How Many Days?

[tguz]

We are in the planning stages for a Southern/Northern California vacation. It will just be my wife and I and we are in our 50's and love Disney. Would 2 days in the parks generally be enough? We do not have to do absolutely everything. There are so many things we want to do/see in the area and we are planning to be in the LA area for 5 days then head North. Thanks.

 

[Pluto468]

You could do 2 days if that's all you have time for, but I'd suggest 3. Even if you don't want to do everything having more time will make for a more leisurely visit.

Another idea would be to go into the park on your arrival day for the evening and then 2 more days after that, so 2.5 days.

 

[Jason2015]

My family has always done two. We focus on one park each day and don’t park hop. You’ll be able to knock pretty much everything in DCA and get most of Disneyland done. I would recommend Genie+. It’s not a perfect product by any means but if you read up on how to use it and how to stack rides it will allow you to avoid some of the longest lines. Also, using the single rider lines, especially on Radiator Springs Racers is a huge money and times saving. Also, I wouldn’t spend extra for Web Slingers, it’s a fun ride but not worth $15+. Have a great trip.

 

[Jason2015]

Another idea would be to go into the park on your arrival day for the evening and then 2 more days after that, so 2.5 days.

I wish Disney had an Evening ticket. It would be great to be like the locals and come to the parks for a few hours. I believe they offer one to some of the conventions but not for the general public. Because I agree 2.5 days is the perfect amount. I just hate spending full fare for a partial day.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

When we lived on the west coast we’d often go down for four or five days. Of course, we’d sometimes hit the pool or go out somewhere during that time. I’d recommend three days for a first time visitor. Disneyland is a two day park, and even the west coast rides that are similar to the ones in WDW are usually a little different so worth going on.

 

[Gypsybear]

Since you want to do other stuff in the area, 2 would be enough if you're not set on doing EVERYTHING. Otherwise, as a previous poster mentioned, 3 days is def enough. We also do other stuff in the area on our trips. We've done the Griffith Observatory; of course the Hollywood sign and Walk of Fame; the "other" large park; Santa Monica Pier for Route 66; the Design District in LA; Santa Barbara; Simi Valley for the museum; WeHo; and more....you get the idea. We've also done a few beaches.

 

[Pluto468]

I wish Disney had an Evening ticket. It would be great to be like the locals and come to the parks for a few hours. I believe they offer one to some of the conventions but not for the general public. Because I agree 2.5 days is the perfect amount. I just hate spending full fare for a partial day.

That would be so great if they did! Like 4:00 on or something.

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

Two adults, two days totally works. In particular if you arrive close to rope drop and stay close to park closing. If you are heading as far North as the Bay area, I can give you suggestions for the area

 

[upritbass]

It will just be my wife and I and we are in our 50's and love Disney.

It sounds like this will be a special time being just the two of you. Since you both love Disney, my advice is:
- Spend the entire SoCal part of your vacation at Disney
- Stay on-site at either DLH or GCH. Live in the magic. Bonus: early entry.
- Slow down, immerse yourselves in the Disney atmosphere, relax in the Grand Californian lobby while listening to a live piano concert, marvel at its Crafstman architecture, sit by the fireplace.
- Of course, do the rides.

The most important thing we've learned:
- You don't have to do everything together. For example, "I want to do [fill in the blank]. Let's meet for lunch/dinner at [fill in the blank]."

There are so many things we want to do/see in the area and we are planning to be in the LA area for 5 days then head North

With 5 days in LA you will do/see many things and experience nothing. Save the rest for future vacations.

Or, what the heck, run around LA for five days. It's your vacation.

 

[ktlm]

If you do 2, I would get hoppers. We have had many times that something has been down and we have gone back to pick it up the next day. Plus DLR is like one big park by WDW standards, it takes 5 minutes to go between parks- there is just a plaza between them and the walk is shorter than the walk from the bus stop to the gate at most WDW parks. The restriction on not hopping until 1:00 p.m. is a pain, but we would still want hoppers.

I'd say 3 days at DLR if you love Disney.

 

[tguz]

Two adults, two days totally works. In particular if you arrive close to rope drop and stay close to park closing. If you are heading as far North as the Bay area, I can give you suggestions for the area

We are driving up to the bay area! What do you suggest? Thanks.

 

[tguz]

It sounds like this will be a special time being just the two of you. Since you both love Disney, my advice is:
- Spend the entire SoCal part of your vacation at Disney
- Stay on-site at either DLH or GCH. Live in the magic. Bonus: early entry.
- Slow down, immerse yourselves in the Disney atmosphere, relax in the Grand Californian lobby while listening to a live piano concert, marvel at its Crafstman architecture, sit by the fireplace.
- Of course, do the rides.

The most important thing we've learned:
- You don't have to do everything together. For example, "I want to do [fill in the blank]. Let's meet for lunch/dinner at [fill in the blank]."

With 5 days in LA you will do/see many things and experience nothing. Save the rest for future vacations.

Or, what the heck, run around LA for five days. It's your vacation.

Thanks for the great advice.

 

[tguz]

Since you want to do other stuff in the area, 2 would be enough if you're not set on doing EVERYTHING. Otherwise, as a previous poster mentioned, 3 days is def enough. We also do other stuff in the area on our trips. We've done the Griffith Observatory; of course the Hollywood sign and Walk of Fame; the "other" large park; Santa Monica Pier for Route 66; the Design District in LA; Santa Barbara; Simi Valley for the museum; WeHo; and more....you get the idea. We've also done a few beaches.

Sounds like a lot of fun stuff!

 

[tguz]

My family has always done two. We focus on one park each day and don’t park hop. You’ll be able to knock pretty much everything in DCA and get most of Disneyland done. I would recommend Genie+. It’s not a perfect product by any means but if you read up on how to use it and how to stack rides it will allow you to avoid some of the longest lines. Also, using the single rider lines, especially on Radiator Springs Racers is a huge money and times saving. Also, I wouldn’t spend extra for Web Slingers, it’s a fun ride but not worth $15+. Have a great trip.

Good advice, thank you.

 

[MonocularVision]

This is always the answer to this question.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would do three days. And I know you said you will be in the LA area but I hope you will be in Anaheim (which is in Orange County) for the Disney portion of your trip. You do not want to drive back and forth to DL from Los Angeles.

 

[tguz]

I would do three days. And I know you said you will be in the LA area but I hope you will be in Anaheim (which is in Orange County) for the Disney portion of your trip. You do not want to drive back and forth to DL from Los Angeles.

Yes, Anaheim for the Disney portion and a couple/three nights in other locations in Southern California, where exactly is yet to be determined.

 

[Kender]

Since you're coming to the Bay, add Disney Family Museum to your itinerary if it isn't already on there.

 

[Kittyblue]

I think 2 days is plenty as long as you don't expect to do everything.

We've always done 3 days in the past, but on our last trip a 2 day park hopper would've been plenty because we didn't have to do every ride and we didn't do parades, shows, or meet and greets. One park per day would work, but personally I'd do a park hopper as I find more to do in DL and not enough to do in DCA to fill the day.

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

We are driving up to the bay area! What do you suggest? Thanks.

Wine drinkers? Stop by Wente Vineyards (Livermore) tasting room as you drive I-580 from I-5, nice alternative to Napa. Without knowing your interests, Oakland Zoo is a great visit. In SF Golden Gate Park is a must, De Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences is a must, Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Gardens, Conservancy of Flowers are all located within a short drive. Pier 39 is great, short walk to Ghirardelli Square. Let me know if you are looking for specifics!