One day enough for Disneyland and CA
Mar 25th, 2005, 10:18 AM
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One day enough for Disneyland and CA
Does anyone know if one day would be enough to see Disneyland and California Adventure? Travelling with two 19yo girls and I think they would really enjoy CA better, but one has never been to Disneyworld or Land and wants to see Disneyland.
Mar 25th, 2005, 10:33 AM
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I shamelessly admit to being a Disney Park lover, but have to admit that a full day at California Adventure was almost too much. We wanted to stay for the light parade they were doing at night, and we spent several hours killing time by going back to attractions we had already done. I've never had that feeling anywhere at Disney World, where there never seems to be enough time to do everything.
If one has never been to a Disney park before and wants to go, I think it would be a real shame to skip Disneyland! Doing both in one day? Well, maybe if they can commit to knowing they won't ride everything and do everything.
If one has never been to a Disney park before and wants to go, I think it would be a real shame to skip Disneyland! Doing both in one day? Well, maybe if they can commit to knowing they won't ride everything and do everything.
Mar 25th, 2005, 10:33 AM
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We took 3 days to see both disneyland and california adventure, and saw that those 3 days weren't enough. You may notice that most of your day is spent standing in lines for the rides. I would definately recommend doing "fast track"
Mar 25th, 2005, 10:39 AM
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I think it's fine to do both in one day, with a Parkhopper pass (or whatever they call it). That way, they can decide which one they want and just bounce back and forth (with a quick run to Downtown Disney to get away from all that Happiest Place on Earth bliss). They are right next to each other. The key is-- get there early to hit the popular stuff, because the lines can be insane.
Mar 25th, 2005, 11:22 AM
#7
Yes, you can see both parks in a day, BUT, even if you know exactly what you want to see, and the fastest way to get on everthing, it's a Looooong day!
It's a bit like dashing through Europe in a week.
I recommend just going to Disneyland if you have only one day. It's been spiffed up for the 50th Anniversary. I think they'll like it just fine, many theme park fanatics think it has a better atmosphere than DCA.
If you decide to go to both parks, I DO NOT recommend dashing back and forth between both parks, it just chews up too much time.
At DCA, the big rides (Tower of Terror, Soaring, Screaming, Grizzly River Run) also have a "Single-Rider Pass". While it means you will not sit together, it often works out better than the Fastpass if you are doing the mad dash. We have been able to do all four in two hours. It would be nice to try and catch Aladdin, which is near the Tower of Terror ride.
Disneyland is more of a mad house, where grabbing a FP for your favorite ride is essential (hint: Indiana Jones or the new Buzz Lightyear ride). Some of the rides also have Single-Rider passes (Splash Mountain is a good one to do this way since it is so far out of the way). Big Thunder Mountain is another. Space Mountain, btw, is closed until mid-July.
A planning issue is that there is a limit on the # of FP you can hold at one time. Grab a FP for your favorite (hint: Indiana Jones) then try to see if you can also FP Haunted Mansion or Pirates (sometimes they are not counted against you). Use the Train to get around the park (unfortunately, FP timing means you will be doing a lot of backtracking).
We usually try to use the parade times to go on the kiddie rides (Peter Pan, Storybook Canal Boats), Matterhorn, or Small World. They are impossible at other times of the day.
Try to catch the Snow White play, or Billy Hill (Golden Horseshoe), or Tiki Room for a rest break. Mark Twain is another good rest-up ride, and possibly the only ride you can get on without a line.
If you have any specific questions, just post. I've been perhaps 50 times in the last three years.
It's a bit like dashing through Europe in a week.
I recommend just going to Disneyland if you have only one day. It's been spiffed up for the 50th Anniversary. I think they'll like it just fine, many theme park fanatics think it has a better atmosphere than DCA.
If you decide to go to both parks, I DO NOT recommend dashing back and forth between both parks, it just chews up too much time.
At DCA, the big rides (Tower of Terror, Soaring, Screaming, Grizzly River Run) also have a "Single-Rider Pass". While it means you will not sit together, it often works out better than the Fastpass if you are doing the mad dash. We have been able to do all four in two hours. It would be nice to try and catch Aladdin, which is near the Tower of Terror ride.
Disneyland is more of a mad house, where grabbing a FP for your favorite ride is essential (hint: Indiana Jones or the new Buzz Lightyear ride). Some of the rides also have Single-Rider passes (Splash Mountain is a good one to do this way since it is so far out of the way). Big Thunder Mountain is another. Space Mountain, btw, is closed until mid-July.
A planning issue is that there is a limit on the # of FP you can hold at one time. Grab a FP for your favorite (hint: Indiana Jones) then try to see if you can also FP Haunted Mansion or Pirates (sometimes they are not counted against you). Use the Train to get around the park (unfortunately, FP timing means you will be doing a lot of backtracking).
We usually try to use the parade times to go on the kiddie rides (Peter Pan, Storybook Canal Boats), Matterhorn, or Small World. They are impossible at other times of the day.
Try to catch the Snow White play, or Billy Hill (Golden Horseshoe), or Tiki Room for a rest break. Mark Twain is another good rest-up ride, and possibly the only ride you can get on without a line.
If you have any specific questions, just post. I've been perhaps 50 times in the last three years.
Mar 25th, 2005, 11:23 AM
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Well, if you have one day then make the most of it. Try and arrive as the park opens and pick a day when it stays open late.
You don't say when you'll be there, but we have found that even travelling off-season the park is often open later on some nights after the stated closing time due to private parties renting it. (This happened to us twice on Fridays.) During private party time, regular guests are welcomed to stay later as well. Perhaps there is a way to find out when private parties are scheduled??
You don't say when you'll be there, but we have found that even travelling off-season the park is often open later on some nights after the stated closing time due to private parties renting it. (This happened to us twice on Fridays.) During private party time, regular guests are welcomed to stay later as well. Perhaps there is a way to find out when private parties are scheduled??
Mar 25th, 2005, 05:24 PM
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You'll have a great time but it will be much easier of you are not there on a Saturday or a holiday.
Go to disneyland.com and request their free video of the parks which shows most, if not all of the attractions, hotels and restaurants. It comes with a booklet that lists each and evey attraction in each park AND it has a mini map!
We liked starting out early in Disneyland and racing to our favorites and then having lunch, maybe some shopping at Downtown Disney (or a nap for the babies) and then headed to CA late afternoon. CA is very laid back, not as large as Disney and not as much time is needed, in fact, I think a full day would be too much. We were able to see everything we wanted to, eat dinner and see the light parade all between 3:00 Pm and 9:30 PM. As another poster suggested... use the fast pass system whenever possible and have a great time!
Go to disneyland.com and request their free video of the parks which shows most, if not all of the attractions, hotels and restaurants. It comes with a booklet that lists each and evey attraction in each park AND it has a mini map!
We liked starting out early in Disneyland and racing to our favorites and then having lunch, maybe some shopping at Downtown Disney (or a nap for the babies) and then headed to CA late afternoon. CA is very laid back, not as large as Disney and not as much time is needed, in fact, I think a full day would be too much. We were able to see everything we wanted to, eat dinner and see the light parade all between 3:00 Pm and 9:30 PM. As another poster suggested... use the fast pass system whenever possible and have a great time!
Mar 28th, 2005, 10:11 AM
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We did a one day trip to DL last June, mid-week. One day was fine, you just have to plan what you really want to do. We always try to have at least one meal at the Blue Bayou restaurant, you can book online at Dine Disney. It's petty hard to get in without a reservation, or be prepared for a long wait for this place.
I haven't been over to CA yet, enjoy DL too much and our time is usually limited. My son just returned from a weekend at DL, said the lines were a minimum of a two hour wait and the place was very, very crowded but still had a wonderful time. Have a great trip! ***kim***
I haven't been over to CA yet, enjoy DL too much and our time is usually limited. My son just returned from a weekend at DL, said the lines were a minimum of a two hour wait and the place was very, very crowded but still had a wonderful time. Have a great trip! ***kim***
Mar 28th, 2005, 03:42 PM
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We go to Disneyland and California Adventures 4 times per year. In July it's crowded and therefore I recommend doing only 1 park in one day. The reason is that you should start collecting Fastpasses (for free) in the morning, in order to avoid standing in very long lines all afternoon. Fastpasses save hours of time of waiting in line. Even in the summer the fastpass line never takes more than about 40 minutes, and is sometimes as short as a 5-minute wait. Whereas the regular line for Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones, etc. in the summer can be 2 or 3 hours!
The problem with going to 2 parks is that it's impossible to collect enough fastpasses to use in 2 parks in 1 day. Although I like california adventures, Disneyland is the best!
To get a fastpass you arrive in the morning at the ride, find the fastpass machine near the lines for the ride, stick in your admission ticket, and pull out a free fastpass for each person. The fastpass will tell you something like "return between 10:00 am and 11:00 am". This actually means return any time after 10:00 am...the fastpass doesn't "expire" at any particular time. Once you have waited past 10:00 am, the time on your first card, you can then collect a second fastpass for another ride of your choice, even if you haven't used the first pastpass yet. If you get confused ask the Disney attendants or ask a guest at the fastpass machines who looks like they know what they are doing!
Don't forget to get in the fastpass line with your fastpass, don't get in the regular line! Have fun.
The problem with going to 2 parks is that it's impossible to collect enough fastpasses to use in 2 parks in 1 day. Although I like california adventures, Disneyland is the best!
To get a fastpass you arrive in the morning at the ride, find the fastpass machine near the lines for the ride, stick in your admission ticket, and pull out a free fastpass for each person. The fastpass will tell you something like "return between 10:00 am and 11:00 am". This actually means return any time after 10:00 am...the fastpass doesn't "expire" at any particular time. Once you have waited past 10:00 am, the time on your first card, you can then collect a second fastpass for another ride of your choice, even if you haven't used the first pastpass yet. If you get confused ask the Disney attendants or ask a guest at the fastpass machines who looks like they know what they are doing!
Don't forget to get in the fastpass line with your fastpass, don't get in the regular line! Have fun.
Mar 28th, 2005, 08:44 PM
#14
I was just at Disneyland on Saturday, and most of the Fastpasses were gone by about 1 pm. If it's any preview of this summer, you're going to need to get there as soon as the park opens. I'm almost inclined to say go to California Adventure because it is usually less crazy.
Mar 28th, 2005, 10:54 PM
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Not a plan but an anecdote:
We visited both parks on a drizzly day mid-week last month. The lines were so short they were not handing out fast passes. Did Tower of Terror, the coaster (both C.A.) and Indiana Jones about ten times each. The only long line was at the Matterhorn in the evening.
Also, the parks closed at different times. We spent first part of the day at C.A., which closed earlier, and then we moved over to Disneyland early afternoon. We saw and did all we wanted. Our 7 year old girls enjoyed C.A. much more than Disneyland, which they found too tame (except Indiana Jones). In general we approach theme parks as contrarians: we head to the popular attractions at the back of the parks before the crowds work their way there.
We visited both parks on a drizzly day mid-week last month. The lines were so short they were not handing out fast passes. Did Tower of Terror, the coaster (both C.A.) and Indiana Jones about ten times each. The only long line was at the Matterhorn in the evening.
Also, the parks closed at different times. We spent first part of the day at C.A., which closed earlier, and then we moved over to Disneyland early afternoon. We saw and did all we wanted. Our 7 year old girls enjoyed C.A. much more than Disneyland, which they found too tame (except Indiana Jones). In general we approach theme parks as contrarians: we head to the popular attractions at the back of the parks before the crowds work their way there.
