When you go to Disneyland, how long do you stay?

[angelhair45]

We are going to be there 9-30 through 10-4. We will only have 3 days in the park, I'm concerned with late opening and early closing that we won't have enough time. Is 3 days enough? Should I extend it to the 5th. I'm already really bummed we will miss the fireworks since we can't stay on a Friday or Saturday night, I don't want to leave feeling like we missed out on a lot.

I've been to DW twice in the past two years, but this is my first trip to DL in 10 years.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We usually do 5, it gives us enough time to relax and do what we want when we want.

Jack

 

[Casey's Mommie]

3 days is okay. We usually do 3.5 or 4 days. It really depends on if you have young kids or not. If you do, they will need to nap for a few hours everyday, and that may affect your play time. But even pre-baby I usually took a few hours off in the afternoon to doze anyway.

It probably won't be very busy the week you're going so 3 days is probably fine!

 

[DL4my2kids]

my kids were only 5 and almost 3 so we didn't do any of the rides like Mansion, Pirates, Indiana etc.

This year we are doing 4 days and I questioned myself unfortunately right after I booked it thinking I should have booked one more day. We do the week of Thanksgiving and it's been pretty crowded.

My feeling is that if you can, extend it. It will be much more relaxing that way.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Well, the positive is that you're visiting during a slower time of year. DL won't be empty or anything like that, but the smaller crowds should allow for shorter wait times (hopefully for Nemo too).

I would say if you're arriving early on 9/30, and leaving later in the afternoon or evening on 10/4, then that's practically like having another 2 days in the parks. You should have plenty of time to see and do most everything you want.

If you want to extend your stay to include the night of 10/4, then that would be fine as Thursdays are usually good days to visit the parks, but by 10/5 the Columbus Day holiday weekend crowds will be arriving in full force!

 

[staley7580]

I will be there the same time you are!! We are coming in on the 30th and staying til the 7th. We went for 4 days in june, and felt like it just wasn't enough time. But we were there for the opening of Nemo, and the crowds were crazy, so we didn't spend alot of time in the park.

 

[kelmac284]

Well with all my kids in school we are stuck going in high season now but we usually go for a long weekend (about 3 park days) and then for a week during the year. For the long weekend it is always a Fri, Sat and Sun so those are all long days with long hours and we usually take a mid day break and still have enough time to do and see everything.

For the week long trip we take we have time for tours and to do stuff we normally wouldn't do.

Now granted by going even 3 days that means we usually go on most rides multiple times but we like to do that. If you are the type that only needs to ride each ride once and see each show once etc then you could probably do the park in one or two days but we like to go for 3 or more days to do things multiple times and even have relax time.

By the end of a week long trip we even like to have time to stop and people watch or shop.

 

[heatherleigh]

The last time we went for 3 days, w/ our then 2 and 3-year old boys. We were able to see everything we wanted. We never took a break to go to the hotel to rest either. We were there from open to close.

There were many things we were unaware of, that we missed though (Fantasmic, we never tried any of the good restaurants.) That is probably why three days seemed just right. We were able to ride everything but the roller coasters and Honey I shrunk the Audience.

 

[Lori00789]

We come from MN. This is our 3rd trip to DL in about 10 years. We like to stay 5 nights and get the 5 day park hopper pass. We go in the summer when it is hot and crowded. We like to go to the beach or swim at the pool in the afternoon. We also like to go on favorite rides mulitple times and have time to relax. Do you plan on returning soon or is this a once in a few years trip? If I knew I was coming back in 6-12 months I think 3 days would be OK but if I might not be back for several years I want to take my time and not miss anything. For me I feel that it doesn't cost much more for the ticket price between 3 and 5 day pass, the airfare is the same no matter how many days you go, it is just the extra cost of hotel and food.

 

[kiwitravel]

Coming from New Zealand (half a world away) we get a 14 day pass as it is only $20 more than a 5 day one. We usually stay 15 or 16 days to allow a bit of recovery time from that 14 hour flight.

 

[angelhair45]

We may go back in July, but it I'm not sure if we can swing it financially. We will most likely go to the park in the evening on Sun, and in the morning on Thursday, so it is 3 full days and 2 half days. If add an extra day, you don't think we will get bored? I mean the parks close at 8. (I'm used to DW where there are endless things to do and the parks stay open later)

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We're going next week and spending 3 days at the parks - Mon, Tues & Wed. I think 3 days in the parks is fine. We will be doing the first day at DL, the 2nd day at CA for most of the day and the evening at DL for Fantasmic. The 3rd day will probably be mostly at DL but we might hop too. On Sunday, we are doing Goofy's Kitchen, a movie and shopping at DTD and dinner at Rainforest Cafe. The next 3 days will be spent at the parks.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

Prior to our trip this month, we've usually done 4 nights and 5 days minimum up to 8 days. We usually also go in the off-season with shortened hours and found that we had plenty of time to see the parks. We did a 3 night 3 day trip last week and it was unbelievably short since dh got sick on the 3rd day and i had horrible blisters on my feet so we really only had 2 days in the park. Since you won't be there on a weekend, I'm thinking crowds will be low during midweek and you should have enough time to see both parks. I'd add a day however so that you can take your time and enjoy the parks without rushing.

 

[disney-super-mom]

We may go back in July, but it I'm not sure if we can swing it financially. We will most likely go to the park in the evening on Sun, and in the morning on Thursday, so it is 3 full days and 2 half days. If add an extra day, you don't think we will get bored? I mean the parks close at 8. (I'm used to DW where there are endless things to do and the parks stay open later)

I think for the time of year and the days of the week you will be there, you'll have plenty of time to do and see everything you want. Basically you'll be there 4 nights, 3 full days, and 2 half days, during the offseason, and on weekdays too (well except for your first night there, which is Sunday) That's a very reasonable amount of time to visit DLR for someone who hasn't been there in a while.

Of course, if you're traveling with little ones, you need to factor in how much they can do in a day, and if they'll need any breaks/rests/naps during the day.

You already know about fastpasses with your experience at WDW, so you'll be fine.

 

[talie95]

I think 3 days at that time of year will be fine. We went last year around the same time and only had 2 days (DL was open 10-8). We got to do most of what we wanted at DL but didn't get to spend much time at DCA. So this year we will be there for 3 1/2 days in Oct. and I think it should give plenty of time to do all that we want to do. I think that even with the shorter hours, the crowds won't be heavy at all so you should be fine. If I remember correctly from last year we never waited more than 20 min. for anything and most rides were walk ons. Just plan to get there early and you should be fine!!

 

[darph nader]

3 days is good for us.Anything longer (I can't beleive I'm saying this) gets boring for me.As far as nap time for the kids,forget that,it's grandpa who needs a nap. Of course relaxing with a cold one does'nt hurt either.

 

[Lithium_picnic]

We typically go in July (because of school), and we usually do a 10 day trip. We only go every couple of years, so we try to make each trip the best.
Breakdown of days:

The first and last day are travel days, we don't go to the parks on these days. Instead we roam Downtown Disney, lounge by the pool and have a nice dinner somewhere.

The other days we use for Disneyland (5 day hopper), 1 day at Universal, and the other two days we use for free days. Just to get a break inbetween and not be so cranky/tired...we use this for pool time, DD, dinner, TV, sleeping.