Please help with our 2nd visit to Disneyland

[Mazzy]

We visited Disneyland back in 2007, but only stayed 2 nights and didn't get very much done. We're heading back there in July 2010 (problably the second week) and I wonder if you could help work out how many days we will need to do the parks properly. We are form the UK, and never know if we will get back again due to how expensive the trip works out with the flights, hotels etc.

We are staying at the HOJO, so within walking distance to the parks. We don't mind getting up early in the morning for park opening. We are mum, dad, daughter 20, and son 16. We've been to WDW 11 times so familiar with fastpass etc.

We really don't want to miss anything out this time, and I see on this forum there are new things which will be open in DCA next Summer too, such as World of Color, and definitely want to fit everything in, including the Fantasmic seats if I can get them. So how many days do you think we would need?

Thank you!

 

[disneynerd420]

If you really want to ensure enough time to get everything done and not have to rush around the park, I recommend 4 - 5 days.

 

[KCmike]

I would suggest 4 days minimum. Always give yourself a rest day where you can sleep in and maybe wonder Downtown Disney or visit the coast. What else are you trying to accomplish while here?

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks both of you.

I would suggest 4 days minimum. Always give yourself a rest day where you can sleep in and maybe wonder Downtown Disney or visit the coast. What else are you trying to accomplish while here?

We are staying in Anaheim primarily for the disney parks, and I would also like to have a wander round the Disneyland Hotel, as I believe it has lots of memorabilia on it's walls?

On our last visit in 2007, we stayed only 3 nights in Disneyland (Grand Californian Hotel) and one of those days was a beach tour, and to be honest the Disneyland part went by so fast, I can't remember much at all, lol, so definitely want to see and do everything this time, and hopefully ride some of the rides more than once, especially Indiana Jones!

For 2010 we plan to fly into LAX then stay in Hollywood for a couple of nights, then taking the Amtrak down to San Diego, staying there for around a week, then the train up to Anaheim. I haven't booked our flights from the UK yet, so trying to work out how many days we need in the Anaheim section.

This is why I've gone for the HOJO, as it's much cheaper than the Disney Hotels, but still nearby, so we can stay there as long as we need to to do Disneyland parks justice.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I think 4 days is a minimum, and 5 days a very nice stretch of time that will allow you time for shows, sit down meals, and swimming at the hotel.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Since you are planning on being there in the summer, I would definitely plan 5 full days in the parks. They will be crowded and HOT. If you plan for 5 days you can fit in shows and explore the Animation Academy and make sure to see the fireworks and Fantasmic and ride your favorites more than once.

DH and I went this past July and it was crowded - but we went at opening, collected FP, hit the busier rides early, went back to the HoJo for a rest and some air conditioning or swimming, went back to the Parks for evening with our FP's and to see the fireworks and Fantasmic (dessert seating). It was great. We loved being at DLR at night and riding in the dark.

We have little kids, so staying really late isn't something we do very often. Since your kids are bigger, it will be a breeze to stay late and enjoy the Parks without the sun beating down on you all afternoon long.

 

[Saskiwi]

I'd say four days minimum - we are from NZ so know exactly what it is like to visit knowing you may NEVER get back again!!! We had a 6 day pass when we visited in Easter/Spring Break this year, and it was perfect as on busy days we didn't stress about taking a break and heading back to HOJO, as we had so many days up our sleeve.

Our non-Disney friends thought we were mad "Six days!!! - surely you won't spend all of them at the park??" - but it was ideal. Our kids are much smaller than yours (6 and 9) so we had to pace ourselves a bit, but HOJO's is great and the walk is a breeze. you'll have a blast!

With 6 days you can also take time to explore things like the Animation Academy Building, which we loved, and get to revisit favourite shows like Aladdin and Billy Hill - and of course multiple rides on all the favourites like Indy.

If you haven't already checked them out, I recommend the Fastpass Tips by Hound and Darkbeer which are stickies on this site - we followed them and found they worked brilliantly - Final tip: get to the park EARLY (i.e at least half an hour before opening) at least once: walking into Fantasyland when it is all quiet and empty is just magic.

 

[HydroGuy]

DH and I went this past July and it was crowded - but we went at opening, collected FP, hit the busier rides early, went back to the HoJo for a rest and some air conditioning or swimming, went back to the Parks for evening with our FP's and to see the fireworks and Fantasmic (dessert seating). It was great. We loved being at DLR at night and riding in the dark.

Great info and similar to my own sentiments.

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[Mazzy]

Wow thanks so much to all of you for the great info and advice.

I think I will follow your guide and definitely stay for 5 days, or maybe 6, I need to check out the ticket prices and see how much they are, any tips for where to buy them from, with being in the UK I'm guessing it would be Disney direct? I was going to buy the city pass, but with it only having 3 days on, it won't be enough, so need to do some more research on tickets now.

What is the Animation Academy Building? I don't think it was there two years ago, or maybe we missed it in the rush, lol!

I remember how hot it was in 2007, we went in August and there were record breaking temps when we were there, and I think it made it even worse only having 2 park days, so with having 5 days hopefully we will manage OK.

Thanks for the link to the summer advice thread, that's so helpful.

 

[queenie82]

There are usually exclusive tickets for UK visitors and Australian visitors etc. (different for each) so check that out. See if there are any for you guys. We currently have this offer as an example - http://www.disney.com.au/disneyland/disneyland_resort.html

So I would check for something like that first when buying tickets.

As others have said you really need 5 days. Aladdin is a Broadway quality show I always want to see at least twice.
I have never been in summer...closest was a smoggy september...so that will definitely make it even more crowded and hot so even 6 days might really be worth considering.

 

[andee2000]

We went in July 2008 and had the same problem, not enough days to get everything done. We are heading back to DL July 2010 as well and staying at the HoJo too. We are planning 4 or 5 days to get everythign in at a better pace. We rushed through a lot of stuff since we only had 2.5 days in both parks. I'm not sure if I have any advice, but wanted to say hello to a fellow July 2010 planner!

 

[HydroGuy]

What is the Animation Academy Building? I don't think it was there two years ago, or maybe we missed it in the rush, lol!

It is at DCA in what is called Hollywood Pictures Backlot (HPB). It is a great place to go on a hot day. The Animation Studios has been there for a long time - maybe since DCA opened in 2001. It has Turtle Talk with Crush (like Epcot) plus some other cool things you will not find at WDW.

I try to stop in there when it is hot out because of the air conditioning. I would suggest you allow 90 minutes. We usually have to pull our kids out.

 

[queenie82]

It is at DCA in what is called Hollywood Pictures Backlot (HPB). It is a great place to go on a hot day. The Animation Studios has been there for a long time - maybe since DCA opened in 2001. It has Turtle Talk with Crush (like Epcot) plus some other cool things you will not find at WDW.

I try to stop in there when it is hot out because of the air conditioning. I would suggest you allow 90 minutes. We usually have to pull our kids out.

It can also sometimes get unusual characters. I once saw the old hag Queen from Snow White doing meet and greet

 

[Mazzy]

There are usually exclusive tickets for UK visitors and Australian visitors etc. (different for each) so check that out. See if there are any for you guys. We currently have this offer as an example - http://www.disney.com.au/disneyland/disneyland_resort.html

So I would check for something like that first when buying tickets.

As others have said you really need 5 days. Aladdin is a Broadway quality show I always want to see at least twice.
I have never been in summer...closest was a smoggy september...so that will definitely make it even more crowded and hot so even 6 days might really be worth considering.

Thanks for the link, I've checked it out, but there doesn't seem to be a ticket for UK visitors - when I click on tickets it takes me through to the US website. Never mind, it was worth a try!

We went in July 2008 and had the same problem, not enough days to get everything done. We are heading back to DL July 2010 as well and staying at the HoJo too. We are planning 4 or 5 days to get everythign in at a better pace. We rushed through a lot of stuff since we only had 2.5 days in both parks. I'm not sure if I have any advice, but wanted to say hello to a fellow July 2010 planner!

Hello there fellow July 2010 Planner Sounds like we have very similar trips planned! We are definitely going to stay 5 days, maybe 6, I want time to stroll along and take it all in this time.

 

[Mazzy]

It is at DCA in what is called Hollywood Pictures Backlot (HPB). It is a great place to go on a hot day. The Animation Studios has been there for a long time - maybe since DCA opened in 2001. It has Turtle Talk with Crush (like Epcot) plus some other cool things you will not find at WDW.

I try to stop in there when it is hot out because of the air conditioning. I would suggest you allow 90 minutes. We usually have to pull our kids out.

It can also sometimes get unusual characters. I once saw the old hag Queen from Snow White doing meet and greet

Thanks both of you, I don't think we even noticed that last trip, told you it was way too much of a manic rush! Will definitely put that on the itinerary, thanks!