How long for a visit to the mouse?

[Moonpie]

Hello!
How many days would be ideal for visiting Disneyland? I haven't been there for about 12 years, so I know I've missed a lot of additions.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Wavy Blue]

Since you haven't been in so long, I'd honestly say 5 days. Then you can relax, spread out all the attractions over your days, and you'd have time to see and appreciate everything the park has to offer. I find 3 days is a good choice too, but moreso for people who are familiar with the parks. 3 days is what I like to choose for myself, but my first trip I went 5 days, and it was just right!

 

[blue donkey]

I agree w/ PP. I like to take at least 5 days at DLR. However, know that my dh & I are the laid back types. Well actually, more my hubby than me. But, we always take at least 6 hours aways from the parks in the afternoons.

If you like to spend the whole time at the parks, I think 3 days would be plenty.

 

[MatterhornMiss]

I think it depends on what time of year and what day of the week you are going. I love Sept and Oct in DL during the week. The crowds are minimal, the weather is just starting to cool down a bit. The hours may not be as long, and you'll have to wait until Friday evening to be able to see the Electrical Parade at DCA, but if you go at a slower time, I think you could do it in 3 days without being rushed at all (you could do it during a busy season for 3 days, but might not get to do everything you want). Everything in DCA can easily be done in a day (or possibly less with a couple of strategic fastpasses) during this time, and DTD is. . . well, there's not much there (compared to WDW). Enjoy your trip!

 

[sbakersub]

Last month was our first trip to DL since 1997, so our timing was about the same as yours. I got 5 day parkhoppers, since it wasn't that much more than the 3 day tickets, and I wanted the flexibility to come and go as much as possible. That said, DS was "disneyed-out" at 3 days, 4 days was great for DD, and I still had a few things I wanted to do on day 5 (which I ended up doing alone ).

Things to consider: will you be getting up and to the parks early, when you can get more done in less time, or sleeping in and getting there with the crowds mid-morning? It also depends on if it's just you, or family, or a bigger group. If just you, you can pick and choose just what you want to do, and you can also make use of single-rider lines for the bigger rides. With family it might take longer, depending on their interests and activity levels -- e.g., kids stopping for character sightings will take longer, older folks who walk more slowly (um, I mean, savor each moment) will take longer, teenagers not interested in Fantasyland will save you a bunch of time. With a big group, almost always it will take longer, just to maneuver through the parks or get together at a planned time and place )

I think 3 days is minimum to hit the highlights (2 days @ DL and 1 DCA), but I really enjoyed having 5 days to do things -- like the Billy Hill show at DL and the Animation building at DCA -- that I otherwise would have skipped due to timing constraints.

 

[DisneyNic]

My family does 5 1/2 days. We usually do DCA in one day with the exception of the occassional trip back over to do Grizzly or Soarin'. The 1/2 day comes at the end of the trip and is just for shopping (and maybe a ride or two if the lines are REALLY short.) We all look around at all the stores through the week, and then have an idea of what everyone wants and from where so we can just get in and get it and get out. That way, we don't have to drag it with us all week or worry about it being in our hotel room. Our last DL trip was with my entire family so there was 17 all together ranging from 2 months old to 71 years old. 5 1/2 days was not enough for that trip. It was the first family trip since all of us had gotten married and had kids and we clearly underestimated how difficult it was going to be to navigate us all through DL. Our next trip it will just be me, DH, DD6, DS4, my mom, and my dad so the 5 1/2 days will be paradise. We will be able to take our time and see and do everything we want without having to have some strategic master plan of running from place to place. Whatever you decide, have fun!!

 

[Gisele]

WOW! that must have been quite the experience, party of 17! OMG! I hope that everyone had a great time.
That sure is an age range, 2 months to 71! wow again.
I have never had an opportunity to travel to DL, or anywhere else, for that matter, with that many relatives. It sounds like it could become overwhelming at times.
Have a great and wonderful time on your next DL trip!

 

[Moonpie]

Thank you all for your responses! It will just be me and my DH going on this trip, so we're open to seeing all the sites that we can. As for the time of year...well, we're still trying to decide. I'm pretty stuck going during the busy times of year because I'm a teacher.
All your advice was very helpful! Thank you!