At WDW I consider DHS a half to 3/4 day park. Is DCA a full day park now with all the revamps? Or will we be crossing the gates in the evening time so to speak?
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DCA as a stand alone park
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Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
Not in the evening, or you will miss seeing DCAs *World of Color* !
I am not a big fan of DCA in general, but i will say that the recent additions have made it a lot more tolerable/enjoyable to spend a couple of hours wandering around in.
I personally still find DCA to be a *half day* experience...actually, more a *few hours* experience but that may just be me.
It reminds me too much of today*s DHS, which is my least favorite Park at WDW.
It has that wannabe vibe...with a loose jumble of various diversions and attractions tossed around, some of which have already been cloned in Florida.
For a fan of thrill rides, their enjoyment level at DCA may be much more then mine is.
Having said that, DCA is however still well worth investing a few hours of your day to see.
Cars Land in particular, if that even needs to be said, is well worth the admission price alone...and that is coming from a non-Pixar fan!
There are a few other attractions and shows you may enjoy seeing that are unique to DCA which will be worth your time.
The *Aladdin* stage show is good, as is the other live entertainment options that run during the day.
Be sure to visit the *Blue Sky Cellar* too...if it is open during your visit.
It you are a fan of Imagineering, or of theme park design development in general, this is a must see from that perspective.
I find after about 2/3 hours i am ready to hop back over to Disneyland.
My one *DCA Day* out of a typical 6 day visit involves spending the first half of the day at DL, then wandering over to DCA for 3/4 hours. I finish that day with *World of Color* and then head *home* for the evening.
The five other days i spend entirely in DL proper. DCA only gets a few hours of my time.
I am not a big fan of DCA in general, but i will say that the recent additions have made it a lot more tolerable/enjoyable to spend a couple of hours wandering around in.
I personally still find DCA to be a *half day* experience...actually, more a *few hours* experience but that may just be me.
It reminds me too much of today*s DHS, which is my least favorite Park at WDW.
It has that wannabe vibe...with a loose jumble of various diversions and attractions tossed around, some of which have already been cloned in Florida.
For a fan of thrill rides, their enjoyment level at DCA may be much more then mine is.
Having said that, DCA is however still well worth investing a few hours of your day to see.
Cars Land in particular, if that even needs to be said, is well worth the admission price alone...and that is coming from a non-Pixar fan!
There are a few other attractions and shows you may enjoy seeing that are unique to DCA which will be worth your time.
The *Aladdin* stage show is good, as is the other live entertainment options that run during the day.
Be sure to visit the *Blue Sky Cellar* too...if it is open during your visit.
It you are a fan of Imagineering, or of theme park design development in general, this is a must see from that perspective.
I find after about 2/3 hours i am ready to hop back over to Disneyland.
My one *DCA Day* out of a typical 6 day visit involves spending the first half of the day at DL, then wandering over to DCA for 3/4 hours. I finish that day with *World of Color* and then head *home* for the evening.
The five other days i spend entirely in DL proper. DCA only gets a few hours of my time.
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Talk about half day, full day, 5/8 day parks is all subjective.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I can spend an entire day in DCA. As stated already, it's all subjective. I may be able to do it, but you may not be able to.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
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.
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.
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
That is a interesting way of looking at it, and yes, it does have that feeling to it.
Totally agree regarding DCAs *TT* and *raft ride*...
George Lucas on a Bench
Well-Known Member
Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh...
It's a half-day or less for me. Even if we're there for the entire day, it's easy to go into DCA at opening, Fastpass Cars and something else simultaneously, then bust out most (if not all) of the major attractions within a couple hours. Then it's off to Disneyland, returning only for Fastpasses, Aladdin or Mad T Party to get wasted on Mad Long Island Iced T Partys before once again returning to Disneyland.
Of course, your DCA mileage may vary.
It's a half-day or less for me. Even if we're there for the entire day, it's easy to go into DCA at opening, Fastpass Cars and something else simultaneously, then bust out most (if not all) of the major attractions within a couple hours. Then it's off to Disneyland, returning only for Fastpasses, Aladdin or Mad T Party to get wasted on Mad Long Island Iced T Partys before once again returning to Disneyland.
Of course, your DCA mileage may vary.
Disneyfanman
Well-Known Member
Our last 3 visits have all been full day visits open to close. World of color puts us over the top. And we always miss a few things. It was always so easy to leave before all of the changes hit ( DL calling!). Now not so much. I really feel like DCA has its own vibe now.
We don't just hit the rides tho. We take our time, see multiple shows, hang out in Animation for as long as we feel like staying. We have at one big, long, expensive meal (usually combined with a WOC seating package). We play with the street characters. I use software sites to plan our routes to avoid the worst lines.
We got spoiled with DL next door. It has so many things to see and do! DCA doesn't have as much. In my mind though it has more than enough to fill a day if you are interested in taking your time.
We don't just hit the rides tho. We take our time, see multiple shows, hang out in Animation for as long as we feel like staying. We have at one big, long, expensive meal (usually combined with a WOC seating package). We play with the street characters. I use software sites to plan our routes to avoid the worst lines.
We got spoiled with DL next door. It has so many things to see and do! DCA doesn't have as much. In my mind though it has more than enough to fill a day if you are interested in taking your time.
disney4life2008
Well-Known Member
This sounds amazing - this makes me excited to visit DCA one day. Plus, I love DL Fantasmic and I am almost certain I would be in love with WOC - sign me up
Vipraa
Well-Known Member
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.
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.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
Yes, which is why I would say....while park hoppers are nice at WDW Disney for dining (mostly)...at DLC, they are necessary and completely worth the money.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.
BubbaQuest
Well-Known Member
If you consider DHS a 3/4 park, then DCA is definitely a full day park.
As others have mentioned, it does have some of WDW Greatest Hits. If you don't want to spend time on the duplicates from WDW, you could do the park in half a day but Cars Land alone could take up a huge chunk of that time.
I like spending the whole day in the park, maybe running over to DL after DCA closes for a quick trip on Haunted Mansion or Space Mountain. With the addition of Cars Land and Carthay Circle, it is much more of a sit and relax and enjoy park than it was before.
As others have mentioned, it does have some of WDW Greatest Hits. If you don't want to spend time on the duplicates from WDW, you could do the park in half a day but Cars Land alone could take up a huge chunk of that time.
I like spending the whole day in the park, maybe running over to DL after DCA closes for a quick trip on Haunted Mansion or Space Mountain. With the addition of Cars Land and Carthay Circle, it is much more of a sit and relax and enjoy park than it was before.
Lol
Lol at the fun wheel if death!
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.
Lol at the fun wheel if death!
Walt Disney1955
Well-Known Member
I went to DCA last year hearing quite a bit of negativity about it. So I had very low expectations. But that is one great park. I rank my Disney Parks like this:
Disneyland
Magic Kingdom
DCA
Epcot
DHS
Animal Kingdom
I really do put DCA 3rd. To me it is that great of a park. Possibly the best show ever is World of Color. I feel there is a Disney feel to it and how that park is a half day is beyond me. If that's a half day park then tell me what your secret is. Carsland is just fantastic. I loved it. And while I prefer the WDW Tower of Terror it's still...............Tower of Terror!
Grizzly River Run was great and I personally loved the section across from it that had the scenic trails and such (cant remember the name off hand).
Yeah this is a great park on its own, a great park. I left there fulfilled. I think in many ways because of "big brother" next door there are people who will always think this park is the snotty little obtrusive sibling that's just in the way, and it couldn't be further from the truth. Disneyland is king, but don't compare the two, it's impossible to top Disneyland. However, you can have a blast at DCA.
Disneyland
Magic Kingdom
DCA
Epcot
DHS
Animal Kingdom
I really do put DCA 3rd. To me it is that great of a park. Possibly the best show ever is World of Color. I feel there is a Disney feel to it and how that park is a half day is beyond me. If that's a half day park then tell me what your secret is. Carsland is just fantastic. I loved it. And while I prefer the WDW Tower of Terror it's still...............Tower of Terror!
Grizzly River Run was great and I personally loved the section across from it that had the scenic trails and such (cant remember the name off hand).
Yeah this is a great park on its own, a great park. I left there fulfilled. I think in many ways because of "big brother" next door there are people who will always think this park is the snotty little obtrusive sibling that's just in the way, and it couldn't be further from the truth. Disneyland is king, but don't compare the two, it's impossible to top Disneyland. However, you can have a blast at DCA.
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
For someone overly familiar with visiting WDW, DCA may give the impression of being like a 'half day' Park because of the inherent similarities to DHS and the various 'cloned' attractions.
Both Parks however are very different, but at the same time share similarities.
I consider DCA a 'half day' partly for those reasons, and the other being it just is not overly appealing to me in theme/execution.
That is personal taste...as noted earlier, 'your DCA mileage may vary'.
DCA certainly has more to see and do then a true 'half day' like DHS, but in my opinion the setting is not as appealing and some of the attractions are kind of ..ehh.
I don't find it particularly exciting, but i will say this - DCA is MUCH better now then it was in it's original incarnation.
Another aspect is that folks who have never been to WDW may be more apt to love DCA more then someone who has already experienced DHS..because of the newness/no comparisons factor. Both Parks are quite different in tone and vibe, but both are also similar in several ways.
It is purely up to each individual to decide for themselves if it considered a 'half day' or 'full day'.
The 'secret' to doing DCA in only a few hours...?
Easy if you visit off-season and are not a thrill ride fan.
DCA is easily do-able in a shorter time frame because of having to skip several attractions.
Radiator Springs Racers, GRR, and Soarin' Over Cali being the exceptions...i don't do the more harder edged thrill attractions like ToT, Screamin, etc.
This is partly why DHS is my least favorite Theme Park - not a lot for me to do as far as attractions goes.
DCA does however have some neat themed areas exclusive to the Park such as Redwood Creek Challenge area and Flik's Fun Fair, two fun outdoor areas that provide some nice atmospheres.
The Park definitely has it's own vibe...but not one i am a big fan of.
I can appreciate the differences, but DCA to me feels like a big outdoor shopping mall at times ( Paradise Pier, Buena Vista Street ) and a mixed bag of non-Disney like attractions.
That may excite some, but for me...not so much.
Regardless, DCA is still well worth experiencing no matter what your tastes if you have the opportunity.
I would recommend anyone having the chance to visit to do it...and judge for themselves...and just have a good time.
Both Parks however are very different, but at the same time share similarities.
I consider DCA a 'half day' partly for those reasons, and the other being it just is not overly appealing to me in theme/execution.
That is personal taste...as noted earlier, 'your DCA mileage may vary'.
DCA certainly has more to see and do then a true 'half day' like DHS, but in my opinion the setting is not as appealing and some of the attractions are kind of ..ehh.
I don't find it particularly exciting, but i will say this - DCA is MUCH better now then it was in it's original incarnation.
Another aspect is that folks who have never been to WDW may be more apt to love DCA more then someone who has already experienced DHS..because of the newness/no comparisons factor. Both Parks are quite different in tone and vibe, but both are also similar in several ways.
It is purely up to each individual to decide for themselves if it considered a 'half day' or 'full day'.
The 'secret' to doing DCA in only a few hours...?
Easy if you visit off-season and are not a thrill ride fan.
DCA is easily do-able in a shorter time frame because of having to skip several attractions.
Radiator Springs Racers, GRR, and Soarin' Over Cali being the exceptions...i don't do the more harder edged thrill attractions like ToT, Screamin, etc.
This is partly why DHS is my least favorite Theme Park - not a lot for me to do as far as attractions goes.
DCA does however have some neat themed areas exclusive to the Park such as Redwood Creek Challenge area and Flik's Fun Fair, two fun outdoor areas that provide some nice atmospheres.
The Park definitely has it's own vibe...but not one i am a big fan of.
I can appreciate the differences, but DCA to me feels like a big outdoor shopping mall at times ( Paradise Pier, Buena Vista Street ) and a mixed bag of non-Disney like attractions.
That may excite some, but for me...not so much.
Regardless, DCA is still well worth experiencing no matter what your tastes if you have the opportunity.
I would recommend anyone having the chance to visit to do it...and judge for themselves...and just have a good time.
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cheezbat
Well-Known Member
If you're a longtime WDW'er, you may look at it as a half day park since many of the attractions can be found at WDW as well.
Still, I love Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Carsland, the Aladdin show, Grizzly River Run, California Screamin', World of Color,and Tower of Terror.
On top of all that you've got Toy Story Mania, A Bugs Land, Soarin', the Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc, Muppetvision and other things...it's easily a full day park.
Still, I love Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Carsland, the Aladdin show, Grizzly River Run, California Screamin', World of Color,and Tower of Terror.
On top of all that you've got Toy Story Mania, A Bugs Land, Soarin', the Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc, Muppetvision and other things...it's easily a full day park.
WishIwasThere
Active Member
We are going to DCA in April (along with 1/2 of CA by the looks of the crowd calendar). Question for all you DCA veterans: How wet do you get on GRR (compared to Kali). I have never walked off Kali without having been soaked to the bone.
How about DL's Splash? I can get away with just a tiny bit of dampness on MK's Splash, but how do they compare?
How about DL's Splash? I can get away with just a tiny bit of dampness on MK's Splash, but how do they compare?
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
The rafts are on an omnimover-type belt thingy and you just get in as it comes by. You don't get wet.
You can see it in this video:
Splash, on the other hand...if you don't want to get wet, take the seat in the way back. Otherwise, you're pretty much guaranteed to get really wet, especially if you sit in the first three seats.
BubbaQuest
Well-Known Member
That's a good point @Figments Friend. I'm a fan of extreme rides so a trip on Screamin and ToT is always a must for me.
For WDW regulars that don't like thrill ride or heights, there's not a lot of unique things to do in DCA. Cars Land and Monsters Inc. Maybe Flik's Fun Fair for the young ones.
The other thing I like about DCA is the size. For WDW regulars, that's probably not a concern. For a DL veteran like me, being able to stop for a second without getting trampled is a big plus!
For WDW regulars that don't like thrill ride or heights, there's not a lot of unique things to do in DCA. Cars Land and Monsters Inc. Maybe Flik's Fun Fair for the young ones.
The other thing I like about DCA is the size. For WDW regulars, that's probably not a concern. For a DL veteran like me, being able to stop for a second without getting trampled is a big plus!
Walt Disney1955
Well-Known Member
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.