2 adults with one full day at California Adventure!

[CJ]

My husband and I will have just one very full day at Disney's California Adventure: Friday October 14.

The park is open from 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM. We plan to be there at opening time, but need to leave the park for a few hours (about 3:30 - 5:30) before returning. I have already booked a World of Color dining package at 7:20 PM at the Wine Country Trattoria and we will see the second show at 10:15 PM.

We have never been and while I've studied maps and read about the various attractions, I'd really appreciate any tips you experts can give me. We're huge Disneyworld fans, so I understand the Fastpass & Single Rider concepts..... but where to go first at DCA and how to navigate the park as efficiently as possible? Unfortunately California Screaming is closed that day.....

I need advice on the best "touring" plan please!

 

[ArchOwl]

Just curious, you are doing DCA but not Disneyland?

 

[CJ]

Just curious, you are doing DCA but not Disneyland?

No, we plan to do both..... I've got Mickey Halloween Party tickets for Tuesday October 11 (perfect timing because we arrive in Anaheim at about 2:00 PM that day!) and while DH is working Thursday October 13, I plan to return to Disneyland and he'll join me later that afternoon. Disneyland is open until 11:00PM that day and it's the only day Fantasmic is showing.

So right now our plan is to devote Friday October 14 to DCA..... but I'm open to park hopping if that's what everyone recommends!

 

[skiingfast]

The main thing to know is DCA will get busy in the evening when non ticketed guests leave DL to hop to DCA. You will notice the crowd in the late PM and in DL it will get packed around 5pm.

Get your WoC FP's early in the day, it may not repeat last year when they went fast as people knew that would end the night in DCA because of the Halloween party in DL. You might also consider a dinner package for the late show so you are eating when it's busy and then watching the show.

 

[Flynn_Rider]

With Screaming out of the way, I suggest grabbing a fast pass for Soaring and the standing in line for Toy Story Midway Mania. The other rides (Little Mermaid, Tower of Terror) load fairly quickly.

After Toy Story (which I may do a couple times if you are there first thing in the morning), I'd do the rest of the rides in the Paradise Pier area, head toward Soaring by way if Grizzly, then head toward Tower of Terror doing all of Hollywood area attractions, then finish off with Bugs Land in the evening as it's a great themed area to walk through even if you don't do the rides.

 

[Princess Row]

Soarin and Toy story are two DO NOT MISS attractions. Toystory is worth even 3-4 rides if you have time. Being there all day i'm sure you will.

Although I am not a fan you would enjoy Tower of Terror most likely.

Also, since you have never been Tough to be a Bug is a GREAT show!!
It's in Bugs Land with a few other little rides you may like.

I would highly reccomend walking around the pier for a little and eating at the place with the soup bowls by the bread factory. Can anyone help me with a name!? We LOVE the soup and the bread there. They also have the factory tours you may enjoy.

This may seem childish but I adore the Monsters Inc ride in the backlot, its one of my favorites and since you have all day its normally a walk on ride....I would say why not do it.

Have an amazing trip!

 

[crazydad123]

One of my favorite areas is the forest area around GRR and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. It is just a little quieter and a different feeling. It also is very nice to check out the Grand Californian and maybe eat at Stroyteller's Cafe. That area and Soarin' sold me on DCA with my first visit.


Got my plane tickets, car rental, room at the VGC, and my annual pass--all set for December!
Crazydad

 

[skiingfast]

I would highly reccomend walking around the pier for a little and eating at the place with the soup bowls by the bread factory. Can anyone help me with a name!? We LOVE the soup and the bread there. They also have the factory tours you may enjoy.

Lots of people like the soups in the breadbowls at Pacific Wharf Cafe.

 

[danica]

My fave at DCA was the hot link corndog! The bread tour and the breadbowl soup were also great.

If it's still on by then, I recommend the Aladdin show. We thought it was very entertaining.

 

[CJ]

The main thing to know is DCA will get busy in the evening when non ticketed guests leave DL to hop to DCA. You will notice the crowd in the late PM and in DL it will get packed around 5pm.

Get your WoC FP's early in the day, it may not repeat last year when they went fast as people knew that would end the night in DCA because of the Halloween party in DL. You might also consider a dinner package for the late show so you are eating when it's busy and then watching the show.

That's good advice about the crowded evenings, we'll try to do as much as we can during each day!

We've already got WoC set because we're doing the Trattoria dinner package that includes viewing of the second show at 10:15PM.

 

[CJ]

I suggest grabbing a fast pass for Soaring and the standing in line for Toy Story Midway Mania. After Toy Story, I'd do the rest of the rides in the Paradise Pier area, head toward Soaring by way of Grizzly, then head toward Tower of Terror doing all of Hollywood area attractions, then finish off with Bugs Land in the evening as it's a great themed area to walk through even if you don't do the rides.

Thank you so much! What a great detailed plan for the day!

since you have never been Tough to be a Bug is a GREAT show!! It's in Bugs Land with a few other little rides you may like. I adore the Monsters Inc ride in the backlot, its one of my favorites and since you have all day its normally a walk on ride....I would say why not do it. Have an amazing trip!

Thanks! Is the Tough to be a Bug show the same as the one at Animal Kingdom in Disneyworld? We LOVE the Monster's Inc. show in DHS, is the one in California a ride?

One of my favorite areas is the forest area around GRR and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. It is just a little quieter and a different feeling. It also is very nice to check out the Grand Californian and maybe eat at Stroyteller's Cafe. Crazydad

Good to know, thanks!

If it's still on by then, I recommend the Aladdin show. We thought it was very entertaining.

The Aladdin show is still on, so we'll be sure to see it, thanks!

Lots of people like the soups in the breadbowls at Pacific Wharf Cafe.

That's exactly where we plan to eat lunch!

 

[Princess Row]

Thanks! Is the Tough to be a Bug show the same as the one at Animal Kingdom in Disneyworld? We LOVE the Monster's Inc. show in DHS, is the one in California a ride?

Yes Tough to be a bug is the same. Still fun to watch though. It slipped my mind WDW also has it. sorry!

Monsters inc show in WDW is great! we loved it, never havibng seen it before. In CA it is a small (fantasyland) type of ride somewhat hidden away. You get in a little taxi and drive around town. Cute little easy going ride. Great after eating a huge lunch!

 

[CJ]

Yes Tough to be a bug is the same. Still fun to watch though. It slipped my mind WDW also has it. sorry!

Monsters inc show in WDW is great! we loved it, never havibng seen it before. In CA it is a small (fantasyland) type of ride somewhat hidden away. You get in a little taxi and drive around town. Cute little easy going ride. Great after eating a huge lunch!

Please don't apologize about forgetting WDW has ITTBAB. There's so many attractions at all the Disney parks, no one could keep track of them all!

The Monster's Inc. ride sounds like fun, and totally different from WDW, thanks!