How many days for Disneyland & CA with teens

[Yorel]

Hello. I'll be visiting DL & CA with my DH & 2 sons (14 & 12) in mid-July. We've been to WDW many times but it's our 1st time at DL& CA. I'll be joining some locals who would prefer to do both parks in one day and DH thinks that it'll be the same as WDW but much smaller so 1/2 day per park should be fine (i.e. one full day)

Realistically, how many days do we need to enjoy both parks for 2 tween/teens (staying off property) having never been to either park. I'm thinking we would need 2 days.

Apologies for adding to the "how many days" posts but most others seem to either be familiar with the parks &/or have younger children.

 

[SMD]

I would probably get a 2 day hopper, go along with the locals and then go back on another day and see everything that you feel you missed or want to do again.

 

[Geemo]

Hello. I'll be visiting DL & CA with my DH & 2 sons (14 & 12) in mid-July. We've been to WDW many times but it's our 1st time at DL& CA. I'll be joining some locals who would prefer to do both parks in one day and DH thinks that it'll be the same as WDW but much smaller so 1/2 day per park should be fine (i.e. one full day)

Realistically, how many days do we need to enjoy both parks for 2 tween/teens (staying off property) having never been to either park. I'm thinking we would need 2 days.

Apologies for adding to the "how many days" posts but most others seem to either be familiar with the parks &/or have younger children.

You're going during the summer PEAK SEASON. Not only will the weather be warm to HOT but the volume of people in the parks will be high.

For a first time trip, I'd recommend at least three. I've been taking my grandkids for years now, from when they were 6 to now 23years old. The kids like four to five days at Disney and we go what is considered off-season.

Even though the parks are smaller than WDW, there's lots to see and do.

Geemo

 

[DDhunter]

Our very first trip to Disneyland was for one day with two teenagers. We didn't park hop at all and it was a very jam packed day. I would say we managed to ride maybe half the rides and watched the fireworks. I think you need at the bare minimum 2 days to do the highlights.

 

[Belle83]

Well, you definitely need more than a half day per park. It's really a similar number of major attractions as WDW, just crammed into less parks. During a work trip I spent one day between the parks at the end of August. I was able to hit the major things but it was pretty exhausting, and it wasn't my first time to the parks. I would recommend going for 3-4 days but 2 is the absolute minimum to do a rushed visit, 3 minimum to really enjoy everything.

 

[BriannaRuth]

My kids were about that age when we went last year. We always go mid to late August, every other year and we do 5 days. Two would be an absolute minimum, and that would be pretty rushed, going from attraction to attraction and not spending anytime on any of the things that, to me, make Disneyland Disneyland. Three would be better -- one day for each park, then one day at the end to go hit anything you missed or want to one last time before you leave.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I would only do the one day option if you think you'll just walk around and not do any rides. If you want to do rides and watch shows, you need at least 2 full days. I'd really recommend 3 days so you have the xtra day to go back to something you want to do again or something that you missed because the ride was down, etc.

 

[YukonMommy]

I agree with everyone else. 2 days minimum, but if you can 3-5 would be better.
Have a magical time!

 

[Winnowill]

Definitely echo the "two days at a minimum" chorus. Consider that lines will be pretty long for the headliners by noon. RSR will likely be at least two hours from 11:00 am on. Hyperspace Mountain a solid hour and a half (right now on a Wednesday at 9:00 am, RSR is already an hour, HSM is 75 minutes, and Soarin' is 70). You won't get to do everything you want to do in one day, especially if the rumor discussed in another thread about them connecting the FP systems between the parks is true.

 

[lk2500]

Hello. I'll be visiting DL & CA with my DH & 2 sons (14 & 12) in mid-July. We've been to WDW many times but it's our 1st time at DL& CA. I'll be joining some locals who would prefer to do both parks in one day and DH thinks that it'll be the same as WDW but much smaller so 1/2 day per park should be fine (i.e. one full day)

Realistically, how many days do we need to enjoy both parks for 2 tween/teens (staying off property) having never been to either park. I'm thinking we would need 2 days.

Apologies for adding to the "how many days" posts but most others seem to either be familiar with the parks &/or have younger children.

We've been 5 times and my DS's are now 19 and 22. I would suggest 3-4 days at the minimum. We usually do 3 days at DLR and 1 day at SFMM. If your DH and DS's are like us - since you are in the area splurge for some Platinum Flash Passes (if you can afford it) and go to SFMM, one of the best collection of thrills rides in the country. It's one heckuva commute from Anaheim but we put up with it. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Yorel]

Definitely echo the "two days at a minimum" chorus. Consider that lines will be pretty long for the headliners by noon. RSR will likely be at least two hours from 11:00 am on. Hyperspace Mountain a solid hour and a half (right now on a Wednesday at 9:00 am, RSR is already an hour, HSM is 75 minutes, and Soarin' is 70). You won't get to do everything you want to do in one day, especially if the rumor discussed in another thread about them connecting the FP systems between the parks is true.

OMG!!! Wow. Those are some serious wait times!

 

[Yorel]

We've been 5 times and my DS's are now 19 and 22. I would suggest 3-4 days at the minimum. We usually do 3 days at DLR and 1 day at SFMM. If your DH and DS's are like us - since you are in the area splurge for some Platinum Flash Passes (if you can afford it) and go to SFMM, one of the best collection of thrills rides in the country. It's one heckuva commute from Anaheim but we put up with it. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you. What is SFMM...Platinum Flash Pass? Sorry very unfamiliar with the area.

 

[Yorel]

I agree with everyone else. 2 days minimum, but if you can 3-5 would be better.
Have a magical time!

Thank you!

 

[Yorel]

Thank you everyone. Your feedback was very helpful. Although our family was trying to appeal to us that CA is barely a half day park, we all agreed to do a 2 day hopper. Since there will be 12 of us in total ranging from 8 to almost 80, we'll probably have varied interests and we will want time to explore on our own.

 

[lk2500]

Thank you. What is SFMM...Platinum Flash Pass? Sorry very unfamiliar with the area.

Six Flags Magic Mountain. Sounds like you probably won't have time with your busy schedule but they have one of the best collection of roller coasters in the world. My boys and I love thrill rides so we visit there every time we go to Cali.

Pull up some YouTube videos of Twisted Collossus, X2, Tatsu, Full Throttle, Goliath, etc...

 

[azdisneylover]

There isn't a right or wrong answer for how many days. There are so many factors that go into deciding how many days to spend at Disneyland, for example; how much is this going to cost, when will we be back, love thrill rides or hate thrill rides, love entertainment or hate the entertainment, like people watching, would rather run from ride to ride instead of looking at all the little details, snack and go or sit down and enjoy your meal, etc the list is a mile long on factors. We like going for as many days as we can so we do not feel rushed. Usually it is for a minimum of 5 days. Perhaps you can go with your family for 2-3 days, and then 2-3 days with just your immediate family. I would suggest everyone list one or two things they want to ride, watch, see, eat, etc and plan your days with those in mind. Hopefully you can do ONE item from each person in your family's list. If you don't you may hear a lot of "I don't know where to go" and "I don't care what we do", followed by "I don't want to right that, but that's fine"...... If you make a list, you will have a start on planning for your NEXT trip to Disneyland (with just your immediate family). Going with a group of people, especially with that age range will be challenging, to say the least, and that doesn't even factor in the crowds and weather. Make sure you have plenty of water, sunblock and chapstick with at least sp15 factor. Hopefully the train will be up and running when you go. That will help move some of the crowds.
Check out some of the July trip reports to get an idea of what it will be like. Look at the locations of the rides, attractions, places that have shade, etc so you can suggest places when your group is at a stand still. Check out the entertainment listed so you can get a treat (Mickey's kitchen sink for example) and watch the 5 and Dimers perform in DCA, or grab a Pear-O-Dice drink with popcorn and watch the lights turn on in Carsland.
The Jazz band currently playing on the Mark Twain is fantastic! Great to grab your lunch and grab a table in the shade to enjoy the music and the view. (This is while the river rides and train are closed ). For me, there isn't enough time to "do" Disneyland let alone DCA.