Which would you choose-Disneyland or DCA?

[Dot2Vegas]

And why? Do you feel that either one of the parks is geared more to a certain age, or that there is a variety of everything in each park? What do you like best for each park?

Hands down Disneyland. I think there is just so much more to see and do at Disneyland. We love CA also but I dont feel the magic as much as Disneyland. If we were to spend an entire day at CA I feel like I'd be saying "but I could have gone across the way to Disneyland for the same price". We do many trips on one park one day tickets and never feel like we are missing CA. We go to the parks 3-4 times per year and usually only visit CA during one of those trips.
That being said, I think both parks offer a great mix for all ages. CA may win a few more votes for the adventurous crowd because of California Screamin.
At Disneyland our favorite show is the fireworks and favorite attraction is Star Tours or Big Thunder.
At CA our favorites are the Animation Academy, Grizzly River and Monsters Inc.

 

[mommytotwo]

Sadly, we will have time to go to only one of the parks, and will not be getting a park hopper. Thank you everyone for all the suggestions, and tips. Keep them coming!

 

[Eeee-va]

I visited for one day last year and actually got a one-day pass to DCA only. In previous trips I felt like I hadn't spent enough time in the new DCA, whereas I'd spent so much time in Disneyland in the past, I felt like I knew it and didn't need to see it again that time. (And I didn't want to spend the money for a hopper.) There was enough for me to do at DCA, but that said, if I had focused on only rides, I think I could have done every one of them with time to spare. (I still did almost all of them, some multiple times, as well as several shows and a leisurely lunch at Carthay Circle.)

I had a wonderful time! But that said, I am an adult and was traveling with my mom (who needs an ECV at the parks, and DCA is probably a better park for navigating crowds in an ECV). I love 1920s things, I love Paradise Pier, I love Duffy , I love Cars Land, I love Monsters Inc. and Ariel's Undersea Adventure, and I know I could (and plan to) visit Disneyland my next trip.

I imagine that depending on the age of your kids and their interests and expectations, visiting Disneyland Park could be non-negotiable. But if you all feel you haven't gotten quite enough of DCA and if you'll be back again to see Disneyland Park someday, I think DCA can be a good choice.

 

[WestMom2two]

Disneyland. I think its geared towards the younger family and my kids just love it and my childhood memories are there among my favorite rides!

 

[keahgirl8]

I think it is geared toward anyone! As a solo adult, I can tell you that you don't have to have young children to enjoy it.

 

[MinniesCupCake]

Disneyland .. all the way

 

[GatorChris]

DL is why you go. DCA is why you stay for more than just one or two days. /

Exactly! Only I'd change it to "more than two or three days."

Well, yes. For me and you, that would be the case. But I was just trying to relate those people who think 2 or 3 days is OK. I simply don't know how they live that way!!!

 

[bethy]

They are the same park. They are one park.

But if I were forced to only go to one (which isn't really a realistic scenario) I'd go to DL. But even if I only went for one day I'd visit both parks.

 

[ColdNeverBotheredMe]

Yeah, I'd have to go with the majority and pick Disneyland. But I love them both, and they definitely have very different vibes. I've learned how much to appreciate DCA on our past trip though, it just seems a bit more spread out, less crowded, and more relaxed. But I feel like I could spend days at Disneyland, but I can do everything I want to do in DCA in one day, maybe two. I'm kind of contradicting myself, oh well. I just love them both!!!!

 

[Midnightred]

Disneyland all the way!!!!!

Midnightred

 

[valiamo]

Always Disneyland. While the DCA is across the way, it just does not have the special meaning to me. Walking through the gates and under the railroad tracks always gets me choked up and misty eyed (and I am a 56 year old man). I just love the feeling of the magic of the park that has been there every time I have visted in the past 28 years.

 

[adykate]

For me, it would also have to be Disneyland. The moment I walk into DL, I am swept back in time to when I was a child and visited DL every year. I simply can't duplicate that walking into CA. I DO have memories of going to CA the first year it opened with my best friend and her husband, and they are wonderful memories. But they can never compare to growing up at DL. I do enjoy having more spread out space in CA, and definitely enjoy many parts of the park with my young girls. But the emotions I get within the DL park can never be matched .

 

[corinne76]

DL is why you go. DCA is why you stay for more than just one or two days.

Love this.
I loved DCA. It was less crowded, or at least it seemed. That's pretty much why hubby liked it. But, DL is always special for me. I can stand the crowds. There's just something more magical about DL. And I'm happy to read I'm not the only one who gets teary walking through the DL entrance. Last year's visit with my kids was my first time back in over 15 years. I cried.
DCA is cool, but if I HAD to pick just one, it would be DL.