How much time should I spend at DL vs DCA?

[smartmouse]

Hello!

I have been to WDW several times, but haven't been to DLR since I was a child. I am trying to figure out how much time I should allot for each of the parks. We will drive into Anaheim on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and leave on Thursday. That gives us 2 short days and 3 full ones to explore the parks.

Would it be best to plan 2 full days at Disneyland park and 1 full day at DCA? And any recommendations on which park to try to enter on that Sunday when we arrive?

Also, would you recommend doing a World of Color dining package?

Any additional tips are appreciated, too

Thank you for the help!

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Hello!

I have been to WDW several times, but haven't been to DLR since I was a child. I am trying to figure out how much time I should allot for each of the parks. We will drive into Anaheim on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and leave on Thursday. That gives us 2 short days and 3 full ones to explore the parks.

Would it be best to plan 2 full days at Disneyland park and 1 full day at DCA? And any recommendations on which park to try to enter on that Sunday when we arrive?

Also, would you recommend doing a World of Color dining package?

Any additional tips are appreciated, too

Thank you for the help!

Get park hoppers. The parks are literally feet from each other and you will have flexibility. You'll definitely spend more time at DL than DCA.

WOC Dining packages are fine, but you will still have to show up early to get in and claim your spot.

 

[Rich T]

Get park hoppers. The parks are literally feet from each other and you will have flexibility. You'll definitely spend more time at DL than DCA.

This. Get Park Hoppers and just treat the 2 parks (plus Downtown Disney) as one big park. Relax, have fun, and see which parts of which park you enjoy best. If you have early entry, take full advantage of that. And don't forget the single rider lines at both parks, even as a group. This can get you on RSR fairly quickly without need for Fastpass.

 

[Curious Constance]

I am also going to recommend park hoppers. We usually always get them, but last trip we didn't, and we really regretted it. It's nice being able to start off in one park, take a break mid day, then end the day at the other park.

Also, I recommend starting at whichever park didn't offer early entry the day you arrive. You can find this info out on Disneyland.com

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I agree with previous sentiments. Get a park hopper and see how things go.

I think with WDW vets, what we tend to automatically do is plan, plan, plan. With Disneyland, I would focus more on knowing what's in the parks and then just going with the flow once you get there. Plan a few ADRs if you want, but otherwise, just see what happens and go with it.

 

[BubbaQuest]

As others have mentioned, park hopper is your friend

For DCA, the only 2 things you'll really need to worry about is which day to arrive early to try to get Radiator Springs Fastpasses and which night to stay late to watch World of Color. The rest of the park you should be able to do at your leisure.

Since Fantasmic will be closed, the only other decision will be which night to watch DL fireworks/parade if interested.

It looks like Deluxe APs are blacked out the Sunday before Memorial Day. Sunday might be less crowded than Monday

If Carthay Circle is already on your list of things to do, then I would recommend the WoC package just for convenience. Otherwise, you don't really need it. Don't forget Disney also recently announced a dessert only option for WoC: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...rt-party-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

Have a great trip!

 

[smartmouse]

Thank you all for the information - it is so helpful!

I will get the PH and be a little more flexible in my thinking about going between parks (since it won't involve bus or monorail transport )
Carthay Circle was on my short list of ADRs so I think I will go ahead and book the WoC package since we would be going there anyway.

You guys are great! Thanks again!

 

[JediMasterMatt]

Carthay WoC package is the best of the bunch as you can ask to go into any of the zones to view the show. It's also the most consistently good of the sit down options at the parks. As other's have mentioned, you still need to be early to get a "good" spot. I'm also a lover of evenings and nights in Disney Parks, so taking advantage of Carthay's WoC options for lunch allows for this. I always recommend the 2nd showing of WoC for less crowds and to allow greater flexibility in planning your day and even with lunch, you can still ask for the 2nd showing tickets.

My favorite spot is unfortunately right down front in the wet zone centered at the railing, so... splish splash.

 

[BubbaQuest]

P.S. If you are going to do Carthay, be sure to ask for a table in the main dining room when making the reservation.

 

[KikoKea]

Park Hopper, for sure. We spent more time in DL, but made certain to get a FP for Cars ride at least once. A huge crowd heads to the FP booth, which is on the left side of the main path into the park just before the Cars Land area, and wait times are long without one.

DL at night is beautiful, but be sure to spend one of those nights over at DCA for the water show. And, DTD is worth a walk through at night, too- we have an arrival night dinner there, which works out well.