California Adventure or Universal Studios??

[jeffreynmichelle]

My DH, DD (2) and mom are going to DL in September. We're wanting to go to either CA or Universal Studios....what are everyone's thoughts on which is better with a 2-year-old and my mom. DH & I went to CA shortly after it opened and were disappointed with the lack of Disney characters.

 

[dxwwf3]

California Adventure by a mile. Universal was fun for us for one day, but it's no DCA. Especially when you've got a 2 year old in mind, with the A Bug's Land area.

 

[jeffreynmichelle]

Thank you!! I thought Universal might be too big with a little 2 year old.

 

[blackjackdelta]

There is not alot at USH for a 2 year old. More for the the teen and older and you really shuld be a Universal movie buff to enjoy what USH has to offer. My daughters could spend all day at City Walk though, so the vote goes to CA.

Jack

 

[Amy&Dan]

DCA has come along way. They have a darling Monster's Inc. ride now and there are tons of characters over there. They have a small show/character meet and greet that runs daily, check the park times guide for when that is going (that stage are is right near Monster's Inc). They also have meet and greets all over the park, especially in Sunshine Plaza and and near the Playhouse Disney Show. If your dd likes princesses, take her to Ariel's Grotto, its a princess themed meal and a little girls dream. And being two, she would eat for free there (sharing off your plates). There is also the Bugs Land area with lots of little rides great for kids her age. But don't take her to the Bugs Life Show until one of the adults has done a dry run, its very dark and intense and many little kids don't like that one at all. And if you are going before or during Labor Day weekend, the Electrical Parade is wonderful and small children love all the lovely lights and floats. It doesn't run off season however.

The nice thing about DCA is that it can be done in conjunction with DL. When DL begins to get crowded, just go over to DCA for a couple of hours, its not ever as crowded. The restaurants over there aren't as crowded either so we generally enjoy spending the morning at DL, then going over to DCA for lunch. If you are going for two days or more, your park ticket is automatically a hopper so you might as well use that option.

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

My vote goes to DCA. We went to USH when my oldest was around a year old and found there wasn't very much for her do there. But DCA has a ton to do and can keep us busy all day. My girls love the Playhouse Disney show and there a normally tons of Playhouse Disney characters out in the Backlot area (we've met JoJo, Goliath, and Stanley). Other characters we've seen around there include Chicken Little, Donald, Sully (Monsters Inc.), the Incredibles, Snow White, Cruella De Ville, Hercules and Cinderella, Mickey and Woody make an appearance at Drawing Show thing. They like the Monsters Inc ride, the Muppet 3-D show, It's Tough to be a Bug show, the water play area and the kids section. We've done dinner at Ariel's Grotto and it's been great.

 

[jeffreynmichelle]

Thank you all so much! Your suggestions will surely help us have a great vacation!! I'm glad to hear there are more Disney things to do/see at CA!!! I'm sure DD will love it!

Thanks again!

 

[HarbinsMom]

My vote is for DCA. Universal, is at best, for us, a half-day park. I love the Backlot Tour and that's about it. DCA has so much more, especially for a young one. Hope you have fun, where ever you go.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Great info!

 

[Judy from Boise]

You really should be "hopping" to both parks every day, to get the most out of your visit.

 

[Hound 109]

My vote goes to DCA. We went to USH when my oldest was around a year old and found there wasn't very much for her do there. But DCA has a ton to do and can keep us busy all day. My girls love the Playhouse Disney show and there a normally tons of Playhouse Disney characters out in the Backlot area (we've met JoJo, Goliath, and Stanley). Other characters we've seen around there include Chicken Little, Donald, Sully (Monsters Inc.), the Incredibles, Snow White, Cruella De Ville, Hercules and Cinderella, Mickey and Woody make an appearance at Drawing Show thing. They like the Monsters Inc ride, the Muppet 3-D show, It's Tough to be a Bug show, the water play area and the kids section. We've done dinner at Ariel's Grotto and it's been great.

In addition to all the excellent rides etc. that DisneyJamie & Amy&Dan have mentioned.....DCA has "Crush", a blast for dudes and dudettes.

hound

 

[spacemouseneer]

For us, it's the tone and feel of Disney we love. I know quite a few people don't care for DCA, but we love the overall feel and tone of any Disney park compared to other theme parks. When we went to USH, there were some absolutely fantastic rides and shows, but the overall feel to the place isn't as inviting as a Disney park. I remember sitting in the Jurrassic Park cafeteria trying to eat with this incredibly loud chase music playing. I kept looking over my shoulder, waiting to be snatched up by some dinosaur. DCA has a mix of everything to it for us. We like taking our time through it.

 

[adabob]

i would say DCA

 

[vanillasoftserve]

DCA - Nothing to do at Universal for a two year old. Your dd will have fun with a Bug's Land,Turtle Talk with Crush, Monster's Inc, the Monster's Inc ride, Playhouse Disney Live, and the DCA parade has lot's of characters if she's into that. Like one of the pp said, it's nice that DCA is right across from DLR.

 

[Jigsaw]

depends what your looking for. if you have kids then I'd say DCA cuz the bugs life attractions and stuff.

personally id pick universal mainly cuz I'm a movie freak!
(i'm actually going next month with a bunch of friends...i have a feeling im gonna end up crying from being so excited)

 

[darph nader]

Correct me if I'm wrong,but isn't DCA just a 'tad' closer.

 

[sgtpet]

My family just got back from a trip to Southern California and visited both DCA and Universal using the Southern California City Pass. I have a 6 year old son and a 4 year old daughter. It is not even a question that DCA is preferred over Universal in Hollywood. Universal is for chidren greater than 8 in my opinion and DCA has plenty for the whole family. California Screamin is fantastic.

Enjoy

 

[disneyscootergal]

My family just got back from a trip to Southern California and visited both DCA and Universal using the Southern California City Pass. I have a 6 year old son and a 4 year old daughter. It is not even a question that DCA is preferred over Universal in Hollywood. Universal is for chidren greater than 8 in my opinion and DCA has plenty for the whole family. California Screamin is fantastic.

Enjoy

I wholeheartedly agree!

In 2003, my family with DS 13 and DD 7 made a side trip during our DL vacation to US; my DS probably would've had more fun if he hadn't been feeling a little sick that day, but DD and I wandered around, not doing much of anything because she was too timid to do any of the attractions except for some sort of play area (even that was packed with kids, and rather intimidating for her).

As stated by a previous poster, CA has something for every age; our whole family enjoyed our days there, and my daughter finally started going on rides during our 2nd trip in 2005, starting with the Jumpin Jellyfish thingy, and ending with Mulholland Madness!