Too Many Days in Disneyland? + Crowds

[Royal Consort]

Hi everyone,
We're heading to Disneyland in December this year and have booked for 3 nights/4 days. My question is: Is this too much time for two parks?

We'll be arriving from WDW where we would have spent the past week and considering that's 6 parks in 8 days (inc Universal and IOA), we'll be spending a lot more time per park in Disneyland.

Also, what are the crowds like the first week of December? We'll be there from the Tues-Friday.

Thanks all!

 

[skiingfast]

That is the amount of time I would recommend. It will be low crowds during the week, busy Friday after 5 when locals come in after work.

Keep in mind WDW has about the same number of attraction as DL, they are just spread across four parks instead of two.

You may want to read the DLR guide for WDW vets.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[CamoMama]

Agreed. I would say that at least 4 days is needed, preferably 5. I'm going for 2 or 3 days in May by myself and wishing I could add a few more days. But I am going back in July for 5 days and that will make me much happier.

 

[Carina]

Hi everyone,
We're heading to Disneyland in December this year and have booked for 3 nights/4 days. My question is: Is this too much time for two parks?

We'll be arriving from WDW where we would have spent the past week and considering that's 4 parks in 8 days, we'll be spending a lot more time per park in Disneyland.

??? I know the 2 Disneys are quite different, but 4 parks in 8 days is mathmatically the same as 2 parks in 4 days

It's 2 days per park in both senario. lol

To 'actually' answer your question... We spent 5 days in DL and CA on our first trip there ( well 4 1/2 - as one day we went back to the hotel for lunch and a quick nap, planning to go back before dinner... We slept till 6pm and never did make it back that day. Ha ha, we were exhausted)
Our second trip there we went for 3 days, and it felt a bit rushed, we like being able to do our favorite rides over and over. Why would we pay all that money to do everything once!
(Although I said rushed, on our 3 day trip we did do many rides many times - I think we did Grizzly River run 7 times in a row, and they did Maliboomer 5 times without having to get off - but I only did my beloved Indiana Jones once - it was out of order when I went back on the last day & We did not miss a show or parade)

We went early May and 'most' rides were less than 10 mins wait with MANY being walk on all day.

Again I didn't want to pay all that money to have to decide if I wanted to see a parade or go on a ride we had not done, because we were pressed for time. I wanted to do it all, and we did.

Now I am planning a DW trip with one day per park and THAT has me worried... We have been so spoiled at DL, but it is what it is. How else can I fit in 4 Disney Parks, 2 waterparks, both Universal parks, Cape Canaveral, a Swapboat ride and either Daytona or a NFL game into 10 days HA HA

 

[skiingfast]

Now I am planning a DW trip with one day per park and THAT has me worried... We have been so spoiled at DL, but it is what it is. How else can I fit in 4 Disney Parks, 2 waterparks, both Universal parks, Cape Canaveral, a Swapboat ride and either Daytona or a NFL game into 10 days HA HA

It's not too bad but you should leave 2 days for Epcot it's big and it's many show attractions take time.

CC 1/2 day unless you are doing a tour too, go in the morning, spend the evening in WDW. When I've been to CC I also went to the beach, maybe that instead of Daytona. USO is another half day, IOA is a full day, so that another evening in the parks at WDW. The other full days when you are driving far away.

 

[Royal Consort]

??? I know the 2 Disneys are quite different, but 4 parks in 8 days is mathmatically the same as 2 parks in 4 days

It's 2 days per park in both senario. lol

Whoops, I should also have also included going to Universal and Islands of Adventure. I think I was focusing on Disney and automatically mentioned just the 4. Shall amend to the six in OP.

My understanding is that California Adventure at DL is a half day park? From what you're saying it sounds like you can spend longer there. I think that was my main concern. Two days at the magic kingdom are fine but I've heard a lot about California Adventure being a lot smaller with a lot less to do and experience. If there's not a lot to do in CA I was thinking of dropping one extra day and going into LA. If people on this board think that the 4 days is a pretty reasonable period then that makes planning easier and we'll probably stay with current plans.

 

[HydroGuy]

My understanding is that California Adventure at DL is a half day park? From what you're saying it sounds like you can spend longer there. I think that was my main concern. Two days at the magic kingdom are fine but I've heard a lot about California Adventure being a lot smaller with a lot less to do and experience.

Your information about DCA is at least five years old and does not reflect the $1.2 billion investment made there in recent years.

DCA is definitely not a half-day park, especially with the opening of Cars Land this June. I would say you could take four days at DLR with about 2 1/2 at DL and 1 1/2 at DCA.

As others have said, DL and DCA have more rides in those two parks than all foru WDW parks put together. Plus is has some awesome shows that are better than comparable shows at WDW.

 

[Royal Consort]

Your information about DCA is at least five years old and does not reflect the $1.2 billion investment made there in recent years.

DCA is definitely not a half-day park, especially with the opening of Cars Land this June. I would say you could take four days at DLR with about 2 1/2 at DL and 1 1/2 at DCA.

As others have said, DL and DCA have more rides in those two parks than all foru WDW parks put together. Plus is has some awesome shows that are better than comparable shows at WDW.

Ah, fantastic. I'm afraid I know very little about CA and haven't kept up to date with all the goings on as we're from Australia. I think we shall leave the four days then!! Thank you.

 

[frijolefrito]

tooo many days in disneyland? WHAT!!!!! TOOOO many DAYS at DISNEYLAND. Can you saty that.. can you .. is that? How is that possible to write that. I.. I can't understand!


Okay so honestly I did a week and wanted more. I did pick one day and was lazy by the pool until after 2pm and finished up the park. I've done disney the rushed way and the I got time way. ALWAYS go more time.

I had young kids and just doing fantasyland/toon town took a whole afternoon. Also doing slower rides like raiding the train ect. doesn't make you feel like you aren't riding the e-ticket rides enough.

 

[Royal Consort]

tooo many days in disneyland? WHAT!!!!! TOOOO many DAYS at DISNEYLAND. Can you saty that.. can you .. is that? How is that possible to write that. I.. I can't understand!

Ha ha ha. I love it.

Strangely enough (and this may sound odd) there's part of me that quite likes leaving when I am not entirely ready to. The last time I was in Disneyland Paris (the only Disney park I know reasonably well), I spent a couple of days and moved on. Turning around at dusk and saying my goodbyes to the castle was bitter-sweet and a really fond memory. It was amazingly special and we didn't over saturate ourselves. Sometimes less is more. Does that make sense?

In saying that we're heading the US specifically FOR Disney this time. Unlike Europe where we visited several countries. So we do want to see everything we possibly can. So there we go, four days seems the plan then! We could do 5 days but that would mean missing one day in WDW and I think that's packed enough with the inclusion of Universal and IOA. With so much planning for WDW (mainly because of those ADR's), I've only JUST started looking into Disneyland. I suspect I'll enjoy Disneyland more than the Magic Kingdom in the end.

 

[MissMichigan]

I've been 3 times so far. Once for 3 days, then 5, then 4. The 4 day trip seemed the best amount of time to me.

3 (2 1/2, actually) seemed like not quite enough for me, and I felt like I missed a lot.

5 (4 1/2, actually) seemed a bit too much though, as I saw and did everything I wanted, then was left with half a day on the 5th day just kind of wandering. It worked out OK being my holiday visit, and gave me time to souvenir shop and soak in all the decorations one last time.

That said, with all the new stuff coming to DCA, a little extra time may be a good thing.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Hi everyone,
We're heading to Disneyland in December this year and have booked for 3 nights/4 days. My question is: Is this too much time for two parks?

We'll be arriving from WDW where we would have spent the past week and considering that's 6 parks in 8 days (inc Universal and IOA), we'll be spending a lot more time per park in Disneyland.

Also, what are the crowds like the first week of December? We'll be there from the Tues-Friday.

Thanks all!

I think that's a perfect amount of time. Plan on spending more time at DL rather than DCA. Much more to do, IMO. Crowds should be low during that time, too!

 

[pixiewings71]

I always recommend 4 days minimum, I prefer 5 or 6 personally. There is so much to do at the DL/DCA.

I always still get a kick out of people who say DCA is a half a day park, it's definitely not for us, we can easily spend hours at DCA. There have been days we've gone to DCA at opening and been there until closing and still gone back for more. It's definitely not the park it was 5 years ago.

Have a great time!!

 

[kayleigh83]

I personally don't think there is such a thing as too many days in Disneyland! We're going this July and I'm planning on 5 full days in the parks, I can't wait!!

 

[soaringirl]

In saying that we're heading the US specifically FOR Disney this time. Unlike Europe where we visited several countries. So we do want to see everything we possibly can. So there we go, four days seems the plan then! We could do 5 days but that would mean missing one day in WDW and I think that's packed enough with the inclusion of Universal and IOA. With so much planning for WDW (mainly because of those ADR's), I've only JUST started looking into Disneyland. I suspect I'll enjoy Disneyland more than the Magic Kingdom in the end.

You brave woman, you! WOW.. now that's Disney focus! WDW and DLR in the same trip?? My family thinks I'm a Disney nut already, if I ever tell them that I want to do both parks in one trip (which will not make sense, I live in the middle of both places), they will certainly do an intervention

 

[Hound 109]

If you utilize MM......& if you tour & collect FPs early each day (or at least 3 of the 4 days)....then you'll have enough time to enjoy DLR with 4 days.

Regarding DCA & how much to dedicate.......I'd dedicate 3-5 hours EACH day to DCA (& the rest to DL). With a break each day for swimming/napping/resting.

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

 

[Yookeroo]

If it's late December, 4 days might be the minimum for a 1st timer. Early December, 4 days sound about right with the DCA upgrades. Enough time to experience everything without feeling rushed.

 

[Royal Consort]

You brave woman, you! WOW.. now that's Disney focus! WDW and DLR in the same trip?? My family thinks I'm a Disney nut already, if I ever tell them that I want to do both parks in one trip (which will not make sense, I live in the middle of both places), they will certainly do an intervention

I think I must be one of the few men on these boards haha!

Yes, we're crazy and doing both Disney parks back-to-back. But we are a MASSIVE Disney couple. After the last trip traveling Europe, connecting to flights, getting to airports, being delayed, finding how to connect to public transport in German, French, Dutch... we just want to stay in one place where we can be looked after without having to worry. Of course I don't feel any less stressed about planning.

If it's late December, 4 days might be the minimum for a 1st timer. Early December, 4 days sound about right with the DCA upgrades. Enough time to experience everything without feeling rushed.

We'll be there mid-week from the Tues-Friday (leaving Fri night) the first week of December. I hope the crowds are relatively low!