California Adventure?

[hkkatie]

This summer we'll be in the States for a month and before we head back overseas, I plan to take my kids (8 & 4) to Disneyland and California Adventure for 2 days. My question, really, is Cali. Adv. worth it? I've never been there. I mainly want to go just to see the Aladdin stage show. Would we have more fun spending 2 full days at Disneyland? Is there enough at CA to keep us busy for a whole day? And if you do recommend doing both parks, would you personally get the "1 park 1 day" 2 day tickets, or the "2 day park hopper" tickets? The park hopper is about $10 more, I think....

Thanks

 

[skiingfast]

Because DCA features more of the new characters and DL more of the classic characters it can be great for the Pixar generation. I wouldn't go without a hopper, and try to make it 3 days if possible.

 

[helenb]

For the $10 difference, get the hopper. Then if you find yoruself bored with DCA, you'll be able to go back to the Disneyland park. It's very easy to go back and forth between the two.

 

[lovebug33]

I hadn't been in a while and I was a little disappointedin how they've tgorn up the park. That said, ca is worth it just for tsm, little mermaid, and tower of terror!

 

[PinkBudgie]

It is so worth it! Like others said- get a 2 or 3 day parkhopper. You can start in DL then hop over to DCA. Definately park hop. There is no reason not to.

Soarin, Mermaid, Monsters, Toy Story, Bug's Land (especially for the 4), Aladdin are just a few of things that would probably be of interest there.

 

[kez518]

I'd say it is worth it to go. The new little mermaid ride, toy story mania, the water show etc!!!!

 

[dmked]

Yup, so worth it! I usually spend one day in CA, whether we go for 3 days or 4, CA is definitely worth one day (or the larger majority of a day) lots of the "new" stuff as the PP said, and some awesome rides!

 

[Lorelai]

I vote that you should get the Park Hopper too. Then hop over to DCA one morning and do Toy Story Mania, Soarin' and The Little Mermaid.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Aladdin is an amazing show. Absolutely see it!

As for what type of passes to get, go for the park-hopper. You may find enough to do in DCA for the entire day, but the price difference is small enough that you can easily justify it to have the ability to go between the two parks.

- Dreams

 

[rentayenta]

It's totally worth it for Soarin' alone not to mention TSMM, WoC, ToT, Screamin, The Animation Studio, etc etc....

 

[sophies*mom]

For the $10 difference, get the hopper. Then if you find yoruself bored with DCA, you'll be able to go back to the Disneyland park. It's very easy to go back and forth between the two.

I totally agree with that. Last time I went (in 07) my group was done with DCA by 5pm, but we didn't have any kids with us, so the kids attractions didn't appeal to us. It might be the same for your kids who won't take advantage of the thrill rides or the ones with height requirements. Not to mention DCA closes before DL so you might want to go back for the end of your night.

 

[karrit2000]

No one else has mentioned this but if I remember correctly they do not have the Aladdin Stage show every day of the week so you need to be sure they will be presenting it day you are in DCA.

 

[pinktink83]

Get the hoppers as DCA usually opens later in the morning, and closes earlier in the evening. So you can go to DL in the morning, then skip over to DCA when it opens (usually around 9-10am) and when you get bored there/or it closes, go back over to DL!

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I say it's worth it JUST for the Aladdin show.

The only thing DL is missing is a stage show so it's good there's at least an amazing one next door!

 

[Mrsjvb]

DH and I actually preferred CA over DL. (just left there 2 days ago)

but he likes the roller coaster and we both agree Aladdin TOTALLY worth it, if for nothing else than Genie's ad libbing. it does open a hour later than DL while we were there it closed at 10 pm( DL closed at Midnight)

we had the military special tickets which came with park hoppers. normally at WDW we don't Park hop. we DID use that option at DL as we were only there for 2 says and it was nice to have the ability to bounce around.

 

[HappyHaunt]

Hoppers all the way. We can go back and forth a few times a day. We like CA but I don't think I'd want to go there without going to DL too!

 

[hkkatie]

Thanks for all the input! It's much appreciated!

 

[jacs1234]

I think DCA is worth it too. When we go we always stay at the parks for atleast 10 days and it takes us 2 full days to do DCA properly (with a few repeats of favourite rides). Try not to overlook the animation academy and Crush the turtle if you have time. It doesn't look like you're missing much from the outside and we overlooked it on our first trip, but it is FULL of fun stuff and we were glad we discovered it on the next trip.

 

[hkkatie]

Thanks for the tip, Jacs!

 

[Mrsjvb]

I concur with Jacs. i learned how to draw daisy duck at the Animation Academy and however they manage the AI Crush is really cool esp with his responses to questions. also, over by the Winery/restaurant they have a building that currently has all sorts of information on the Ariel ride and there is also a sign that shows you what the new Cars land will hold once it opens. very nice if you are into back story and how things work.