1 Day to Park Hop...itinerary?

[jenypooh]

We will be at Disneyland and California Adventure on March 10th (a Thursday). It appears to be low time as the hours are 10-8 as far as I can tell. We only have a day and I've done Disneyland a bunch (was a SoCal girl for 12 years) but haven't been in ~5 years and have never done the California Adventure park. My husband has been to WDW one time and that is his full Disney resume.

My point, and I do have one, is what order should we do our visit with only one day and two parks to cover? DL first and then DCA? DCA first and then on to DL? Jump back and forth?

One last thing...my husband couldn't handle Body Wars or Star Tours due to them making him nauseated...will he be OK on the Soarin' at DCA??

 

[swimrsal]

From what I've read, I would go to Disneyland first as it tends to get busier in the afternoons. It doesn't sound like California Adventure is as popular - but I've never been to California Adventure - so I don't know for sure.

I picked up a Disneyland Resort Guidebook (Birnbaum's) at my local bookstore and it was full of helpful information. It says it's for 2005, but I imagine some of it is still outdated. It did have a section of "must do" activities if you're short on time...

Disneyland...
Indiana Jones Adventure
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain
Peter Pan
Matterhorn
Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
Star Tours
Honey, I shrunk the audience
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Buzz Lightyear Astro-blasters

For California Adventure...
Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular
Muppet Vision 3-D
Disney Animation
Soaring over California
Grizzly River Run
It's Tough to be a Bug
California Screamin
Who Wants to be a Millionaire
The Twilight Zone-Tower of Terror

Anyway - I hope that helps with your planning. Have a great time!!!
I hope someone else can chime in and answer the rest of your questions.

-Sally

 

[jlawall]

Is there a one day park hopper ticket?

 

[karylrocks]

There is no one-day park hopper ticket so you will need to purchase admission to both parks, unless you have some special arrangement that we don't know about.

 

[Tink33]

There is a one day park hopper ticket. You can see the ticket details at Disneyland.com

 

[jxgriffi]

I would definitely do Disneyland first. Go over and see what the crowds are like and hit any of the majors that you can (Indy, etc).

In the late morning/early afternoon, go over to DCA. It shouldn't take too long since it's the off-season. Definitely do Soarin'. It is so calm compared to the Body Wars/Star Tours attractions. You'll love it! Also, be sure to visit the Animation building in Hollywood. The Courtyard itself is worth walking in! (not that I'm biased or anything)

After you've completed DCA, head back to Disneyland for anything you have missed. Maybe even have a late dinner in DTD (Ralph Brennan's is wonderful).

 

[LucyKate]

There IS a one day park hopper - Click here for details.

I suppose it depends on crowds - but take into account the fact that DCA usually opens later than DL and sometimes closes sooner. Also, what times are the parades?

We were there in another low season with early closing - early December, and the only rides we queued for were Peter Pan (20 minutes) Dumbo (10 minutes), Small World (10 minutes). We walked straight on to Pirates, Splash Mountain, Grizzly etc. There was a half hour queue for California Soarin, but we dodged that with fastpass. We also had to use fastpass to dodge the queue at Autopia.

I'd go to DL first, if it opens earlier - go straight to Indy, up the hill to Pirates, on to Haunted Mansion, then Splash Mountain, Winnie the Pooh, back to Big Thunder, then into Fantasyland for Matterhorn, Peter Pan, Small World, Honey I Shrunk the Audience and Star Tours. I'd forget toontown - the gadget coaster and cartoon spin are not worth that walk and wait.

In DCA go straight to Soarin and get a fast pass - in the meantime do Grizzly, Bugs Life, then do Soarin and head over to Tower of Terror and Screamin. Do the others if you have any time left but these are the essentials.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Looks like Splash Moutain and several other things are closed for your visit. The important thing is get to the parks at opening. If 10:00 is the listed opening then the gates will open at 9:30. You can enjoy Main Street, grab a cup of coffee, study the map and times of shows, closures, etc. Then head to Fantasyland first since I don't think anything there has a fastpass. After doing what you want there, you can head over towards Adventureland, fastpass Indiana Jones and ride Pirates and Haunted Mansion while you wait for that fastpass to come up. The big attractions at DCA all have fastpass so even if crowds are big that day (which they shouldn't be) you will likely get to do what you want. Also remember some rides have single rider lines which will cut down on your waits if necessary. Since you are familar with WDW and have been to Disneyland, you will likely know what is a must do. While there is no way to do it all in one day you can do quite a bit. My husband always gets a little dizzy on Star Tours but has never had any problem whatsoever on Soarin. It is such a great ride, you have to try it! I also like the idea of eating dinner at DTD after the parks close, that way you aren't tied up with a meal. If you do decide you want to eat inside the park, I highly recommend the Blue Bayou!

 

[jlawall]

Thx everyone! I put the 1 day park hopper site in my favorite places for next summer.......you're the best!!

 

[MrShiny]

Yup, they sell the one day park hopper at the gates now : Prices

DCA does open later and close earlier, but it is never crowded.

Here's what I'd try to get to:

1) Indiana Jones (DL)
2) Pirates (DL)
3) Innoventions (to talk to Stitch) (DL)
4) Soarin' (DCA)
5) Tower of Terror (DCA)
6) Aladdin (DCA)
7) Golden Dreams (DCA)
8) Paradise Pier rides of your choice (DCA)
9) Grizzly River Rapids (DCA)
10) Electrical Light Parade (DCA)
11) Fantasmic! (DL)

That'll give you the best of the newer stuff - add in your favorite classic attractions from DL. If Buzz is open in Tomorrowland, toss that in too. Oh, and why not Winnie the Pooh too.