First time in California and First time at Disneyland

[DisLUV]

I am a worship leader at my church and I have been invited to attend a Worship Leader conference at Saddleback Church in Cali. While I am there I plan on spending 2 - 1/2 days at DL. I really don't have any need to go to DCA, unless people here can convince me that I need to. My family and I go to WDW every other year, and I just want to experience DL.

I need some advice from DL and DCA regulars on here. I will only have 2 - 1/2 days to experiece the California Disney experience. Do I use those days to go to DL or include DCA? The main thing about DL is that it is open till midnight each 1/2 day I will be able to go and DCA is only open till i think 9.

The dates of my California trip is June 27 - July 1st. Anyway I am sooo excited to be able to go. Unfortunately my DW and DD and DS are not making the trip with me so I will be ALL Alone!!!!

 

[amw]

I am a worship leader at my church and I have been invited to attend a Worship Leader conference at Saddleback Church in Cali. While I am there I plan on spending 2 - 1/2 days at DL. I really don't have any need to go to DCA, unless people here can convince me that I need to. My family and I go to WDW every other year, and I just want to experience DL.

I need some advice from DL and DCA regulars on here. I will only have 2 - 1/2 days to experiece the California Disney experience. Do I use those days to go to DL or include DCA? The main thing about DL is that it is open till midnight each 1/2 day I will be able to go and DCA is only open till i think 9.

The dates of my California trip is June 27 - July 1st. Anyway I am sooo excited to be able to go. Unfortunately my DW and DD and DS are not making the trip with me so I will be ALL Alone!!!!

I can't speak from personal experience, since I'm anxiously awaiting our own trip ... But, the tickets are a little different at DLR than WDW. Unless you are buying a one-day ticket at the gate, you will probably get a hopper pass. A 3-day hopper sounds ideal for you. Since the park entrances are immediately across from each other. You can do your research on DCA to see what you like, and hop between the parks if you find that there's not enough at DCA to occupy a whole day.

The current 3-day hopper price at Disneyland on-line is $149.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/reserve/ticketListing?name=TicketListingPage

 

[Disneyland1084]

I personally don't really care for DCA. There's nothing really Disney about it. All the rides and games you see there are any that you would see at a carnival. However, the scenery is nice and it's nice to walk around when Disneyland gets too crowded. I don't advise you to go on CA Screamin. There's been a history of problems with it. You should read about the accident that happened on it last July. I was on the ride 4 days before the major accident occured and it broke down when I was on it. I doubt maintenance work is done on all the Disney rides as often as it says. Have a good trip!

 

[amw]

I personally don't really care for DCA. There's nothing really Disney about it. All the rides and games you see there are any that you would see at a carnival. However, the scenery is nice and it's nice to walk around when Disneyland gets too crowded.

I've read of a few good "Disney" things to see:

-Soarin'
-Grizzly Run
-the Aladdin Show
-Tower of Terror

Granted, you can get those (with the exception of the Aladdin Broadway show) at WDW. I still think it would be worth your while to hop over. You probably won't get a full day, but you could get a few rides in.

Also, it's the one place with the toy store -- you can pick up those souvenirs for the little guys (Mr. Potato Head)

 

[Yookeroo]

I've read of a few good "Disney" things to see:

-Soarin'
-Grizzly Run
-the Aladdin Show
-Tower of Terror

Disney Animation (including Turtle Talk with Crush)
Monsters, Inc. - Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
It's Tough to Be a Bug!
Muppet*Vision 3D
California Screamin'
Grizzly River Run

And I have a soft spot for Heimlich's Chew Chew Train

Go to DCA. It's fun.

 

[Torjohnson]

I went to dca about four months after opening and it was like a ghost town... We had a hard time getting our four year old interested in anything
now, we love it for a day!!!! Doarin, Grizzly run, walk around in the hotel, see aladdin, do all the animation stuff, see bugs land(cool design). I totally disagree that it isn"t disney at all...it may include a lot of things from WDW(going my first time there this summer) but I think you should check it out...you can learn a lot about california too(Golden Dreams is a movie that is kinda hokey, but very disney.
DCA has taken some hard criticism...but I really have learned to enjoy it.
At least go and make your own decision.
Oh, and ride Indiana Jones in DL and the new Space Mountain

 

[lulubelle]

Hi Jeremy,
First off I have to say that Saddleback Church is VERY popular and has HUGE attendance numbers, and is a fun place to boot! Congrats on going to the seminar, that in itself will be worth the trip and very uplifting.
Where are you staying? Near the church in Mission Viejo or closer to DL like in Irvine? (The drive may be a factor if you are in south Orange County).

As for DLR, give yourself two days for sure to do/see everything at both parks, but the extra 1/2 day would be great to re-visit your favorite attractions and take in a few shows. Take advantage of FP and single rider lines. Have a fabulous trip.

P.S. I have gone by myself before, it is not a big deal...and do not skip DCA, it has a lot of fun and entertaining rides and shows!

 

[carolina_yankee]

I'm a little unclear from your post. Do you have two half-days or 2 1/2 days? If it's the former, I think you have time for both parks. If it's just two half days, you might want to focus on Disneyland with possible starting in DCA on the second half day and then crossing the esplanade to close out DL when you're done.

I'm not a huge DCA fan, but it's growing on me (and I've only been there once). Check up on the attractions and see what interests you. I wouldn't skip Soarin' just because it's at Epcot. It started here, and the theming is differeing though the ride experience is identical. Grizzly River Rapids is a great water ride, much longer and improved over Kali River Rapids, but you will probably get quite wet.

We had no problems with the California Screamin' and found it quite fun. We also enjoyed the Sunwheel, but left the other Paradise Pier attractions alone because they are pretty common in carnivals and on boardwalks - but that's the theme!

Tower of Terror is different than MGM, and I think a little inferior, but it's a good experience if you have time. Monster's Inc is unique (for now) to DCA and gets good reviews. The real time killer in the Hollywood Backlot will be Aladdin. If you're a worship leader, you will appreciate the production values of this show. It's probably Disney's greatest stage show anywhere except Broadway, but it's a time killer - at least an hour including wait times, maybe longer.

In Disneyland, all the attrations are great and pretty much as described. However, Space Mountain is a major upgrade over WDW and Fantasmic! is a very different experience than in WDW. "Remember . . Dreams Come True" should not be missed if you like fireworks - Disney's longest yet, and the variety of shells and launch points is jaw-dropping. You'll be faked out because it starts like Wishes, but then moves to a sentimental 'lump-in-the-throat' moment when you hear Walt's voice before the beginning the main part of the show.

You can see Fantasmic! and Remember in the same night but it's tough. If you do this, see Remember from Main Street, near the hub, and then, as soon as it ends, do whatever you can to get over to New Orleans Square for the second showing of F!. You're best bet will be to get through or around the east (Tomorrowland) side of the castle (if possible) or just go through Tomorrowland. The hoards of people exiting will make it difficult, but you can do if you are just adult or are by yourself. You need to go the roundabout way because not only are the Remember crowds heading out, the crowds from the first showing of F! have been trapped in New Orleans Square and they are also heading out.

Then, once you get to NO Square, if you can get a good view of the cabin in Tom Sawyer's Island, you're set.

Personally, if I had two half-days, I'd probably forget DCA exists, or just go in to wander through and see an attraction or two before fnishing up in DL. With 2 and 2 1/2 days, you could easily see DCA in half-day by being judicious with your attractions. If you did manage to see F! and Remember in one night, you could try for Disney's Electrical Parade in DCA at 8:45 and then hop back to DL. It's a cute classic to enjoy if you have time, but not as amazing as the DL nighttime shows.

Have fun!
Dirk

 

[Judy from Boise]

great advice!

 

[Mousemom]

We love WDW and have been many times but live within a 16 hour drive to DL so have got to go there several times too. Our family loves DCA. Even though you can go on Soarin, Tower of Terror, and Grizzily River Rapids, which is like Kali River Rapids in WDW, they are a blast. We also love California Screamin which is unique to DCA. I don't know if you have been to EPCOT since they added Soarin but if you have not it is worth riding in DCA. The Electric Light Parade happens at DCA and we always spend one evening watching this. I can't imagine going to DL and not going to DCA. For us it would be like going to WDW and missing one of the theme parks. There is something at each park that we really love.

 

[Nina3570]

We just came back from Disneyland couple of weeks ago and my DH loved California Screamin. It was his favorite ride. I prefered Soarin' but you probably have done that already in WDW. I say no matter what you should give DCA a try. I'm sure you will find lots of things to do and you will like it!

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I’ll vote with the majority and highly recommend you take in DCA. If I could only do one or the other, I’d choose DL, but if it’s not terribly inconvenient, make sure you run over to DCA.

I thought it would be fun to visit Saddleback while we were in SoCal last summer. I have Jaden Lovik in my CD player right now! He was at Saddleback wasn’t he?

We ended up doing the opposite of going to church; we toured Hollywood the Sunday morning we were there!

Also, our church is currently searching for a Worship Pastor. If you run across any good one who might enjoy living in Minnesota, have them contact me!

 

[DisQueen]

I vote that you try DCA, especially since you have never been to California. DCA gives a good sampling of the different areas of California, with a Disney twist. Plus, there is lots to see while wandering around. The Aladdin show is spectacular. My dad is a big animation buff and loves the Muppet 3D show. I would visit DCA some afternoon and walk across the plaza to DL for the evening. I don't think DCA has much to offer after the sun goes down, unless the Light Parade is running. There are some fun restaurants and cafes in Downtown Disney also. Have fun and welcome to Mission Viejo BTW, it's about a 1/2 hour drive from here to DL. We usually make it in less time, but you never know about traffic

 

[KristiA]

We just got back yesterday from there and I would go to DCA just to see the Aladdin show. It was spectacular!

I also enjoyed Tower of Terror, Soarin, California screamin, and there is a little production right by Monsters Inc. where Disney people sing and draw Disney characters (can't think what it was called) that was really good.

It is definitely different than DL, but my family thought it was a lot of fun!

A lot of times I enjoy the shows more than the rides!

 

[Vanvmom]

Been to Saddleback several times, and you'll love it! I preferred the Worship Arts conference at Willow Creek, but you are still VERY lucky to get to experience what Saddleback is like. As for half days at the parks... depends on which days from my experience. THe great stuff at DCA you can pretty much experience at WDW (Soarin' and Tower of Terror - which is different here than in WDW, but the basics are the same). Screaming is great, but not worth paying park entrance for. DL is much smaller than Magic Kingdom, so seeing it all in 2 half day entrances should be fine. I've been in on a Friday night in January after a conference - entered at 4pm - and by 9:30 I had ridden just about every ride with exception of those in Toon Town and Fantasyland.

BTW... check to see if Saddleback has access to the special half day admission tickets. I know conferences held at the Convention Center have access to tickets that you buy at the conference hotel. They are close to half price admission, and allow you entrance to only one park 4 hours before the park closes.

 

[pppiglet]

I'd do what another poster said....get a 3 day park hopper. It is so fun just to go back and forth between the parks whenever you want to. I think California Screamin is the best roller coaster I have ever been on. It is so relaxing to walk around DCA after the crowds at DL. Have a great trip!

 

[DisLUV]

Thanks for all the advice. I am sooo ready to go. I will be staying at Holiday Inn Costa Mesa. Anyone with any idea how close that is to Saddleback or DL/DCA as those are the only two places I am gonna be going. I think it is gonna be about 18 miles to saddleback not sure about DL. Any help woudl be appreciated.

BTW I will keep an eye out for any worship leaders willing to come to Minn. For the right $$ I will come (just kidding, $$ is never the driving force in worship.

THanks again to all

 

[Yookeroo]

Thanks for all the advice. I am sooo ready to go. I will be staying at Holiday Inn Costa Mesa. Anyone with any idea how close that is to Saddleback or DL/DCA as those are the only two places I am gonna be going. I think it is gonna be about 18 miles to saddleback not sure about DL. Any help woudl be appreciated.

Probably about 15 minutes away from DL (assuming no traffic).

 

[quadaunt]

I personally don't really care for DCA. There's nothing really Disney about it. All the rides and games you see there are any that you would see at a carnival.

What you describe sounds like only the Paradise Pier section. The rest to me is definitely Disney. California Screamin' reminds me of an outdoor Rock 'n Roller Coaster. Soarin' Over California preceded Soarin' at WDW by four years, has a cooler queue and hey, you're a first time tripper to California so SOC is a must. Grizzly River Run is superior to Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom. The Electrical Parade is not to be missed...rivals SpectroMagic...and is a Disney original. 'Aladdin' is absolutely spectacular. I will be first doing Monster's next week but that's something WDW doesn't have. You have to 'get' what DCA is all about. It's Disney, yes, but it is supposed to highlight California's history and all the 'best' things about the state. Many think Paradise Pier is too carnival-y but those types of boardwalk theme parks were plentiful all up and down the coast of CA in years gone by. So definitely make DCA part of your DLR experience...I think you'll be glad you did.

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

I have been to Disneyland so much and we are going to WDW this August. I am excited to see the difference between them. Just remember POTC is opening right when you are coming so beware of crowds at Disneyland.