Only 1 day at DCA, what's not to be missed?

[Jeafl]

Hello everyone, first time on this board.

We only have one day at California Adventure, so if anyone has advice on the best rides or shows, I'd love to hear it.

How soon before park opening time should we arrive?

Any good restaurants that you can recommend?

Anything else we should know?

**This will be an adults only trip, so it's not necessary to do all the kid friendly things!

Thanks for your help!

 

[Goofster57]

Hello Jill,
Attractions that I would not miss are Soarin over California, Screamin and Grizzly River Run (you will get wet on this one).

If Blast is still there that is a must, it is very energetic and uplifting.

Usually if you get to the gates a ½ hour before park opening you are fine. They usually open the main gates a ½ hour before the park opens then have a rope drop.

The Bakersfield Bakery is a good spot to grab a cup of coffee and a pastry to start the day. We have always found the Soap Opera Bistro to be fun. The food is above average and they have cast members walking around acting like they are part of soap operas, very entertaining.

Hope this helps and hope you a great time.

 

[Planogirl]

There isn't a whole lot to do in DCA yet IMO but I wouldn't miss the Electric Light Parade in the evening. Besides those Goofster mentioned, there is also Tough to be a Bug, the Muppets, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and the Animation attraction. There is also a nice movie about California that I can't remember the name of right now. The best attraction is definitely Soarin' Over California so be sure to arrive early or grab FastPasses for this one.

 

[TheLionKing]

Actually, not infrequently, if you get through the gate 30 minutes beofre the real opening.... Soaring over California is usually operating and you can walk right on. Try to get into the first row.

A character meal is at Avalon Cove in the park.

Either Blast or Alladin will be at the Hyperion Theater depending on when you arrive. Either show and the theater itself, should not be missed.

 

[JenniBarra]

BTW, Blast's last show was Monday evening.

 

[nwdisgal]

Soarin', Grizzley Rapids, California Screamin', It's Tough to Be a Bug... and Catch the Sunwheel at night, right before closing on a swiveling car.

 

[roymccoy]

Disneyland.

 

[almostGoofy]

Jeafl,

DCA is a much smaller park than Disneyland. I think it might be smaller than Disney/MGM, so you'll be able to see the entire park in one day, easy. The hours will be shorter, off season it's usually 10:00 a.m. to 5 or 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. on the weekends. Friday and Saturday will be the only days you'll be able to see the Electrial Light parade depending on when you're going.

Like everyone else has mentioned, California Soarin is a must. It's the most popular ride there. You may even want to ride it more than once like the family I meet the last time I was on it. The animation attraction is very unique. In the animation building there is the Beast's library where, after answering a few questions, they will tell you which Disney character you'er most like. They also have an area themed after Ariel's grotto where you can do voice overs with your voice from select Disney animated films.

Those are my favorites there.

 

[honeymom]

You should be able to do everything you want in a day. Go on California Soarin' first before it gets busy. You can fastpass Soarin, California Screamin and Grizzly Rapids (I think). We really only went in the late afternoon, evenings. The Pier area with the carnival rides was lit up nicely and you could get on to most rides within 5 minutes.

Avalon Cove was a nice sitdown, but service was really slow. We lost over 1 1/2 hours there. Plus, we'd only really done it to see Ariel - The Little Mermaid. She turned out to be the one character who wasn't there that day - Disneyland needed her more. Since they talk about featuring her at their dinner they should advise patrons when she isn't available.

Electric Light Parade shouldn't be missed.

 

[daannzzz]

You should be able to do everything in the park twice in one day, and maybe even more times if you move fast.