Number of Days at DL

[EEyorelover22]

We are planning a trip to DL in 2011. Can someone recommend how many days we should spend there?

Also, what other "places should" we see while we are in CA. There is a lot to see and I don't know what's worth it and whether it's worth fighting the traffic.

Thanks.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Do you have kids? What are their ages? Do you like to have some down time?

We are going in a couple of weeks and here's our itinerary:
Day 1: Fly to San Diego and spend afternoon at the zoo
Day 2: SeaWorld
Day 3: Legoland, Drive to Anaheim
Days 4-7: DL and/or CA
Day 8: Morning at DL then fly home

We'll have 4 full days and a morning at DL, but we plan to do 3 character meals and spend some time at the pool during afternoon breaks. Our kids are little (2 and 3) so we try not to go at a crazy pace.

We also considered Knott's Berry Farm. We like that place and love their chicken dinners! But decided against the extra expense. Universal Studios is worth doing for older kids. We didn't want to do the Hollywood stuff since our kids are so little, but I can tell you that we went to California on our honeymoon 14 yrs ago and loved the all day sightseeing bus tour. It stopped of course and let us look around and shop and certain destinations and drove by some celebrity homes. It was very informative and entertaining. And then of course, there's the beaches.

 

[PinkBudgie]

3 days would be the least amount of days to go. If this will be a major trip that you wouldn't make very often, I would try for 5 days. You have have 2 parks and Downtown Disney to look at. If you stay at a place with a neat pool, you might want time to swim there.

Legoland is neat for a day if you have kids. I've never been to Seaworld but that sounds fun and I've always wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo because I've heard that is supposed to be very good. I've went to Knotts Berry Farm when I was a child but reading about it on Trip Advisor recently convinced me it has gone down hill since then and I have no desire to go there. It does have lots of big rollercoasters so if you like that you may like it. To me, a rollercoaster just isn't the same if it doesn't have the Disney magic surrounding it.

 

[Sherry E]

We are planning a trip to DL in 2011. Can someone recommend how many days we should spend there?

Also, what other "places should" we see while we are in CA. There is a lot to see and I don't know what's worth it and whether it's worth fighting the traffic.

Thanks.

Keep in mind that, by 2011, many new things will have been added to DLR, especially in DCA. We may even have a couple of new DLR hotels up and running by that time! So, right now, in 2008, you could get away with devoting a minimum of 2 or 3 days to DLR and missing some things here and there, but by 2011, it may be a different story! You may need at least 4 days!

Also, I recommend highly that you drive or take a shuttle to Long Beach (not too far from Anaheim) and take the ferry to Catalina Island for a lovely day trip. You can have a wonderful time in Avalon, renting a golf cart (3 hours for the price of 2) and driving around the island, taking in the beautiful ocean scenery. If you like seafood, there are some great fresh options there. I don't eat seafood, but there are great little mom and pop cafes there that serve the best pancakes and great Italian food. Depending on what time of year you go, you can take the Flying Fish boat tour (which is REALLY cool at night) and take the Seal Rocks tour, as well as the semi-submersible, which allows you to see sharks and whatever other creatures happen to be hanging around that day. There is also the famous glass bottom boat, but you don't get to see as much on that as you do in the semi-sub. You can also take an inland bus tour that takes you to the other side of the island and allows you to get very close to buffalo roaming the roads along the way! It is a great day trip or weekend trip, and I suggest it to anyone who has never been out to SoCal or who has never seen Catalina.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Do you have kids? What are their ages? Do you like to have some down time?

One will have finished his first year is college (I assume and the other one will have just graduated from high school.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

I am really worried about the traffic. We have none here so I'm not sure how that will go.

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

I am really worried about the traffic. We have none here so I'm not sure how that will go.

Don't worry about it. It is bad sometimes but not always as scary and ominous as people think it is. And I think your kids will really love Catalina Island, too - so I hope you take my suggestion and look into that for your 2011 trip! It makes a perfect day trip!

 

[PinkBudgie]

We have none here so I'm not sure how that will go.

Ok, I just can't wrap my brain around that one! But I'm sure you'll find out that you are able to manage.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are planning a trip to DL in 2011. Can someone recommend how many days we should spend there?

Also, what other "places should" we see while we are in CA. There is a lot to see and I don't know what's worth it and whether it's worth fighting the traffic.

Thanks.

Just FYI here... DL is "Disneyland" which is a park at DLR (Disneyland Resort). Like MK is a park at WDW.

I agree with other posters. Three days is the minimum at DLR and four is better. So much is happening at DLR by 2011 especially at DCA. If I was planning a trip for 2011 I would do so for summer at the earliest as so many things will be coming on line by then. See "Disney's California Adventure Project Tracker" http://micechat.com/forums/disneyland-resort/81393-disneys-california-adventure-project-tracker.html

 

[cativa]

How long really depends on your pace, how much you want to do, and when you go.

DL for example, if you want to do everything and you go during a holiday weekend could easily take you 3 days all in itself. If, however, your kids want to skip the little kids rides and you go on a Wednesday in the fall, and you don't putter around too much resting and eating, you could probably knock DL out in one day. DCA is similar. At minimum I would give one whole day to each park and one extra day to go "clean up" those things you missed. Remember too that while weekends are busiest, often during the week DL cuts some parades and Fantasmic so if you want to see those, you'll need to plan your days accordingly.

Other things in the area...
-You'll probably want a day to hang out at the pool, resort, and downtown Disney.
-Universal Studios is great fun for the older kids. It only takes a day.
-SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, and San Diego Wild Animal Park are really great - but a bit of a drive. If you want to make it a day trip you'll be leaving very early, getting back very late, and may not see absolutely everything. If these and Catalina Island/Downtown San Diego are something you really wish to visit, you may want to get a hotel room down there for that part of your stay.
-LegoLand, unless your kids are really into legos, is really more for the little kid set. I'd skip it if I were you.
-SixFlaggs Magic Mountain is a few hours North of Anaheim. They have the "big" coasters unlike Disney so if your kids are coaster freaks it may be worth looking into. Be warned though its a dirty crowded mess. I personally can't stand it there - I'm too spoiled by Disney

 

[Sherry E]

I agree with the PP - I hate Six Flags too. It holds no appeal for me and I will not miss it if I never return there!

Just to be sure the OP doesn't get confused - Catalina and San Diego have nothing to do with each other. Those are two separate trips. They are nowhere near each other. Long Beach (one of the docks from which Catalina Express departs) is closer to Anahiem than San Diego, which is why I suggested it rather than San Diego - because it can easily be done in one day, no hotel necessary. The Catalina Express boat has many, many departures all throughout the day which start in the 6:00 a.m. hour (during peak season) and can return as late as in the 10:00 p.m. hour at night. I have stayed there one week and also for one day, and on my last day trip, we did 4 tours AND rented a golf cart for 3 hours and ate two meals and shopped, and got home by 10:30 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. You could catch a shuttle from the DLR to Long Beach and then back again to DLR at night.

As for San Diego, that is a much farther drive from Anahiem, but it IS very beautiful down there too. So if you have a couple of days to devote to SD, it is worth seeing, and a hotel room would almost definitely be necessary.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Just FYI here... DL is "Disneyland" which is a park at DLR (Disneyland Resort). Like MK is a park at WDW.
[/URL]

Yes...I knew this. I figured mostly people knew what I meant.

 

[Sherry E]

Yes...I knew this. I figured mostly people knew what I meant.

I knew what you meant! It doesn't bother me! I have seen DL, DCA and DLR referred to as many more confusing things on this board, so I don't mind what you wrote at all! In one post, someone referred to DCA as California Dream Park - cute...but not even close!

 

[EEyorelover22]

Ok, I just can't wrap my brain around that one! But I'm sure you'll find out that you are able to manage.

That is funny. Growing up, I lived north of Detroit. I could never do traffic again...real traffic.

I live 1 mile from work as the crow flies and drive 5. It will be even less when they put the bridge through over "the creek". A big traffic issue in the morning is having to wait for 25 cars to clear the light at the corner. On a really BAD Day, I have to sit through 2 lights. Top speed is 30 mph. Somehow, I just don't think the teenage drivers are nearly as bad as drivers in a big city.

 

[EEyorelover22]

We won't do 6 Flags...whatever the name is out there although my kids love it. Not my cup of tea that's for sure. We have one north of Chicago that we've been to. I agree...it's not Disney that's for sure. They have real traffic too HATE IT!!!

I have heard that San Diego is beautiful and friends of ours have done the zoo. I'm just not sure my kids would "appreciate it" if you know what I mean...19 (nearly 20) and 18...?? not sure. I have toyed with that idea though because many have suggested it. How far is it of a drive?

To give you an idea...we went to Reno and drove to Lake Tahoe...they were NOT impressed...not at all!

Catalina Island sounds interesting. They have only seen the ocean once and they were so little, I'm not sure they remember it.

I have three really good friends, too, that keep telling me I'm not going to like DL at all. One says that I will. We are all WDW visitors more.

I picked up on the Fantasmic note too about not showing each night. At WDW, this is our favorite show for the entire family. We are planning on going late June/early July. Will this be an issue for it not showing each night?

 

[Sherry E]

We won't do 6 Flags...whatever the name is out there although my kids love it. Not my cup of tea that's for sure. We have one north of Chicago that we've been to. I agree...it's not Disney that's for sure. They have real traffic too HATE IT!!!

I have heard that San Diego is beautiful and friends of ours have done the zoo. I'm just not sure my kids would "appreciate it" if you know what I mean...19 (nearly 20) and 18...?? not sure. I have toyed with that idea though because many have suggested it. How far is it of a drive?

To give you an idea...we went to Reno and drove to Lake Tahoe...they were NOT impressed...not at all!

Catalina Island sounds interesting. They have only seen the ocean once and they were so little, I'm not sure they remember it.

I have three really good friends, too, that keep telling me I'm not going to like DL at all. One says that I will. We are all WDW visitors more.

I picked up on the Fantasmic note too about not showing each night. At WDW, this is our favorite show for the entire family. We are planning on going late June/early July. Will this be an issue for it not showing each night?

San Diego/Sea World/Zoo is roughly a 2 hour drive from Los Angeles, so shave off maybe 30 minutes of that if you go from Anaheim. It all depends on...TRAFFIC Give or take 30 minutes, I should say.

You can almost always see dolphins on the boat ride over to Catalina, as well as flying fish (but there are more of those to be seen on the actual flying fish tour). Seals and buffalo and deer and goats are all part of the Avalon wildlife. And it is a great golf cart ride around the town and by the ocean.

You know, most people agree that DL itself - taken alone as a park - compared to the Magic Kingdom itself (not counting the other three Florida parks) is better because it has Walt Disney's actual personal stamp on it, and it is more intimate, and full of details and character and personality that the Magic Kingdom is lacking. Now, when you take WDW as a whole - as all four parks together and ALL those hotels as one unified front - it is hard for little ol' DLR to compete. I would love to have an Animal Kingdom and EPCOT out here! Most folks agree that just Disneyland alone has a little extra spark of magic that Magic Kingdom does not have, probably because Walt touched it with his own hands. Of course, we have the one and only New Orleans Square, and we have Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin and we have a better version of ToonTown, as well as better versions of POTC and HM. I think you won't be disappointed at all by DLR. You will find that the things exclusive just to DL are worth the visit. And in three years, there will be a bunch of new stuff to see in DCA.

I THINK Fantasmic shows all the time - every night - during summer. I could be wrong - someone will correct me if I am. Then again, in 3 years, I am not sure what it will be doing! Keep tabs on it at the DLR website until your trip.

Keep us all posted of your plans as they progress, and then when you finally go, you will have to post pictures and a trip report!

 

[EEyorelover22]

You've convinced me. I want to go to go "once". We want to see it just once. I think the plane ride would keep me from going back. The trip to Reno was longggggg.

I suppose I should learn what rides are there too so we don't miss any That will be my next task.

I know thing that is better as well...the merchandise!

 

[Sherry E]

You've convinced me. I want to go to go "once". We want to see it just once. I think the plane ride would keep me from going back. The trip to Reno was longggggg.

I suppose I should learn what rides are there too so we don't miss any That will be my next task.

Good! Oh, the planning of the whole trip over the next few years will be half the fun! Planning the agenda, choosing where to stay, planning the dining and making the PS's for it, looking over all the options - it all adds to the excitement. And I think, since you will be going to DLR just once, going in 2011 is a good time to do it because there will be so much more to DCA by then - as well as the likely addition of at least one more Disney hotel (maybe two) by that time. I think the Little Mermaid ride will be in full swing at DCA by then - I hope - and Carsland should be up and running. It'll be cool! You will have a great time!

And there is lots of great merchandise - too much, unfortunately, for my wallet!

 

[HydroGuy]

I have three really good friends, too, that keep telling me I'm not going to like DL at all. One says that I will. We are all WDW visitors more.

Have your naysaying friends been to DLR in the last five years? Or ever?

I picked up on the Fantasmic note too about not showing each night. At WDW, this is our favorite show for the entire family. We are planning on going late June/early July. Will this be an issue for it not showing each night?

From about mid-June until late August Fantasmic will show twice nightly - 9:00 and 10:30. If possible go to the second showing as it is much easier to get a decent viewing spot.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Yes, two of them have been recently...within 2 years I believe. What they do not like about DLR vs WDW is that the "real world" is so close. Remember, we are not from a big city so I believe that's why. Nothing at all "wrong" with the parks, etc...it's that they don't get that feeling of "being in a totally different world" that they get at WDW.

For that reason, I'm sure we will stay in one of the Disney resorts.

That is good news about Fantasmic. DS17 has only stayed in a park all day twice and once was over Christmas break so he wouldn't get shut out of the park. The other was MGM (DHS) again, but he enjoys hanging out more now too...I've created Disney freaks. He stayed at MK till 1 pm this summer which is a MAJOR record. He does NOT like MK, but he found it more enjoyable this year. I think it's because DD rides the coasters with him now.

Is is true that "you just sit down somewhere to see it?" I'm not sure I have that correct...can't even remember where I read that It's not like at WDW at all, but I hear it's much better