Just one day? About This Page:

[burtchmom]

We will be in Newport Beach in October with our 7 year-old daughter, and we will have one day to visit Disneyland. I have been to Disneyland, but I have never been to Disney's California Adventure. If we only have one day, which park is better for a 7 year-old? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img]

[chezp]

I'll say straight away that we don't have children, so I'm not a great judge of which park is better for a 7 year old, but if I just had a day, I'll try and spend some time in both, as we loved both parks. I guess it depends on the opening hours the day you're planning to head over there as to which order to do them in, but one thing I would suggest is booking lunch at Ariel's Grotto. I can imagine that would be perfect for a 7 year old girl and we really enjoyed the food there. I'd definitely book though, as the place was full the day we went there and they were turning people away.

[bradk]

MK is by far more age appropriate, but DCA isn't worth ignoring either.

the particular day you're going would be the biggest factor.

you might also want to purchase ridemax to help schedule your attractions if that matters.

[Tink and co.]

If I only had one day, I'd just do Disneyland. There's lots to do at DCA, and it shouldn't be ignored by any means, but the cost of a one day park hopper is almost double that of a one day/one park ticket. All three of my kids, from the 7 year old up to the thrill-ride loving 12 year old chose Disneyland when I asked them. And the fireworks and Fantasmic! are only at DL park.
That said, I'd start in Fantasyland (no fastpasses), and then go from there. Has your daughter been to WDW before? Then you'll have a better idea of which attractions will appeal to her. If you're there on a weekend, you'll definately want to take advantage of Fastpass.

[DopeyGirl]

[ QUOTE ]
If I only had one day, I'd just do Disneyland.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with that completely! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

[Joy J]

I too would opt to just do DL. There's plenty there to keep your family more than busy for an entire day and it definitely will have more that appeals to a seven-year-old.

Joy

[snoozy]

I say get a one day hopper ticket and do both. Disneyland first thing in the morning, Fantasyland and Toontown. Then head over the California Adventure for the afternoon, Bugs Land and a must see the Aladdin show.

[burtchmom]

[ QUOTE ]
I too would opt to just do DL. There's plenty there to keep your family more than busy for an entire day and it definitely will have more that appeals to a seven-year-old.


[/ QUOTE ]

I think we will opt to do DL - one question, though - is Ariel's Grotto there or in DCA? We HAVE to to Ariel's Grotto, as she is my daughter's absolute favorite princess! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img]

[Bil]

[ QUOTE ]
I think we will opt to do DL - one question, though - is Ariel's Grotto there or in DCA? We HAVE to to Ariel's Grotto, as she is my daughter's absolute favorite princess! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]Ariel's Grotta is in DCA, but Ariel does have a meet & greet in DL. She is near the the HUB between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.

If you are only going to do one park, then DL is the way to go. If you can hop, then I would.

Bil

EDITED TO ADD: Ariel at Ariel's Grotto is Human, and Ariel at Disneyland is still a mermaid! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


Ariel with legs!

Bil

[bradk]

which just to confuse everyone more is called Ariel's Grotto in Disneyland as well.

[YoHoTales40]

We just got back from DL with our 6 1/2 DD. We definitely spent more time at DL than DCA. DL has many more rides DD loved, like Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mtn., etc!!!!

However, twice, we did do both parks in a day. It might depend on what day you would be there. Check how late the 2 parks will be open and what parades/fireworks they might be doing. You might be able to see a parade at DL, head to DCA for a different parade, and then back to catch some fireworks on your way out.

It really is no big deal to hop between the parks! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/luck.gif[/img]

[IdahoDisneyMom]

We grew up with DL, and have been to DCA several times since it opened. Our DD is 7 also, and it's DL hands down. There are some things we really enjoyed at DCA, but if you only have one day, do DL. DD and I are going next month, and we only have one day. We're doing DL. We'll get there when they open, play until we drop, and still not do everything we'll have wanted to. If we went to DCA we could probably be done with the really good stuff by lunchtime. That's just my opinion, hope it helps.

[Dave Marx]

[ QUOTE ]
which just to confuse everyone more is called Ariel's Grotto in Disneyland as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, this is one of my favorite "stumper" questions for Disneyland fans. Most folks know about the restaurant, but far fewer know that the meet-and-greet area at DLP is actually called Ariel's Grotto.

Often, I ask the question, "How many Ariel's Grottos are there at Disney's US parks?"