How long should we stay?

[thebeesknees]

We are thinking of taking a quick trip at the end of January to California and thought we might go to Disneyland for part of the week. I have 3 kids, ages 7, 5 and 1 and we have not been to Disneyland in 6 years. Last time, it was just DH and me and the baby, so we took 1 day at each park and hit the highlights. This time, we'd like to be able to see more, but my DH seems to think that 5 or 6 days is too much and we'd be better off with 4 at the most. I know some things will be closed because it's the off-season, and that the park hours will be shorter, as well as the fact that we will be moving slower with 3 kids vs. the 1 we had last time. Will 4 days be enough to hit almost everything? Will it be too much?

ETA: We went to WDW in September, and my DH is kind of "Disneyed Out", which is why he is pushing for the shorter stay. I just want to be sure we get to see and do as much as possible with the little ones.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Stay as long as you can afford it 5 or 6 days is not too much... but that's just me!

 

[stampinshauna]

4 days is not too much time at Disneyland. You'll want to take a leisurely pace with the kids and then you can have time for them to re-ride their favorites and you won't feel rushed to get everything done in a day or two.

The price difference between a 4 or a 5 day pass is not much, so I'd actually lean towards the 5 day pass. That way if you only go in for an hour or two it is worth it. We took our 1 year old last February and had a 5 day pass. We loved that we had plenty of time and we didn't feel bad about leaving for naps or when we only spent an hour or two in the parks on the day that it rained.

 

[goldies 5]

I agree with the others you will need more time. Also you can give hubby a break by going out of the park for a couple of hours each day. Maybe to swim and eat lunch in DTD or something. Then he might feel better when you go back. Also I found my husband really enjoyed doing the shows this time. It is like a break when you go to The Golden Horshoe or any of the others. Keep hubby fed so he doesn't get crabby. Also it is nice to sit for a while and wait for a parade. If you are on Mainstreet you could even shop while he waits or vice-versa. It makes the time useful too.

 

[CrazyDuck]

We never spend the full day in the park. We always go to the park in the morning (Magic Morning if available) then head back to the room after lunch. Then we either go to the pool (not gonna happen durring our next trip laper this month) or take a nap. Then we head back to the park around 3pm and shut it down which would be 8pm most nights our next trip!

 

[deejdigsdis]

I answered you over on your Legoland thread.

When we went with our 3 kids in November we got 4-day hoppers thinking that surely we would see and do everything and then some. It just didn't happen. The hours for DL were 10 - 8, and the hours for DCA were 10 - 6. Like I mentioned over on your other thread, we weren't into rushing around. There's quite a bit in DCA we never saw/did. I like to ride many rides more than once or twice. There just didn't seem to be enough time, even though the crowds were low. And we never went back to the hotel for breaks. Bottom line is that I don't think 4 days is too much.

 

[disneynerd420]

I say 5 days would be perfect for your family. You will be able to take things slow and not need to spend the entire day in the parks to do all of the attractions. I hope u have a great time!

 

[thebeesknees]

Thank you all for your answers! I am going to try to talk him into getting the 5-day passes, with the explanation that we will not plan to spend 5 entire days in the park, but could go for 1/2 day a couple of times and then go see something else. Hopefully, I can talk his wallet into springing for the extra day!

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Aagh! I'm going to be odd man out here!

We only go in the off season & well....we get tired of it after about 3 days. We can do DL in 1.5 days & DCA in a 1/2 day...lines permitting of course. But after that....we REALLY wanted to just vegitate at the beach. 4 days is plenty time for us & that INCLUDES park time & veg time. Sometimes I wish I had an extra day at the beach bc we can never hit all our favorite places in just one day.

I love DL, & I love how I feel when I'm there, but I STILL get sensory overload & I can see it in the kids too, so 3 days is our limit.

 

[letthembelittle]

I too would do the 5 day pass, just so you can take the time to go other places but still have the opportunity to go the park if you want, maybe just you and dh at night or just you and one kid for part of the day. We were there for 6 days with our three little ones and still didnt see everything.

 

[wvnative]

3 or 4 days is my limit as well. That said, I also travel with teenagers and we don't do half days or leave the park during the day except for dining reservations.

I think if I had kids closer to the age of yours and wasn't planning to be in the park all day every day, 5 day hoppers would be about perfect.

I'm sure you'll have fun.