CA park - all day or half day for us? I just don't know.

[Disney Addicted]

I originally thought I might need at least 1 1/2 or 2 days at this park since we will not have early access. Now I'm wondering if we will be in the park the entire day or have time to leave and come back before WoC? (Feb 1st by the way)

The plans I made are to get Soarin' FPs and boot it to TSM (hopefully do it 2 or 3x) before Soarin'. Then get RS Racer FPs. Go back to Paradise Pier for Mermaid and Jellyfish. He might want to do Zephyr, MF Wheel, SS Swings but I doubt it. He won't ride CS, nor will I.

Then the Bakery Tour and Hollywood Land. That's it. Ohh, plus the Frozen show. Is Tangled still running?

My son has no interest for the rides/attractions in the rest of Cars Land and Bug's Land. He's probably too old at 12 for the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, though he would like it. Is he too old?

I was going to get WCT dining reservations for around the parade time for WoC. But if we will be "done" these early, would we have time to eat in DTD and come back for WoC if I grab FPs first thing? Or am I highly under-estimating wait times?

Any insight would be appreciated!

 

[figment_jii]

I originally thought I might need at least 1 1/2 or 2 days at this park since we will not have early access. Now I'm wondering if we will be in the park the entire day or have time to leave and come back before WoC?

It kind of depends, but given that you are pulling FPs and want to see Frozen, I'm inclined to say you'll be in the park the full day. It's not necessarily that the attraction lines will be long, but rather the timing of some things might not give you enough time to leave, do anything, and then come back.

The plans I made are to get Soarin' FPs and boot it to TSM (hopefully do it 2 or 3x) before Soarin'. Then get RS Racer FPs. Go back to Paradise Pier for Mermaid and Jellyfish. He might want to do Zephyr, MF Wheel, SS Swings but I doubt it.

Based on this schedule, I would be inclined to say you'll get a mid-to-late afternoon FP for RSR if you wait until two hours after opening. While things can change, my general sense is that Soarin' FPs tend to last longer than RSR FPs. So, I would consider getting the RSR FP at opening and then get the Soarin' one later (unless you're aiming to get a FP for a nighttime RSR ride).

Then the Bakery Tour and Hollywood Land. That's it. Ohh, plus the Frozen show. Is Tangled still running?

Frozen at the Hyperion can be a pretty big time sink, plus they only present it three or so times per day (e.g., 12:30, 3:30, and 5:30). My guess is, with all of the other things you want to, you'll have to go to one of the late afternoon shows. The show itself is almost 50 minutes long. It's still pretty popular, so I wouldn't plan on being able to walk up at the last minute and get good/decent seats. There is a comic retelling of Tangled presented at the Royal Theater in Disneyland (again, at select times during the day and it usually/sometimes alternates with a comic retelling of Beauty and the Beast).

 

[VandVsmama]

I'm in the camp of "DCA is a half day park." At least, it is for our family. We are never there a whole entire day. We usually end up going on:

RSR
Soarin'
Little Mermaid
Toy Story
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
Luigi's
GRR
Animation Academy at least once
Turtle Talk with Crush
Monsters, Inc
Anna & Elsa meet & greet

None of us really enjoy anything else on Paradise Pier other than TSMM. I can't convince my kids to go on King Triton's Carousel anymore...they prefer the one in Fantasyland at DL. We're usually done at DCA by 1pm.

 

[Disn3yVision]

Full day

 

[Disney Addicted]

It kind of depends, but given that you are pulling FPs and want to see Frozen, I'm inclined to say you'll be in the park the full day. It's not necessarily that the attraction lines will be long, but rather the timing of some things might not give you enough time to leave, do anything, and then come back.

Based on this schedule, I would be inclined to say you'll get a mid-to-late afternoon FP for RSR if you wait until two hours after opening. While things can change, my general sense is that Soarin' FPs tend to last longer than RSR FPs. So, I would consider getting the RSR FP at opening and then get the Soarin' one later (unless you're aiming to get a FP for a nighttime RSR ride).

Frozen at the Hyperion can be a pretty big time sink, plus they only present it three or so times per day (e.g., 12:30, 3:30, and 5:30). My guess is, with all of the other things you want to, you'll have to go to one of the late afternoon shows. The show itself is almost 50 minutes long. It's still pretty popular, so I wouldn't plan on being able to walk up at the last minute and get good/decent seats. There is a comic retelling of Tangled presented at the Royal Theater in Disneyland (again, at select times during the day and it usually/sometimes alternates with a comic retelling of Beauty and the Beast).

That's why I couldn't find any information on Tangled. Wrong park. (wry grin) Thanks.

The only FPs will be for Soarin' and RSR. If standing in line will be quicker than waiting for a late afternoon FP time to arrive, we'll do that. I didn't realize RSR is more popular than Soarin'. Thank you. I'll get those first then.

I wouldn't mind seeing Frozen but hmm... I guess we'll see how it goes. Maybe I should ask my boy if it's something he's interested in. He still enjoys Disney movies though and we'll never be back. Thanks Figment!

 

[SMD]

You could do RSR single rider earlier in the day and then get an FP if you want to ride again at night. If you'll never be back, don't discount Mater's and GSS (also has single rider). They both are much more thrilling than Jellyfish. I don't love Luigi's, but the queue is interesting and I think it's must do or at least a should do on a whole day trip.

 

[ashley0139]

While I don't think you need to decide right now, I think CA is a full day park, but you can always end up hopping that day if you want. I spend much more time there these days than I do at Disneyland. DL is so crowded all the time and the walkways are so narrow. CA is so much nicer to walk and spend time in.

Also, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is surprisingly fun for what it looks like. I recommend giving it a try.

 

[chaysmom]

We just got back - based off what you have outlined I would say give yourself a full day.

 

[Pintail]

One day at CA would work. I think a half day is not enough to enjoy everything. There are plenty of fun surprises throughout the day.

 

[rentayenta]

Full day. Twice on TSM may take 60-90 minutes. I love the vibe by GRR and heading to the PP area. I find it a relaxing park. And no Carsland?

 

[Steven G]

Full day.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

For us, DCA could either be half or whole depending on what we do. If you plan to see some shows/entertainment and eat at any of the nicer restaurants, it's a whole day easily. If you have a wide range of ages (little kids through adults), it can be a whole day. If your party is only interested in certain rides, it probably won't be a whole day unless you make the mistake of waiting 120+ minutes for RSR. In general, I view it as a full day park. We do a half day or even just a few hours, but we are semi-local and visit multiple times per year, so we don't stress missing something.

 

[lalasmama]

My son has no interest for the rides/attractions in the rest of Cars Land and Bug's Land. He's probably too old at 12 for the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, though he would like it. Is he too old?

Not much help with your other planning, but I can comment on this one At 12, he will "too big" for some things--like the little slide and zip line. I think the zip line has a height/weight limit on it, but can't remember 100% if/what it is. I seem to remember thinking my scrawny soon-to-be-13-year-old daughter was getting close to the limits when she was newly 11. Regardless, even without the zip line (and the little 5 foot slide), there's a TON of fun here for most pre-teens (and even teens). Okay, honestly, even my 40-something hubby still loves Redwoods area! There's still great views to be had if you climb up to the top, and there's "fun" rope bridges/platform things to go over. Fun for others, that is. For me, somehow, I'm sure I'm going to fall, and get sliced into a million 4-inch squares by the very dull rope and then fall 20 feet to the forest floor But hubby and kiddo both love it! If he wants to explore this area, I would totally let him. We have no qualms about letting our daughter run (WALK!) freely in this area.

 

[SMD]

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/at...rnia-adventure/redwood-creek-challenge-trail/

Guest Policies

• Sequoia Smokejumpers Training Tower (zip line) has a height requirement of a 42 inches (106 cm) minimum and 63 inches (160 cm) maximum. Guests must be under 13 years old to ride.
• Cliff Hanger Traverse Rock Climb has a height requirement of a 42 inches (106 cm).

 

[lalasmama]

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/at...rnia-adventure/redwood-creek-challenge-trail/

Thank you! I was trying to find it, and couldn't. I knew there was "some" limit, but I couldn't remember, and I couldn't find it on the website, but totally (somehow) missed it on the attractions page! Thanks again!

 

[bumbershoot]

Full day. Two days. You'll "never" be back? Three days. Set yourselves up for such a good trip that even if you can't afford to go again HE creates a future where he wants to, and can, go back. Maybe he'll bring you.

Bugs land is awesome. Take him on the chew chew train. 12 year old boys like burping and it ends with burping. And do not forget carsland.

12 year old boys want to act big and grown (mine is approaching 5'7" and is close to shaving) but they are also kids who, if encouraged just right, like spinning in the teacups (or the bugs land version), remembering silly movies, speeding in cars, seeing stories about pretty girls (frozen), etc.

I think it's rotten that the tire zip line is off limits at a certain height (just like the ball out at IKEA...once kids get a certain amount of control over their bodies these fun things are taken from them) but that's not all
there is to do in that area.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I'm also voting for a full day. DCA is always very relaxing to me compared to DL, there are usually less crowds and hustle and bustle. It's nice to be able to take your time and go on a ride a second time if desired.

 

[Disney Addicted]

All righty then. Full day it is! And I'll see if I can get him to try some of the attracations he thinks he's too old for. Hey, if I have to force myself to get on a couple of rides he wants to do, he can return the favour, right? Thanks for all the input!

Not much help with your other planning, but I can comment on this one At 12, he will "too big" for some things--like the little slide and zip line. I think the zip line has a height/weight limit on it, but can't remember 100% if/what it is. I seem to remember thinking my scrawny soon-to-be-13-year-old daughter was getting close to the limits when she was newly 11. Regardless, even without the zip line (and the little 5 foot slide), there's a TON of fun here for most pre-teens (and even teens). Okay, honestly, even my 40-something hubby still loves Redwoods area! There's still great views to be had if you climb up to the top, and there's "fun" rope bridges/platform things to go over. Fun for others, that is. For me, somehow, I'm sure I'm going to fall, and get sliced into a million 4-inch squares by the very dull rope and then fall 20 feet to the forest floor But hubby and kiddo both love it! If he wants to explore this area, I would totally let him. We have no qualms about letting our daughter run (WALK!) freely in this area.

We'll give it a look then. Based on the few photos I saw, I thought it was mainly for little kids. Thanks!

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/at...rnia-adventure/redwood-creek-challenge-trail/

Ahh, thank you. Based on that he's fine age-wise for the zip line, but definately too tall by about 1/2 inch.

Full day. Two days. You'll "never" be back? Three days. Set yourselves up for such a good trip that even if you can't afford to go again HE creates a future where he wants to, and can, go back. Maybe he'll bring you.

Yes, never again. Six long years ago we went to WDW for the first time when the kids were 6 and 11. Eight full park days (2 MK, 2 Epcot, 1 AK, 1 DHS, 1 TL, 1 BB) and 2 travel days. I so wish we had done a minimum of 2 weeks. My daughter & I were sick on our AK day and left the park after about 3 hours. We were suppose to go back but it has never worked out.

I've been saving Disney gift cards and we decided I should go and take our son (now 12) as our daughter (now 17) went back last month with her Aunt's family. I had been very happily planning WDW Sept 2017 until last month. The only reason our plans changed to DL is because I have free round-trip flights to LAX from a contest I won. As much as I really want to go back to WDW, I figured I should jump at the opportunity and we will visit DL instead. The gift cards will cover our park passes, photopass, on-site meals/snacks and some purchases. I should even have money left on the gift cards and perhaps start saving again.

Maybe I'll get back to WDW with a grandchild. Then again, my son keeps saying he'll take me back when he's finished school and has a job. Maybe I should hold him to that!

Bugs land is awesome. Take him on the chew chew train. 12 year old boys like burping and it ends with burping. And do not forget carsland.

12 year old boys want to act big and grown (mine is approaching 5'7" and is close to shaving) but they are also kids who, if encouraged just right, like spinning in the teacups (or the bugs land version), remembering silly movies, speeding in cars, seeing stories about pretty girls (frozen), etc.

I think it's rotten that the tire zip line is off limits at a certain height (just like the ball out at IKEA...once kids get a certain amount of control over their bodies these fun things are taken from them) but that's not all there is to do in that area.

LOL - too true about boys. Ok, I'll talk him into the rides when we get there. I agreed to ride some rides that scare me, so he can do these rides then. However, I'm only agreeing to get in the bugs land tea cup version if he agrees not to spin. Those tea cups almost made me sick at WDW. Ugh.

Yeah, kids at 12, 13 - they would love the zip line. That's a shame the height limit isn't taller. DIsney could have kept it high but just said kids only.

And shaving? At 12? Oh boy. I am not ready for this..

 

[lalasmama]

We'll give it a look then. Based on the few photos I saw, I thought it was mainly for little kids. Thanks!

Yes, the Redwood area definitely looks like it's for little kids, but, when you are in the middle of it, the draw for all ages is pretty obvious Just be careful if you are scared of heights! Hubby and kid had me stuck on one of the rope-bridge things because I got up there not realizing how high it was until I had to get across it... Then, they had to wait for me to find my courage... and then waiting to make sure I wasn't going to pee myself from fright.... and finally, about 20 minutes later, holding onto the outer webbing like it was my only life line, I got across. Of course all those little rugrats were just flying across it, no regard for the clear peril

While the zipline sounds awesome, when you see it, it's not as great as it sounds. It's like a disc seat flying about 2 feet off the ground. "Daring" DD at 8yo thought it was the best thing ever (actually yelled "Best Day EVER!" on it, like Rapunzel in Tangled). And I think she went on it last time (at 11yo), but she was nearing the height limit, and we agreed it would be her "good bye ride" for the zipline.

 

[Disney Addicted]

After all that it looks like the Redwood Creek Trail is going to be closed while we are there. (wry grin) Jan 17 through February 23.