Can you experience Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks in one day?

[Wall-Eva]

I will be going to Disneyland in October and my boyfriend and I are wondering if we can spend one day going to both parks or if we should spend a day at each???

 

[Eeee-va]

You'll get more responses if you post at http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

I would definitely go for 2 days, or at the VERY least, get a hopper and one day at the Halloween party, which will get you into DL from 3 PM-11 PM or 4 PM-midnight, depending on the day.

We've been to DL a lot, but we did the Halloween party and 1 day in 2010 and it was fun. But aside from the appeal of dressing up (which was great fun!) I would've rather just had 2 full days. October can be very busy, so keep that in mind.

Most people here will say park hopping is a no-brainer (which will cost you a bit in upgrades). I tend to agree, but they are doing construction to the entrance of DCA, so I think hopping may prove more challenging in the months to come. So I'd see how the construction affects getting into DCA before making a decision on if you need 2-day hoppers or if two 1-day/1-park tickets are OK.

With the construction, I'm not sure it will be quite so possible to see fireworks or Fantasmic AND World of Color in one night, but I'm sure people will find a way. If nighttime entertainment is a priority, though, for the sake of your sanity, I suggest you do 2 full days.

Now...CAN you have a good time at DL/DCA and see a lot of the highlights in 1 day? I'm sure you can. I went to WDW in summer 2008, and people say you have to have at least a week to experience the resort. We did 3 parks in 2 days (and then part of a 3rd day at Downtown Disney). We didn't do EVERYTHING in those parks, but I felt like I got to see much of what I wanted to see, and I definitely had a good time.

But if you want the true "experience" I say even 2 days is probably not enough time to see everything. Still, if you miss anything, that's more for next time?

Have a great trip!

 

[Wall-Eva]

Thanks for the information! I will wait to see how the construction looks once we get there and decide!

 

[kiwitravel]

The new CA gates are now open so park hopping no problem.... if you are WDW regular and just want to experience the DL differences then yes you could do it in a day, just.... Better to do two days in my opinion and not be so rushed...

Plenty of threads here as to what WDW regulars should target...