How Long of a Trip?

[jrtoastyman]

Hey all, been to WDW a number of times, have never been to Disneyland, but we're considering a trip at some point in the future. Question is this: with there just being the 2 parks there, how long of a trip would we need to feel like we've had our fill? If we stayed there for a week, would we run out of stuff to do?

Thanks!

 

[MommyLove]

Are you going during peak- or off-season?

We've never been to WDW, but we can do a 9-day trip to DL in the off-season and have a great time without tiring of it. We really love it. You'd most likely get to do everything you want to in one week at almost all times of the year, I'd say.

 

[WestWind]

It is not an easy answer because everyone is different in how they like to experience the parks and when they might get tired of it.

For us, we usually go for 10 days and spend 1 or 2 days doing something else in the area. We do not want to be rushed and like to relax. We never get tired of it and are never ready to leave.

I would not recommend anyone go for less than 5 days. You want to take in shows and dining experiences. 7 days would be great... have fun, relax and enjoy!

 

[skiingfast]

Question is this: with there just being the 2 parks there,

This is a big mistake to base a decision on. With only two parks it still has nearly as much as WDW's four parks.

3-5 days. 3 if offseason, 5 if a busy period, likely 4 after this Summer and when you include a weekend. It's important to inlcude a weekend day or two in the offseason because the hours are longer and big entertainment may be limited to those days.

I'd suggest you read the DLR guide for WDw vets before you plan anymore.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[jrtoastyman]

I'd suggest you read the DLR guide for WDw vets before you plan anymore.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

This looks very helpful -- thanks!

 

[Huff]

As others have said, it really depends on how you enjoy your days. At WDW do you go to parks commando style, park hop daily, rope drops, late nights, go back to resort to relax or swim, take time to dine table service nightly or what?

While DLR has just two parks, it packs a ton into those two parks and with Carsland opening soon its even more. Disneyland itself has quite a bit more than Magic Kingdom.

Park hopping is extremely easy at DLR. The two parks, 3 resorts and Downtown Disney are all in quick walking distance from each other. No buses, boats or monorails needed (monorail does go from Downtown Disney to Tomorrowland inside Disneyland but can walk instead).

For us 3 days is minimum, 4 days preferred but then we've been there dozens of times and don't need to see the smaller attractions. If you like to take it easy and relaxed, time out for TS dining etc. then you will want to stay longer. If staying a full week we visit Knotts, beach or Universal for a day. Sometimes we stay in San Diego for 2 or 3 nights to visit Seaworld, Zoo and beach there then move to Disneyland area for rest of week.

 

[croppincolburn]

There are plenty of other things in southern CA that you can see too.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

We go to disneyland a lot and when we go during the summer we usually stay 5 days! it's perfect. we don't head to the park early in the morning .. we go late afternoon take a break and then stay for the rest of the evening. We can do everything we want and if we miss something one day there is plenty of time to see it the next day we never feel rushed.

 

[DSNY4ever]

3 full days during the off season (if this is your one and only trip, 4). I would only maybe say 5 days if you are going during peak time like summer or christmas/new years/spring break or any weekend.

Keep in mind the hotels are not like in WDW where you want to go back and enjoy time at your hotel. In DL you don't, hotels are for sleeping. (Unless you are staying on property, which is a lot more expensive here, but there still aren't as many amenities such as sailing, carriage ride, bike rentals or jets ski rentals etc. like there are at the hotels in WDW). You will still have a wonderful time, it is just a different experience. You also don't need a lot of time to "go" to DTD because in DL it is right there and you can walk through it at any time. You don't have to ride a bus over there and use up an afternoon.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We love 6 days even in off peak.

 

[pixiewings71]

I can go to DLR for 6 days in off season and still want more......but it varies based on the individual so it's hard to say. I always recommend a minimum of 5 days and always suggest going for longer and perhaps seeing some other sights while you are there.

 

[jrtoastyman]

Thanks for the insight, folks. For what it's worth, we have a DD3, so we don't really do the commando thing and tend to go at a pretty easy pace. Also, part of what would get us out there is the fact that there's a DVC property there, so we'd likely be staying at the Grand Floridian Villas.

 

[skiingfast]

Also, part of what would get us out there is the fact that there's a DVC property there.

Keep in mind that the Grand Californian doesn't have a lot of DVC rooms. If you can't get on you can spend the points(a lot of points) on a hotel room at the resort too.

 

[dabrosis]

I agree with DSNY4ever, if you're going in the off season, especially THIS off season, three days at the DL Resort will probably do it. There's still so much construction going on at CA Adventure that it feels more like a half day park right now. Also, being a WDW vet like you, I was surprised at how much more compact everything is here in California. Just my two cents, anyway.

 

[KCmike]

4-5 days if you really want to experience it. Three days and under is rushing it too much. There's so much to see and do and so many little things that can't/shouldn't be missed. This advice was brought to you by a former WDW vet.

 

[pixiewings71]

DCA is not a half a day park.......at least not for us.....

 

[Midnightred]

We are purchasing 6 day park hoppers for our next trip. 3 days was not nearly long enough, and my kids won't go on the thrill rides!

Midnightred