First DLR trip--December (5 days?)

[slpeters]

So we went to WDW for the first time the November before last for eight days. We loved it--OK I loved it and my husband solidly enjoyed it and loved how much I loved it. This last December we went to Universal for a week, did SeaWorld for a day and MVMCP at Magic Kingdom. Universal was a lot of fun, but not a lifelong obsession in the making--and it seemed that five days at Universal was longer than we really needed. Although if we would have acknowledged that upfront we probably could have spread out our four days of activity in the parks over five and had an even better time of it.

So we're headed to DLR for the first time next December. I figured between the Christmas stuff (we LOVE Christmas) and the new Star Wars stuff (I assume crowds will be bonkers--and dh is quite the Star Wars fan) we could do five day in the parks and maybe head to Universal Hollywood for a sixth somewhere in the middle of the week.

Does that seem like too much park time? It's just the two of us, both able bodied men around fifty so we get around at a pretty good clip. But we also are up for pretty much all the rides and all the shows (OK maybe no Dumbo) and at WDW we were surprised to find that we enjoyed the character thing too. We would love to be able have some leisurely meals and found that a nice cocktail was a nice way to break up the day at WDW. Yet somehow I keep thinking it may be too much time, especially since we won't be staying onsite (like we did at WDW and Universal), nor really at a resort. We kind of just have Disney to do on the days we schedule it so a day that feels like it's just extra might be a real downer.

Do people think I should go for a shorter trip (3 or 4 days maybe)? Or should we do the whole five?

 

[goooof1]

It's likely to be VERY, VERY busy as you assume, so go for 5 days. That will give you plenty of time to relax and enjoy all of the little details.... and there are a lot of little details! You would be able to enjoy shows, rides, etc. and the characters roam, so you will be walking to a ride and here comes Alice and the Mad Hatter....walking down the path (or riding the Tea Cups with guests!!)…. or the Disneyland Band riding the Carousel. Just the atmosphere is great and you can take all of it in with 5 days.

We go for 4 days and never run out of things to do! We never get around to everything we want to do.... but we do not run around crazed and dazed! We used to do 3 days and it was a marathon trying to do it all!
Definitely get park hoppers and you will have a great time..... SO MUCH FUN...… ENJOY!

 

[BecAus]

Hi, I don't think 5 days is too much park time. We come from 'down-under' and we did 8 days last time and that wasn't too much for us - able to take it easy, do a tour, enjoy some extras like WOC dessert party, Fantasmic Blue Bayou dinner package and we went to 2 x MHP's.

I think 5days at Universal is probably too much (I assume you mean the Orlando one, I'm sure you do). The kids and I did 3 days and then we've been back across for a quick trip on the next 2 visits - flying from LA/Disneyland for the weekend - and only had 2 days which was way too short but you've gotta take what you can get!
I personally think Universal Orlando is 3 - 4 days max.

Some people think 8 days at Disneyland is madness and it probably is but we honestly didn't feel it was too long.
I think that given what you've said is likely to be very true - the new Star Wars Land will still be crazy in December likely and the 'Christmas stuff' always brings in the crowds as well - that 5days will be a very reasonable amount of time to plan for and then an additional day for Universal.
We won't know until the new land opens how it will work but I suspect you may actually have to devote a day to seeing the new stuff - particularly if you have a Star Wars fan with you. Hopefully it won't take an entire day to see it! : ) but I can imagine even by December that one may have to invest a fair amount of time / waiting to be able to see it - however, time will tell.

Others may have a different opinion but I think 5days would be just about right! Best of luck with your planning - I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter what you decide to do!

 

[Whistlebee]

I think 5 days post Star Wars and during the Holiday season will allow for a less hectic pace. That sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[nutshell]

Stick with 5 days. Maybe jettison the one day at Universal and find something to do in SoCal that’s not an amusement park.

 

[slpeters]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm looking at December 2-9, with no parks on arrival and departure day (maybe try to do Trader Sam's and the Void on arrival day) and Universal on Friday the 6th. Hopefully it won't be TOO bonkers.

 

[smartlabelprint]

The price jump for 5 days is negligible. I’d get 5 and plan half days if you’re not inclined to stay. I was there solo early December, watched some shows, rode my favorites and 2.5 days wasn’t too long. So, as someone new to the park 4-5 is a good idea.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm looking at December 2-9, with no parks on arrival and departure day (maybe try to do Trader Sam's and the Void on arrival day) and Universal on Friday the 6th. Hopefully it won't be TOO bonkers.

I was there that week this year. It was good. 12/6-9 I guess I was there 3.5 days.

 

[pennym]

We'd go for 10 lol! Definitely go to universal for a day, it's lovely at xmas time!