Help! one day - which park on high crowd day?

[Michele Christian]

I only have one day at either Disneyland or California Adventure. This will be my first trip to Disneyland (we visit Disney World frequently). Which park?? We are also going at high crowd time - end of March. Any advice would be much appreciated!!

 

[sherilaine]

I think that is very subjective - have you looked at each park to see which rides/attractions are in each and do you have a preference to what you'd like to see or are you simply asking which park you think would be less crowded.

 

[figment_jii]

I echo sherilaine's questions. I would look at the attractions and shows and see which park has more that seems interesting to you. From a purely crowd perspective, I think DCA tends to be less busy than DL. I know for my family, if we only had one day at DLR, we'd pick DL (more attractions that appeal to us, more shows that we like, and usually longer operating hours).

 

[sheetz]

I know at WDW certain parks get slammed on particular days, but at DLR it's really not like that. DL and DCA do alternate on which one has Extra Magic Hour, but in general DL is almost always more crowded than DCA.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Since it's your first trip to Disneyland and you can visit only one park, then I would visit Disneyland. That's where the history is.

Also, I second figment's comments above, there's just more at DL: attractions, shows, and hours.

 

[Angrose]

Disneyland for sure, just Paint the Night and the fireworks are worth it alone. Get there early, at rope drop, and the first few hours won't be bad at all. Do the most popular rides first thing and start gathering FPs for later in the day. Take a break and have lunch at a TS restaurant, then see some shows and use your FPs. You can have a great time on even the busiest of days!

 

[Michele Christian]

I know at WDW certain parks get slammed on particular days, but at DLR it's really not like that. DL and DCA do alternate on which one has Extra Magic Hour, but in general DL is almost always more crowded than DCA.

sometimes WDW is just wall to wall people! are you saying DLR just isn't like that? that would be wonderful

 

[sheetz]

sometimes WDW is just wall to wall people! are you saying DLR just isn't like that? that would be wonderful

DL is often wall to wall as well. What I mean is that the planning websites have crowd calendars for WDW so they will tell you to visit MK on Monday, Epcot on Tuesday, etc. At DLR DL is always more crowded than DCA.

 

[Michele Christian]

Disneyland for sure, just Paint the Night and the fireworks are worth it alone. Get there early, at rope drop, and the first few hours won't be bad at all. Do the most popular rides first thing and start gathering FPs for later in the day. Take a break and have lunch at a TS restaurant, then see some shows and use your FPs. You can have a great time on even the busiest of days!

thank you!!! can you recommend your favorite TS? I heard Carnation cafe is good.

 

[Michele Christian]

DL is often wall to wall as well. What I mean is that the planning websites have crowd calendars for WDW so they will tell you to visit MK on Monday, Epcot on Tuesday, etc. At DLR DL is always more crowded than DCA.

Ah, I see. thank you

 

[ADLFAN]

Hmmm... that's a hard one! My instinct is actually to suggest California Adventure because of your familiarity with WDW and presumably Magic Kingdom. Disneyland IS beautiful, but compared to WDW, I'm afraid it's going to appear crowded and hectic to you.

California Adventure was built more recently and has the benefit of wide walkways that feel very open compared to DL. It is also unique in its theming, and while some of the rides are repeated in other parks, the concept of basing a theme park off of a place is interesting and original. (Admittedly the original concept was not attractive and this 'classic' redesign that came around the Carsland expansion is much more appealing!)

There are a few very cool and picturesque locations such as the awesome immersive Carsland, the Paradise Pier area, and Bugs Land. Grizzly River Run is fun, with a good amount of theming in the area, too!

DCA is a little weak on entertainment currently, but there are a few street shows every hour at the 'hub' near the fountain and Carthay Circle.

I love California Screamin and Radiator Springs Racers! Toy Story Midway Mania is super fun, but you have to hit it first thing or wait for 30-40 minutes. The line moves fast though...

I think it is totally possible to plan a great full day at DCA, but if you wanted to squeeze a few more operating hours in, you can consider the Park Hopper add on when you arrive and have access to both parks all day.

Have fun planning!

 

[Angrose]

thank you!!! can you recommend your favorite TS? I heard Carnation cafe is good.

I have only been there for breakfast and really enjoyed it. The only other TS I've done is Blue Bayou, which is very special since it is INSIDE the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The restaurant is pricey and gets mixed reviews, but I love it! They are currently offering a package with reserved seating for the Paint the Night parade. If you think you want to eat there and see the parade then the package is a good deal. You can make reservations 60 days in advance.
The other TS place that is usually recommended is Café Orleans. I haven't eaten there yet, but plan to do so next week. Apparently their pommes frites are to die for!

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I'd suggest adding the park hopper option to your tickets. Unlike DW, where you have to spend significant amounts of time travelling from park to park, DL and DCA are virtually the same park, where it will take you 60 seconds to get from the exit of one to the entrance of the other.

Not sure I'm seeing any good reason why - if you rope dropped, skipped the rides and attractions at DL that are identical to those at DW, used fastpasses and stayed to closing - you couldn't power through both parks in one (admittedly very long) day.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I'd choose blue bayou if I only got one ts in DL.

 

[tlovesdis]

thank you!!! can you recommend your favorite TS? I heard Carnation cafe is good.

Cafe Orleans! Pomme Frites and 3 Cheese Monte Cristo!!!

 

[Michele Christian]

Thank you all so much!!!!! this was such fantastic information! you all are the best! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

 

[Lessa1]

I agree that you should get the park hopper, even though it's more expensive. It's a better use of your money than dining at Blue Bayou.

The best food there is the Monte Cristo sandwich (think donuts meets ham and cheese sandwich). DD also loves the corn dogs. We usually eat at Story Teller cafe near DTD in the GCH, but now that we've discovered the Monte Cristo, things may be different ;-)