Is it worth it to go to Disney California Adventures?

Question

We r going to Disneyland and its our first time going to California Adnveture . Is it good? for an 9 yr old, 13 yr old, 18 yr old and 2 adults

Answer 1

DCA is nowhere near as good as Disneyland, but if you have a Park Hopper and a day to spare, do the following:

1. When you get to the park, go IMMEDIATELY to Soaring over California, and get a FastPass. Best, most original ride in the park.

2. For a lighthearted break, check out "Turtle Talk with Crush," especially if your kids (esp the 9 yo) liked Nemo. Well done, and funny!

Other than that, DCA is pretty much a bunch of standard midway rides and roller coasters; nothing particularly special. Also, lines for food (when I was there a couple months ago) were MUCH longer than in Disneyland, so eat early.

Answer 2

Completely! California Adventure's offers a wider range of more adult rides, however it also is fine for kids. The rides are just as thrilling and decorated. However, if you are looking for that classic Disney tell-a-story-as-you-ride-along theme, you will not find it at California Adventures. It is much more real-life based such as a raft down a river, or flight over California, restaurants based on real california places, versus Brer Rabbit's tale and Pirates of the Caribbean. If you have been to Disneyland before, try California, but if it is your first time to both the parks, definitely fit in the whole Disneyland park before you attempt California Adventures. If your 9 year old is ok with tagging along there, it is most likely more suitable for the 13 & 18 year olds, plus the 2 adults. The rides are a little faster and more mature.

Answer 3

Certainly, it is worth a visit. Ideally, I'd get a park-hopper ticket and do both Disneyland and California Adventure, if you have time.

A lot of the folks who hate California Adventure, dislike it because it has fewer attractions than Disneyland.

Well, obviously...

Reality Check:

- The original Disneyland opened in 1955, and is the most packed of all the Disney Parks, including the imperfect "clones" of it (Paris, HK, Japan, etc.) California Adventure opened in 2001, so course there's less to do than at Disneyland.

- But here's another fact...California Adventure already has more attractions than either the Animal Kingdom or MGM parks in Orlando (albeit it has fewer attractions than Epcot and Magic Kingdom).

True, most of the attractions are recycled from ones in Florida rather than new, but they still work quite well.

And while certain areas of the park lack theming (Paradise Pier is very dissapointing -- looks like it came straight out of Six Flags), there are at least 4 big-ticket rides to do in California Adventure: Tower of Terror, A Bug's Life, Soarin, and Monsters Inc.

Not bad for a place that just opened a couple years ago.

Answer 4

They've actually just made some significant improvements to the park. They redid the front entrance which is now called Buena Vista Street, and it is much more similar to Main Street in Disneyland. It feels more like a Disney park now as soon as you enter. They've also added a lot of stuff, Cars Land most obviously, but now there's also World of Color, the Aladdin musical, Toy Story Mania and a few more things. I don't think Tower of Terror was there yet in 2001. So, there's a lot more to do, and things are a lot different. We just went last weekend, and I enjoyed the park way more than I ever have in past trips. I think we actually spent more time in California Adventure than we did Disneyland. So, I would say, yes, it is worth going to again. You won't even recognize it.

Answer 5

Disney Ca Adventure (also called DCA) is much smaller than Disneyland, but still good to visit because it does have some great rides and shows DL doesn't have. There's something for everyone in DCA.

I would go if you have a day to spare, or have a park hopper. If you only have one day, I'd stick to Disneyland.

For the teens, they'll like the Tower of Terror ride, the Screaming roller coaster, and even the Maliboomer. For the younger kids, they'll like the "Its tough to be a bug" show, Monsters Inc., the Nemo show, and the Bugs Land.

You can definitely do DCA in one day. Its not that big, and the crowd isn't as bad as Disneyland.

Answer 6

I love California Adventure. One thing you guys must keep in mind is that it isn't Disneyland. It is a Disney park, yes... but it won't have the same feel as the park across the way.
I like to compate California Adventure to EPCOT at Disney World. It's more visual and offers great shows and interactive stuff and not as many rides (although Tower of Terror, Soarin over California and the California Screamin' beat out many rides found inside Disneyland). Be sure to check out the Alladin show (best show in both parks!). It is located to the left of the park's entrance by the animation area. GREAT show. You'll feel like you went to NY for a Broadway show.

If you would like any help planning your trip or would like some fun tips and ideas, check out my Disney Vacation Blog, I'm All Ears at:

http://im-all-ears-disney-vacation-services.blogspot.com/

Have a great time!

Answer 7

I go to Disneyland about once a month. I have a premium annual pass. The problem with California Adventure is that it has a limited selection of "E" ticket rides and they have low capacity. Disneyland has a much wider selection fo rides and the wait times are generally shorter. I go to DCA only when Disneyland seems to crowded.

Answer 8

It is worth it to go to DCA if you also go to Disneyland. I love it. But most of the rides are not copies from Florida... so that isn't true. (just Tower of Terror) The rides are very different than at Disneyland, but then there is still a lot of attractions to visit for both adults and children. Just purchase a park hopper pass and you will be able to travel between parks as much as you want. Just make sure to get your hand stamped.

Answer 9

Yes, it's worth it. In fact, now when you buy your tickets you get a two day pass into each part of the park. It's really good if you are staying for a couple of days so that you can spend one day at Disney and one day at CA Adventure.

Answer 10

I liked it. It's a lot smaller and you can cover the whole park in about 5-6hrs but it has really cool rides that everyone can get on. You have to try the para-sailing through California ride for sure.

Have fun!!!