Which is best for adults, Disneyland or California Adventure?

[IndyDisneyGirl]

I am planning on attending a conference in Anaheim towards the end of July 2013. Hopefully I can fly out a couple days early so that I have an entire day (a Friday) to go to either Disneyland or California Adventure. This will be my first-ever trip to both California (state) and to Disneyland.

Which park is better for adults? I do want to see the traditional Disneyland icons, but not sure if there are enough "thrill" attractions there vs. the more kiddie-type rides.

If I were to get a 1-day park hopper ticket, would I have enough time to see most of the must-dos for each park?

No kids going on this trip, just adult coworkers. Also not sure yet what our official convention hotels will be as far as proximity to DL. The actual conference takes place in the Anaheim Convention Center, which looks to be right across the street, so I'm assuming official hotels will be very close by.

Any opinions would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[mrswh]

I don't think one is necessarily better than the other - each park has rides/attractions that appeal to both kids and adults. I would definitely get a park hopper ticket. I'm not sure you will be able to hit every "must-do" ride at each park - I think it depends which rides/shows you are most interested in. Definitely check out the websites for both so you can see which rides/shows you want to ride/see, and I am sure the folks here will help you with a game plan!

 

[OKW Lover]

Well, if you're interested in the original Disney, then its got to be DisneyLand. As is true at the MK in Florida, there is so much more than just kiddie rides there. Adults will love the attention to detail that Walt insisted on having in his park.

 

[ktlm]

That one day side-trip on a business trip is how this WDW vets love of DL started. I would strongly recommend the one day hopper. That is what DH and I did on my business trip. With one or two adults, no kids, you can definitely hit most of the must-dos in a day. (A bigger group of adults would be harder if everyone wants to go in different directions or spend time in different places). Take advantage of fast pass and single rider lines. DH and I got there when the park opened, left when the park closed and ate counter service instead of any table restaurants, and we hit almost every ride (minus the kiddie Bugsland area) and even managed to fit in the Aladdin show (a priority for me and well worth the time!). We managed to fit in the fireworks, but we didn't get to do Fantasmic (pre-WOC so that wasn't even an option then). The parks are so close together it is only a few minutes to leave one and enter the other (unlike WDw).

 

[CheshireGato]

I have never been to the parks with kids (except for when I was one!) and DBF and I love both of the parks. Personally, if I only had to pick one park for a one day trip it would be DL. I feel like there is more to do/see and without kids you can get through most of what you want to do in one day. Plus it feels slightly more magical

 

[JoeyyDLCA]

I have to say, I could never visit one and not the other, as they are both apart of the whole experience for us. DL certainly has all the originality and magical appeals of course. I haven't visited the parks for 3 years now and I know CA had undergone drastic changes since than, but as I stated in the beginning, I couldn't choose one or the other! They are literally right across from one another as well, which just further intensifies the need to always spend time at both

 

[zavandor]

Visiting both parks in a day will allow you to experience much more of the must dos, because the fast pass system of the two parks are not connected.
So you'll be able to get fast passes for DL, head to DCA and take another fast pass while you wait the time your FP for DL. You can read Hydroguy's thread on how to maximize the fast passes usage.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

Single rider is a huge time saver, if you don't mind to not ride together. Best line skipped last week was Goofy Flying school at DCA, from 55 stand by wait to 2 minutes single rider.

 

[IndyDisneyGirl]

Thanks for all your advice. I did go to the website to make a list of must-see attractions for each park. My Disneyland list was definitely longer than the CA list, but still had several things on the CA list.

Didn't even consider the FP or single rider lines. Hopefully that will give me the chance to see as much as possible.

I see a 1 day park hopper ticket in my future! Just hope I can get flight & hotel arrangements to cooperate.

Thanks to everyone!