How many days needed?

[c&b'smom]

We are planning a trip in December. How many days would we need to see everything with a 4 year old and 7 year old?

 

[sonnyjane]

Would it be Christmastime, or sometime earlier in December? You'd probably want to add at least one more day than expected if you'd be coming around Christmas because it will be much more crowded. I like to have three days to feel like I've seen absolutely everything in both parks, but that's traveling with a teenager, not young children, so you might want to add an extra day for young kids too, but my magic number is three.

 

[Amommy21]

I day at Disneyland
I day at California Adventure
and 1 day for mostly Disney, but you could split with some CA stuff.

Don't plan on any of your travel days also being park days. Walking through airports and such is tiring for kids. But you can go to Downtown Disney those days and make it feel like a 5 day Disney trip.

 

[SnowWhite09]

We spent 6 days in the parks, but 4 would have probably been enough. We went back on the other 2 days just because it is so wonderful!

 

[DLR29]

I day at Disneyland
I day at California Adventure
and 1 day for mostly Disney, but you could split with some CA stuff.

Don't plan on any of your travel days also being park days. Walking through airports and such is tiring for kids. But you can go to Downtown Disney those days and make it feel like a 5 day Disney trip.

I wouldn't necessarily designate 1 day specifically for DL and another for DCA, but I would agree that 3 total days is a solid start. Since park hopping is so easy at DLR, I would not spend one day at one park, but rather, hop back and forth to maximize my time.

No matter when you go in December, 3 days minimum I would say for a first time. 4 or 5 would be ideal if you want to take it easier or at a slower pace, so with younger kids this might be the better option.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I wouldn't necessarily designate 1 day specifically for DL and another for DCA, but I would agree that 3 total days is a solid start. Since park hopping is so easy at DLR, I would not spend one day at one park, but rather, hop back and forth to maximize my time.

No matter when you go in December, 3 days minimum I would say for a first time. 4 or 5 would be ideal if you want to take it easier or at a slower pace, so with younger kids this might be the better option.

I agree. We normally do 5 but my kids are older and we like to get away from the commando style(mine) and relax a bit.

Jack

 

[94bruin]

I went in September with a 7 mo old and a 4 yo for four days. We took naps every day. Of course, your kids are older, so they may not need as long of a midday rest/nap if at all.

If your can go a whole day without being cranky at the end of the day, three or four days will probably be great.

With my young ones, 4 days was not nearly enough. My 4 year old want to ride certain rides over and over again. Since my 7 mo old didn't care, we let her get her way. Plus they couldn't cover as much ground as older kids/adults- my 4 year old is definitely not a walker and tired out quickly.... and often....

I don't know if you have the chance the return, but I figure it's not important to see *everything*. There is always return trips. Just prioritize the most important rides/parades/shows and go from there. You'll have a much happier time than if you are determined to see *everything*. (Easier said than done, of course. I would've been happier on my trip, too, if I realized this early on.)

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

5 days at least so you don't have to go all commando, especally if you go during the latter part of December. You will be able to take your time and enjoy the little things, take rest breaks, etc., without feeling pressured because you haven't seen and done everything and gotten your money's worth.

 

[thewritegirl]

Last time we went, we had a 2.5 year old and a 5 year old. We stayed three days. It was busy (July), but we stayed at the park ALL DAY and organized our days well. We still could have used at least one more day. This time, we'll have a 5 and 7 year old, and we'll have four full days in the park, plus our day of arrival and departure (we got 6 day park hoppers). I'm hoping that makes for a more leisurely visit!

I'd say 3 days is a minimum to really enjoy the park.

 

[goldies 5]

I'm with Jack the more time you have the less pressed you feel to run around. We went for a full week the last time and it truly was the best time we have ever had. We have small children also and it was more relaxing for sure for us this way.

 

[jennilouwho]

We went with a 1 and 3 year old over Thanksgiving. We did 5 days, which was perfect for how crowded it was at the beginning of the week. Next time we will go in a slower time and stay for 4 days.