CA for a few hours at night or Downtown Disney??

[disgirl]

Some questions for all you Disneyland veterans out there. THANKS!!

Our first day at Disneyland we will probably be arriving to our hotel, GC, around 1-2 p.m. I thought we would get ourselves settled in the room, if it is ready, and perhaps take a swim. I can not decide if after that we should head to Downtown Disney, grab dinner, and just look around at the shops or should we try to get a few hours in at California Adventure. It closes at 9 p.m., while we are there. We have the three day pass that gives you actually 5 days of both parks (ticket purchased online), so I am not worried about "wasting" a ticket for only a few hours. We will only be at the GC for four nights, leaving in the afternoon on the fifth day. I guess what I am asking is do you think during the last week of August, we would be able to get atleast a few of the popular CA rides in in just 3 or 4 hours or should we just skip the park and go to Downtown Disney. The next day we are planning a full day at DL, getting there at opening. Anyone have an opinion on what the crowds would be like on a Monday night, last week of August, at CA?

Thanks once again for all your great advice in planning this trip for my DH, DS(11), and myself.

 

[iceskatejen]

I think that if you feel up to it, go for a few DCA rides. Keep in mind that Soarin' and TOT might be out of fastpasses by the time you get there, but Soarin', Grizzly River and the Maliboomer all have single rider lines, so if your group are all over the age of 7 and don't mind splitting up, it's a good way of getting a few rides in quickly. If nothing else, you can catch the Electrical Parade. Try to ride CA screamin' at night at least once--it's really cool.

 

[Firefly777]

I'd say, if you aren't "wasting" a day, why not go to DCA? I think you could get a couple things done in an evening. Also, IMO, DCA has a great evening/nighttime atmosphere. So if you don't get that much done ride-wise, you can always just enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[dletz]

Also you could see the Electrical parade your first day, then have more time to see Fantasmic and the fireworks at DL on other nights (You can see the fireworks from the Fantasmic area, and for Believe it was a pretty good view minus the Castle fireworks and Tink), so the best thing is either see the late Fantasmic or see them on 2 seperate days to get the best view possible.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks , once again, for your great advice. I think we will go to DCA and spend the evening there. Hopefully, we will be able to get a couple of rides in and see the parade.
I can not wait!! I have not been to DL since I was 5 yrs. old ( A VERY long time ago) LOL. My DH has been there two times for just day visits and has never seen DCA, and my son has never been there, just to WDW. Needless to say, we are excited! Thanks!