I'm planning a trip to Disneyland..Should we stay an extra day and visit California Adventure or not? If so, what's so cool about it? Thanks! :)

Well, if you were looking to squeeze every last drop of magic out of your vacation, then the answer is yes, you should stay an extra day.

It's true that Disney's California Adventure isn't as successful as expected, but it is still a great park with great fun. There's a lot to do, and California Adventure has more, shall I say, and edge to it. They've got some of the bigger, more thrilling rides. California Screamin' is a must if you visit. The Orange Stinger is a must, too.

~Oranges

I would say go to Disney Land Resort a few times, because you can only do the quests by the amount of people you have in your group.
So going twice gets you more codes.
Hope this helps.

~Pacific

If you want to pay to spend overnight at any hotel, then yes, I recommend you stay.

I would recommend a 2-day park hopper so you can have access to both parks on both days. What I usually do if I spend all day at the resort is start in the early morning in Disneyland (ride/FASTPASS the ones that usually have the longest wait: Splash Mtn, Space Mtn, & Indiana Jones), then when crowds start streaming in around 11-12noon, I hop over to DCA. Around 6pm, I usually return to Disneyland Park for the remainder of the day.

i think the fun things are in the adventure like sorain and other things lol i forget because it was about 2 years ago last time i went but you may want to go an extra day...

Thank you all for your help!

3 days is plenty of time so see both parks and do everything multiple times without being rushed, i recommend staying across the street and not in a disney owend hotel, but definatley a good neighbor hotel

California adventure is great. Many of the same rides are in Florida and no one complains about that. Muppets, 3D, Its tough to be a bug, Tower of Terror,OPlayhouse Disney, Much of what is in the Animation part all came from Florida.
The theater in there is very grand and the show Aladdin is great too.
Plan to spend some time in the animation building. They have turtle talk with Crush (A must see show) You can learn to draw mickey in another show, you can play on computers and see what character you are most like.
I love the pier. The Screaming roller coaster is the best and I like the Maliboomer a lot too. The other rides I can take or leave. I feel like Im walking around the Boardwalk in WDW on the pier. Its very carnival atmosphere too. If you want a character meal you need reservations but Ariels Grotto is all princesses. I loved my birthday there.
There is so much more to see and do in California Adventure. I say if you can do it spend some time. discover the parades and shows, and form your own opinion on like verses dis like.

I recently went for one day and i thought i missed out on some things. If youre going two days then i recommend a park hopper on the second day only. I think california adventure is only good for the tower of terror and paradise pier. There is more to the original disney park then people think, you just have to look hard.

It's hard to say. I don't find myslef visiting DCA that often, as it doesn't hold much, in my opinion. Then again, it does have some positive points, and is worth a visit.
There are only about 3 rides that I even consider standing in line for: Tower of Terror, Soarin', and Grizzly River Run.
The animation building is a big plus.
Don't miss the Block Party Bash and Electrical Parade, if you decide to go. ;)

I recently went for one day and i thought i missed out on some things. If youre going two days then i recommend a park hopper on the second day only. I think california adventure is only good for the tower of terror and paradise pier.

This is an example of "different strokes for different folks". :) We didn't even bother going over to Paradise Pier, because we can ride rides like that at any local fair. We did enjoy the Monsters Inc ride -- it's a dark ride, but a really good one with lots of detail! And we enjoyed looking at the theming in the various areas. You can get free tortillas and free sourdough bread in the demonstration bakeries, and that is a pretty good snack to save you money. :)

We had a 3 day Park Hopper and spent almost all of it at Disneyland except for some times when DL was the most crowded, then we just hopped across the Esplanade to the other park, which was a nice way to deal with it.

We thought the parade at DCA was terrible (not the electric one, the other one), but obviously many people disagree with that so yet again, your mileage may vary.:pirate:

yeah, you should.
We went recently and only went to disneyland. I was so mad that we didnt go to C.A. so i think you should check it out.

Go on the tower of terror for me!

Tower of Terror is great, but the rest of the park was just ho-hum, in my opinion. Monsters, Inc. wasn't open yet last time I was there, so maybe that would have made it more worth-while. I would have liked to see more of the animation thing, but the activities seemed to take a LOT of time. Way more time than I had, anyway.

Have fun, whatever you decide to do!

Batty :)

Yeah, I've heard that it was awesome! Ok, I have another question for you guys:

When I go, what in-park quests/items should I do or get? And how do I get them/do them?

Also, how do you get: HM outfit, space outfit, cowboy outfit -- can you get these in the park?

Thanks so much for all of your time and help! I really appreciate it!

Well when you stay At DLR You Want to have the MOST Fun possible and The Most Adventure Possible.You Want to See as Much as you can And California Adventures,to me, Is Fun! It had Tower Of Terror! (Which is a MUST) California Screaming, so many things that WDW Doesn't have.Anyways If you Never Going to get to Go to DLR AGAIN Then YES You should Go to Both Parks, Including California Adventures! ;)

*Hasn't read any of the posts except the first*

You don't need a full day for DCA unless you like thrill rides. I spent an afternoon in Hollywood Pictures Backlot (and went on Soarin'), and was content.

Yeah, I've heard that it was awesome! Ok, I have another question for you guys:

When I go, what in-park quests/items should I do or get? And how do I get them/do them?See this post, I don't want to re-type it:
http://www.vmkforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=970199#post970199

Also, how do you get: HM outfit, space outfit, cowboy outfit -- can you get these in the park?Not In-park items. HM & cowboy outfits were sold for a limited time right before last Halloween. The Space suit was released for a limited time on a weekend last summer but it also can be won by completing the Blast in Space Game (Tomorrowland Arcade)

Ok, thanks, NaviMap!

I've heard that Grizzly River Run, Soarin', and TOT (Tower Of Terror) are a must if you go there. True? We'll probably just go on those if we go there, unless there's another great ride people reccommend? <--sp? lol

Do the Monsters, Inc. ride. The person I was with, who is more of a thrill ride fan, was really impressed by that even though it's a dark ride. It's nicely done. Of course, I liked it a lot too. Soarin' is not to be missed, for sure. Incidentally, I have both a tendency to motion sickness and a fear of heights, so I was really worried about Soarin' -- all the warnings that said I shouldn't ride it... but it was no problem at all. Much less motion sickness inducing than Star Tours, and I can ride that (as long as I close my eyes during a couple of parts). So if you are worried about that, it might not be a problem at all.

We never managed to ride the Grizzly River Run or TOT so I can't vouch for those but from what I know about them they should be great too.

If you've already seen Muppets 3D at WDW, the show at DCA is the same. If you haven't seen it, see it -- it's time off your feet in the air conditioning, and I think it's better than Honey I Shrunk the Audience. But your taste may vary.

Oh, and we just spent an afternoon there when we went. On July 4, when we thought it would be extra-crowded in DL. DCA was dead. We were able to nearly walk on to everything (well, we got a fastpass for Soarin' but I don't think we really needed it), and after a few hours of people-watching, snacking, and seeing a few attractions, we were ready to go back to DL.

I have to agree with most everyone else.

Don't spend the whole day there, but get a park hopper so you can run over there for half a day some time. I agree that the following are not to be missed: Soarin', GRR, TOT, the Animation building. See the Electrical parade at night. For the rest of your trip, spend it at Disneyland. :)

The Monster's Inc. Ride, in my opinion, left much to be desired, and was thuroughly unimpressive. :/ There were maybe two "whoa!" scenes, but I just couldn't get past the fact that they couldn't be bothered to have the animatronics do more. Heck, even the pirates of the carribean's mouths open when they sing :rolleyes:

I have to agree with most everyone else.

Don't spend the whole day there, but get a park hopper so you can run over there for half a day some time. I agree that the following are not to be missed: Soarin', GRR, TOT, the Animation building. See the Electrical parade at night. For the rest of your trip, spend it at Disneyland. :)

My mom said that we'd rent a hopper, because it would be easier than to walk. But I know we will definately go on all of the popular rides. I'm so excited! :) I haven't been to Disneyland in like 5 years!

The Monster's Inc. Ride, in my opinion, left much to be desired, and was thuroughly unimpressive. :/ There were maybe two "whoa!" scenes, but I just couldn't get past the fact that they couldn't be bothered to have the animatronics do more. Heck, even the pirates of the carribean's mouths open when they sing :rolleyes:

It's a dark ride. (I don't consider Pirates or Haunted Mansion to be dark rides -- they are way beyond that as entertainment experiences.) :) So compare it with the Fantasyland dark rides like Snow White, etc. By those standards it's quite impressive. It's all a matter of expectations. But, yeah, it's nothing like Pirates. It's not an audio-animatronic extravaganza. I think it's a great dark ride but of course, if I had the choice of riding only one ride, Pirates or Monsters, Pirates wins hands down.

(I love the Fantasyland dark rides so I don't mind that Monsters Inc is just a modern variation on the theme.)

My mom said that we'd rent a hopper, because it would be easier than to walk

:) I think you misunderstand -- a park hopper is a kind of ticket that allows you to get in both parks in the same day. You can use it to get into Disneyland for breakfast, then run over to DCA for a while, then back to DL.

" I think you misunderstand -- a park hopper is a kind of ticket that allows you to get in both parks in the same day. You can use it to get into Disneyland for breakfast, then run over to DCA for a while, then back to DL."

Omg! lol I knew that I was just thinking of something else lol--sidetracked (sp?) lol!!!!! :) In my own little world.. :D But, anyways, we that's what we're going to get.

Adventureland rides:
Jungle Cruise
Pirates Of The Carribean.

Frontierland rides:
big thunder mountain
haunted mansion
(i will try and think of more)

Critter Country rides:
Splash Mountain ***** (my favorite)
(i will try and think of more)

Fantasyland rides:
small world <little kiddish shorta, but still fun>
snow white's scary adventure
peter pan
mister toad
pinochio

My mom said that we'd rent a hopper, because it would be easier than to walk. But I know we will definately go on all of the popular rides. I'm so excited! :) I haven't been to Disneyland in like 5 years!
Same here!5 years is too long 4 me :eek: im finally going in august!

definately (sp?) go on california screamin', unless you are not into roller coasters, i havent been on TOT, so take other ppls words about it :D. Dont miss the 3-D theaters and the grizzly river run...and if you've been on a wild mouse/crazy mouse ride, maybe skip mulland madness (my opinion)

Adventureland rides:
Jungle Cruise
Pirates Of The Carribean.

Frontierland rides:
big thunder mountain
haunted mansion
(i will try and think of more)

Critter Country rides:
Splash Mountain ***** (my favorite)
(i will try and think of more)

Fantasyland rides:
small world <little kiddish shorta, but still fun>
snow white's scary adventure
peter pan
mister toad
pinochio

*shock* You forgot Indiana Jones! :p
The Billys at the golden horseshoe are a nice break of a show, if your family is getting overheated and want to sit in an air conditioned building for about an hour...while's we're making suggestions. :)

Good Thinking! Thanks for the suggetion!

You only need one day for California Adv. Must sees: Soarin' over Cali, Animation room, the tortilla factory & sourdough bread factory just for the fresh food alone, all the WDW ports (muppets, TOT, etc.) and the Main Street Parade if that's still showing. I might be missing something but that tells you how memorable the place is.

Spend the rest of your time at the Land. There is so much to do there and you'll want to do it over and over again.

California Screamin' and Sorin Over CA and are MUST do's! Have fun on your trip!

Don't waste your time or money going to California Adventure!

I would say go to Disney Land Resort a few times, because you can only do the quests by the amount of people you have in your group.
So going twice gets you more codes.
Hope this helps.

~Pacific

you can only do the quest every 90 days

I personally think that you should stay at CA. This place wraps all the magic into one little bundle of joy. lol

i think you should.. CAA might not be as great and magical as Disneyland but there is still a bunch of geat rides that are a must.. such as California Screamin', and another great 1 is Soarin' over California which is wonderful! somy answer is yes :)
~super

Tips!
1. Try to go when the park opens around 8:00am. that way you can hit the major rides and fastpasses. By the way, if you do the vmk quests they give you free fast passes to indiana Jones, Space Mountain, and Roger Rabbit. When you finished there, you can hop over to DCA
2. DCA is fun if you are willing to take on its rides. Also stop by animation studios to get another VMK card.
3. Ask the hatshops to see if they have anymore golden mickey ears.
4. If the fast big rides are just too long for you in Disneyland. Ride them during the Fantasmic, Parade or Fireworks. IF you do want to see them then try to get the best seat about 45 min before the show. It gets INSANE! REALLY!
5. VMK quest people are so nice, they give you rare quest items and rooms.
6. Otherwise than that, the off season is perfect without the crowd.
YES! YOU MUST SEE DCA! AND STOP TO SEE ALADDIN MUSICAL SPECTACULAR BEFORE IT ENDS THIS YEAR FOR THE NY BROADWAY SHOW.

i would ask a random person at the park if they can do the quests and give you the cards for like 50$

Here is a tip:

If you liked POTC2, who didn't, lol, or if you saw it, then check out the Gallery. The Gallery is directly above.. Pirates? Either Pirates or Haunted Mansion. Check every room for items from the movie.

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate the help! :)

I would recommend a two day park hopper . When Disneyland get too packed DCA has some more things to see and not so packed .Screaming roller coaster is great .

My dad went there. He said WDW's a lot better. Did you know that you could fit the entire DLR in the WDW magic kingdom. parking lot? No joke it's in my imaginearing book. And to learn more interesting facts about the parks and imaginearing check out my new quest! (currently not open)

Yes i am going to disneyland too in about 8 days!! I am so excited. I think i am going to do like all of the quests they have for me. I'm also really excited to do the new pirates quest because i really love the room. I just hope that when i go there the Pirates of the Caribbean line isn't so long. I want to see it with the added stuff. I have heard that it is awesome. :D

i say yes you should because California Adventure has neato stuff to! A great one day park! If you like tortias and you go I recomend going to the Mission Tortia Factory! FREE TORIYAS!

Yes i am going to disneyland too in about 8 days!! I am so excited. I think i am going to do like all of the quests they have for me. I'm also really excited to do the new pirates quest because i really love the room. I just hope that when i go there the Pirates of the Caribbean line isn't so long. I want to see it with the added stuff. I have heard that it is awesome. :D

sorry for the double post but also
The wait may seem long but it moves pretty fast! Its so worth the wait!

Haha We may have to stop by there..lol :D

DCA is great - less crowded and MUCH better food!

Like coasters? Do Screamin'! If you are taller, DON'T do Mulholland Madness. There isn't good head support. Like to get wet? Grizzly's a must. You HAVE to do Soarin' unless you live near WDW and can do it there. Same for Tower of Terror.

Have to go to Animation building to get animator's desks cards for VMK and be sure to check out the Beast's Library to see which character matches you. This is a good place to go in the heat of the afternoon.

Get free tortillas and bread at the factories.

Monster's Inc. is cute.

For a nice lunch at a good price, go to the Grand Californian. To the left of the pool is the Whitewater Cafe. Nice quiet place to eat.

In Disneyland, freak your family out by touching the gold apple on top of the book at the entrance to the Snow White ride. It makes the witch cackle.

In the Haunted Mansion ride, look for the hidden Mickey in the birthday party scene on the table.

Jungle Cruise has had some fun changes in the past year or so so check it out.

At the end of Buzz Lightyear, you'll see lines to computer kiosks. You can email your picture from the ride for FREE to have it when you get home.

For quests, they scan your ticket or pass. If you have separate tickets, you can do the quests once per ticket.

As someone else said, if time and it's hot, go to Golden Horseshoe for Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. The food is good there, too. Outside the Golden Horseshoe are the Laughingstock Performers who are funny to watch.

I'm sure there are more things, but that's all I can think of for now.

Thanks, Elysabeth! Ok, I have a question for you guys:

When I am going to DL in October, 2006, will they still have:
Animation Desks @ the Animation Studio
and
Golden Teleporters @ the Monsters Inc. Ride

If you happen to know the answer to that, It would be much appreciated. Thanks! :)

The golden teleporter are no longer there, and I would just hope that the animators desks are still there. Here is my opinions for disneyland though...

You should spend the majority of your first day at California Adventure and just have a blast there. When it closes, go to Disneyland for the remainder of the night and maybe catch the fireworks show. The next day, you should get to Disneyland early and start by getting fastpasses for the rides that have longer lines ( Space Mountain, BTM, Indiana Jones). Catch the parade of dreams if you want but here's a tip... when the parades and fireworks are going, traffic is bad getting through the central part of disneyland so decide which side of the park you want to be on until the parade is over. You can also use the time when the parades, fantasmic, and the fireworks are going to hit the major attractions because during those events, the lines are shorter. Oh, and just a tip... if you buy a drink at Disneyland, don't buy another one if you threw your cup away and you want more soda. Just go into a restaurant, grab a new cup and fill it up. If you act like you know what you're doing, they'll know that you're not just trying to get a free soda. If you want to know anything else, just pm me :D

if you buy a drink at Disneyland, don't buy another one if you threw your cup away and you want more soda. Just go into a restaurant, grab a new cup and fill it up. If you act like you know what you're doing, they'll know that you're not just trying to get a free soda. If you want to know anything else, just pm me :D

No offense, but that is stealing. Why risk spending part of your vacation in security for a few dollars? If money is an issue, take in a bottle of Coca-Cola. You can refill it at the hotel room and it's easy to carry. In this heat, water is better for you anyway.

Gold doors are gone. Desks were still there last week. Definitely see the fireworks! Try to sit/stand where you can see the Matterhorn and the front of the castle. I don't want to ruin the surprise, but it's good to have a few of both. :)

No it's not stealing. Especially if you still have your receipt, they can not reject you a new cup. I've even asked emplyees if I could do it because I was nervous at first but they told me it's ok as long as you bought a cup already that day

No it's not stealing. Especially if you still have your receipt, they can not reject you a new cup. I've even asked emplyees if I could do it because I was nervous at first but they told me it's ok as long as you bought a cup already that day

Something still doesn't sound right. Not all the food places allow refills. The employees may have been thinking of the sipper promotion when you bought one of those obnoxiously large sipper cups and paid a small amount for refills.

Any Disney castmembers out there to clarify this issue??:confused:

In fact, yes. Scott Yerxa, Chris Hicks, this old guy named Jon that works at Rancho Del Zocolo, and these two workers at the Plaza Inn. All of them say it's fine to get a new cup. I myself just keep my cup and re-use it. But of course, some people are dishonest and they just grab a cup without paying and without buying one earlier, so if you're honest and you look like you know what you're doing it's fine.

Hey people, as i have said before i am going to Disneyland really soon and i have a big question. I really want to get a good place to see the new fireworks show Remember...Dreams Come True. The past two times i was there i had to see it through some tree branches, which by the way was so annoying!! So i have decided to get a spot early, but the question is how early? I once saw people get a spot two hours early and got a really good spot right in front of the castle. How early should i get a spot? Please reply with answers. Thank You :D.

In fact, yes. Scott Yerxa, Chris Hicks, this old guy named Jon that works at Rancho Del Zocolo, and these two workers at the Plaza Inn. All of them say it's fine to get a new cup. I myself just keep my cup and re-use it. But of course, some people are dishonest and they just grab a cup without paying and without buying one earlier, so if you're honest and you look like you know what you're doing it's fine.
They of course believe that you have just bought your cup of soda at that moment. And if that is the case, then by all means go get another. But their is somthing important to remember at the DLR, the local police are always there. So even though Disney Security can't do much to you, they can turn you over to the Anaheim PD.
Hey people, as i have said before i am going to Disneyland really soon and i have a big question. I really want to get a good place to see the new fireworks show Remember...Dreams Come True. The past two times i was there i had to see it through some tree branches, which by the way was so annoying!! So i have decided to get a spot early, but the question is how early? I once saw people get a spot two hours early and got a really good spot right in front of the castle. How early should i get a spot? Please reply with answers. Thank You :D.
In my opinion the best spots are on the back side of the partners stature, facin the castle. You will need to arive around 1:30 hours before the fireworks. But in this location you will be able to sit, and you will be able to see all the elements of the show. Don't forget to look at the Materhorn from time to time.

"They of course believe that you have just bought your cup of soda at that moment." Actually no. The employees I asked were aware that I had a bought a cup earlier that day and said as long as you already bought a cup, you can get a new one.

Oh and for the fireworks opinion. Yes the castle is a very god place to catch the full glory of the show, but if you have another night at DLR be sure to watch the fireworks at It's A Small World. They project all sorts of cool effects on IASM during the fireworks as it goes along with the music:)

The only spot in Disneyland with an "all day" refill policy is the Market House, across from Carnation Cafe.
Here, if you keep your reciept, they will give free refills, with or without your cup, all day.

The restaurants that offer free refills are those with the self-serve fountains.
Although an attendant might let you do otherwise, the refills are offered during the original visit only.

The only spot in Disneyland with an "all day" refill policy is the Market House, across from Carnation Cafe.
Here, if you keep your reciept, they will give free refills, with or without your cup, all day.

The restaurants that offer free refills are those with the self-serve fountains.
Although an attendant might let you do otherwise, the refills are offered during the original visit only.

Correct, and as far as I can remember the refils only apply to coffe purchases, not Hot Chocholate.

Correct, and as far as I can remember the refils only apply to coffe purchases, not Hot Chocholate.

Sorry; forgot to mention that it sells coffee, not sodas.
I don't believe that hot chocolate is included either.

Uh, I have to say that i have been to Disneyland many times and it always less than three days and it is never enough time to do it all :( and now that there is California Adventures there is no way to experience everything. This last time I went we stayed at the Grand California Hotel (OMG!! amazing) it saved us a lot of time getting to the parks bc of the direct access to both CA and DD. We stayed for 5 days all park hopper. We almost.. I said ALMOST did everything and i wanted to stay longer but my legs, my legs got oh so tired. My advise is to do alot and i really mean ALOT of research on the events, shows, and rides at the parks. When you cant stay long enough to do everything you have to figure out wat you think the family will like ahead of time so you dont waist time running around the parks. A little (or alot) of planning goes a long way

Thanks, everyone! I am soo excited I am going on Thursday!! :D

The last time I went to Disney World I was 5... so I can be no help.

lol yeah I haven't been there in for ev!

Wait I did go when I was 5 but the last time I went I was 8.

Stay an extra day...but don't go on Monsters Inc. Boycot that ride at all costs.