Disneyland, how long?

[chunky_azz]

How long do most people stay for a Disneyland trip and do you go to Disney your whole trip? I have only been to DW and we stay from Sat-Sat and go no where but Disney but I was wondering about DL as my daughter wants to go there next year.

 

[Mary09]

They make the ticket prices so that 5 days is the best deal. Next month we're doing 5 days but the 1st and 5th day are each about 5 hour drives, too, so at most we'll only spend a couple hours in the parks on two of the days.

 

[guarian22]

Took my DD6 for our first trip in May just before and during Memorial Day weekend. We arrived Wed evening and left Monday morning, so we had 4 full days. We spent the entire time just in DL and CA. The crowds were not up to summer capacity yet so we were able to do and see and ride everything at a very leisurely pace. Many things we did multiple times. If it's your first visit and you are going during the summer months, I would make sure you have at least 3 full days in the Disney parks. From what I am reading of the summer crowds, you will need it. My opinion, the longer in Disney the better. I'm already trying to plan for next year at the same time. Too bad hotels and airlines aren't booking that far in advance.

 

[Hound 109]

Most folks here would say that 3-5 days at DLR is best....many who visit will combine 3 nights at DLR along with some sight seeing in LA & San Diego.

As a fellow Texan who visited WDW 5 times.... & now I much prefer visits to DLR, I recommend reading the following tip threads:

This one is a "must read" for all WDW Vets:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


& here are some others worth reading:

Critique of MM/EE" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (see my post #4 in that thread)

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197

"Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

"Jedi Training Academy Tips" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

"Why I ParkHop at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961



Have a great time planning a visit Walt's Park.

 

[DSNY4ever]

In WDW our rule is 5 days minimum....but we prefer 7! In Disneyland the minimum for us is 2, but we prefer 3. Especially if this is your first time do at least 3 days and then venture out somewhere else like San Diego and enjoy the "California" experience.

It will be a very different trip than what you are used to (fun, but different). You don't stay immersed in the Disney experience, but you have other amazing activities in arms reach of the park.

Enjoy, the DLR is a great place!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always do 4 or 5 days. We find with five we can get most everything accomplished without rushing things. We go in August so the parks are pretty busy.
We use to do extended trips, SD, surrounding beaches, etc, but mainly stick with Disney and USH.

Jack

 

[specialks]

We have visited 3.5 days and 4.5 days. With 2 little girls I wouldn't want to visit less than 3 days but we absolutely preferred the 4.5 days. Our first trip we spent the beginning of it in SD visiting the zoo & SeaWorld. Our second trip we went to Knotts Berry Farm. My girls really liked Knotts and some of the kiddie rides and my husband liked a couple of the "adult" rollercoasters. We went off-season in Sept and it seemed like there were about 50 people in the park that day. The parking lot only had about 20 cars in it. There were NO lines and it was a really fun day for us.