Which park to start with?? What's your philosophy on this??

[lilipad64]

It's been decades y'all -- DECADES -- and pre-fastpass, much less California Adventure. I'm taking my 10 yr old son with me next week for 5 days of Disney. He doesn't know it yet. LOL. He's been to WDW and other theme parks, just not DL or CA. I'm so excited! This will be a much needed trip after a very difficult year.

My question is, which park do I start with? I know with WDW there are many philosophies regarding what order to take. I've got our 5 day hoppers, so we are up for any and everything. Woo hoo! I'm thinking we could start at DL because, hey, that's where it all started right? Or do we start off at CA? My guy loves a good roller coaster and Tower of Terror is a family fave as well. Maybe both? Oh my head!!

Our plane gets into SNA at 10 am and my plan is to shuttle/taxi directly to the park with our one measly carry on which we will put in a locker.

 

[elphaba91]

I would start with Disneyland. We actually started at DCA on our last trip (the first in 15 years), solely because we arrived on the evening of the Candlelight Processional and knew that walking up Main Street was not an option. But it just didn't feel like we were at Disneyland until we walked up Main Street and saw the Partners statue and castle. It mightn't make as much difference if you went regularly, or at least loved DCA (e.g. I wouldn't have as much of an issue starting there now), but I think if it's your first time you should start with Disneyland.

And remember, park hopping is super easy, so you can still do TOT and Screamin' on the first day even if you start at Disneyland!

 

[Girimama33]

If you are staying onsite, start with the park that has EMH (and go during the EMH). If you are staying onsite, start at the park that does not have EMH.
DCA EMH is Sun Mon Wed Fri
DL EMH is Tue Thurs Sat

 

[Indiana Scott]

I can't help myself! Going to Disneyland means only one thing and even though DCA is a nice park, DL is just the real thing to me and the act of walking under the tracks and into the park trumps crowds or any other reason to enter DCA first.
Now on a second or consecutive day we can start in DCA but that is the exception.

 

[Sith]

Definitely Disneyland. Especially since you haven't been there in so long. DCA is great, but Disneyland has the magic.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I'm just dying to know how you are going to spend 5 days at DLR with only one piece of luggage, and a carry on at that!

We like to start in Disneyland. There is just something about seeing the train station, coming through the tunnel and seeing characters hanging out in Town Square and then heading down Main Street to the Castle.

 

[BostonJP]

I have only one day to hit both parks in the near future and I'll be doing DCA first simply because of the magic hour. I really want my kids to see main street and the castle first, but can't rationalize losing the extra hour when my time is so limited.

 

[lalasmama]

First day of the visit, we always head into Disneyland. Often, we will end up in DCA a few hours later. However, on DD's first trip, we went to DL for nearly the whole day--until I couldn't stand her begging to see the Little Mermaid ride any longer!