Some DCA Questions...

[Sadie Girl]

Just trying to figure out what we want to do the day we're there... we're going to sandwich it between 2 days at DL.

1. Flik's Fun Fair - is this for small kids? Will my 10 yo be bored here?

2. Block Party - says it stops in 3 different "blocks". Where would be the best place to experience this?

3. The Bakery and Tortilla Tour... any opinions on these?

4. I'm thinking the Amination Building would be a hit with my girls... any opinions on this too?

5. Any other DCA tips I should know about??

THANKS!!

 

[spacemouseneer]

Flik's Fun Fair is still probably designed for younger kids, but there is a water park in there that ANY kid would love, just make sure to bring an extra pair of shoes (kids MUST wear their shoes while in the water park) and some extra clothes. There are changing rooms right beside the water park.

I haven't experienced the Block Party yet....next week!!!!

The Bakery and Tortilla tours are more for adults, but if you like fresh bread, you should stop at the bakery, the sourdough is to die for.

The Animation Studio is a total blast, there are so manyt things to do in there, not the least is the new Turtle Talk with Crush, an interactive Q&A with Crush from "Finding Nemo". It's amazing to watch this cartoon on the screen talk live with you. There is also an area where you are asked a series of questions and then the computer tells you which Disney Character you are most like. It is a real blast in there.

 

[iceskatejen]

1. Possibly--with Francis's Ladybug Boogie down for the forseeable future and the world's slowest bumper cars there, I imagine a 10yo would get board pretty quickly.

2. Lately, it's only been 2 stops--in the Sunshine Plaza area and in Paradise Pier.

3. I go into the Tortilla factory just to get the free tortilla (and if anyone in your party is celebrating a birthday, they get a free dozen tortillas). The bread one is kinda funny and you do get a small slice of bread as a sample.

4. Likely a hit--In the Beast's Library you can find out which Disney character you're most like, there's Turtle Talk with Crush and a bunch of other fun things.

 

[HydroGuy]

1. Flik's Fun Fair - is this for small kids? Will my 10 yo be bored here?

Probably will be bored.

2. Block Party - says it stops in 3 different "blocks". Where would be the best place to experience this?

As Jen said, there are only two stops now. I do not think either one is better. They run for about 15-20 minutes in Sunshine Plaza, and then move to Paradise Pier. I would choose which spot based on timing. That is, if it is more convenient to go early, see the first stop, and vice versa.

Not sure what all of your plans are, but I would prioritize the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks/laser show well ahead ahead of BPB. And I would also prioritize the Parade of Dreams at DL well ahead of it too. Finally, I would see the Aladdin show at DCA before I would take time for BPB.

4. I'm thinking the Amination Building would be a hit with my girls... any opinions on this too?

Can't miss. I had to drag our kids (9-14 years old), plus my wife, out after 90 minutes. Make sure you have a lot of time to spend there. The Sorceror's Workshop is extremely cool. Turtle Talk is an absolute must see.

5. Any other DCA tips I should know about??

See Aladdin. Ride the new Monsters, Inc. And if you have never done it before, absolutely, positively ride Soarin Over California. It is one of the best rides Disney has ever built.

 

[JLSM97]

I'm going to disagree with some of the other responses. I thought the Animation Studio was interesting, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see the things there. I absolutely LOVED Turtle Talk with Crush, though--don't miss that one!

Soarin' Over California is amazing, not to be missed.

The tortilla factory was a yawner, although the fresh one(s) they give you at the end are pretty tasty. I didn't go on the bakery tour, but I did eat there. Had tortilla soup in a sourdough bread bowl, and it was delicious. I also bought a very cute Mickey-shaped sourdough loaf.

My kids loved the Block Party Bash. For us, there was no "best" place to be; we just stood in the plaza and enjoyed it like everyone else. Watch at the end for them to shoot out a bunch of little foam balls into the crowds. They're a little smaller than raquetballs (and thankfully not as hard!), and have "Block Party Bash" printed on them. Fun little souvenir.

We liked Aladdin more than we expected to. LOVED Monsters, Inc. Tower of Terror was terr-ific. The midway rides are typical. We hated the ferris wheel, which I called the Wheel of Terror. We were in one of the "cages" that move on a track, and there's nothing to hold onto inside the cage. I kept apologizing to the guy in front of me because I was sure I was going to end up in his lap a few times. It was way too long (slow-loading) and the view wasn't worth it (in my opinion).

A Bug's Land is really for the younger kids, with the exception of "It's Tough to be a Bug." That show is good for older kids--it was sorta scary for ours--and I thought it was great. Heimlich's Chew-Chew Train was very cute, but unless you're a huge fan of "A Bug's Life," it's probably not worth going. Tuck & Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies are cute to look at, but not all that fun to drive. The Fun Fair is best for little ones. Besides "It's Tough to be a Bug," my favorite part of this land is all the little details--the lights, the buildings, etc. are really well done and makes you feel sorta like you're in the movie.

 

[slp87]

I didn't read the other responses, so I'll let you know what my DD (11) thought on our last 2 trips.

1. Flik's Fun Fair - is this for small kids? Will my 10 yo be bored here?
Except for It's a Bug's Life, yes. DD thought it was cute, but didn't want to ride any of the rides.

2. Block Party - says it stops in 3 different "blocks". Where would be the best place to experience this?
I heard they've changed the stops, but we always like to sit across from the Golden Dreams attraction for the block party parade and electrical parade.

3. The Bakery and Tortilla Tour... any opinions on these?
They were okay, somewhat interesting. I would save these until after you've done everything you want.

4. I'm thinking the Amination Building would be a hit with my girls... any opinions on this too?
My DD LOVED this!! Both trips we went in numerous times. She enjoyed Turtle Talk although she didn't sit on the floor with the younger kids. The walk through (I can't remember the name) was also lots of fun for her, especially Beast's library where you can find out what Disney character you're most like. But, her absolute favorite is getting draw Disney characters. She went through it 3 times each trip. She has drawn Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Pooh.

5. Any other DCA tips I should know about??
The Grizzly FP machines aren't connected to the others, so you can have FP for Grizzly and another attraction at the same time. I did not want to go see Aladdin, but it was wonderful!! Definitely try to make time to see it. Don't miss Soarin'!!!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

unless for some reason you don't have hoppers, it really works out better to go to DCA everyday for a break from DL crowds.

 

[MateasMom]

1. Flik's Fun Fair - is this for small kids? Will my 10 yo be bored here?
A 10YO might be bored. Certainly if you were there for a long time. I think 10YO will be fine though if you just ride everything once. There is a Dumbo type ride, a tea cups type ride, 'bumper' cars, and a really really slow 'train' type ride (both kids will probably think that's boring, mine do).

2. Block Party - says it stops in 3 different "blocks". Where would be the best place to experience this?
You'll be fine at any stop. It's really cute, really high energy. If you sit at the first stop you can follow it up to the 2nd stop if you wanted to.

3. The Bakery and Tortilla Tour... any opinions on these?
I have to disagree that kids think this is boring. We have to drag the kids out of there. Even after YEARS they still love to go, listen to the speal, watch the machines work. I remember when my 2YO (now 7YO) told grandma the loaf of bread she had was 'scored'. It was probably 10 minutes before I realized she was right and had learned it in the bread tour.

4. I'm thinking the Amination Building would be a hit with my girls... any opinions on this too?
Totally a hit. My kids love it (and so do we!)

5. Any other DCA tips I should know about??
Take the time to sit back and enjoy it. If you've got time, visit everything. Our favorite places/attractions at DCA aren't the ones that 'call out' to you like roller coasters, we prefer the hidden finds like the bread/tortilla tour, Animation building, and California Dreamin.

 

[Rella Bella]

Be sure you have Aladdin on your list! It was spectacular! Really a treat. I think kids of any age would enjoy it... and we 2 grown ups had a wonderful time. I wish we'd had time to see it twice.

 

[mikayla73]

...We hated the ferris wheel, which I called the Wheel of Terror. We were in one of the "cages" that move on a track, and there's nothing to hold onto inside the cage. I kept apologizing to the guy in front of me because I was sure I was going to end up in his lap a few times. It was way too long (slow-loading) and the view wasn't worth it (in my opinion).

I too think this has got to be one of the scariest rides there in terms of that "kind of freakng out - loosing your stomach" way. It is a free fall feeling (which I love cause TOT is the BEST!) but this is a little different. Maybe it's because you are in the little car. I also was on it by myself, DH wouldn't go on it, luckily I was with some nice people and we chatted a bit. I did think I was able to get some great views between the falling and the swinging though.

I agree with the others, make sure to see Aladain and ride Soarin'. Ca Screamin' is awsome too.

We also do the Bakery and Tortilla tour, the samples are yummy. They are both very short, a good thing to do right before lunch because you are right there on PW and can grab a quick bite and enjoy the sites.

 

[MateasMom]

Oh, I also hate the ferris wheel My kids LOVE it, but only get to enjoy it when someone else is along for the trip cause there's no way mommies going up there!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Yes, I'd think most 10 year olds would be pretty bored in the Bug's Land. It's a bug life 3D show is great however and I wouldn't miss it. We took my son in to Bug's Land 2 years ago, and he was 6. He was even pretty much bored then. I'd say it's good preschoolers and maybe up to 5. I think it's great though that they offer an area for the smaller kids.

We didn't care for the Block Party much, the best part was when all the foam balls flew out. We were sitting in a spot where we really didn't get to see characters much. Mainly just the people dancing and jumping on the trampolines. It was okay, but we passed on it this year.

We've never done the Bakery or Tortillla Factory... so I can't comment too much there. Just has never sounded like something we'd like to do. Were very much "what's the next ride" type of disney goers!

We did see Turtle Talk with Crush this year in the Animation building. That was really neat and I would recommend seeing it. Other then that we really didn't do much else in there.

Other then that I'd say do the 3D shows, both the It's tough to be a Bug, and The Muppet's 3D show. Both are great! Soarin (although I'm chicken and haven't done it) I believe is a must. Grizzly River Run is very fun and very wet also. Oh and the Monster's Inc ride is neat too. I'd recommend going on it at least once. My husband loves Tower of Terror and Screamin also. Have a great time!