How Many Days for Disneyland?

[Frozen2014]

I'm doing very early research as we're thinking of going to Disneyland next summer (mixing in other California things). We were at Disney World in Oct 2014 and absolutely loved it. In total we spent 4.5 days total but I know some go for 10 days to 2 weeks to DW.

How many days do you recommend for Disneyland (which I believe has 2 parks)? I want to fully enjoy and not feel rushed but we don't want to get to the point where we are bored (if that's even possible).

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

I'm doing very early research as we're thinking of going to Disneyland next summer (mixing in other California things). We were at Disney World in Oct 2014 and absolutely loved it. In total we spent 4.5 days total but I know some go for 10 days to 2 weeks to DW.

How many days do you recommend for Disneyland (which I believe has 2 parks)? I want to fully enjoy and not feel rushed but we don't want to get to the point where we are bored (if that's even possible).

To fully enjoy it and not feel rushed, I would say 5 days. We just made our first trip to DL (have gone to WDW many times) & 5 was great for us. Would definitely have taken more days if I could have.

I promise you won't get bored.

By the way, the shows were amazing that we saw, so I'm assuming you'd have interest in those and the nighttime entertainment was not-to-be-missed. Those all take some time to fit into the schedule. Plus, just to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere is so worthwhile... Very pretty parks.

You will love it!

If you want to do fewer days, and since you did WDW not too long ago, then I would focus first more on the attractions that are unique to DL & then as you have time do others as well.

Happy planning to you!

 

[mom2rtk]

We still feel a little rushed with 5 days. But that's the longest non AP ticket they sell, so we made the best of it. We like seeing all the shows, parades, fireworks etc, and that can take some time. Plus we do like to re-ride our favorites a lot. If you can have a down day in the middle, that helps.

 

[HydroGuy]

Especially in the summer I would say you need four days to experience DLR and not feel rushed or that you missed anything important. I have never done a five day trip to DLR but then I have gone a lot and know my way around.

For folks familiar with WDW I would compare 4.5 days at WDW to about 2 days at DLR. A 10 day WDW trip would be line a 5 day trip to DLR. My recommended 4 days at DLR feels kind of like a 8 day trip to WDW.

 

[nikerbokers]

Depending on the time of the year... But we always go for 3 days. 2 days in Disneyland Park and 1 days at DCA.

But if it's summer time or holiday time I would add another day. The crowds can be outrageous and I find myself less stressed if I know I have an extra day to do everything.

 

[avalon451]

I like 5 days: 3 full days and a half or 3/4 day on either end when we're traveling. On our next trip, we'll get into the parks around 11 a.m. on our first day, then 3 full days, then leave the parks around 4 on our last day. We're usually just about Disney'ed out by then! But some people go for as long as a week or ten days.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you for all the replies. It sounds like 5 days is a good amount stated by all. That's good as I was wondering since it's smaller than DW that we would need much less time, so am happy to hear that we can make it a longer trip. And yes, we would do the entire experience with not just the rides but any shows, fireworks, etc.

I guess the next part would be to figure out how many days at each park but I need to look closer to see the attractions at each

 

[ktlm]

I would say it depends on whether you have kids with you. For just DH and I, we would be good with 2 days, and probably better with 3 to go at a slower pace. We have been every year for the last 6 years (I thought it was 5 until my DD recently corrected me with photographic proof), and with her, we usually spend 4 full park days, and still always feel like it just wasn't quite enough. We usually do a 9 day California trip and spend the rest of the trip in the San Diego area.

 

[avalon451]

I guess the next part would be to figure out how many days at each park but I need to look closer to see the attractions at each

If you've been reading around on this side of the boards, esp. the Disneyland for WDW vets thread, you've probably already heard this; but parkhoppers are really nice to have for DLR. Because the 2 parks are literally one minute's walk apart, across the Esplanade, you can start out in DL, then hop over to CA, and back again. Lots of people enjoy starting in one park, taking a midday break, then coming back later to the other one. It's much easier to hop than at WDW.

 

[ktlm]

Thank you for all the replies. It sounds like 5 days is a good amount stated by all. That's good as I was wondering since it's smaller than DW that we would need much less time, so am happy to hear that we can make it a longer trip. And yes, we would do the entire experience with not just the rides but any shows, fireworks, etc.

I guess the next part would be to figure out how many days at each park but I need to look closer to see the attractions at each

I don't think you can ever get bored at DLR or WDW!

As far as days at each park, I would strongly suggest hoppers. Unlike WDW where the parks are far apart and hopping is a time investment, at DLR compared to WDW the parks feel like one big park. There is only a short plaza between them (less than the walk between where the bus drops you off and the gate at most WDW parks), and bag check is on the outside of the plaza so you do not even have to go through bag check to hop. We go back and forth all day. It literally usually takes 5 minutes to get out of one park and into the other. We have been from the back corner of DL to the back corner of CA in 10 minutes! It is very convenient, if say the lines seems really long in the afternoon at DL, to hop over to CA where there are shorter lines. It is very convenient if you want to see the fireworks from inside DL, but they were cancelled one night, to hop over from CA the next night and catch them. One night last July, we saw WOC at CA our first full day, and then on a whim hopped over to see if we could catch the late Paint the Night parade at DL- found a fantastic spot- and then our 2nd night when we had it planned we didn't have to worry about trying to stake out a spot for it (although we loved it so much- that we found a spot for the 2nd showing anyway- but there was no pressure or stress). Also, at least in the summer, DL usually has later hours than WOC, so we sometimes stay at WOC until closing, and then hope over to DL until they close. Hoppers are definitely worth it for DLR!

 

[Frozen2014]

I would say it depends on whether you have kids with you. For just DH and I, we would be good with 2 days, and probably better with 3 to go at a slower pace. We have been every year for the last 6 years (I thought it was 5 until my DD recently corrected me with photographic proof), and with her, we usually spend 4 full park days, and still always feel like it just wasn't quite enough. We usually do a 9 day California trip and spend the rest of the trip in the San Diego area.

Our kids LOVED Disney World (only been once) so I imagine that they will feel the same with Disneyland. So never too much for them. (It's mostly DH who might not survive too many days...he he). But yes, this is exactly what we are thinking...but maybe 5 days at Disneyland and another 5 or so (?) touring. We are from Ontario Canada so would love to see parts of CA....if we can swing that long a vacation.

 

[Frozen2014]

I don't think you can ever get bored at DLR or WDW!

As far as days at each park, I would strongly suggest hoppers. Unlike WDW where the parks are far apart and hopping is a time investment, at DLR compared to WDW the parks feel like one big park. There is only a short plaza between them (less than the walk between where the bus drops you off and the gate at most WDW parks), and bag check is on the outside of the plaza so you do not even have to go through bag check to hop. We go back and forth all day. It literally usually takes 5 minutes to get out of one park and into the other. We have been from the back corner of DL to the back corner of CA in 10 minutes! It is very convenient, if say the lines seems really long in the afternoon at DL, to hop over to CA where there are shorter lines. It is very convenient if you want to see the fireworks from inside DL, but they were cancelled one night, to hop over from CA the next night and catch them. One night last July, we saw WOC at CA our first full day, and then on a whim hopped over to see if we could catch the late Paint the Night parade at DL- found a fantastic spot- and then our 2nd night when we had it planned we didn't have to worry about trying to stake out a spot for it (although we loved it so much- that we found a spot for the 2nd showing anyway- but there was no pressure or stress). Also, at least in the summer, DL usually has later hours than WOC, so we sometimes stay at WOC until closing, and then hope over to DL until they close. Hoppers are definitely worth it for DLR!

Interesting what you and others have said about Park Hoppers. For Disney World, we totally skpped them since the parks were so far away. When we were at a park, we just stayed there. Much more efficient. But sounds like it's worthwhile at Disneyland. Guess will have to see in the planning and what is going on, but good to know in terms off line up management. Thanks for the tip.

 

[xApril]

I've done 4 days, with pretty much 2 full days dedicated to Disneyland and 2 where we end up at both parks. We did mostly everything, but there was so much more we could've done and explored.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I agree with pp. get a 5 day park hopper. DL has narrow walkways which can feel really crowded in the afternoon. Especially with the parades and such being every day even in the offseason. We usually start in the park that DOES NOT have early morning for hotel guests since we stay off site. Then we hop to DCA for afternoons. I love the ambiance of DL at night. But if we want to eat at one of the DCA restaurants for dinner we have that option too.

My fave restaurants are boardwalk pizza & pasta in DCA. French market & plaza inn. Blue bayou for table service.

 

[Frozen2014]

Op here. I spoke with a friend who has been to DW and DL and she commented that for DL they were good with just 1 day (now, they only did one park and skipped DCA ). They found they were circling the same rides. We don't do crazy ride (big rollercoasters, ones that turn a lot). Any thoughts? I was thinking/hoping for 4 or 5 days but will we run out of things to do and see?

 

[MICKEYFIL]

Op here. I spoke with a friend who has been to DW and DL and she commented that for DL they were good with just 1 day (now, they only did one park and skipped DCA ). They found they were circling the same rides. We don't do crazy ride (big rollercoasters, ones that turn a lot). Any thoughts? I was thinking/hoping for 4 or 5 days but will we run out of things to do and see?

Everyone wants something different. I have spent a day at the park repeating on five rides over and over again. Others go for just the parades, shows and food. I would say you need to first ask yourself what you want to do and how often you want to experience it. For me 4 days is perfect, because it makes me wish I did 5 days. If I go for 5 days, the last day feels like a bit of a repeat and in the end I have realized I would rather feel a desire to come back again.

 

[HydroGuy]

Op here. I spoke with a friend who has been to DW and DL and she commented that for DL they were good with just 1 day (now, they only did one park and skipped DCA ). They found they were circling the same rides. We don't do crazy ride (big rollercoasters, ones that turn a lot). Any thoughts? I was thinking/hoping for 4 or 5 days but will we run out of things to do and see?

When people say things like that it seems they are likely just focused on the headliner rides. In general at DL you need at least two evenings just to see their three can't miss shows/parades: Paint the Night (PTN), Disneyland Forever (DLF) fireworks, and Fantasmic! At the moment Fantasmic is not showing because of the work around the island to support Star Wars Land. But it is not possible to see all those three shows on the same night from any kind of decent viewing spots. If one takes the two evenings to see these shows it leaves little time to just experience DL at night. So that requires a third evening. DCA has a can't miss night show in World of Color so that is a fourth night. That does not leave any time to just experience DCA at night either so that is a fifth night.

We have not gotten to the other quality day time shows like the Aladdin stage show at DCA (now closed and soon changing to Frozen), Mickey and The Magical Map at DL and Soundsational at DL, and the story time shows at Princess Fantasy Faire at DL.

Further, some families have kids (and adults ) who are really into meeting characters. That means more time. Pixie Hollow, PFF, Mickey's House, plus others at DL. DCA has their own meet & greets often for more Pixar-type characters.

LOL, we have not even talked about rides yet! Or dining!

In answer to your question, if you take 4-5 days at DLR you will leave saying, "Wow, I wish I had more time!". You will have time to experience most everything you want at a leisurely pace, but there will still be some things you will probably miss.

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

We went (me and DS 5) for 8 days at the end of September 2013. Park hours were shorter (9-8 DCA, 9-10 DL) and we never ran out of things to do. But there was Pirate League, Fantasmic! And the mickeys Halloween party scheduled. We also did a character breakfast and lunch at the Blue Bayou. My son had no desire to do character meets and I was thankful because we would not have had time to do them. We never made it to WOC or Aladdin. We needed down time for me and him! This year we are going for 9 days in August and will have park hoppers every day. I'm excited that we will have much more time for shows since we will have longer park hours. He's 8 and will be able to handle walking everywhere (last time I had a stroller for him). I think you will be surprised at how much you miss even with 5 days. But as PP have stated you can do things at a more leisurely pace with that much time. Have fun planning!

 

[avalon451]

I think one of the things about DL that I have heard is different from WDW is attention to detail. There is so much little stuff you can see and experience there, if you're not just focused on the headliners. I started watching a few youtube videos by people who focus on this detail-oriented side of Disneyland, and it's made me want to focus more on leisurely touring this time (Fresh Baked Disney, and 5 Weird things about Tomorrowland --Adventureland, Fantasy Land, etc) -- In the past I've focused on rides and shows, and sometimes worn myself out trying to get on as many as I can, as fast as I can.

I think it would be really difficult to enjoy DL in a one day tour. Sure you can do it; there are touring plans set up for just that, like the Unofficial Guides' Dumbo or Die in a Day plan. But how fun to be able to see everything and all the shows you want in a more relaxed manner, with some time for breaks if needed. I love 3 full days with parkhoppers, and a half day on either end for travel time.

 

[Abbey1]

Op here. I spoke with a friend who has been to DW and DL and she commented that for DL they were good with just 1 day (now, they only did one park and skipped DCA ). They found they were circling the same rides. We don't do crazy ride (big rollercoasters, ones that turn a lot). Any thoughts? I was thinking/hoping for 4 or 5 days but will we run out of things to do and see?

I would never be satisfied with just one day. We have done two-day, three-day, and four-day trips and I'm always left wanting more! We are buying APs for the first time this year, and I plan on each trip we make being 5 days +. Everyone is different, but I feel like you wouldn't even crack the surface of everything Disneyland has to offer in one day.