Can we do both in 1 day?

[kerry anne]

We (my husband, myself, and our two teen girls) will be in the area on 8/10. We are from NJ and have been to DW lots of times. When we go, we are extremely relaxed, know exactly what we want to do, know exactly how to avoid lines, where to go when, etc. We know nothing about DL and DCA, but are trying to learn quickly.

We want to try to do this all in just one day. We might be able to swing a second day but are not sure yet. We would only have to do things that are unique to DL/DCA with some exceptions. For instance, we "could" forego Splash, Space, etc but MUST do TOT (according to 14year old). Other than walking through Fantasyland, we wouldn't have to stop for long lines on rides my girls haven't needed to go on in years.

So the question is, what type of touring plan would anyone suggest for us if we tried to do this in 1 day? We wouldn't need to see parades or stop for fireworks and have been known to be in a park from opening to closing.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[DLR29]

Oh, you cannot forego Space. It is SO much better at DL than at WDW, and most people would agree with me. Same goes for Pirates. Also some must rides for WDW vets include:
-Matterhorn
-Indiana Jones
-California Screamin

But you might even want to check out Mr. Toad, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Roger Rabbit, and Monsters Inc. Even though they are all "just dark rides", they are not found at WDW and they might be interesting.

I think you can definitely get a taste of the DLR in a day, especially w/o seeing parades or fireworks and going from "8 to late". Getting there at opening, collecting FPs and reading these boards a lot will help in planning your day.

 

[oc_tony]

Considering your experience with WDW, I think you could definitely do both parks in one day if you are up for a very full day and are willing to skip some of the duplicate attractions that are similar to WDW.

Don't skip Space. DL's is much better. However, you may be disappointed in Tower. WDW's is superior, but if you're just looking to compare the two, then go for it. You could skip Splash and BTMRR if time is not on your side. And of course, you must ride Indy and Matterhorn.

In DCA, Soarin' is the same as at Epcot, and Grizzly River Run is similar (but a little better ) than Kali at AK. If you like stage shows (musicals), check out Aladdin. It is great!

Just do your research and have a plan. Another huge advantage when park hopping here is that you can literally just walk across the entrance plaza in 60 seconds and you're at the other park. Good luck and have a great stay!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I advise all WDW veterans not to assume that Disneyland is the same as the MK. While it is smaller, it has more attractions and rides than the MK and often contains substantial differences from the MK rides of the same name. The MK is a clone of Disneyland, and as often tends to be the case when Disney clones an attraction, the original is usually the best as they frequently cut scenes and sequences from the clones (Tower of Terror in DCA is missing the 5th dimension sequence and POTC in the MK is literally missing half the ride).

Fantasyland is much better in Disneyland. Disneyland and the MK share Peter Pan (more detailed in Anaheim), Snow White (slightly better in MK though it lacks the incredible facade), Small World (far superior in Disneyland), the carousels (Disneyland themed to Sleeping Beauty, MK to Cinderella), Dumbo (flys over water in Disneyland), and the teacups (more or less the same). Space Mountain in Disneyland is very different from the one in WDW.

Unique to the MK is Mickey's PhilharMagic and Winnie the Pooh (better than the Critter Country version in Disneyland). Unique rides to Disneyland are Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybook Land, and Pinochio's Daring Journey. Disneyland also has the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough.

You may also want to consider the fireworks as they are unique to Disneyland and the Electrical Parade which hasn't been at WDW in years. I would do 2 days if you can swing it. 1 day will leave you pretty rushed even with operating hours of 8:00am to 12:00pm inside Disneyland.

 

[Pomlover2586]

Be advised pinnochio is closed while you are visiting....refurbishments

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You might also want to read HydroGuy's guide for WDW vets:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Since you will have longer hours, I think you can probabaly do the highlights of both parks in a day. Remember that DCA opens later and closes earlier than DL.

 

[Hound 109]

Lots of good advice given above.

Here's a couple of recent threads with alot of good info for the ONE day visitor:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2222620&page=7

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2235069


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's park.


Oh....& Kerry Anne.......:

...welcome to the Disboards.

 

[DaddyDeuce]

It is nice that you can visit on a weekday that should avoid the worst of the crowds. You can definitely sample the "best of" in both parks in one day.

If you listed more of what you thought was important that might help people make suggestions for you. For example, do you have zero interest at all in Fantasyland dark rides, or are you interested in seeing them when they differ from MK?

Personally, I might try to make the most out of the FastPass system, spend the morning collecting fastpasses and then the afternoon using them up.

If you want to do Finding Nemo, get it done as the absolute first ride in the morning. It isn't a FastPass ride, and the lines can get long.

 

[Sherry E]

It's so funny what happens on the DIS just depending on the day. On one day, a person can post a similar thread about going to DLR for one day and whether or not they should do both parks, and the majority of responses will be "NO, don't try to do both in one day, just stick with Disneyland," while I am usually championing doing both parks in one day. And then today, a different group of people replies, and most of the input seems to favor doing both parks in one day!!! (Just like the age old debate: Minnie & Friends vs. Goofy's Kitchen - one day everyone will say Minnie & Friends, and the next time the topic comes up, that group of people says Goofy's!!!)

Anyway, yes, I always say if you only have one day, you can still get a lot done in both parks and even though you will have to skip many things (which may or may not be of importance), you can get a really good 'highlight tour' of DLR in that one day, with the proper planning and time maximization tools. I think it is worth it to see DCA in its current version because it will be changing dramatically over the next few years. I think it will be a very rewarding and full day trip! (Of course, if you CAN squeeze in a second day, that is a much better option for all reasons, but if you only have one day to work with, it can be done!)

 

[kerry anne]

Thanks for the info so far. Here are some more details about us to help with any more answers.

First, I know it sounds horrible but we really don't like Space Mtn at all. I think the girls had a bad experience when they were younger and we always skip it at DW.

As for Fantasyland, I am really going to have to look into this. We are lucky enough that we have been to DW so many times that we never usually spend any time here. Are there maybe 2 must dos?

We are really the kind of family who so enjoys the atmosphere of Disney that we could just walk around and still enjoy ourselves. And we never think of it as a once in a lifetime trip. This takes some pressure off.

Any advice as to a plan, what to do 1st, etc. would be appreciated. I will be checking out those other threads also.

Thanks

 

[DLR29]

Thanks for the info so far. Here are some more details about us to help with any more answers.

First, I know it sounds horrible but we really don't like Space Mtn at all. I think the girls had a bad experience when they were younger and we always skip it at DW.

As for Fantasyland, I am really going to have to look into this. We are lucky enough that we have been to DW so many times that we never usually spend any time here. Are there maybe 2 must dos?

We are really the kind of family who so enjoys the atmosphere of Disney that we could just walk around and still enjoy ourselves. And we never think of it as a once in a lifetime trip. This takes some pressure off.

Any advice as to a plan, what to do 1st, etc. would be appreciated. I will be checking out those other threads also.

Thanks

2 must dos for WDW vets in Fantasyland would be Mr. Toad and Alice in Wonderland. Also Matterhorn, but that's not in the main Fantasyland area.

DL will open at 8. I recommend getting to the gates around 7:30. The first thing I'd do is get Indy FPs, then head on over to Matterhorn (no FP here) and Alice (no FP either) because those lines can get pretty long. Then hit up Mr. Toad on the way back to Indy to use your FP. From that point you can see some more DL rides and continue collecting FPs or you can hop over to DCA which opens at 10. It's a good thing to have a solid morning plan, but then in the afternoon you can just play more things by ear and use your FPs that you collected earlier.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

If you can take an all day marathon session, I would split Fantasyland up into the first hour of the day and the last hour of the day. Except for Peter Pan and sometimes Toad, Fantasyland tends to empty out after 10-11pm and often features short waits especially after 11:00pm.

I think Storybook Land is a must do. Toad and Alice are fun, but they're dark rides similar to what WDW has. Storybook Land is completely different and unique as it creates miniature versions of many villages and famous areas from a wide variety of classic Disney stories. It is especially cool at night (and usually very easy to get on after 11:00pm).

In short, I think Fantasyland in Disneyland has a much different feel to it than the MK. The elaborate facades of each show building help you feel like you're in the respective area where the story takes place and fits it thematically with Sleeping Beauty Castle.

If you opt to ride the Nemo subs(which I recommend), I would do so in the first half hour or so after park opening. The line will very quickly become long and will stay that way.