Advice needed for DLR first timers with 1 day

[WVURunner]

We are going on a Disney cruise that leaves LA on 12/9/12. Since noone in our group (3 adults and 2 kids, ages 6 and 9, all WDW and DCL vets) has been to DLR before, we couldn't pass up the chance to check it out. Here is the problem, we will only have one day, 12/8/12 to visit. Our cruise is 14 nights and we all couldn't afford to take any days off from work prior to the cruise. We fly into LAX late Friday night and plan to leave for the port Sunday morning. Is it possible to visit both parks in a day? What are must-dos and skips? How early/late will the park be open? Will it be crowded? Since our family lives so close to WDW, this will most likely be our only chance to visit DLR and we want to make the most out of it. We are all so excited to experiance the orginial park! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[abdgeek]

You can definitely do both parks in one day, but you will need to choose what rides to do. I would suggest starting at DCA since you've never been there. Maybe ride the rollercoaster and do Cars Land. Then head over the DL and do the rides that DL has that WDW doesn't(matterhorn, storybook, mr. toad's ride, etc.). You can ride Space Mountain and Pirates because the DL versions are different from the WDW versions. DL doesn't stay open as late as WDW. You will need to check the website for hours. I've never been to DL during December, but would expect that you would have more crowds than at other times of year. World of Color would also be something to do at DCA, but you would need to come back at night for that.

 

[mydisneymoney]

You will have no problem hopping between parks and seeing alot of what their is in both parks. Per TouringPlans.com, they anticpate the crowd level to be 8 out of 10 that day. They also anticipate hours to be 8-12am at Disneyland and 10-9 at California Adventure. Indiana Jones is going through a rehab right now but if all goes as planned it is due to open back up on the 8th so you will want to ride it. Almost everyone says that you must go on Pirates because it is much different then WDW. Make sure you use Fasspasses as much as you can.

 

[marcemc]

Checks maps prior to your arrival so you have a list of attractions you don't wan to miss.

Use Fast Passes.

Enjoy the day and be flexible, it's the FUN memories that count

 

[sheetz]

Per TouringPlans.com, they anticpate the crowd level to be 8 out of 10 that day. They also anticipate hours to be 8-12am at Disneyland and 10-9 at California Adventure.

Disneyland and DCA have opened at different times in the past that has been no longer true ever since the opening of Cars Land.

 

[WVURunner]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am thrilled to know we will be able to do both parks. We will get our ride list together.

 

[kevdo]

Definitely focus on the attractions not at WDW or significantly better at DL

Pirates
Matterhorn
Space Mountain
Smal World
ToonTown / CarToonSpin
Subs (if the line is short enough)
Haunted Mansion (Nightmare overlay)

DCA especially CarsLand
Calif Screamin'
Grizzly River Run (if warm enough)

With such a short day you would be advised to leverage single-rider lines at RSR and Grizzly and Matterhorn, if you can. Agree with others to leverage TouringPlans.com / Lines app to prioritize your favorites and hit as many as you can.

And definitely see Innoventions (haha just kidding)