Disneyland vs DCA

[MsKitty77]

Hi! We'll be flying out to California next May and spending a little time in the LA area so we've decided to do a day at Disney, problem is we don't know which one to pick. We're a family of 4 age range is 20-55, the sister and I are thrill seekers but the parents aren't as much.

We're not sure which we get the better experience at as we've done a few of the other parks (Disney World, Disneyland Paris and I've done Tokyo Disney Sea). So yeah if you had one day at Disney and you'd never been before which would you do?

Also I've seen that the Rock Your Disney Side seems to be around that sort of time, so was wondering what that is like ^_^

 

[Bud Ice]

Traditional Disney is found in Disneyland (Fantasyland / Tomorrowland)
Disneyland proper and rides are geared towards kids.

More modern, adult themed Disney in Disney California Adventure (Alcohol allowed here)
These rides geared towards adults in many cases.

 

[SMD]

Also I've seen that the Rock Your Disney Side seems to be around that sort of time, so was wondering what that is like ^_^

That was the theme of the 24 hour day in 2014.

 

[lulugirl1968]

Get a Park Hopper ticket, so you can visit both parks!

 

[ktlm]

We are WDW vets. My first time back to DL since I was a kid, I was out there for a business trip and took DH with me and we had 1 day. We did hoppers and hit both parks. It was great. It takes 5 minutes to be out of one park and in the other. I would highly recommend getting the hopper and hitting the highlights of both parks. We have gone back about every year since then because we love DLR. Radiator Springs Racers at CA has a single rider line, and this past July we were riding it that way mid-afternoon noon with waits of 15 minutes or less (we walked on it couple times). That ride is a must do in my opinion. For thrill seekers, the Indiana Jones ride at DL is a must do in my opinion (it also has a single rider line and FPs which usually don't run out as quick as RSR's FPs do).

 

[CateinPhoenix]

I would definitely do a Park HOpper! CarsLand in California Adventure is not to be missed!

 

[ADLFAN]

I would also go for a Park Hopper ticket. Disneyland is always open later than DCA, by at least an hour. The fireworks show is very impressive, and you should be able to squeeze in anywhere along Main Street for a great view of the fireworks and the projections on the Main Street buildings. I would suggest starting off in DCA with Toy Story Midway Mania, and anything else that looks appealing on the Pier, then getting FP'S for Radiator Springs Racers back near the front of the park, and exploring Carsland and Hollywood Land, with Tower Of Terror, the Monsters Inc. Ride, and the Animation Building (try the animation academy- it's pretty fun and a short class in super nice a/c). Before you hop to DL, I would get FP'S for everyone for Soarin!

If you hit DL in the early afternoon, FP'S should still be available for your choice of rides. Indiana Jones is incredible even if it is bumpy and jerky, so make everyone ride that one!

Take lots of pictures!

Have fun planning!

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, the two parks are really close together (you can see the ticket gates for DL from the ticket gates for DCA and vice-a-versa). So in that way, if you do decide to park hop, it's very easy to do so.

That being said, my recommend would depend a little on when you're going in May. The Friday before Memorial Day is most likely going to be the kick-off to the summer season, which usually means longer operating hours and more entertainment. Prior to that, the operating hours tend to be shorter and there is less entertainment (nighttime especially). Before Memorial Day weekend, fireworks and Mad T Party are likely to be only presented on weekends (Fri to Sun). F! is dark for most/all of 2016. WoC is generally presented nightly. We don't yet know if PtN will be nightly or only on weekends during the non-peak season in 2016. After the summer season kicks-off, most things are presented nightly. Weekend hours tend to be long throughout May (so before and after Memorial Day weekend), but weekday hours are markedly shorter (e.g., 9 am to 9 pm compared to 8 am to midnight).

If there are no budgetary concerns, then I would get park hoppers and visit both parks regardless of when you're going. If there are budgetary concerns, then I would focus on Disneyland. This is the "classic" park and I generally feel like there is more to do for a wide range of interests.

Also I've seen that the Rock Your Disney Side seems to be around that sort of time, so was wondering what that is like ^_^

As mentioned, that was the theme for the 2014 24-hour day. There was a 24-hour day party on the Friday before Memorial Day (for the past three years), so it's possible that it might happen again in 2016, but they haven't announced anything yet (and probably won't for a while).

 

[MsKitty77]

Thanks for all your replies so far guys, its super helpful! We've got the option of two dates since we're starting and ending the trip in LA, so we'll be going either Friday 20th May or Sunday 5th June.

In regards to the park hoppers I hadn't actually considered them, do you think we'd be able to get a decent amount done in both parks in just one day?

 

[figment_jii]

While no one really know what will be happening next year yet, my inclination is to say that both 5/20 and 6/5 are likely to have long operating hours and full entertainment.

Friday tends to be DCA's EMH morning, which means there is a good chance that the lines for TSMM and RSR will already be fairly lengthy by the time the park opens to the general public. Saturdays tend to be DL's EMH/MM morning, but only parts of TL and FL are open. So things like Space and Peter Pan might already have a line, but the attractions in Adventureland, Frontierland, Critter Country, and NOS are unlikely to be impacted. Note that FPs are not distributed until the park opens to everyone (so EMH/MMs does not impact that).

While the dates have not been official announced, Friday May 20th is one of the dates listed for a Grad Nite. That won't impact the operating hours for the parks (Grad Nite happens after hours in DCA), but some people really dislike Grad Nites while others are ambivalent about them. It does, in general, mean more groups of teenagers than normal. Some Dis'ers have reported seeing wide-spread bad behavior while others haven't noticed anything really different from any other day. If you do opt for May 20, you might want to look into Grad Nites so you get a sense of what you might (or might not) see.

Assuming the parks are open from around 9:00 am to 10:00 am (DCA) or midnight (DL) (or there about), I do think you can get a lot done in both parks. I would (tentatively) plan to concentrate on one park first and then the other, instead of hopping back-and-forth multiple times per day. Although, it's not bad if you do end up hopping multiple times per day (my family does that, but we go for multiple days).

 

[agamble]

Could you go for 2 days? Just a thought/question. One day park hopper costs $155. Two day non hopper costs $185. One day non hopper is $99.

If I was only going to one, as you can only do so much during one day, I would go to Disneyland. There are three regular coasters, plus Splash Mountain, Star Tours, and Indy for your thrill seeking. And all the classic rides like Pirates and Haunted Mansion to enjoy with your parents. Plus it's the original park and a great place. DCA is fun and has some great rides, plus Carsland is neat, but if I could do only one it would be Disneyland.

 

[Mividadisney]

I would focus on one park. If I had to choose one over the other then I would pick Disney park over California park. Disneyland is really magical and very aesthetically pleasing even if you are not on the rides...I personally think it has more to offer for even those who don't go on rides. California park is fun but after all the rides are done it just looks like a carnival ...it lacks that magic compared to Disneyland. Hope that helps you. Have fun on your trip!

 

[RKKUNK]

We are AP holders and to us DCA is only a half-day park, but we can easily spend an entire day at DL. If you can afford the PHs then I would do that.
Since it looks like you can only go on days where DCA has an EMH, I think I would still get there early to be one of the first in after the EMH. There will be lines, but not as long as if you wait to go later. You can usually do RSR in the single rider line very quickly in the morning, even on EMH days. Be prepared to not get to ride in the same car with your family, as that is how SR works, but there have been many times that either my DS or my DH and I have ridden together. We always meet up where you look at the pictures that they took on the ride if we don't ride together. Doing the SR will help get through the rides quicker. Then I would head over to TSMM picking up FPs for CA Screamin on the way. Or you can do SR on CS also. If the line is 20 mins or less, you could do the standby line. DON'T do SR for Soarin it takes too long.
I think if you get there first thing in the morning and use SR and FPs for both parks, you will get a lot done. It will be a lot of walking and you won't have much down time, but if you only have one day, it's worth it. Also, if you do the nighttime shows, do the ones at DL. They are awesome!
Have fun whichever way you choose to spend your day!

 

[Masonmj84]

in terms of attractions, Disneyland is the deeper park. In that regard, there are at least 8 attractions in Disneyland that I would consider headliners: Splash Mtn., Big Thunder Mtn., Space Mtn., Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, and Star Tours. It also has several iconic Disney attractions that I would consider borderline headliners such as Small World, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan's Flight, etc.

California Adventure, in contrast, has 6 attractions that I would consider headliners: Radiator Springs Racers, California Screamin, Soarin, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, and Grizzly River Run. On average, these top 6 are as good (if not better) as the top 6 attractions in any Disney park, including Disneyland or Magic Kingdom (and I consider Radiator Springs Racers to be the best overall attraction in any Disney park). But after those top 6, there's a huge drop-off.

Using a sports analogy, Disneyland can be thought of like a team with great starters and a deep bench. California Adveture has just as great (if not better) of a starting lineup (that includes the #1 player in the league), but the bench is not nearly as deep.

 

[riostoker]

I just think you can't miss Carsland and Radiator Springs Racers. You said you've been to Disney World and Disneyland Paris, so you basically know what to expect of Disneyland in terms of theming. I would either do hoppers or just do DCA.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

Since you've already been to WDW and other Disney parks, I'd definitely choose CA if you could ONLY go to one park in Anaheim. Carsland is not to be missed. I realize that some people dismiss the atmosphere of the Paradise Pier section as being gaudy and carnival-like, but I think it's exceptionally well done. I'm majorly impresssed with just about all of CA, which is saying something because I'm usually very jaded.

 

[Satchmo128]

If you only have one day and haven't been to the CA parks, then I would spend the entire day at Disneyland. No question.

It is true that you could get park hoppers and go back and forth during the day (since the park turnstiles are only 5 minutes apart), but that sure is a LOT of walking and a lot of pressure to get "your money's worth". I think it would be better to slow down and enjoy all there is at Walt's original magic kingdom.

 

[ktlm]

Thanks for all your replies so far guys, its super helpful! We've got the option of two dates since we're starting and ending the trip in LA, so we'll be going either Friday 20th May or Sunday 5th June. ?

We have been that first Sunday in June for 4 out of the last 6 years, and did not find it to be too bad crowd wise. The lowest level AP holders are usually blocked out that weekend. We typically get there that Saturday and stay until the next Wednesday. Because it is usually the last, or next to the last week before weekdays are blocked out for the lowest level AP holders, we have always found that Monday and Tuesday to be far more crowded than the weekend before.

In regards to the park hoppers I hadn't actually considered them, do you think we'd be able to get a decent amount done in both parks in just one day?[/QUOTE]

As a group of adults, I would say absolutely!