One day in anaheim - wwyd

[DLo]

ok, wdw vet here asking for some advice. We are planning a family vacation to Southern California. My ds12 and myself are the only dis lovers in the family. DH has said we could have one day at DisneyLand. Would you do just DL or just CA or try to see a little of both? Having read threads on here, I know we need a minimum of 3 days to do it all but this may be our only shot so want to maximize our one day.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I am a WDW Vet planning my first trip to DL in July so I don't have first hand knowledge. But I voted for try to see a little of both as that is what I would do if I were in your position. If it were my only and only chance to see DL & DCA, I would want to see the things that are different from WDW.

Curious to hear what the DLR vets have to say!

 

[Flitterific]

Since the two parks are so close to each other (literally steps away), I would definitely park hop but concentrate most of my day at DL since there is so much more to see there than DCA. Definitely get there before DL opens and try to ride as many rides as possible and collect FPs for the afternoon/evening, head on over to DCA late morning before it gets too crowded so you can check it out and then head back to DL for the rest of the day. If you are there early, you guys can still get a lot done. When are you guys going?

 

[barefootmomma]

Since the two parks are so close to each other (literally steps away), I would definitely park hop but concentrate most of my day at DL since there is so much more to see there than DCA. Definitely get there before DL opens and try to ride as many rides as possible and collect FPs for the afternoon/evening, head on over to DCA late morning before it gets too crowded so you can check it out and then head back to DL for the rest of the day. If you are there early, you guys can still get a lot done. When are you guys going?

I agree here. I voted spend the whole day in Disneyland, but there are a few gems in DCA. I would definitely concentrate most of my time at Disneyland though. It is entirely possible to get a ton done in one day's time.

 

[DangerMouse]

ok, wdw vet here asking for some advice. We are planning a family vacation to Southern California. My ds12 and myself are the only dis lovers in the family. DH has said we could have one day at DisneyLand. Would you do just DL or just CA or try to see a little of both? Having read threads on here, I know we need a minimum of 3 days to do it all but this may be our only shot so want to maximize our one day.

When are you planning on visiting? What day of the week? Park hours will influence my answer.

 

[Dopey's MIL]

Depending on the level of dis-loyalty you have and a day with extended hours, I'd say you have a great shot of maximizing DL and a great portion of DCA in one day. Make a list of the "have to do's" and the a list of the things "that won't kill you" if you don't get to see it or ride it. Go from there...keep an eye on the entertainment schedule (especially for Aladdin, Billy Hill and of course the parades)

Have a great day! I'd never turn down a single day at DL!

 

[cccdisney]

I voted for park hopping! Being a WDW vet I'm sure you know how to collect FP's and tour effectively. Be there at Park opening and start collecting fast passes. If you will not have early entry privileges, try to go on a non-early entry day (M,W,F).
When will you be going?
Also be sure to read the stickys on the top of the thread for WDW vets. You will be surprised how much you can get done in one day if you plan wisely.

 

[vettegirl]

I say visit both you can't go wrong. DL is an amazing park, and after visiting WDW and DLP it's still my favorite park out of all. Have a great time!!

 

[NVDisMom]

Park hopping is so easy at DL, there is absolutely no reason not to see both parks. You didn't mention when you are going...definitely read and utilize the rules of Fastpass that HydroGuy has so eloquently put together for everyone. Plan on being there for rope drop, tour and gather fastpasses throughout the morning, enjoy a nice lunch in one park or the other, then when things start to get busy go to CA and tour (squeeze in Aladdin if you can), finish the day/evening off at DL with Fireworks and possibly Fantasmic. If you have the time and energy, finish the night off with some more rides. Its all about finding your "must dos" and planning for those then filling in the gaps with other convenient things along the way.

 

[Sherry E]

I voted in the "try a little of both" camp, although the day you are going and the hours DL is open make a bit of difference.

A lot also depends on your 'to do' list and your touring style. If you just kind of want a good 'highlight tour' of both parks without too much stress or need to get on X number of rides in the day, you can have a very full and rewarding day. If you want to try to cram a lot into the day in both parks, you will need to utilize as many time maximization techniques as you can, meaning possibly Ridemax, Fast Passes, make reservations for any table service place you may decide to eat, get to DL when it opens and stay until when it closes, etc. I always think that getting a sampling of both parks in one day is good - and, in fact, if it happens to be a time when people in DL are packed like sardines, you may welcome the 'escape' over to DCA. That's what lots of people do - they head across the Esplanade to DCA when things get to be too crowded in DL.

Also, because the very popular and entertaining Aladdin show in DCA is ending in August, I would say that, if for no other reason, go into DCA just to see that before it leaves. Plus, the Animation building is quite nice. The Monsters Inc. ride is really cute. California Screamin' is a big favorite for people. And depending on when you go, World of Color may be open. There are lots of cool things to see/do in DCA, but, of course, there is more to focus on in DL.

 

[DLo]

Thanks everyone for your responses. We are going the last week in July. I am thinking Monday would be better than Sunday - right? It would be a sat, sun, or mon most likely as we are heading down to San Diego after a couple of days in the LA area.

I appreciate all your advice!!

 

[Raindown]

I'm going to throw a vote in there for the whole day at DL. I've never been to WDW so I don't know how similar, if at all, the two parks are. There are about 4 highlight I would say at DCA. California Screaming, Soaring, Tower of Terror and perhaps one more. Perhaps my familiarity with DL affects my feelings toward DCA.