New to Disneyland, how many days?

[Disneyforus]

We are in the very EARLY stages of planning a trip to the west coast for next summer. I am trying to lay out an estimated money amount for everything we are going to want to do. This will be a 3 week driving trip from Michigan, and of course we want to spend some time in DL. So, my question is....how many days should we allow to experience everything DL? (including Carsland if it is up and running) Our typical DW trip is full park days...we love rides/attractions. We usually spend 2 full days at MK, 2 full days at Epcot, 1 day at Animal Kingdom and 1 day at Hollywood Studios.

Thanks for any input!!!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

When are you planning? Carsland won't be open until probabaly July/August summer of 2012. I think 3 whole days would be a miniumum for your first tirp to DL. It is much smaller than WDW and doesn't require as much time to get from your hotel to the parks or from park to park.

 

[Sydnie]

Hi and welcome to the Disneyland side

I would recommend 5 days if you can swing it. The first two in Disney, the third in CA, and the fourth and fifth revisiting things in both parks that you either missed or want to ride again.

5 days gives you plenty of time to get stuff done without feeling rushed and a five day park hopper is like $16 more than a four day so it's totally worth it imo.

You can also do less time at Disney and do some of the other SoCal parks but I haven't been to any of the others since I was a child and I can't give up to date info on them. Obviously I much prefer Disney, so my vote would be just to take a relaxing(ish!) vacation there instead of driving all over.

I hope you have a wonderful time

 

[HydroGuy]

We are in the very EARLY stages of planning a trip to the west coast for next summer. I am trying to lay out an estimated money amount for everything we are going to want to do. This will be a 3 week driving trip from Michigan, and of course we want to spend some time in DL. So, my question is....how many days should we allow to experience everything DL? (including Carsland if it is up and running) Our typical DW trip is full park days...we love rides/attractions. We usually spend 2 full days at MK, 2 full days at Epcot, 1 day at Animal Kingdom and 1 day at Hollywood Studios.

Thanks for any input!!!

If you are good with six days at WDW you will probably be good with three days at DLR. Which will mean you will not be able to do everything just most everything. Once Cars Land opens next June then you will really need four days minimum.

 

[christine*]

I think you can cover most of the attractions in 3 days, depending on the time of year you go and what your touring style is. 5 days would probably be ideal but I think it's doable in 3.

 

[mousterpiece]

I'll echo the other posters here--I think that three days is pretty manageable, though the addition of Cars Land may make DCA even more of a mess than it is with the construction that's going on right now.

 

[Disneyforus]

Thanks everyone, for the quick input. I am getting really excited about the possibility of this trip. I think we might do 4 (or 5) and really "see it all". I want to take my time and soak it all up....I am sure we won't be back anytime soon to the West Coast just because of logistics.

So in looking at Mousesavers...I hear that the Howard Johnsons very near DL is superb? Anyone have any input on that? Don't think we can swing staying onsite with our family of 6.

 

[Sydnie]

I haven't stayed offsite but you can see the HoJo from the Monorail and the pool is AWESOME (kind of like a small water park.) It's literally right across the street from DL and you can see the fireworks from some of the rooms.

 

[rentayenta]

I can't imagine less than 2 days at any Disney park for a first visit so I say 4 is doable but 5 is optimum.

 

[Belle83]

My shortest trip was in 2003 during my much-younger siblings' Spring Break. They stayed longer, but I flew down for 2 days and it was way too quick. I spent a 1/2 day at California Adventure and 1 1/2 days at Disneyland.

I would say 3 days minimum, but 4 would be better.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Just got back from our first Disneyland vacation ever. We stayed 5 nights and felt that was the perfect amount of time. We park hopped a lot. We would start in one park, take an afternoon break at the hotel, and switch to the other park at night.

 

[MackSparrow]

I think 3 days is enough to do everything if you don't mind being super rushed. Like many people here, I think 4-5 days is enough for everything you probably want to do/see without feeling rushed. You should enjoy the beauty and magic of the parks and not feel rushed through your first experience at the original Disney park. You'll have a good time regardless though.