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Should you start at Disney or California Adventure?

The general consensus in most Disney and travel forums is that Disneyland should be your first choice, and moving on to California Adventure afterward. If you are trying to get everything done in one day, staying in a hotel on-site the night before is a good idea.



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You'll also find Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge here with the marquee Rise of the Resistance attraction that takes Disney storytelling to the next level. Disneyland Park is the best place to focus your first-time visit to Disneyland as this is where you will find the castle and all the most historic attractions at the park.

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With a good strategy, you can see and do all of California Adventure easily in one day. In fact, with my plans, you can typically have all of the park's attractions completed just in time for a late lunch.

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Disney California Adventure Park: Up to Two Days No matter when you're visiting, though, you'll definitely want to arrive early to make sure you can grab FastPass tickets for rides and minimize wait times.

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You really need a full day in California Adventure Park to experience it to the fullest. Plus, the wait times for many rides are between 20 minutes to 2 hours, so you will need the full day to sit on most rides, even with Genie Plus.

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How Many Days do you Need at Disneyland California Adventure? 1 – 2 full days is enough to see and experience everything in California Adventure. Although DCA does not have as many rides as DLR, it does have some of the most popular ones.

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Mornings are the best times at California Adventure to see popular attractions because lines are shorter and the California sun isn't quite as hot. Before planning an efficient California Adventure morning strategy there are a few key features that you should become familiar with.

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This list ranks all 67 attractions at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, with pros & cons of every ride and show as we rate them from worst to best.

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It's always a great time to visit Disney theme parks! However, when planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort, expect lower crowds from mid-September through mid-November (before the Thanksgiving break). Mid-January through mid-March is another time when potentially lower crowds are expected.

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If you're looking for a unique experience on these Disneyland and Disney California Adventure rides, make sure to give them a try during the night. The nighttime effects are truly impressive and amplify what is already special about these beloved attractions.

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Did you know that there are actually two amazing Disney Theme Parks in Anaheim, though? While Disneyland remains the most popular in influence and attendance, Disney's California Adventure makes a really excellent option as well, offering all the Disney fun you'd expect at any Disney theme park!

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Although the cost of admission to Disneyland changes throughout the year, the cheapest time to go to Disneyland is during the off-peak season. This is generally between mid-January and February, or September through mid-November.

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World of Color is an outdoor, 22-minute nighttime spectacular show in Disney California Adventure Park that features memorable Disney and Disney•Pixar film moments projected on an immense water screen, plus fantastic fire, fountain, fog and laser effects—all set to a soaring soundtrack.

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The main rule of thumb for having a successful day at the Disneyland Resort remains the same: arrive early! Be prepared to get to the resort before official park opening. On weekdays the gates have been opening anywhere from 30-45 minutes before the park officially opens.

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While people of any height may enjoy many of the rides at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, the rides require children under 7 to ride seated next to someone who meets a certain height requirement (see Autopia) or is at least 14 years old.

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We've found that California Adventure with kids is most fun when you start your time there with a totally realistic expectation about the types of rides you'll get to do. We were just there with a 5 and 8 year old, and although tall enough for almost everything, not everything was a good idea for both of them.

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In-park dining requires a theme park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date for each person ages 3 and older. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the parks.

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Out of the two parks at Disneyland, California Adventure definitely feels more like it's geared toward adults with a couple of great bars and winery-themed dining. If you're planning to visit without kids, this guide full of California Adventure tips, highlights, and FAQs is all you need.

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Crowds at Disneyland vs California Adventure Disneyland is always a little more crowded than Disney California Adventure, but it is also a bigger park and has more rides and attractions.

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