How many days in DL??

[Mommy26]

On an average trip how many days do you go to DL?

We are going for 5 days. (SIL thinks thats too many, I disagree).

Do you visit DL before you check in to your hotel? After you check in?

Before you check out, After you check out?

I can't decide what I want to do.

 

[kingshockey04]

All the times I've been in the past my family has gone only 1 day which I didn't like. But for my trip next month I'm doing 3 days...actually 1/2 a day when we arrive after check in, then two full days and then 1/2 a day after we check out.

I want to do longer one day...maybe a week.

 

[bumbershoot]

From your username I assume you have kids? Are they used to traveling? Have they been to Disney before?

We ended up with 6 (maybe 6.5) days in the parks on our first big trip last September. Then DS and I did 5 more in December (DH was there for 3). Since that trip wasn't really yearned for by DS, he wasn't totally into it, and b/c of very different touring styles I caused DS and DH to burn out. oops!

So then I did 1.5 days ALONE in January, so I don't have to be a park commando next time I go with them.

I think it's obvious that I, personally, could stay for weeks and be fine, touring all day every day. But DH and DS need a shorter, intense, stay, or a longer, more relaxed stay.

So you can see, there's no one answer even inside of one family.

Where are you coming from? What time will you get in? Is there a time difference that will help or hurt that traveling day, or that first day? If you're coming from the east coast you'll probably want to take it easy on travel day, but that next morning you'll be up bright and early b/c it will be "later" to you than it actually is.

There are so many variables.

 

[Sienna]

You're probably going to want at least a full day in each park, if not more. It's possible to see and do a lot in each park if you manage your day well (limit breaks, use fastpasses, etc). But if you want to take things at a more leisurely pace, and discover things off the beaten path, give yourself more time in each park. Especially if you have small kids - they'll need to go at a slower pace.

Yes, we definitely go to the parks on our arrival and departure days, and I try to coordinate flights that will allow us to do that. Flying from Seattle, it's pretty easy to do. Our most recent trip was 4 days, including travel days. Our trip a year ago was 5 days. On our first day, our flight arrived at 9:30am, and we checked into the hotel around 10 or 10:30. We were headed to the park at 11am. On our last day, we had a later flight, so we hung out in the parks before going home. We go to So Cal *just* for Disney and spend all of our time there. We haven't gone to any of the other attractions.

 

[brocklesnar69]

Im going for 8 days with my upcoming trip.

 

[PixiePowered]

My family goes twice a year. In the summer time, we go for 5 days (1/2 day upon arrival, 3 full days, and 1/2 day on day of departure). And during the holiday time we go for 3-4 days (normally at the beginning of December when it's not so crowded).

 

[tkitty]

Growing up in So Cal We never did more than 1 day for the-then 1 park. Now we go for 2 days min. We get in the day before, check in, maybe visit the downtown area for some shopping. Get up early and get to DL for a full day. Day 2, Go to CA, stay till about dinner time, eat, and sometimes finish the evening at Disneyland, for anything we missed or want to do again. So we can get by with a 2day hopper. I would stay all week if I could, and WDW is a whole different story!

 

[jernysgirl]

When my family goes, it usually takes us at least a good part of the day for travel on either end of the vacation. Instead of heading into the park after traveling all day, we like to head to the hotel check in, and spend a little time relaxing and unpacking. That afternoon/evening is a good time to explore DTD and get in some shopping. With kids, you can buy souvenirs, etc. at the Disney Store and not have to tote around tons of stuff everyday inside the park. It is also nice to get in a nice healthy meal, before eating junk food and sweets the entire trip. (Which most of us do!) We spend anywhere between 3-5 days in the parks. We usually try to spend the first couple in each park doing all the rides and try to ride everything at least once. Then the last few days we can go back and re-ride our favorites and explore the shops and dining options. Chances are, by that point, your kids might be a little tired as well as your feet... lol! That way we can wrap up your trip feeling relaxed. We usually stay an extra night so that we do not have to travel home late in the evening. If we get home early enough, that still gives the kids time to play with all their new toys and things when we get home and gives me time to unload the car before I am a walking zombie! Hope this helps!

 

[Hound 109]

On an average trip how many days so you go to DL?

We are going for 5 days. (SIL thinks that too many I disagree).

Do you visit DL before you check in to your hotel? After you check in?

Before you check out, After you check out?

I can't decide what I want to do.

Tell us your dates, days of week, where you are possibly staying & the ages of those coming and it would be helpful in offering an opinion.

Also, if you enjoy touring leisurely or more commando.

Have a great time planning.

 

[klj27]

I was wondering the same thing. We are planning to go for the first time in July 2009. We will have three kids: 13, 10, and 5. This will be part of a 3+ week road trip and the longest we stay at any location. Our plan is for 7 nights but we are used to 2 weeks at WDW.

 

[Plantlady]

We're planning on three full days. We've gone back and forth, we started with five, and keep having to go smaller and smaller. I do hope we'll have enough time!

We're driving.. so, long drive, will arrive on a Sunday, and plan on doing a character dinner that night, to get us in the Disney mood.. (like we need help there).

So, we'll see. I am thinking it might not be enough. but, what can you do, we have to have time to make it back to work!

 

[Hound 109]

We're planning on three full days. We've gone back and forth, we started with five, and keep having to go smaller and smaller. I do hope we'll have enough time!

We're driving.. so, long drive, will arrive on a Sunday, and plan on doing a character dinner that night, to get us in the Disney mood.. (like we need help there).

So, we'll see. I am thinking it might not be enough. but, what can you do, we have to have time to make it back to work!

I think if one compares the cost of a 3 day hopper to a 4 day....or a 4 day to a 5 day, you'll find a small premium for the extra day. Because of that, I like to go into the parks the first evening. (To get in the Disney Mood).

Ride some rides, do some walking after all that driving. Get your bearings. Take some pictures. Watch a parade or fireworks. If even for a couple of hours, it's a great way to kick off a trip.

Also, Sunday evenings start to thin out as the evening goes on.

& consider a character meal the one of the next two days.

 

[Hound 109]

I was wondering the same thing. We are planning to go for the first time in July 2009. We will have three kids: 13, 10, and 5. This will be part of a 3+ week road trip and the longest we stay at any location. Our plan is for 7 nights but we are used to 2 weeks at WDW.

Sounds like a blast.

If you're used to 2 weeks at WDW, then 7 days at DLR sounds about right. Not because there is half the attractions, but because you spend much less time on buses, & because everything is so close. (& it's real easy to park hop).

Read HydroGuy's tip threads if you haven't already, & have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[nutshell]

For August, we'll arrive and spend time in DTD. Then we'll have 3 full days for the parks. The last day we'll check out and spend 1/2 day in the parking finishing up anything we missed or want to do again.

 

[DLR29]

We don't usually go to the parks on arrival or departure days. Downtown Disney is usually our arrival day activity. I haven't had a (DL) trip longer than 3 full days. Usually we go for 2-2 1/2. But I definitely see everything I want to. I cram a ton of stuff into a small time. Here's how many days/rides for my past few trips:

August 07-2 1/2 days: 61 rides
Week before Christmas 06- 2 days: 55 rides
President's Week 06- 3 days: 45 rides

However with young kids, I could see 5 days at a much more relaxed pace. We usually don't take breaks in the middle of the day, but younger ones can't last as long and midday breaks help give them more energy for later nights.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

For me, there's no such thing as going for too many days. We can always find things to do in the park. We used to go once a week, sometimes more. And we'd spend all day there. We are the type of people that like to go on our rides over and over, if possible. We once went on Space Mountain 7 times in a row (we'd get off the ride and go right around to the entrance and through the queue to jump right back on.) We've also ridden Big Thunder numerous times in a row. Once they let us stay on the train for a second time around and then we got off, noticed nowhere else getting on so we jumped back in for the third time. So when the parks aren't crowded we love it.

And if the parks ARE crowded, it's better to have more time so you don't feel stressed about trying to get on the rides you like.

Plus, it's fun to walk through the shops and people watch.

Now that we live far away and don't have annual passes, I like our trips to consist of at least 3 days, if possible.

 

[LauraAnn630]

We are only going to get to go for 2 days to DL. But Im lucky to have that! We were supposed to take a trip to Vegas only.

I want to do all the rides WDW does not have first. Then do our Favs.
No kids this trip! But I still need a afternoon break. But we might just find a spot in the park and not actually leave.

When we go to WDW we stay 10 to 14 days.

 

[WA Kay]

I agree with bumbershoot in that so much depends on who is going, your touring style, and if or how many times you have been. The last time we (4 adults and 1 teenager) went we set aside 5 days for the parks (both Disneyland and California Adventure) and I drug us through at my commando style break neck speed. We had seen everything in the first 3 days so by the time day five came around the “others” were bored and tired. Because we had been every year I should have taken a more relaxed stance and spent more time at the hotel pool in the afternoons.

On the trip where we had younger children or people who had not been before we found five days to be perfect. Have a great trip.

 

[Mommy26]

Thanks,
My children are 8 5 and 18 mos (he will be by then anyway).

I think we will drive up enter the park for a little big, then take a nap break and go back in for the evening.

I do not know what we will do the last day.

 

[shelleyz]

We are going on our first trip to Disneyland Aug 9- 18. I'm planning for 7 days in the parks, but some days will not be all day. We are going to see some babseball games. The kids and I get to go to Disneyland if DH gets to see some baseball. Works for me. If we've had too much of the parks the kids will be in the pool at DLH.