DisneyCalifornia Adventure question

[mundaremom]

Last year we went to DL and spent most of our time in DL not DCA, as the day we did spend their we thought it was more like a fair then a part of Disneyland. I have to admit we did not see the entire park because we had reservations at Medieval Dinner Theatre. We are going back this November and are wondering without sounding rude What is the big WOW about Diseny's California Adventure? What should we see? Are the parades worth it? Is there a site to check out parade routes?

 

[iceskatejen]

Without knowing what you did do/see when you were there, it's hard to make reccomendations. Personally, I've always liked DCA, but that stems from my love of ironic humor and that the song "I Love LA" was playing when I first walked into the park, it was raining, and the lyric "And the sun is shining all the time" played and it made me laugh.

The Electrical parade is classic Disney at it's best. So it's most definetely worth seeing if it's playing. I love Aladdin--it's the best stage show based on a Disney film in any Disney park in the US, period.

When you said DCA felt like a fair, that seems to be kind of what they were going for.

If you look at the DCA park map here on the DIS, it'll show the parade route. You can find a DCA map here This map is from April of 2005, so the attractions aren't up to date (as Monsters Inc has opened since then), but it does show the parade route.

 

[LynGregory]

One ride that you must NOT miss in DCA is 'Soarin over California'. It's probably one of my favorite Disney rides........Tower of Terror is great too, that's also in DCA.

Have fun

 

[mundaremom]

I should explain myself a bit better, we did do Grizzly Run, Soarin, California Scream(my husband and son did that one together not me), but it just felt like something was missing, but like mentioned maybe that is what they were going for. We totally missed the backlot section as well the Bug's Life section.

 

[HydroGuy]

DCA is still finding its place and has not been the success that Disney was expecting. However, there are some fun things there. As a person who was born and grew up in California, the California theme works for me.

I have found that perspective helps here. Some people choose to view DCA as a separate park from DL, which it in fact is. And then they compare it to DL and it of course falls short.

Other people like us have sort of morphed DCA onto DL so that it is all one big park. And DCA is sort of like another "Land". You know, FantasyLand, TomorrowLand and CaliforniaLand. We do not compare DCA to DL, but just consider it an extension with other things to do. And we cannot imagine a trip to DLR without visiting DCA. We spend about 25% of our time there.

There are some who say that if DCA is like another Land, then it is a poor one. To that I would say it beats the heck out of ToonTown and TomorrowLand, although TL is making a big comeback these days after years of poor decision making. The person who decided to move the Astro Orbiters off the TomorrowLand Terrace and down onto the ground should be shot.

 

[LaughinPlace289]

Soarin' Over California is a must-do. I admit that I was skeptical about it at first by I really enjoyed it.

If you're into thrill rides, you will enjoy Paradise Pier.

Tower Of Terror is another must-do.

 

[helenm29]

Oh Yeah, you have to go do Tower of Terror on the back lot and ride Monsters Inc. and do Muppets Theater and Talk with Crush and....OOPS, I guess I got carried away! Anyway, there are lots of things to do there depending on what you like. If you like Roller Coasters you need to ride California Screamin'! for a great water ride you need to ride Grizzly River Rapids even when it's "winter"...they bring the water level down from summer so you won't get THAT wet. Also, Soaring is a nice relaxing thing to do when you get tired of walking around. I could go on and on so you'll just have to go and enjoy yourself ok? Helen

 

[Mom2micayla]

I enjoy DCA, if for no other reason than it's just not as crowded. Bugsland is alot of fun, if you have small children. My 3 kids all love it, but they are all under 5. If they are older, I'm not too sure it'd be worth your time to go there.

There is alot to see on the backlot... ToT, The Crush show, Aladdin, Monster's Inc, Playhouse Disney... worth a trip IMO. Plus there is always characters out there.

Block Party Bash and the Electrical Parade are both really cool. But I'm not sure if either will be going on in Nov.

 

[Albertan mom]

We LOVE California Adventure, and spend almost as much time in that park as in Disneyland.

We love Tower of Terror, Soarin, Grizzly River Run, and lots of the other rides.

The Bugs area is so cute, take the time to walk through it and really look around, it gives you the perspective of being a bug (everything around you is huge, like a cracker jack box, bottle top etc...)
Its Tough to be a Bug show is great.

The Block Party Bash is awesome. If it is still on, go and see it! It is great! All the energy and fun!

The Electrical Parade is so neat. Very Disney and very aaaahhhhh.

We enjoyed the Boardwalk area, just seems fun and beachy.

Take the time to go in the Animation building. It is neat to see how the cartoons are made. Also the little presentations in there are cool. Mushus show is neat, and Turtle Talk with Crush is worth seeing a few times.

Our favorite though..... The Aladdin Show.
Broadway quality, for free!! It is amazing, a must see!

We love that if Disneyland is too crowded, we can hop over to CA. It isn't as busy, and has lots to do to keep you amused. We love it! I could go on and on!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Well I would say check out the 3D shows of the Muppets and Bug's Life. We love those. And now they have the new Monsters Inc. ride which I hear is pretty good. The rest of the bugs life area we found is good if you have very small children. My 7 year old last year was a bit too old for a lot of what they had. Electric Parade IMO is a must. We saw the Block Party parade last year, maybe it was just the spot we were sitting at, but we didn't like it all that much. It was okay.

My DH likes Screamin and Tower of Terror. And Soarin is good also.

We never spend as much time at DCA as we do Disneyland. We usually hit the favorite things there, and then head back over to Disneyland.

 

[travelgirl06]

I'm so glad to find other DCA lovers! So many people write off this park, but I absolutely love it.

A few of my must-dos are: Soarin' over California (I usually ride it at least a few times), Aladdin (amazing show, I would go back just for this show), Tower of Terror, Bug's Life, California Screamin' and much more. I also love the Monterey Bay/Pier area (great clam chowder bread bowls). The kids play area (Redwood Creek, I think) is also adorable and all of the kids were having a blast.

The park is a little smaller and less crowded, so it's not overwhelming. The proximity to GCH and DTD are also great, its really easy to go have lunch in DTD (amazing food) or to take a break in the lobby of the hotel.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We are also California Adventure Lover's! We love Tower of Terror, Its tough to be a bug, soarin, Grizzly river run, Muppets 3D, Orange Stinger, Mullholland Madness and so much else. We love that it is not sooo crowded. Also, we get to drink it up! YAY for Margaritas, Beer and Wine!!! We love to relax in the mini Amphitheatre and watch the pier and people on the rides. We do end up spending alot of time there.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Oh Yeah, you have to go do Tower of Terror on the back lot Helen

I second and third and fourth taht

 

[mundaremom]

Thanks everyone, I am looking forward to exploring California Adventure in November!!!

 

[MateasMom]

I really think people just don't understand what to do at DCA and Disney doesn't do a very good job of explaining what to do KWIM?!?!

Depending on how old your kids are I would recommend different things....but our must dos (my girls are 5 and 7)

The Block Party is great. The kids love it. I wouldn't bother waiting for it, but who up and 'travel' with it if you have the time. Very kid interactive (assuming your 'kid' is school age or younger).

The girls LOVE the lame show outside of the animation building. Turtle Talk is a must. Alsot he interactive area in the animation building.

Tower of Terror is great, and Muppets 3D if you have the time.

My girls LOVE the bread and tortilla tours Free bread and a tortilla. I'm game too.

Bugs land is great for younger kids. Tough to be a bug is good for older though.

The pier has lots of great rides for grown ups and older kids. Jumpin Jellyfish is great for younger (preschool and school age) kids. While you're on the pier get some Catch a Flave ice cream. YUM!

We love the California Dreams movie

And then Soarin. Can't believe you didn't do that one. That's like THE must do at DCA!