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Post by linhaz on Jul 26, 2019 23:56:19 GMT
I will have one free day on a trip to Anaheim. My son is 15 soon to be 16 -- which should I chose to visit Disneyland or California Adventure? We have been to Disneyland when he was very young and we have not visited California Adventure before.
Any tips would be helpful. Thank you. We are going on Friday August 2nd.
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Post by ~summer~ on Jul 26, 2019 23:58:26 GMT
Totally personal preference but I think I would go with California adventure - I really like it
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Jul 26, 2019 23:59:47 GMT
If you can't do both then DCA. make sure you see World of Color!
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scrapngranny
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Post by scrapngranny on Jul 27, 2019 0:01:00 GMT
If he’s into Star Wars, Disneyland. The new Star Wars Land just opened in May. A number of the bigger rides in California Adventureare. Loved now because of construction. I feel the better rides are in Disneyland.
Have fun which ever park you go to. We are going in October.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2019 0:05:18 GMT
Both will be crowded, but if he doesn't remember Disneyland, then my vote would be to choose that. There's just something more magical about walking down Main Street, watching the parade, the various classic rides like Haunted Mansion, Small World and Space Mountain, etc.
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Post by elaine on Jul 27, 2019 0:07:11 GMT
I’d get a park hopper ticket and go from when the parks open until they close and do both. Unlike Disney World, you can easily walk from one park to the other and back - they are just separated by a large courtyard/square.
I brought my niece from Israel there in February 2018 and we only had one day. We spent a long day and shuttled back and forth between the two. There are things you MUST do in Disneyland and also MUST do in CA. Radiator Springs racers, in CA, for example, doesn’t exist anywhere else. And, right now, the only open Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is in Disneyland (it will open in Disney World at the end of August). Also the Guardians of the Galaxy version of Tower of Terror is also ONLY in CA.
It is definitely do-able to hit the highlights of each park in a full day.
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Post by jlynnbarth on Jul 27, 2019 0:10:47 GMT
I vote Disneyland. Star Wars land just opened this year! Plus I just like DL better.  |
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Post by linhaz on Jul 27, 2019 0:16:27 GMT
I’d get a park hopper ticket and go from when the parks open until they close and do both. Unlike Disney World, you can easily walk from one park to the other and back - they are just separated by a large courtyard/square. I brought my niece from Israel there in February 2018 and we only had one day. We spent a long day and shuttled back and forth between the two. There are things you MUST do in Disneyland and also MUST do in CA. Radiator Springs racers, in CA, for example, doesn’t exist anywhere else. And, right now, the only open Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is in Disneyland (it will open in Disney World at the end of August). Also the Guardians of the Galaxy version of Tower of Terror is also ONLY in CA. It is definitely do-able to hit the highlights of each park in a full day. Didn't think of that as an option. I will have to look at the price difference for this option. Thanks! |
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Post by linhaz on Jul 27, 2019 0:20:57 GMT
I just looked up the price difference btwn a ONE DAY ONE PARK option vs a ONE DAY HOPPER PASS and its a $50 difference per person. There is also an option to UPGRADE to the DISNEY MAX PASS for $30 extra per ticket.
I'd appreciate opinions on (1) whether the $50 extra to upgrade to a 1-day Hopper Pass would be a good idea and (2) if the upgrade to Disney Max Pass is a good option. Thanks. I haven't been to Disneyland in awhile so I am not aware of these upgrades.
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Post by beaglemom on Jul 27, 2019 0:23:10 GMT
I’d get a park hopper ticket and go from when the parks open until they close and do both. Unlike Disney World, you can easily walk from one park to the other and back - they are just separated by a large courtyard/square. I brought my niece from Israel there in February 2018 and we only had one day. We spent a long day and shuttled back and forth between the two. There are things you MUST do in Disneyland and also MUST do in CA. Radiator Springs racers, in CA, for example, doesn’t exist anywhere else. And, right now, the only open Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is in Disneyland (it will open in Disney World at the end of August). Also the Guardians of the Galaxy version of Tower of Terror is also ONLY in CA. It is definitely do-able to hit the highlights of each park in a full day. I would agree with this. Get there 30 minutes before opening, buy the max pass and park hopper! Totally doable! If you can't get Radiator springs on Max pass do single rider line! |
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Post by elaine on Jul 27, 2019 0:27:58 GMT
I just looked up the price difference btwn a ONE DAY ONE PARK option vs a ONE DAY HOPPER PASS and its a $50 difference per person. There is also an option to UPGRADE to the DISNEY MAX PASS for $30 extra per ticket. I'd appreciate opinions on (1) whether the $50 extra to upgrade to a 1-day Hopper Pass would be a good idea and (2) if the upgrade to Disney Max Pass is a good option. Thanks. I haven't been to Disneyland in awhile so I am not aware of these upgrades. Your son is old enough (not a young child) to be able to do a 14+ hour day hopping between the two parks. If this is a once in a decade chance, I’d totally do this. But, I did it with my 16 y.o. niece 1.5 years ago, and am a Disney fan. There really are amazing not-to-miss things in both parks, especially if you won’t be back for a long time. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2019 0:41:13 GMT
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Post by ~summer~ on Jul 27, 2019 0:50:26 GMT
Sorry I change my answer I would also do both parks! If he doesn’t really remember Disneyland you gotta include it |
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Jul 27, 2019 0:53:11 GMT
Is this the first time at Disney at all? Or just at Disneyland? I would say that if it is first time at all, Disneyland is the priority as the original and for the nostalgia factor. Next priority is Park Hoppers to get to CA, too. And then, if you can swing it, get the Max Pass.
If, on the other hand, you have both been to Disney World, go look at the rides and lands to see which appeal more. There is plenty of crossover and plenty unique on both sides, but one or both of you my spot a “must do” or two.
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caangel
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Posts: 5,709
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Jul 27, 2019 1:43:41 GMT
Definitely both if you can! That's what we prefer doing. Arrive before opening and leave after closing. If you stay until closing you can get in line for a ride (like Space Mountain) minutes before closing and they will allow all in line to ride before shutting down the ride.
We have done both in one day since my kids were little. They are only 10/12 now.
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Post by bothmykidsrbrats on Jul 27, 2019 1:56:18 GMT
I vote Park Hopper and Max Pass. You get all your PhotoPass and and attraction photos with Max Pass, as well as the Fastpass convenience. The Parks are easy to hop between. HAVE FUN  |
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Post by cmpeter on Jul 27, 2019 2:41:23 GMT
Our teens would pick DCA if they just had one day. And, yes definitely get Max Pass. If you have a splurge item do the World of Color Dessert Party.
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Post by SallyPA on Jul 27, 2019 2:46:14 GMT
I’d splurge for the park hopper and absolutely on the max pass. Then, get yourself to the Disneyland Daily blog. She has the best plans to follow. I find her site a little difficult to navigate but somewhere on there will be a table with plans of where to start. She has different plans for different age groups and different days. Find the one day park hopper plan for older kids and you’ll be set. Follow her recommendations on how early to arrive also. It seems silly but you will be amazed how smoothly your day will go with her plan.
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Post by SallyPA on Jul 27, 2019 2:49:03 GMT
My other tip is to wear a backpack and pack refillable water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, a small blanket for parades/shows, etc.
Oh and also, pick one night show/parade to do. World of Color is our favorite. Arrive early, stay late, and you will have a great day!
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marimoose
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Post by marimoose on Jul 27, 2019 3:04:43 GMT
Both will be crowded, but if he doesn't remember Disneyland, then my vote would be to choose that. There's just something more magical about walking down Main Street, watching the parade, the various classic rides like Haunted Mansion, Small World and Space Mountain, etc. Oddly nothing has been crowded lately and there have been many reports about it. So hard to say if traffic will pick up or not and the low crowds make me want to buy a cheap ticket to get myself out there now  . If I had to choose and a park hopper pass isn't an option then I would agree and pick the magic of Disneyland. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2019 3:25:00 GMT
Both will be crowded, but if he doesn't remember Disneyland, then my vote would be to choose that. There's just something more magical about walking down Main Street, watching the parade, the various classic rides like Haunted Mansion, Small World and Space Mountain, etc. Oddly nothing has been crowded lately and there have been many reports about it. So hard to say if traffic will pick up or not and the low crowds make me want to buy a cheap ticket to get myself out there now . If I had to choose and a park hopper pass isn't an option then I would agree and pick the magic of Disneyland.
The forecasts for August 2nd is supposed to be crowded, but hopefully not. I wonder if it's been less crowded because the price has gotten so high that some can no longer afford going? I remember taking our kids three to four times when they were younger, but we sure wouldn't be able to do that now.
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Post by papersilly on Jul 27, 2019 5:42:51 GMT
BOTH. But if you can't, Disneyland because of the new Star Wars attraction. More stuff to do in Disney anyway.
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Post by jlynnbarth on Jul 27, 2019 5:43:22 GMT
I read an article just the other day that the park isn’t as full as it has been in the past because they have blocked annual pass holders on a lot more days this summer. I just looked at the blocked Calendar and Aug 2nd looks pretty decent. There are 6 annual pass levels and only the top 2 have admission that day and the 3 rd level has to have reservations. That really helps with the crowds.
Last year we went on the week of Veterans Day and on that Monday it was the same as above and we went on every single ride in DL by 2:00 pm. It was awesome! The rest of the week was packed! I’m sure it’ll be more crowded than that due to it being summer, but it’ll definitely be better than everyone being good to go.
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on Jul 27, 2019 14:19:36 GMT
I just looked up the price difference btwn a ONE DAY ONE PARK option vs a ONE DAY HOPPER PASS and its a $50 difference per person. There is also an option to UPGRADE to the DISNEY MAX PASS for $30 extra per ticket. I'd appreciate opinions on (1) whether the $50 extra to upgrade to a 1-day Hopper Pass would be a good idea and (2) if the upgrade to Disney Max Pass is a good option. Thanks. I haven't been to Disneyland in awhile so I am not aware of these upgrades. I think it’s possible to do the best of both parks in one day. I also think the max pass is worth it. We went for 3 days last May and did the max pass for 2 is the days. So much better than running for fast passes. Take advantage of the single rider lines in both parks and you’ll get on big rides even faster. While others are waiting 2 hrs for radiator springs the single rider line is so fast. Maybe 10-20 min. And do some research because some rides have single rider lines but don’t advertise. Indian jones has a single rider line that isn’t well known. Once you get to the end of the line you’re in with everyone else. We were in the same car as our kids even though we did single rider. You can do fastpass for all of these rides but if you want to run on an extra time single rider is fast. ETA: if you insist on only doing one park I’d say Disneyland because it’s classic but it would be a shame to miss CA because it’s a great park too and easy to go between. We pass on the light shows. Rides are empty at that time and we don’t love crowds. |
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Post by hennybutton on Jul 27, 2019 17:54:11 GMT
Doing both in one day is totally possible. My brother-in-law works for Disney and our family goes with his about once a year. We went two weeks ago and it was strangely uncrowded. We usually do both parks, but we just went to Disneyland this time because of Star Wars.
You can get an app that tells you the wait times on the rides. Get fast passes for the rides with long waits, the go on the rides with shorter waits until it's time for your fast pass.
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Post by Alexxussss on Jul 27, 2019 20:24:47 GMT
Definitely both!
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Post by jemmls4 on Jul 27, 2019 23:39:31 GMT
Do both and do maxpass. It’s awesome! Wish WDW would do a maxpass things instead of way they do fastpasses.
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 27, 2019 23:58:03 GMT
I just looked up the price difference btwn a ONE DAY ONE PARK option vs a ONE DAY HOPPER PASS and its a $50 difference per person. There is also an option to UPGRADE to the DISNEY MAX PASS for $30 extra per ticket. I'd appreciate opinions on (1) whether the $50 extra to upgrade to a 1-day Hopper Pass would be a good idea and (2) if the upgrade to Disney Max Pass is a good option. Thanks. I haven't been to Disneyland in awhile so I am not aware of these upgrades. If I only had one day, I'd do the hopper. Both parks have great rides. ETA: Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but if you go in the single rider line, you often get to the front much faster. You can still wait together in line and the 2 minute ride you will probably be apart. |
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Nanner
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Post by Nanner on Jul 28, 2019 1:23:30 GMT
I'd also get the hopper. There are things you don't want to miss at both parks and you can do enough of each in one day
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Post by linhaz on Jul 28, 2019 1:34:38 GMT
Thanks everyone for your tips! Very helpful. Thus far it seems like a hopper and the max pass would be the best for a one day visit. Appreciate your assistance!
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. If I had to choose and a park hopper pass isn't an option then I would agree and pick the magic of Disneyland.
