California park, 2 questions

[DisneyPeanut]

Be only been to California park once about 10 years ago. We didn't spend much time there, didn't feel like there was much to do. Now that they have cars land is there more to do? Is it a day worthy park or should we hop? We are not much for the Ferris wheel or roller coaster type rides. My son is 4 and he will enjoy the cars stuff.
Also is there a height requirement for RSR? Can my son ride?

 

[elaw]

Be only been to California park once about 10 years ago. We didn't spend much time there, didn't feel like there was much to do. Now that they have cars land is there more to do? Is it a day worthy park or should we hop? We are not much for the Ferris wheel or roller coaster type rides. My son is 4 and he will enjoy the cars stuff.
Also is there a height requirement for RSR? Can my son ride?

Now that they have cars land is there more to do?
DCA has plenty to do compared with 10 years ago. We still like to hop but you could easily spend all day there.

height requirement for RSR
Guests Must Be 40" (102 cm) or Taller

 

[figment_jii]

Carsland is a great addition to DCA, but I don't know if it's enough to make it a full day park. My family always hops, so we don't plan our days to only be in one park. There are three rides in Carsland (RSR, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, and Luigi's Flying Tires). RSR is the showcase ride. Mater's is fun (32" or 81 cm rider height requirement). Luigi's is...well...um...okay. There is the Mater or McQueen or Red meet and greet by the Cozy Cones and the DJ Dance Party. So there is a lot to do in Carsland.

Other than that, there is also Toy Story Midway Mania (no height requirement), which can be a lot of fun. The line tends to build up and stay long (no FP) so it's good to do that in the morning.

They've also added Ariel's Undersea Adventure, which is a dark ride version of the movie. It's a short ride, but it's fun and the line tends to be pretty short.

There is also the Aladdin Musical, which can be fun to watch. It's long (45 minutes or so) and there are some intense scenes.

There is also the Pixar Parade which is bright and eye catching.

Given his age, he might like the rides over in Bug's Life Land. There really isn't anything for adults, but it's geared for young children.

Overall, I think there is enough to do in DCA to spend half to 3/4th of a long day, but I would still have hoppers to head back to DL if desired.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

With how Fastpasses still work at DL (pull one now, with a return time for much later, and with how spectacular World of Color is, I would always choose a parkhopper option since it's so easy to walk back and forth between the two parks.

If you just want to stay in one park per day, I believe that Carsland has absolutely made DCA a full-day park (especially if you are going at a busy time and have to deal with lengthy lines).

 

[DisneyPeanut]

Awesome!! Thanks so much for the replies! We plan to spend one day at Disneyland the then a day at California. The only reason I wanted to do California park was because of Cars land for my son. I was just thinking that we could do the one park and maybe take a break during the day and hit down town disney or trader SAMs.
One day is never enough for Disneyland, in my opinion but we will only be in that area of California for a couple of days. Any it just gets to expensive to add park hoppers and the miss out on the land.
I've never used fast pass, so if I get fp early in the morning we won't be able to ride RSR till much later?

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

I personally feel there is enough to do at DCA to take up an entire day. Before our AP's, we bought a 1 park, 1 day ticket and used it in DCA. I did not regret it. The Aladdin show alone can take up to 2 hours and it's totally worth it.

 

[figment_jii]

I was just thinking that we could do the one park and maybe take a break during the day and hit down town disney or trader SAMs.

Have you been to Trader Sam's? I only ask because I stopped by there for the first time a few weeks ago and there isn't much seating inside the bar itself. It's fun to watch the effects a couple of times, but it can be kind of loud and on the dark side. It was ultimately more relaxing to sit outside.

I've never used fast pass, so if I get fp early in the morning we won't be able to ride RSR till much later?

Maybe...it's hard to say. The first FP time window is usually for about 40 minutes to an hour after after the park opens (assuming the ride is running) and then the time window moves in 5 minute increments. The later you wait to get a FP, the later in the day the time window will be. In general, RSR FPs tend to run out about 90-120 minutes after the park opens. If you want a FP in the morning or early afternoon, I would advise getting it no later than 15-30 minutes after the park opens. If the parks opens early (e.g., 8:00 am), then there is more time in the morning for FPS, whereas if the park opens late (e.g., 10:00 am) there are less morning time windows.

 

[DisneyPeanut]

Ugh! My son is not quite to the height requirement. Boo
Oh well maybe next year. I guess we are just sticking to the land this trip. Thank you all for the info!!

 

[elaw]

Ugh! My son is not quite to the height requirement. Boo
Oh well maybe next year. I guess we are just sticking to the land this trip. Thank you all for the info!!

Even without riding RSR, DCA and especially Carsland is Definitely worth visiting.

 

[tiffjoy]

Ugh! My son is not quite to the height requirement. Boo
Oh well maybe next year. I guess we are just sticking to the land this trip. Thank you all for the info!!

I highly recommend doing DCA rather than skipping it!

We've been going to DLR with our DDs since our oldest was exactly one. Our youngest DD was 10 months on her first trip. We actually all really, really enjoy DCA.

Our DDs are 4 and 2. My DD4 was tall enough for RSR on our last trip, but that was her first time on it. She also does a few other rides your DS isn't tall enough for yet. You can do child swap for the adults to ride RSR and Soarin, if you want.

What we do:

All of Bug's Land - FLik's Flyers, the Ladybug cars, and Heimlich's little train. They love the water area, especially. I bring a change of clothes and crocs for them, and they can spend an hour or more on a warm day running around and playing. This little spot has yielded some of the happiest memories I have of both girls at the parks. Both were there at ages of just learning to walk, and it was really special to hold their tiny hands while they toddled around in the water and giggled like mad. They don't care for it's Tough to be a Bug, but your DS might.

Aladdin show

Monster's Inc Ride (one of my favorite dark rides in both DLR and WDW)

Disney Junior show (we have been known to see this twice in one day)

Animation Building - Turtle Talk with Crush, Sorcerer's Workshop, and they absolutely love the 3D Toy Story Zoetrope. We spent a very, very long time watching that on our last visit!

The rides over at Paradise Pier. My DD4 can ride the Jumpin' Jellyfish over and over! DD2 loves the AGolden Zephyr.

Redwood Creek Challenge- I've heard this is a blast! We have never gotten to this yet, so it's on my list of must do's for our next trip (this is why I think DCA is a full day- we still haven't done everything).

Little Mermaid

King Triton's Carousel

Boardwalk games - DDs always win something!

TSMM

Carsland - honestly, neither of my DDs is into Cars, so although I love the theming, we spend so little time here. If your DS likes Cars, you will spend time just exploring and taking it in. It's literally like walking into the move. You can meet Mater and Lightning, too! And we like Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.

The Red Car Trolley is a fun little ride, too!

Then there are all the character M&Gs! This is the only place to meet any Disney Junior characters, like Jake and Sophia. Mickey and Co hang out on Buena Vista St. You can meet Frozone from the Incredibles, Flik from Bug's Life, Dug and Russell from Up, Sully, and others. The Pixar Play Parade is very cute. My DD4 doesn't care for WOC, but I'm trying this year with DD2 as I think it's pretty (although Fantasmic is all our favorite).

For food, the Cozy Cones and Flo's in Carsland are really, really good, and we eat at both several times each visit. The theming in Flo's is just amazing!

I really love DCA. Honestly? Combining DLR and WDW, it's my third favorite park after DL and MK. I cannot spend a full day at Hollywood, but we definitely can at DCA.

ETA: If you are a Disney Visa cardholder, this is where the M&G is, and it's the only place to meet Stitch unless you go to the Surf's Up breakfast. I have a Disney Visa for this sole reason alone (never use it except at Disney parks for discounts and this M&G).

 

[crystal1313]

The first time we went to DCA after Cars Land opened we literally were in Cars Land all day except about 3 hours. My boys could not get enough. It really is like walking into the movie and its so fun to walk around and discover everything! My youngest DS was not tall enough for RSR yet, but he still had an absolute blast! He LOVES Mater's and Luigis. And doing the meet n greets. Waiting for and seeing the neon come on was the best part of that trip and something we still all talk about!