Hidden gems in DCA? Tell me your favorites!

[janae7]

So the first time we went we were a little bit defeated by DCA; we just weren't as familiar with it and were pretty overwhelmed with where everything was, and pretty soon we just went back over to Disneyland lol. We didn't even bother going in last time we were there, but we're going back in October and giving DCA another go, and attempting to be up to snuff on our planning this time.

One of the things I LOVE about Disneyland is all of the little hidden treasures throughout the park - the phone you can pick up and listen to, the fortune tellers, the fun little details to hunt out. Do you all have suggestions for these kinds of things in DCA? What should we look for?

 

[GenGen22]

I like the Sorcerers workshop in Hollywood land. In the Sorcerer's Workshop there are a number of interactive activities available. You can create your own animation, or in Ursula's Grotto you can add your voice to an animated scene. In the Beast's Library sit down with one of the enchanted books andLumiere will ask you a series of questions and tell you what Disney character is most like you.

http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dca/anim.htm

 

[ParkHopper1]

Turtle Talk with Crush and the whole Animation Academy building

 

[disneyxica20]

redwood creek challenge is pretty cool. it's mostly fun for kids, but we like to walk through there just to take a break from the crowds.
and we also love the animation building. we love to do the drawing lessons and have a big collection of drawings.

in Ursula's Grotto you can add your voice to an animated scene.

we haven't gone thru there on our last few visits, but it has been closed for a long time. did it reopen recently?

 

[GenGen22]

redwood creek challenge is pretty cool. it's mostly fun for kids, but we like to walk through there just to take a break from the crowds.
and we also love the animation building. we love to do the drawing lessons and have a big collection of drawings.


we haven't gone thru there on our last few visits, but it has been closed for a long time. did it reopen recently?

I'm not sure about Ursela's voice. I copied this from Allears.net. I was looking for something stating where you can answer questions in the book and it tells what character you are most like. I had gone to DCA many times and didn't know about this until someone told me on a shuttle on my way there once.

 

[disneyxica20]

I'm not sure about Ursela's voice. I copied this from Allears.net. I was looking for something stating where you can answer questions in the book and it tells what character you are most like. I had gone to DCA many times and didn't know about this until someone told me on a shuttle on my way there once.

oh, ok. i think it's probably still closed then. you can only go as far as the beast's library.

 

[arichau]

Animation Academy is so great. My family went back almost every day to draw a different character. Redwood is a great place to just check out and relax as well. I have never been to the Cove Bar but a lot of people on this board have mentioned it as a nice place to spend time.

I really like the characters. Seeing them in different outfits. And I also like the roaming entertainment and the Pixar parade (I didn't see it this year but usually it's very easy to grab a good seat last minute).

A lot of times we head to DCA when we need a break from the crowds. We can always count on Little Mermaid as an almost walk on and the swings ride for a quick and fun view of the parks.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Sitting at Paradise Gardens and watching the Ellis Island Boys play. They are one of the tightest, best bands at DLR. Also, the neon lighting of Route 66 in Cars Land. Be on Route 66 just before sunset (Google the time for that day), grab a snack or drink, and wait for the magic to happen.

 

[rentayenta]

I love so many parts of DCA and it took time to appreciate it. I love the area by Soarin' and around to GRR. The little shop there has the cutest things. Love love love popping into the GCH for a drink too. Visit the Hearthstone Lounge. Enjoy a snack or cocktail at the Cove Bar- the location cannot be beat. The Redwood Creek Challenge is really cute. We have seen the characters from Up there before. Bug's Land during the holidays is especially wonderful. They eye for detail is amazing. Carsland at dusk when the lights come on is magical. It's not quite as magical as Main St when its all lit up but it's a close second.

 

[tarheelalum]

Ride Monsters Inc. Great ride that nobody ever seems to bother with. Cozy Cone has some great food. Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta also has some good food. Also behind the RSR fast pass distribution is a Bugs Land theater. Great little 15 minute show and super air conditioning on a hot day.

 

[StayClassy]

I think paradise pier was the hidden gem of my trip. It always felt like the lines were so fast and shorter than other areas. I think in part because most people rushed to ToT or Carsland.

California Screamin, Little Mermaid, Mickeys Funwheel and all the other rides around the boardwalk were the highlight of my trip. Golden Zephyr for example was another hidden gem... It rarely ever had a line and if it did you could easily sneak in last minute and still make it. It's a short and simple ride but it's a great view and a nice breeze when it's hot. I don't know why but it was one of my favorites, I'd ride it several times in a row.

I also really liked the atmosphere. I like the water, and the boardwalk/pier theme. I love that there is so much Ariel because she's my favorite character. I love the little food court and all the other restaurants. I just love paradise pier. Also the toy story characters I felt were always much more fun than many of the other characters. They interact and hold up bunny ears in pics, they're a lot of fun.


Monsters inc was also a hidden gem a lot of the time I could repeat ride because no one was ever in line. Again a great ride and very detailed. Always see something new when I ride. Love the door room where all the doors are flying.


Hyperion theater was a real treat, I saw Aladdin the last days it was there and I sat at the very top in one of the last rows and honestly had no problem what so ever. No one blocked my view, I could see literally everything, it's an unpopular section because it's so high but honestly for frozen I'm going to try for that section. I also have anxiety so I like less people, being able to set my things beside me, and at the end I avoided the rush by leaving fifteen minutes before it ended. I've seen Aladdin the movie obviously so I didn't mind missing the ending. Its nice to cool down, and just rest your feet, also free Broadway style performance!

 

[Indiana Scott]

The cove Bar!
We went to DCA for years before finally trying out this little unassuming spot but now it's a regular for us. The Lobster Nacho's are becoming legendary!

 

[CateinPhoenix]

The Bakery tour was a neat 10 minute walk-through...my kids were mesmerized!

 

[jammyjam25]

DCA is lovely and I hope you take the time to explore it this trip. It's a great break from the hustle and bustle of DL.

Agree with others who recommend the Animation Academy. I could spend an hour just watching all the film scenes go by in the main room, and the character drawing is a really unique experience.

I love just walking around Paradise Pier with a beer, or sitting and watching the lights come on in Carsland with a snack. The wooded area around Grizzly River is beautiful and relaxing as well.

 

[meggles]

Try taking the exit from DCA into the Grand Californian hotel when you need a break. Napa rose lounge, Hearthstone, White water snacks, and even the lobby itself are beautiful and relaxing! Have a snack or just hang out for a bit, then take the entrance right back into DCA (it's fine to use for non-hotel guests after 11 am).

 

[DLlovr]

I love Bugs Land at night.
I don't have little kiddos, so I generally stay away during the day. But at night it's quiet, uncrowded, and the lighting and bug sounds makes it pretty peaceful and magical.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I hope you come to love DCA this trip! I like it equally to DL. We love the balance it brings. I noticed more on our last trip (thankfully next trip no 60th craziness on Main EVERY night) that we'd hop to DCA when we needed a break from the crowded sidewalks. They're wider.

I love little mermaid as an escape from heat or wind-whatever's bothering me weather wise❣

 

[beachdreamr1229]

The entire animation academy building is my favorite. I especially love Beast's library because that was my favorite movie as a kid and it's pretty much the only nod to Beauty and the Beast in the resort.

I'm actually starting to like DCA almost equally (and sometimes more than depending on crowds) DL. I also love the wilderness area. It's a great place for my oldest to play and explore and it's not usually crowded.

 

[choirboy501]

Just as dusk is starting and the park starts to cool off, I like looking at the window displays up and down Buena Vista Street. There are a lot of authentic vintage goods in the displays. Mickey is often doing a meet and greet there at that time, too.

 

[aroseinwintr]

Ursula's Grotto is gone and is now a meet and great or at least it was last November. I have not seen that since 2005. But the books are in the library to see what kind of Princess you are or Prince I am sure. Animation Academy is great I love my pictures I have drawn, turtle talk with crush is a ton of fun even without Littles. I also enjoy Mickey'so fun wheel, you can get the non swinging gondola and get great pictures of the park and surrounding area.