DCA as a stand alone park

[Cosmic Commando]

I love DCA, but one thing that works against it if you're trying to come up with this mythical "full day" designation for the average person is that many of its attractions are limiting in one way or another. Bug's land and the Challenge Trail are for the little ones (I think many of the things on the Challenge Trail literally have a height maximum). Tower and Screamin' are intense. Grizzly River Rapids gets you soaked. The next ride that DCA gets should be its Pirates.

 

[Disneyfanman]

I stayed relatively dry on Splash Mountain in Disneyland. A little wet, not drenched, not soaked and to be honest I may have dried up by the time the ride was over and we got off.

Splash at WDW is a better ride though. It is longer, it seemed to rush through everything at Disneyland. In a way the comparisons to the Splash Mountains are similar to the comparisons to Pirates. One is noticeably better at the other park. Pirates at Disneyland. Splash at WDW. However, even the inferior versions are great rides of course.

I agree with this. It's much better and more relaxed at WDW. I had friends who worked at Disney when both were built and they changed to the wider logs at WDW to slow down the pace without losing capacity. It's my favorite WDW attraction, but at DL it isn't as enjoyable. And you usually get much wetter at DL.

 

[Figments Friend]

I rode Dl's 'Splash Mountain' five times in a row on my last visit in the autumn for a unique photo op and sat in the back row of the log.
I still managed to get quite wet, although the folks in front of me were absolutely soaked ( particularly the first two rows ).

At WDW's version of the Attraction, i rarely get 'wet' at all..sitting in the back row.
Maybe some sprinkles, but not outright wet like i experienced at DL.

So i found DL's to be a much damper experience...which was a nice surprise at the time.
The show elements are also not as polished, and as other have already noted the logs scoot by the show scenes SO quickly.
There is not a lot of time to savor the atmosphere like in Florida, and before you know it you have reached the final drop.

Having said all that, i still love the 'Original' at DL. It has a unique character all it's own.
For the overall Show however, WDW's version is quite a improvement...but the Original has a charm.
Seeing 'where it began' is always interesting.

Now regarding Grizzly River Run, that attraction i absolutely came away 'soaked'.
My feet were squishing in my shoes for hours afterwards.
GRR is definitely a more exciting and wet-worthy Attraction when compared to DAK's Kali River Run.
Kali has some nice scenery but is waaayy too short...and i rarely get wet.
GRR is also scenic, but in a different theme, and i totally became soaked....and i was not even sitting where the brunt of the splashes were happening.

Every experience is going to be different...and where you sit, coupled with the particular Guests you are grouped with make all the difference.

 

[gboiler1]

GRR, at least when I rode, also has sprayers as you go up the ramp to the highest point so you get wet there, then entering the cave there is a waterfall that will likely get you too. Of course because the raft rotates you can't predict where you'll be but soaked should be expected.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I think DCA has as many atractions as DHS and DAK together, with WS thrown in for good measure.


In a way, DCA feels like ''WDW's Greatest Hits'. Soarin', Turtle and 'TT' (infinitely better) from FW; ToT, Muppets, animation, TSMM from DHS; ITTAB, the carnival section (better) and the raft ride (much better) from DAK.

While I would still rank Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and even MGM Studios above California Adventure, it does many things better than Walt Disney World.

Radiator Springs Racers bests Test Track in every way except its max speed. Even that is preferred since you're racing, going down dips and not being assaulted by gale force winds. Plus, it didn't replace an original EPCOT Center attraction.

While I'm not a big fan of raft rides, Grizzly River puts Kali River Rapids to shame. Well, most rides of this type do, so that isn't saying much. Kali has a ridiculously themed queue, but the ride is over in a minute and not exciting in any way. Plus, they had to shoehorn another ironic conservation message. Grizzly is a sprawling ride with better scenery and a big drop at the end.

Mad T Party is the closest thing to a club you'll find at Disney.

California Screamin' would be Aerosmith's equivalent. While Aerosmith has an actual storyline, better queue and theming, Screamin' is the better coaster.

You also won't lose half your day or more trying to get on Soarin' Over California or Toy Story here.

 

[Minnie1976]

DCA is by far a "Full day park" if you use WDW's standards. The amount of attractions the park contains alone could allow you to spend a whole day there. Paradise Pier by itself has 9 attractions and 2 shows I believe. While everything may not appeal to everyone there is something there everybody will enjoy.

Disneyland dwarfs DCA in attractions but it still has a very respectable lineup
Buena Vista Street
WOC - Fantastic show
Pixar Parade
Soarin' over California - The original

Grizzly River Run - 100x better then Kali
Animation and Turtle Talk
Monsters Inc - Great unique dark ride
Aladdin - Great stage show
Tower of Terror
Bugs Land - for the little ones
RSR - far superior to TT
Luigi's - remake of flying saucers
Mater's - Great little ride
Little Mermaid
California Screamin' - better coaster then Rockin imo
TSMM - with far less wait
Mickey's Fun Wheel - (of Death)
Symphony Swings
Sky School
Golden Zephyr

I could go on and on and this isnt nearly everything in the park. If this isnt enough to make it a full day park then I dont know what is. By far the best part is if you want DL is a 30 second walk away so you can park hop as many times as you want if you ever get bored.

I was there a year ago and the attraction on the ride passed the Golden Zephyr was closed. It was on the right and almost at the end of the park. It seemed similar to Dinorama in AK at WDW. I can't find the name of it. Do you know?

 

[Vipraa]

I was there a year ago and the attraction on the ride passed the Golden Zephyr was closed. It was on the right and almost at the end of the park. It seemed similar to Dinorama in AK at WDW. I can't find the name of it. Do you know?

Goofy's Sky School

 

[fractal]

After going to DLR resort last year, I felt that DCA had to be in the conversation as one of the best Disney parks in the World. It's DHS on steroids.

 

[Disneysea05]

Not quite in my top 5 Disney parks, but definitely a worthy companion to Walt's park across the way.

I've always found the comparisons between DHS and DCA interesting. Vast majorities of either park are so different from one another, yet the few shared rides and couple of similar themed areas have linked them.