One day over spring break...AM I NUTS?

[nilseks]

After canceling a schedule cruise out of FL because spring break 2015 airfares are insane (and I mean ) we were shopping around for cheap airfare to places we want to go, and just happened to stumble on a super cheap flight to LAX the last week of March. So away we go to CA at last!

This isn't how I wanted our first trip to L.A. to be, but my son can't miss school at other times, so we're winging it.

We will have 6 days in L.A., and a lot of other things we want to do, as well as dear friends we want to visit. I'm the Disney fan of the family (yearly trips to WDW since my boys were tiny) and I really want to squeeze in one day at Disneyland. Honestly, my boys (ages 11 and 14) and husband could take it or leave it...it's ME who wants to go.

If we do one day, I'm thinking there is probably no point in park hoppers, correct? I'm assuming it will be so crowded we won't even be able to cover one park, let alone 2. So that leaves us with deciding which park to do. I'm more inclined to do Disneyland simply because it's iconic, I want to see the castle, take pics of the castle, etc. My younger son loves Buzz Lightyear and Space Mountain at WDW so I think he would really want to do those in CA. Disneyland seems like it would have more of the magic feel I love so much, but CA seems to have rides that would appeal more to my boys and husband.

What to do, what to do???

 

[Butterfly123]

Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear are in DL, do you are in luck!

 

[Zbugz]

After canceling a schedule cruise out of FL because spring break 2015 airfares are insane (and I mean ) we were shopping around for cheap airfare to places we want to go, and just happened to stumble on a super cheap flight to LAX the last week of March. So away we go to CA at last!

This isn't how I wanted our first trip to L.A. to be, but my son can't miss school at other times, so we're winging it.

We will have 6 days in L.A., and a lot of other things we want to do, as well as dear friends we want to visit. I'm the Disney fan of the family (yearly trips to WDW since my boys were tiny) and I really want to squeeze in one day at Disneyland. Honestly, my boys (ages 11 and 14) and husband could take it or leave it...it's ME who wants to go.

If we do one day, I'm thinking there is probably no point in park hoppers, correct? I'm assuming it will be so crowded we won't even be able to cover one park, let alone 2. So that leaves us with deciding which park to do. I'm more inclined to do Disneyland simply because it's iconic, I want to see the castle, take pics of the castle, etc. My younger son loves Buzz Lightyear and Space Mountain at WDW so I think he would really want to do those in CA. Disneyland seems like it would have more of the magic feel I love so much, but CA seems to have rides that would appeal more to my boys and husband.

What to do, what to do???

First trip to DLR and only doing one park? I definitely would go with DL over CA. I think it has more to offer, and is the quintessential experience. There will be plenty to appeal to your family.

However, you could do parkhoppers and just hit the highlights in both parks, since you only have one day. That way you can manage the crowds and get a great overview. It's only about 5 mins. to parkhop. If the additional cost weren't an issue, that'd be what I'd do.

 

[grnflash]

Well I think you'd be crazy not to do a day! Personally I'd stick to just DL. Crowds will be crazy but imo shuffling between 2 parks means you'll just be doing more navigating, less enjoying the sublime theming of DL. I think you'll see more and do more sticking to one park plus have opportunities to relax a bit.

Whatever you do, start your day at DL - ropedrop a non early entry day. This will give you the best chance to get some major rides in without the inevitable major waits. And with kids that age and being boys, I'd also suggest starting on the Adventure/Frontier/NOS side of the park. Fantasy and Tomorrow lands fill up first, so take advantage of the relative lull for the first hour or two on the other side of the park. Operating hours should be long that week - you'll have lots of time to deal with the Fantasyland crowds later (lol.)

**Side note since Space sounds like a must do. Don't wait too late to get your Space FP. These will probably run out sometime in the afternoon. And the later you grab one, the later your return time will be. So if you don't want like an 11pm return, probably best to get them by noon.

 

[cmpeter]

Personally, I prefer to go to DCA when it's going to be crowded. Plus then you get to ride RSR and California Screaming, which I am sure your boys would like...my teens do.

You can (and probably already have) done Space and Buzz at WDW.

 

[scrapshappen]

Personally, I prefer to go to DCA when it's going to be crowded. Plus then you get to ride RSR and California Screaming, which I am sure your boys would like...my teens do.

You can (and probably already have) done Space and Buzz at WDW.

I would second this recommendation. DCA just absorbs the crowds so much better. You don't feel like your walking shoulder to shoulder with the masses there. We went in August right after the local passes were lifted and it felt like a zoo to me in DL but never did at DCA.

I have taken several first timers to DL resort and they almost always end up liking DCA better than DL. It is the least like what you are used to at WDW.

 

[Eeee-va]

You can do a wonderful day at DCA and probably see pretty much everything you want to see there, even during Spring Break. I did that on a Saturday in 2012, no problem. I'm not saying to do it, but if you're WDW vets, DCA might have some appeal because overall there will be a bit less "Oh, this ride is so much better/worse than WDW." As others said, DCA will probably seem less crowded.

If you wouldn't mind splitting up for part of your trip, one more option would be for you to get a hopper so you can spend a couple hours in Disneyland seeing the Walt magic, and send your family to DCA all day. (Or if money is no object, by all means, hopping might be perfect for your thrill-seeking menfolk.)

Now, if you really WANT your whole family to just go to DL, that will be fine and they should still have fun (unless they seriously freak out in very crowded situations). But you seemed to think they might like DCA more, and I just wanted to point out that a day in DCA is a valid option, especially if they aren't at all excited that Disneyland is the only park that Walt set foot in, etc.

Any chance your dear friends would visit Disneyland Resort with you so you could have an extra day?

 

[nilseks]

Thank you so much for all the really great feedback! I love it!

Fortunately, money really isn't an object (knock wood) so I like the idea of hitting DL at rope drop, soaking up the magic for a few hours, and then heading to DCA when the crowds ramp up. That could work. I do think my guys will like DCA better, but the selfish side (or shall I say Disney side lol) of me just can't imagine going without setting foot into DL! Unheard of, even though I have been once before as a child.

 

[ronandannette]

Lots of different opinions but for me, yes, I'd say you are a little nuts. We did one day in May this year (as part of a So Cal long weekend getaway) because we just couldn't be that close and not go but for us it was a mistake that pretty much soured us on Disney for a while. Insane lines and ride closures meant we only got on 5 rides (combined in both parks) in 10 hours. It just felt like such a poor value for the one-day hopper price.

But managing your expectations will be key - if simply "being" in DL and enjoying the environment will satisfy you then go for it! I do actually recommend a hopper so that you can have some flexibility in avoiding the crowds and for sure plan to see WOC at the end of the day. There's nothing else quite like it anywhere. Good luck on whatever you decide?

 

[nilseks]

Totally understand what you are saying about the poor value for the hopper price. I'm going to put $ out of my mind in the decision, because otherwise it would drive me insane (and usually I'm a very frugal person). We spent $400 to go to Dollywood last month after hearing so many great reviews about it, and BOY, was I disappointed. We basically felt done after 4 hours, ugh! I had a real hard time letting that $400 go in my mind. At least I know we would never feel that way at Disney. We are also planning a lot of free or very inexpensive things for this trip--not because they are free, but because they're things we really want to do--Griffith park, beach day, Joshua tree. We also found a fantastic deal on a really nice townhouse within walking distance to Disney, and we're saving a lot of $ that way. So I'm hoping those things will offset the cost of Disney and make it hurt a little less.

 

[Butterfly123]

Thank you so much for all the really great feedback! I love it! Fortunately, money really isn't an object (knock wood) so I like the idea of hitting DL at rope drop, soaking up the magic for a few hours, and then heading to DCA when the crowds ramp up. That could work. I do think my guys will like DCA better, but the selfish side (or shall I say Disney side lol) of me just can't imagine going without setting foot into DL! Unheard of, even though I have been once before as a child.

I think this is a great idea, well worth the money for a hopper. I think you'll love getting to see both parks. And going in with the right attitude and managing your expectations will ensure you have a fantastic time!

 

[nilseks]

I think this is a great idea, well worth the money for a hopper. I think you'll love getting to see both parks. And going in with the right attitude and managing your expectations will ensure you have a fantastic time!

That's why I love these boards! The insights are so helpful. And will definitely help me prep my husband, who is not a crowds person but used to Disney. I get Disneyland, he can regroup and meditate at Joshua Tree later that week.

 

[ronandannette]

Totally understand what you are saying about the poor value for the hopper price. I'm going to put $ out of my mind in the decision, because otherwise it would drive me insane (and usually I'm a very frugal person). We spent $400 to go to Dollywood last month after hearing so many great reviews about it, and BOY, was I disappointed. We basically felt done after 4 hours, ugh! I had a real hard time letting that $400 go in my mind. At least I know we would never feel that way at Disney. We are also planning a lot of free or very inexpensive things for this trip--not because they are free, but because they're things we really want to do--Griffith park, beach day, Joshua tree. We also found a fantastic deal on a really nice townhouse within walking distance to Disney, and we're saving a lot of $ that way. So I'm hoping those things will offset the cost of Disney and make it hurt a little less.

Here's a rock-your-world piece of advice that will have many of the commando planners clutching their pearls: Stop planning now. If you've decided to go also decide to simply embrace the day and whatever it may hold. Trying to execute a touring plan without any "margin" will inevitably lead to disappointment. There will be lots of wonderful things to enjoy "in the moment" that can easily be missed when the focus is obsessed on "wide-right" strategy or staking out a parade viewing spot two hours in advance. You'll be unlikely to do and see everything you hope to, but you can still experience plenty of . Best of luck!

 

[disneydadazut2]

FWIW...

For a long time, I never felt the magic in DCA as I did at Disneyland - until they opened Cars Land. Now I feel the imagineers are putting in real thought and creativity behind the design and layout of DCA. I still think Bugs Land is worthless, and my kids hate it too (even the real small ones) - but Cars Land really has changed my view on DCA. I would hate to think you are making your first trip to DLR and you missed seeing the park Walt first opened - but Cars Land is almost worth that miss... almost.

If I had a vote, I would urge you to get the Park Hopper. And this would be my plan of attack:

I would plan to be at rope drop at DL - hit Frontierland, ride the new BTMRR, Indiana, and grab FP for Splash Mountain. Then immediately run over to DCA and while one in your party gets FPs for RSR, ride Screamin. You can then chose to stand in line to ride Soarin and Grizzly river run. Hopefully your FP for RSR will be up soon. Get FPs for TOT, then ride RSR. Spend sometime in Cars Land, get a snack at the Cozy cone, and don't forget to grab a FP for World of Color for the evening. Hit TOT and then head back to the real magic, only to return across the way to DCA for WOC.


Prior to 2012 I wouldn't even consider a single day pass to DCA if I was just there for a day. My wife and I did that once and were done with DCA after 2 hours with nothing left to do - this was the summer it opened.

BTW, there is a reason why DCA 'handles' the crowds better than DLR - its because the crowds are smaller. Cars Land feels like Main Street after the parade, and TOT line is never ending at times. Hollywood land, Bugs Land, and much of Paradise Pier seem like ghost towns.

I don't mean to be too negative on DCA - but it has taken them awhile to realize there wasn't much magic; now they are changing that slowly (Little Mermaid Ride was a great step in that direction several years ago).