How Many Days at DLR and other planning questions

[nancy drew]

ok, i am leaning toward DLR this spring, instead of WDW (might do WDW in early Dec). i have been browsing, and have some good ideas for hotels etc, but id love some ideas on how many days/nights we should spend at DLR. some additional info, that might be relevant:

*i am a single (divorced) mom with 2 kids (2.5yo DS and 4yo DD)
*we all share a love of disney, DD has been to WDW 3 times and DS has been twice. they are EAGERLY anticipating our next trip.
*we arent getting a car, and have no desire to do anything other than DLR (maybe some swimming if weather permits).
*we will be traveling in mid-may.

i was thinking about spending 6-7 nights there. is that enough? too much? if we go to WDW we cant stay that many nights, and i always feel like im trying to cram everything into our trip, and running from here to there and not stopping to enjoy things. i was thinking a longer stay at DLR might help me chill and let the kids really experience it.

right now the only downsides are the fact that i will need to somehow carry 2 carseats through the airport, and the fact that IASW will be closed . the kids will be REALLY bummed about that. i know there are plenty of other things to do there to make up for it, but that is DD's favorite ride, and the one she is most excited to see again (which almost makes me want to go to WDW, because she might not be ok with not going on IASW).

anyway, how long should we plan on being there?

any other suggestions for me? thanks!!!!!!!

 

[ballarinamom]

You can definatley get everything done in 6 days. We always for 5 nights, fly in early (we're in the park around 12:00) and we take a late flight on our last day. We try to leave the park around 3:00. we live in Texas so we get home around 11:00pm. We make rope drop every morning when th park is not so crowded and we can enjoy the peace of the park before the caos.
We always stay at DLH
We try to do all of the character meals to avoid the lines for characters.
We never feel rushed and will hop over to DCA if Dl gets crowded. It is so much easier to do than at WDW.
AS far as a car seat. If you take a shuttle instead of a cab, you won't need a car seat. If you can manage, a cab to DLH from SNA is about $40 and is super easy.

 

[CindyH]

If DL is open from 8am till midnight, are your kids up for that long of a day? Ours usually aren't. Add to that your desire to do some swimming (nice break during the day) and probably a nap or two for the younger one, and I think 6-7 days is fine. Enough to do all of DL and DCA, plus time to re-do the rides they really like again and again.

 

[HydroGuy]

Looks like it has been awhile since you have been to DL which is now DLR. This link may help re-orient you:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Some will disagree but IMO 6-7 days at DLR is too much. Rather 3-5 days is enough for most people.

 

[nancy drew]

You can definatley get everything done in 6 days.

(snip)

We try to do all of the character meals to avoid the lines for characters.
We never feel rushed and will hop over to DCA if Dl gets crowded. It is so much easier to do than at WDW.
AS far as a car seat. If you take a shuttle instead of a cab, you won't need a car seat. If you can manage, a cab to DLH from SNA is about $40 and is super easy.

this is all good to know! i was definitely planning on doing many character meals for the same reason.

i thought you needed carseats in shuttles? ive been trying to read up on this and it seems shuttles and cabs require them but buses do not? am i getting that wrong?

If DL is open from 8am till midnight, are your kids up for that long of a day? Ours usually aren't. Add to that your desire to do some swimming (nice break during the day) and probably a nap or two for the younger one, and I think 6-7 days is fine. Enough to do all of DL and DCA, plus time to re-do the rides they really like again and again.

i think we will be there in "off season" so the hours wouldnt be as long. we are coming from central time zone so we will probably be ok with getting up early. maybe we will even go to sleep early too! (We are late night folks around here).

Looks like it has been awhile since you have been to DL which is now DLR. This link may help re-orient you:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Some will disagree but IMO 6-7 days at DLR is too much. Rather 3-5 days is enough for most people.

i have read many of your tips and i really appreciate them!!!

i guess my thoughts on 6-7 days is that then we can swim if we want (without feeling like we are missing out on something) or ride something a dozen times and not feel rushed. my kids are in a big "again again!!!" phase, so i can forsee that happening a lot. but since i havent been in a long time, im just not sure how much time is needed for repetition of rides. i know 6-7 days at WDW would probably be great for us, but im clueless on DLR!

 

[Hound 109]

....
i think we will be there in "off season" so the hours wouldnt be as long. we are coming from central time zone so we will probably be ok with getting up early. maybe we will even go to sleep early too! (We are late night folks around here).

I completely agree with you. Getting up early is easier with the 2 hour change. & a quick look at the calender suggests DL hours during the week to be either 9am (or 10am) - 8pm. Even more reason to get their early.

i have read many of your tips and i really appreciate them!!!

i guess my thoughts on 6-7 days is that then we can swim if we want (without feeling like we are missing out on something) or ride something a dozen times and not feel rushed. my kids are in a big "again again!!!" phase, so i can forsee that happening a lot. but since i havent been in a long time, im just not sure how much time is needed for repetition of rides. i know 6-7 days at WDW would probably be great for us, but im clueless on DLR!

A few thoughts:

- Whether you select 4 nights, 5 or 6 nights, get to the park early (assuming you want to ride Fantasyland rides) which have no FPs & have little to no lines early.
- If you can get 2 days MM/EE (assuming the late Gen. Adm. opening times) get them. (To all - Does Getaway still do those 2 day MM offers?? For May??) if you're staying on-site, you don't need them though.
- Factor in at least a Sunday (or a Friday....or both) so you can watch the Fireworks (which will likely be dark during the week).

If it was me going solo with 2 toddlers, i would do 4 nights / 5 days or 5 nights/6 days. (assuming mid may/ off peak)

& would do a Sun. Night - Wed. Night......OR a Sat. Night - Wed. night).

Have fun.

 

[bumbershoot]

"i was thinking a longer stay at DLR might help me chill and let the kids really experience it."

That's some good thinking!


Carseats. Yes, you need to use them on shuttles. Super Shuttle's site says to check local laws, and I do believe that CA has strong carseat laws. After seeing the way the drivers for SuperShuttle drive, I want a 5-point harness!!!!!

On the Grayline Disneyland Express *bus* you can't use carseats, so that would eliminate at least one need for the seats. Note that I'm totally behind the use of carseats on airplanes, but even with ONE kid I ended up gate-checking that bulky thing on my last flight home with him.