How much time for DL?

Login to post comments
8 posts / 0 new
JMUDukz's picture
Offline
Joined: 03/28/2012
Posts: 822
How much time for DL?

I'm starting to look at prices for flights for the Tink Half in January. Flights from Thursday to Tuesday are about $150 cheaper than from Friday to Tuesday, but then again, it's another night of hotel costs and another day of leave from work to burn (and leave may be more of the issue than the money at this point). How much time do you all think you need to adequately hit up DL and DCA? I'm going solo. I've been to DL twice now, both day trips and both as "add ons" to other events I had going on in LA at the time, so they've always been "commando" style trips. I've never been to DCA.

__________________

magicalkingdoms.com Ticker

magicalkingdoms.com Ticker

MrHub's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/29/2009
Posts: 9504

Can't help you with this one JMUDukz, sorry. That's one for the west coaster to answer.

taratru's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/26/2012
Posts: 556

I'm heading out on Friday morning and home Monday afternoon. I'm getting a 4-day hopper...half day on Friday, half day on Monday. I figure a day and a half at each should be good. Smile

__________________

Offline
Joined: 09/12/2010
Posts: 4704

We just went in March and drove down from Northern CA - we did Monday afternoon - Thursday morning and felt that was pretty sufficient.

Since it was our first visit, our plan was to explore both parks on Monday afternoon and evening, then do DCA on Tuesday and DL on Wednesday. Full days at both parks.

On Monday we got to DL around 11:00 am, and were inside DCA by Noon. The crowds were not heavy during that time, and we ended up spending the whole afternoon at DCA and caught World of Color that evening. We even managed to get a ride on RAdiator Springs Racers with just an hour wait. We were able to hit all the key attractions on my DCA list that afternoon.

So when we hit up DCA on Tuesday, it was a very casual, laid back day where we just wandered and enjoyed without worry of ride lines ir missing anything. Which was *really* nice because it was an absolute MADHOUSE with the rush to CarsLand that morning. I would have totally given up on getting anywhere close to it if we waited until Wednesday.

We spent all day Wednesday at DL and felt that was a good amount of time. We really wanted to make sure we hit up a number of the rides that were unique to DL, and also do some comparisons to those with counterparts in WDW.

So I think my thoughts are that if you do the Friday - Tuesday, and have Saturday, Sunday and Monday for DL and DCA, that should be sifficient. Especially if you are solo, and you have been to DL before, even if just as add-ons.

My only other comment is that I would expect it to be cold!!!! So plan accordingly. When we were there in March, Monday afternoon was nice and sunny, but as soon as the sun went down we were soooo cold! And on Wednesday, it was overcast all day and we were really cold. We avoided a few of the outdoor rides because of the weather.

The other downside is that the parks actualyl closed really early (I think it was 8:00 or 9:00 pm), and there were not fireworks. So we found ourselves back in the room calling it an evening kinda early. I don't know if January is like that, but maybe VetteLover has some perspective. I think his grand tour earlier this year had him at DL in January.

M
Offline
Joined: 05/29/2013
Posts: 48

It depends on how thorough you want to be, but my guess is three full days at the parks should be sufficient. Helping matters is that you've been to Disneyland, so there should be several minor attractions you won't feel too bad about skipping if necessary.

Speaking of passing things up, here's a tip for you about one to NOT miss--Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. It's comedy and music that should blow you away and slips through the radar for a lot of people. It needs to be on your Gotta' Do List.

Kristen K.'s picture
Offline
Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

Personally I like to have 5 nights for Disneyland Resort with at least 3 park days. Even with my relaxed touring strategy I can feel like I haven't missed much.

JMUDukz's picture
Offline
Joined: 03/28/2012
Posts: 822

Thanks!! This is all very helpful. I want to make sure I have enough time to do it all and enjoy it, but at the same time save as much of my leave as possible in case another Disney trip calls my name next year (since I will be an AP holder!!)!! Though I've found that if I just put stuff on the calendar my boss assumes he approved it at some point!! laugh

Jeff - thanks for the weather reminder. In my brain California always equals warm, but I'll make sure to pack for layers for both park attire and running gear!!

__________________

magicalkingdoms.com Ticker

magicalkingdoms.com Ticker

Kristen K.'s picture
Offline
Joined: 09/01/2011
Posts: 23803

JMUDukz wrote:
Though I've found that if I just put stuff on the calendar my boss assumes he approved it at some point!! laugh

rolling rolling rolling