Which park to choose for ONE day?

[Carlyzmom]

We are passing through Anaheim and can spend ONE day in ONE park. We have a 13 year old daughter and an 11 year old son. We have been to WDW and the love it. If you HAD to choose, which park would you choose?

 

[BirdsSingWords]

I'd go with DL every time. For me, that's where the magic lives. More to do there, too. While DCA has really blossomed in recent years, it's still not a full-day park for me.

On the other hand, DCA does have Cars Land, which you can't see at WDW...

 

[closetmickey]

It depends. If you are a lover of all things Disney (history, nostalgia) the definitely see Disneyland. If you would like to see something most unlike anything in FL, go to CA. Great rides for your kids' ages and possibly my favorite of all parks with it's laid back vibe.

 

[LizzyS]

Although Cars Land is impressive along with the other renovations they did at California Adventure, I'd choose Disneyland.

In fact our first trip WAS a Disneyland only trip, but mostly because CA was still under major construction.

Disneyland is where the magic's at.

 

[grnflash]

We love DCA. Yup, we love it now. The vibe it great especially with the nearly-constant small street performances going on, Carsland is special, Paradise Pier is stunning at night.....really, we really love this park.

That being said, it would be a no-brainer for us. DL.

 

[superlarz]

One park only? Unless you have been there before, Disneyland is an easy answer.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Disneyland. No question.

 

[seacruise]

With the age of your kids I would probably choose DCA. Tower of Terror, California Scremin' and RSR are the best 3 rides in either park, IMHO of course

 

[cmpeter]

When will you be going and what are the crowd predictions?

I would say Disneyland, especially since you haven't been there. But, if it's going to be crowded then I would pick California Adventure. Especially with teens, unless they are true Disney addicts.

We were there for one day on New Year's Eve. I picked DCA because my dh had not seen Carsland and I knew DL would be packed. DCA has wider walk ways and I think generally smaller crowds. We also like the thrill rides and have been to DL and DCA multiple times.

 

[momof4fans]

I would do DCA. It's more open, feels less crowded. I have teenagers too. They love California Screamin, Tower of Terror, Goofy's Sky School, Toy Story, Radiator Springs, Grizzly River Run, Soarn over California, Mickey's Fun Wheel with the moving cages (totally terrifying if you're into that!) Even my teenage boys love the Aladdin show. Lots of good counter service restaurants. I'm always surprised when people say there isn't much to do. We love DCA!

 

[rentayenta]

Disneyland hands down. DCA is a wonderful park but Disneyland is my favorite of the parks including WDW parks. If you choose Disneyland, don't miss Indiana Jones, POTC, BTMRR, the Matterhorn, IASW, and all of Fantasyland. Disneyland is really different than MK. Good luck.

 

[disneychrista]

Another vote for Disneyland. It just has much more to see & do.

 

[starshine514]

It really depends. Disneyland is great, just walking down Main Street makes me happy. However, DCA has Carsland, which has been reason enough for many people to schedule vacations to DLR, rather than WDW. I think you may be best off taking a good look at what you would want to do in each park and then decide where you would rather spend your day.

We had just one day last November, but had hoppers. Here's what ended up on our must-do list (BTMRR was closed then; otherwise, it would've made the list):

DL:
Small World
Star Tours
Space Mountain
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Winnie the Pooh
Pirates of the Caribbean

DCA:
Toy Story
Tower of Terror
Radiator Springs Racers
California Screamin'
Animation Academy

As you can see, DL beats DCA for my group, but just barely. We did end up experiencing a few more things, but this was the must-do list that we started out with.

 

[JandD75]

Judging by the hotels you've stayed in, I'd say you will really love DL. DCA has it's good points, but most of what your children can do in DCA, they can do in Florida. The major attractions they will miss by doing DL instead of DCA are Screamin', Cars land and World of Color.

It's a difficult choice, but you'll have a great time, no matter what you choose.

 

[MychaelP]

Another easy answer: Disneyland!

Have you ever heard anyone say they are so excited to go to California Adventure? Nope, for good reason, Disneyland is the best!

 

[chabelita545]

That's like having to pick ice cream OR brownies! You can't really go wrong either way, but it's too bad you can't do both. If this is the only time you'll ever make it to Anaheim (and it's on a day when the parks are open long hours), I think it would be worth splurging on park hoppers.

That being said, I've got another vote for DL. I have a DS14 and DS11 and they love both parks but we always seem to spend just a little more time in DL.

Their absolute favorites in DL that they ride over and over and over:
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Indiana Jones
Star Tours
BTMRR
Gadget's Go Coaster

In DCA:
RSR
Screamin'
Goofy's Sky School

There's lots of other things in both parks they love, but these are the favorites.

Also, DL is often open a little later than DCA and... My family loves the fireworks and Fantasmic, but we don't care for WOC.

 

[bakerudall]

If I was taking my kids to DLR for the first time for only one day, there is no way I wouldn't get park hoppers and stay from open to close. With FP's, you can get all the major rides in both parks done in one day and see all the lands. Park hopping takes almost no time, and it also leaves more options for improvisation in case some of your chosen rides go down for a while.

 

[BadBoyBill]

I prefer WDW to DL and I have visited both parks often. First I would recommend getting a park hopper but if that is off the table I would do Disneyland park. Cars is nice but basically a better themed but slower version of Test Track. The magic in DL can't compare to the Magic Kingdom. It is much smaller but the theming is much greater and it is better maintained. Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and a few others are much much better in DL. Indiana Jones and the Matterhorn are not to be missed and if your kids are young the Toon Town area is different. Most of the rides/attractions at CA are spread out throughout the various parks at WDW. CA is crowded and though they have made it better it is much like HS a place to go when you have done everything else. Be warned though you will miss MDE and the Magic Bands and it will be crowded and there are not as many attractions that don't require a long wait. I recommend booking a meal at the Blue Bayou as it is the thing I miss most at WDW. You will also experience the odd feeling when walking around and you feel like something is missing or out of place as the parks are similar enough yet different. It's an odd feeling. Enjoy.