Disney California advice

[irregularegular]

So, we're off to California in less than two weeks. We're starting in San Fran, then going to Yosemite, back to the coast and down to LA. 18 nights total

I have booked two nights in a hotel right by Disneyland. The previous two nights are in Hollywood (for Universal, probably Getty Museum, and just Hollywood generally) and our last two nights are at Laguna Beach for some relaxed beach time before we fly home. Obviously this is all quite close together, but we prefer that to staying in one place and driving across LA.

So, first question - is there any way to get cheaper 1-2 day tickets for Disney? I'm horrified by the price, tbh. It's starts to get much cheaper per day as you get on to 3,4,5+ days but we only want to make this a fairly short part of the whole holiday.

Next question - 1, 2 or 3 days. I initially thought 2 (so first entry after the first hotel night), but 2 is basically twice the price of 1, so is it worth it? Should we just pay for 1? Or, given that the extra cost of a third day is relatively low, should we go for 3? But then that would cut into our Getty/Hollywood time and wouldn't give us a 'day off' from theme parks.

Final question - just Disney Land or Disney Californian Adventure too? I initially assumed one day for each, but having read reviews it seems that most people like DL better and there would be plenty there for 2 days. Price wise it doesn't really make any difference.

Final, final question = any tips to make the most of it? There doesn't seem to be as much info available as for Florida.

Background: children are 7 and 8 and have never been to any Disney Park before. I've been to Florida 20 yrs ago. H and I are not particularly keen on the whole Disney/theme park thing, but want to give the children a good time! Money not a MAJOR concern, but not irrelevant either (is it ever?). We're not likely to go again any time soon.

Help!?

We went last May. Flew into LA, drove to Anaheim and stayed for 4 nights before going down to San Diego and over to Arizona. We were also going to go to Universal and stay in Hollywood, but decided against it in the end as we were also going to other places with rides in San Diego.
This factored in 3 days for Disneyland - so we got a 3 day pass, which worked out about right, but it could be done in 2 days.

DCs were 9 and 6 and hadn't been to any Disney park before either. We spent first day in Disneyland, 2nd day in California Adventure and 3rd day re-doing the best bits or the missed-out bits of both as we knew our way around by then. This wasn't a full day as we felt we'd been there/done that by then.

DS (9) preferred DCA - more high-octave rides and less of a Disney theme; DD (6) preferred DL - more Disney and less speed. However there were bits of both parks that they both liked and disliked, so I would say that a day in each would be warranted. DCA had High School Musical Parade and such-like as well as rides and seemed a bit less crowded overall.

Not sure about tips to make the most of it - we just got there early, read the map and went round. Some rides like Toy Story have a very long queue, which seems off-putting at first. But the queues are designed to move quickly and there's usually something to look at whilst you're in the queue. Even DH, who loathes queues in the UK, could put up with it.

Just the usual stuff about comfy footwear. DCs both wore Crocs; DH trainers and me some sort of trainer-type shoe. Loads of people were in flipflops or Converse, so it's up to you what you prefer.

In May the weather was pleasant - started off coolish and then got warm but not hot during the afternoon. In April I would think you'd need trainers and warmer clothes but not jeans - if you get wet on a ride you don't want to be wearing them - or bring a change of clothes. We got drenched on the Lazy River in DCA.
Don't miss Flying Over California in DCA - simple but effective. It's a indoor ride where you sit in rows of seats, it goes dark and the seats lift and rotate while a massive screen projects images of California in front of you. The effect is that you're soaring over lakes, countryside, mountains etc - very good fun.

Hope you have a great time!

Thank you - maybe we will do a day in each then. I had been considering just doing Disneyland as the reviews seem to suggest it is more special. What would be your 'don't miss' attractions in each?

In Disneyland there was Pirates of the caribbean - a river trip with animatronic figures; Space Mountain - fast rollercoaster in the dark!; Toy Story - a fun shooting at targets game

In California Adventure: Flying Over California - as above; the River trip (can't remember name) - very wet; California Screamin - looping rollercoaster & very fast; Mickey Mouse ferris wheel - very high

ooh missed this thread before, you are probably there by now.
We love DL california! Not to miss rides are space mountain, pirates of the caribean (the best version of this ride at any disney park imo), big thunder runaway mine train, and get a fast pass for splash mountain as soon as you can as it is always packed and they go very fast.
Indian Jones ride is good but check your dc meet the height requirement before you head to it.
We like small world too but it's not for everyone! Ds loves mickey's toon town because he's hooked on the toontown online game so he recognises stuff from it but if yo udon't have time for it, and aren't bothered about meeting mickey or other toons then you can skip it safely.
If the nemo ride has big queues don't waste time in it. It's a good ride but you'll be quining for ages there. We went straight to it one morning and still queued for 40 mins.

In CA you must go on california screaming. It is amazing! We went on it loads (like 6 times in 1 day)! And the grizzly bear river ride. You will get wet but it's great. Tower of terror isn't as bad as you think it will be, my ds loved it at aged 8.

There are more height restrictions in CS but you can get a wrist band so you only have to have your dc measured the one time and they'll get allowed on. Don't try and chance it. The staff won't let them on if they don't meet the requirement, even if it's just a tiny bit.

Hope you have/are having a great time!