1 day - anything at Calif Adventure worth seeing?

[geochick]

This has been really helpful. We're definitely open to options, and I can easily cancel my Bayou reservation if we need the time. I kind of thought that by the evening we'd need a 60 minute sit-down kind of break.

One quick question - does the Soaring ride make you "carsick"? My 6yo doesn't like roller coasters because he gets motion sickness easily. I think Indy will be fine since it's more jerky movement. My ds can't do 3D movies because even that motion is too real.

 

[Sara*s_Mommie]

One quick question - does the Soaring ride make you "carsick"? My 6yo doesn't like roller coasters because he gets motion sickness easily. I think Indy will be fine since it's more jerky movement. My ds can't do 3D movies because even that motion is too real.

Yes, I suppose it could if he's even sensitive to 3D movies. I don't get car sick but there's a part at the end where you are flying over freeways on your way to Disneyland - the red traffic lights gives me an instant headache and I get queasy...it's just that part - don't know why so I just close my eyes.

So, just skip Soaring...there's way too much to see and do anyway. I would also think that Indy could make him sick - there's a few times when you go around corners and lean over pretty fast and quick...but you'll never know until he tries it.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Regarding Aladdin - it's a great show and a good reason to go to DCA, but it will eat a lot of time when you don't have much. The show is 40 minutes but it is recommended to get in line approximately 30 minutes ahead of time. So unless your family members are big fans of the movie Aladdin, and/or love stage shows, it might be more wise to skip it, for time's sake.

 

[MaiynaMouse]

Regarding motion sickness......

I think it depends. I have a child who gets motion sickness quite easily. It's very rare that we go on a car or plane ride that he doesn't get sick. However, he doesn't get sick on any rides.....the only ride that "kind of" makes him queasy is Indy. If he could pick any ride to ride again and again, it would be Soarin. It's such an individual thing....

 

[brenda1966]

I wouldn't do a sit down meal if I only had one day either. I'd do counter service for sure -- wouldn't want to waste precious time waiting on a waiter.

I'd concentrate on DL and Fantasyland. Keep in mind some rides have height restrictions (Indiana Jones), so make sure your kids are even tall enough first. Since you got the hoppers, when DL is crowded, sometime after lunch, I'd head over to DCA and go to Bug's Land. The rides are very basic, but the 4 year old should really like them. The theming and area are cute. Maybe pack some dry clothes as they have spray areas. I'd ride the Monster's Inc. I'd probably skip the Muppet 3D unless your kids are big Muppet fans (I don't think many kids even know who they are). I'm not sure I'd take time out for Aladdin -- maybe if you really need a long sit down break and escape from the heat. If everyone is tall enough, I'd grab FP's for soaring when you enter DCA and try to right that. It's very mild.

Enjoy!

 

[bumbershoot]

Gosh...if only you'd come to us well before you decided on just one day.

We did two one day trips, when DS was 1 and then 2, and we never found the time in the day to get over to DCA.

And then he was 3 and we had hoppers and time, and we decided "what the heck"...and found that we love DCA probably as much, if not more, than DL. And this includes our son (who is now 6). Well, it would need to have POTC moved there, but really, we adore DCA.

I'd write out a list of rides you want to ride at DL and anything else you want to do there, and REALLY see if you have time to get over there. If so, then include the stuff at DCA.

bug's land is, IMO, better for little ones than Fantasyland. Why? Because it's all out in the open, nothing is inside buildings with dark or darkish lines. And there's nothing spooky, and especially nothing with "Scary" right in the name!

Monsters Inc is a fabulous ride IMO, and we've ridden it time and time again. Toy Story Midway Mania...words cannot describe our love for it. Let's put it this way. We've rarely had less than a 40 minute wait for it, and yet...it's ALWAYS been worth it.

One quick question - does the Soaring ride make you "carsick"? My 6yo doesn't like roller coasters because he gets motion sickness easily. I think Indy will be fine since it's more jerky movement. My ds can't do 3D movies because even that motion is too real.

If it does, just have him close his eyes or look around. You can look to the sides and see everyone nearby, you can look up if you're not at the tallest row and see feet dangling, etc. Every so often I'll get a little swoopy in the tummy, and so I'll look around and it makes me feel better. Since you're barely moving at all, and most of it is just the movie, just distracting yourself or closing your eyes helps.

 

[AndyLL]

This has been really helpful. We're definitely open to options, and I can easily cancel my Bayou reservation if we need the time. I kind of thought that by the evening we'd need a 60 minute sit-down kind of break.

One quick question - does the Soaring ride make you "carsick"? My 6yo doesn't like roller coasters because he gets motion sickness easily. I think Indy will be fine since it's more jerky movement. My ds can't do 3D movies because even that motion is too real.

I agree... if you are going opening to closing then a sit-down break would be nice.

If you only have one day then spending much time in DCA is hard.

You might pop over in the morning and get Fastpasses for a ride like Soaring ( my wife has huge motion sickness and Soaring doesn't bother her)

You might consider dumping Bayou and doing the princess meal in DCA. Kills 2 stones at once... a sit down break and see the princesses so you don't waste so much time waiting for them in Disneyland.

You might need a break in the afternoon when Disneyland gets crazy... if so spending some time in Bugs Land or Redwood Challenge or animation studio is a nice change of pace.

 

[farmfresh]

Actually, I'll second the sit down part (and I think you'll need one before then too, but maybe on TSI or redwood park or somewhere.

Heading for a princess/character meal just might be the way to go, rather than BB. They are great palces for character interaction, and that will be hard to squeeze in to your day doing it the regular, line up for autographs way.

which reminds me...Disney is so attractive to young children, it's sometimes hard to keep to your plan (and of course you don't have to see everything, better to have a good time) but we did forewarn our kids that we might not be able to stop to talk to every character, but we would see plenty at dinner. Likewise, we let them pick some rides (before we got there) and we told them we'd ride them in a special order.

Setting expectations really did help!

 

[Tikestoublie]

One suggestion I have is maybe sitting down with your kids before the trip and showing them the list of rides etc available at the parks. Having them help plan what they want to see ahead of time might help. That is what we have done in the past. This way they get to feel like they have some input into the trip as well.

For some of the rides you can go on youtube and see videos of the ride. This could help you all get a feel of what they are like and whether your kids would enjoy them.

There is definitely some fun things to do in DCA and I have done the one day/both parks. But, I had been before so did not have the need to cram as much in. Assuming you are able to do the open to close for the day you really can get quite a bit out. For DL I highly recommend Toontown and Fantasyland for kids that age. For CA then Bug's Land and Monsters would be my choices.

Hope that helps. Everyone has had great suggestions and no matter what I am certain you will all enjoy yourselves. Oh, and as to the meal I would say non-sit down or Ariels for lunch if you are not staying open to close. However if you are, the break for BB might be worth it for the break.

Cheers

 

[HydroGuy]

I think one sit-down break is a good idea. We did a day trip last August and took a 90 minute lunch at Rainforest Cafe at about 1:30PM to re-hydrate, enjoy some air conditioning, get out of the heat and...well...eat! If we were there at a cooler time of year I might skip the sit down and do quick counter service.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Here's our 1 day visit to DLR last mid July *a Wednesday. Enjoy your short visit to the parks!

 

[geochick]

This is so incredibly helpful. Thanks, guys.

I'll sit down with dh tonight and hash out what we really want to accomplish in one day. We live in Salt Lake City, so I'm certain we'll head back to DLand next summer - it's really not that far. I'll make sure we budget more than one day next time. This year, we'll just hit the headliners, and not try to kill ourselves. I'm going to seriously consider switching from the Bayou restaurant to Ariel's across the way. Hopefully we'll see some high quality princesses at Goofy's the night before (cross your fingers for Aurora!!!) so we can move on from the princess thing.

Speaking of - is the behind the scenes Princess Beauty tour of the castle worth it for a 4yo?

 

[brenda1966]

Speaking of - is the behind the scenes Princess Beauty tour of the castle worth it for a 4yo?

I think so. Now, I wouldn't stand in line for it. We have been able to walk through it in July without standing in line. It's just a walk through with windows to look in, but fun to walk through the castle and not time consuming.

 

[Funball]

Sure! There are lots to do at DCA even with kids!!

As said already. Bug’s land is a must with kids. Jumping jelly fish is a perfect ride for little ones, even I go on it and I am 30, only cause the bigger versions creeps me out! I love Heimlich’s chew train in bugs land! I also suggest, “Playhouse Disney live on stage”, and Pixar Play parade, but you will have to check online at the Disneyland calendar to see what the time is Or if you can’t do that, then check the schedule at the ticket turnstiles!

ALSO, the puddle park may even be open that day! It's perfect for kids specially when it's soo dang hot!

 

[Jagdcarcajou]

Heya,

Lots of good advice here. My recommendations would be:

Bugs' Land
Turtle Talk with Crush (I think this is one of the best things Disney has added to the parks in years; little ones love it too).

I would also suggest at least considering Grizzly River Run. The ride is a blast, and it is a fantastic way to cool off in July (you will get wet, at least a bit). It's got FastPass available, and if the younger members of your group are willing to give it a shot, it is one of the best attractions in the park. It's a very mild "thrill" ride all things considered.

Have fun!

 

[tanyaewa]

My boys - age 5 & 7 LOVED the Pixar parade, Grizzly River Rapids, Soarin & Bugs Land & Monsters Inc if your kids like the movie. I loved this ride!
There are usually characters in the walkway along the far left - by TOT
If you look at the map it would be an easy circle to do that in 2hours - maybe stop for lunch or dinner at Taste Pilots Grill to soak up the atmosphere which is distinctly different from Disney.

My boys did NOT like the 45 min wait for Toy Story - it was a shame because the ride was great but it was too long to stand