How many days for 2 adults?

[LJSquishy]

My husband and I went to Disney World in February for the first time and spent 6 nights. One of the park days we spent at Universal Studios, and the rest of the days we spent at DW.

We found that we were able to do all of the rides in each park (except for the carnival style kid rides) in 1 day well before dinner time. We also park hopped which we were thankful we had because a couple of the parks didn't take us all day.

My question is if we were to take a trip to Disneyland, what would you suggest as far as the ideal number of nights for us? We would go during low crowds, probably either sometime in February or the week after Thanksgiving (not necessarily in 2013, but maybe). We would likely do the park hoppers for flexibility.

I originally was thinking 4 nights, but now I am thinking that may be too long since Disneyland is much smaller. Should we do a certain number of nights at DL, then travel to one of the other attractions in Cali? We didn't really enjoy Universal Studios in FL. I'm not really sure what else there is or if it would be worth it.

 

[CheshireGato]

My ex and I would usually shoot for 3 days, 1 in each park and the last one for anything we wanted to do again or missed the first time. That was plenty of time for us, but I would have welcomed extra days if our budget would have allowed just to spend more time trying food and taking in the details of the parks.

 

[Huff]

If you can do everything at WDW in only 4 days for 4 parks thats great! Most certainly cannot unless perhaps low season with almost no waits in line for any attraction.

Our typical WDW day is arrive park at 9am. Rides, shows, attractions then lunch break. Often we leave the park to go to a resort for lunch. Then back to same park or sometimes another park for late afternoon. Then its off to dinner around 7ish at one of the resorts or epcot. After dinner its off to whatever park is open late. A full day but with long lunch and dinner breaks. We stay a full week and that allows us a slow paced very relaxing vacation without the rush.

Don't be fooled thinking Disneyland is smaller. There is about 85% as many rides, shows and attractions in 2 parks at Disneyland as there is at WDW in 4 parks. Disneyland park itself has quite a bit more than Magic Kingdom.

Where WDW gains is in restaurants and things to do at all the areas resorts. It is true you can do more in less time at DLR because it takes only a few minutes to park hop or go to Downtown Disney rather than the lengthy time to park hop at WDW.

When at WDW do you take the time to see all the shows and other non-ride attractions? If your main interest is the major E-Ticket rides then 3 days is sufficient. If you like the other smaller attractions, shows, parades etc. or like a slower pace, lunch and dinner breaks etc then 4 days would be better.

When we've gone 5-6 days its 3 full days and days 5-6 are part days where we spend the morning and afternoon at the beach and night at the parks.

 

[Jaina]

We usually do 3, and we're usually worn out! 4 might be a nice number so you could take it easy and still see everything you want to.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you want to go during a non-peak time, don't forget that the parks may have shorter hours and that the nighttime shows will only show on the weekends (Fri. - Sun.). This might affect how many days it will take to see everything you want.

 

[rwhistler92]

We went for a day and a half and did almost everything we wanted. We stayed at the resort and EMH helped a lot. I would think 2 or 3 days would work as you can go as fast as you want or as slow.

 

[PinkBudgie]

DH and I just spent 5 1/2 days at DLR this past July and we still didn't get to everything we had wanted to do. (Of course, we did our favorites several times). This was July so more crowded, however, the hours open were much longer. I'd say 4- two for each park, but we park hopped a lot. And don't forget there is DTD you want to have some time for. We like going there in the evening and strolling around and listening to the muscians.

 

[LJSquishy]

Thanks everyone! I did not realize DL/CA had nearly as many rides & attractions as DW, only scrunched into a smaller area. I also forgot that shows are only on weekends during low peak times so I will need to plan for that.

It sounds like 4 park days (with hoppers) would be ideal for us. We aren't into the parades really other than MSEP.

You've really helped a lot! Thanks!