How Long

[disney junky]

We've never been to Disneyland. If planning a trip, what is a realistic number of days to do the majority of the attractions at the parks?

 

[DLgal]

At least 3. 4 is better.

 

[tink89]

We've never been to Disneyland. If planning a trip, what is a realistic number of days to do the majority of the attractions at the parks?

At least 3 park hopper days. the more the better. It also depends on when you are going.

 

[figment_jii]

If you're only interested in the attractions (forgoing shows, nighttime entertainment, and characters), I'd go with 3 day park hoppers at a minimum. Prioritize what you want to do and then go from there because you'll probably have to forgo some things.

 

[goooof1]

We have gone for 4 days (park hopping) and haven't done all that we have wanted to do! It's not a race, stop and smell the roses!

 

[HydroGuy]

One can hit the highlights at both parks in 2 days. But 3-5 days is best. I agree with PPs that a minimum of 3 days is the best plan.

 

[WonkaKid]

I'd agree with three but also buy/use MaxPass. This will help make your park assaults easier and more efficient ;-).

Personally, I don't care for DCA. DL, however, I love. I'd spend two days there, one at DCA. It's cheaper to buy three-day, single-park tix than it is to buy park-hoppers. Three-day tix will also include one Magic Morning.

Now: for DL, I'd suggest rope-dropping every day that you're there. That means that you arrive at the gates around 7:00 (when the park opens at 8:00). Hit Peter Pan/Fantasytland on day one. Get FP/MPs for rides such as Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, etc. If you use MaxPass, you can get them the moment after your tickets are scanned.

For DCA, plan so that you hit all of the rides that are important to you. I'm not a fan of big drops and crazy coasters. POTC and Space Mountain are about where I max-out. However, many people love GOTG and the Incredicoaster, so make a point of grabbing FPs for those as early as possible. Cars has a single-rider line, which I was very surprised to be able to use twice in thirty minutes last Sunday around noon. On that day, we were a group of five.

Be warned: Mondays are likely the worst day for either park. I suspect that many people visit for three days and expect Mondays to be light. They aren't. I was there last Monday and crowds were perhaps the worst I've ever seen at DL. It didn't help that temps were high as was humidity. Perhaps try Thurs-Sat or Friday-Sunday. Some people complain about Sundays but I always love them. I find that when the park opens at 8:00, I've got at least until 10:30 before it even begins to get busy (or at least Disney busy). Some rides, of course, will be packed from 8:01 until the park closes (PP, SM, IJ, etc). But I get four or five Fantasyland rides done by about 8:40 if I rope-drop and am among the first on PP.

Hope this helps!

Rob

 

[Eve & Wall-e]

Minimum of three days with park hoppers. I'd recommend five days for a first time visit, especially if it's a once and done visit.

 

[lalasmama]

3-5 days. Our first trip was 7 days (GLORIOUS! ), but they don't do that any more. Now, despite going many, many times, we do 4 days. It allows us some relaxing time, time for shows, and lots of time to eat, eat, eat!

 

[cmpeter]

Personally, I don't care for DCA. DL, however, I love. I'd spend two days there, one at DCA.

We are the opposite and will spend two days at DCA and one at DL. But...I agree, three days minimum!

 

[chickapin parterre]

You can Cliff Notes Disneyland in one day.....or take 5 days to read the whole novel....bathroom passes are now passe, now it is all about Maxpass!!!!

 

[chickapin parterre]

We are the opposite and will spend two days at DCA and one at DL. But...I agree, three days minimum![/QUOTE

Wow, could you please expand on that concept.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

We are the opposite and will spend two days at DCA and one at DL. But...I agree, three days minimum!

We spend more time at DCA than DL lately. We often spend the first 3-4 hours of a day at DL, and then hop over to DCA and stay there until it closes!

We also rarely spend a whole visit at DL, but sometimes if we start at DCA (Tuesday or Thursday), we just end up staying there all day (or at least until we leave in the afternoon, if we're not staying all day).

Different strokes for different folks!

 

[tasha99]

We are the opposite and will spend two days at DCA and one at DL. But...I agree, three days minimum!

Agreed. DCA is my favorite Disney park

 

[tink89]

We spend more time at DCA than DL lately. We often spend the first 3-4 hours of a day at DL, and then hop over to DCA and stay there until it closes!

We also rarely spend a whole visit at DL, but sometimes if we start at DCA (Tuesday or Thursday), we just end up staying there all day (or at least until we leave in the afternoon, if we're not staying all day).

Different strokes for different folks!

wow! I had heard of people like you, but never believed it was true.
There is no way I would spend more days/time at DCA than DL. There is also no way I start my day out at DCA. I just can't. The first park I go to has to be DL.

 

[smartlabelprint]

4 days parkhopper. Maybe 5. With maxpass.

We come every year. I think 4 days is the sweet spot for us. 3 years ago we were there 4 days. Then 2 yrs ago 6. Then last year 5. Next time will be 4. That’s with toddlers.

My actual next trip is adults only 3.5.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Minimum 3, best 5. MP for your first few days.

 

[Whistlebee]

Without knowing any other details about you, your group, time of year you’ll be visiting, etc....the standard answer is 3 days to see the majority of attractions...4 days to relax a little more and do more repeat attractions... 5 to really relax, go at your own pace, take breaks everyday, etc.
We personally love DCA as much if not more than DL. But it’s really more about both parks just being one big park! We park hop everyday but I’ve noticed we spend a lot of time in DCA since GOTG opened plus my kids always love the pier area.

 

[aquamanalaska]

5 days. I bought an AP because 5 days was way to short. I live in Washington State and have done 30 days (over three trips) in the park. And my Wife just said we have to grab 4 more days in Sept. before our AP's expire. I told her lets do 7 more days. Do 1 day to 100 days you will not be dis appointed. Have a Magical Trip.

P.S. The train is incredible compared to WDW.

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

It comes down to cost for us. once you go past 3 days, 5 is not that much more expensive for us. More days the better imo, but you can do it in three. Far easier with maxpass.