Disneyland or Disney California Adventure 1-Day in July

[DHCruise]

Hi Disboard,

I have 1 day to spend with the family (1 spouse, 1 child and 1 toddler) at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure. We are having trouble figuring out which park to visit. Considering it's the Diamond Anniversary, we want to visit Disneyland, but it seems as though my child wants Disney CA.

We are planning on going on a Monday. So I'm trying to also figure out how the crowds would be, and where we would get more "bang for the buck".

Any advice would be helpful. The last time we went to Disneyland and Disney CA was in 2013.

 

[TechGuy]

Sorry, which park you will enjoy best in a one-day visit is completely dependent on what you and your family want out of your visit.

As it's the 60th, I would say DL has more "importance" but DCA has fun action rides.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[figment_jii]

That's a tough decision...I also think it really depends on your family and what they want to do. For my family, we would pick Disneyland because we like more of the attractions there, the new parade and fireworks are impressive, and we like the dining options in DL better. Still, each family is different and if there is enough for your family to do in DCA for the entire day, that can also be a lot of fun.

In July, DL tends to be open from 8:00 am to midnight and DCA is open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Mondays are normally DCA's EMH morning.

 

[DHCruise]

I heard the new fireworks and the paint the night are great. But I heard that getting a good view of them is an "Art", and it takes a few hours of waiting to get a decent/good seat? (ie. after fireworks, "camp-out" a spot until the paint the night starts) Which I kind of don't want to waste hours just to have a good spot. Well we still have roughly a month to decide. Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

 

[TechGuy]

The last couple times we have watched fireworks on the Hub, we step onto the street at about the same time the CM ask people to stand up. It seems many people camp out in front of the castle, sitting blankets and such, but we step into the open spaces created when they stand up. It seems families take twice as much space sitting as they do standing. This means we typically can find space the different family units when they stand up. Watch for that 6' 4" linebacker shaped dad (with or without child on shoulder) when scoping out spots. We tend to end up near the popcorn vendor, with little advance waiting.

PTN may change our plans this year, I will know next week.

 

[John93]

Park hopping could be a great option for you. It's a lot - but doing most of both parks in one day is definitely possible - just requires a little forethought. I would definitely do DL though.

 

[figment_jii]

I heard the new fireworks and the paint the night are great. But I heard that getting a good view of them is an "Art", and it takes a few hours of waiting to get a decent/good seat? (ie. after fireworks, "camp-out" a spot until the paint the night starts) Which I kind of don't want to waste hours just to have a good spot. Well we still have roughly a month to decide. Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

It can, but it also depends a lot on where you want to view fireworks and/or the parade from. If you view the fireworks first (at 9:30 pm) and then wait for the second parade (11:00 pm), then it can be about an hour of waiting. If you're on a tight time schedule that can be a lot of time. I wouldn't do the first parade (that involves the longest wait), but the second parade from somewhere on Main Street is not a bad option (the second parade starts on MS and heads to IaSW).

 

[DHCruise]

Hmm, what time does the 1st parade start? I'm assuming that would be before the firework show which is at 9:30p?

It sounds like my kid wants to do the Cars Racer ride again. She didn't do Soarin' or Toy Story Mania or Little Mermaid.
In DL, we didn't do the Railroad coaster since it was being renovated or something, and Star Tours, Splash and Space Mountain and Nemo. Probably leaning a bit towards DL more. Yah, we considered the hopper, but at around $56 more a ticket, that seems like an unlikely option.

 

[figment_jii]

The first parade steps off at 8:50 pm from near It's a Small World. It exits the parade route (at the end of Main Street) around 9:25 pm.

 

[DHCruise]

Oh, so right when the 1st parade ends, the Firework show will begin?

 

[figment_jii]

It's not immediate, but it's pretty close...if you're on Main Street near Town Square. If you're watching the parade from IaSW Mall (or that general area) there is going to be a longer break between the end of the parade and start of fireworks. If you watching from Main Street, it's probably a 5 to 10 minute break depending on where you are.