One Day Trip

[AndreaDM]

I'm sure this has been asked a million times and I did search but didn't see any recent info. Anyway, I will be going to DL for one day only next month at the end of a longer CA trip. We will arrived on a Friday afternoon so plan to go to Downtown Disney (is it still called that? lol), and then to the park(s) on Saturday with a flight home on Sunday. It will be myself and a 13 year old. We're very family with WDW but this is a first for DL, so I'm asking the age old question, should we just do DL park or spring for the hopper and do both? To be honest, other than the Incredicoaster, there isn't a whole lot that I feel is a "must do" for us in CA, Guardians is basically ToT right? I do plan on splurging for LL (not the premier) so that should help, but I know a Saturday in June, during the 70th Anniversary year is going to be packed! Open to any tips or suggestions for our one day adventure! Thanks!

 

[LAS2AMS]

With all the entertainment being offered at DL, coupled with summer weekend crowds, I’d stick to DL.

Enjoy your time. Be aware that Downtown Disney is very small compared to Disney Springs, and 3 hours is sufficient to explore it and the adjacent hotels.

 

[irlandaise]

With all the entertainment being offered at DL, coupled with summer weekend crowds, I’d stick to DL.

LAS2AMS makes a good point about the entertainment. Even not counting that, Disneyland Park is packed with things to do and see. But now that they've pulled out all the stops with parades, fireworks, and "Fantasmic!", there's more than enough to occupy your family for a one-day visit.

Those of us who haunt this board regularly usually point out to WDW veterans how incredibly easy it is to go between DL and DCA and thus how useful hopper tickets are at DLR. But in your case, I concur with the idea of spending a lovely fun-filled day and evening in Walt's original park.

 

[DizMe]

I agree with LAS2AMS about sticking to just DL (and DTD). I also agree with you that a 1-day multi LL pass is a good idea to help you maximize your time, but to be honest, I'm not very familiar with weekends in June. I'm pretty sure that all Saturdays in June are blocked for the 2 lowest-tier MKs. Well, I think there might be 1 Sat open to the next-to-lowest tier. Anyway, I think it would be great fun for you two!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I agree with LAS2AMS about sticking to just DL (and DTD). I also agree with you that a 1-day multi LL pass is a good idea to help you maximize your time, but to be honest, I'm not very familiar with weekends in June. I'm pretty sure that all Saturdays in June are blocked for the 2 lowest-tier MKs. Well, I think there might be 1 Sat open to the next-to-lowest tier. Anyway, I think it would be great fun for you two!

All Saturdays in June are open for Inspire and Believe. The two lower keys are blocked, not only for weekends in June, but almost the entire month.

I do love California Adventure but with only one day, it makes sense to focus on one park and there will be lots of entertainment in Disneyland.

 

[aammtt20]

While California Adventure is great in it's own right (Carsland is not to be missed), there is so much to see and do just at Disneyland that you could make a full day or two just to see it all. What I'd say, stick to Disneyland this time, but if you really enjoy the experience, then try to make it out here again to see California Adventure. They're adding at least 4 more rides to it over the next decade, so that park should only continue to improve as the years go on.

 

[BrianL]

If you are WDW regulars, there are some things you could skip. I post this list pretty regularly, but for your convenience:

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Jungle Cruise - No temple/tunnel, a bit shorter
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
it's a small world - very similar though with Disney cahracter peppered in - it does have a much nicer exterior.
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin' - though note sometimes they run it with the original Sorain' over California, in which case it is a must do!

So, you might find you can skip some of the exactly or basically the same rides to save some time and fit in CA. Hopping is so easy at DLR since both entrances are right there. I mean, sure, Guardians is basically the Towwer of Terror mechanically, but it is also so different and incredibly fun in its own right. I get it though - it's a lot to cram in. I think you could do it, but you'd be running crazy all day, and that may not be as good as just enjoying it all at a leisurely pace. Disneyland is in the details, so take it all in. That said, Carsland though....! I'm sure you'll have fun however you do it.

 

[Pluto468]

With only one day I would stay in Disneyland and not get hoppers. There's so much to do at Disneyland, especially with all the 70th entertainment. Have fun!

 

[irlandaise]

If you are WDW regulars, there are some things you could skip. I post this list pretty regularly, but for your convenience:

@BrianL I don't see the Jungle Cruise on your list. Would that be, "DL Similar but not exactly the same"?

 

[BrianL]

@BrianL I don't see the Jungle Cruise on your list. Would that be, "DL Similar but not exactly the same"?

Thanks, I added it:

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Jungle Cruise - No temple/tunnel, a bit shorter

 

[mouschievous]

Honestly, the only thing I'd be super sad to have you miss at DCA is Carsland/Radiator Springs Racers. For that reason, I would probably just do one park and do ALL the Disneyland things, including the train and walking through the castle and all the other little things we all take fore granted or skip in order to get to the big things.

Another thought, depending on your budget and your time, you could add a day and go to DL for Fri evening. It's open until midnight and often the late night hours are not crowded, so you would probably be able to do a ton of things, even if you don't go in until evening. If you chose to do that, then I would do hoppers, especially because DCA closes first, so we usually hop over there, close down that park, then head to DL to close it down too.

 

[sayhello]

If you are WDW regulars, there are some things you could skip. I post this list pretty regularly, but for your convenience:

DL Similar but not exactly the same:

What about It's a Small World? Hasn't that reopened?

Sayhello

 

[BrianL]

What about It's a Small World? Hasn't that reopened?

Sayhello

Ahh, my list has holes! Okay:

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
It's a Small World - very similar though with Disney cahracter peppered in - it does have a much nicer exterior.

They also use capital letters in the title.

 

[LKing]

Ahh, my list has holes! Okay:

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
It's a Small World - very similar though with Disney cahracter peppered in - it does have a much nicer exterior.

They also use capital letters in the title.

I thought the WDW Small World was really run down. When was the last time it was refurbished?

 

[BrianL]

I thought the WDW Small World was really run down. When was the last time it was refurbished?

Well, I'm not really acounting for upkeep and such. There are issues for sure, though it's not that bad. I rode it at MK couple of months ago and it was okay - definitely a couple of figures not working. DL's has gotten like this sometimes too, so I don't consider it on the list.

 

[irlandaise]

Ahh, my list has holes! Okay:

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
It's a Small World - very similar though with Disney cahracter peppered in - it does have a much nicer exterior.

They also use capital letters in the title.

Your remarks after the ride name are about the DL version, right? I just checked the DL webite and IASW uses lowercase, as I expected. Is there somewhere on the ride that it's capitalized?

 

[BrianL]

Your remarks after the ride name are about the DL version, right? I just checked the DL webite and IASW uses lowercase, as I expected. Is there somewhere on the ride that it's capitalized?

You are right it is lowercase at both. I could swear there was time when it was stylized one way at one park and differently at the other. There also may or may not be an exclamation point. I strive for accuracy, so I have corrected that on the master list.

 

[AndreaDM]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the input!!

 

[Sarahelizabeth]

My 14 year old loves DCA and isn’t into the entertainment so If it was me (we are going in June too!)!we’d do hopers and rope drop Disneyland and head over to DCA for the afternoon until it closes and then back to Disneyland unit they close at midnight. It’s so easy to walk between it’s worth it for us. We love Guardians, although the ride is similar to ToT the theming is so fun we also love incredicoaster and cars land and I love the ambiance in the evening at DCA when Disneyland is so packed. Again, this works for us because we are more ride focused than into entertainment. Have fun!

 

[AndreaDM]

My 14 year old loves DCA and isn’t into the entertainment so If it was me (we are going in June too!)!we’d do hopers and rope drop Disneyland and head over to DCA for the afternoon until it closes and then back to Disneyland unit they close at midnight. It’s so easy to walk between it’s worth it for us. We love Guardians, although the ride is similar to ToT the theming is so fun we also love incredicoaster and cars land and I love the ambiance in the evening at DCA when Disneyland is so packed. Again, this works for us because we are more ride focused than into entertainment. Have fun!

Thanks for this perspective! This is the 13 year old's birthday gift and he is way more into rides than entertainment as well.