How Many Days Should You Spend At Disney World?

How Many Days Should You Spend At Disney World
30 October 2022 Our standard recommendation for a Walt Disney World vacation is four full days, with one day spent in each park. However, three days is a sufficient amount of time, and we frequently take three-day trips. This post will discuss how to plan a three-day trip to Walt Disney World.

How long do I need to spend at Disneyland?

Even though there are only two parks at Disneyland Resort, there are numerous attractions and activities to enjoy. Plan on spending a total of three to four days in the parks to experience the majority of the attractions, characters, shows, and fireworks.

Magic Kingdom – Illustration: Disney I lack sufficient superlatives to throw at. The park is comparable to any you are familiar with. It boasts 20,859,000 annual visitors, making it THE most popular theme park in the world. In 2018, no other country gained more than 18.666 million people.

  • Friends, you’re not in a serious competition when you’re nearly 12 percentage points ahead of your next competitor.
  • The downside for you as a theme park visitor is that Magic Kingdom is typically crowded.
  • The park attracts an average of 57,148 visitors per day.
  • As a point of comparison, the 2020 Olympics will be held in Tokyo, and the National Olympic Stadium, which is currently undergoing reconstruction, will host the opening and closing ceremonies.

This facility’s original capacity was 57,343, meaning it could accommodate all Magic Kingdom guests on an average day, but not on an exceptionally busy day. Despite the vast expanses of park traffic, the hub-and-spoke park layout keeps crowds largely manageable.

How to maximize your time at Disneyland.

As you’re probably aware, Disneyland is a large amusement park in Anaheim, California. This guide will teach you how to have a fantastic day at Disneyland, minimizing wait times and maximizing fun! Buy tickets in advance. Rather than waiting in line to purchase tickets at the park, purchase them in advance via Disney’s official tickets website.

  • Keep your eyes peeled for deals. Occasionally, Disney will offer promotions that add a free day to a multi-day ticket.
  • Know what you are purchasing. If you only wish to visit Disneyland Park and not California Adventure, a ParkHopper ticket is unnecessary. Simply acquire a single-park ticket.
  • If you plan to park at Disneyland, you can also purchase your parking pass online.

2 Arrive at the park early. Early morning is the ideal time to visit the park: it is mostly empty, the temperature is cool, and the children are still in a good mood. You can obtain FastPasses and ride a few popular attractions before the crowds arrive. People begin to line up at the park’s entrance approximately an hour before opening. If you want to ride the rides at Fantasyland, you should do so before all the families arrive in the morning, when the lines will be the shortest. 3 Use FastPasses ! The system may initially appear intimidating, but it’s easier than it appears and well worth the effort to avoid waiting in line. Here is a brief overview of how the system operates:

  • You can get new FastPasses every 90 minutes. As soon as you enter the park, dispatch someone to get your first round. (He or she must bring everyone’s park tickets with them.) If you’re not sure when 90 minutes is up, the next time you can get FastPasses will be printed at the bottom of your most recent ones.
  • Each attraction that accepts FastPass will have a station with four to eight FastPass machines. One ticket at a time is inserted into the machine, which then spits out a paper fastpass with a one-hour window printed on it. They must be utilized on the day of purchase.
  • Once you have your FastPasses and the first time printed has passed, you walk up to the FastPass line instead of the standby line, which should be clearly marked for each ride. The person at the front of the line will validate your passes, after which you will give them to a second individual at the end of the line.
  • FastPass time limits are now in effect! If 1:45 to 2:45 is printed on your ticket, you must arrive between those times.
  • FastPasses for some popular rides will run out. If you really want to fastpass Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, the Haunted Mansion (during Halloween/Christmas) or AstroBlasters, do it early in the day. Some of the other rides that utilize the FastPass service (like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Splash Mountain) will have short lines at the end of the day anyway, and you won’t need FastPasses.

Eat judiciously and well. Food inside the park can be expensive, especially if you’re feeding a family, but there are a few unique dining options to try. Here is a summary of what you may find useful:

  • Eat meals earlier than usual, or after the lunch rush from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the dinner rush from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thus, you can ride rides while others are eating and avoid lines when it’s time to eat.
  • Warning: New Orleans Square restaurants have the longest lines. Frontierland or Critter Country will have shorter lines.
  • If you’re on a budget, pack your lunch and dinner and store them in a locker (near the park entrance). There are numerous picnic tables throughout the park, and a picnic on Tom Sawyer Island is a great way to beat the afternoon heat. If you must purchase food in the park, fruit is typically inexpensive, and portions at the fast-casual restaurants are large enough to be shared by two people.
  • Make reservations in advance for all full-service restaurants. There are only a handful of sit-down restaurants within Disneyland, such as the Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans, and they quickly fill up. Make a reservation in advance with Disney Dining at (714) 781-3463 if dining at these establishments is essential.
  • Plan in advance for character dining. The Plaza Inn offers character dining, with costumed characters roaming the restaurant and interacting with guests while they dine. If you have children, this is an easy way to get some character time, but it can be expensive and fill up quickly. Your best bet is to call (714) 781-3463 in advance to make reservations.
  • Bring food and games to wait out long lines and save money. It will save you a lot of money, as not all attractions offer FastPasses and waiting is inevitable. Along with a DS or an iPod, cereal, popcorn, granola bars, grapes, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are great items to pack.
  • Determine when to purchase souvenirs. As with eating, souvenir shopping can be approached in a variety of ways, depending on your needs. Here are some possible strategies:
  • Consider purchasing the famous mouse ears (or any other headgear) early in the day so that they appear in all of your photographs.
  • Pass through a few souvenir shops during the heat of the day or when you need a break if you are unsure of what you want. If something catches your eye, purchase it as you leave the park so you don’t have to carry it with you all day.
  • Try this trick if you have young children and are concerned about souvenir whining. Buy cheaper Disney souvenirs online and bring them with you. The night before your trip to Disneyland, arrange your children’s souvenirs as if Santa Claus had delivered them overnight. They already have new and exciting playthings, so you need not worry about shopping at the park. Problem solved!
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7 Understand where to locate characters. Seeing costumed characters is likely high on your list of things to do if you have children. Once roaming freely throughout the park, characters can now be found in designated areas:

  • If you wish to obtain character autographs, bring a pen large enough for the characters to hold
  • they will not be able to manipulate a small ballpoint pen as easily as a large marker.
  • Explore Toontown. Visit Mickey and Minnie’s residences in Toontown for an audience with them. Expect to wait in lines, however. Other costumed characters should also be seen roaming Toontown.
  • Visit the Princess Fantasy Faire if you wish to take a picture with a princess, as this is the only place to do so. On busy days, the wait can last up to two hours, so try to arrive early. Walk toward it’s a small world, turn left, and continue walking past the Toontown gate to reach the fair. Alternatively, you can take the Disneyland Railroad to the Toontown station.
  • Visit Pixie Hollow. Located between the Astro Orbiter and the Matterhorn, Pixie Hollow is another area with specialized characters. Similar to the princess fair, there may be lengthy wait times.
  • Wait at the gate for secret characters. Wait at the gate in the northeast corner of Main Street, between the Main Street Cinema and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, to catch characters entering the park from backstage. Periodically, characters will appear here to pose for photographs and sign autographs. In addition, there is one between the Main Street Camera Shop and the Plaza Inn, as well as one near the restroom off the Hub and outside Tomorrowland.
  • Go to Alice and the Mad Hatter’s Musical Chairs at the end of Main Street’s Refreshment Corner. As a result of Alice and the Mad Hatter’s antics, this event is entertaining to watch for all ages, despite the fact that only children can participate. The Times Guide does not publish the time, so inquire with the pianist as soon as possible about the time!

Find excellent seating for performances and parades. Depending on the season, Disneyland hosts a few parades throughout the day, as well as Fantasmic and fireworks at night. (Check the park’s schedule to see what events will be occurring during your visit.) The majority of performances are crowded, but it is possible to obtain good seats with some planning.

  • Before entering Tomorrowland, turn left and follow the path to the King Triton Statue for parades. This is an excellent spot to view the parade without the crowds.
  • Seating for Fantasmic is challenging, but doable. If you really want prime waterfront seating (directly in front of Cafe Orleans, near where people board boats to Tom Sawyer Island), you should lay out a blanket a few hours before the performance and rotate who sits there. If there are two performances that night, your best bet is to be in the area as the first performance concludes. As soon as people begin to stand up and leave the area, seize a seat.
  • The majority of people congregate on Main Street to watch fireworks so they can see them exploding behind Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. If this is what you want to do, try staking out an a bench in the central square, by the statue of Mickey and Walt, or snag an outdoor table at the north end of the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor.
  • Alternate fireworks: If you don’t mind missing the castle panorama, the fireworks are also visible from the path that connects Frontierland and Fantasyland, behind Big Thunder Mountain. Or, if you enjoy roller coasters, Big Thunder offers a spectacular view of the show, and the ride’s line is typically short enough to allow you to ride multiple times during the fireworks.
  • If you don’t want to see any of the shows, then it’s a great time to hit the rides while everyone else is preoccupied. Attractions like Splash Mountain and Space Mountain are usually easier to get on during Fantasmic and fireworks.
  • Enjoy intimate performances such as the Dapper Dans and Mickey and the Magical Map.
  • 9 Do not compel individuals to ride rides. No one wants to feel compelled to do something against their will. Seeing how much fun you had on the ride might convince them to join you. In the interim, join the single rider line to board the ride significantly faster.
  • 10 Learn when locations close. During the summer and on weekends, the park is typically open later than during the colder months and on weekdays. However, certain areas will close earlier during performances. Here’s a brief summary:
  • If Fantasmic is playing, Tom Sawyer Island will close at sunset if it is open.
  • If fireworks are scheduled, Toontown will close early.
  • Fantasyland is one of the first areas of the park to close at night, so do not assume you can ride the rides there once the crowds have dispersed.
  • The majority of rides have posted closing times.

11 Exit prudently. As soon as the fireworks conclude, there will be a massive exodus from the park (or about an hour before closing if there are no fireworks). The walk will be slow, and the lines for the tram to return to the parking garage will be lengthy. You can leave halfway through the fireworks or stay until the park closes to avoid the crowds.

  1. 1 Prepare for a busy day. It is possible to visit both parks on the same day if the crowds are low and your energy is high. You will end the day with sore feet if you constantly travel between parks.
  2. Buy tickets in advance. Rather than waiting in line to purchase tickets at the park, purchase them in advance via Disney’s official tickets website. If you order early enough, your tickets can be delivered to your home prior to your trip. Or, you can download e-tickets and print them directly from your email.
  • Keep your eyes peeled for deals. Occasionally, Disney will offer promotions that add a free day to a multi-day ticket.
  • Know what you are purchasing. If you wish to visit both parks on the same day, you should purchase a ParkHopper ticket.
  • If you plan to park at Disneyland, you can also purchase your parking pass online.

3 Arrive at the park early. Early morning at Disneyland is ideal: the park is mostly empty, temperatures are cool, and children are still happy. You can obtain FastPasses and ride a few popular attractions before the crowds arrive. People begin to line up at the park’s entrance approximately an hour before opening.

  • Both Disneyland Park and California Adventure open simultaneously, so choose which one you would like to visit first. With the growing popularity of Cars Land, California Adventure may no longer be the less crowded of the two parks early in the morning. Choose the park with the rides you’re most interested in visiting first. California Adventure closes before Disneyland Park does.
  • If you want seats for World of Color, you should probably complete California Adventure first. (More information is provided below.)
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4 Utilize FastPasses throughout the Disneyland theme parks! The system may initially appear intimidating, but it’s easier than it appears and well worth the effort to avoid waiting in line. Here is a brief explanation of how the system operates:

  • New FastPasses are available every 90 minutes. Fast Passes are a free method for maximizing your time at Disneyland. As soon as you enter the park, dispatch someone to get your first round. (He or she must bring everyone’s park tickets with them.) If you are unsure of when your 90-minute window expires, the next time you can obtain FastPasses will be printed at the bottom of your most recent FastPasses.
  • Each attraction that accepts FastPasses will have a small FastPass station with four to eight FastPass machines to issue the required FastPass ticket. One ticket at a time is inserted into the machine, which then spits out a paper fastpass with a one-hour window printed on it. They must be utilized on the day of purchase.
  • Once you have your Fastpasses and the first printed time has passed, you proceed to the FastPass line rather than the standby line, which should be clearly marked for each ride. The person at the front of the line will validate your passes, after which you will give them to a second individual at the end of the line.
  • FastPass time limits are now in effect! If 1:45 to 2:45 is printed on your ticket, you must arrive between those times.
  • FastPasses for some popular rides will run out. If you want to secure a Fastpass for a specific attraction (such as Radiator Springs, Soarin’ Over California, California Screamin’, Midway Mania, or Tower of Terror), you should do so early in the day. Some of the other FastPass-required attractions will have short lines at the end of the day, so you won’t need FastPasses.

Eat judiciously and well. Food inside the park can be expensive, especially if you’re feeding a family, but there are a few unique dining options to try. Here is a summary of what you may find useful:

  • Eat earlier than usual, or after the lunch and dinner rush hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m., respectively. Thus, you can ride rides while others are eating and avoid lines when it’s time to eat.
  • Be warned that Fisherman’s Wharf and Cars Land have the longest lines at California Adventure. Lines will be shorter at Hollywood Land or Pixar Pier. New Orleans Square is the most crowded area at Disneyland
  • visit Critter Country or Frontierland instead.
  • If you’re on a budget, pack your lunch and dinner and store them in a locker (near the park entrance). There are numerous picnic tables located throughout the park. If you must purchase food in the park, fruit is typically inexpensive, and portions at the fast-casual restaurants are large enough to be shared by two people.
  • Make reservations in advance for all full-service restaurants. There are only a handful of sit-down restaurants within Disneyland, such as the Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans, and they quickly fill up. In addition to Carthay Circle and the Wine Country Trattoria, there are several others in California Adventure. Make a reservation in advance with Disney Dining at (714) 781-3463 if dining at these establishments is essential.
  • Plan in advance for character dining. The Plaza Inn (Disneyland) offers character dining, as well as a new Pixar-themed lounge and grill in California Adventure. If you have children, this is an easy way to get some character time, but it can be expensive and fill up quickly. Your best bet is to call (714) 781-3463 in advance to make reservations.

Determine when to purchase souvenirs. As with eating, souvenir shopping can be approached in a variety of ways, depending on your needs. Here are some possible strategies:

  • If you want to wear the famous mouse ears (or any other headgear), consider buying them at the beginning of the day so they’ll be in all your photos.
  • Pass through a few souvenir shops during the heat of the day or when you need a break if you are unsure of what you want. If something catches your eye, purchase it as you leave the park so you don’t have to carry it with you all day.
  • If you have little ones and you’re concerned about souvenir whining, try this trick. Buy Disney souvenirs less expensively online and pack them with you. The night before your trip to Disneyland, arrange your children’s souvenirs as if Santa Claus had delivered them overnight. They already have new fun things to play with, and you don’t have to worry about shopping at the park. Problem solved!

7 Understand where to locate characters. Seeing costumed characters is likely high on your list of things to do if you have children. Once roaming freely throughout the park, characters can now be found in designated areas. Here is what you should know:

  • If you wish to obtain character autographs, bring a pen large enough for the characters to hold
  • they will not be able to manipulate a small ballpoint pen as easily as a large marker.
  • Characters continue to roam throughout California Adventure, particularly in A Bug’s Land. If you want to increase your chances of encountering costumed characters, Disneyland is your best bet. See the section above for further details.

8 Plan for World of Color in advance. If you wish to see Fantasmic or the fireworks at Disneyland, please refer to the section on shows. World of Color is exclusive to California Adventure, with two nightly performances during peak season and one during off-season. Nonetheless, here is a guide to both general seating and dining passes for World of Color:

  • Obtain a fastpass for open seating. Seating for World of Color is separated by (you guessed it) color, and the corresponding color will be printed on your fastpass. Obtain a ticket for each individual using the Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure to World of Color fastpass machines. If each fastpass has the same color, you are good to go.
  • A cast member will direct you to your seat in the general seating area on Paradise Park approximately one hour prior to the start of world of color. General admission is only standing room, so if you want to be close and seated, you must arrive very early. (However, anticipate some splashing in the front seats!)
  • Participate in World of Color Dining. If you want a meal and a guaranteed show ticket, there are two World of Color Dining options. You can purchase a picnic meal with a guaranteed general seating pass at any time during the day, or you can dine on a prix fixe meal with prime seating and viewing. Visit the World of Color Dining page for additional information.

9 Learn when locations close. During the summer and on weekends, the parks are typically open later than they are during the colder months and on weekdays. However, certain areas will close earlier during performances. Here’s a brief summary:

  • Weekends and peak seasons will result in California Adventure closing an hour before Disneyland.
  • If Fantasmic is playing, Tom Sawyer Island will close at sunset if it is open.
  • If fireworks are scheduled, Toontown will close early.
  • Fantasyland is one of the first areas of the park to close at night, so do not assume you can ride the rides there once the crowds have dispersed.
  • The majority of rides have posted closing times.
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10 Exit prudently. As soon as the fireworks conclude, there will be a massive exodus from the park (or about an hour before closing if there are no fireworks). The walk will be slow, and the lines for the tram to return to the parking garage will be lengthy. You can leave halfway through the fireworks or stay until the park closes to avoid the crowds. If you are at Pixar Pier or Grizzly Peak and leaving through California Adventure, consider cutting through the Grand Californian Hotel. Exit the park at the hotel directly opposite Grizzly River Rapids, enter the lobby, turn right, and walk past the convention center while following the signs to Downtown Disney. Once you’ve exited the building, turn right to walk toward the parking tram.

  1. 11 Take breaks! Return to your hotel for some rest. The crowds and heat can be overwhelming, so it is essential to cool off and have an opportunity to leave the park. You don’t want anyone getting grumpy.
  2. 12 Only use your mobile phone for calls! Using your cellphone for applications and photography will drain the battery. In the event that you and a family member or close friend become separated, it is vital to have a working phone.
  3. Make a list of priorities. If you’ve never been to Disneyland before, ask each member of your party what they hope to accomplish while there. Perhaps it is viewing all of the character homes in ToonTown or riding Splash Mountain. Thus, everyone will feel accomplished.
  4. 14 Do not worry about finances. While it is necessary to be somewhat concerned about expenses, carrying a notepad and calculator is not the best approach. Bring your own food and water, as well as a notebook in lieu of purchasing an autograph book. No one focuses on having fun if they are constantly stressed about money, but rather on how much money they can save.
  5. 15 Have children who cannot ride rides? Request a rider switch pass! While one rider waits in line, the other observes the children from a distance. Then, when the rider has concluded their enjoyment of the ride. The other rider passes and speeds to the head of the line.

Add fresh query

  • Question How do I determine which rides are suitable for families with young children? If you obtain a map at the park, there will be a section indicating a children’s play area! On park maps, height requirements for each ride are indicated. Additionally, there are signs at the start of each ride. If you wish to make advance preparations, the park’s website contains this information for each ride.
  • Question We are visiting for the first time, so what should we do and where should we begin? Enter the parking lot and select the type of parking you desire from the man in the fancy uniform at the counter. You can ask them questions, and they will likely provide you with a map and direct you to your hotel. When you are ready (you should probably pack a backpack with food, water, etc.), then you can enjoy the Disneyland and California Adventure Parks!
  • Question Where can you find the best souvenirs? Dizwiz522 Community Answer Try The Empoream, The Mad Hatter, and Star Trader in Disneyland Park. Try Elias & Co., Off the Page, Sarge’s Surplus Hut, and Seaside Souvenirs in California Adventure. Try The World of Disney in Downtown Disney.

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  • Remember that Disneyland is a family place, so enjoy yourself and be considerate of others that are in the park. As a token of appreciation, we would like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Utilize it to sample great new products and services across the nation without paying full price, including wine, food delivery, clothing, and more. Enjoy!
  • Ask the Cast Members (workers) if the ride you are on contains any Hidden Mickeys. Most will be glad to tell you. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com) (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
  • Bring along those adorable Mickey ears and hats that you purchased the last time you were there. Your child will want another when they see a happy little girl walking alongside them. Simply remove it from your bag, and your child will be satisfied. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com) (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!

Show More Advice

  • Please do not bring a selfie stick into the park. The security officer checking your bags will confiscate it, and it will be difficult to retrieve it. As a token of appreciation, we would like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Utilize it to sample great new products and services across the nation without paying full price, including wine, food delivery, clothing, and more. Enjoy!
  • If you have a serious medical condition or a fear of rides, you should not ride the attraction. Always take notice of warning signs. As a token of appreciation, we would like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Utilize it to sample great new products and services across the nation without paying full price, including wine, food delivery, clothing, and more. Enjoy!
  • It is easy to forget that every tourist attraction contains high-tech equipment that could cause serious injury or death. Therefore, always follow the instructions of cast members for your own safety. As a token of appreciation, we would like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Utilize it to sample great new products and services across the nation without paying full price, including wine, food delivery, clothing, and more. Enjoy!

When traveling with a family, you will require:

  • A rucksack.
  • Sunscreen
  • Water containers
  • Jackets for evening
  • Sunglasses
  • A blanket for saving seats at Fantasmic (optional)
  • A mobile application that displays ride wait times (optional). There are a variety of options available in your smartphone’s app store.

A rucksack. Sunscreen Water containers Jackets for evening Sunglasses A blanket for saving seats at Fantasmic (optional) A mobile application that displays ride wait times (optional). There are a variety of options available in your smartphone’s app store. Thank you to all authors for creating a page that has been read 435,580 times.