California Adventure for preschoolers?

[candyht]

I was looking through the attractions at DCA and it looks like, there won't be a lot of stuff for my daughters to do. They are 4 years old and small for their age, around 37-38", so they won't meet most of the height requirements. I know that It's Tough to be a Bug is a good show, but we skipped it last month at AK. My girls hate insects. So, I'm wondering if I should skip going to DCA?

 

[Douglas Dubh]

If you can get park hoppers for the same price, it might be worth some time. The Animation building is really cool, plus there are some nice play areas and other attractions that kids can enjoy. But if you're buying a one day pass, or a multi-day pass that doesn't have park hopping, I would not recommend it to anyone whose kids are under 42".

 

[Uncle Buck]

Our 4YODD (41") had a great time there. There weren't many rides she could go on, but there are still many ways to have fun.

When we were there in October, they had a really neat program where kids picked-up a special map at the entrance and they collected stickers from the various areas of the park. Once they complete it, they get a special button and a discount card good a several shops. All of the kids seemed to get a kick out of this.

There aren't many rides for small children, but there are still enough things to fill a good half-day. She could have spent hours at the Grizzly Peak Recreation Area. There are neat slides, tunnels, and climbing things there. She also liked the carousel, Jumpin Jelly Fish, and Superstar Limo (go figure). She was just tall enough for Soarin' and she really liked it. Muppetvision 3D was also a blast.

I certainly wouldn't miss an opportunity to see a Disney park at the beginning of it's evolution. It's taking it's knocks right now, but you can see the potential. I see alot of MGM in it, which itself is probably my favoirte Disney Park.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

If you do decide to go to DCA and see "It's Tough to be a Bug", I recommend putting little ones on your laps. That way they don't get quite so intense a show.

 

[dletz]

My daughter is about 36 inches. We originally didn't get a two park pass because there wasn't much to do there for her. We have since upgraded though. We go for a couple of hours here and there.

Things she can do
shows:
Muppet 3D
Who wants to be a millionaire (she likes pushing the buttons, but get's antsy after a while)
Animation building (haven't had a chance to get there yet)
goofy's beach party bash (it's outside so if it's cold you might not want to sit for it)
electrical parade
eureka
luminaria
Tough to be a bug
there are also other shows, but I haven't gotten a chance to see them yet.

Things she can ride
King triton (merry go round)
golden zypher
sun wheel
superstar limo

She isn't tall enough for jumping jellyfish or soarin.

She likes to play in the farm area (they've got water, so be prepared to get wet)
the little play ship (more water, but getting wet is not a must)
grizzle trail. There are slides, the tire things and rock climbing you have to be taller, but they can do the slides and tunnel and stuff.

as someone else said if it's not going to cost you too much more it might be worth it, especially if you can go in for a little while, then go to DL, but if your kids are expecting to go on lots of rides it's not worth it. One thing we do is we go get a child switch for a ride, and then one takes her to a play area or show while other rides, then we switch, so she get's to play, and we get to ride.