How many days should i allow for our first visit?

[PoshMom]

We plan on doing both DL and California adventure. This is our first visit to DL and California too. So we are trying fit in other days to see other parts of southern CA. How many days should we allow for DL and California adventure? We will probably be staying at a great value hotel nearby. We have three children that will be 9, 7 & 5 at that time. Looking at June of next yr. For wdw we have planned 5-6 park days with hoppers. And that works best for us. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Oh, yeah, we enjoy the bigger roller coaster type rides as well as the slower more traditional rides.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

You will get a mix of answers here, but I think 4 days at minimum. If you can do 5 days it is better because that way you won't feel rushed, and you will be able to ride your favorites more than once. Keep in mind that even though california only has 2 parks, they pack a lot of punch, and even in 5 days you won't be able to see everything.

 

[Butterfly123]

I would also suggest four. Five days would mean a more relaxed pace, but there are a lot of great things to see in California, so I think I would stick to four. You can get a lot done in four, even if it is busy.

 

[Imdboss]

I agree with the others, at least 4 but 5 if you can fit it in. We always do 5 days, this year we are doing 6 and I'm so excited for the extra day!

 

[GatorChris]

I'm also in for 4 days. That gives you 2 days at each park. If you have to squeeze out a day for other California attractions, 3 is the bare minimum. That way you can do a full day in each park, then go back and hit your favorites on the third day.

 

[nikkislaght]

We do 5 days. with days at the beach and other parks..
5 days for us means not rushing.. repeating rides and doing shows etc..

Saying that we still manage to not get it all done.. lol there is ALWAYS something else to do..

Hope you all have fun

 

[HydroGuy]

We plan on doing both DL and California adventure. This is our first visit to DL and California too. So we are trying fit in other days to see other parts of southern CA. How many days should we allow for DL and California adventure? We will probably be staying at a great value hotel nearby. We have three children that will be 9, 7 & 5 at that time. Looking at June of next yr. For wdw we have planned 5-6 park days with hoppers. And that works best for us. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Oh, yeah, we enjoy the bigger roller coaster type rides as well as the slower more traditional rides.

Someone else just asked the same question in another thread. Here is a link to what I wrote there...

Four days. You will need all of them.

Pay attention to grad nights. Not sure if they will be done by then. "The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400

Pay attention to AP blockouts in June. "Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

Pay attention to DL's 60th anniversary. It will bump crowds up - especially by local AP holders before the blockout. "What to expect for DL's 60th anniversary in 2015" - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3280301

 

[Hojoanaheim]

I think 4 days is a good amount of time. This way you will not be stressed to do everything all on 1 day. I like to take 2 days at each park. On the first days try to do everything you want to do, then on the second days, go back and do what you missed or want to do again. IF you were able to get everything done on the first day, you can relax on the second day and take in all the sights.

Have fun!
Kriss

 

[awdsmama]

We did 5 days for our 2012 and 2014 trip and I cannot imagine trying to do it in 3 or 4. I love the leisurely feel and the fact if we feel like taking a break for a few hours it won't mean missing out on a few attractions.

Just be sure to get your "must-do's" done in the first few days - including night time entertainment, shows etc. That way you aren't trying to cram them in at the end and then miss something.

 

[disneychrista]

We usually do 3 1/2 days. 1/2 day on our arrival day (we usually get there between 12p - 2pm) and then 3 full days. This works great for us.

 

[rentayenta]

We plan on doing both DL and California adventure. This is our first visit to DL and California too. So we are trying fit in other days to see other parts of southern CA. How many days should we allow for DL and California adventure? We will probably be staying at a great value hotel nearby. We have three children that will be 9, 7 & 5 at that time. Looking at June of next yr. For wdw we have planned 5-6 park days with hoppers. And that works best for us. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Oh, yeah, we enjoy the bigger roller coaster type rides as well as the slower more traditional rides.

Yay for your first trip. I think 5 days is ideal but you'll hear varying opinions. Our first trip to WDW was 8 days and I didn't think it was long enough. Our next trip was 11 and it felt just right but we also visited the water parks. If 5-6 feels good at WDW then 3-4 should work at The Disneyland Resort. I would suggest 2 days at Disneyland and one day at California Adventure if you go for three days. Like WDW you can choose to park hop or not.

 

[Gisele]

13

 

[brocklesnar69]

Full 5

 

[tarheelalum]

4 days. Anything less and I think you will be disappointed. DL is packed with a lot of stuff to do. Even with 4 days you won't be able to do everything but almost everything.

 

[knitster]

We just got back 3 days ago from our first DL trip. We did 6 days in the parks - 3 full days in each, and it was too much (for everyone except for me. ). 5 days was perfect, but that last day just put the kids and the husband over the edge. Next time we'll be doing 2 full days in each park and 1 full day of hopping.

As an aside, every time a calamity happened on the 6th day (and there were many), I would text my fellow DL loving friend about it and he would respond, "There's a reason they don't sell a 6 day pass."

 

[brocklesnar69]

We just got back 3 days ago from our first DL trip. We did 6 days in the parks - 3 full days in each, and it was too much (for everyone except for me. ). 5 days was perfect, but that last day just put the kids and the husband over the edge. Next time we'll be doing 2 full days in each park and 1 full day of hopping.

As an aside, every time a calamity happened on the 6th day (and there were many), I would text my fellow DL loving friend about it and he would respond, "There's a reason they don't sell a 6 day pass."

Lol, I remember when they had 8 day tickets and I did the full 8 days, park hopping every single day. Even after all that time, I was still sad to leave.

 

[knitster]

Lol, I remember when they had 8 day tickets and I did the full 8 days, park hopping every single day. Even after all that time, I was still sad to leave.

I don't think I could ever reach the "too much" point. Even on day 6, with an injured, swollen ankle, zero sleep, and a never ending migraine - I wasn't ready to leave!

 

[hootey]

We have been going to DL for years and will not go for less than five days. We take our own sweet time and see everything at least once For your first time with three children, I would say at least five days as well. There is just so much to see and do in such a small area, it is bewildering I tell all first timers to be sure to take the time to enjoy being there and take lots of pictures

 

[rentayenta]

I don't think I could ever reach the "too much" point. Even on day 6, with an injured, swollen ankle, zero sleep, and a never ending migraine - I wasn't ready to leave!

That's me too.

 

[hootey]

rentayenta Quote:
Originally Posted by knitster View Post
I don't think I could ever reach the "too much" point. Even on day 6, with an injured, swollen ankle, zero sleep, and a never ending migraine - I wasn't ready to leave!




That's me too

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