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

[Wall-Eva]

I will be going to Disneyland in October for my birthday 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???

Suggestions?

 

[Nik's Mom]

You can see both parks, but you won't be able to do everything. Think of it as seeing the best of both parks. Make a list of must do attractions, get there when the park opens and be ready to go all day. If you want a more leisure visit, then do 2 days.

 

[mousterpiece]

It's definitely more possible to do a lot of the big attractions at both parks in a day, but I don't know that it's preferable. Obviously, it depends on whether or not you will want to go on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Alice in Wonderland, along with Space Mountain and Star Tours (kiddie-oriented attractions vs. thrill rides), and if you want to see any of the nighttime shows.

If you say yes to either of those, I'd spring for 2 days; especially if you want to see the shows, it'll be nearly impossible to do the fireworks, Fantasmic, and World of Color in one go. (I've never done that, but a good friend managed to do so with his pregnant wife and parents, so it's technically feasible.)

 

[azmommyto3]

We've done one day before, but we were there from 8-midnight. We were non stop, trying to get as much in as we could. I don't think we even stopped to rest or eat, we would just grab a turkey leg and get in another line. lol You can def hit all the big rides, but theres no way to do all of it in 1 day. I would at least plan for 1 day at each park.

 

[Dobie]

You can, most definately, experience the "essense" of both parks in a day...

Start your day at DL...

Ride Buzz Lightyear first thing
Get a fastpass for Indiana Jones
Ride Jungle Cruise
Ride Pirates
Get a fastpass for Splash Mountain
Ride Haunted Mountain
Ride Big Thunder Mountain

Head over to Fantasyland
Ride Mr. Toad
Ride Snow White or Pinocchio
Ride Small World
Get a FP for Space Mountain on your way out of the park

Go to California Adventure

Get a FP for Soarin'
Ride TSMM
Ride Screamin' Single Rider
Ride TOT Single Rider
Use your Soarin FP

Go Back to DL

See the evening parade
Use your Indy,Space, and Splash FPs
See the Fireworks and second Fantasmic.

If you still have energy, ride the other Fantasyland rides

 

[spiderdust]

While you can experience both parks in one day... I'd take a day for each. Otherwise I'd feel too rushed and not enjoy being there as much, and feel like I was missing out. If I could only be there for one day, I'd just pick one park and enjoy it as much as possible.

 

[disneychrista]

Yes you can "experience" both parks in one day. BUT you can't do see & do everything in one day.

Personally, I would do at least 2 days, getting hopper passes, not single park tickets. Hopping allows you to make the most of your time.

 

[spacemermaid]

Yes you can "experience" both parks in one day. BUT you can do see & do everything in one day.

Personally, I would do at least 2 days, getting hopper passes, not single park tickets. Hopping allows you to make the most of your time.

What disneychrista said. If it's not an issue of time and/or $$$, 2 days would definitely be better than one. With Park Hopper tickets, you could not only get more done, but go at a more leisurely pace.

 

[cyclenut]

I will be going to Disneyland in October for my birthday 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???

Suggestions?

Plan for two days but plan to visit both parks on both days. 2-day park hopper.

Yes, you can do both parks in a single day and really get a nice Disney experience, but there is no way you will "get it all done". But that may not be a goal either. If you've got two days, take two days.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Sure you can but more is better.... *Here's* how we did 1 day mid July 2009.

 

[Locket]

It really depends on the crowds but I would say it'd be lucky if you made it through everything in 1 day. I was there all day yesterday, from park opening to closing and went to both parks and we didn't get to do everything we wanted, and the lines really weren't bad.

 

[tinkermomma]

I'd go for two if you can. Everytime I've done one, it's great, but is such a blur.

 

[Avalon_toon]

You can, most definately, experience the "essense" of both parks in a day...

Start your day at DL...

Ride Buzz Lightyear first thing
Get a fastpass for Indiana Jones
Ride Jungle Cruise
Ride Pirates
Get a fastpass for Splash Mountain
Ride Haunted Mountain
Ride Big Thunder Mountain

Head over to Fantasyland
Ride Mr. Toad
Ride Snow White or Pinocchio
Ride Small World
Get a FP for Space Mountain on your way out of the park

Go to California Adventure

Get a FP for Soarin'
Ride TSMM
Ride Screamin' Single Rider
Ride TOT Single Rider
Use your Soarin FP

Go Back to DL

See the evening parade
Use your Indy,Space, and Splash FPs
See the Fireworks and second Fantasmic.

If you still have energy, ride the other Fantasyland rides

Can you really hold three or more fastpasses at one time at DL/DCA? I'm more familiar with WDW, and I'm pretty sure you can't do that there...?

 

[HydroGuy]

Can you really hold three or more fastpasses at one time at DL/DCA? I'm more familiar with WDW, and I'm pretty sure you can't do that there...?

Yes, you can do that at both DLR and WDW. Done it many times. There are no limits to how many you can hold. The only limit is how frequently you can get them.

For example see "Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

 

[Hound 109]

To the OP, yes you can experience alot in one day. Check out HG's link above, DisneyMomma's link above, Dobie's advice above (although I'd nab my first FP at ST, SM or Indy BEFORE riding Buzz )..... & my one day report linked in my signature below for 4 different (but using mostly the same techniques) examples of how to maximize one day.

One should KNOW how to use FP & one should know how & when to park hop. But 2 days of park hopping would be twice as good.

Can you really hold three or more fastpasses at one time at DL/DCA? I'm more familiar with WDW, and I'm pretty sure you can't do that there...?

As HG mentions, yes you can. Many of us will collect 4-5 FPs in DL prior to hopping to DCA (where we might pick up 2-3 more). Then we'll use them in the crowded afternoon or evening hours.

Anyone wanting to tour DLR effectively should read HG's FP threads until they're commited to memory :

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197

& my park hop thread - "Why I Park Hop" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

 

[Wall-Eva]

Thank you all for the great information! I think we will look into either getting 2-day passes or hitting all the main attractions in one day with park hopper passes. This will depend on how much time we have when we are there! I hope we are able to spend 2 days at Disneyland!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

While you can see both parks, I don't think you'd get much done at both of them. I think you should spend one day at each park if you can. Enjoy it!

 

[pirate_smiles]

I have done both parks in one day a couple of times now I go with my girl friends every few years (NO KIDS!) We are there when the gates open and leave at midnight when the park closes. We mostly do rides, and don't see any shows. Stop for a quick lunch, and make reservations at the Blue Bayou for dinner If you utilize fast passes it is totally doable. Just be aware that you won't see EVERYTHING. We are somewhat local (few hours drive) so we have been to the park multiple times and don't mind that we won't "see it all." It is a long day with tons of walking, but totally worth it!