Disneyland or California Adventure?

Folks,

I have one day in Anaheim in about two months time, in which I can do either California Adventure or Disneyland. (I'm assuming it's not realistic to do both in a day).

So my question is...which? :)

Regards,
Richard

Depending on crowds, you could do both in one day, but you will have to pay admission for each park so it would work out too expensive for one day, about $100.

I would do DCA, especially if Tower of Terror is open, since chances are you've done one of the other Disenyland type parks before, or will do in the furture. Space Mountain is also closed at Disneyland until 2005.

If you are going to "experience a park", you might prefer Disneyland. If you are going to "ride some rides" you might prefer DCA. If you dig theater, the big show in DCA (Aladdin) is better than the big show in Disneyland (Snow White), but both are quite good.

I prefer Disneyland, but I liked both parks. You won't go wrong either way.

Edit: It appears from your track record that you've never been to a "castle park" (Disneyland, MK, DLP, or TDL). If that's true, go to Disneyland. There is no decision to make. Ride everything you can, even the "kid rides" in Fantasyland. It's something everyone should do once in their lives. *** Edited 4/7/2004 1:15:26 PM UTC by Brian Noble***

Oops, I should have mentioned that - I'll be at Disneyland Paris next week.

So California Adventure?

(Note: never been there, just my Disney opinion)

I disagree that it's a no-brainer even if you've never been to a "castle park". If you're just looking to ride something exciting (and especially if you're going to be by yourself) I would say DCA. I've only been to MK, but the two times I went, if I wasn't with someone who loved Disney and was wide-eyed with wonder the entire time, I would have been extremely bored, and I'm even a sucker for themeing. If you're by yourself and looking for a thrill, go DCA, if you're going with someone else or you'd be entertained just by *looking* at things, and not necessarily getting in rides, then hit up DL

Ya know, Knotts isn't all that far away from Anaheim... ;)

If I had to choose between the two Disney parks I would have to say DCA. While it might not have as many attractions as Disneyland, it was a lot less busy, was cleaner, and just was more comfortable with me. With the addition of ToT it makes it an even better park to visit.

I might as well explain my planned trip --

I'm flying into LA on the 21st. After an 11 hour flight, I don't expect to be sentient, so I'm going to crash in my hotel. I'll be doing Knotts, one Disney park, and Magic Mountain on the next three days before flying on to San Francisco on the 25th. I will also be doing Paramount's Great America and Marine World while in the SF area.

The purpose of the trip (my first to California) is a conference in the Moscone Center so I think I'm doing reasonably well to get in five parks at the same time!

Go to Disneyland, even if you are going to DLP soon. Its the original and is quite different from DLP, Knotts and MM are going to fix your coaster fix; there are only 4 castle parks in the world and they are parks that transcend the normal amusment park.

Brett, I respect your opinion, but there's a difference between "never been" and "been once, and didn't dig it." If you've never been, and you're a theme park fan, you really ought to try it once to see if you have the Disney Gene or not.

Richard: decide after you go to DLP. If you are really taken by the whole castle park experience, then go to the Original in Anaheim. If your reaction is "meh", go to DCA.

Brian - that's the best advice I've seen so far. Thanks. I'm intrigued to see how well the French cope with disney-esque friendliness :)

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Richard Bannister said:
I'm flying into LA on the 21st. After an 11 hour flight, I don't expect to be sentient, so I'm going to crash in my hotel. I'll be doing Knotts, one Disney park, and Magic Mountain on the next three days before flying on to San Francisco on the 25th. I will also be doing Paramount's Great America and Marine World while in the SF area.

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Do you need any company? ;)

Personally, DCA may have had better *rides* than DL (Indy, BTMRR, and Space Mtn were down during our visit), but even having been to MK MANY times, there was just that *special something* at DisneyLand....made me feel like I was 8 again...:) I was kinda surprised how even the "Disney Classics" like Pirates and the Haunted Mansion had LOADS of subtle differences from the MK park...next time, I'm getting a Monte Cristo at the Blue Bayou...;)

All jokes aside, I wouldn't mind it in the San Francisco parks. I'm going to be getting to those via public transport, so someone more knowledgeable about the system than me wouldn't hurt at all.

If this is your first trip to California, I'd skip the parks in the Bay Area and enjoy San Francisco for a day or two.

Check out the cable cars...Chinatown...all the touristy stuff. The city itself is like one giant theme park. If you want to go to a park in the Bay Area, stop by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk...consider taking the Roaring Camp train from Felton to the beach. Great trip!

Socal? Do the parks. Since you are already going to Knott's and SFMM for thrills, do Disneyland. *** Edited 4/7/2004 9:06:24 PM UTC by janfrederick***

mmmmm...Blue Bayou Monte Cristo (drool)

Three words why you should go to DL rather than DCA:

Matterhorn. Matterhorn. Matterhorn.

Well duh! ;)

Richard, Dinseyland Paris is a lot better than Disneyland, Big Thunder at DLP is the mother of all Mine Trains, and the park is very beautiful, Disneyland looks very run down in comparison, hence why I prefer DCA.

Shame you're not going to SFMW first, you could have picked up a cheap seasons pass, which would have worked out cheaper than entry into SFMW and SFMM together.

I did SFMM and SFMW both in the same day! Is that a first? I had 2 rides on X, then drove up to SFMW for 6pm and did the Fright Fest on a Friday night. I had been to both parks before though, you will need at least a full 8 hours in SFMM to do all of the coasters at least once.

Have a great time.

Well, recently, The Disneyland Resort has a limited time offer that lets you purchase one admission ticket that allows entry into both parks in one day. I don't know if this is something you'd want to do though - running back and forth between both parks (even though the grand entrances for each park conveniently face toward each other in a distance of only less than 400 feet).

kRaX...I'm *pretty sure* that deal was for SoCal residents. Not that you CAN'T get that deal, but they checked ID when we were in town last month...

Oh okay, I had no idea it was restricted only to SoCal-ers. Thanks.

I disagree with people who think that DCA is not a worthwhile park etc. It's got just as much or more than three of the four Walt Disney World parks (talking pre-TOT, too). It's got the best Disney coaster, one of the best water rides, the best simulator and a whole heap of stuff most people conveniently forget when they say there's nothing to do at the park. Having said that, Disneyland is the way to go, especially if you enjoy Paris'. Nothing comes close - the charm of Disneyland is unmatched, even by the bigger better Disneylands/Magic Kingdom.

With San Francisco, I'd also recommend doing the city rather than the parks. It's a great city - my favourite city in the world I'd have to say. Just so much flavour. We caught a Greyhound (I now know never to travel that way again) from LA and arrived at about 4am. It was great to walk from Downtown across to our hotel at Fisherman's Wharf - everything looks so nice. :)

Of course, it's all up to you. Some people would rather do a theme park than anything else. As passionate as I am about parks and coasters, I'd personally go for some culture over a roller coaster any day.