How Many Days Should You Spend at Disneyland 2024?

How Many Days Should You Spend at Disneyland 2024?

How Many Days Should You Spend at Disneyland 2024?

This article is your complete guide to know how many days do you need at Disneyland in 2024! As you’ll see, the answer might not be as easy as it sounds. Disneyland is split between two amazing theme parks and the Downtown Disney District. There are also more rides at Disneyland Park than all 4 parks at Walt Disney World! This makes it incredibly challenging to see and do everything at Disneyland once you know how much to spend at Disneyland.

As a former Disneyland Cast Member (and current Magic Key Holder), I can assure you that I know the ins and outs of both Disneyland parks. Below I’m going to break down exactly how many days at Disneyland are needed for every family and budget! We hope you find this post helpful in finding out everything you need to know about how many days to spend at Disneyland.

And, if you are planning a trip to Disneyland be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help families save time and money. That includes finding the best time to buy discount Disneyland tickets and book amazing Disneyland Vacation packages!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disneyland, be sure to check out our Disneyland Crowd Calendar!

 Disneyland Crowd Calendar

How Many Days Do You Need In Disneyland 2024?

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend 4 full days when trying to figure out how many days Disneyland. A Disneyland vacation comes with a lot of planning. Sure you can wing it. However, we highly recommend you have a game plan. Because of Disneyland’s size, a lot of guests tend to think the answer to how many days you need at Disneyland is 1 day. One of the biggest advantages to Days at Disneyland is the long days. Disneyland Park is typically open from 8 a.m. until midnight. Disney California Adventure, or DCA as the locals call it, operates from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Personally, The Park Prodigy team has done a variety of Disneyland trips, from shorter weekend trips, to even longer with a 4-day Disneyland itinerary packed with adventure and plenty of delicious treats. So, if you’re wondering how many days to spend at Disneyland to do it all, look no further.

How Many Days for Disneyland and California Adventure?

• Spending 4 full days at Disneyland Resort is the sweet spot. It is possible to have a great time in both parks in only 2 days. But there are so many magical things to see and experience in both parks.

You will most likely need two full two days at each Disneyland and DCA. As you’ll see below, there are a few different variations on days to spend in the park when deciding on how many days in Disneyland. One thing to consider is if booking a Disneyland vacation package is right for you! Nothing makes your Disneyland experience enchanted like taking advantage of the proximity of the hotels!

Related Post: Traveling From Disneyland to Universal Hollywood 

How Many Days to See Disneyland Park 2024?

While 4 days in a row may sound like a lot, this park has a different vibe than Walt Disney World. But let’s break it down by park. How many days do you visit Disneyland by yourself? We would recommend at least two full days at Disneyland Park. This is true no matter if you’re traveling with small children or as adults. That’s why if you’re not grabbing the Disney Genie+ service, we would recommend at least two days in Disneyland alone for the rides!

This one park alone has a total of 58 rides. A large portion of those are historic Disney rides everyone wants to go on! Guests can now also include the newer additions of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey’s Toontown.

How Many Days Are Needed for Disneyland?

• Two full days at Disneyland is enough to authentically experience the park. If your goal is to ride as many attractions as you can, you’ll see that the 58 rides would take you 14 hours each day! That is however based on an average 30 min wait time. And those who know Disney know that wait times can sometimes be over 2 hours!

Another reason we strongly suggest two full days when figuring out how many days to plan at Disneyland is the entertainment and fireworks. Disneyland has one of the most popular parades in all of the Disney theme parks! Not to mention the brand new fireworks show Wondrous, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company. So we always make sure to allow enough time to see the in-park entertainment as much as possible.

Related Post: The Cheapest Time to Visit Disneyland

How Many Days For Disneyland California Adventure?

Now that Disneyland has been dedicated a full two days, how many days for Disneyland California Adventure? And while DCA has its positives, on average we suggest only one full day at this park. When trying to decide how long to spend at Disney’s California Adventure, the biggest thing to keep in mind is when you’re planning to visit. Overall, most families will usually go with two full days so that they don’t feel rushed. But you have to keep an eye out for special events at DCA!

If you haven’t been recently, there are incredible additions like Avenger’s Campus, which is an immersive land for Superhero lovers. As adults, we love the food and drink options in DCA and spend a lot of our time snacking. Cars Land is a shockingly great spot for those foodies visiting Disneyland!

How Many Days Do You Need at Disneyland California Adventure?

• 1 – 2 full days is enough to see and experience everything in California Adventure. Although DCA does not have as many rides as DLR, it does have some of the most popular ones. And with that popularity comes unfortunately high wait times.

How Many Days for Disneyland and California Adventure? When considering how many days at Disneyland for adults, it’s worth noting that 1 – 2 full days is typically sufficient to see and experience everything in California Adventure. But keep note that, some of the special events to look out for at Disney’s California Adventure are the festivals. Throughout the year, Disney holds 3 different festivals at DCA.

The Lunar New Year Festival in late January/early February, DCA’s Food & Wine Festival in early March – late April, and the Festival of Holidays in early November through early January. There is also the Oogie Boogie Bash for Halloween at DCA as well! This takes place in early September through Halloween night.

Related Post: The Best Time to Visit Disneyland 

How Many Days Do You Need at Disneyland Including Downtown Disney?

The Downtown Disney District is currently undergoing a large reimagining. So when you’re planning out how many days Disneyland has, keep in mind there isn’t as much to do as there used to, be or will be in the future. While there are still plenty of shops and restaurants to explore, it can comfortably fit into a two to three-hour timespan.

It’s the perfect escape from the park crowds to grab some free AC or a quick meal. How many days in Disneyland depends on if you want to plan a rest day. We can’t recommend one more, but it’s up to you! Downtown Disney is the perfect rest day activity to still feel like you’re part of the magic. 

What Restaurants are Coming to Downtown Disney?

• Din Tai Fung
• Porto’s Bakery
• Paseo
• Centrico

When considering Disneyland and how many days are optimal, the convenience of Downtown Disney plays a big role. While we’re eagerly awaiting the new Porto’s Bakery in Downtown Disney, there’s so much more on the horizon that has us excited. Downtown Disney (DTD) is not just about new eateries; it’s undergoing a significant transformation. The old AMC theater has been replaced with a sleek mid-century modern green space. This fresh vibe is already taking shape at the Jazz Kitchen, which is in the midst of renovations.

One of the standout features of Disneyland is its proximity to Downtown Disney. This closeness prompts many to wonder how long to spend at Disneyland. There are so many shops and restaurants to consider in the district. We could go to Salt and Straw every single day of our Disneyland trip!

You do have so much flexibility when it comes to planning a great vacation around how many days are needed for Disneyland. 

Related Post: The Best Time to Visit Universal Hollywood 

Can You Do Disneyland and California Adventure in 1 Day?

For those planning a day trip, you may be wondering if you can do Disneyland and California Adventure in 1 day. And while it is simply impossible to see and do everything at both parks in one day, you can vacation the best way it fits your schedule! Just know you won’t be able to do most things. Plan ahead and set your expectations low in what you want to achieve. Just based on the rides alone you will be running around from one to the next to get in the major rides.

Should I Take A Day Trip to Disneyland?

• While you can vacation the way you’d like to, we recommend at least spending two days at the resort.

While everyone has their vacation style, our suggestion leans towards dedicating more than just a day. Ideally, consider how many days Disneyland truly deserves for a fulfilling experience.

At the very least, allocate one day for each theme park. As highlighted earlier, this might not grant you access to every attraction DLR boasts. However, it ensures you immerse in the quintessential Disney experiences that you cherish the most. With that being said, there are one-day park hopper options for guests looking to do only one day in Disneyland and DCA.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Disneyland Christmas Decorations 

How Many Days Do You Need at Disneyland FAQ

Q: Is 2 Days Enough for Disneyland?

A: The short answer is yes, and the long answer is no. While two days is a great amount of time to see most things the parks have to offer, it will not allow you to fully experience to parks. Disney is full of live entertainment, characters, attractions, and delicious food. We recommend a 4-5 day trip to enjoy everything the parks have to offer.

Q: How Many Days Do You Need at Disneyland for Adults?

A: This is up to you! We suggest a minimum of two days, spending one day in each theme park. 

Q: How Long is an Average Trip to Disneyland?

A: On average, we typically need 3-4 nights at Disneyland Resort. While other sources will give you a shorter estimate, we want our readers to realistically experience the magic of the park. Not much can happen in two days other than rides and some meals. The park’s magic is hidden in the little moments that happen in between. 

Q: When will Downtown Disney be finished?

A: While the current reimagining of the Downtown Disney District has no official deadline. Based on previous construction and updates at Disney Parks, we assume construction will be completed in late 2024 or by Spring 2025. 

When is The Best Time to Visit Disneyland 2024?

Our Disneyland Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disneyland based on specific times of the year and special events.

Now’s the time to book it! And be sure to go checkout our friends over at Themeparktoday.com for even more vacation planning tips and tricks!