How long do you need

[Mish]

I usually go to disney world, we spend 10 days. I am wondering how long do we need for Disneyland. I am also wondering where do we fly into and what other things are there to do in the area. We are thinking of going next august. Thanks. Michelle

 

[ballarinamom]

You can fly into LAX, Orange County/ John Wayne, Burbank or Long Beach. LAX is the furthest. The others are around 20 minutes or less
There is always a misconception that because there are only 2 parks to the Disneyland resort there is less rides. There are actually MORE rides between the two parks than all 4 of World's parks. Granted no water parks or putt putt so if you spent time doing that..... We stay 4-5 nights to get everything in we want to do without doing it commando style. We enjoy the restaurants and the shows, parades and fireworks.
August will be an exceptionally busy time at DCA due to the opening of Carsland and the other DCA improvements. You will not want to miss World of Color and Fantasmic. Both of those are nightly. So there is a minimum of two nights.
You are close to the beaches, Lego land, shopping, LA and san Diego within closer proximity
Hope that helps! Enjoy your time at DL. We have done both and prefer it over World. Hope you find that too!

 

[emmysmommy]

You can fly into LAX, Orange County/ John Wayne, Burbank or Long Beach. LAX is the furthest. The others are around 20 minutes or less
There is always a misconception that because there are only 2 parks to the Disneyland resort there is less rides. There are actually MORE rides between the two parks than all 4 of World's parks. Granted no water parks or putt putt so if you spent time doing that..... We stay 4-5 nights to get everything in we want to do without doing it commando style. We enjoy the restaurants and the shows, parades and fireworks.
August will be an exceptionally busy time at DCA due to the opening of Carsland and the other DCA improvements. You will not want to miss World of Color and Fantasmic. Both of those are nightly. So there is a minimum of two nights.
You are close to the beaches, Lego land, shopping, LA and san Diego within closer proximity
Hope that helps! Enjoy your time at DL. We have done both and prefer it over World. Hope you find that too!

Excellent information that you shared and being a champion of our west coast tourism! One minor correction, Burbank is the farthest airport but for anything other than Orange County it is quite a distance. Orange County airport is about 20 min. from Disneyland and Long Beach is about a 1/2 hr. but depending on traffic could be an hour away.

 

[rentayenta]

I usually go to disney world, we spend 10 days. I am wondering how long do we need for Disneyland. I am also wondering where do we fly into and what other things are there to do in the area. We are thinking of going next august. Thanks. Michelle

There is a ton do to do in the local area. The beaches are a must.


For DLR, I think 5 days is perfect.


Flying into Long Beach is by far the easiest to navigate.

 

[ballarinamom]

Excellent information that you shared and being a champion of our west coast tourism! One minor correction, Burbank is the farthest airport but for anything other than Orange County it is quite a distance. Orange County airport is about 20 min. from Disneyland and Long Beach is about a 1/2 hr. but depending on traffic could be an hour away.

Thanks E'smom! We have nver flown into Burbank before. But it always shows up as an option and "appeared" to be closer than that. Good to know! We usually do Orange County because of more flight options but WOW is Longbeach an easy airport to manuever through!! Love it!

 

[skiingfast]

I'd suggest 4-5 day in the parks. 5 especially if you are including a weekend which are busier than weekdays since the guest makeup is mostly locals.

Carsland should go into your planning too. It's going to be open sometime next summer. And bring in a lot of crowds, which is why I didn't suggest 3days. It's better to plan for later than earlier if you want to see it(following the construction it's looking incredible to walk into Radiator Springs in real life). But for August if you are settled on that month, stay away from DLR on the 20th through 26th.

There are lot of sidetrips to do that can take parts of days, or overnights. I'd suggest if you haven't been driving the coast upto SF which I'd give 5 days for. 2 to drive, 3 for SF.

You can do short things too.
Hollywood, Venice Beach, San Diego zoo. Many more options too.

Regarding airports look at this quick read.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

And since you've been to the World and coming to the Land.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always seem to do 5-6, just depends on what we want to do.

Jack

 

[Tollerwalker]

We had a 2 day pass when went in november and it was not enough - we felt way too rushed. We are getting a 3 day hopper when we go in january and are hoping we can squeeze everything in. We will have limited time as we are going on the Disney Wonder on the 8th