2 Days at DCA?

[bcnorth]

My family and I are staying for 5 nights at DLH this month. We should arrive just after lunch at the hotel so we have that whole day (park open til midnight) and then we have 4 more full days until we fly out (we have to leave hotel on last day by 11:30am to get flight). Should we spend 2 days at DCA? Our son is 3 and we plan on taking afternoon breaks. Thanks for the help!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We usually go for 5 days at a time too. If I were to add up all the time we spend at DCA over that 5 full days it probably wouldn't even add up to 1 full day. Maybe 6 hours or so. We just really aren't that impressed with DCA. I mean as a theme park on it's own we might spend more time there but when DL is right next door we would so much rather be there. And it isn't just the rides, it's the whole atmosphere, the whole package. DCA just doesn't compare to DL IMO.

 

[abby]

We actually spend quite a bit of time at CA. I always start at DL, have to have the first view walking up main street, but it is so easy to park hop that often in the afternoon we go to CA and enjoy the less crowded areas. With a 3 year old there is a fair amount to do, ie bugs land, turtle talk with crush and my dd fav, jumpin jelly fish......

 

[mikayla73]

I like DCA and have no trouble hanging out there and keeping busy. Granted it is no DL, but really what is?

Soarin, TOT, and Screamin' are there. Not to mention GRR. They have the Aladdin Show (awesome!) and the Anamation Studio, I can spend a couple of hours here. Of course it is just DH and I, no kids. The EP is on in the evenings if you are there during the busier times.

I am excited to see what they are going to do to make it better over the next few years. DH and I can stay busy here for a whole day with an afternoon break. The hours are shorter than DL. We go back for another day, usually a 1/2 day and that day we do our favorites again (and again if we can ), TOT and Soarin. I think you really can "do" the park in just one day, but we always like to go back and do our faves.

 

[cmwade77]

I would recommend going there during the day and heading over to DL in the evening at least one day, maybe two. We have Annual Passes and that is usually what we do every time we go, unless we are wanting to see some of the daytime offerings at DL that visit.

 

[DLR29]

We actually spend quite a bit of time at CA. I always start at DL, have to have the first view walking up main street, but it is so easy to park hop that often in the afternoon we go to CA and enjoy the less crowded areas. With a 3 year old there is a fair amount to do, ie bugs land, turtle talk with crush and my dd fav, jumpin jelly fish......

I highly recommend this method. Always start at DL and hop to DCA and then hop back to DL for the evening. DCA is never as crowded as DL. So when DL gets too crowded, just walk a couple hundred feet to DCA, which will be less crowded.

 

[bumbershoot]

Aw, with a 3 year old you're probably going to love the bug's land section of DCA.

Note: there are water-play areas, and it's possible for a kiddo to get drenched. See my September trip report for pictures of that (bring extra clothes down to underwear and shoes, and bring a towel are my hints). But other than that, that area is just so nice and sweet...and pretty too in my opinion.

(we've never seen the "tough to be a bug" 3d show, though, seems it would be too much for my own 3 year old)

There's also the play area near Grizzly River Run that I hear is nice...we'll go there on our trip in May, but hadn't been there yet.

Dh and I love all of DCA, but we definitely love bug's land...love it more than Fantasyland, honestly.

 

[bcnorth]

Thanks for the info

I am such an obsessive planner that I have totally mapped out all days at the parks, without input from my DH, of course. I am taking into consideration that my son will be wide eyed straight out of the gate, but are there things that we should not miss?

I am afraid that my planning may gloss over things that others have found their 3 yr olds loved We have billed this trip as a gift to our son, I have been to Disney (years ago) and Disneyland Paris (2004) with my mom, but my DS and DH have never been and we don't know when we will return. Any suggestions for "don't miss" would be appreciated, my list is as follows:

Fantasyland
Mickey's Toon Town
Pirates
Tom Sawyer Is
Winnie the Pooh ride
Big Thunder Mtn
Railroad
Jungle Cruise
Parades/Fireworks
Character Breakfast

Bugs land
Animator Studio
Ferris Wheel
Aladdin
Monsters Inc
Brother Bear
Redwood Challenge

Thanks for the input.

 

[AndyLL]

We love DCA but never spend full days there.

Typically we head over there when disneyland gets croweded then go back to DL in the evening for entertainment or to use fastpasses.

When staying at the GCH or PP we usually go back to the hotel through DCA in the afternoons and pickup fastpasses that we use coming back to DL.

If you've never been to DCA and want to make sure you experience everything then it might make sense to devote a full day to it. However since DCA usually opens later and closes earlier then DL it makes sense to pop over to Disneyland at opening (#1 tip for an enjoyable Disneyland trip) before DCA opens and maybe to spend time late at DL after DCA closes.

Andy

 

[AndyLL]

Any suggestions for "don't miss" would be appreciated, my list is as follows:

Our 3 year old absolutely loved the Electrical Light Parade.

When he was an 'old' 3; young 4 he considered Soaring, Star Tours, and Muhollend Madness as his favorite rides. I do not know if you 3 year old is old enough for any of them.

We did take Alex on the Matterhorn as a very young 3 and it scared him and at 5 he still does not like roller coasters (except for MM)

My son has ridden haunted mansion and pirates every trip since he was 14 months old.

Andy

 

[farmfresh]

With five days you will have time to do everything on your list and some more. I would make one day a DCA day. Although you can maximise your park time by popping backwards and forwards, you may find it's more relaxing to just hit DCA one day with its late start, especially as you are travelling with a young child. you may find he eants to play on the donald duck boat, or hit the jumpin jelly fish - this way you won't be rushed.

Aslo - don't forget the disneylnd railroad. It's a good downtime ride, with some dinosaurs (at a safe distance, and not animated), and I do know the odd three year old who has had a dino fixation, not to mention a love of trains.

he might also like Buzz lightyear.

 

[DLovinFam]

We actually spend quite a bit of time at CA. I always start at DL, have to have the first view walking up main street, but it is so easy to park hop that often in the afternoon we go to CA and enjoy the less crowded areas. With a 3 year old there is a fair amount to do, ie bugs land, turtle talk with crush and my dd fav, jumpin jelly fish......

This is what we did too. We really enjoyed DCA and it was nice to hop over when DL was getting too crowded for us. We were there for 5 days and we probably spent what would be 2 days worth of time in DCA. We just did a bit each day. We had a 3 year old at the time too and can you believe his favorite ride at DCA was the swinging gondolas???!!!

 

[DLR29]

Fantasyland
Mickey's Toon Town
Pirates
Tom Sawyer Is
Winnie the Pooh ride
Big Thunder Mtn
Railroad
Jungle Cruise
Parades/Fireworks
Character Breakfast

Bugs land
Animator Studio
Ferris Wheel
Aladdin
Monsters Inc
Brother Bear
Redwood Challenge

I would add Buzz Lightyear and Haunted Mansion to the DL list (if they can handle Pirates, they can probably handle HM)

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks for the info

I am such an obsessive planner that I have totally mapped out all days at the parks, without input from my DH, of course. I am taking into consideration that my son will be wide eyed straight out of the gate, but are there things that we should not miss?

I am afraid that my planning may gloss over things that others have found their 3 yr olds loved We have billed this trip as a gift to our son, I have been to Disney (years ago) and Disneyland Paris (2004) with my mom, but my DS and DH have never been and we don't know when we will return. Any suggestions for "don't miss" would be appreciated, my list is as follows:

Fantasyland
Mickey's Toon Town
Pirates
Tom Sawyer Is
Winnie the Pooh ride
Big Thunder Mtn
Railroad
Jungle Cruise
Parades/Fireworks
Character Breakfast

Bugs land
Animator Studio
Ferris Wheel
Aladdin
Monsters Inc
Brother Bear
Redwood Challenge

Thanks for the input.

I very much agree with those above who suggest:

- starting at DL (earlier the better). Try to pick up 2-4 FPs for evening use.
- hopping to DCA for 2-3 hours.
- rest/nap/swim for 2-4 hours.
- back to DL in the evening.

Since you're an obsessive planner, a few things to keep in mind.

- Do Fantasyland preferably at MM &/or Gen. Adm. opening. Do Peter Pan first & Dumbo second if you're there AT opening.
- Follow the FL itinerary & it will be more efficient for you AND the ride progression makes sense for a 3 y/o.
(for example - Alice before Toady which is before Pinocchio which is before Snow White.)
- & have him try the toon town coaster first....then Matterhorn & then Big Thunder.

The 3 y/o would love Crush & probably would probably love to watch Jedi Training & both of the Aladdin shows, fwiw.

The water rides (Splash & Grizz) are great fun, but best enjoyed right before the mid day break....in case you get wet.

Have a great time at Walt's Park.


EDIT - & DLR 29 is right.....Buzz is a must do....multiple times. & if he likes Pirates, have a go at HM.