How long to stay?

[smile4stamps]

We are arriving late on October 13th. The current plan is to leave October 17th but flights are pretty expensive for that day so here are my options.

Leave Saturday the 16th flight cost $114
Leave Sunday the 17th flight cost $234
Leave Monday the 18th flight cost $134
Leave Tuesday the 19th flight cost $114
Leave Wednesday the 20th flight cost $89

Regardless of where we stay the first couple days if I stay beyond the 17th I will probably switch to the Quality Inn & Suites after that for a rate of approx $42/night.

So HOW many days are TOO many for a trip to DL? I know I could spend WEEKS at WDW with no issues but not sure on DL since I have never been there.

The person I am going with would still be leaving the 17th (or if I decide to leave the 16th we would leave together) so I would be solo the rest of the trip.

What would you do?

(Cross posted on my PTR but not sure if anyone is reading it and wanted more opinions.)

 

[blackjackdelta]

We usually do 4-5 days. We can get everything done multiple times if we wish.

Jack

 

[DSNY4ever]

Is this your first time? And you live as close as San Jose?!?! Haha, just teasing, but if this is your first time 3-4 full days would be ideal, depending on how fast you move and how crowded the parks are. Have fun!

 

[smile4stamps]

Is this your first time? And you live as close as San Jose?!?! Haha, just teasing, but if this is your first time 3-4 full days would be ideal, depending on how fast you move and how crowded the parks are. Have fun!

Yes it is my first time. I've only lived in CA for 7 years, I know still a long time to not have gone to DL!

I never knew that I could do it without spending a couple thousand dollars like going to WDW cost us. Plus my hubby has no interest in going and we don't have kids so I had to find someone else to go with. I didn't want to have my first visit be a solo one but think after the first I will be fine going by myself!

 

[kailuagirl]

I wouldn't leave on the 17th (too short) or 18th (to expensive). I think it's all a matter if you don't mind staying behind after your friend leaves. Either way, you are going to have a wonderful trip!! Where are you guys staying?

 

[smile4stamps]

I wouldn't leave on the 17th (too short) or 18th (to expensive). I think it's all a matter if you don't mind staying behind after your friend leaves. Either way, you are going to have a wonderful trip!! Where are you guys staying?

I thought that the 16th was too short as well since it would mean only 2 days in the parks and Thursday DL closes early and Friday is the Halloween party.

Plus it would mean no fireworks (besides the halloweeen ones at the party) and no fantasmic since it is only on weekends...

The where we are staying is also a dilemma..

I'm considering the Carousel Inn for $300 for 4 nights, Super 8 for $200 for 4 nights, Ramada Maingate $400 for 4 nights and Quality Inn for $300 for 4 nights (and then only $43/night at Quality Inn for the days after my friend leaves)

 

[The Orchid]

I would stay until the 20th.

 

[HydroGuy]

The most we have ever done is 4 1/2 days at DLR. So leaving on Sunday will five you full days which would be more than enough days IMO. But if you stay thru Monday you will save $100 on airfare and about pay for one more day.

 

[dizplanner]

I'm going about same time (arriving on Oct 16, leaving Oct 20) and we are staying four nights. It's just my husband and I and we are also WDW veterans but first time to DL. I figured four nights was enough, but we will have most of the arrival day (flight gets into SNA at 10:15am) and the morning of departure day.

Personally I think leaving on the 16th would be too short since you are arriving late on the 13th, and you wouldn't be able to do the weekend Fantasmic and fireworks.

So just looking at cost of just the flight and motel and pass (I am assuming you will not need a ticket on your arrival day, but will use one on your departure day, except for the last option - Disney does not sell a 7 day pass so I just included 6 day)

Leave Sunday the 17th flight cost $234 (four day pass)
Leave Monday the 18th flight cost $134+1 night motel $42 + $10 (five day pass) = $186
Leave Tuesday the 19th flight cost $114 + 2 night motel $84 + $15 (six day pass) = $203
Leave Wednesday the 20th flight cost $89 + 3 night motel $126 + $15 (six day pass) = $230

If it was me and I didn't have to worry about taking time off work, I would probably go home on the 18th - even with including food, it will be cheaper than flying home on the 17th, one day solo would be fine - a chance to do the things my friend didn't want to do, and five days should be enough.

 

[smile4stamps]

The most we have ever done is 4 1/2 days at DLR. So leaving on Sunday will five you full days which would be more than enough days IMO. But if you stay thru Monday you will save $100 on airfare and about pay for one more day.

If I leave on Sunday it is only 3 full days in the parks as we will arrive later on Wednesday and probably early on Sunday. Monday would mean 4 full days.

 

[dizplanner]

OK with not going to the parks on departure day, the delta's become
Leave Sunday the 17th flight cost $234 (three day pass)
Leave Monday the 18th flight cost $134+1 night motel $42 + $15 (four day pass) = $191
Leave Tuesday the 19th flight cost $114 + 2 night motel $84 + $25 (five day pass) = $213
Leave Wednesday the 20th flight cost $89 + 3 night motel $126 + $30 (six day pass) = $245

I'd probably still go home on Monday, but might be tempted by Tuesday.

 

[HydroGuy]

If I leave on Sunday it is only 3 full days in the parks as we will arrive later on Wednesday and probably early on Sunday. Monday would mean 4 full days.

My math is way off. One of those days! OK, I would definitely stay at least until Monday then. Four full days, and three of those full entertainment days.

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm going about same time (arriving on Oct 16, leaving Oct 20) and we are staying four nights. It's just my husband and I and we are also WDW veterans but first time to DL. I figured four nights was enough, but we will have most of the arrival day (flight gets into SNA at 10:15am) and the morning of departure day.

Personally I think leaving on the 16th would be too short since you are arriving late on the 13th, and you wouldn't be able to do the weekend Fantasmic and fireworks.

So just looking at cost of just the flight and motel and pass (I am assuming you will not need a ticket on your arrival day, but will use one on your departure day, except for the last option - Disney does not sell a 7 day pass so I just included 6 day)

Leave Sunday the 17th flight cost $234 (four day pass)
Leave Monday the 18th flight cost $134+1 night motel $42 + $10 (five day pass) = $186
Leave Tuesday the 19th flight cost $114 + 2 night motel $84 + $15 (six day pass) = $203
Leave Wednesday the 20th flight cost $89 + 3 night motel $126 + $15 (six day pass) = $230

If it was me and I didn't have to worry about taking time off work, I would probably go home on the 18th - even with including food, it will be cheaper than flying home on the 17th, one day solo would be fine - a chance to do the things my friend didn't want to do, and five days should be enough.

Thanks for doing the math. I have no work concerns. I am actually off for 3 weeks for a vacation planned in January last year and then not able to do what it was originally set aside for. From DL I am flying to WI to see my family I haven't seen in a long time.

My math is way off. One of those days! OK, I would definitely stay at least until Monday then. Four full days, and three of those full entertainment days.

No problem! We all have those days!

 

[heatherleigh]

Personally, we like to go for at least 6 or 7 days. We are going for 6 next month, and I really wish we could add one more on. We did 8 on our last trip, and that was perfect.

 

[The Orchid]

Personally, we like to go for at least 6 or 7 days. We are going for 6 next month, and I really wish we could add one more on. We did 8 on our last trip, and that was perfect.

We like longer trips as well. We did six days last November and it just wasn't enough so this time we're doing nine!

 

[smile4stamps]

Personally, we like to go for at least 6 or 7 days. We are going for 6 next month, and I really wish we could add one more on. We did 8 on our last trip, and that was perfect.

Thanks for sharing your opinion! I keep hearing shorter stays are the norm so it's good to hear that you find enough to cover for longer stays. You spend all your days at Disney or do you go to other attractions?

 

[smile4stamps]

I settled on leaving Tuesday the 19th. I will have 5 days in the parks. 3 with a friend and 2 solo!

The airfare actually ended up being $104 for Tuesday so it had dropped $10 from the day before. Sunday would still have been $234 so I saved $130 on the airfare and the hotel will cost approx $90 (haven't booked it yet). Still a savings of $40!

As for the park tickets I am seriously considering an Annual Pass. I can get the DAP from my work for $290. The 5 day park hopper also from my work is $196. So for $94 I can return to DL another time within the year (Less than the cost of a 1-day park hopper!)! Plus this will save us 10% on some of our food!