First Trip. Advice please?

[Twinklee]

My family and I are spending 10 days in California(dh is running the Avenue of the Giants marathon) and decided to spend a couple of days in Disneyland. If we stick with the rides in Disneyland that are different from the ones in WDW or WDW doesn't have, is it possible to do both parks in two days? I, myself would rather just spend both days in Disneyland and blow of the California Adventure, but I may be outvoted. Any advice? Oh, we may be WDW veterans, but this is our first trip to Disneyland.

Toni

 

[jlmarr]

Be sure to read the newbie sticky note at the top of the forum - lots of good advice for WDW vets. Yes you could do both parks in two days, particularly if you've seen WDW. There are some unique things at both parks so concentrate on those, e.g. the Aladdin show at DCA and Indiana Jones at DL.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We are WDW veterans and we just did Disneyland for the second time. Even though WDW and DL have some of the "same" rides, it's really fun to see how different they can be. I found Pirates to be different and longer at DL. You can definitely do Disneyland in 1 day and California Adventure in 1 day. We loved California Adventure - I would not blow it off.

 

[Flitterific]

We are WDW veterans and we just did Disneyland for the second time. Even though WDW and DL have some of the "same" rides, it's really fun to see how different they can be. I found Pirates to be different and longer at DL. You can definitely do Disneyland in 1 day and California Adventure in 1 day. We loved California Adventure - I would not blow it off.

Yes, you can definitely do both parks in two days but it is highly recommended that you park hop as the two parks are right across from each other (2 min stroll tops) unlike the parks at WDW. I like to go to DL in the mornings, collect FPs and then head on to DCA when it gets crowded in the afternoons, before going back to DL in the late afternoon/evening. Note: DCA has shorter park hours than DLR.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

You can do Disneyland in 2 days. I would recommend getting a Park Hopper for DCA. They have good rides as well. And if this is of any interest to you, you can drink alcoholic beverages in DCA. Just had to put it out there.

 

[HydroGuy]

You can do Disneyland in 2 days. I would recommend getting a Park Hopper for DCA. They have good rides as well. And if this is of any interest to you, you can drink alcoholic beverages in DCA. Just had to put it out there.

All tickets of 2 days or more are park hoppers automatically so there is no financial reason to skip DCA. I would also vote not to skip DCA. One big reason is it so easy to park hop. Not like WDW at all. The gates are about 1 minute apart by foot.

I would suggest you spend part of both days at DCA. For that matter, if you want to focus on things different from WDW, DCA has more than DL.

Highlights would be...

California Screamin
Grizzly River Run (similar to Kali but better)
Monsters Inc
Animation Studios
Aladdin stage show (until mid-August)
World of Color (after June 11)