experience. You'll need to make good use of FPs and you might want to look into dining show packages (if available and if you're interested in seeing that show). I would also go to DL for the third day, if you are getting one park per day tickets (I would seriously consider hoppers for flexibility...especially if the two parks have different operating hours - DL is often open an hour or two later than DCA).

In terms of hotels, what's your budget? For walking distance venues, I liked the Courtyard by Marriot Theme Park entrance. It's on the pricier side, but the rooms are nice and it has a pretty good water park/play area. Otherwise, my family usually stays at the BWPPI due to its location. It's a motel and there isn't anything really special about it, but it has one of the shortest walks to the parks and the rooms have been fine.

 

[Newliskeardfamily]

If you can only do a 3 day single park ticket then DL gets a second day. I would really recommend parkhoppers if at all possible. 2 days is not enough, but it is better than nothing and I would be grateful just to be there.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Newliskeardfamily]

As others have said, one day in each park isn't really enough time. I do think you can usually hit many/some of the "highlights" in one day (although, it depends on when you're going), but you'll have to prioritize which attractions, shows, characters, foods, etc. that you want to experience. You'll need to make good use of FPs and you might want to look into dining show packages (if available and if you're interested in seeing that show). I would also go to DL for the third day, if you are getting one park per day tickets (I would seriously consider hoppers for flexibility...especially if the two parks have different operating hours - DL is often open an hour or two later than DCA).

In terms of hotels, what's your budget? For walking distance venues, I liked the Courtyard by Marriot Theme Park entrance. It's on the pricier side, but the rooms are nice and it has a pretty good water park/play area. Otherwise, my family usually stays at the BWPPI due to its location. It's a motel and there isn't anything really special about it, but it has one of the shortest walks to the parks and the rooms have been fine.

Thanks for the feedback. Have been to DW a few times. Will be the first for DL

 

[lalasmama]

Is one day enough for each of the 2 parks? If we do a third day, which park would best justify a second day?

Thanks for the info! Any tips on which hotel?

My family is a 3-day park hopper minimum. The two parks are just so close that they are really more two parts of a whole, with different entry gates. We like to be able to run back and forth. If a park hopper can't be done, then we would do 2 days in DL and 1 day in DCA.

Regarding hotels, we much prefer the motels across the street on Harbor. I see that you have like 90 posts, so I'm assuming maybe you are a WDW person. I know at WDW, staying onsite is almost expected. At DLR, though, 2 of the 3 onsite hotels are actually further away than several of the motels on Harbor. Our family's favorite is Park Vue Inn. They are the closest motel to the pedestrian entrance (the crosswalk is in front of the restaurant at the front of the motel). Rooms were recently renovated (like 2012-2013). Lots of different room configurations (we've staying in the jacuzzi suite, 2Q room, and the 3Q suite). Rooms are usually $150-250/night; it's cheaper if you call to book a room with them. I can post pictures if you want to see them

 

[Newliskeardfamily]

My family is a 3-day park hopper minimum. The two parks are just so close that they are really more two parts of a whole, with different entry gates. We like to be able to run back and forth. If a park hopper can't be done, then we would do 2 days in DL and 1 day in DCA.

Regarding hotels, we much prefer the motels across the street on Harbor. I see that you have like 90 posts, so I'm assuming maybe you are a WDW person. I know at WDW, staying onsite is almost expected. At DLR, though, 2 of the 3 onsite hotels are actually further away than several of the motels on Harbor. Our family's favorite is Park Vue Inn. They are the closest motel to the pedestrian entrance (the crosswalk is in front of the restaurant at the front of the motel). Rooms were recently renovated (like 2012-2013). Lots of different room configurations (we've staying in the jacuzzi suite, 2Q room, and the 3Q suite). Rooms are usually $150-250/night; it's cheaper if you call to book a room with them. I can post pictures if you want to see them

That would be wonderful! thanks

 

[ParkHopper1]

Check out this thread for new Hotel option:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-new-hotel-choice-is-about-to-open-country-inn-suites.3566569/

 

[lalasmama]

That would be wonderful! thanks

Ugh! Tried to hop onto photobucket to post the pictures, and photobucket isn't working. Let me find links

http://disboards.com/threads/park-vue-inn-or-desert-inn.3497791/#post-55465984

Here's a start to the pictures. I'll keep looking for the other thread with more pictures!

 

[SMD]

With a good plan you can go a lot in DL in one day. Everything? Probably not. DCA can be a one day park, but it really depends on what you want to do. Frozen eats up a lot of time, and WOC will usually end your night. I wouldn't plan on doing all the rides in Bug's Land and the Pier area (swings, zephyr, jellyfish), but you can still hit the highlights and do some from both.

 

[Newliskeardfamily]

With a good plan you can go a lot in DL in one day. Everything? Probably not. DCA can be a one day park, but it really depends on what you want to do. Frozen eats up a lot of time, and WOC will usually end your night. I wouldn't plan on doing all the rides in Bug's Land and the Pier area (swings, zephyr, jellyfish), but you can still hit the highlights and do some from both.

thanks for the feedback!

 

[lalasmama]

http://disboards.com/threads/post-p...pi-di-s-cci-etc.1745747/page-35#post-49826925
Here's some more

 

[cruisehopeful]

As a local, would you recommend the Aquarium of the Pacific?

It's a great Aquarium and has a lot of different areas. It would be easy to miss something, so be sure to pay attention. We thought we went through the entire thing and then asked where the sea dragons were (since we never saw them) and found out there was another area that we completely overlooked.
Yes, I recommend it. It will take longer to get through than what you expect. There are lots of restaurants outside within walking distance. They sell snack type stuff inside the aquarium.

 

[goooof1]

We have found that 4 days of park hopping is still NOT enough time to do/see everything! Now, we are liking a more relaxed, flexible pace!

 

[bumbershoot]

We have found that 4 days of park hopping is still NOT enough time to do/see everything! Now, we are liking a more relaxed, flexible pace!

We once had an 8 day stay. Wasn't enough.