Length of trip

[spb825]

I've been to Disney World a few times and know how many days I need to visit all the parks & still have a few days to relax. How many days do you need in both Disneyland parks? I know you need a lot less than in WDW since DL is smaller than WDW. Would like to know since I am considering a trip to Disneyland.

 

[lulubelle]

I would say four nights, five days is optimal. DL requires at least two days and DCA one. Add an extra day for repeating favorite rides and seeing all the shows. Plus time spent at your hotel swimming or other activites (I suggest a day in the middle of your vacation for rest or sightseeing elsewhere) and your five days are complete. And travel time may take away from the first and last day. Three nights and four days is doable, but if you stay longer you will not feel rushed. The whole DL Resort really makes for a wonderful vacation. Good luck deciding

 

[darph nader]

Our DL stays last from the morning we leave,until the last credit card payment is made.

 

[kelmac284]

I think it also depends on when you go and who you are travelling with. For example when I took my kids when they were younger we had to factor in many more stops to eat, use the potty or change diapers and nap. Also little ones can't walk as fast etc.

If it is just adults I think you can get a lot more accomplished esp on a slower time of year. So for example if you go midweek in offseason you can def do all of Disneyland in a day and def DCA and that is probably going on some rides several times.

If you go during high season you can still do the park in a day by going when it opens and staying later. You can even take a mid day break if you do your fast passes right.

We usually like to have at least 2 days at Disneyland and at least one at DCA minimum. As the other poster said if you want other sites and relax time built in I would add one to two more days.

And if you have NEVER been I would do two days at each park or 2 and a half at Disneyland and 1 and 1/2 at DCA.

Good luck and with proper planning you can def see it all even on the busiest days.

 

[HydroGuy]

I would say 3-4 days, but as others have said it depends on season. If you want it to be a very relaxed trip then 5 days may be better. We have never done five days. The most we have done was four and my kids said it was too long. Next trip we are doing 3 days. But my kids are older and our trips are not at what I would call a relaxed pace.

And when people talk about "2 days at DL and 1 at DCA", I think that may be a bit misleading. At WDW it is more common to think that way about the parks, but at DLR the two parks are so close they can really be treated as one. In fact we have never gone to DLR and only done solely one park in a day since DCA was built. We always hop, sometime multiple times each day. The gates to the two parks are less than 100 yards from each other so a one minute walk gets you from gate to gate.

I tend to talk about park time in percentages, and maybe that is what the other posts meant. In any case, we spend 20-25% of our time at DCA - but spread out over 3-4 days.

FWIW, this type of info and more is included in this lengthy thread: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[mystic_path]

Yep 3 or 4 is a good bet. I would have to agree with 4 just so you have one last day to relax and wander back to your favorite rides and attractions.

 

[Hambletfamily]

I would say 3 -4 days as well. We always go between 5-7 days and get everything we wish for. Of couse it's always been off Season in Feb when we've gone. This visit was are going for 8 days duing the 1st week in July. We are anticipating a busy time with crowds. 8 days should be plenty of time for us since we are not taking the teenagers this time. We are staying onsite at PPH and we can just relax and go our own speed and get everything in. Since we are acustom to riding all rides we couldn't leave without riding them this time.

 

[DancingQueen]

We did 3 days last year during the summer. It was not enough time for us. So we are going for 4 days this year.

 

[pindecisive]

I like 2 days. Enough time to do what you want without rushing.

I did 3 days and it was just too much when I was a teen.

With 4 days we did a lot of swimming and I just remember being exhausted the entire time. I think by the end we just were like whatever about going to the park, lets go sleep.

 

[VWCat]

we are doing 6 days

 

[blackjackdelta]

The last two years we have done 4 days, with xtra days to go elsewhere. Our kids are older mid teens and they complained that it was not long enough. Since this is our only vacation other than weekend trips to the coast, they can get what they want done and relaxed at the sample time.

Jack

 

[tmatthews]

we just got back from 8 days and I could have used more! Mind you we spent time at other places. We spent 2 days at beaches, 1 at Universal (didn't like), 2 days in san diego to see sea world and zoo, and 1 day at pool and down town disney, and of course DL and DCA. I bought the so cal passes.

 

[spb825]

I actually thought of extending the length of the trip to include a visit to Universal and Sea World since I have been to the ones in Florida & really enjoyed them. Have you been to Universal Orlando, tmatthews? If so, did you like that and what didn't you like about Universal Hollywood?

 

[blackjackdelta]

I actually thought of extending the length of the trip to include a visit to Universal and Sea World since I have been to the ones in Florida & really enjoyed them. Have you been to Universal Orlando, tmatthews? If so, did you like that and what didn't you like about Universal Hollywood?

I am also curious. We always do USH when we go to DLR and the whole family enjoy's the park!!

Jack

 

[tmatthews]

I have a 3 year old and didn't have much for him to do outside the little "Nick" area. He was too small to ride any of the other rides. He saw Spongebob which was a hit but not worth sitting in the LA traffic!
I have never been to the orlando universal. Maybe I was missing something??

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have a 3 year old and didn't have much for him to do outside the little "Nick" area. He was too small to ride any of the other rides. He saw Spongebob which was a hit but not worth sitting in the LA traffic!
I have never been to the orlando universal. Maybe I was missing something??

I do not think you are missing anything. USH is a place for young adults, teens and adults. There is not much for little people there. Legoland would have been a better choicem Mnay of the rides are based on Universal movies as is the tour. Sorry you did not have a good time.

Jack

 

[RuthieT]

we will be staying either 4 or 5 nights in December

 

[tmatthews]

probably wouldn't have gone to universal except it was part of the so cal passes..... live and learn!!!!!!!!!!!! Got to see the hollywood sign though!

 

[azgal81]

My boyfriend and I did four days in January and it was too much for us. We will be sticking to three days from now on!

 

[TwingleMum]

I just returned with my family DH ,me and our 3 boys (the oldest is 6 the twins 3) . We spent 10 days and I could have stayed longer. We did all the rides we wanted and favorites many times , we did shows and shopped, several character meals... We also went the last week of March and left Good Friday so there were crowds due to spring break and Easter. My children are young so we took it easy on them. I never felt like I was bored or wanted to go home. The kids (and I) cried the day we left.