Help with splitting 4 days (non-hopper) between DL and CA

[intromission76]

My other question today didn't gain too much traction, so hopefully I can get some opinions with this one now that I've locked down our accommodations and tickets.

Son and I will be arriving in Anaheim from Joshua Tree late morning probably on a Monday in July, so no rope drop that day, Tuesday and Wednesday will be full days with rope drop, and Thursday may be a rope drop as well depending on how late we are up Wednesday. Thursday we will leave the Disney area around 2-3 to be at LAX by 8 (hoping to stop in Hollywood or Venice on the way just to sightsee.) We have never been to Cali. I had forgotten that I have to pick the reservations now, which honestly feels like it will limit any potential dining options this late, but if you had to split the days up, would you just do an even split 2/2 or 3/1 favoring Disneyland. We have been to WDW a couple of times but missed the Galaxy's Edge opening by a week last time we were there in 2019. We are huge Star Wars fans. Seems like there's more to do at Disneyland, but we may end up loving the GOTG ride or Incredicoaster enough to want to repeat. Feeling a little overwhelmed by decisions. Any help?

The way I see it, Tuesday and Wednesday are our "full days," so maybe one at each, and then between Monday and Thursday kind of making up another full day-Do Disneyland to make it 2 (DL), 1 (CA).

 

[starry_solo]

What are your must do attractions for each park, other than what you said above?

 

[mdmost]

I think unless you're just really into Marvel or Pixar that doing 3 days in DL and 1 in California Adventure is good. I think you're going to want at least two rope drops in DL. Since you only really have a morning on your last day, I'd do DL for sure. You'll want at least one rope drop to do Galaxy's Edge.

As far as CA rides you may want to redo, I'd start at Pixar Pier at Rope Drop. You can hit Incredicoaster a good 2-3 times before 8:30. Last time, we rode it twice went and had a quick breakfast burrito from one of the carts and rode it again. Then you can work your way over to Guardians. If you get Genie+, you can get a quick LL for either. I think with Genie+, you can do all of CA in one day and feel content. There's just so much more to do in DL.

 

[intromission76]

What are your must do attractions for each park, other than what you said above?

Disneyland:
Galaxy's Edge
Space Mountain
Indy
Pirates
BTMR
Matterhorn
Haunted Mansion
Runaway Railway
Alice in Wonderland
Star Tours

California Adventure:
GOTG
Incredicoaster
Radiator Springs Racers
Avengers/Spiderman
Soarin
Grizzly River Run
World of Color show?

 

[intromission76]

I think unless you're just really into Marvel or Pixar that doing 3 days in DL and 1 in California Adventure is good. I think you're going to want at least two rope drops in DL. Since you only really have a morning on your last day, I'd do DL for sure. You'll want at least one rope drop to do Galaxy's Edge.

As far as CA rides you may want to redo, I'd start at Pixar Pier at Rope Drop. You can hit Incredicoaster a good 2-3 times before 8:30. Last time, we rode it twice went and had a quick breakfast burrito from one of the carts and rode it again. Then you can work your way over to Guardians. If you get Genie+, you can get a quick LL for either. I think with Genie+, you can do all of CA in one day and feel content. There's just so much more to do in DL.

This seems like good advice. How hard is getting on Radiator Springs Raceway? The worrying thing for me is hearing how often rides have been breaking down and things being closed in the morning etc.

 

[AndrewC]

I would also agree putting more weight on the Disney side of things… half a day or something of a ride being down could be a huge bummer…

BUT, and I don’t recall you saying how old your son is, also look at the hours for the two parks.

If you’re someone that can stay out till the very end and still get up early the next day for more, possibly factor in Disneyland’s slightly longer hours (depending on day/season) to maximize the daily hours in the park by doing that on the day you might arrive later in the day.

Same thing with DCA and their slightly later opening time… that might be a little easier to do after hanging in Disneyland up till close.

 

[intromission76]

I would also agree putting more weight on the Disney side of things… half a day or something of a ride being down could be a huge bummer…

BUT, and I don’t recall you saying how old your son is, also look at the hours for the two parks.

If you’re someone that can stay out till the very end and still get up early the next day for more, possibly factor in Disneyland’s slightly longer hours (depending on day/season) to maximize the daily hours in the park by doing that on the day you might arrive later in the day.

Same thing with DCA and their slightly later opening time… that might be a little easier to do after hanging in Disneyland up till close.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of the later opening at CA. My son will be 17 so he'll probably be able to hang later than his old man. Haha. The Disney enthusiasm typically keeps me going though.

 

[AndrewC]

Thanks, I wasn't aware of the later opening at CA. My son will be 17 so he'll probably be able to hang later than his old man. Haha. The Disney enthusiasm typically keeps me going though.

Well I spoke too soon, though in my defense I usually don’t hit it during the summer. Looks like both open at 8am, but DL stays open two hours later till midnight, DCA is ~10pm on weekends, on weekdays DL is still open one hour later than DCA. So just factor that in, ultimately you’ll have a great time if you focus on what you’re doing and how much fun you two are having rather than “damn, we missed this or that!”

 

[mdmost]

This seems like good advice. How hard is getting on Radiator Springs Raceway? The worrying thing for me is hearing how often rides have been breaking down and things being closed in the morning etc.

It fills up fast. Most people rope drop it for this reason. We do the individual lighting lane for it which frees us up to worry about other areas instead of fighting the crowds to get on. It's extra money but I honestly feel it's worth it for exactly the reason of then you have a guaranteed pass to get back on it later if the ride goes down during your LL time. I think you'll find that you can get so much done before 10am there. Hit up Incredicoaster or Guardians first then go to the other immediately after.

DCA closes earlier than DL. I think that could be a great option for the day before you fly out so you're not up too late. Stay at DLR late on the first two days and then go back to your hotel at 10pm on the day before you fly out.

 

[intromission76]

It fills up fast. Most people rope drop it for this reason. We do the individual lighting lane for it which frees us up to worry about other areas instead of fighting the crowds to get on. It's extra money but I honestly feel it's worth it for exactly the reason of then you have a guaranteed pass to get back on it later if the ride goes down during your LL time. I think you'll find that you can get so much done before 10am there. Hit up Incredicoaster or Guardians first then go to the other immediately after.

DCA closes earlier than DL. I think that could be a great option for the day before you fly out so you're not up too late. Stay at DLR late on the first two days and then go back to your hotel at 10pm on the day before you fly out.

We have Thursday morning too. Make up for the missed morning from Monday and do more Disney I would think? Galaxy's Edge is a huge draw for us so I imagine we will want extra time there, as well as Indy and Space Mountain. Thanks for the advice!

 

[starry_solo]

I would try to get Genie+ for your DCA day and for one of your DL days. Yes, it's an extra $40-50 per day

Disneyland:
Galaxy's Edge = Smuggler's Run is a Genie + but they also have a single rider line; Rise of the Resistance is the ILL+, but maybe you could go first thing in the morning?
Space Mountain = Genie_
Indy = Genie+
Pirates = standby only
BTMR = Genie+
Matterhorn = Genie+
Haunted Mansion = Genie+
Runaway Railway = standby only or paid lightning lane (ILL$), which isn't too bad. If you rope drop this (instead of RotR), you could get into it quickly if Toontown opens early that day. We did that one day and the wait was basically walking all the way through the long queue to get to the screening room
Alice in Wonderland = standby only
Star Tours = Genie+

California Adventure:
GOTG = Genie+ ride
Incredicoaster = Genie+ ride and has a single rider line
Radiator Springs Racers = Genie+ ride and has a single rider line
Avengers/Spiderman = Genie+ ride and has a single rider line
Soarin = Genie +
Grizzly River Run = Genie +
World of Color show? = many people recommend the dessert show because you get seats at a high top table. Personally, I like the buffet dinner at Storyteller's Cafe and then reserved viewing area (but you stand).

 

[intromission76]

I would try to get Genie+ for your DCA day and for one of your DL days. Yes, it's an extra $40-50 per day

Disneyland:
Galaxy's Edge = Smuggler's Run is a Genie + but they also have a single rider line; Rise of the Resistance is the ILL+, but maybe you could go first thing in the morning?
Space Mountain = Genie_
Indy = Genie+
Pirates = standby only
BTMR = Genie+
Matterhorn = Genie+
Haunted Mansion = Genie+
Runaway Railway = standby only or paid lightning lane (ILL$), which isn't too bad. If you rope drop this (instead of RotR), you could get into it quickly if Toontown opens early that day. We did that one day and the wait was basically walking all the way through the long queue to get to the screening room
Alice in Wonderland = standby only
Star Tours = Genie+

California Adventure:
GOTG = Genie+ ride
Incredicoaster = Genie+ ride and has a single rider line
Radiator Springs Racers = Genie+ ride and has a single rider line
Avengers/Spiderman = Genie+ ride and has a single rider line
Soarin = Genie +
Grizzly River Run = Genie +
World of Color show? = many people recommend the dessert show because you get seats at a high top table. Personally, I like the buffet dinner at Storyteller's Cafe and then reserved viewing area (but you stand).

Yes, was thinking about it for the California Adventure day for sure.

 

[intromission76]

I would try to get Genie+ for your DCA day and for one of your DL days. Yes, it's an extra $40-50 per day

Disneyland:
Galaxy's Edge = Smuggler's Run is a Genie + but they also have a single rider line; Rise of the Resistance is the ILL+, but maybe you could go first thing in the morning?
Space Mountain = Genie_
Indy = Genie+
Pirates = standby only
BTMR = Genie+
Matterhorn = Genie+
Haunted Mansion = Genie+
Runaway Railway = standby only or paid lightning lane (ILL$), which isn't too bad. If you rope drop this (instead of RotR), you could get into it quickly if Toontown opens early that day. We did that one day and the wait was basically walking all the way through the long queue to get to the screening room
Alice in Wonderland = standby only
Star Tours = Genie+

California Adventure:
GOTG = Genie+ ride
Incredicoaster = Genie+ ride and has a single rider line
Radiator Springs Racers = Genie+ ride and has a single rider line
Avengers/Spiderman = Genie+ ride and has a single rider line
Soarin = Genie +
Grizzly River Run = Genie +
World of Color show? = many people recommend the dessert show because you get seats at a high top table. Personally, I like the buffet dinner at Storyteller's Cafe and then reserved viewing area (but you stand).

The dessert show or buffet dinner, are those outdoor dining. I'm definitely looking for outdoor dining options.

Thanks for the suggestions.

EDIT: Need to do some research, but those don't look quite like something we'd be interested in.

 

[starry_solo]

The dessert show or buffet dinner, are those outdoor dining. I'm definitely looking for outdoor dining options.

Thanks for the suggestions.

EDIT: Need to do some research, but those don't look quite like something we'd be interested in.

World of Color - the dessert happens outside. I believe Wine Country Trattoria has a package available too, with dining outside.

Otherwise, you can do the virtual queue on the cell phone, I forgot what time it is, to get a ticket.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

I agree with the 3 DL 1 DCA days. A consideration for RSR is that they have single rider line which can get you on quickly in the morning. One day we rode it 4 times in a row with no wait while the main line was an hour. We could have done more but wanted to do other things. Sometimes you even get lucky and get the same car. But you also can race each other. Carsland is also a different experience at night. I don’t like Incredicoaster but my kids do and there are sweet spots in the evening where you can ride it multiple times in a row with little wait. I would consider the Dessert Party even if you don’t think it is your thing. It is a great way to watch the show and if you do the second showing it is after the park closes so you don’t really miss out on much park time. There are great details in Galaxy’s Edge and good food and an immersive experience at Docking Bay 7. Try to go in the day and night to get the full experience. DL has a lot of great quick service options so don’t sweat the table service unless there is something you really want to try.