DL or DCA?

[time101]

My wife and I are going to have exactly one day to spend at DL Resort in September while on a business trip. We have visited DL several times and love it. We are WDW regulars. We have never been to DCA. My wife does not like thrill rides at all, so those are out of consideration. Any thoughts on whether or not we should visit DCA? I do not want to visit DCA, feel disappointed, and wish we had gone to DL. Does DCA have as much of the "Disney Magic" as DL?

Any comments would be appreciated!

Tim E.
"Dreamfinder's Other Concoction"

 

[daannzzz]

That is a tough Question. My personal opinion is that DCA is disappointing. That doesn't mean it is bad (though there are a few areas that are almost bad ). I personally think Disney MGM is the weakest park at WDW and would put DCA above it. While I love Hollywood Bld and Sunset Blv the rest of Disney MGM is sort of a mish mash the doesn't jell well...for me. DCA sort of has that feel as well. It is an odd compilation of themes and attractions. I am not a big thrill ride fan anymore either. I can spend a whole day at DCA. It is much more leisurly than at other parks though.
If you like Muupet Vision and It's Tought to be a bug and Millionare and don't mind them as a repeat than those are at DCA.
There are only a couple of larger attractions left after that ( if you cut all the thrill rides).
Soarin over California
The Animation building which can be lingered over or blitzed through depending on your interest. If you see evrything in there it could take an hour and a half.
Golden Dreams ( a movie) in the SF district.
Golden Zephyr is not a thrill ride though it does go in circles. After taking Dramamine2 I found this a pleasant ride.
The Sun Wheel is not really a thrill ride though it is thrilling and has motion sickness potential.
There are the Tortilla tour and the bread tour, these take about 5 minutes or so, each.
There is Grizzly River Rapids which I don;t consider a thrill ride but your wife may and it will get you pretty wet.
There are a few entertainers around the park as well.
It is very different from Disney's other parks and there are some nice spots and fun things. I have friedns and relatives who thought it was grea and some who won't go back and some who won't even try it. If you don't try it you won't know.

 

[cuterlt]

Is there any way you can park hop? I really think Soarin is something to see and do and would go to DCA just for that...BUT I don't think there is enough to do for a whole day there. It does not have the Disney Magic.
But Soarin is something you cannot find anywhere else, and I was very moved by it, as were others.
If you're going in September, you'll be able to get on rides more quickly. So you might want to consider that as well.....
Personally, I would park hop.

 

[ivanova]

There isn't a one day park hopper pass available, so you either have to buy 2 full price one day passes or pick only one park to go into.

My vote: DL.

 

[goofyfordisney]

My vote is to do both--if possible for your budget! If I had to pick between the two--my vote would be Disneyland.

Have fun!

 

[time101]

Thanks for all the input! I think we'll just go back to Disneyland. Soarin and Grizzly would probably be the only two unique rides that we would go see at the junior park. Buying one days admission to go to DCA for 2-3 hours seems like a waste of money.

We haven't had a Disney fix since 2000 when we last went to WDW. DL is going to give us what we need more so than DCA, I think. There is an average chance that we'll be back in the LA area in December/January. If that happens, we'll try DCA then.

Thanks for your help!

Tim E.
"Dreamfinder's Other Concoction"

 

[disneydawn6]

If your planning on going back in the next 3 years.. I bought a 3 day passport that was a hopper and the 2 remaining days won't expire for another 3 years.... I bought a few of these for my DH who is tired of going and usually lounges around the pool with a book at the hotel when I drag him with me...
Also I thought they sold a pass for $20 more that included both parks for one day....

 

[goofyfordisney]

I just read on another discussion board that
1 Day--2 park hopper passes are being sold for $59 at DL now . This might be a good solution for you!

Have fun!

 

[kilarney]

Yes, it is true. There is a new one day hopper pass that is $14 more than a regular one park ticket. You do NOT have to live in southern California to buy this pass.
I would get this pass. DCA is worth seeing - it just isn't worth $50 to be stuck there for a whole day.

 

[time101]

If those 1 day 2 park hoppers are still on sale in September, that's probably what we will do! What a great solution!

Thanks for the tip!

Tim E.
"Dreamfinder's Other Concoction"

 

[time101]

By the way, for all who may be interested, I called DL yesterday and inquired about these new passes. The CM could not or would not say how long they would be offered. Other discussion boards list them as a temporary offering.

I hope they will be offered in September so we can experience "Soarin' Over California"!

Tim E.
"Dreamfinder's Other Concoction"

 

[Rodrigo]

I am very intersted in the One Day Hopper. I will be in San Diego Aug 4-10, and I'm planning to visit DLR for one day (driving 6am in the morning, and returning in the night).

My question is if you can buy this new ticket in the Disney Stores (I would like to buy my ticket in San Diego before we drive to DL), or only is offered in the ticket booths in DLR.

 

[time101]

The CM I spoke with said you can only get the 1-day park hopper at the DL gates and that is only good for the day of purchase.

Tim E.
"Dreamfinder's Other Concoction"