Disneyland, Calif Adventure, or both

[tkafam]

We only have one day to spend so I'm wondering would you recommend DL, Calif Adven, or park hop and do both? It's my husband, 3 teenagers, and myself. We've been to Disney World several times but not to California. TIA!

 

[kylie71]

Both, I cannot imagine doing one without the other........... one day only is tough.I would say do the Original.
Walts Park, Disneyland.

--Lori

 

[pblack]

I'd also recommend both, but if you really don't want to/cant spend the extra money, then I would look at which parks has more of the things you want to do and then choose it.

 

[figment_jii]

With only one day, I would also opt to go to Disneyland. I personally really like to hop, but with only one day, I would focus on a single park. DCA has some very good and unique offerings (e.g., Carsland), but for a single day trip, I would go with the original park, but it does depend on what kind(s) of rides you want to focus on (thrill, classic, mixture, unique to DLR, etc.). Then there are also the shows to consider; when are you going? I like the parades and fireworks in DL, but a lot of folks really love WoC.

 

[mom2rtk]

One day means DL to me. I wouldn't even waver in my choice. With one day I would pick one park and do it well rather than hop back and forth.

 

[chickapin parterre]

I guess it depends on your teenagers...are they into pilgrimages .....or just tend to blow off hallowed ground? Because one day is not enough for a first time visitor to visit Disneyland. There is just so much to touch and see. If you are more into Andy Warhol, then yep, do them both, but if you think that the Mona Lisa, which is on display at Disneyland, being the only other place on earth that charges to see the Mona Lisa, but if you think that the Mona Lisa is the greatest painting ever, then one day will not be enough to embrace Disneyland

 

[CMLion]

I say both. Here's why: You've been to Disneyworld, so you've probably seen much that is in Disneyland. The layout is similar, but there is more there (the DL rides are spread around "the world"). So, you may feel, "I've seen all this already." Also, when one park gets too crowded, I'll head off to the other. I may not be saving time, but I FEEL like I'm saving time...

Finally, prepare yourself for Sleeping Beauty Castle. It's small. Very small. Nothing like Disneywold. I find it charming and lovely, but I've grown up with it and I find it beautiful. Friends from back east (and Paris) are often taken aback. Enjoy it for what it is: trompe l'oeil in full effect. Walt had a very tiny budget to pull this off and he made it work!

 

[jessiegirl1982]

Honestly, I would try and do both. DL is so busy, we head over the DCA we can't take the crowds (and to get an adult beverage!).

 

[ktlm]

We would absolutely do both. Hopping takes 5 minutes at DLR. If you have been to WDW several times, you need to see Carsland. There is nothing like it at WDW and RSR puts Test Track to shame. You can all single rider RSR to avoid a huge wait since you only have one day (or you can FP). Are you doing this during the summer? If so, DCA often closes at 10, and DL at midnight, so you have 2 extra hours at DL. I would highly recommend seeing Carsland at night- and at some point- day, night or both- you should also enter Carsland from the Pacific Wharf area- the view took my breath away the first time. Did I mention, we don't even like the Cars movies?

POTC is a must at DL- it is so much better than at WDW. I would think the Indiana Jones ride (also has single rider and FP) would have a lot of appeal for the teens. DD isn't a teen yet- and hasn't even seen the movies and she loves that ride- so do DH And I.

DH and I hit DLR for one day while I was on a business trip several years ago- and that was the first time we had been since either of us were kids. We had been to WDW multiple times. It was before Carsland, but we got hoppers; stayed from open to close; when at high speed and got every ride in both parks (except for Bugsland kiddie rides and couple of other rides which were closed) done in that day. We even managed to squeeze in the Aladdin show (which sadly is no longer there) in that day. It was so much fun! If you are a high energy family, I say go for both and cram as much in as possible!!!! Even if you are not as high energy, I would hit the highlights of both because you literally (we have done it) can go from the back corner of DL to the back corner of CA in 10 minutes.

 

[Mrs. W]

I was born in L.A. but moved so often that I've been to DL and WDW an equal number of times. Just like I wouldn't recommend going to Orlando and only visiting MK, I wouldn't recommend going to Anaheim and only visiting Disneyland. If you're only going one day, I would do both. Yes, a lot of the rides at DL are similar to those at WDW, but there are some differences even within the same rides.

I LOVE DL and prefer that park by far, but DCA has its place as well. If you've never been, you should at least park hop so you can experience a little of both parks. My favorites at DCA are the Frozen show (it's AMAZING), Radiator Springs Racers, and oddly enough, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, haha.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

If you had little kids I would say DL only, but since you have teens I bet hopping would work great.

 

[pmaurer74]

CA for sure