How many days?

[thinkerbell]

We are going to DL for the first time this summer. We usually go to DW so we are familiar with the rides and such although we know that many things are different at DL. Can we do the parks in two days or should we make it three? We are driving out so we can make it as much or as little as we want.
Thanks

 

[disneychrista]

I would make it at least 3 days. 4 if you want to do things more lesuirely. Summer means crowds, so it will take you longer to do things and breaks from the crowds & heat will be needed.

 

[HydroGuy]

I agree with everything Christa said. FWIW, here is an excerpt from "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599:

14. How Many Days Do You Need at DLR?

The answer to this question depends on a number of things including the interests of your group and age of any children in the group. If you want to see all or most of the parades and shows, then 3 days would be a minimum amount of days and 4 would be better. If you like to visit the Disney parks at a very leisurely pace then 5 days (or more) may be a good idea. If you decide to attach extra days to visit other Southern California locations (e.g., Hollywood, Universal Studios, Sea World, a beach) then of course additional days are needed. But 3-4 days will be enough for most people.

 

[thinkerbell]

Thanks guys.

 

[HydroGuy]

Deleted

 

[shamrockshake]

Hi Thinkerbell,

I would say a minimum of 4 full days in the summer. Especially if you have young ones. Then you spend so much extra time doing the stroller switch for the big attractions. Get ADRs for Blue Bayou restuarant. Then you can watch the boats from pirates go by as you dine.

We just got back from WDW a few weeks back, and 11 days was not enough to see all the show/parades that we wanted to see. ( We have a 23 month old that needed naps) and a 5 year old.

Have a fun trip!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We do 2 day trips during the off season, and even then that's a minimum of what we like to do! Usually we'll do 2 full days, and a half of a day (like going in the day we get there).

But during the summer it's pretty crowded, and can get quite hot! For us that meant more and longer breaks at the hotel! So 3-4 days is a minimum for us in the summer.

Were actually skipping the summer months this year, we normally go in June. This year we went in July, and the crowds and heat were just too much for me! So were doing a quick 2 1/2 day trip in May, and then a 3-4 day trip in October. It's gonna be a nice change of pace to go on a more off season, with hopefully less crowds and more milder temps!

 

[slp87]

We were there last summer during the last week of June and first couple of days of July. We could do it all in 3 days, but enjoy having 4 -5 to do everything more than once. DL always opens before DCA, so you'll want to be at DL opening each morning. On a non early entry day, start by going to the left and heading towards Indy, Pirates, HM, Splash & Pooh, then back around to BTMRR. If you're eligible for EE you'll be able to get all of Fantasyland and the open attractions in Tomorrowland done without any problem. Then you can fill in the rest of the time on the other attractions. Everyday we headed over to DCA around 11:00 and were able to walk on ToT. We usually FP Soarin, but never had too much of waits.

 

[thinkerbell]

Thanks for all of the input. We don't have little ones so we will be able to go a little faster.
slp87--thanks for the hints on getting through the park. I will print this off and put it in my file that I am creating.
We go to WDW about once a year and spend about 9-10 days there. We spent that much time there when our kids were little so we could get naps and such. Now we do it so that WE can get naps and such. Anyway, we figure that we won't be relaxing too much during that part of our vacation so hopefully 3-4 days will do us. We are driving across the country and spending about three weeks just seeing things and visiting different places. I am not crazy about driving--I am the kind that wants to fly to where I am going and to heck with all of the in between places, beautiful scenery kind of thing. My husband wants to drive and sweetened the deal with the DL stop during the trip.
Thanks for your help.