There isn't actually much at DCA

[iHEARTflorida]

We've (Father and Daughter(19)) got 2 full days (Mon and Tues) at Disneyland and DCA in late July, we'll have a 3 day pass, using the SoCal Pass, and have been to WDW before. We will be arriving late on the Sunday, time depending thinking of hitting DL for the evening fireworks -- What time does the show usually start? If not just go to DTD for dinner.

Also when is the July Schedule released?

Then on the Monday, have a full day at Disneyland.

Then on the Tuesday I was thinking of doing the MM at DL, then getting to DCA for opening, but there doesn't seem to be that many rides there that interest us only really; California Screamin', Toy Story Mania [done at WDW], Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular,Grizzly River Run [not to fussed about],Monsters, Inc, and then there's Soarin' [which we've done at WDW, is this one any different], and It's Tough to be a Bug [again done a WDW, is there any different?], and the parade.

I pressume this is a kids rollercoaster? Mulholland Madness

Are the food tours at Pacific Wharf any good? How long do these last?

 

[CrazyDuck]

I pressume this is a kids rollercoaster? Mulholland Madness

It's not a kids rollercoaster, but it helps if you are kid sized. Pooh sized people beware.

Yea those are the main rides. No forget Tower of Terror, but then again it's in WDW too... Cars land and Little Mermaid which opens in the not too distant future will help with park appeal!

Boomer is also fun, but only if there is no wait!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

We LOVE DCA and find plenty to do there. One thing we enjoy too is the animation building - you can go and voiceover a cartoon and listen to it play back. If it isn't busy and there is no line up, we will stay and do 3 or 4 of those for fun.
Its a big park and takes a while to walk to one end and back. Its deceiving once you are there just how much there is to do and how fun it really is!

 

[pixiewings71]

It never ceases to amaze me when people start threads like this.....our family can easily spend a full day at DCA and still not do everything we want to.

Soarin'
ToT
Screamin'
TSMM
MM
Maliboomer
the Aladdin show
the Muppet show
Monsters Inc
Heimlich's Chew Chew Train
Don't sell DCA short, wander the park, check it all out, you might be surprised.

OH and don't forget the tortilla and bread samples.

 

[bumbershoot]

Don't sell DCA short, wander the park, check it all out, you might be surprised.

That, exactly.

We skipped out on DCA for two years (OK, so those "years" were two day-trips, made while otherwise in San Diego, LOL). When we finally got over there and fell madly in love with the park, we regretted those trips!

I finally got my brother and sister in law (the San Diego people) to go to DCA last June, and they loved it too!

Grizzly...pretty much our favorite ride at DL or DCA. You'll probably get wet, so bring extra shoes and clothes (the latter if you don't want to wear a poncho), have FUN meeting the other people in your raft (they will likely LOVE talking to you since you're from England...that is, unless they too are from there), have FUN on the ride!

I'm sure the ride of TSMM is the same, but the queue is different. I have ridden TSMM several times at DCA, and I'm going to ride it several times at DHS when we go to WDW in December.

Screamin's is terrific, TOT is slightly different in theme and actual ride experience than the one at WDW.

Monsters Inc, IMO, is the best dark ride...way better than the "classics" of Snow White and Pinocchio. OK, Peter Pan rivals it, but only because you're flying in PP. Monsters even has smells! One when you enter the sushi restaurant, and another (I've only smelled it once) if/when you're shown snow cones.

Bug's Land is adorable, even if you don't have a bitty kid.


And there's the whole feel of the park. Except for construction walls, it's wide open, a broad expanse. The music is SO much fun (beach music).


Just keep your mind open!

 

[DLR29]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the new World of Color!

This show by itself will be worth the admission to DCA. Definitely don't miss it. During the summer, the crowds will be very large to see this new show (supposed to open in may). The latest rumor is that Disney will be creating some kind of FastPass similar thing for the show, but nothing is certain yet. Keep reading these boards to see if you will need to grab one of these "Show Passes" early in the day because of super high demand.


Oh, and fireworks at DL usually start at 9:25.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Don't forget Its Tough to Be a Bug... we skipped it our first couple of visits, and now hubby insists on it at least twice... its one of his favorite things in all of DL!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

It seems like you are implying that if you have done it at WDW you don't feel the need to repeat it? There are many shared ride between WDW and DLR........

 

[the donut]

The food tours are pretty much a quick walk-through, though you do get a tortilla or small slice of bread out it. You could maybe spend 5-10 minutes if you watch the presentations and/or read all the signage. Mostly we just walk on through and pick up our tortilla.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Grizzly River Run [not to fussed about]

Actually, this is a really good attraction and one of our favorites. If you haven't tried it yet, you should. It's much better than Kali River Rapids at WDW.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I've been on almost every ride at DCA (except the smaller midway rides), and still park hop every time I'm at DLR. The Pixar Play Parade is wonderful. The character opportunities are plentiful. I could ride Screamin' over and over again! Mulholland Madness is NOT a kids' rollercoaster by any stretch of the imagination, LOL. It's pretty terrifying actually!

It's definitely a good park for families with little ones, but I could easily spend a day at DCA without the kids and not be bored.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Not to mention wandering in the shops, trying out the food. Stop by Whitewater Snacks just outside the exit to the hotel. The Muppet Show is very good and like someone else says Monsters is the best dark ride! You can go on it many times and see something new on the ride or in line. WOC will be amazing from all I've seen and heard.

But we never start the day at DCA. Since it opens later we always go to DL first, then over to DCA around lunch. If they change the opening time due to all the new attractions, we may change our strategy.

Oh, the July schedule probably won't be out until June or maybe mid May.

 

[Disney Dider]

There is tons to do in DCA. We love it!

 

[bo_dave]

we run back and forth between the parks all day depending on the crowd. If it is a peak time you can do the single rider lines if they are open which can get you more ride time and 1/2 the time they let 2 single riders ride together or in the same group so it is not that bad.....you might actually enjoy some quiet time eh? lol! We ride mostly tower of terror and Toy story mania (I can ride this all day it is so much fun!). I like Maliboomer too. Make the most of your time and take it all in and you won't get bored. We do usally leave the park for lunch as a break as there are so many places close by on Harbour where you can sit down and relax.

 

[MagicKingdomBoy]

As stated above, World of Color will be worth it even if everything else in the park is closed. It's going to be an EPIC show. That's not an understatement.

 

[Mugglemama]

we are a family of 6 (4 kids, ages 5-17), and we LOVE california adventure.

we skipped it the entire first year it was open because all we ever heard from people at work was that it wasn't fun. 4 months after we got our first AP's, we decided to add DCA to them, and we've been absolutely hooked from that first visit.

i don't know how it is right now with all the construction, but for us, it's always had an ambiance that we really, really enjoy. plus, we love the rides....even the bug's land rides.

personally, i wouldn't dream of visiting DLR without making time for DCA. i agree with others that you would probably find yourself pleasantly surprised with DCA.

 

[iHEARTflorida]

Thanks guys -- due to our limited time at DLR, I wanted to hit new rides that we haven't experience before, and our old favourites from WDW too. I wasn't trying to sell the park short, just when I was looking at the attraction list for DCA, TBH there isn't much on there.

Do you think our plan is a good idea?

Sun Evening - Fireworks or DTD [time depending]
Mon - Full Day at DL
Tues - MM at DL, then over to DCA for opening.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Thanks guys -- due to our limited time at DLR, I wanted to hit new rides that we haven't experience before, and our old favourites from WDW too. I wasn't trying to sell the park short, just when I was looking at the attraction list for DCA, TBH there isn't much on there.

If you compare DCA side by side with DHS you'll see that DCA has a lot more to offer. And even if you are finished with DCA, Disneyland is only 100 meters away! Usain Bolt can get from one park to the other in under 10 seconds!

BTW.. as far as rides you haven't experienced before... Be sure you ride Pirates of the Caribbean. If you only rode the one in WDW then you haven't really experienced it!

 

[HydroGuy]

If you compare DCA side by side with DHS you'll see that DCA has a lot more to offer.

Your claim here got me thinking. Of all the parks at WDW DHS is the one that feels closest to DCA IMO. So it is fair to compare them.

Personally I like DHS better than DCA. I like the energy there.

Does DCA offer more? Hmmm. Both have ToT and TSMM, although ToT is better at DHS. DHS as RnR and DCA has CA Screamin. Personally I prefer RnR as it has a much better story and theming.

What are the top attractions after that?

DCA

Soarin over CA (which is so awesome that may confirm your claim)
GRR
Aladdin show - soon to be gone but better than any show in all of WDW
Animation Studios including Turtle Talk w Crush
Monsters Inc
ITTBAB
World of Color (soon)
and then a host of second rate rides

DHS

Fantasmic
LMA - really good
Star Tours
Indy Stunt show
Great Movie Ride
VLM
Mulch, Sweat and Shears (a family favorite)

It is not clear to me that DCA does offer more. Maybe a little if you count all the little rides. Soarin kind of tip the scales towards DCA for me. But I still like DHS better.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

You might find that you will want to park hop a bit...we always do! I need to get my TSMM and TOT fix daily !!!