Disneyland is a magical place filled with rides, shows, characters, and experiences. With two packed theme parks, Downtown Disney, and the Disneyland Resort hotels, it can be hard to fit everything in during a short visit. So is 2 days enough time to properly experience Disneyland?
How much can you reasonably do in 2 days at Disneyland?
In 2 days at Disneyland you can expect to:
- Ride 10-15 major rides in Disneyland Park
- See a few shows like Fantasmic! and parades
- Meet 2-4 characters for photos and autographs
- Eat 2-3 sit down meals
- Visit 6-8 lands in Disneyland Park
- Spend 4-6 hours in Disney California Adventure
- Ride 6-10 major rides in DCA
- See 1-2 DCA shows like World of Color
- Eat 1-2 meals in DCA
- Spend 2-3 hours in Downtown Disney shopping and dining
Realistically you can experience many of the highlights and attractions of both parks in 2 days. However, it does require advanced planning, getting to the parks early, sticking to a schedule, and possibly using FastPasses and MaxPass.
What are the benefits of 2 days at Disneyland?
Here are some of the benefits of visiting Disneyland for 2 days:
- Cost savings – 2 days costs significantly less than 3 or more days of tickets and hotel
- Less exhausting – Trying to do 3 or more days of 8+ hours in the parks can be extremely tiring
- Less time off work/school – Only need to take off 2 weekdays instead of more for a longer trip
- Focus on highlights – With proper planning, you can experience the top attractions
- Less overwhelming – Only have 2 days of schedules, plans, crowds, etc. to manage
Two days allows you to have a fun, memorable Disneyland vacation while saving money and keeping the trip at a more manageable level. Many locals or first timers opt for this length of visit.
What are the downsides of only 2 days at Disneyland?
Here are some of the downsides of trying to visit Disneyland in just 2 days:
- Rushed pace – Trying to experience both parks in 2 days can feel very rushed
- Long days – You’ll need to arrive very early and stay until closing both days to maximize time
- Scheduling challenges – Harder to schedule FastPasses, dining, shows etc. with limited days
- Less immersion – Only 2 days in the magical Disney “bubble” with less time to relax and explore
- Lower value – Cost per day is higher with only 2 day tickets instead of 3+ days
- Exhausting – Trying to cram everything into 2 days can be tiring, though some prefer this
Many visitors find 2 days is enough to enjoy some key attractions and experiences but not enough to fully immerse themselves in everything Disneyland offers. It can feel too rushed for some.
Key planning tips for 2 days at Disneyland
If you do only have 2 days at Disneyland, here are some key tips to make the most of your limited time:
- Buy tickets and make dining reservations well in advance
- Use FastPass, MaxPass, and Single Rider whenever possible
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before park opening both days
- Have a prioritized plan for which attractions and shows to experience
- Use a touring plan from sources like TouringPlans.com
- Book your most important dining reservations for late lunch/dinner
- Stay very close to the parks to minimize transit time
- Take mid-day breaks back at your hotel to rest and recharge
- Utilize Disneyland’s app to monitor wait times and make last minute FastPasses
- Consider using a service like VIP Tours guide to maximize time and minimize waits
Advance planning and having strategies to minimize time waiting in lines is crucial to enjoying 2 days at Disneyland. Staying flexible and being willing to adjust plans is also key.
Best rides and attractions to experience in 2 days
If you only have 2 days for Disneyland, here are some of the top rides and attractions you should make sure to experience:
| Disneyland Park | Disney California Adventure |
|---|---|
| Pirates of the Caribbean | Radiator Springs Racers |
| Space Mountain | Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! |
| Star Tours | Incredicoaster |
| Haunted Mansion | Soarin’ Around the World |
| Jungle Cruise | Grizzly River Run |
| Splash Mountain | Toy Story Midway Mania |
| Big Thunder Mountain Railroad | Turtle Talk with Crush |
| It’s a Small World | Animation Academy |
| Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage | Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure |
Try to experience Disneyland’s famous mountains – Space, Splash, Big Thunder along with top dark rides like Pirates and Haunted Mansion. For DCA, hit Cars Land, Pixar Pier, and classic attractions like Soarin’. But stay flexible – you can easily fill 2 days with different favorites.
Best places to eat at Disneyland in 2 days
To save time while still enjoying top Disney dining, here are some best restaurants for meals and snacks in just 2 days:
- Blue Bayou – Atmospheric New Orleans restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean for lunch or dinner
- Cafe Orleans – Quick service French Quarter restaurant with Monte Cristo sandwiches and beignets
- Bengal Barbecue – Quick skewers and snacks near Jungle Cruise in Adventureland
- Galactic Grill – Quick service restaurant in Tomorrowland with burgers, sandwiches, and salads
- Carthay Circle – Elegant fine dining at the end of Buena Vista Street in DCA for lunch/dinner
- Lamplight Lounge – Fun gastropub on Pixar Pier for snacks, burgers, and cocktails
- Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe – Quick Starbucks-like coffee shop on Buena Vista Street in DCA
- Smokejumpers Grill – Burgers, sandwiches, and salads in Grizzly Peak area of DCA
Focus on restaurants that offer mobile ordering or reservations to save time waiting in lines. Snack spots like Bengal Barbecue allow you to grab food fast.
Best times of year to visit Disneyland for 2 days
To make the most of your 2 days at Disneyland, visit during less busy times. The best times are:
- Weekdays in late January – early March (avoiding holidays and school breaks)
- Weekdays in late August – September
- Early December weekdays before Christmas break crowds
Avoid visiting during spring break, summer weekends, and holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas when both parks will be extremely crowded. Weekends year-round tend to be busiest. Checking a Disneyland crowd calendar can help you pick low crowd dates.
Pros and cons of Park Hopper tickets for 2 Disneyland days
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Ability to bounce between parks without restrictions | – More expensive price, around $60+ more per ticket |
| – Can start day in less crowded park | – Still need to walk between parks which takes time |
| – Flexibility if plans change or need a break | – Harder to plan FastPasses with bouncing parks |
| – Evening options like Fantasmic! or World of Color | – Usually not needed for only 2 days, one park per day works |
For 2 days, Park Hoppers are usually not essential. Focusing on one park per day without hopping allows more efficient touring. But Park Hoppers can offer more flexibility if you can afford the upcharge.
Should you get MaxPass or Genie+ for 2 Disneyland days?
MaxPass and Genie+ both offer digital access to FastPasses to help reduce time waiting in long lines. The key pros and cons for 2 Disneyland days are:
| MaxPass/Genie+ Pros | MaxPass/Genie+ Cons |
|---|---|
| – Use app to get digital FastPasses | – Additional cost per guest per day of $20+ |
| – Help avoid long standby queues | – Still need to walk to attractions for FastPass time |
| – Convenience of scheduling rides on phone | – Doesn’t guarantee specific attractions or times |
| – Photo downloads included | – May still wait 10-15+ minutes with FastPass |
For 2 park days, MaxPass or Genie+ can be very useful to cut down on waits. But the extra cost should be factored in. Arriving early and using Single Rider lines can also help minimize waits without an extra fee.
Should you stay in a Disneyland hotel for a 2 day trip?
The three Disneyland Resort hotels offer special perks like:
- Early theme park entry – access Disneyland 30-60 min before general public
- Convenience and ability to return to hotel midday for breaks
- Disney atmosphere and theming
- Guest-only amenities like water slides (certain hotels)
However, staying on-site is expensive with rooms starting around $400+ per night. The key trade-off is cost vs. convenience and perks. Some budget-friendly options include:
- Close off-site hotels within short walking distance
- Moderate hotels for free shuttles, like SpringHill Suites Anaheim
- Affordable motels further from parks, like Motel 6 Anaheim
For only 2 days, staying super close for Early Entry and midday breaks may be worth it. But less expensive off-site hotels can also work well with proper planning.
Is a 2 day Disneyland itinerary recommended?
In summary, here are some pros and cons of visiting Disneyland for 2 days:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Lower cost tickets and hotel | – Very rushed, tiring days |
| – Still experience many top rides and attractions | – Less ability to re-ride favorites |
| – Requires less time off work/school | – Hard to schedule dining, shows, meets |
| – Easier planning and scheduling | – Potential to miss some attractions |
| – Avoid biggest crowds on weekdays | – Less relaxing immersive experience |
Two days allows you to see the highlights of Disneyland Resort while saving money and vacation time. However, the days will be jam-packed and exhausting. First time visitors may prefer 3-4 days for a more relaxed trip. Returning guests love maximizing their 2 magical days in the parks.
Conclusion
Is 2 days enough for Disneyland? It depends on your goals, budget, and tolerance for busy days. The majority of rides and attractions can realistically be experienced in 2 action-packed park days with proper planning and effort. But guests looking for a more relaxed, immersive experience will prefer 3 or more days. There are pros and cons to both approaches. Advanced planning and managing expectations is key to making the most of your limited time at the Happiest Place on Earth!
