Choosing Between DL and DCA

[Faccia Bella]

I am planning my first trip to California in March and want to see Disneyland. However, I only have 1-2 days available. I have been to WDW numerous times in the past, so I know it can be difficult to fit everything in. My question to you is, if you had to pick between DL or DCA, which would you pick and why?

 

[Hound 109]

When in March? (what days of the week?)

I think the premise is wrong. One shouldn't "choose" between the two like you have to at WDW.

With one or two days:

- Start at DL. Ride & pick up FPs for 2 - 4 hours.
- Hop 100 yards to DCA for 2-4 hours. (Aladdin, Soarin, ToT, Griz, & 3-6 others).
- Hop back to DL (with 3-5 FPs that you picked up that morning) for the evening.

Rinse & repeat the second day.

Read HydroGuy's tip threads & re-read his DLR for WDW Vets thread twice.

Have fun planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[Tink208]

If I had to choose between one or the other, DL wins hands down (when I only had five hours and a non-hopper ticket, I went to DL), but, if you have a full day or two, I think you can do both. My older son and I went for a weekend once and we had one day non-hoppers for each day, so we did DCA one day and DL the other. It was okay to do it that way, but I would say that it is better if you can hop between the two parks on the same day.

 

[bradk]

someone else asked this almost exact same question on another forum. my response is if you only have 1 day, i'd rather not go at all than try to fit the experience in that one day. ordinarily, Disneyland is a 2 day minimum park. Some argue DCA is a 1/2 day park but I don't really see that either, but it all depends on what you're hoping to find.

a couple of people even suggested just focusing on which attractions exist only at Disneyland but even that's wrong. although you can get into it more technically, even when attractions exist at both parks, there are differences. Pirates and Space Mountain at Disneyland shouldn't be missed at any cost for example. if you haven't seen the new changes at HM at WDW, that's another must see (DLR had them for quite some time before WDW did, although WDW has at least 1 thing DLR's doesn't have). i still prefer HM at DLR though.

so if you can fit in 2 days, i'd be all for it. i'd also recommend ridemax.com and doing some very creative planning. in my ideal universe, it's a 2:1 ratio for time spent between disneyland and dca.

 

[Tink208]

Disneyland is a 2 day minimum park.

It is amazing how much has changed in the few years (almost 20) since my husband and I spent one whole day at Disneyland while on our honeymoon and we saw it all (and even rode some rides twice). We didn't even have early entry.

But, truly, if you know what you want to do, and don't HAVE to see everything in Disneyland, it is actually possible to do it in a day, or even less. I spent five evening hours in Disneyland on a Friday in early May of 2006, and I saw the parade, the fireworks, Fantasmic!, and rode all my favorite rides. I would not recommend this approach for a family, or for a first time visit, though.

 

[Hound 109]

If I had to choose between one or the other, DL wins hands down (when I only had five hours and a non-hopper ticket, I went to DL), but, if you have a full day or two, I think you can do both. My older son and I went for a weekend once and we had one day non-hoppers for each day, so we did DCA one day and DL the other. It was okay to do it that way, but I would say that it is better if you can hop between the two parks on the same day.

I agree.

& If the OP is visiting mid march, it possibly would be "Spring Break" crowded. Which is why i recommend the mid-day Hop. Why struggle with crowds (during a busy time) at DL between 11am (or noon) & 4pm when hopping to DCA is a easy & a fine way to break up the day (& has half a dozen cool attractions).

I hope the OP shares her dates, because there will be a big difference in the crowds in March this year. (early march weekday....little crowds - mid or late march on a weekend will be brutal).

 

[Faccia Bella]

Thank you everyone for your responses. You've definitely given me some things to think about. I'm actually going to be in CA for about 5 days (most likely 3/15 through 3/19 or 3/20). I will be staying with my Aunt, who lives a couple of hours away, and traveling with my mother and grandmother. Unfortunately, neither of them really enjoy/can do "thrill rides" anymore, so that is why I was wondering which of the 2 parks would be more appropriate. Ideally, I would love to do both, however, being unfarmiliar with the area and parks themselves, I didn't know if it would be possible.

 

[bradk]

DCA would definitely be the more 'spacious' and relaxing of the two options. not doing thrill rides wouldn't really make the determining factor for me as it's still really the exception moreso than the rule at either.

and for my money, even though none of the attractions might appeal to adults at first, a bug's land is the best themed land disney parks in the US have. ironically enough, the so-far-from-thrilling heimlich's chew chew train is one of the best attractions anywhere too (again, in my opinion)

and of course aladdin is a must see if possible, and the mission tortilla factory tour. nothing like free warm samples.

personally, i'd pick up a guidebook (or carefully weed through a site) and determine which attractions i'd want to see, then come back with a list and see how feasible it may be.

and i'd probably try to fit in a meal at blue bayou, possibly the best disney themed restaurant in the US

the Disneyland Railroad also includes going through the Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval World (not whirl!), from the 1964 World's Fair

the only real non-thrill gotchas might be finding nemo subs, peter pan and monsters, inc. as none of them use FPs and can lead to longer lines if not paid attention to properly

going between the parks isn't an issue, although it's probably easiest to go from DL to DCA than vice-versa as you'll have to enter through the same lines everyone else does and that can come into play midday.

 

[pixiewings71]

As Hound says, you can do both. Not everything of course but you can do the "best" stuff at both. Good luck, I've done many day trips and only done my favorites at each park. Of course it's hard to know what your favorites will be until you do them. good luck, Hound gave you the basics of what not to miss at CA, if you follow his guide you'll do well and have fun. AND the others in your group will have a good time too.

 

[mikethern]

If you've been to the Magic Kingdom in Florida, you might actually want to choose California Adventure, because it is unique. Disneyland is very similar to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[ramkam]

If you can only do one, do Disneyland. If you are going to do both, spend 75% of your time at Disneyland. There are actually fewer ride options for young children or older folks at California Adventure. There is a reason Disney is going to spend 1 billion dollars plus over the next five years to redo California Adventure, it is just not that impressive compared to Disneyland.

 

[DLR29]

If you've been to the Magic Kingdom in Florida, you might actually want to choose California Adventure, because it is unique. Disneyland is very similar to the Magic Kingdom.

I strongly disagree. DL is VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY different. Yes, some rides are similar, but DL is soooooo much better than MK. MK is very spaced out at has less attractions. DL has more attractions, including some very unique and good ones such as Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, Roger Rabbit, Nemo, Alice in Wonderland, Pirate's Lair, and Mr. Toad. Plus I could strongly argue that most of the rides that are at both parks are better at DL such as Space, Buzz, Pirates, and It's a Small World.

In response to the original question, you can certainly do both. Unlike WDW, the parks at DLR are within 1 minute of each other, walking.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

In response to the original question, you can certainly do both. Unlike WDW, the parks at DLR are within 1 minute of each other, walking.

I just wanted to highlight this! The two parks are literally separated by a plaza; you walk from the gates of one across the plaza to the gates of the other. You most definitely can do both!

Most people tend to spend more time at DL. When DL is busy, it's nice to head over to DCA for a break from the crowds. Then you can head back to DL if you wish to finish out the day once the crowds ease up. (Get your hand stamped upon exiting the first park of the day; with your park hopper ticket and hand stamp, you'll be able to go in and out of both parks through the day.)

 

[PrincessSitka]

You might want to see if somebody in here has a map to both parks. That might help you.

 

[Sunobo]

You might want to see if somebody in here has a map to both parks. That might help you.

I have spare maps of both DL and DCA. I'd be happy to mail you one of each if you pm me with your address.

 

[Faccia Bella]

Sunobo,
Thank you for the offer! I would love copies of the parkmaps. However, for some reason I am having trouble with the PM's. Is there another way I can contact you? Thanks again!

 

[Sunobo]

Sunobo,
Thank you for the offer! I would love copies of the parkmaps. However, for some reason I am having trouble with the PM's. Is there another way I can contact you? Thanks again!

I sent you a pm with my email.

 

[Albort]

Goooo Dca!!! :d

 

[Shakthi]

Go DL.