Hey, peeps who know Disneyland Resort...I need some advice!

IMHO, I'd go with the original, DL. We were able to visit almost everything in one day. If you're concerned about enough time, start with attractions that WDW doesn't have (Matterhorn) and then see the ones that both parks share but are just a bit different (Space Mountain). Some of the smaller attractions that are only at DL are fun to ride too, if you have some extra time. Another possibility, and we have done this at WDW, would be to get a one-day PH. You could do both and concentrate on the attractions that WDW doesn't have. As for nighttime shows, World of Color...you can see a version of Fantasmic at WDW.

Good luck and Enjoy!

Don't forget that classic ride that is unfortunately no longer in WDW "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride".

Hey Sid!

We did DL back in March 2013, and had a blast! I think your list is a good one! A few comments and suggestions I woudl add:

1. Be prepared for Radiator Springs Racers. The wait can be painful and really cut into your schedule if you are trying to do as much as possible in just a few days. Even the line for FP can be monstrous.

2. We really enjoyed the DL version of Pirates - a little different than the WDW version. Same for small world - we liked how the incorproated characters into the attraction. But htat song *will* be in your head for days afterwards....

3. We made it a point to do the Finding Nemo yellow sub ride at DCA. Not available at WDW, we really enjoyed. Not for the clostrophobic though!

We did a trip report after our visit, if helpful:

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/were-back-disneyland-trip-report-done-day-3-part-and-part-b-added

Have fun!!

I live about an hour away from DL / CA-A, and I'm a current annual passholder. I've been to CA-A & DL at least 50+ times in my lifetime, and 20+ times in the last two years. Hopefully that qualifies me to help you out!

1. The one day Park Hopper:

Unfortunately I don't think it's worth the cost, unless it's an unusually uncrowded day. It's very tough to really see both parks in one day. Hopping is easy though, as the entrance to both parks are only 400' apart. Try for two days if you can!

2. The shows:

Fantasmic or World of Color? If you have seen Fantasmic in Florida, go see World of Color. If not, then either show is amazing, with Fantasmic maybe edging out WOC in overall wow factor. DO see the late (2nd) shows of each presentation, as the wait for good seats is shorter. Seats for WOC are given out via a fastpass system. Fantasmic is first come first serve. I highly recommend asking a cast member at either park for tips on seeing these shows, as things can be confusing. Not every seat is a good seat for both shows, so being prepared is important.

3. What to do:

I'll give you average wait times and advice on your list of what to see!

Disneyland:

Big Thunder Mountain - 30-40 mins | Love it!
Disneyland Railroad - 5 mins | Love it
Indiana Jones Adventures 30-60mins | Love it!
Matterhorn Bob Sleds - 40-60 mins | It's cool, but I wouldn't prioritize it
Space Mountain - 40-60 mins | Love it!
Star Tours - 30-40 mins | Love it, but it's starting to give me motion sickness these days haha!
Innoventions - no wait | This exhibit is ok. They do have the real Iron Man suits which is cool.

Other recommendations @ DL:

Jungle Cruise
Splash Mountain
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion

DCA:

California Screamin' - 40-50 mins | Love it!
Radiator Springs Racers - 60-80 mins | LOVE IT! (absolutely get a fastpass for this 1st thing in the AM OR go single rider on it. The fastpasses run out quickly on this)
Soarin' over California - 30-40 mins | Love it!
Toy Story Mania - Never done it - the line always seems too insane!
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - 30-40 mins | LOVE IT! (one of my favs between both parks)
The Bakery Tour - Never done it
Monsters Inc - 10-30 mins | Love it! (the later in the night, the less the line)
Muppet*Vision 3D - No wait | Love it!

Other recommendations @ DL:

Grizzly River Run
Aladdin Live Show (this rules!)
Little Mermaid (Just because it's always only a 3-5 min wait)
Turtle Talk w/ Crush

*Let me know if I can help you with anything else!

I'd suggest getting a park hopper if you just have one day. It may be really pricey, but how often do you get to Disneyland?

My thought is that you start by going right to Radiator Springs Racers and either riding immediately (if you're there at Rope Drop) or getting a Fastpass. Then you can see anything else you want to check out quick at DCA. I'd do California Screamin' at a minimum, but I wouldn't mess with Tower of Terror or Little Mermaid since they're in Florida. Ditto for Toy Story Mania. Monsters, Inc. is a fun ride, but it does require you to criss-cross the park from Cars Land.

I'll echo the others and say that you should spend nearly all your time at Disneyland. There is so much to do! Indiana Jones is a must, and you HAVE to ride their version of Pirates, which is so much better. The Matterhorn is also a definite must do since it's not in Florida. I'll also suggest It's a Small World since it is fairly different. Don't forget about unique dark rides like Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, and now Snow White.

The great thing about Disneyland is that it's a smaller park and really easy to navigate. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can get around, which should allow you to do quite a bit in one day.

I'm going to disagree with the others about spending ALL or the majority of your time inside Disneyland Vs CAA. CAA completed a MAJOR overhaul recently by completely remodeling Buena Vista Street (their main street), adding Cars Land, and some other improvements. People who have not been to CAA recently may not see it for what it is today. It certainly was a somewhat confused park for a while, but that has changed DRAMATICALLY, and I highly recommend not missing it. Also, Disneyland is always much more crowded than CAA. Furthermore, Disneyland is very similar to the Magic Kingdom at WDW, so if you've already been there, you'll be seeing many of the same things.

CAA gets a lot of annual passholder traffic after school / work hours on weekdays, so I definitely recommend going there first. Radiator Springs 1st thing is something I absolutely agree with. The fastpasses go so quickly for that ride you might end up with 4pm fastpass, and not be able to get more fastpasses throughout the day until that time.

P.S. If you love Disney like I do... Cars Land will blow your mind.

I think World of Color is infinitely better than Fantasmic and the fireworks at DL are verrrry similar to MK, so I'd choose WOC.

I enjoyed Radiator Racers, but it is NOT worth the hassle of racing for a pass or waiting. Try to go first thing straight to the single rider line. Then bolt to Tower of Terror, because it's pretty different from Florida. California Screamin' is a MUST, and has a single rider line as well, which is never long at all, even when it looks long.

In DL, I'd say Matterhorn for sure (but be prepared...it is not smooth!), Space Mountain (its very different than MK), and Small World (I know...but it's the original!). Then anything you can't do in Florida.

You can see the fireworks show from inside CAA anyways . No music but whatever.

DCA certainly celebrates California's film history & culture, but not even close to the extent that DHS does. DCA's "hollywood land" area only makes up a very small part of the park. Aside from a few shared attractions, there isn't any section of DCA that you'll recognize from DHS or any other park.

DCA & DHS share the following attractions:

-Tower of Terror
-Toy Story Midway Mania
-Muppets 3d
-Disney Junior live on Stage (avoid this unless you have a 3 year old in tow)

*Random facts: DCA serves alcohol & Disneyland does not.

]honestly if you can squeeze two days do one park each because they are both awesome and should be experienced. If you really want to press it I'd go to DCA first get Radiator Fps and World of Color Fps, Then head over to DL ride the matter horn, Indiana Jones, anything not at WDW. The fantasmic show is basically the same so you can skip that...I prefer the one at WDW. World of color is an awesome show. CA screaming is fun so it the mickey Ferris wheel (i like the moving gondolas) The monsters ride is cute but not a must do, if you like dancing the Mad T party is fun.