Visit DCA first? Blaspheme!

[rentayenta]

DH said we should visit DCA before Disneyland during our upcoming holiday trip. His rationale:

We're staying at the GCV
I insist we end at Disneyland
DCA is a better park


And finally he suggested we let the kids choose when we arrive.

He's gone mad!

Does anyone visit DCA before Disneyland? It would feel like puiing on my shoes before my socks.

 

[sonnyjane]

It's funny you mention this! I have ALWAYS gone to Disneyland first, usually to get a FP for Space or something like that, but on my visit last week I went to DCA first for the very first time to see Little Mermaid right away. As I swiped in at the turnstiles I actually thought "Wow, I've never come here first before!"

 

[jforever52]

We went down to DL/DCA in May and started our trip in DCA simply because we were staying at the Grand Californian and wanted to hop into the parks quickly while we waited for our room to be ready. We have a 8 yr old son and a 20 month old daughter. I definetly did not get that giddy feeling you get when you walk into DL for the first time...but it was still a lot of fun.
One thing to keep in mind though is that DL opens before DCA so if you plan on starting at DCA you will lose an hour your first morning...
I found that we spent a lot more time than we usually do at DCA during this last trip simply because it was so close to the hotel. We also found a lot more to do in the park because we were there more often. This last trip has converted me into a DCA fan!!!!!
I know you and your family will have fun no matter what park you start in!

 

[rentayenta]

It's funny you mention this! I have ALWAYS gone to Disneyland first, usually to get a FP for Space or something like that, but on my visit last week I went to DCA first for the very first time to see Little Mermaid right away. As I swiped in at the turnstiles I actually thought "Wow, I've never come here first before!"

I knew it! I'd feel off balance and like something was missing. I'd have that weird nagging feeling all day. I've started the day at DCA but never the trip.

 

[the donut]

We do DCA first if we want to sleep in. DCA opens at 9am for hotel guests this summer, and you could get there as late as 9:20 and still get your WOC fastpasses and walk on to the LM ride.

 

[rentayenta]

We went down to DL/DCA in May and started our trip in DCA simply because we were staying at the Grand Californian and wanted to hop into the parks quickly while we waited for our room to be ready. We have a 8 yr old son and a 20 month old daughter. I definetly did not get that giddy feeling you get when you walk into DL for the first time...but it was still a lot of fun.
One thing to keep in mind though is that DL opens before DCA so if you plan on starting at DCA you will lose an hour your first morning...
I found that we spent a lot more time than we usually do at DCA during this last trip simply because it was so close to the hotel. We also found a lot more to do in the park because we were there more often. This last trip has converted me into a DCA fan!!!!!
I know you and your family will have fun no matter what park you start in!

The location to DCA from the GCv is a huge plus for sure. Last June my oldest and her friend spent more time in DCA than Disneyland. I've been wondering where I went wrong as a parent then realized it's DH's influence.

Glad you had a great trip!

 

[marcemc]

I love your post tittle.

I guess I'm old fashion like you, we go to DL first!

Have a great trip.

 

[blackjackdelta]

DH said we should visit DCA before Disneyland during our upcoming holiday trip. His rationale:

We're staying at the GCV
I insist we end at Disneyland
DCA is a better park


And finally he suggested we let the kids choose when we arrive.

He's gone mad!

Does anyone visit DCA before Disneyland? It would feel like puiing on my shoes before my socks.

We always hit DCA before DL. We do GRR, Soarin, Taste Pilots and then the World of Disney(for the girls) and then into Disneyland.

Jack

 

[Dobie]

The Dobies traditionally arrive on Sunday afternoon and head straight to DL.

However, on Wednesday we will have a sleep in day and so visit DCA first.

 

[rentayenta]

We do DCA first if we want to sleep in. DCA opens at 9am for hotel guests this summer, and you could get there as late as 9:20 and still get your WOC fastpasses and walk on to the LM ride.

I forgot it opens earlier for hotel guests. Hmmm.....he can run over and get our FPs.

I love your post tittle.

I guess I'm old fashion like you, we go to DL first!

Have a great trip.

I'll start alone in Disneyland if I have too. My middle is a purist like me and if I just mention Splash Mountain, she's all mine.

We always hit DCA before DL. We do GRR, Soarin, Taste Pilots and then the World of Disney(for the girls) and then into Disneyland.

Jack

 

[rentayenta]

We always hit DCA before DL. We do GRR, Soarin, Taste Pilots and then the World of Disney(for the girls) and then into Disneyland.

Jack

Say it ain't so Jack!

 

[rentayenta]

The Dobies traditionally arrive on Sunday afternoon and head straight to DL.

However, on Wednesday we will have a sleep in day and so visit DCA first.

The world has gone mad! First as in that day or first park of the trip?

 

[starshine514]

We committed even more sacrilege - we took our girls to DLR for the first time ever - and went to DCA first! Our first day was a Tuesday, but one of our group hadn't arrived yet, so we had decided not to use our MM until Thursday. So, we had planned on heading to DL first, meeting a few characters maybe and then heading to DCA. However, it ended up pouring rain, we left our ponchos in the truck that the valets had parked the night before (and we had to wait until a parking spot cleared up before we had them bring it back). All this took a while and we wound up doing DCA first - and ended up just spending the whole day there. My girls didn't get their first steps in Disneyland until the next day!

They survived and didn't feel deprived.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Say it ain't so Jack!

I wish I could but after a 10 hr drive in the most fun traffic around I am beat and need the cooling off of GRR. We always go later when the crowds back down and I am not so intolerant of stupidity.

Jack

 

[M4travels]

I wish I could but after a 10 hr drive in the most fun traffic around I am beat and need the cooling off of GRR. We always go later when the crowds back down and I am not so intolerant of stupidity.

Jack

Jack is a very wise man.

Miguelito

 

[rentayenta]

We committed even more sacrilege - we took our girls to DLR for the first time ever - and went to DCA first! Our first day was a Tuesday, but one of our group hadn't arrived yet, so we had decided not to use our MM until Thursday. So, we had planned on heading to DL first, meeting a few characters maybe and then heading to DCA. However, it ended up pouring rain, we left our ponchos in the truck that the valets had parked the night before (and we had to wait until a parking spot cleared up before we had them bring it back). All this took a while and we wound up doing DCA first - and ended up just spending the whole day there. My girls didn't get their first steps in Disneyland until the next day!

They survived and didn't feel deprived.

Cra-zy! Makes sense thought with MM and to save it for your group. I know of a good therapist though for the kids. Obviously I'm joking. I'm sure my unwillingness to bend is far more damaging than starting a trip in DCA.

Maybe?

 

[rentayenta]

I wish I could but after a 10 hr drive in the most fun traffic around I am beat and need the cooling off of GRR. We always go later when the crowds back down and I am not so intolerant of stupidity.

Jack

I will take this to my grave. DH will be totally I-told-you-so if I tell him another dad agrees.

Jack is a very wise man.

Miguelito

Agreed.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Dude. That's just..awkward. LOL

 

[rentayenta]

Dude. That's just..awkward. LOL

Totally! I'm all about the balance. It's always pb and j- never j and pb. He didn't grow up Disney at all. In fact I think he'd been twice when we met and lived in So Cal. Some things are just not teachable. Good thing he can cook.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

ROFL. Now I sorta wanna try it. Go against the grain...hmmmm LOL