First timers to DL: is 1 day in each park enough?

[LivingtheWDWdream]

We are planning a Stop at Disneyland after a Cruise. Would 1 day in each park be enough or should we plan on 2 in each park?

We live 15 mins from WDW and know how to plan that but DL is completely NEW to us and we are perplexed with this!

Thanks!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I don't think of it in terms of a day for each park. It takes only a minute to hop over to the other so we hop back and forth several times a day. But I would recommend 3-4 days if you can to be able to see most everything you want to see. Two days total is rather rushed. Better than nothing, but at least 3 days is best.

Don't know when you are going but we often go during the summer. At that time DL opens earlier than DCA so we always start there. That is prime time for getting on rides and having it be not so crowded. By lunch the crowds have picked up and we head over to DCA for a while. Then come back to DL. Of course, pick up FPs each time you leave a park so you can hop back over later and use them.

 

[disneymurtagh]

I've been to WDW over a dozen times and really know how to plan and I just went to DL for the first time. I needed 4 days to do everything with my wife and 3 kids, 5, 4 and 18 months. We didn't go at a killer pace but we were in the park at 930 each day and stayed til 8pm each night. We got on everything except Nemo and we went on Thunder Mountain, Pirates, Haunted Mansion etc... multiple times.

It was a great time with 4 days.

 

[brenda1966]

I'd recommend 3 days, and make sure you get hopper passes. It's just a 5 minute walk to "hop". Enjoy!

 

[MAH4546]

Three days is a good amount.

DCA and Disneyland are a one minute walk from each other, so take advantage and park hop.

 

[MAH4546]

Three days is a good amount.

DCA and Disneyland are a one minute walk from each other, so take advantage and park hop.

 

[KCmike]

Three days is adequate but you won't be able to experience the rest of SoCal which in my opinion is a must do when you go to DL. For a first class stay i would split a visit with a San Diego (resort on the beach for a few days and maybe throw in SeaWorld) and a DL four day visit.

 

[specialks]

I think it really depends on who is traveling. Do you have kids? We went last Sept and our girls were 4 and 1.5 yrs old. We had my mom with us to watch the kids while we went on rides. Going in Sept meant the hours were shorter but the wait times were little to none. We spent 3.5 days and went on almost everything (except Dumbo, some of the 'dark rides' in Fantasyland, and Winnie the Pooh which I forgot about). My daughter went on Space Mountain 8 times and we went on Pirates 3 times. I think if you tell the dates of your visit and who all is in your party you could get a better idea from people on the board. My guess is that a couple with no kids could be there from open to close and get both parks done in 2 days, but with kids, I don't think so.

Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

We HAVE done this & it was totally satisying - you can't do it ALL....but we couldn't do the big rides anyway bc DS was still too short.

Bottom line - it's easiest to do at on off-peak time (winter, non-holiday for us) ....READ Hydroguys reports....& educate educate educate!!!!!

If you're not informed you won't know how to beat the lines/crowds.

 

[glendalais]

The Disneyland Resort recommends that Guests spend at least two days each at both Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park in order to best experience the Magic and Wonder of both.

However, if you only have one day, you should consider purchasing a 1-Day ParkHopper Ticker. At only ~$30.00 more than a 1-Day, 1-Park Ticket, this Ticket will allow you to glide seamlessly between the two Theme Parks, experiencing the best of both!

 

[Amysita]

I <thought> one day per park would be enough...I was WRONG...I would say bare minimum of 3 days...split the 3rd day and park hop.

 

[teatime]

If you can do 3 days only, do 2 at Disneyland and 1 at DCA. that would be the best. You could never do disneyland on 1 day, not even for dca really. Ive been to disneyland several times and still have not done it all.

 

[rmonty02]

2 days at DL and 1 day at DCA. That's the way we've done it the last two years with DH, DS1, DS2, DGM, DGF, DN10, DN14. We are able to get on all the rides and have time to save seating for fireworks & fantasmic. However, we go on a weekend in early Nov. What has worked out is...fri-DL, sat.-DCA (back to DL after DCA 8pm closing), sun-DL. It's been perfect because DL is packed on saturday and DCA is not.

 

[meduck]

if you have the 2 day opyion take it, more time toenjoy the origional. plan to do the risneyland exclusive rides, and dont miss the subs!!!

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

We are going to DL after our Cruise which we won't know the dates of until DCL announces the Wonder's Repositioning information which rumor is February 2011. So we will have been out of work for anywhere from 10-14 days for that so we want to do DL as an add on to the Cruise so max would be 3-4 days at DL.

It would be 2 adult.

 

[phishy25]

We just did 3 days and I really think it would be nice to have had one more day. If I go again I will get 4 or 5 day hoppers. 3 days we did a lot but there still are a few things we didn't get to do like Nemo, Princess Fantasy Faire, Tinkerbell, and a few other rides.

I think you could definitely do 2 days but just know that there will be things you won't get to. Buy hoppers instead so you can go back and forth. The first time I did Disneyland we only did 1 day and only DL and although we didn't get to it all I had a blast and couldn't wait to go again. Have fun!

 

[ElloPoppet]

personally, i wouldn't devote a whole day to DCA. It is fun, but there is not as many things IMO to be entertained the whole entire day. i would consider a 3 day park hopper ticket.

 

[ballarinamom]

I agree 3 would be adaquate IF you do not need to go back and nap each day with little ones. Keep in mind that DL/DCA have about as many rides as WDW's 4 parks together.

 

[Gisele]

If one has two days to which to visit Dl. and is interested in visiting DCA as well, I agree with others to have a park hopper. Otherwise, I would spend my time exclusively in Dl. I believe that you and your husband will have a very nice visit either way.
I have spent anywhere from one day only to one week visiting Dl. I either go with a friend or by myself. I don't doubt that if one enters children into the equation, then that can change one's time frame. Especially if it is very important for children and some adults too, to take a nap in the afternoon.
Fast Passes are always such a good idea too. Even if one does not believe they made need them, one just never can be too sure. So I personally like to collect them for my favorite rides, when the fast passes are available for such.
A cruise then a trip to Disneyland, sounds so very wonderful. If ye be needin another body, let me know. Have a wonderful and fun time on your vacation!

 

[GoofItUp]

We haven't actually been yet, but we're only doing 2 days total (even with small kids!) because that's all the time DH can afford to miss from work. (Were doing a cruise afterwards.) My thought is that this will give me a small taste of DL and I can go back another time for a SoCal vacation. I say take as much time as work and funds will allow!