How many days for Disneyland?

[Darcy03231]

So we're looking at doing a couple of days post-cruise at Disneyland. While we've been to WDW many times, we've never visited DL. Is two day enough time? We're 2 adults and don't plan to see/do "everything" in this one trip. Looking to just see the things that are different and do a few favorites. Our plan is to stay close by so we can walk.

 

[irlandaise]

I'd suggest three days: two at Disneyland and one at California Adventure. Let's see what other people recommend.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

So while it is a matter of preference, as a recent first timer I think 3 day park hoppers is good.

Most people then know what they prefer after that if they return

 

[Camilo]

For a first time visitor, I'd go for 3 days, if you can afford. Park hoppers are more important at DLR than at WDW (due to proximity of the 2 parks), but if you don't want to incur the costs, I'd do 2 days at DL and one at CA.

 

[evilmommie]

My husband had only been to WDW prior to meeting me and was enamored with the details and history of Disneyland his first visit. Agree with the above posters on the 2 days DL, 1 day DCA visit strategy.

 

[DLgal]

Do 3 if you can. Get hoppers and do it like this:

Day 1: DL start, hop to DCA for evening.
Day 2: DCA start. Hop to DL for evening.
Day 3: DL start. Hop midday for a bit. Then hop back to DL to close out.

This is always my advice to first timers.

 

[BobaFettFan]

My family is always "3 is fine" but then we go to book tickets and "..but adding a 4th is cheap.." which inevitably leads to "..and a 5th is even cheaper.."


But I agree with all others. 3 is fine.

Your second trip though...

 

[Pluto468]

I always recommend 5, but if you already know you don't want to do that, I'd go with 3.

 

[ter-moo]

It really depends on WHEN you are going. If you tend to get there early every day for rope drop, I think 2 1/2 days (3 day ticket) is the right amount of time.

It also really depends on what you want to see/do/eat and how much downtime you need. CA Adventure Park CAN be done in a half-day, as far as rides are concerned, but it has better restaurants, and World of Color (at night) is worth seeing.

Disneyland Park needs more than a day to really do it right.

 

[Kit Jackson]

We have done 5 days, but we do not like to get up early for rope drope, and we want to reride favorites. I would say 3 days is the minumum I would recommend.

 

[Darcy03231]

Thanks everyone. Looks like the general consensus is three days with a hopper so that's what we'll do.

We live on the east coast and are going to Hawaii for two weeks (a few days pre-cruise, 7 day cruise, and a few days post cruise) and thought since we were already on the west coast we'd sneak in a quick DL trip since we've never been.

 

[Mle8308]

Do 3 if you can. Get hoppers and do it like this:

Day 1: DL start, hop to DCA for evening.
Day 2: DCA start. Hop to DL for evening.
Day 3: DL start. Hop midday for a bit. Then hop back to DL to close out.

This is always my advice to first timers.

This is the way! What we did in October (with Genie+) and it worked out great.

 

[pharmama]

Do 3 if you can. Get hoppers and do it like this:

Day 1: DL start, hop to DCA for evening.
Day 2: DCA start. Hop to DL for evening.
Day 3: DL start. Hop midday for a bit. Then hop back to DL to close out.

This is always my advice to first timers.

I agree that this is an excellent plan for both newbies and DLR vets. I'm hardly a first timer and it's often how we spend our 2-3 day trips even as frequent visitors- in fact it's exactly what we did on our December trip (except we left after hopping to DCA for a bit on day 3 to catch our flight)