Which park?

[MAMU II]

My husband and I are going to Anaheim for a convention in August. We are both around 60. We have not been to Disneyland since 1999 before California Adventure opened. We have been to DisneyWorld many times.

We are only going to one park this time because none of our kids or grandkids are going with us. Which of the two parks would you recommend us visiting.

 

[DisneyZane]

Normally I'd say the answer was obviously DL. But since you've been there semi-recently and been to WDW, I think I might check out DCA, since there might be more you haven't seen.

 

[sonnyjane]

I am a fan of DCA, but with all the renovations, I have a really hard time recommending it as the ONLY park you visit. World of Color will (should) be open by then, which might be a big enough draw for you, but other than that I'd probably just recommend classic DL, especially since you haven't been there since 1999.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I would just parkhop. They are so close why only do one. I am probably older than you both, so why limit if you physically can do it.

Jack

 

[sonnyjane]

I would just parkhop. They are so close why only do one. I am probably older than you both, so why limit if you physically can do it.

Jack

After reading that response, it seems glaringly obvious to me, of course just buy a one-day park-hopper! My husband and I went for just one day, but we just spent the extra $25 or whatnot to get him a one-day hopper (I have an AP). I wanted to spend MOST of the time in DL, but there were a few attractions in DCA I wanted to see. Hopping is incredibly easy!

 

[Raindown]

If you can only pick one, Disneyland. While both parks have renovations going on, DCA has a lot of construction going on right now.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

My mom is older than the two of you, and had no issues keeping up on our trip together & my park-hopping ways. Also she would say that Soarin' is a not-miss and it is at DCA--unless you have seen it at WDW, then its okay to miss it, as it is the same! Park-hop if you can!!

 

[DLR29]

Normally I'd say the answer was obviously DL. But since you've been there semi-recently and been to WDW, I think I might check out DCA, since there might be more you haven't seen.

I was going to suggest DL, not DCA, but for the same reason. DCA actually has a significant amount of attractions that are either:
a) not that worthwhile (such as Mulholland Madness, Jumpin Jellyfish, Maliboomer, etc.)
b) at WDW already (Soarin, Toy Story, It's Tough to be a Bug, Turtle Talk, Muppets, a weaker ToT)

The only worthwhile DCA attractions that I would recommend to a WDW vet would be: California Screamin, Monster's Inc., Aladdin musical, and maybe Grizzly River Run (if you're into that thing).

DL has TONS that WDW doesn't such as Indy, Matterhorn, Alice, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio, Roger Rabbit, Casey Jr./Storybookland Canal Boats, Sleeping Beauty's Castle Walkthrough and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Plus Space, Buzz and PotC are much better at DL than MK.

However, like others have said park hopping is the ideal. If not, definitely go for DL only.

 

[Gisele]

I was going to suggest DL, not DCA, but for the same reason. DCA actually has a significant amount of attractions that are either:
a) not that worthwhile (such as Mulholland Madness, Jumpin Jellyfish, Maliboomer, etc.)
b) at WDW already (Soarin, Toy Story, It's Tough to be a Bug, Turtle Talk, Muppets, a weaker ToT)

The only worthwhile DCA attractions that I would recommend to a WDW vet would be: California Screamin, Monster's Inc., Aladdin musical, and maybe Grizzly River Run (if you're into that thing).

DL has TONS that WDW doesn't such as Indy, Matterhorn, Alice, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio, Roger Rabbit, Casey Jr./Storybookland Canal Boats, Sleeping Beauty's Castle Walkthrough and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Plus Space, Buzz and PotC are much better at DL than MK.

However, like others have said park hopping is the ideal. If not, definitely go for DL only.

Well said, and I agree. With possible exception of park hopping in the event that one only has one day. I would stay at Disneyland, but then I am a purist. I like DCA, it is worth going to see. But again, if only one day to visit, then Disneyland for sure in my honest opinion. Also it is Walt's park. So therefore visiting Disneyland is like visiting Mr. Disney too and his wife and family as well.
Have an awesomely magical time while visiting the land!

 

[dbanzai]

Good points 29, although if they've been to DL 11 years ago, how many of those attractions are new at DL? Only Nemo? True, that's big, but you also still have a chance to see most of the "old" DCA at this point.

But honestly, either way will be good.

 

[DLR29]

Good points 29, although if they've been to DL 11 years ago, how many of those attractions are new at DL? Only Nemo? True, that's big, but you also still have a chance to see most of the "old" DCA at this point.

But honestly, either way will be good.

True, but if their last trip was 11 years ago, how much are they going to remember of those rides. If they went to WDW often, they will vividly remember It's Tough to be a Bug and not have the need to see it again at DLR.

Unfortunately, the ideal is 2 or more days to see both parks, but that is not the case.

 

[MAMU II]

Thanks everbody for your suggestions. We will have until August to make up our minds. I hope we make the right choice.

 

[Dobie]

I would go to Disneyland. It will keep you happy all day long. You might also enjoy visiting Downtown Disney and the lounge in the Grand California Hotel.

But I also agree with the other posters that DCA might be worth a peek. Parkhopping at Disneyland is like walking from World Showcase to Future World at Epcot--they are practically the same park.