DOES DISNEYLAND REALLY TAKE 3 DAYS TO DO?

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Puff's Meow

There are two parks at Disneyland Resort: Disneyland and Disney's California Adventures. They are very close to each other, with a large plaza separating them. Also, off the plaza is Downtown Disney, which is basically just a glorified outdoor shopping mall...it's been up now several years, and I've still never bothered to walk through it, but if you're a shopper, it might be worth a look. When I went last week, an adult 1-day park hopper ticket (allowing entrance to both parks) cost $91. Parking is either $12 or $15 (can't remember exactly!).

California Adventures is the newer park. It is smaller and less crowded than Disneyland. Some people don't like it, but I think overall, there's lots to offer here. My favorite rides in this park are California Screamin' (a super-fun roller coaster with an upside down loop), Tower of Terror (a Twighlight Zone themed free-fall ride), and Soarin' Over California (a not-to-be-missed hang gliding simulator).

Disneyland is the original park. There are tons of rides, parades, shows, and shopping. Best rides here are Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Indiana Jones' Temple of Doom. There are also "the classics," such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World (closed for rennovations right now, though).

If this is your first visit to Disneyland, I would recommend *at least* three days to see both parks. You could hit all the major rides in one, long day, but you would miss out on a lot of the smaller, but very cute, rides. If your children are young (3-10), they would love to have more time to spend in Fantasyland and Toontown areas of Disneyland, where there are rides based on the major Disney feature cartoons, like Snow White's Scary Adventures, Peter Pan, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Alice in Wonderland.

I think three days would allow you to ride all the rides you want to ride, see all the shows and parades you'd like, and have ample shopping time to get your souveneirs for yourselves and the folks back home.

--->I hope you and your family enjoy your trip!

Evening

Only a recommendation, not essential of course

But if you wanted to take it all in leisurely, rather than a mad rush from one highlight to the next, 3 days sounds great

Have Fun!

:-)

Rigo

When you are little, the place feels epically huge. But in reality, it's not that big. It's about the size of a large city block, it'd take you probably 10-15 minutes if you walked directly from the front gates to the back of toontown. The reason why it takes so long to "explore" is beacuse the lines are temendously long, and you'll wait 30-60 minutes to get on a ride, maybe more if it's popular. Thats what takes the majority of time at disneyland.

you don't need 3 days though, maybe 2 if you want to visit california adventure on a park-hopper ticket, but California adventure is smaller and not much for the kiddies there either.

If you've got mid to older children then 15 minutes away from Disneyland is Knott's Berry farm. It's got a great kids part called Camp Snoopy, and has plenty of roller coasters as well, and it's about 10-15 dollars cheaper than Disneyland. And lines are nowhere near as bad. ---also, really good fried chicken and pies. The boysenberry was invented there.

funkymonk23

probably its so big

@rf

nope, i would stay longer

Chelsea Girl-NYC

At least 3 days...sorry, that's not what you wanted to hear.
It is only one park - but absolutely enormous.
Good Luck!

Ich

It depends on what park you got to.I believe they differ in size.

yeojstl@att.net

I would definetly take 3 days although you could probably see it all in 1-2. There are 2 theme parks Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure. There is also downtown disney,which is stores and restaurants like world of disney, which is a huge store with all of the disney souveniers you could ever need,a lego store, and Rainforest cafe, a tropical rainforest themed restaurant and store, just to name a few. There are also three hotels...The Disneyland hotel,Paradise pier hotel, and the grand californian, which all have various restaurants and shops. In order to experience the whole resort I would definetly take 3 days. Have a great trip!

cabindweller

Disneyland would like you to think that it takes 3 days. That's why all of their tickets are bundled into 3+ day packages that include admission to California Adventure. (Calif Adventure is notoriously lame so that's not a great add-in in my opinion.)

As far as how long Disneyland will take, it depends on how aggressive you are. You could definitely cover the park in one day, if you went from start to open. But a more mellow way to do it is to spread it out over 2-3 days, take breaks back at your hotel, etc. It depends on how young your kids are, etc. Also tickets to Disneyland can be really expensive.

I went with my niece and nephew (5 & 7) for one day in April. That turned out to be plenty! In fact they were burned out by 5PM. Of course we went on a weekday during the school year so the park was pretty deserted, we got to go on everything several times.

gramof6

Your going to Anaheim so a good long or 2 half days would be plenty of time to see it all.It is all one park.It would take 3 days at Disney in Florida because there are several parks.

katzy

No you can do a lot of it in a day. But it is a huge place and to really see it and enjoy yourselves and not rush I would suggest a package with hotel and tickets all inclusive. That way you would be near the Theme park and able to go again the next day. Three days is too long the kids would be bored with it by then. Two would be perfect. It is a terrific place and I have always loved the one in Anaheim more than the one in Orlando. Have a great time. Drive carefully there. The freeways are kind of tricky and they drive very fast there. Good luck.

esther

Oh no no no.
Just a very very long day.
Stretching well into the night
(11PM-12:30AM at night)
It's just like any other amusement park.
Except more child friendly!

Pumkin Pie

I would suggest at least 2 if you want to see both parks - especially since you have 3 children. Trying to go to both parks and get on a lot of rides in one day may become frustrating. I went a couple of years ago with my mom and brother. We took 2 days for the park (were in Anaheim/LA for a total of 7 days). One day for the original Disney Land park and the next day for the California Adventure park. We didn't even get a chance to see the Downtown Disney area, which has shops and restaurants. So yes, if you want to see it ALL I would suggest 3 days.

Angel

There are two separate theme parks next door to each other - Disneyland and California Adventure. Plus there is Downtown Disney a few hundred feet away but this is more of an open restaurant district with shopping.

You have already gotten a lot of good answers for your question but there are some things you should know before you go. Travel tips for Disneyland and California Adventure are great to know to save time and get organized.

Check this website out for some tips about both parks.

Lynette S

according to my aunt who went there last month yes you do she says it is huge.have fun

No. One day full day from open to close should be fine for Disneyland. Yes, there are two separate parks. Disneyland and California Adventure. California Adventure is the newest park and from what I hear it is only OK according to my son. I was born and raised about 30 minutes from the place and have never bothered to go to California Adventure...only Disneyland. If i was you, I would go to Disneyland one day and then Knott's Berry farm another day.

No. It all depends what time of the year you are coming, and what days of the week.

I strongly recommend that you come during non holiday season and during the week like a tuesday, wednesday, thursday it is by far less crowded and there are no lines to get on the rides.

Right across Disneyland is "California Adventure" you will need to buy a separate ticket if you decide to go there or buy a park hopper ticket ( you can go to both parks in one day).
You can always go on the website where you are provided with more packages, and planning, Since you are from Australia I would recommed buying a package (hotel, both parks, and plenty of time to explore both parks!)

Hope all goes well, and happy trip planning!!!!

here is the link to vacation packages :)

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/reserve/listing?name=PackagesListingPage

hisarah15

when i went in 2004 we got a three day park hopper park and a big city park witch get you in knots berry farm and universal studios sea world and more as for disneyland there is 2 parks the there is disneyland it self and there's California adventure we spend one day in disneyland and one day in california adventure and we spend the 3rd day we spend half in disneyland and the other half in California adventure just to do some of the stuff again any way if you are at california adventure at night go and see the light parade i don't know if that's the right name for it but i went both disneyland and Disney world and the best thing i have ever seen is this parade and my little brother who now is 12 still talk about the parade an he was 7 hope this help and i'm sorry about rambling but i LOVE THAT PARADE and have fun on the long flight from on aussie to another

The muffin lady

Well Disney World, in Florida takes 7 days to do,that is if you want to see all the parks. I dont think it will take 3 days for Disneyland. I hope you have a good time!

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