Kids at DCA

[jlima]

I will take issue with the comment that kids will not enjoy DCA very much. I assert that young children can potentially have a better time at DCA than they can at D-land. The thing that they can do a DCA is have a good play experience. My 7-yr old son spent about an hour at each of Redwood Creek, S.S. Rustworthy, and the Irrigation center. He had a great time, and I had to drag him away. The Carousel is great, and kids can enjoy the Animation attraction, Muppet Movie, carnival games, Steps in Time, and even play with dough at the tortilla factory.

One of the coolest things I have ever seen was at the Vinyard resturant. They had a very cool winery coloring book, and the crayon colors were: Santa Barbara Blue, Napa Red, Montery Green and Sonoma Yellow.

Granted, this time kind of time committment at these attractions may not work for all families, but if you are able to gear your visit towards the children, they will have a wonderful time.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=navy>My cousins were out in July, and their 10 and 13 year olds loved DCA. They had so much fun there. However, it would have been nice if there were more things their 5 year old could enjoy. She couldn't get on many rides, so spent a lot of "waiting" time for the bigger kids. They eventually left the kids to go on rides on their own, and took the 5 year old around. I agree that smaller children can have fun there, especially if their parents aren't expecting a "Fantasyland" area at the park right now.

I think DCA is great for 7 on up.

 

[Michelle]

I agree, jilima, my 8-year-old LOVES DCA and Soarin' is her absolute favorite ride. She would spend the whole day in Redwood Creek and in parts of the Animation Tour if she could. And we also love the Golden Vine Terrace outside the Vineyard room; they also have the fun coloring books and a great kid's menu.

I think because she is not a thrill-ride kid that the slower pace of DCA is right up my DD's alley. Kids who enjoy rides that she doesn't will still probably prefer DL, but DCA does offer things for kids that DL does not.

 

[teri]

I wish that they had more rides at DCA like they have at Bonfante Gardens to appeal to little kids. But my kids had a fine time there, both times we went.

 

[jlima]

For people who are doing a Disney trip, and want stuff for their under ten kids to do, I highly recommend a trip to Knott's Berry Farm. Camp Snoopy is geared toward little kids in ways that nothing at Disney is. They have a real little coaster that is much tamer than Gadget's Go Coaster, and the Jaguar which looks huge but is no more intense than Gadget's. They have rides that little kids really like such as little Air Planes and hand cars that they propell themslves around that track with (no parents on these), and plent of other fun things. Other regular attractions are enjoyablle to children too: a Tea Cup like ride, carousel, log ride, steam train, stage coach, mine ride, and a dinosuar ride.. They also have many other carnival-tyoe rides and interesting attractions.

Plus . . . PLUS, any thrill ride members in your party will not want to miss Ghost Rider, Perilous Plung, or even Supreme Scream.

Knott's is a very clean, and family oriented park. It is not Disney, but it is worth your time if you have extra days to burn in So Cal. And it's only about five miles from Disney.

 

[princessjoy]

Jlima, I totally agree. When we visited DCA for the first time in May, my 5 year old niece decided she liked it BETTER than DL. Her favorites were Soarin', California Screamin' and Grizzly Peak. There weren't ANY rides she disliked. Plus its less crowded there. Anyone that might be thinking of passing on DCA because they have kids shouldn't!!! It's great for all ages!!!!