Feasible to do Disneyland and California Adventure in one day?

[Ravenphile]

I've been to the Florida parks several times but have never been to Disneyland. I've been to California Adventure once, right after it opened, so it wasn't as complete a park then as it is now.

I will be visiting Los Angels in late June with some friends and we have set aside a day to do Disney stuff. My party consists of three adults. The other 2 in my party are Disney novices, and they tend to like thrill rides. I'm wondering if it is feasible for us to do both parks in one day at this time of year or if we should just stick to one park? If you think only one park is feasible, which should we do? I'm partial to Disneyland because I have never been there, but I suspect California Adventure might be more to the liking of my thrill seeking friends.

Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestion,

Lance

PS Put that thing back where it came from or so help me

 

[Jacie]

Hopping is super easy at Land, so you could definitely spend time in both parks during the day. Will you see or do it all? No, probably not. But you will be able to see a lot and, if you utilize fastpass, ride a bit.


Personally, I'd recommend that you do: Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Pirates, California Screamin', Radiator Springs Racers, Mickey's Fun Wheel, and perhaps a few others that will come to mind after I finish this (ETA: Indiana Jones and take a stroll through ToonTown!). I would also make time to see Paint the Night because it's AMAZING!

 

[disneymom0104]

Very easy to do both in one day.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Yes, I just did this a week ago on a fairly crowded Saturday ~ after the Tink 10K. You can hold FPs in both parks and 2 in DCA if one of them is World of Color.

Moving this to the DL board for you.

 

[hlbtimes2]

As the others have said, hopping is easy. Will you see and do it all? No. But, can you put in a full day and cover many highlights? YES! Get there early. Be at the gate when the park opens. You'll get more done in the first 2 hours than any other time of day. If you wander in at 10am, you'll regret sleeping in and really cut in to what you can get done in a day. Those morning hours are golden.

 

[Huff]

We have done both parks in one day many times. It's a 5 minute walk at most from one park to the other. On a day when Disneyland is open till 11pm-12pm its possible to do all major rides in both parks as long as its off season and not packed.

Rides that build lines the earliest in CA would be RSR, Soar'n, California Scream'n. Tower of Terror can get a long line midday but I often find short waits late at night.

Rides that build lines the earliest in DL would be Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain (on a sunny day), Big Thunder. Most other ride lines are up and down throughout the day. Splash often has no wait late at night. Tomorrowland becomes packed late at night. Pirates and Haunted Mansion lines will vary up and down throughout the day. Both can have very short lines even on crowded days if you hit them at the right time.

 

[mgd]

Depends on how agile you are in hopping and using fp, bit I think you will miss a lot trying to cram into one day. If you are not trying to 'do it all' and only have a select few things you want to do in each park, then sure.

 

[justgrace]

I wouldn't recommend it, considering you haven't been to the Disneyland Resort before. I would pick a park and stick to it, otherwise you might get overwhelmed. There are thrill rides in Disneyland (Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, etc). You won't see everything in a day at Disneyland, but California Adventure could be done in one day.

 

[LizzyS]

I wouldn't recommend it, considering you haven't been to the Disneyland Resort before. I would pick a park and stick to it, otherwise you might get overwhelmed. There are thrill rides in Disneyland (Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, etc). You won't see everything in a day at Disneyland, but California Adventure could be done in one day.

I feel like if you plan to hit a short list of "must-dos", a one day trip can be great, even at both parks. I've done it twice and the second time we did CA, too, and I came away from our day pretty pleased. Getting there at rope drop is key, imo.

 

[justgrace]

I feel like if you plan to hit a short list of "must-dos", a one day trip can be great, even at both parks. I've done it twice and the second time we did CA, too, and I came away from our day pretty pleased. Getting there at rope drop is key, imo.

That's true. I guess if you don't mind only hitting 5-6 rides in each park and only plan on seeing one nighttime show (WOC, fireworks, parade, etc), it could work fine.

 

[Angrose]

If your group doesn't mind not riding on all the rides together, I would recommend utilizing the single rider lines in combination with FPs. SRLs at DL: Indy, Splash, Matterhorn. SRLs at DCA: RSR, Sreamin', Grizzly, Goofy's, Soarin' (not recommended, better to get a FP for Soarin').
Have FUN!!

 

[Ravenphile]

Thanks for all the good advice. Right now we are leaning towards doing both parks with a limited must-do list for each park.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Have everyone compile their list of 1) Must dos, 2) Would like to dos, and 3) Save for next time/Take it or leave it. Then you will know what your priorities are and will be able to plan and organize better. If your group would like to do a dining package for PTN or WOC or to eat at a popular TS restaurant (e.g. Blue Bayou), don't forget to make your reservations now/as soon as they become available.

 

[Ndusmama]

Depending on your day and time you plan on getting there and time spent leaving you can do both parks in a day. I've ridden all the rides at both parks in a day. The trick is get to the park 15 minutes early for the magic morning hour. Do all the rides in that area then run and get fp for the major rides if times are decent. You will miss parades though. Having been to WDW and never DL I suggest you see the paint the night parade and watch the 60th fireworks.

 

[Nut_Meg]

If you really just want to do the thrill rides then I think with proper planning it's doable. Park hopping is really easy and the Fastpass systems are disconnected, so you can grab FP's in one park and then send someone with all the tickets to hop over to the other park and get FP's for another ride. Getting there right at opening will also help a lot. You'd be surprised how much you can accomplish in the first couple of hours before the big crowds hit. If you want to ride Radiator Springs Racers (highly recommended!) then definitely get those FP's first. Over in Disneyland, I'd probably prioritize getting FP's for Space Mountain and Indiana Jones. I'd also recommend riding the Matterhorn early, as it doesn't offer FP's. The line is much more manageable in the morning; you might find yourself standing in line for over an hour if you wait until later. But I believe that's the only thrill ride that doesn't offer FP's. And since there's three of you, you might consider using the single rider line to save time. You're going to have an "odd man out" situation on some of them anyway (2 people sitting next to each other and 1 person behind). Definitely have everyone in your group decide which rides they don't want to miss, then you can come up with a game plan. Also, download the Disneyland app. They update it with wait times for the rides; sometimes they're a bit off, but you'll get a general idea of what to expect and can adjust your plan accordingly throughout the day. Some rides have consistently long waits all day, but others will fluctuate, and you can find that perfect moment to hit them. On our last trip we got to ride Grizzly twice in a row because no one else was in line, but once we got off, there were suddenly 20 people standing in the queue. I also concur with everyone who's suggested catching the Paint the Night parade/fireworks. They're spectacular. Anyway, have a great time!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Love your current plan. You can see the highlights of both parks in 1 day. Make your lists and check them twice and all I will throw in a recommendation for an afternoon break of some sort in the parks. If you all might enjoy grabbing a wine or beer with that break there are a few locations with nice appetizers and drinks in DCA (Alfresco Tasting Terrace is my favorite). Usually by that time of day all I want is a break from the crowds and a glass of wine before re-gearing for night! And you don't even have to leave the parks!

PS Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! DCA, Hollywood Land

 

[danceanddisney2010]

I definitely think it is doable... but you wont get to do and see everything. I too love Disneyland MUCH more than DCA but I ALWAYS park hop and I feel I get more done that way. Disneyland in the mid afternoon is JAM PACKED so it is nice to be able to head over to DCA to get away from some of the crowds (it's still crowded, but you know what I mean). If you only have one day ... I say EXPLORE it all