Disneyland Vs. California Adventure

[JustAKid]

Alright folks, got another question for you all. I'll be visiting the parks in the summer of 2010, and was wondering if the following two theories are correct: 1, CA isn't AS (obviously it must be to some extent) toddler friendly as DL, so with a small child (who is not over the height req.) I will probably spend more time at DL? 2, "they" are trying to lure people to CA at night (lights, lights, plus shows that involve water...and lights) so I can expect CA to really get busy from about 7pm (gotta save those seats!) till it closes? I know DL has the fireworks but there'll be 2 or 3 night time shows going on at CA during next summer, right? Thanks guys.

 

[queenie82]

Just addressing 1....this I guess is generally true. Certainly Fantasyland has all the classic rides
BUT
DCA has a Bugs life world which is full of kiddie rides like Heimlich's Chew Chew train
And Cars Land will be kid friendly I believe (once it is built of course!!)

 

[Quilter007]

Wrong on both counts. DCA has LOTs for small kids & in many ways is better for pre-schoolers:

1) Bugs-land & Bug movie
2) Play-house Disney
3) Animation building -- includes Turtle Talk w/ Crush & other stuff
4) Monster's Inc Ride
5) Muppet's 3-D Movie
6) Redwood Creek Area is great for preschooler's, all the way to early teens depending on the kid
7) Jumping Jellyfish & King Triton's Carousel in the Pier area
8) Lightning McQueen & Mater photo-op
9) Tortilla Factory & Bread Tour -- our kids still think they are rides

There are still several rides I haven't listed that don't have height requirements -- these operational rides -- not rides under constructions or planned. So -- you can ignore DCA until Car's land is finished if you want, but I think you are missing out & I'm sure DCA will be more crowded when Cars land opens. If you are into lights, check the schedule & come for the light parade, personally, I prefer that to the fireworks.

 

[queenie82]

Forgot about monsters because it wasn't open when we were there

Of course the BIG one still not mentioned is Toy Story Mania.
This is for ALL ages. There has been discussion on the WDW boards about kids on laps or between adults, babies in arms.
I remember reading one story about how they sat junior on their lap and he had a great time playing with the cord and all the visuals

 

[HydroGuy]

I have always thought that DCA does not have the same draw for little ones as does DL. From the get go it was trying to shoot for an older audience than DL. Trying to be more hip. I think Disney realized that was a mistake and is getting DCA back to some Disney roots. So now you have TSM, MI, the HSM show, BugsLand, etc.

I think our family is typical in that we spend about 25% of our DLR time at DCA. That is not in one chunk but spread out over each day parkhopping. So you are correct that you will spend more time at DL than DCA if you are like most DLR visitors. Bottom line is that DL has lots more to do and more cool shows. And it is more magical.

In summer 2010 DCA will have a huge draw with the new World of Color show. So there will be tons of people there at night. I expect Disney will need to start keeping DCA open later. And there is no doubt about it - the WoC show is intended to lure people to DCA at night because most people bug out and go to DL at night. Having a major draw like WoC will change the night time dynamics at DLR. With the other new things coming to DCA over the next 2-3 years I expect DCA will start standing more on its own as a destination rather than piggybacking on DL.

 

[DLR29]

Yes, the new World of Color will most likely be bringing in huge crowds. But we'll have to wait until next Spring to see how it really affects park attendance and the park's operating hours.

As for kids, there's stuff to do (obviously as posted above), but nothing is truly as "kid-friendly" as DL itself.

 

[LuLusApple]

For me DL has much more for DGD15months to do than DCA. DGD can go on most rides at DL. Not just fantasyland but in everyland. The only things she can't ride are
Indy
space
splash
Matterhorn
BTMRR
star tours
I think that's it
that still leaves a ton that are themed and fun for both of us.
At DCA all she can do is
Monsters Inc.
the shows~Aladdin, playhouse Disney and muppets.
some of bugs land(which I find boring) the bug show it's tough to be a bug scares her.
King tritons carousel,zephyr and animation buiding.
That's about it. It doesn't compare to DL and for me I get bored with her there. So we spend most of our time at DL. DCA just seems geared toward an older crowd. Which my teens and twenties children love
And I will say from the moment you walk in and music is blasting in your ears you can feel it. Give me earplugs, It's just not my fav

 

[bumbershoot]

...but nothing is truly as "kid-friendly" as DL itself.

See, comparing Fantasyland and bug's land...bug's wins, hands down. In FL there are SCARY adventures, a freaky pinocchio, a toad that takes you to a very hot place, a creepy dark, close-in line (that takes you on a cool ride flying over London and into Neverland, but only if you get through that line). Teacups, well, can't argue with how most kids like teacups. Alice is freaky in the same way Pinocchio is. So that leaves Small World, Storybookland, and Casey as being actually not scary (along with teacups). And Small World, but honestly I never think of iasw being in FL b/c it's so far away. Oh wait, and Matterhorn, but, hello Harold, scary!

(I did forget the Carrousel. I never go on it, not a surprise to forget it. Kids love Carrousels. Oh, hey, there's a Carousel (yes, spelled differently) in DCA!)

Bug's land? Toned down teacups. Slow bumper cars. Slow chew chew train. With BURPING. Kids love burping. And I don't know if it's actally Joe Ranft (RIP) who did the voice, but it sounds JUST like Heimlich. Water play areas...THREE of them! A pseudo Dumbo that FOUR people can go on! Friendly!

some of bugs land(which I find boring)

See above...did you go into bug's land, or just stay out with the "farm" area and ITTBAB? The latter being something DS has still not gone on.


I personally now suggest that if you're short on time for your first day with littles, just go on into bug's land. Skip FL entirely b/c especially if it's later in the day, the lines to the rides get even creepier, and without being able to really see what they're getting in for, I think FL can be difficult. With bug's land, you see it all before you get into the line (you can even see parts of Heimlich if you go near the fence as you're walking in). Friendly.