How many days for a newbie next summer?

[jaminmd]

Good morning,
We've never been to DL but we go commando when at WDW. We'll be in San Francisco on business next summer and would like to fly down to DL while we're on the west coast.

DD & I have never been there, DH has been 4 times, the last in 1986, so I consider us all newbies. The trip will be in July/August when it is the most crowded. It'll also involve a weekend since we're doing it as an add on to the business trip.

How many days would you suggest I plan to stay for? I've already read the sticky & another persons wonderful post on how to manage during the summer but I'd like to see if I can get any more advice.

I'll probably stay off site as well and save at least 50%. Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Good morning,
We've never been to DL but we go commando when at WDW. We'll be in San Francisco on business next summer and would like to fly down to DL while we're on the west coast.

DD & I have never been there, DH has been 4 times, the last in 1986, so I consider us all newbies. The trip will be in July/August when it is the most crowded. It'll also involve a weekend since we're doing it as an add on to the business trip.

How many days would you suggest I plan to stay for? I've already read the sticky & another persons wonderful post on how to manage during the summer but I'd like to see if I can get any more advice.

I'll probably stay off site as well and save at least 50%. Thanks!

Guess that might have been my sticky on summer touring?

In any case, July and August are not when DLR is "most crowded". It can be busy in summer but not really comparable to other busy times. I was quite surprised at the moderate crowd level last July.

As for your question, you really need at least three days at DLR to have a solid visit but even that will be limiting. DLR nighttime entertainment really rocks and you will need to spend 2-3 evenings to see it. Nowadays that means one really needs four days minimum at DLR.

Can you do DLR in less than four days? Of course, just like you can do WDW in five days or less. Time enough to have fun but one would still miss a lot.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I agree. No less than 3, but 4 is better.

 

[jaminmd]

Thanks! I assume that the perks offered for the DL hotels don't justify paying 2x the price, either, right?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks! I assume that the perks offered for the DL hotels don't justify paying 2x the price, either, right?

Highly subjective. When kids were smaller and money was tighter we thought not. Our stay at the GCH this summer on a good summer rate was worth it for us.

 

[jocotter]

We went in August 2008 with grandchildren and got a good rate at Paradise Pie (a Disney hotel). The advantage was that you could go in early every single time they had early entry, so we were able to go in and get alot of rides done when it was cooler and less crowded. The pool was also nice. You can get on at the monorail station in Downtown Disney and ride into the area near Fantasyland. It was surprising to me to find it was much less crowded than it was around Veteran's Day in November or in October when Halloween activities were going strong. We had a great time.

I agree with everyone else, 3 days is necessary, but 4 is better.

That being said, we have stayed at the Grand Californian (Great!) and at Candy Cane Inn more times than we can count. It just depends on how much we feel like spending and who is going with us.

 

[jaminmd]

Highly subjective. When kids were smaller and money was tighter we thought not. Our stay at the GCH this summer on a good summer rate was worth it for us.

When do they usually list their summer rates? I thought about the GC but we just stayed at WL & it's very similar in theme. We like to try a new place each trip & I really like the DL hotel but I think DD prefers PP. Does either one have a better pool or slide? Thanks again!

ETA: If GC has the best pool/slide, I'd stay there.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

To give you a perspective from a WDW vet and DL newbie who has gone to DL twice this year. I would say, 3 really full days to find your way around and to get to see and do all the things you can't do at WDW. You will find it a very different experience. It is strange not to know where the restrooms are, and it is strange to have so few inside eating places, etc. Unlike WDW, each ride does not empty out into a gift shop, so you have to sometimes look for shopping opportunities.

Have a grand time. There is nothing like being in the park that started it all and knowing that Walt actually walked there.

 

[SplashMo]

Airfare on Tuesdays is often less. However for summer I would like to travel on Monday and arrive in the parks on Tuesday. Stay in the parks 4-6 days. then on the day we leave I like to catch a character meal outsude the parks and go to DTD and the disney store.

For example. Arrive Monday. Tue-Friday hit the parks. Saturday Character breakfsat and hit the Disney Store and then off to the airport for an afternoon flight.

Of course extending a day or two always works as well. Five days woud be better than four.

Our longest stay at Disneyland is 10 days and shortest will be 5 coming up...

For winter it is important to catch the weekend or you will miss parades and shows... However in the summer the shows and fireworks are usually always there and crowds are usually less on the weekdays...

 

[HydroGuy]

When do they usually list their summer rates? I thought about the GC but we just stayed at WL & it's very similar in theme. We like to try a new place each trip & I really like the DL hotel but I think DD prefers PP. Does either one have a better pool or slide? Thanks again!

ETA: If GC has the best pool/slide, I'd stay there.

GCH does feel a lot like WL. It has the advantage of being the closest hotel to the parks.

We are usually big pool people in the summer but the weather was so mild this July we barely made it to the pools. So mostly we just looked at them while walking by.

I cannot tell you which of the three Disney hotels has the best pool slide. Hopefully someone else can.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

DD and I visited DLR this past 4th of July weekend ~ our park days were 7/3-7/6 we had a fantastic time and plan to visit again next year *DD's B-day is 7/3* it really wasn't any more crowded then other times we've visited.....

On-site ~ not really worth it IMO - we've stayed at all 3 DLR hotels *DLH is my fave. When we do stay on-site it's always a split stay *we either end or start our visit on-site ~ the other nights are spent somewhere much more budget friendly and just as close *if not closer.

 

[jocotter]

Paradise Pier has a big slide that kids like. However, theming looks much nicer at DL Hotel. I don't know if they have a slide though. The pool at GC looked pretty typical to me and I don't remember a big slide, but it was winter and we didn't swim.