OK. A stupid DIS question - How many days at DL?

[dejr_8]

Still working on our general trip planning and the question remains - How days do we need to DL/DCA?

As background, we have been to WDW over 30 times and DL twice (but before we had kids). Our boys are 9 and 12.

We will be visiting the week of June 13th. We are not planners so we don't want to worry about having an elaborate Fastpass utilization plan.

Do we need more than 3 days to do both parks?

Thanks

 

[disneyrand]

Still working on our general trip planning and the question remains - How days do we need to DL/DCA?

As background, we have been to WDW over 30 times and DL twice (but before we had kids). Our boys are 9 and 12.

We will be visiting the week of June 13th. We are not planners so we don't want to worry about having an elaborate Fastpass utilization plan.

Do we need more than 3 days to do both parks?

Thanks

The last time my family and I went for 3 days we felt cheated., Like we'd left somethings undone. We really didn't but we had to cram a lot of stuff into three days. Ever since we've gone for 5 days on each trip. Just about perfect for us. It takes the stress out of thinking you have to be in the parks for every waking minute. 5 days gives us the chance to actually take some mid day breaks and enjoy the week. YMMV.

 

[Sherry E]

The last time my family and I went for 3 days we felt cheated., Like we'd left somethings undone. We really didn't but we had to cram a lot of stuff into three days. Ever since we've gone for 5 days on each trip. Just about perfect for us. It takes the stress out of thinking you have to be in the parks for every waking minute. 5 days gives us the chance to actually take some mid day breaks and enjoy the week. YMMV.

I agree with disneyrand. For some reason, in theory, three days sounds like it will be enough but it's not really enough when you actually get in the parks and start doing things. It will be sufficient if that's all the time you have available, but adding an extra day or two will allow for those rest breaks or any unexpected things that come up (i.e., illness, exhaustion, longer lines or bigger crowds than expected, family wants to go on a particular ride 150 times in a row, that sort of thing!), and it will also allow more time to take a stroll through the 3 DLR hotels (the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian, in particular, are worth a look).

 

[stubby]

On our first trip we went for one day...definately not enough. Last trip we went for 3 and a half. It was great but still didn't want to leave. This time we are going for six. I think 3 days is good if you are planning on spending all your time in the park. But, if your family are disney freaks like mine...I recommend at least 4.

 

[Butterfly123]

We usually do four days. We have done three, but it felt more rushed. For the first time this June we are doing five days. We are anticipating it being very crowded, and want to give us enough time not to feel rushed, since it will probably be a few years before we go back.

 

[frijolefrito]

I used to only go for one day... I never even THOUGHT about more then one.. this aug.. I GOT 5 DAYS wuttt!!! Wuutttttuuuutttuutututututututut!

 

[taaren]

3 days is the minimum if your family wants to do most of the attractions and is okay with 'commando-style' park touring. Just got back from a 3-day trip with the DS4 and we got almost all of the kid stuff in, with multiple rides on TSMM, and a few each of our favorite grown-up rides in for good measure. But since we knew we'd be back in the fall we weren't in a hurry, stopped to visit with friends, have leisurely corn dogs and crepes, etc, etc.
If you want to really experience everything and not feel rushed, 5-6 days is better IMHO. This allows for a bit of time to soak up the ambiance and wander without feeling like you 'have' to get to the next ride, etc. Anything longer than that is gravy - we're doing 7-8 days this fall for the first time, our first time doing more than 6 in a row.

 

[cmwade77]

We go for 365-366 days......ok, not really, but we do get annual passes as we live about 15 minutes away. I think the number of days depends on the time and money you have available.

 

[sitkamom]

Glad to hear others like to do 6 days in the park--it's our first DLR visit and that's what I have planned for DD10 and I. Friends thought it was overkill, but it will probably be our only trip for many years to come and I want to see and do everything!

 

[CrazyDuck]

Easy answer.... 6 Days... That is the longest park hopper you can buy in the US.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

You will definitely be able to get a lot done in three days but if you can spend an extra day or two i think it would be worth it! For a while we were going for 3 days and everything was fine.. until one trip we stayed 4 days and it was decided that from now on if possible 4 days for sure! Having and extra day will allow you to do everything you want to do at least once and multiple times if wanted! this summer we are going down with my dance team for 6 days! I am sooo excited!

 

[mama2dutchies]

Easy answer.... 6 Days... That is the longest park hopper you can buy in the US.

perfect answer we're there 6 days 5 nights and got the 6 day park hopper.. not sure we'll use all 6 days but I like options.. day 1 we drive down day 6 we drive back

 

[Bungle]

We went for 4 earlier this month and while we had a fantastic time we would have liked another day.

 

[jacs1234]

We went for 10 and still didn't do everything We did do many rides over and over though We're going for 12 this year.

But I think 3 is enough if you plan it perfectly, 4 would be much better. I would find it hard to fit in shows like Aladdin, fantasmic and WOC. 3 is totally better than none though.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

If you go for 5 you might as well get 6 for 4 bucks more and go for a half a day

 

[dejr_8]

The choice is between 3 and 4 days. We will go commando-style just without a schedule.

My concern is that with only 3 days we will miss something because I want to make sure we have a good location for WOC and Fantasmic.

My wife wants the extra day to spend tooling around San Diego.

 

[nunzia]

We usually do 4..and go at slow times. My son wants to do 5 next time and I'm fine with that

 

[hsmamato2]

I love finding threads like this...with other likeminded 'disnerds' like myself I intend to buy 6 day passes,so we have options of going in to see a show,and just be really flexible and see everything.....I kind of want to see Universal too for a day,but not sure If I can pull the kids away.....

 

[itradehilton]

We get season passes every other year and make multiple 5 - 7 day trips on AP years. So far my DS's like 5 days and 4 nights at the parks. We don't do everything each time we go but manage to get in every ride we want by our 2nd trip of the year.

 

[disneyrand]

We get season passes every other year and make multiple 5 - 7 day trips on AP years. So far my DS's like 5 days and 4 nights at the parks. We don't do everything each time we go but manage to get in every ride we want by our 2nd trip of the year.

Hoping to do this very thing, soon.