How many days & where to stay?

[hoffman1]

I am looking for some advise. We are planning on visiting Disneyland in the fall of 2017. We are two adults. We have been to Disney World many times (probably around 30 times) and always stay on property in a value or moderate resort. I am not sure where we should stay or how many days it will take for us to cover the parks. We are thinking we will fly out for 9 days. Neither of us have ever been to CA so we might visit some other attractions too.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

You are likely to get a gaggle of responses. Staying onsite at DLR is quite different than at WDW. There are several hotels across the street that are actually as close if not closer to the park gates than the nearest onsite resort. You have about a dozen choices with less than a 10 minute walk to the security gates.

The onsite DLR resorts would all probably be classified as deluxe when it comes to price comparison to WDW. The farthest resort, Paradise Pier, also the cheapest, could still set you back $250/night. You can get some really decent rooms across the street, pretty wide range of prices too, generally from $100-200/night, and up for suites. It really comes down to what kind of experience you are looking for and how much the bottom line affects your overall trip.

We have stayed at each of the DLR resorts several times, we really don't find it worth the extra expense, and only do it on real special occasions. We typically go multiple times a year, so we see our dollar stretching for multiple trips if we stay across the street. That being said, for a first trip or maybe a once in a lifetime trip, I would splurge and stay at one of the onsite resorts. I like the overall feel of the GCH, the rooms at the DL Resorts are larger though.

How may days is pretty subjective too. I think 4 days would be the sweet spot, 5 days for a more relaxed pace, 3 days for a more commando pace. Really depends when in the fall you are going too, October can get pretty busy during the Halloween season. Early November can be really nice, but you may miss out on Xmas decorations. September can be nice crowd wise, but hot. Check out the sticky for first time DL visitors that are WDW vets-great info in there. Have a magical time.

 

[Dr. G]

You'll get lots of different opinions--here's mine. If this is a one-time opportunity, I'd plan on 5 days in Disneyland/DCA with Parkhoppers. If you spend all day in the parks, I wouldn't worry about staying at a Disney property. If being in the Disney Zone 24/7 is crucial to you then stay at one of the Disney hotels. We always stay across the street. I'd much rather save $200+ per night and put it towards something else. We've stayed at the Howard Johnson (probably our favorite), Castle Inn (tried this the first time last month and are staying there again in May--really liked it and much cheaper!), Fairfield Inn, Carousel Inn, etc. I like to price things out myself and sometimes that is cheaper, but I've also found I can get better deals (especially when parking, resort fees, taxes etc are included) going through GetAwayToday. We've only been to WDW once and we stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort and LOVED it--the resort is a big part of our memories from that trip. But in my opinion Disneyland is a much different experience than WDW and the resort feel isn't important to us. So, to keep rambling, hotel is preference and if you have money to burn pick a Disney hotel--it'll get you into one of the parks early each day and you'll never have to leave Disney property. 5 days is definitely my recommendation. Have fun!

 

[MrInfinity]

I am looking for some advise. We are planning on visiting Disneyland in the fall of 2017. We are two adults. We have been to Disney World many times (probably around 30 times) and always stay on property in a value or moderate resort. I am not sure where we should stay or how many days it will take for us to cover the parks. We are thinking we will fly out for 9 days. Neither of us have ever been to CA so we might visit some other attractions too.

You will definitely not need 9 days in Disneyland, but you're mixing in other stuff so it should be fun! 3 days at the Disney parks will do. If you're doing things around California, get the Southern California CityPass. It includes a 3-day Park Hopper to Disneyland / California Adventure, plus admission to SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, or both. I think Paradise Pier would be a good fit and comparable to a WDW Moderate. The other two hotels are more expensive. You could also stay anywhere offsite as there are tons of local hotels. There's also new Harry Potter stuff opening at Universal Studios this year which will be in full swing by the time you're there.

 

[butterflymouse]

I'd say 3-5 days, depending on the pace you want to take. You could accomplish a lot at a leisurely pace in 5 days.

 

[sherilaine]

I would recommend getting the longest ticket offered - which is a 5 day Park Hopper. If you have 9 days, I'd start at DLR for 6 nights, that gives you a day off in the middle to relax and then do the other three somewhere else, there are lots of other places to visit, perhaps San Diego?

As to where to say, others have already covered it, if important to you and in your budget stay on site. However off site hotels are likely going to be more convenient than on site. We were doing our research for a potential visit to WDW and my family are 'what? you have to take transportation from the resort to the parks?' Yup! They are used to just walking everywhere for DLR.

 

[JWigs]

I'm from the W Coast and as much as I love DLR I think personally that 3-4 days is ample time. You can honestly "do" Disney CA in less than a day. And you could argue to spend 2 full days at DL but they also closed and shifted attractions with the Star Wars land.

Anything more than that is overkill. Everyone who I've known who goes for 5 days says they come back feeling like they had to drag themselves back each day as they had already "seen it all".

We stayed there 3 times in the past 2 years. We stayed at Grand Californian, Tropicana across the street and them the Hilton at the Convention Center due to a business trip.

Obviously you'd stay on site are WDW but at DL it's not as big of a deal except for EMH. The walks are close and if you're trying to budget travel, you can get the room across the park for literally $120/night vs Disney prices.

 

[sherilaine]

Everyone who I've known who goes for 5 days says they come back feeling like they had to drag themselves back each day as they had already "seen it all".

This will be our first trip where we are ONLY going for 5 days, we have gone longer before when they have longer day tickets and we had APs - and we will have to drag ourselves away. I guess everyone is different which is what supposedly has the planet still spinning so that is a good thing.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Agree we love 4 days minimum. Usually get AP's. But 7 days in park is our limit of boredom.

Id stay off site. What budget do you want? Motel or hotel? Two brand new hotels in 10 minute walk. Motels in 7 min walk.

 

[DnA2010]

Our most recent trip (Oct 2015) was with 5 day hoppers and also a Halloween party. We still felt like we could have done a couple more days and there was still things we didn't do. We did rope drop every day, took short afternoon breaks and were basically in the parks till close every day. We had a fairly commando style of touring, even though we had hoped that 5 days+HP would slow us down, but it didn't seem to
I would get 5 day hoppers and do a HP if available.
We haven't stayed onsite, and do tend to seek more budget friendly places- we have stayed at the Peacock Suites, Castle Inn, and Anaheim Plaza. They were all fine.

 

[JWigs]

This will be our first trip where we are ONLY going for 5 days, we have gone longer before when they have longer day tickets and we had APs - and we will have to drag ourselves away. I guess everyone is different which is what supposedly has the planet still spinning so that is a good thing.

OP said they're regular WDW folks and so going to DL is quite a drastic change. Last year we did WDW in March and did DL in June and even with the 60th celebration at DL; it paled in comparison.

It's not a jab at anyone who loves DL but there are so many things that WDW just does better. And since advice was asked for, I was giving my insight. There's no need to be snarky bc your opinion is different than mine.

I'd recommend using some of your 9 days and going to see Universal since the one in CA is better than the FL in the back lot tour and they are opening the Harry Potter area in April I believe

 

[sherilaine]

OP said they're regular WDW folks and so going to DL is quite a drastic change. Last year we did WDW in March and did DL in June and even with the 60th celebration at DL; it pailed in comparison.

It's not a jab at anyone who loves DL but there are so many things that WDW just does better. And since advice was asked for, I was giving my insight. There's no need to be snarky bc your opinion is different than mine.

I'd recommend using your 9 days and going to see universal since the one in CA is better than the FL in the back lot tour and they are opening the Harry Potter area in April I believe

Sorry I was not being snarky at all - I was just saying how people can have such differing opinions - that is all. I found it interesting but I certainly understand that everyone is different.

 

[JWigs]

Sorry I was not being snarky at all - I was just saying how people can have such differing opinions - that is all. I found it interesting but I certainly understand that everyone is different.

Sorry I know there are some who love DL (esp So Cal folks) and I love it too as its a quick flight and weekend trip for us on the same coast. I didn't want you to think I was saying it was boring. It's just smaller with 2 parks vs. 4 in WDW

 

[Redarrow5150]

We are heading to DL in January 2017. I plan on staying four days at the parks with hoppers. I'm leaving 2-3 days open for either Presidential Library visits or possible tickets to either Price is Right Show or Ellen "IF" possible. I plan on staying at Park Vue Inn since it's right across the street from DL and on property hotels don't have a distinct advantage like WDW. The one thing I'm noticing thus far it appears DL doesn't require as much planning as a trip to WDW. Best of luck.

I am looking for some advise. We are planning on visiting Disneyland in the fall of 2017. We are two adults. We have been to Disney World many times (probably around 30 times) and always stay on property in a value or moderate resort. I am not sure where we should stay or how many days it will take for us to cover the parks. We are thinking we will fly out for 9 days. Neither of us have ever been to CA so we might visit some other attractions too.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

You will definitely not need 9 days in Disneyland, but you're mixing in other stuff so it should be fun! 3 days at the Disney parks will do. If you're doing things around California, get the Southern California CityPass. It includes a 3-day Park Hopper to Disneyland / California Adventure, plus admission to SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, or both. I think Paradise Pier would be a good fit and comparable to a WDW Moderate. The other two hotels are more expensive. You could also stay anywhere offsite as there are tons of local hotels. There's also new Harry Potter stuff opening at Universal Studios this year which will be in full swing by the time you're there.

Hello
How far away is universal?

 

[MrInfinity]

Hello
How far away is universal?

The north side of Los Angeles. About an hour drive during the day, half-hour at night.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

The north side of Los Angeles. About an hour drive during the day, half-hour at night.

Thank you
Is there an easy way of getting there if don't have a car?

 

[MrInfinity]

Thank you
Is there an easy way of getting there if don't have a car?

Not really, getting around LA is tough w/o a car. If you want to do things off property I would rent one. There's several rental agencies right on Disneyland property, or w/in walking distance.

 

[crazydad123]

Google it--I just looked at it an Viator has a bus that picks you up at your hotel and drops you at the Universal gate--$29.99 per adult person roundtrip. You can also take the subway and Metrolink, if you are adventurous--it can be confusing. The ART buses will take you to the ARTIC train station, and you can catch buses, trains, and light rail from there.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Google it--I just looked at it an Viator has a bus that picks you up at your hotel and drops you at the Universal gate--$29.99 per adult person roundtrip. You can also take the subway and Metrolink, if you are adventurous--it can be confusing. The ART buses will take you to the ARTIC train station, and you can catch buses, trains, and light rail from there.

Thank you