DL v. DCA

[rlduvall]

I will have only two full days at the Disney parks; a Friday and a Saturday. I love DL and have never been to DCA. My question: Should I concentrate only on DL and go there both days. I do not want to purchase a park hopper ticket because it is much cheaper to just buy two one day tickets. DCA doesn't appear to have that much to do as compared to DL; am I right? I would naturally love to do Soarin' over California, but that appears to be the only really cool ride. Some of the other attractions I have done at WDW. Also, DL is open really late Saturday and I would like to hit it Friday before it gets really packed with people on Saturday. Sounds like I am making my own argument, but I want validation of my theory. lol

 

[IandGsmom]

My 2 cents: Visit DCA, buy the park hopper. Since you have never been there it will be nice to see the park first hand. No it does not have as many rides as DL but it has some great shows and my family and I really liked the park. Its especially great to go there when DL is busting at the seams with people. I am sure you have heard negative things on DCA but those are other peoples opinions. Why not form your own ??

 

[doodlebug]

I really, really, really like DCA.. We sometimes end up spending just as much time over there as we do in Disneyland.. And my kids (2 & 5) like it a lot too.. I think you would enjoy being able to just jump between the 2 parks on both your days!

 

[Bob O]

While DCA isnt up too par with DL it is still worth a visit IMHO. If not a whole day, then part of a day. Soarin over CA is a great attraction and the Aladdin Show/Electrical Light parade are also must see's!!!!! Tough to be a Bug is a excellant 3d show abd other attractions are also nice. if it was me i would start the day at DL, then go over to DCA when the crowds get big and later return back to DL as it usually is open longer.

 

[dalepool]

I agree----DCA is a wonderful park. Soarn' is worth the extra cost of the hopper pass. There is actually a lot to do and see at California Adventure. I think you will be surprised with how nice a park it really is.

Just my .02

PattyN

 

[Charlieanna]

Do both parks! (cough up the extra $$, you'll be glad you did). I'd spend about 1/3 -1/2 of the time at DCA and the rest at DL. Keep in mind that DCA closes earlier, so you can go back to DL. Even if you don't go on a lot of rides, do walk around and take in the ambience, go on Soarin' and either go on or watch the rollercoaster ride (name escapes me right now) take off and go around a couple times. And even if you don't have kids, do go look at It's a Bug's Land, since it is so cleverly done. There are also lesser known attractions that are great, like the show/movie thing that Whoopie Goldberg narrates (somebody help me out on the name of this one too). Hit DCA at the times when DL is most busy. I agree, you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[year2late]

Do both. Arrange your time at DCA to get multiple fastpasses for Soarin' over California. You should make sure you do it more than once!

DCA gets a bad rap, but it is my favorite at present. Also the Electrical Parade is a must see.

 

[c&m]

We did DCA regardless of all the negative comments that we had read about it before we left on our trip. And boy were we glad to see it for ourselves!!! We really liked the park. In fact, we probably spent more time in DCA than DL.

Our 2 DDs had so much fun there--their faves being the Grizzly River Run, Soarin over California, the Redwood playground, the Electrical Parade, and all the 3D shows. Another great benefit in going to DCA is that there are less crowds there. It seemed that we did more there. At DCA, we got on, got off, then got right back on again! At DL, we were lining up for every ride, and the pace was slower because of the crowds.

Hopefully, you'll reconsider. It is a fun place and deserves a visit.

 

[joeysbomb]

Are 2-day Park Hoppers available? Or would one have to buy a 3 day park hopper to 'park hop" for 2 days?

 

[daannzzz]

They seem to constantly be fooling around with the admission media in Anaheim. I went in mid December and was able to purchase a 2 day park hopper for $94. You can't get them at the ticket booths though. You had to get it at a Disneyland Good neighbor hotel or the Anaheim visitor kiosk.

 

[rlduvall]

I'm responding to my own question. I am going to stay at Paradise Pier and the reservationist told me I can get a two day park hopper pass there for $96.00. I definitely don't mind paying that. I thought I was going to have to purchase the 3-day pass at $119.00 and then pay express fees of $10.00 to get it before I leave. I hated the thought of paying that much for only two days of fun. You all convinced me to go to both. Thanks for all the responses.

 

[WDW2002]

The best part of having a park hopper at DL is being able to HOP (or jump or skip or walk if you must) from DL to DCA in less the five minutes. You can go to DL when it opens then go to DCA which generally has a later opening, then back to DL which generally has a later close.

 

[minniecarousel]

riduvall - it's great that you're going to be able to get the park-hopper for two days! It's worth the $$!!
I'm also a fan of DCA. It's very different from DL. (I'd have a hard time going and NOT doing DL, though.)
Have fun!!

 

[rlduvall]

Okay, now I'm so excited I can't stand myself. Can you believe I am going by myself, also? No-one to tell me what to do. Yeah!!! I am in town for a business trip the first two days and then I am going to DL and DCA the next three nights, (at Paradise Pier) and two days, but shhhh, don't tell my 3 year old son; he'd kill me. lol Now I can't wait. Thanks for all the positive comments.

 

[raidermatt]

Yeah, its good that you went with the hopper. You might love DCA, but chances are you will not like it nearly as much as DL. The difference in attendance at both parks should give you an idea of what most people think.

Still, you never know, and this way you can always bail on it if you'd rather be at DL.

 

[daannzzz]

The park hoppers work great. When I stayed at the DL hotel Disneyland opened at 9:00 and DCA at 10:00. I got on the second monorail into Disneyland and rode the Matterhorn and Alice in Wonderland then meandered, against the flow of traffic, down Main St out the exit and over to DCA and entered there when it opened and got on Soarin' over California in about 5 minutes.