How much time in DCA

[dizneekrazee]

We are going to have our first day in the parks be Oct. 31. I was originally planning to do breakfast at Carnation Cafe at Main St. opening time, then head over to DCA for the remainder of the day. Leave about 5:30ish to have dinner at WWS, return to hotel to change into costumes, and go back to DCA for MToT party. Do you think I need the whole day plus the party time in DCA?? Or should I just do party time in DCA? Or what??

Our must do's for DCA:
TSMM (possibly more than once since it seems so great!!)
Monsters Inc.
Disney Animation
ToT (DS4 is "dying" to ride it)
Screamin (DS9 is ready to ride it, as I can finally go on now too)
Soarin
GRRR
Redwood Trail
Bugs Land for the little guy

Thanks for the help!!

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I think that your plan sounds good. Since not everything is operating during the party, going there before it starts will give you time to do the other things you really want to do.
I'll be there on Halloween too! Maybe I'll see you.

 

[Disney Dreams]

The animation academy has some really wonderful things. I think it would be a mistake to leave it off your list completely. Granted, my list of to do's is for the little kid in adults with no kids, so it may be different, but we love everything that building has attraction-wise.

I also did not see the Electrical Parade on your list. I would not miss it.

- Dreams

 

[tofubeast]

As Dreams said, the Elec Parade is NOT to be missed.

I totally think you can do DCA in that one day you mentioned. We were there last week from 10:15 and finished rides before dinner...with NO problem. Just collect FP's along the way. HAVE FUN!

 

[cheshiregirl]

We will also be at the Halloween party on the 31st! DS will be dressed as Roo (assuming he grows enough in the next 2 months to fit into the size 18month costume I bought from disneyshopping.com).

I would recommend that you spread out your time at DCA over the course of your entire visit rather than doing it all in one day. DCA is a great change of pace from the hustle and bustle (not to mention crowds) of DL.

We enjoy going over around park opening and getting Soarin' FP and our Disney Visa character meet and greet photos done and taking in one or two attractions before going back to DL. Also, while some people take hotel/pool breaks during the afternoon, we take DCA breaks.

Your little one will love Bug's Land. It is cool and shady compared to the rest of DCA and depending on the weather make sure he has play clothes for the water features in Bug's Land.

I also think that DS will enjoy the Candy Corn Acres set up in the Sun Plaza towards the front of the park. They have CMs on stilts that make them look like giant candy corn people and other CMs who set up games for kids to play. It is a really cute display and totally aimed at your DS's age group.

Have fun and enjoy~ Some people give DCA a bad rap for not being "Disney" enough, but we like the different atmosphere it provides from DL. Not to say that we are not looking forward to the coming changes and new attractions, but even with the new stuff, it's never going to be DL the same way that Epcot, AK and DHS will never be the Magic Kingdom!

 

[tofubeast]

Have fun and enjoy~ Some people give DCA a bad rap for not being "Disney" enough, but we like the different atmosphere it provides from DL. Not to say that we are not looking forward to the coming changes and new attractions, but even with the new stuff, it's never going to be DL the same way that Epcot, AK and DHS will never be the Magic Kingdom!

WELL SAID! We felt the same way about DCA during our first visit last week!