Can we do DL and CA in 2 days?

[luvsgrumpy]

If I am going to do it, I want to make it a nice trip. Anyway, it will be my mom, me, DS13, DS10, DD6, and maybe 2-4 other adults (relatives). Deep down i think trying to do both parks in 2 days will drive me insane but I love the thought of going. What I am trying to decide, is if it is worth the money to do it in two days or should I figure 3 days or none? The first day would be a full day and the second would be until after dinner time or so (or whenever necessary to avoid the freeway traffic back to LA) We have been to WDW and DD got to meet all the princesses etc so I won't be too concerned with that aspect. I do tend to plan everything out and do lots of research before hand.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[iceskatejen]

2 days is better than no days, but 3 or more would be better. Sounds like characters won't be that important, so at least you can skip that part. Try to still fit in some shows. DLR has some great ones.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well your WDW knowledge will help you in planning and touring Disneyland. However, don't assume that due to its more compact size DL can be seen completely in two or even three days. Like WDW, DL has gotten more crowded and popular so to me its more of a four day park vs. a two park to see it all. Which is not the only way to see DL! Like WDW, you can always do your favorites, or a percentage of what there is to see, and get a great feel for the whole overall experience but without seeing and doing every thing that DL has to offer. And DL does have so much to offer. Aside from many rides that are superior to their counterparts at WDW (or completely unique to DL), DL has incredible live shows, an incredible fireworks display and the Electrical Parade. All of those things to me are what makes DL so awesome and they all take a chunk of time to do!

I think a lot of it depends on what time of year you are going. And if your two days are on a weekend. Because any weekend at DL, anytime of year is going to be crowded. I have been to WDW many times, even during Christmas week but I have to say weekends at DL are just pretty much crazy all the time. The good news is that the hours are extremely long (generally 8:00 a.m. to midnight with Saturday being an Early Entry day which can potentially add one more hour to that). It sounds like you will have a pretty sizeable group and that can add to the whole aspect of needing more time logistically. Another question would be if you are planning on staying in the DL area, as in right at DL within walking distance to the parks or not. If you aren't then chances are you will be spending a lot of time driving, parking etc., and that cuts into the day and can cause you to be worn out before you ever go through the turnstile! So if at all possible, spend at least one of those nights at a Disneyland area motel/hotel that is walking distance to the parks.

I always think any time spent at Disneyland is worth it! As long as everybody in your party understands that there will be things that don't get seen and done and is okay with that, then yes, you can have a lot of fun and see quite a bit during two days. I say have everyone come up with their list of must see's and then plan accordingly, which may mean splitting up for a few hours each of those days etc.

Good luck!

Oh and I have to add, don't be so sure your dd won't want to see the princesses and other characters at Disneyland. My own daughter who will be 11 in September has yet to outgrow that aspect of Disney vacations. I remember once we had spent 10 days at WDW in October, and two weeks later had a long weekend at DL. And we waited in the same lines to see the same princesses and other characters we had just seen! I guess I could have just told her no way, but she loves that so much! I have visions of waiting in long lines to see those characters with her when she's 40 and I'm collecting Social Security!

 

[HydroGuy]

2 days is better than no days, but 3 or more would be better. Sounds like characters won't be that important, so at least you can skip that part. Try to still fit in some shows. DLR has some great ones.

Agree 100%. If all you can do is two days, then go for it. But you will experience only part of DLR. If you have the option to do three days, you will have a much better time IMO and it will be a bit more relaxing.

 

[bjsmom]

Last year we went for 3 days and still missed soooooooo much Go for more than 2!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

If I am going to do it, I want to make it a nice trip. Anyway, it will be my mom, me, DS13, DS10, DD6, and maybe 2-4 other adults (relatives). Deep down i think trying to do both parks in 2 days will drive me insane but I love the thought of going. What I am trying to decide, is if it is worth the money to do it in two days or should I figure 3 days or none? The first day would be a full day and the second would be until after dinner time or so (or whenever necessary to avoid the freeway traffic back to LA) We have been to WDW and DD got to meet all the princesses etc so I won't be too concerned with that aspect. I do tend to plan everything out and do lots of research before hand.

Thanks for any advice.

IMO if you're going to pay all that money to fly across the country, then take 3-4 days and see it all rather than just two. Of course if you're flying out anyway for other reasons and all you have is two days, two is better than none. Also I wouldn't be too sure about not meeting the characters.
The adult opinion is this. We've seen Ariel at WDW, And we'll be getting to see her soon again. So we don't need to see her. The 6 year old begs to differ. This isn't WDW, this is DLR. She hasn't seen Ariel at DLR, WDW was a long time ago, and it will be a long time before she sees Ariel again.
So I would suggest to the OP not to go out of your way to see a character. But if you happen across one, be prepared to split up so that if the 6 year old wants to see a stray character or two one of the adults can stay with her and meet up later.

 

[ShawnaF]

I agree, you won't get to everything - especially during peak season - but you'll still have a blast. With only 2 days, focus on DL with the rides the little ones can do and work your way around the park. If you use the fastpass system wisely you can get the older kids onto the bigger rides while you repeat a ride the others can't or don't want to do.

 

[luvsgrumpy]

Thanks for all the imput. I much prefer hearing ideas and opinions from other Dissers. I think I will push for at least 3 days and if it's not possible then maybe we'll have to try another time. Thanks again

 

[Judy from Boise]

It would be at least equivalent to trying to do MK and MGM in two days. In reality DLR has more attractions in their two parks....than these two WDW parks.