2 days at Disney: California Adventure Park works?

[Advelle]

Hi,

I am new - hope someone can help!

I have two full weekdays allocated in January 2018 (low crowd) for Disney Anaheim and was planning to allocate the 1st day to California Adventure Park and the 2nd to Disneyland. But I’ve just become aware that California Adventure is under construction from 8 January - this will affect my visit (whoops)! From what I’ve read, the whole pier will be under construction - I am not sure how bad this is as I have never been, but maybe someone else can let me know! Given this is the case, is anyone able to advise how I should allocate my time and tickets (should I get 1 Park per day pass or a hopper pass to use some of the time I was going to allocate to California Adventure to Disneyland instead). Or is it even possible to do just a part day at California Adventure (afternoon) which would allow me a late morning sleep in? Please note I am visiting solo and hoping to get the most out of my days there. I would love to visit Disney downtown as well but don’t know whether it would be covered through any cross over in the 2 main parks?

If anyone has any suggested itineraries for each day that would cover the three that would be great.

Also if I am travelling solo is it worth getting MaxPass?

Finally, on the third day (free day) I have to hang around Anaheim until I have to head to LAX airport (arrive there at 2:30-3pm). Is there much I can do? I was thinking of visiting an outlet store or maybe even doing Disney downtown that day then taking the Disney express to LAX. Alternatively I could head back to Los Angeles and do something there which would mean I don’t need to book the Disney Express. Any suggestions?

Sorry for the many questions - thanks so much!

 

[Cactus girl]

Solo trip. How fun.

We are going to be there at the same time. I can’t imagine not park hopping—especially that time of year. With Max Pass, it makes it even easier.

Really, the only thing “down” on the pier is California Screamin’ and the awesome Cove Bar. All the other things are just little game places and a tucked away carosel. Toy Story Mania will still be open. It won’t be like the time they were replacing the Carthay Circle/Sunshine Plaza area. That was rough.

I would go ahead and get three days. On a third day you would be surprised how much you can get done in a few hours—especially at park opening. You can go back and just hit your favorites and leave California with a smile on your face. As far as plans, what are your exact dates? On a lot of days, the parks close at 9 and that leaves lots of time for DTD.

There are plans out there. My suggestion would be to pick out a land, work that area and use Max Pass for the upcoming land—and make sure you do your favorite ride at least once each day. Don’t be afraid to park hop. It doesn’t take any time at all. The final tip on night time shows, do Fantasmic first. That way if it gets cancelled you have another shot at it. If it is a weekend night try to see both the first night in case something gets cancelled the second night.

Enjoy!

 

[chickapin parterre]

The opportunity to sleep in and then head over to DCA is very workable, depending how much you are into "gotta do everything". The closing of the pier is not going to alleviate or create any crowding in DCA.

* by sleeping in you decrease repeat rides on RSR and GOG. But with all the closures, not going to be many 1 day folks in DCA, so it would be folks hopping for.......RSR and GOG.....so it would give you time to take in the smaller details. And you will want to see Raditor Springs Shaboom and the the lights in the dark.

* and what are your expectations of DCA? That could help with making the half day choice on DCA.

also you talk about the airport and doing something there.....it sound like you are accustom to traveling by fast mass transit? You may have to much expectations on California mass transit.

as for guidance on a day in Disneyland, what are your expectations there....plus we need a date....to help with closures.

 

[Federalist45]

Assuming price was not a consideration, I'd want to do Hopper tickets and get a few extra hours in Disneyland. Assuming you are skipping some of the DCA stuff geared for kids, DCA won't use up a full day.

I'd recommend against sleeping in though. That first 1.5 hours is too valuable to skip.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do downtown Disney Day #3 & sleep in that day. Do not sleep in on a park day!!!! Crowds are lowest first thing in the morning & you will NOT have low crowds, it's just not a thing these days no matter what a crowd calendar says (they are NOTORIOUSLY unreliable for Disneyland!). Except for weird, one off out of nowhere days always expect: crowded, pretty crowded, really crowded or insanity for crowd levels.

Especially on solo trips MaxPass is great! Pull a fastpass as soon as you enter the park & pull as often as you can through the day. I can see you doing DCA in one morning and being able to spend the rest of the day in Disneyland. Sure, you could probably sleep in that morning and wait through longer lines in DCA and still do everything you want but you've gone to all the effort to go DLR so spend some more money on a park hopper ticket be at DCA at opening and do 2x or 3x the rides that day by spending te second half of the day in DL. Also, if you're not staying onsite start at the park that didn't have early entry. If you are staying onsite use the EMH benefit. There are 2 Starbucks in DtD and one in each park if you need a caffeine fix to get going

The Pier is down but last I saw TSMM wasn't on the refurb list yet? So that might still be open.

 

[felice]

The nearest outlet stores can be reached by ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) services at the Block at Orange. Be aware though, that the prices there are not as cheap as at the Premium Outlets locations, of which there are none AFAIK within Anaheim or Los Angeles. Closest one is probably at Camarillo.

 

[Advelle]

Thanks so much for your help everyone. Based on your advice I will book in the hopper for 2 days and use the 3rd day to chill out. You are right - I’m less interested in the kiddy rides. Will skip sleeping in on the park days and will get there bright and early.