Is California Adventure Worth It?

[samara]

We're doing a CA coast trip (LA to SF) in August and are definitely planning on spending a day at Disneyland. We've been to WDW lots of times, but I've only been to DL once about 15 years ago. My kids are 7 and 11, and neither are into big coasters. Is it worth it to either spend an extra day at California Adventure or get a one day Fastpass? Thanks for any advice!

 

[SeattleTink]

Yes, it is totally worth it!

 

[Lissame]

I think it's totally worth it. Not sure what you mean about getting a one day fastpass though...

There are lots of great rides at DCA plus many great things to see and experience--the Aladdin musical, Animation studios just to name a couple...

 

[momtotwolittleones]

I don't think it's worth it, personally. The Aladdin show is definitely cool. Bugs Land is kind of boring, especially for your kids' ages, they won't want to ride the big roller coaster in the other area.

I guess it just depends on how financially doable it is. For one day, we've always done just DL. For two days, we'd probably do 1.5 days at DL and a few hours at DCA. If money is not an issue, then I'm sure it would be fun, but it's not something I would stretch for.

We're going to be there for 5 days, and I've only planned on spending one day DCA.

 

[samara]

Thanks!

 

[VictoriaAndMatt]

I agree. We love DCA. Toy Story Midway Mania, Soarin, Grizzly River Rapids, Tower of Terror (not a coaster but is a thrill ride), just for those rides alone DCA is worth it IMO.

 

[brenda1966]

I think it's certainly worth it! CA is a wonderful park! It has Soarin and Tower of Terror. The Aladdin show is terrific. DD loved doing the animation classes in the Animation building and just playing around with some of the interactive things in there.

There's also Toy Story ride and some other fun kid rides on the Pier (Mulholland madness is a favorite of DD's and the Mickey Fun Wheel o Death LOL). There's also the Monster's inc ride and the Grizzly climbing area that is fun for kids if it's not too hot.

The pixar parade is superior to the one at DL right now -- far superior IMO. Also World of Color is pretty cool.

We spent a full day there, from opening to nearly closing and never tired of the park and never made it over to the Grizzly area at all. We also spent part of other days over there. There's really a lot of wonderful things to see and do there!

 

[Sherry E]

Definitely worth it! A few years ago I might have given a different answer and said "maybe." But Soarin' Over California is great. Aladdin is awesome. Toy Story is one of my top 2 favorite rides in all of DLR. Monsters, Inc. (or Mike and Sulley to the Rescue) is really cute. The Animation Building is a great place to cool down on a hot day, and is a gem. A Bug's Land is mainly designed for kids in terms of rides, but if you have an appreciation for the famous Disney details - the details that are sometimes hidden and sometimes really obvious, but that make Disney so special - A Bug's Land is full of them, down to the 'bug noises' coming from the foliage in random spots, and the giant popsicle stick benches, etc.!

Some really great shops are in DCA as well. Engine Ears is the only place to get Mr. Potato Head with special DLR pieces. The little shop at the exit to Tower of Terror (Tower Hotel) is great. Off the Page is a great shop.

We've actually spent a whole entire day in DCA and only moseyed over to DL to eat dinner, and then headed right back to DCA. It all depends on what your specific interests are while at DLR, but I was able to find plenty of things to occupy me (and to take photos of) while in DCA, in addtion to rides.

 

[bumbershoot]

So you're only planning on ONE day at DL? If so, you might not be able to make it over to DCA, because of focusing on DL. If you had more days, you could hop on over (anything over a one-day ticket IS a hopper)...and in retrospect when we did our first two one-day trips, I wish we'd hopped and not avoided DCA like we did. We thought DCA was ridiculous.

We were soooo wrong. We like DCA more than DL, actually. Bug's Land is SO much better in our opinion than Fantasyland. Your kids are older of course, probably aren't frightened anymore like little ones can get, but FL is full of frightening stuff! The line for PP, Mr Toad, Pinnochio and Snow White are just terrifying...even Alice makes my son scared...and just when you think you're safe and outside, there's the evil queen peering out from the window above Snow White!

But in bug's land, they play happy Bug's Life music, Heimlich burps, and it's just a nice little area that makes me (and my family) happy.

Monsters inc is a GREAT ride, Soarin' is great, Grizzly River Rapids is AWESOME, Screamin' is terrific, words can't describe how much we love Toy Story Midway Mania....plus there's the fun fun music in DCA.

Yeah, I wish we'd discovered DCA earlier, most definitely.

But it's hard to convince one-day people to leave DL to hop to DCA...so unless you add another day so you can do one day of DL, and then another day of either only DCA or hop back and forth...it would be hard to convince you (b/c it sure was for me!).

Either way, have fun.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

You mention the possibility of spending an extra day. If money isn't the problem and you're just trying to figure out if it's worth your time, then I would say definitely yes. I would recommend getting a 2-day parkhopper and going back and forth between both parks (they're really close to each other) throughout the day each day as crowds and whim dictate. DS10 and I never ride California Screamin' or Tower of Terror. DS8 will ride Screamin' but not Tower. DH will ride anything. California Adventure still has enough to offer our whole family. We enjoy riding Monsters Inc., Toy Story Midway Mania, Grizzly River Rapids, and Soarin' over California. The boys like to ride Mulholland Madness although DH and I sit that one out. DS10 loves the Silly Symphonies Swings. Muppets 3D and It's Tough to be a Bug are both fun movies. Aladdin is a great show! The Animation Studio is a good place to cool off. Several characters that you don't regularly see out at Disneyland come out for Meet and Greets at DCA. Sully from MI and Mr. Incredible spring immediately to mind, but there are others. My boys like to burn off steam in the Redwood Creek Challenge area, and sometimes it's just easier to deal with than Tom Sawyer's island. You might want to consider seeing World of Color since WDW doesn't have an equivalent. My boys really like the Pixar Play Parade. Since you're WDW vets, you'll probably concentrate on the things you can't do there, but between Disneyland and DCA, there's still plenty to cover in two days.

 

[disneymama83]

YES! I think it is totally worth it! You could do as the poster above suggested, and hop between both parks to avoid crowd levels. If you have park hoppers and end up not liking DCA(I believe you will enjoy it!) then you can just hop back over to DL.


ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!!!!

 

[pigby]

We spent quite a bit of time in DCA and we loved it - definitely worth a visit for all the reasons mentioned above - but then we'll ride anything. Watched the short movie in Blue Sky Imagineers - tells you what they are doing to the park over the next couple of years - Little Mermaid, Carsland and making a early Hollywood themed entrance and street complete with red trolley bus similar to Main Street. We did the park 'to death' in our couple of weeks and would definitely go back - ideally in 2012 after the above changes - which look AMAZING.

 

[tdashgirl]

It's tough because you're only there for 1 day. If I only had 1 day, I'd have to go to DL. It's still my favorite park. But if there's anyway you can swing a longer stay, I'd go for a 2-day or more park hopper - that way you can enjoy both parks everyday. DCA has it's charms. It has some great rides that are different from DL. I also love, love, love sipping a Karl Strauss beer,eating something Sourdough-y, and people-watching at the Pacific Wharf. One of my favorite DLR activities.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Is it really just 1 day? Well, *here's* our 1 day visit to DLR last mid July *we got a lot done, if I hadn't been in a while and didn't plan to return soon I wouldn't have done any TS meals ~ we had lunch at Blue Bayou, dessert at Carnation Cafe and dinner at Ariel's - not eating there would've given us more ride/show time, but we go often enough that it was fine.

 

[jtown]

Normally, I'd say skip DCA but you say you've been to WDW many times (which I assume includes MK). In this case, it seems like it would make more sense to go with the park that's unique to California. Better yet, take the extra day and do both.

 

[skiingfast]

I agree with the PP if you want to see something new go to DCA. If you don't take the opportunity to see the World of Color while on the west coast that would be a shame.

I would take 2 days and hop park to park if possible. It would truly be worth it to also see the better Fantasmic in DL as well.

 

[Funball]

It’s worth it, they have more then just that one big roller coaster.. Bugs land is cool with the little kids, then you have the Aladdin show,playhouse Disney live on stage, the new silly symphony strings ride—that’s fun! And the new WOC!!

But DCA has soo much to offer FOR all ages, that it really should not be missed. You should at least experience for the one time that you are here. i love DCA.

 

[SD33]

I'm not sure how you could go to the DL and NOT go to DCA! It's totally worth it! So many rides, so little ground to traverse. Plus, World of Color is there. It gets better by the day. And, it has some of the best dining options that the resort has to offer.

And do not miss Aladdin...best Disney theme park show anywhere...ever...hands down.

 

[pixiewings71]

I don't think it's worth it, personally. The Aladdin show is definitely cool. Bugs Land is kind of boring, especially for your kids' ages, they won't want to ride the big roller coaster in the other area.

I guess it just depends on how financially doable it is. For one day, we've always done just DL. For two days, we'd probably do 1.5 days at DL and a few hours at DCA. If money is not an issue, then I'm sure it would be fun, but it's not something I would stretch for.

We're going to be there for 5 days, and I've only planned on spending one day DCA.

?? If their kids are big coaster riders then yes they will want to ride the big coaster in the other area.... ??

It’s worth it, they have more then just that one big roller coaster.. Bugs land is cool with the little kids, then you have the Aladdin show,playhouse Disney live on stage, the new silly symphony strings ride—that’s fun! And the new WOC!!

But DCA has soo much to offer FOR all ages, that it really should not be missed. You should at least experience for the one time that you are here. i love DCA.

I would absolutely go to DCA...DCA is GREAT!! Our family can spend a full day there and still go back another day. If your kids like thrill rides they will also like Tower of Terror, DD10 was 6 when we first went and that was her favorite ride. I would get a hopper and go to both parks, but I would also make sure I was there for more then 1 day.

 

[Funball]

I'm not sure how you could go to the DL and NOT go to DCA! It's totally worth it! So many rides, so little ground to traverse. Plus, World of Color is there. It gets better by the day. And, it has some of the best dining options that the resort has to offer.

And do not miss Aladdin...best Disney theme park show anywhere...ever...hands down.

?? If their kids are big coaster riders then yes they will want to ride the big coaster in the other area.... ??



I would absolutely go to DCA...DCA is GREAT!! Our family can spend a full day there and still go back another day. If your kids like thrill rides they will also like Tower of Terror, DD10 was 6 when we first went and that was her favorite ride. I would get a hopper and go to both parks, but I would also make sure I was there for more then 1 day.

DCA lovers!!!!
OHHH i love you guys both!!!