Question for So-Cal residents

[Nunya]

I'm taking my family to Disneyland this weekend and we're trying to decide if on the second day we should go to California Adventure next to Disneyland or if we should go to Universal Studios. It looks like we'd enjoy Universal more but it also looks like we'd have to drive straight through the middle of LA to get there. If someone would let me know what sort of traffic we should expect trying to make that trip late morning Saturday I would be grateful.

 

[Ns1]

Traffic is very unpredictable on weekends. Its about an hour drive no traffic

 

[InverseOfNeo]

California Adventure may be fun. They're redoing the entrance, Hollywood Studios, and they are opening Cars Land on June 15.

Also, if you are staying at one of the Disney-owned hotels, don't forget to ask about the Magic Hours. You may be able to get into the parks at 7AM. I went on Monday, got there at 8 and already went on 7 rides by noon.

 

[CrackRabbit]

As someone who has been to both, stay in Anaheim and go to California Adventure.
Universal Studios was boring and the attractions very, very dated and not in a nifty retro way like Disneyland (I mean they still have Backdraft and Waterworld attractions).

 

[Ns1]

^^

I seriously cannot believe they still run backdraft and waterworld..

 

[Nunya]

Awesome, thanks for the info. Long iffy drive + boring = California Adventure wins.

 

[jtvang125]

Backdraft is kinda lame but I think the waterworld one is still pretty cool. What other show has guns, explosions and crazy stunts?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Universal Studios is more about the shows than the rides. There's probably 2 good coasters with the Jurassic Park and the Mummy one. The Transformers ride just opened but I dont know how that one is.

Traffic on a Saturday afternoon should be fine unless there's an accident. Plus you'll have carpool.

IMO I have an annual pass and California Adventure is much better but keep in mind that California Adventure is pretty small and you can get through everything in less than a day.

Edit. You said Saturday morning. You'll be cruising then. No one is around at that time.

 

[Ns1]

DCA also has alcohol. If you have a park hopper ticket I would run through Disneyland and get as many fast passes as possible, head to DCA toget loaded (alcohol at DCA only) and then head back to Disneyland.

 

[uclaLabrat]

DCA also has alcohol. If you have a park hopper ticket I would run through Disneyland and get as many fast passes as possible, head to DCA toget loaded (alcohol at DCA only) and then head back to Disneyland.

Margaritas there are pretty bomb. I second skipping universal...the drive and the wait just won't be worth it. You can hit the coaster in Ca adventure (only decent one in either park) and soaring over CA is epic. Then drive down to huntington beach or newport peninsula and wander around. Good times.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Margaritas there are pretty bomb. I second skipping universal...the drive and the wait just won't be worth it. You can hit the coaster in Ca adventure (only decent one in either park) and soaring over CA is epic. Then drive down to huntington beach or newport peninsula and wander around. Good times.

Id recommend wandering around the beach after you're done with Disney as well. You really wouldnt want to be there all day lol.

 

[GundamW]

Depends if you have kids or teens or just adults.
California Adventure is Disney oriented.
Universal Studio is movies oriented.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Do yourself a favor and get Park Hopper tickets - DCA closes early and the nightly shows at Disneyland are way better.

You will exhaust all of the rides in DCA in far less than a day.

DO NOT MISS in DCA:
Muppets in 3D
Alladin - the Live play - get there 20-30 minutes before show time, so you get great seats. Its a 45-minute live play that is wonderful and is as classy as any Broadway musical. Air conditioned, comfy seats. And right next door to Hollywood Tower of Terror so fast pass the HTOT and go see the show, then fast pass HTOT or when the Aladdin show ends , haul ass to California Screamin Coaster or California Soarin, Fast pass one of those then haul ass back to HTOT for that Fast Pass.

If you are good with time management and juggling fast passes you will get through DCA in half a day - about 6hrs max.

 

[Ns1]

^^ agreed the Alladin show @DCA was surprisingly good...at long as genie is still funny.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

^^ agreed the Alladin show @DCA was surprisingly good...at long as genie is still funny.

Forgot about that one. The Aladdin show is awesome and the Genie changes his jokes pretty often.

 

[Nunya]

How do the fast passes work?

 

[John P]

You will get better answers here: (read some of the stickied info first):

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

It depends on a lot, how much time you have, how much money you want to spend, how many people in your party and how old are they, etc...

Disneyland and California Adventure are basically one theme park separated by a small plaza. You should be able to do most of the major rides in one day if you study and use the Fast Pass system. Will be majorly crowded on a Satuday though.

How do the fast passes work?

Go read the stickied threads, especially HyroGuy's stuff:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32518085

 

[drebo]

Could always go up to Buena Park to Medieval Times, too. Always fun, especially for kids.

 

[KeithP]

If money isn't a problem, I would say spend both days at Disney/CA and get park hopper tickets as well.

My experience with families has been if you are only spending one day at a park, there is a lot pressure to run around and do things as fast as you can. You can't relax and physically it can be quite exhausting which might not be a problem on day 1, but day 2 you will really start to feel it.

By getting park hopper passes both days, it gives you plenty of time to see both parks, revisit favorite rides and, for lack of a better term, just to stop and smell the roses. Plus, it minimizes driving. Also, with the extra time, eating outside of the parks becomes an option so you won't be stuck with park food.

There is a mall next to the parks called Downtown Disney, you may want to check that out for shopping and restaurants.

-KeithP

If you really want to hit up Universal, I disagree that it is boring, get park hopper tickets for 1 day and hit Universal the next. To avoid traffic, hit the road early in the morning and eat breakfast somewhere near Universal Studios.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

I agree...don't waste your time with Universal.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Go north to Magic Mountain and have real fun.

 

[Fayd]

I'm taking my family to Disneyland this weekend and we're trying to decide if on the second day we should go to California Adventure next to Disneyland or if we should go to Universal Studios. It looks like we'd enjoy Universal more but it also looks like we'd have to drive straight through the middle of LA to get there. If someone would let me know what sort of traffic we should expect trying to make that trip late morning Saturday I would be grateful.

my advice:

california adventure is okay, and worth a few hours (the coaster and soaring over california being the only things worth it there)

if looking outside disney grounds, then i'd recommend going to knott's berry farm. it's got quite a few good coasters and some other generally interesting rides.

 

[Riparian]

If you have an Android phone, make sure you get MouseWait (I think it's also on iPhone). The app tells you when you can get new fast passes, the length of each line (users submitted), and the hours for shows. It'll even give you the wait time for the various restaurants.

Make sure to try Midway Mania in CA Adventure. probably has the longest line at DCA nowadays because it does not have a fast pass line. You should probably go on that ride first after getting a fast pass for another ride.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[shopbruin]

Do yourself a favor and get Park Hopper tickets - DCA closes early and the nightly shows at Disneyland are way better.

You will exhaust all of the rides in DCA in far less than a day.

DO NOT MISS in DCA:
Muppets in 3D
Alladin - the Live play - get there 20-30 minutes before show time, so you get great seats. Its a 45-minute live play that is wonderful and is as classy as any Broadway musical. Air conditioned, comfy seats. And right next door to Hollywood Tower of Terror so fast pass the HTOT and go see the show, then fast pass HTOT or when the Aladdin show ends , haul ass to California Screamin Coaster or California Soarin, Fast pass one of those then haul ass back to HTOT for that Fast Pass.

If you are good with time management and juggling fast passes you will get through DCA in half a day - about 6hrs max.

Whoa. Are you completely ignoring World of Color at DCA?!

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Are you going to Disneyland on the first day? DCA is fun but it won't fill up an entire day unless you're standing in line most of the day. Last time I went only to DCA was when we had a buy one come back another day for the other park deal going and we made 5-6 rounds around the entire park by the end of day. It's much smaller than Disneyland though they have some really nice attractions.

If you can do the Aladdin thing and also the Toy Story mania is worth a couple trips through. It's arguably the best attraction there. Also the tower of terror is pretty fun for the adults/older kids.

I don't know if it's still going but DEFINITELY stay for the world of color show at night. It is really awesome!