Help! Cali Adventure or Disneyland Park?

[disneydreamfan14]

We are planning a trip to California for April and we were going to spend a day in DL. We are having problems deciding which park to go to, California Adventure or Disneyland park. Disneyland Park seems like a Magic Kingdom? We have done MK every trip to WDW, so if they are similar should we go to CA for the day?

My questions are:
1) for a family of 5, (kids ages 11-14) which park would we be better suited?
2) what are the perks of one park vs the other?
3) which rides are better?
4) which is likely to be less crowde

 

[sonnyjane]

Do you mind me asking why you're only going for one day? Depending on when exactly you go in April, it could be quite crowded with Spring Break and you will be limited in what you see. Disneyland is the original park, and California Adventure is the newer one and is still undergoing quite a bit of construction, expected to be completed in the summer of this year (i.e. will still be under heavy construction in April). If you only had time for one park, I'd suggest going to the park that started it all - Disneyland - if you really didn't want to buy a park-hopper. We usually recommend at least three days for a Disneyland trip, so you're really selling yourself short with just one day. Also, park-hopping is so easy here. It's not like WDW where people tend to do one park per day. The two parks are literally 90 seconds apart. Look at it as one huge park rather than two separate ones.

 

[disneydreamfan14]

Do you mind me asking why you're only going for one day? Depending on when exactly you go in April, it could be quite crowded with Spring Break and you will be limited in what you see. Disneyland is the original park, and California Adventure is the newer one and is still undergoing quite a bit of construction, expected to be completed in the summer of this year (i.e. will still be under heavy construction in April). If you only had time for one park, I'd suggest going to the park that started it all - Disneyland - if you really didn't want to buy a park-hopper. We usually recommend at least three days for a Disneyland trip, so you're really selling yourself short with just one day. Also, park-hopping is so easy here. It's not like WDW where people tend to do one park per day. The two parks are literally 90 seconds apart. Look at it as one huge park rather than two separate ones.

We are staying in Newport Beach and last time we were in Cali we went to Universal...we are taking a day trip to DL. Thanks!!

 

[disneychrista]

3) which rides are beer?

I don't think any rides have beer

If you only have one day, IMO it is always better to go to Disneyland. If you can can really only do one day and can afford it, get the one-day park hopper & do what you want in both parks.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Always go to Disneyland if you have this choice--but there really is no need to make the choice at all. If you get a parkhopper, you can easily do both. The parks are literally feet from each other, and most people hop back and forth between the two parks in one day.

I realize a one park ticket is a bit cheaper, but a one day park hopper is worth the extra cost.

 

[disneydreamfan14]

I don't think any rides have beer

If you only have one day, IMO it is always better to go to Disneyland. If you can can really only do one day and can afford it, get the one-day park hopper & do what you want in both parks.

I think we are leaning toward the park hopper.

And OOPS! That stupid autocorrect on my kindle. I meant better!

 

[millerette]

I highly recommend seeing the world of color show at ca adventure. If you want to see it make sure you go in the park right when it opens to acquire the tickets for your whole group. This is a great way to end your day. If you get the park hopper ticket as stated by others you will be able to see a lot more. Also as someone else said CA adventure has a lot closed down for construction so you could see it and Disneyland in the same day. Have fun!

 

[skiingfast]

I think we are leaning toward the park hopper.

When are you going? It was asked before and it will determine how much you can get done. Also if hopping is worth it or not.

Sure you have been to the MK, but Disneyland Park has much much more in it to see and do. Disney California Adventure has stuff that is in WDW too so it won't be all new.

You may want to read parts 7 and 21 in this link.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

The best thing you could do is see if you could come for more days than just one.

 

[disneydreamfan14]

When are you going? It was asked before and it will determine how much you can get done. Also if hopping is worth it or not.

Sure you have been to the MK, but Disneyland Park has much much more in it to see and do. Disney California Adventure has stuff that is in WDW too so it won't be all new.

You may want to read parts 7 and 21 in this link.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

The best thing you could do is see if you could come for more days than just one.

We will be there sometime beetween April 1st and 8th.

 

[sonnyjane]

We will be there sometime beetween April 1st and 8th.

Busiest possible week you could choose as far as Spring Break goes. Easter is the 8th. Ski is so right, you'd really do yourself a great service if you could go for more than one day. Otherwise, you're going to be limited to only seeing a few headliners.

 

[8timesblessed]

You need to park hop, you can't miss World of Color in DCA, Indiana Jones and Pirates in DL, California Screamin if your kids like Rockin Rollercoaster in WDW, Space mountain is different in DL as well. I think someone on here wrote that the walk from DL to DCA is as far as the ferry dock is from the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. Also if you haven't seen Aladdin that's in DCA and not to be missed.

If it is busy make sure you are there on a weekend so all the shows are running and utilize fast passes and you will be fine.

 

[Realmousefan]

Definitely park hopper, fast passes and plan your day well. As everyone said before and spending time in the original Disneyland is MUCH different than the Magic Kingdom at WDW. There is so much history and nuances in DL to soak in and new things in DCA to explore. Have fun in California......

 

[disneydreamfan14]

I was reading about the Matterhorn? Is it a ride?

And I think we will do a park hopper, thanks for everyones comments!

 

[HydroGuy]

I was reading about the Matterhorn? Is it a ride?

And I think we will do a park hopper, thanks for everyones comments!

Yes, Matterhorn is a ride. Even more so, Matterhorn is an icon of the DL park - it is a legend. It is not as advanced as Space Mtn or Big Thunder RR or anything close to California Screamin (it was built in 1959 decades before those rides) - but it is a classic and a must do for most Disney fans. And it is closed for refurb now until June.

 

[splash5]

Disneyland is far superior to the magic kingdom at Disney World, you don't want to miss it. I agree with the previous poster about getting a park hopper so you could experience both places.

 

[danielabella94]

I would get a park hooper because everything is so different. Its not much more then just one ticket

 

[Geemo]

Since your time is ONLY one day, I know you want to make the most of it.
Being a new experience for you, you might want to check into RideMax. They have a website that explains their product.

This way you can see if you'll be able to hop from one park to the next.

You might google it or do a search here and see what others have to say about RideMax.

Have fun on your trip to So.Cal.