I suppose this has probably been asked a zillion times...

[PRINCESS VIJA]

We are WDW vets, but want to go to DLR next year. Would 3 days be enough time? I am thinking maybe trying to do 4 days, but maybe that 4th day would be better used seeing some other Southern California attractions/beaches/etc.

thanks

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Some may disagree, but I think 3 days is good.

We're WDW vets, too, and can verify that you'll find that since everything here literally sits on top of each other, that you won't be doing the same running that you do at WDW. You'll find it is an extremely efficient vacation, comparatively.

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

Some may disagree, but I think 3 days is good.

We're WDW vets, too, and can verify that you'll find that since everything here literally sits on top of each other, that you won't be doing the same running that you do at WDW. You'll find it is an extremely efficient vacation, comparatively.

We're also WDW vets and I'd agree with the above. Have a great trip!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think 3 days is good. I like four or five but then no Disney trip is ever long enough for me! I agree, the fact that the parks are literally right next door makes it all so easy. And be sure and hop/escape to California Adventure when Disneyland gets crowded. Its easy to go back and forth. And unless something has recently changed, the fast pass machines at DCA are not linked to DL. So you can hold fp's for both parks.

We loved Huntington Beach, its a quick trip from the DL area and there are some good restaurants and a very nice beach right there. Spending a day or part of one there is really nice. You could always do four day park hoppers, do DL early in the mornign to rehit some favorites, then go to the beach and then back to DL for fireworks. We did that very thing on our last DL trip and it was really nice.

Have fun at the original! You'll love the way it feels familiar yet so different.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'd say depends on when you're going ~ how will crowds, park hours, weather affect your touring ~ you might not be able to go all day when it's really hot and really crowded also if the parks are only open from 10am-8pm you might want 4 days instead of 3.

 

[ter-moo]

I think three days is perfect, IF you get up and go to the parks early every morning and do as much as you can while it's not crowded.

HAve fun!!!!

 

[avalon451]

I like 3 full days, with a half day at one or both ends of it. i.e. get there on Sunday afternoon/evening, so you can see the fireworks, then enjoy lower crowds on Mon, Tue and Wed. And do MM on Tuesday.

For a good perspective on DL for WDW vets, you might want to read Hydroguy's Tips compilation, a sticky thread at the top of this forum:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483 He has several threads specifically for WDW vets.

 

[Sherry E]

I think DLR is one of those places where you can spend what you think is an adequate amount of time and still not see everything. At least that is how it works with us when we go. No matter how productive the trip, we always miss doing or seeing something because there is just not enough time to squeeze everything in with rest breaks and all. I think 3 full days/nights is okay, BUT I do think that if you decide to spend that 4th day at DLR instead of going elsewhere, you will still have plenty to do. I think it depends on what your interests are, whether you like to take mid-day rest breaks, whether you like to have leisurely meals or just quick ones, how many rides you actually want to go on, how many rides you want to ride over again, what time of year you go, if you are into taking your time with shopping in lots of stores or kind of strolling around and observing details, taking lots of photos, exploring DTD and the hotels, etc. Heavy crowds will slow all of that down, so three full days may not necessarily stretch as far during some times of year than others. Three days can go by in the blink of an eye!

 

[azdisneylover]

I ditto what Sherry E Said.

Have a good time~

 

[KCmike]

We did three days on our first trip to DL in 2007 (being WDW vets as well) and we wished we had another day. Don't get me wrong we saw everything we wanted and rode everything we wanted and then more but another day was perfect for us the next time around.

This past year we broke a very long week into San Diego for 3 days and then onto DL for 5. It was perfect. We drove up and down the coast visiting Laguna, Coronado, Huntington, Newport and others. We did Hollywood the year before and really thought it was too dirty. We want to visit Yosemite and Northern California so bad now.

So in summary I would say 4 days is perfect for a DL only trip. We took our first night in and walked Dowtown Disney, resort hopped from DL hotel, to Grand Californian and enjoyed Harbor Blvd. Now they have the Garden Walk!

 

[phisigprincess]

We used the Southern California City Pass in late April/May and it was wonderful. We flew into San Diego and did the Zoo and Sea World, drove to LA and did Universal Studios, and then drove to Anaheim for 3 days in Disneyland. Three days were wonderful for us since it was very low crowds at that time (we went to the parks midweek), but now we're talking about going back once CAdv is updated.

 

[Princess Row]

Three days is usually plenty for my family. We will be there for four days in a few weeks two of those days will mostly be for pin trading. Most of the rides and characters can be done in 2-3 days.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks for all of the input! We will be arriving next August, hoping to be there on DD's birthday! If all holds well, then we will be also able to utilize the birthday fastpasses. Right now I am leaning toward 3 days, but maybe, just maybe get the 4th day hopper and later in the week go back and hit some of our favorites. Hmmm, decisions, decisions!

Now I am off to look at what else to do, Anyone know anything about Catalina Island?

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for all of the input! We will be arriving next August, hoping to be there on DD's birthday! If all holds well, then we will be also able to utilize the birthday fastpasses. Right now I am leaning toward 3 days, but maybe, just maybe get the 4th day hopper and later in the week go back and hit some of our favorites. Hmmm, decisions, decisions!

Now I am off to look at what else to do, Anyone know anything about Catalina Island?

Yes! I do! Catalina is my OTHER favorite SoCal place besides DLR! I could never imagine moving away from SoCal (lived here my whole life) because I would never want to be away from Catalina and DLR!! What would you like to know? I can tell you all about it - the best places to eat, the good things to see, where to stay, how to get a full day's worth. In fact, PM me if you don't want to get into Catalina in-depth on the open forum here and I will fill you in on everything!

 

[bballmickey]

The more days the better... but you can totally do 3 days. My fam and I did and were able to do everything we wanted to do, and have time left over.