I´ve bee plenty of times at WDW but this will be my first time at Disneyland...

[Vincent Vega]

I´ve been plenty of times at WDW (Exactly 14 times, all of them between 10 and 14 days) but this will be my first time at Disneyland California! And I don´t really know how many days we need... Since we are DVC owners we´ll be staying at Grand Californian Villas. We´ll be a family of 4, wife, me, my 6 year old and a 6 month
Thanks a lot!!

 

[kmedina]

I think 4-5 days is all you need. Some will suggest more, but it is so much smaller than WDW. Everything is within walking distance (including all three Disney ownded hotels). After countless trips to Disneyland, I can tell you that with that many days, the only thing you really need to plan is some reservations. You will have plenty of time to hit your must do attractions.

 

[Vincent Vega]

Thank you very much for your quick response! After reading you I´ll be booking from august 20th to 25th, I can´t wait to see the parks!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hi ~ I take it you live in Basque.... That's so neat! I only recently learned of Basque I watched Rick Steve's program - I'd love to visit the next time we visit my inlaws - my grandparents will be in Malaga Spain for 18 months starting this coming February and I'd really love to visit them.
Back to your question ~ Have you read *this* if not you should Have fun planning your visit to the place the magic started!

 

[johde]

I just recently got back from my first trip to DL after multiple trip to WDW. I would agree and 4 days should be plenty. 4 days is what I did and even though it was slow season, 1 of those days was right after the DL half marathon, 2 of those days were near 100 degrees so I took an extended break at the resort in the heat of the day, and I was still able to do everything I wanted to do multiple times.

 

[kaffinito]

Back to your question ~ Have you read *this* if not you should Have fun planning your visit to the place the magic started!

I agree on reading the information at the above link. HydroGuy does an excellent job of explaining the differences between WDW and DL. It really helped me out!

Also one of my friends says that the main difference between the two is that DL is a more intimate experience.

Happy planning!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I agree on reading the information at the above link. HydroGuy does an excellent job of explaining the differences between WDW and DL. It really helped me out!

Also one of my friends says that the main difference between the two is that DL is a more intimate experience.

Happy planning!

Fancy meetin' you here

I've been doing a lot of HydroGuy's readings and it's helped a ton! I'm determined to be an expert by the time I get there!! We're going for 4 nights/5 days!!

 

[kaffinito]

Fancy meetin' you here

I've been doing a lot of HydroGuy's readings and it's helped a ton! I'm determined to be an expert by the time I get there!! We're going for 4 nights/5 days!!

Howdy stranger!

Isn't HydroGuys thread a life saver?

I keep referring back to it for miscellaneous questions

We're going for 5 nights.

 

[kmedina]

Thank you very much for your quick response! After reading you I´ll be booking from august 20th to 25th, I can´t wait to see the parks!

You're welcome. Have a great trip.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Welcome to our Disneyland corner of the DIS.

I think you'll be there a good number of days. Are you planning on visiting other parts of So Cal, or just staying in DL?

btw - I've been to San Sebastian - beautiful city.

 

[DebbieB]

Since you are going next August, Carsland should be open. I would allow 4 or 5 days. I visited WDW first in 1994 but did not visit Disneyland until 2006. Everytime I go I find more hidden treasures. For example, my trip last month was the first for one of my friends. We did all the old rides in Fantasyland. It was so much fun! We even rode the cage car on Casey Jr! Stayed at VGC in May, loved it!

 

[skiingfast]

Since you are going next August, Carsland should be open. I would allow 4 or 5 days.

I'm not sure 4 will do, 5 at least and it may be a good time for more. With Carsland open it's possible that period starting August 20th will have swarms of AP holders coming to it for thier first time to see it. That's when Socal APs become unblocked.

 

[gzh6464]

where do I find Hydroguys thread?

I'm also a WDW veteran and soon to be first timer DL visitor.

 

[skiingfast]

where do I find Hydroguys thread?

I'm also a WDW veteran and soon to be first timer DL visitor.

Up in the stickies, but this link below will take you to the master list. Happy reading.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

 

[Disneyland1084]

My family and I always go to DL for two days. It's enough for us since we go there at least every year. But since it's your first time, I'd say 4 days.

 

[BlueBayou]

I would like 4 days - my DH says 2. So normally I get 3 (and we go every year)

 

[KCmike]

I saw your location. Are you planning other things to see in California? Personally I would recommend 4-5 days in Disneyland/DCA/Downtown Disney/Resort Hotel. It is going to be crazy in 2012 with all the new stuff opening up. You will need the extra time to fight all the crowds. I just talked myself into 5 days/nights.

We are planning on going in late June early July.

 

[austizzle]

The real difference between to two resorts to me is this, Disneyland is truly Walt's park. It was the first realization of his dream to build a park and he was there for the first eleven years it was open. I know it'll sound crazy but I prefer Disneyland due to the "spirit of Walt" that seems present there rather than in WDW.

NOT discounting WDW, I may live in Los Angeles now, but I grew up in Atlanta - so my first park experiences were at WDW.

Getting back to this - there's a guided tour offered related to that called "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps", it's about a four hour tour which I realize might be difficult with the little ones, but it's something to think about. You get to "meet" one of the puppets in the Enchanted Tiki Room after the show and go into the lobby of Club 33.

I did this tour with my boyfriend a few months ago and we're park regulars and APs that go once a week and we thought it was spectacular.

You mentioned that you'll be staying at the GCH - AWESOME! This is my favorite hotel of the 3 Disney hotels. We stay there regularly, you'll find the entrance into DCA quite useful, and it'll let you into the park right at the FastPast distribution for World of Color - I recommend trying to get Blue seating, it'll put you up front.

I think you'll find that the DL experience is a little less chaotic that WDW, in terms of people.

When in August are you going? End of August is best because school is back in session in the states and you go back down to the "Stroller" pass people during the week days. Those are the days to do the really busy attractions Tues-Thurs. We went on a Wednesday the first week that school was back this year and walked onto Space Mountain 3 times.


Hope some of that was helpful!

 

[nunzia]

I'm not sure 4 will do, 5 at least and it may be a good time for more. With Carsland open it's possible that period starting August 20th will have swarms of AP holders coming to it for thier first time to see it. That's when Socal APs become unblocked.

I agree with this..you also have small kids and are coming in summer so some nap times and splashing in the pools times should be built in. I'd say 5 days would be good so you can ramble and not hustle. I'm amazed at how many people have been multiple times and just race from ride to ride each time and don't take time to wander around and really relish all the little details and little surprises.

 

[Wonderment]

Make sure to get a park hopper for both parks. Get in the park when it opens starting w/ D.L. , run to the Star Wars ride and get a fast pass. Then get over to CA.A. when it opens at 10am. Run to the Toy Story Ride on the boardwalk to get in line as it doesn't have a fast pass and the wait is always 45 min to an hr. This ride is a must for kids. Go back to your villa at around 12 or 1pm when it gets crowded. Rest, eat, and go back refreshed for an evening run. The rides at CA. A shut down early (8 or 8:30pm) for the World of Color Show. If anyone in your party has an injury (back prob., varicose veins etc...) you can get a handy cap pass for Disneyland only. This will allow you to go to the front of the line and get more done. To do things right, it takes 3 days min. Have Fun!