Both Parks in One Day?

[maggiesueb]

In 1955 I went to Disneyland when I was nine years old! I have not been back since, but I have been to WDW at least twenty times.
Question: Can two 60 somethings do both parks in one day, if we do not need to duplicate most of the rides/activities that we've participated in at WDW?
Many thanks,
Maggie

 

[skiingfast]

If you strickly don't repeat any rides that are in WDW than it is not hard. But only about 6 or 7 rides are true duplicates. Most have differences.

If you really want to see parks I would do two real full hard charging days or take 3.

 

[The Orchid]

I can't imagine doing both parks in a single day even if you avoid rides that are also at WDW.

 

[Sherry E]

I moved your thread to the main DL forum, where more folks will see it.

Yes, I think you can. What are your priorites in the park? If you want to get a really good feel for both parks - what I call a "highlight tour" - you can most definitely have a very full and fulfilling day!! You can skip things you have already done in WDW, and there will still be plenty to see and do. You may want to wander over to the GCH hotel and look at the beautiful decor (everything is walkable at DLR, unlike at WDW). You may want to window shop. You may want to take in a nice meal at Blue Bayou or Napa Rose. You can have a fantastic day doing a little bit at both parks!!

 

[Master Mason]

Sort of It depends on what you're looking for. For example, it would be IMO impossible to see the fireworks, Fantasmic, and World of Color in a single day.

Also as has been stated, many of the rides are in both WDW and DL but they are not the same. Also, if your busting through to get to all the rides, you'll miss all the little details that makes any disney park special.

If you honestly only have one day, then I would say take the day and do it up, but if you can add another, you'll most likely have a better time.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I think there are a lot of factors that affect the answer to this question. Are you going at a busy time of year like summer, weekend, holiday period or a not busy time like the first week of June or the first week of September or a day in January not MLK or New Year's? Do you have any special mobility or endurance issues or difficulties with particular types of weather? Do you ride everything or do you skip certain kinds of rides due to lack of interest or concerns for comfort?

My parents are 60-something and went to Disneyland by themselves for one weekday during the first week of June 2009. It was their first time since 1971. They have never visited WDW. They only did Disneyland. They felt they might have had a couple hours to have visited DCA but were not interested in spending the extra money and had felt they had walked enough since they were not used to so much walking in a day. They rode almost 20 rides but several were repeats of things they liked. They rode Indy but avoided other thrill rides. They watched the parade and the Billies. Fantasmic and fireworks were not running during their visit.

My in-laws, also 60-something, went with us 1 1/2 years ago for one day during spring break. They were determined to cram as much as they could into their one day even though one of them had a broken toe. We crossed back and forth between the parks all day. They rode many of the big rides including Space, Indy, Soarin', Screamin', and Tower. They avoided Splash and GRR since they didn't want to get wet. We easily did at least 20 rides and several shows as well as one sit-down meal, plus they took a 2-hour afternoon break. I believe they made it through fireworks. My in-laws had such a great time, they upgraded their one day tickets to annual passes. They were exhausted at the end though and said they took things much more slowly when they returned without us later in the year. Also, when they went with us last year for one day in October, the burning to desire to do everything seemed to have worn off. They hopped back and forth with us for a while but barely made it through four hours before calling it a day.

 

[mrswh]

How fun! I am sure it has changed quite a bit since your last visit!

I think you could sure try to cram in everything in one day, but if you can add another day or two, why not do that and take the time to enjoy it? Part of the fun of Disney is enjoying the ambiance, the people watching, noticing little details, stopping when you see something interesting that might take you of course, eating at the great restaurants and the fun, but not-so-great restaurants. Plus, if you are only there one day you will surely miss at least one of the fantastic nighttime shows.

If you only have one day, go for it, but IMO you will have so much more fun if you can add a few days on and enjoy!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

If you only have one day, go for it, but IMO you will have so much more fun if you can add a few days on and enjoy!

Want to second this! Although our relative have made the one-day visits I described, our family has never taken only a one-day trip. We love to take our time to take everything in, especially multiple quiet mornings and multiple nighttime shows.

 

[Hound 109]

Maggie, planning will help. You should try to:

- Avoid a MM day if you don't have MM....utilize MM if you do.
- Get to the security tent 35-40 min. before opening.
- Know Hydroguy's FP threads...how to collect them & how to use them.
- If you hit a roadblock, don't sweat it....move on.

My trip report in my signature link at the bottom of my post is an example of getting alot done in one day.


Also read HG's "Getting the Most out of FP on a crowded day (or in a crowded summer)" thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132


Have a great time at Walt's Park....you'll have a blast after all of these years.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

This *~*~*~* is how we spent 1 day at DLR in July of 2009.