DL vs DCA

[anc876]

Never been to DCA but heard that it's almost a letdown after DL? It's smaller and geared for younger kids from what I've read (we have a toddler). Do people spend whole days there or should we plan on just a few hours before hopping back over to DL?

 

[Mary09]

DCA is more geared toward adults and older kids, for the most part. They sell alcohol all over, for example.

We love it there. It's not as ride-dense as DL but it's beautiful and less crowded (and fewer strollers). We spend maybe 40% of our time there.

 

[scoker]

There is a small section of DCA that has kiddie type rides but otherwise overall I would say that DCA would be more attractive to school age kids and up. My DD5 loves it but she is very adventurous as far as rides go. She should be tall enough for California Scremin during our next trip. I'm guessing this is where we will be heading first. I really think that we spend our time equally between the two parks. We've always liked DCA. I would plan on at least one full day if it works with your schedule.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

we are going to dca and we will check bv street and carsland out but we are still only doing few rides over in dca

We will get ffp for woc, rsr, and then go ridersr. We will ride sorring, and arierls and Nothing else on the bordwalk My family and i see that whole part of dca as a waist. We havent tried toy story yet but dont see the reason to go all the way over there for one ride that isnt our main want or concern. so again that area will be skipped for us.

We dont know about the rest of cars land we may try ltl nd maters but depends on the lines.

We may want to try tot again and might do grr but if we dont get to those two all well. (tho with pp+ wed get our pics so we might do it any ways)

after those for us dca is done. we will do our lunch at cc (shareing so no woc fp) and then head off to dl till woc time to line up )

 

[anc876]

Thank you all for the info! Certainly not trolling ha ha - going next weekend and just looking for more perspectives so I can plan better. I have read a bit here and there and talked to some friends about the parks, so that is what I was basing my assumptions off of. It's been years since we did anything Disney and our first time with our kid, so we are super excited!

 

[Mary09]

To see their respective sizes, look at Google Maps or something. Area for DCA guests looks to be about 60-70% the size of DL?

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=disneyland&ie=UTF-8&ei=S6dUUKXaKMHqqQG7_oHgAw&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAg

 

[Jaina]

I love DL for all the memories and nostalgia, but we probably have more fun in CA... Lots of really cool rides and I love the atmosphere. We've never taken our kids though, so I don't know how that is.

 

[LizzyS]

When we went to Disneyland for the first time last year, we ONLY went to Disneyland. We were only there for one day, so California Adventure didn't fit into our schedule. When we go back in February, we're spending a few days, so we'll be getting park hoppers this time and going to both parks.

I'm excited to check out the new park, but can hardly imagine I'll like it better than DL!

 

[lalasmama]

I think the whole "DCA is a waste of space" is being largely disputed. I know I thought nothing could be as good as the original, and while DCA isn't as good as DLR, it has a completely different charm to it. Like a PP noted, I also spend about 40% of my time in DCA.

Bugs Land is completely small-child friendly, except, maybe for "It's Tough to be a Bug." I could see some kids getting freaked out by a 3D show with bugs flying at you, and when those termites leave, I'll admit I haven't ever screamed so loud! LOL The rides in BL are just fun and cute, and not at all scary.

There's Cars Land, which may or may not be a draw for your family. (For ours, it's a HUGE draw now!)

The Ariel ride can be enjoyed by young and old.

I really think DCA has a lot to offer. Yes, it might be described as "second best," but I think it's hard to truly, accurately compare the two. DL has the nostalgia, DCA has the movies that DD loves (ie, Toy Story, Cars, Ariel). Just like I can't imagine DL without Jungle Cruise, I can no longer imagine DL without DCA.

 

[HydroGuy]

Never been to DCA but heard that it's almost a letdown after DL? It's smaller and geared for younger kids from what I've read (we have a toddler). Do people spend whole days there or should we plan on just a few hours before hopping back over to DL?

What you heard is old news. Things have a changed a lot at DCA in the last few years. It needs at least a day especially if you want to see WOC, Aladdin and Mad T Party (more like 1.5 days).

 

[lisachrystine]

We didn't have enough time on our last trip for DCA (only about a half day + a couple hours on one other day). And Carsland wasn't even open yet. The kids loved it and we were pleasantly surprised at some of the changes (I had gone years ago when it first opened). In fact, we're debating a one day DCA only visit on our next trip to Cali just so we can see everything we missed. I would allow at least one full day, possibly a little more, depending on how many days total you'll be in the DLR.

 

[auntiegem]

It's not DL, but for us it's definitely not a let down! Lots of great rides -- wouldn't your toddler love Ariel's and Bugsland? Not to mention some great adult rides like Screamin, TOT, GRR, Soarin -- if you can use baby swap. Also there are lots of non-ride gems there that we really enjoy, like Aladdin, Turtle Talk With Crush, Animation Academy. Plan to spend at least one day (cumulatively, if not all in one day), but you might wish you had more time there.

And Jade -- I think you're really missing out if you don't go and ride TSMM at least once. It is so much fun!!!

 

[JacksGirlz]

To Jadedarkstar: We love the the Toy Story ride and can't imagine going to DCA and not riding it. You really should try it.

We spend between 1 to 1.5 days at DCA. And that was before WOC and Carsland, etc. You should definitely spend at least a day there.

 

[bumbershoot]

What you heard is old news.

Agreed.


Of course, my family loved DCA the second we finally stepped foot in it, back in '07.

There's a GREAT little kids area, far better for easily-spooked kids than Fantasyland dreams of being. But there are big rides and lots of FUN for everyone.

 

[Sherry E]

To Jadedarkstar: We love the the Toy Story ride and can't imagine going to DCA and not riding it. You really should try it.

We spend between 1 to 1.5 days at DCA. And that was before WOC and Carsland, etc. You should definitely spend at least a day there.

I agree with you, JacksGirlz! I used to spend a good bit of time in DCA anyway, pre-WoC, pre-Cars Land and all of that. DCA had already grown on me, though I still felt that it was missing something that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

Now that Buena Vista Street and Cars Land are there, the park feels even more whole to me. It doesn't feel like it is lacking anymore. Sure, it's a totally different vibe from Disneyland, which I think is a good thing, but it makes a nice bookend. The two parks complement each other and offer different Disney experiences.

And, take somewhere like Ghirardelli in DCA - they sell ice cream and accept the Annual Pass discount, whereas at Gibson Girl in Disneyland they do not take the AP discount.

I agree about Toy Story Midway Mania too! Not only is that my favorite ride in DCA - sore, stiff forearms and all - it is probably among my top two favorite rides between both parks. It is just pure, uninhibited, giggle-inducing fun! I don't quite realize how competitive I am until I get behind that shooting doodad and start firing at the targets with a maniacal gleam in my eye. Plus, sometimes the ride swings us around corners faster than other times, and it kind of takes us by surprise!

 

[tiffjoy]

We love DCA, and we have little kids. The first time we went was with our just turned one year old. Our favorite memory of her birthday trip is her toddling joyfully around the water play area in Bug's Life. Happy, happy memories.

There's a lot for little kids to do there. My DD3 loves the Disney Junior show, Ariel's ride, and all the Bug's Life area. We always feel like we don't have enough time there. Now with the addition of Carsland and Buena Vista street, there's even more!

DL is super special, no doubt. I love it more than the Magic Kingdom. But DCA is wonderful and fun in a different way.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I haven't been there since CarsLand opened, but even without CarsLand I liked DCA more than DL!

 

[mouseymommy]

We really love DL, but I just loved BVS when we there in July. It was just beautiful and so much fun. Carsland was also amazing. The music and the neon lights were just FUN!! OP, I hope you give it a try, we love it!

Jade, try TSMM, our family always has a great time.

 

[lurpee]

We love it there. It's not as ride-dense as DL but it's beautiful and less crowded (and fewer strollers). We spend maybe 40% of our time there.

in December '06 I went to DL/DCA with two girlfriends. I was so frustrated by the double-wide strollers (we called them battering rams)--come this December I will now be one of those people but I solemnly swear to chill and not take people out at the knees.
Kerri

 

[rsleleux]

I haven't been there since CarsLand opened, but even without CarsLand I liked DCA more than DL!

Agreed! We went to DL and DCA in May for the first time and we loved DCA! We go to WDW every year and this year we skipped so we could go to DL and we loved it so much, we are going back to see Carsland! I hope I am not disappointed when we return to WDW next year! WOC is AMAZING! We had dinner at Ariel's grotto so our fast past location was awesome! DCA reminds me of HS @ WDW. Toy story and California screaming is so much fun! We loved Soaring too! Aladdin was great! I can't imagine not dedicating at least one day to DCA, especially now with the new addition of Carsland!