2013 Trip

[disneygirl76]

Hi All!

My DH and I are hoping to take a two week vacation down the coast of Cali next year. A week will be in San Fran visiting my brother in a time share given to us by my parents. And of course, we will be visiting the Walt Disney museum!

The next week we will be renting a car and driving down the coast. I think 2 days are going to be in San Diego and of course, we have to hit Disneyland. Do you think 3 days is too much at DL?

Thanks!

 

[Mawg]

I'm going to Disneyland this summer and I'm planning 3 days. I've heard 3 is about right. Disneyland has more attractions than the Magic Kingdom and the crowds can be worse. I'm planning 2 days at Disneyland and 1 day at California Adventure. I'm actually wondering if I should plan for a 4th day since California Adventure has grown so much.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I would like to send you an early welcome to California!

To answer your question, no, three days at the Disneyland Resort is not too much. Since you're going next year after Carsland opens, I suggest you attach some extra time to your vacation. A lot of people think just because DLR is smaller than WDW then there's no need to spend more than a day there. It's NOT true! We (Disneyland) actually have about the same amount of attractions in our two parks than WDW has in four. I grew up in SoCal. I've visited Disneyland more times than I can count, and I've NEVER been able to do everything in one day. There are even attractions I've yet to experience, that have been there for years and years.

It's impossible to do everything in one day. Disneyland has a very unique history, and if you're into Disney history, then I would spend a lot of time in Disneyland. There are so many details in the park that you just wouldn't find in WDW. You need time to take in as many things as possible.

California Adventure is going to be huge once the makeover is done, so you'll definitely want to spend at least two days there. That only leaves one day for Disneyland. Not enough at all. I hope everything works out!

 

[Disneyfanman]

We just returned from 3 days (2 at DL and 1 and DCA) and the one overriding comment was that everyone wanted to have more time at DCA. And that's without Carsland. I have completely changed my tune on DCA. It's really become something special.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I've been to Disneyland twice. The first time was 4 day trip and I just got back from a week where I had a 6 day park hopper. I was able to see everything I wanted during the 4 day but I really enjoyed having the 6 day (we still didn't do everything), and this was without the Matterhorn or Carsland being open. I don't think I would do any less than 3 days if you want to enjoy yourself.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Three days is probably enough to do DLR, as long as it's not crazy busy. Go Monday-Thursday if you can; it makes a big difference to go when most locals are working. The only change I would suggest is that instead of separating your trip into a certain number of days per park, I would get parkhoppers. The difference is only $15 per ticket instead of $54 at WDW. From a WDW perspective, the whole resort is barely bigger than Epcot. There are a zillion things to do in each park and you certainly could keep busy with one park per day, but you could easily sample your favorites from both parks every day of your trip. You can even have a fastpass from each park at the same time (sometimes even more).

It's hard to know what you're looking at without having been there, but hopefully this gives you an idea:

 

[disneygirl76]

I have so much research I need to do! I think for sure will do 4 days now. I don't even know what Cars Land is going to be! We will have a week and the only other thing we want/need to do is the San Diego Zoo. We are driving down from San Fran where we will do Napa Valley while we are staying in the SF area. we will drive down and maybe stop one night (I really don't know - I have NO idea how long it takes to drive from SF to DL). And then San Diego and then DL. This is just a rough cut of the planning. Thank you for helping me make my decision! :wave:

 

[jpittore1]

going in 2013, too

Our family is planning a 2013 trip, too with all the improvements and expansions in DL and DCA. We're flying into FAT airport by Yosmite National Park and staying for two days. Driving 180 miles to Sequoia National Park for two days. Driving 250 miles to DL and enjoying Monday-Thursday at the Parks!! I just have to hope I can get a Studio or one bedroom at the Californian Resort with my DCA points. I'm calling exactly 7 months out for a trip next June!

 

[teacherlady19]

Driving from SF to DLR depends on the route you take. If you go I-5, it's about 8 or 9 hours (depending on the traffic going through the LA Mess-tropolis). If you take the coastal route, it can be two days if you want to pull out and look at the marvelous coastal views!

San Diego Zoo itself is a full-day. I'd recommend starting with the bus trip around the park and then you can see what parts you'd like to concentrate on. For several years, we had a Zoo membership and would go for a day. It was always a new adventure. The Zoo has a companion park, the San Diego Safari Park (formerly known as the SDiego Wild Animal Park). They are about 25 miles apart. A separate day would be needed. The difference between the two parks: the zoo is more enclosed, though definitely not your typical zoo with cages. The Safari Park has enclosures but they are huge and most of the time you aren't even aware where the fences are!

Three days at DLR and DCA is a good amount of time. If you run short of time, you can always concentrate on the rides that the CA properties have that the FL properties do not have (our philosophy in going to FL properties for the first time this summer).


Donna

 

[AswaySuller]

We just returned from 3 days (2 at DL and 1 and DCA) and the one overriding comment was that everyone wanted to have more time at DCA. And that's without Carsland. I have completely changed my tune on DCA. It's really become something special.

I hope you're right. I really wanted to like DCA but it left me very disappointed.

 

[disneygirl76]

Driving from SF to DLR depends on the route you take. If you go I-5, it's about 8 or 9 hours (depending on the traffic going through the LA Mess-tropolis). If you take the coastal route, it can be two days if you want to pull out and look at the marvelous coastal views!

San Diego Zoo itself is a full-day. I'd recommend starting with the bus trip around the park and then you can see what parts you'd like to concentrate on. For several years, we had a Zoo membership and would go for a day. It was always a new adventure. The Zoo has a companion park, the San Diego Safari Park (formerly known as the SDiego Wild Animal Park). They are about 25 miles apart. A separate day would be needed. The difference between the two parks: the zoo is more enclosed, though definitely not your typical zoo with cages. The Safari Park has enclosures but they are huge and most of the time you aren't even aware where the fences are!

Three days at DLR and DCA is a good amount of time. If you run short of time, you can always concentrate on the rides that the CA properties have that the FL properties do not have (our philosophy in going to FL properties for the first time this summer).


Donna

thank you for the info! We would be driving the coast and yes, going to the zoo. Is there a sea world over there too?

 

[Californian Elitist]

thank you for the info! We would be driving the coast and yes, going to the zoo. Is there a sea world over there too?

Yes, we have a Sea World too! In San Diego.

 

[teacherlady19]

As was just posted, yes, we have a Sea World down in San Diego. As it's been 30+ years since I've been in Sea World Orlando, I couldn't begin to tell you the differences. Back in 1980 (Orlando) and 1981 (San Diego), the San Diego Sea World seemed a lot more extensive. But that was awhile ago!

A day at Sea World would probably be enough to see the main attractions.

Another great place in San Diego would be Old Town State Park -- no rides, but a historic part of San Diego to walk around in. Many of the buildings have been restored to what they looked like years and years ago, when San Diego was founded. Adjacent to the State Park are some wonderful Mexican restaurants (Baja California cuisine). Much better than Taco Smell!

Donna

 

[TP2000]

Is there a sea world over there too?

America's first Sea World actually started in San Diego. It opened in 1964 on San Diego's Mission Bay, and has been operating in the same location since. It's grown a lot in the last half century, but there are still some buildings and pavilions at Sea World San Diego that date to the 1960's.

And unlike every other Sea World clone in the country, the original Sea World in San Diego is.... wait for it.... wait for it... actually located on a protected salt water bay that is connected to an actual ocean.

Approaching Sea World San Diego via SkyRide over Mission Bay

All other Sea World parks are copies of the San Diego original. Disneyland was not the only theme park gift that California gave to the world; Universal Studios (also started in 1964) and Sea World are two other succesful concepts that got their start as cultural icons in Southern California.

 

[Californian Elitist]

All other Sea World parks are copies of the San Diego original. Disneyland was not the only theme park gift that California gave to the world; Universal Studios (also started in 1964) and Sea World are two other succesful concepts that got their start as cultural icons in Southern California.

What else is new?:lol: California has usually always been first when it comes to the most popular American theme parks. Just how Sea World San Diego is connected to a real ocean, Universal Studios Hollywood is a real movie studio. Can you say edgy? And I would argue USH was established in 1915 when the first studio tours started occuring.

 

[PJ1960]

I took the photo of the Sea World sky ride shown above back in the summer of 2000. You can see more of my Sea World photos at http://www.Minkler-Photo-Gallery.com/sea-world-san-diego.html along with pics of Disneyland on my Los Angeles page. They are two of my favorite places in the world!

Steve