Disney California Adventure.

[DawnCt]

We will be arriving in California Friday morning and I think we should be checked into the hotel by one pm. Is it possible to at least enjoy the highlights of DCA on the day of arrival until closing? We would like to visit DL the next day and save our third Anaheim day for Universal Studios before heading down to San Diego. We are WDW veterans so we don't need to see everything at DL. Thanks,

 

[doombuggy]

I would recommend the reverse, since you have been to WDW a lot. Unless you are looking to enjoy the electrical parade?

 

[profdsny]

From our, and most people's experience, you can do DCA in a few hours. I would save the whole day to do DL. Even if you've been to WDW before, as we have, DL is very different in a lot of ways.
We are going back to DL this summer, from Chicago, after going last year, and have no plans to do DCA again. One time was plenty. Save your full day somewhere else othern than there.

 

[LuvTigger]

I agree with profdsny. DCA can be done in less than a day. The longest wait will most-likely be for Soaring Over California. DL definitely has a different feel than the Magic Kingdom and has different things to do like the Matterhorn (if it's working!) and Indiana Jones.

Will you have a park-hopper pass? If so, you could always go back to DCA or DL, whichever you choose.

 

[DawnCt]

I don't think we will be getting a park hopper pass because our time in Anaheim is limited. I think I will stick with my original plan and visit DCA on the first day. I agree that DL is different from the MK in WDW. It certainly was when we were there 16 years ago.

 

[doodlebug]

We loved the choice of park hopping last October.. When DL got too busy we just stepped over to DCA and enjoyed it over there...

We are going back in 19 days for 8 fulls days of Disney fun!!!!!!

 

[hydster]

but when we went last year our kids were 8,6 and 2 and to us it was basically a waste of time. My older 2 kids went on the Roller Coaster and a few other rides there and I went on the Maliboomer but there werent alot of rides and my 2 year old was very bored! He went on the sun ferris wheel and a carousel but other than that there wasnt a whole lot for him to do. I think I would stick to your original plan since DL is SO much more fun in our opinion! WE LOVE Indiana Jones and Roger Rabit's Cartoon Spin! I think if you have kids with you that DCA will be easily accomplished in that one afternoon! Of course when we go it is right after Labor Day (we were there on 9/11/01 and it was almost empty) and there are NO lines so we rode everything at least 3 times and they never had us get off the rollercoaster...they just kept it going until we said stop it was so empty!
Also dont know if you have ever been to Universal Hollywood but from what I have heard it is MUCH different than Universal Orlando. We took our 2 older kids to that one day too and it was a "yawner" for them! They didnt have alot of rides that my kids liked and actually come to think about it they dont have a lot of rides period! The Jurassic Park ride is a blast however especially when it is really hot outside! The backdraft ride is ok...but only really neat if you get in the front. ET is ok...my kids thought it was somewhat of a yawner as well. The T-3 ride is great but other than that not a whole lot to do! The wild west show was good as well! Anyway just thought I would put out some opinions on these places!
Heidi