Originally Posted By disney pete To do and see everything how long would we have to spend at DL and DCA,Also how far away is seaworld and san deigo zoo and finally how far away from the parks is vista california?
Originally Posted By PastKnight We always suggest one day at DCA and two at DL San and SeaWorld are 1.5-2 hours by car
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer Have to agree with PastKnight, one day at the DCA and two at DL would allow for a pretty fair first time experience with the caveat that, depending on the time of year or how crowded the park is, an extra day at each might be desirable.
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin If you are going to San Diego after Disneyland you have to pass very close to Vista...it's just kind of east of Oceanside if I'm not mistaken.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Pete, we did 5 days at DL before Mikey started school, and it was just right. We got to see almost every attraction and show (though kids do slow you down). Also, since you like coasters, you may wish to factor in Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm. Also, Universal Studios in California is the real deal, not just a theme park. And of course Warner Bros. Studios has a tour you can book in advance. Also, I think you would love San Francisco, San Diego and the national parks are a must do (at least Yosemite).
Originally Posted By tashajilek seaworld from disneyland i believe is just under 1 1/2 drive by and by bus is longer. I spent around 6days at DL almost wasnt enough i saw almost everything it was just so busy. I always go to both parks the same day its not impossible. DCA always closes earlier then DL so go to DCA first then DL.
Originally Posted By Shiva We all have our favorite ways of working the parks. For maximum ride'age it's usually better to get to Disneyland just as soon as the turnstiles open and go left. (I'll usually try to grab a Fast Pass for Space before I do though). The vast majority of the "E-Ticket" attractions are clustered on the left side of the park, in fairly close proximity. Typically, the early morning hours have the shortest wait times of the day. After 11:30-12:00 the park tends to get crowded. Whenever possible, grab Fast Passes for attractions that will be busy later on in the day but don't use them during the hour window on the pass, they don't really expire until the park closes and having them available for use in the afternoon or evening, when the queues are long, will be very handy. The DCA is a toss-up. If time allows spend all day there, we usually prefer to spend the afternoon hours in the DCA and then return to Disneyland either when the DA closes or if there's something going on in the park that we want to do. I don't think there's a right or wrong way, just what works for you and your time schedule. You might also want to plan your DCA day(s) on days that Aladdin is playing. It's a great show!
Originally Posted By TempestsPrince ImTempest and I live in the San Diego area. DLR is about 100 miles from Downtown SD. It's anything from 1 1/2 hours to 2 1/2 hours depending on traffic on I-5. You can easily get to Sea World and the SD Zoo directly from I-5 and there are plenty of signs to point you in the right direction. Vista is about 70 miles from DLR. You take State Highway 78 East off of I-5 in Oceanside. You also pass by Legoland in Carlsbad shortly after Oceanside on the way down to SD.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes I'd consider the 2 day DL, 1 day DCA a minimum. I'd add at least one more day for slowing down the pace, crowds, seeing Downtown Disney, resting at the hotel if needed, etc. Personally, I'd say 5 days for someone who doesn't frequent the parks often.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney I think 3 days is enough personnally! I dont know, but I use to spend a lot of time at TDR which is much bigger with TDS in the mix and bigger crowds and I never needed more than 3 days total to see and do everything. With DLR, of course I done it everywhere from a few hours to maybe 5 straight days and I still say 3 is enough IF you are just talking doing the parks. But sure, if you want to slow it down, spend a day at DTD or something, then the trip could be 4-5 days, but a 3 day hopper is fine. Personnally, by the third straight day, I admit I'm pretty sick of it....and then a week later want to go back lol.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Remember guys, Pete has only ever been to WDW. There is much more eye candy and little special features at DL than the MK. Also, most of you are folks who have been many times. I suspect Pete would want to do little things like the Jedi Academy and exploring Innoventions etc. Stuff many of you probably skip. Pete, DLR has about 2/3s the attractions in the space not much bigger than Epcot. It all depends on whether you want to take your time or commando it. As for Legoland, it is good, but the one in the UK is slightly better IMHO. Except for the weather of course. So I would deprioritise that one (even though we love it).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh, and Pete. If you like DAK for the animals, you must go to the San Diego Zoo, it is awesome (especially the Panda and Koala collections).
Originally Posted By mousermerf Just for proper reference, DLR-proper (parks that is) is actually a little smaller then Epcot.
