Our Family is Hooked on DCA

[HydroGuy]

I would like to share some observations about DCA based on our DLR trip Aug 1-4.

We are a family of six (four boys ages 9, 10, 12 and 13) and go to DLR about once every two years. In our 2003 trip we spent 3-4 hours out of a two-day trip at DCA. So we had an idea of what DCA is about. On this recent trip we spent parts of each day at DCA, with a big chunk of Day 2 there. Unfortunately we missed California Screamin' because of the July 29 accident. We went on Screamin' in 2003 and know what we missed. In all we spent 20-25% of our DLR time at DCA. If there was no DCA, our four-day trip would have been a three-day trip to DL. Disney was thus successful in getting us to stay one day longer at DLR because of DCA.

DCA is now part of our DLR experience. If I were to announce that on our next trip we were going to skip DCA and only go to DL, I would get complaints from everyone. That is why I think DCA is succeeding. It made us want to go back.

We really enjoyed Soarin' Over California, Grizzly River Run, Tower of Terror, Turtle Talk with Crush and the Aladdin show at the Hyperion. We were disappointed by the Redwood Creek Challenge. We intended to make it into Bugs Land, but never did. However, we did make it to everywhere else in DCA. We missed the Block Party Bash, but made it to the Disney Electrical Parade. Based on the 2003 trip, we also really like Screamin' (especially when the trains don't run into each other ).

IMO as a person who was born in Southern California and grew up there, but now lives in Colorado, the California theme works. I think a lot of Californians do not go to DCA. My sister lives within an hour of DLR, and they go on day trips every year or two. There is just no way they would sacrifice any time from their day at DL to go to DCA. So they have never been. It is true that DCA appeals most to those with multi-day parkhopper tix and annual passes. And maybe that is OK. If Disney wants to get more day trippers into DCA, I think they will need to make DCA tickets a bit cheaper than DL tickets. Or they need to make all tickets parkhoppers, even one day tickets.

DCA needs two more E-Ticket attractions (the Cars ride will be one of them) and maybe a few more C and D-Tickets attractions and it can become the standalone park that Disney intended. They need something along the lines of Pirates of the Carribean or Indiana Jones. DCA's biggest advantage is also its biggest liability. Namely, it is located next to the most awesome theme park in the world. If people have to choose between DL and DCA, they will choose DL like my sister does. On the other hand, if people can easily choose both, I think they will. DCA has the advantage of being located near a park with a large attendance, and can draw from that.

I like DCA and look forward to returning. It still has some work to be done, but I think given more time it will become a real success for Disney. When a critical mass of people start planning DCA into their next trips, like my family does, it will be fine.

Check our full trip report to be posted in the next day or two.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hello to a fellow Coloradan! We also love DCA and are always completely amazed at what a bad rap it takes. I frequently hear comments along the lines of: the Aladdin show's the best, Screamin is an incredible coaster, Grizzly River Run is wonderful and of course Soarin is the best ride anywhere, the Electrical Parade is an all time classic, but oh wait DCA is pathetic. Very confusing! The fact that you can hop back and forth in less time than it takes to get to the bus at WDW to hop makes it all the more appealing to us. Since we have only been taking our kids to DL since 2003 we literally cannot imagine going to Disneyland without experiencing this great park. I hope to see even more great rides and attractions added to give DCA some much needed respect. I also love the way the park is designed so that at night you get those breathtaking views of the Paradise Pier area. 4 weeks and we are there!

 

[CindyH]

We also enjoyed DCA, although I agree that it needs more rides. My kids are younger than yours, so they enjoyed Flik's Fun Fair - the rides there are definitely for smaller kids. Their favorite ride there was the Francis Lady Bug ride that is similar to the FL Tea Cups, but not quite as wild (you can't spin yourself). We didn't make it to the Redwood Challenge and the rides at Paradise Pier are probably better suited for older kids.

 

[c&m]

We (and our kids aged 6 and 9) also love DCA. We usually buy a 5-day hopper, and you can count on us spending 3 out of 5 days at DCA. Our days at DL are sometimes spent at DCA too. Our kids' favourite is the Grizzly River ride. Then there's Soarin', and then California Screamin'. We also like Bugland and the Electrical Parade. I am always baffled when I read about DCA being a disappointment. But then I'm OK with that. The less crowds at DCA, the better it is for us!

 

[Disneyfamfan]

We love DCA as well! We never look at it as a replacement of DL but an addition to enhance the experience. The only part of DCA we skip is A bug's Land because our DD is 12 and is beyond it now. But, we always spend about 25% of time (usually 5 days) at DCA. I agree they need a few more E ticket rides but we always have a great experience!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Thanks for the comprehensive review! We're going to DL/DCA in December for the 1st time, and I love reading posts like yours! What are some must-do's for my DS7 and DD11 to enjoy? Any rides that will make me (I'm a wimp--SpaceMt at MK is pushing it for me) throw up? Thanks so much! Keep those DCA/DL posts coming!

 

[crazymomof 4]

We were there at a crazy time last year. Christmas break! DL was insane. We really enjoyed the DCA during this time because of the more relaxed atmosphere and hardly any people. Our oldest two DD9 and DS8 at the time love this park! You really feel like you have it all to yourself in the evening!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the comprehensive review! We're going to DL/DCA in December for the 1st time, and I love reading posts like yours! What are some must-do's for my DS7 and DD11 to enjoy? Any rides that will make me (I'm a wimp--SpaceMt at MK is pushing it for me) throw up? Thanks so much! Keep those DCA/DL posts coming!

My opinion only:

Do not miss at DCA:

Soarin Over California
Tower of Terror (you should be able to handle this)
Animation Studio (allow 90 minutes)
Aladdin Show
California Screamin (if you can handle it)
Grizzly River Run (if you care to get wet)

I also recommend at DCA:

Golden Dreams


Do not miss at DL:

Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones
Splash Mountain
Space Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain RR
Small World (everyone should do this once)
Peter Pan
Tiki Room
Buzz Lightyear
Remember Dreams Come True (Fireworks)
Fantasmic (Show)
Parade of Dreams

I also recommend at DL:

Honey I Shrunk the Audience (everyone should do this once)
StoryBookLand Canal Boats
Alice in WonderLand
Mad Tea Party
Jungle Cruise

 

[JenJen]

I agree, I love DCA and my kids want to go there FIRST everytime we visit the parks and we visit twice a month sometimes. My kids are older though 13 and 10.
JenJen

 

[FanOfStitch]

Thanks for the comprehensive review! We're going to DL/DCA in December for the 1st time, and I love reading posts like yours! What are some must-do's for my DS7 and DD11 to enjoy? Any rides that will make me (I'm a wimp--SpaceMt at MK is pushing it for me) throw up? Thanks so much! Keep those DCA/DL posts coming!

Stay away from Maliboomer. My DS12 and I loved it, after all "It's a blast!!" But the ride isn't for everyone.

We went to DL/DCA for the first time in June. I can't say enough about DCA. DL was packed and DCA was a nice retreat from the crowds, but that was just a extra benefit. I loved most of the rides there, Screamin' was fun. We went on Maliboomer probably about 15 times in a row. There was no line!! Out of the 5 days we were there, probably about 3 were spent at DCA. I agree with all the other posters that they do need more rides, but I loved that park!!

 

[hip]

We went to DLR in June and also really enjoyed DCA. Our kids were 7, 6, and 4 and they all had a blast. Soarin' of CA was everyone's favorite. My 7 year old also loved TOT and Screamin'. While DL park was crowded, we walked right on many rides in DCA with little or no wait. I think my 6 and 7 year olds rode the swings about 6 times in a row. The younger 2 also rode many rides in Flik's Fun Fair many times in a row.

We also found that waits in line to meet the characters were much quicker at DCA. We were able to meet 3 princesses, Hercules, and Sorcerer Mickey in about 25 minutes at the animation building.

The Block Party Bash and Aladdin show were also great.

Of the our 4 day hoppers, we spent 1 1/2 days in DCA. The kids wouldn't do DLR without including DCA.


Tricia

 

[Alice's Mom]

I agree the California Adventures is fantastic, my daughter and I enjoy ourselves more and more at every visit.

I am surprised that so many dismiss it...