Thinking of going to Disneyland

[sjedelen67]

Have been to Disneyworld many times as well as the cruises. Thinking of branching out and taking family to Disneyland next spring break. Was going to go for the whole week. I know crowds will be heavy that time but was wondering if we will need the whole week to tour Disneyland and California Adventures. Would like to see a little of California as well, like the beach. Would I have to rent a car to get to see the sights outside of Disneyland? Is there any tours we could get that would include sights as well as travel there? Not sure I want to try to navigate LA. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Steve

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I too am a WDW vet, and only been to DL twice. First time was for 4 days and then I went over Spring Break this year for a week. I had a 6 day park hopper pass, I still didn't do everything there was to do in the parks and Carsland wasn't open yet either! But with that amount of time, I felt that I had a more leisurely pace to tour and was able to enjoy a lot of the theming of DL. The spring break crowds weren't too bad, not like WDW crowds.

I also did a day trip to the San Diego Zoo, the zoo was okay but after I saw the pandas it was just a zoo with animals I'd seen before. We used Grayline for that. I also took a tour of Hollywood/LA through Anaheim 411. I really enjoyed that tour and we got to spend about 40 minutes at Santa Monica Pier and 1 hour at Venice Beach on it too. The Farmers Market was a fun lunch stop. It was a small tour with about 6 people, I don't think they run tours with more than 20 people on it. And we were back in time to enjoy Disneyland at night. This time I flew in and out of LAX and we used Karmel shuttle and it didn't seem that long of a commute, however we flew at off times when traffic was lighter. I have also flown into SNA and it is closer and that time I took a taxi.

 

[abdgeek]

You won't need a week for DL. You can see the two parks in 3 days(two for DL and 1 for CA). The rest of the time you can see other sights.

You will need to rent a car to get around easily. I used the Alamo Car Rental in DTD the last time I visited. It was very convenient and the cars are parked in the lot between Paradise Pier and DLH(across the street from Grand Californian Resort). You will also need a car to get to restaurants, unless you only want to eat at the theme parks, hotels, or DTD.

Grayline usually offers tours, so check their website to see what they have. I did all of my tours on my own. The traffic wasn't too bad, but I tried to stay out of rush hour traffic.

 

[interstate70s]

I don 't think 3 days is enough personally. Perhaps if you toured straight through from open to close for 3 days. This would make my family miserable. If its just a casual trip and you just want to see highlights then I think 3 days would be ok. I am a big fan of 5 days to do shows, rides,breaks and repeats, but I guess it depends on what your priorities are.

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

I think you really need at least 5 (maybe more with the new DCA!) to be able to actually do EVERYTHING. All the shows, all the rides, experience most of the delicious food options, etc. Any less than that, and it's hectic and you feel like you are missing stuff. HATE that feeling! But it would be much, much worse to have that feeling and live so far away, that you only get to come once in a blue moon! Make sure you have a long enough stay to get to experience ALL the magic!

 

[DnA2010]

When we took DD6 for her first trip we did 3 days and really felt like there was so much more to see and do (and we went hard, from open to close)
Our next trip we are hoping for a week for DL/CA alone...

 

[Huff]

4 or 5 days easily for a first time visitor. 3 days is fine for someone who has been there before and knows their way around, knows the ins/outs and know which attractions that interest them the most or least. Yes you can do almost everything in 3 days but at a rushed pace if you're fully familiar with the parks. 4 or 5 days allows a relaxed pace, take time out for a nice lunch or dinner, shop in DTD etc. maybe even catch a movie in DTD. Shorter stays are also ok for those that will not go on the thrill rides (space, splash, scream'n, Tower of Terror etc.)

There is a city bus that can take you to/from the Disneyland area to Knotts. Greyline has a package deal to go for the day to Universal Studios or even Sea World in San Diego.

Not aware of any tour bus that would go to the beach areas. That would require a rental car. However, its very easy without difficult navigating.

 

[mouseymommy]

I agree with pp's that you really do need more than 3 days. We would say if you are coming from far away that you want at least 5 day hoppers. Then you can relax a bit and not have to rush.

 

[HydroGuy]

Four days at DLR (maybe five) would be about right. Here are some good tips for you:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[madmaxx]

Our first DL trip was only 3 days in the park, and it was a lot of fun (but nowhere near long enough). It felt like we blinked and it was over. We hit most of the rides, but didn't get to enjoy much of the entertainment or detailed decor.

Our second trip was 5 days in the parks (during the major work in California Adventure), and while we got to see everything, it still didn't feel like enough. We didn't sit and relax much, and even with the many closures in California Adventure, we still felt like there was a lot we didn't get to see or do, and we felt rushed much of the time.

Our next trip is planned for 7 days in the park, and I'm hoping to add a day for the first evening we're there (just to walk down main street, and wander around without feeling the need to power walk to each ride). I suspect 7 days is enough for us, but that 8 or 9 would be even better. I can't see being bored in that time, especially with a hotel pool and DTD shopping and food.

But, it depends on everyone in you're group. We love immersive vacations. We're huge Disney fans. We love the artwork, the detail, the smells, and the rides. And, the shows are incredible, even for a DH like myself (you wouldn't guess that I'm a Disney fan).

Hope this helps ... and enjoy your trip if you end up going!

 

[love280mickey]

also making our first trip to DL and CA. I'm planning on the So Cal pass to get 3 day park hoppers and trying to get into Grand Californian via DVC points at 7 month window....hope we can get it.

anyway, being that we've been to WDW several times, aren't some of the rides the same at DL? Maybe we'll focus more on the ones that are new to us, especially Calif Adventure?

still have a LOT of research to do and appreciate all the info on the dis!

 

[kevdo]

You won't need a week for DL. You can see the two parks in 3 days(two for DL and 1 for CA). The rest of the time you can see other sights.

Having just returned from a 5 day trip I disagree. Especially now with CarsLand you need to have more than three mornings to get the maximum value from the trip. We arrived prior to park open for Radiator Springs Racers but didn't exit the ride until 11 am (though, sort of to be fair the ride did go down just as we sat in the car and there was an earthquake that make the process for restarting the ride go slower). On other days I didn't get my FP for that ride until 8:15 or 8:30, so that too eat into tour during prime time.

I would suggest at least 5 days in the parks. Make sure to arrive early, before opening, and follow all the strategies around getting in line for CarsLand fastpasess or early opening at Disneyland. Work through the mornings and then do the rest of the SoCal sightseening during the afternoons when the crowds are at their max. Then return for the evening in the parks and take in the shows and sights.

In the past I have felt that staying at Disney hotels was a luxury, but with the crowds at DCA the early entry for Disney Hotel guests is starting to feel worth the extra $150-200/night.

 

[mummabear]

We have never gone for more then 3 days to DL (in fact in 1 trip we hit everything in a day in off peak, although no kids so didnt see parades/characters) or 5 to WDW and have managed happily to see everything we wanted (always would be nice for more), this trip we are also going for 3 to DL and ideally would like more.
As for getting around LA I would rent a car, we have always found it is better value than joining tours, you can do things at your own pace and driving around has been easy (with a gps) and we are coming rom NZ where we drive on the other side of the road,.....

 

[Chase8705]

I think 2 or 3 days for the parks and maybe 2 or 3 days for the rest of Cali (like the beach). You don't need a rental car but it will deffinatly be nicer.