Teach me . .

[iamvince]

how to enjoy DCA. I'm a So-Cal resident and have visited DCA plenty of times. I just don't know how to enjoy it. It doesn't quite have that "Disney Magic". Sure, that's what Disneyland is for. I need you kind folks to teach me how to have fun in the park. Sure having the right people around you helps, but when we all start getting bored, what's there to do? We can't just ride ToT the whole day.

[CA Screamin Dude]

Stop focusing on "rides" and start visiting the shows, the entertainment offerings, the details.

[debijeanm]

DCA is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and it's only been this year that I've started to enjoy this park. Here's how that happened for me:

1. Found VisionsFantastic and learned about Soarin' Over California. Decided to give it a try, decided it was the best attraction I'd been on in either park.
2. On a subsequent visit to Soarin', decided to check out the EnginEARS toy shop. Loved the music playing in the toy shop (maybe because it's the music of my youth and music my parents played at home.)
3. Took my daughter-in-law to Soarin' and she wanted to see more of the park. Ended up on Screamin' and loved that. Also enjoyed the walk through the park from Soarin, through the redwood area, into the paradise Pier area and past King Triton's Carousel (which I fell in love with and had to take lots of photos.)

Bottom line? I think you have to keep an open mind in DCA and SLOW DOWN to enjoy the sights. I think it also helps if you've seen all of California because after a while you start to recognize where you are and that's kind of fun.

DCA doesn't get even close to DL for me and never will, but it's starting to grow on me. I think they do need to make changes, but even Disneyland doesn't all look like it did when I started going to it so I've learned to look forward to changes. I look forward to seeing how DCA grows.

[ttztotdca50]

1) Visit Disneyland on a super-crowded day (when they close the main gates at noon).
2) Visit Disney's California Adventure after walking in a full semi-circle around Disneyland Park.
3) Do what everyone else says.

[kodiak]

If you want the Disney Magic, spend some time in the Disney Animation Building. Go inside the big multimedia dome that features all the different movies and just sit. Take it in. That place is just saturated in the magic.

[TimmyII]

There are lots of details around the park to read and learn about California. Ask cast members in the areas to give you information about their part of the park. Now, not every cast member will have extra information, but interact with them and you can earn a LOT about California.
Slow down and look at the DETAILS of each area, the buildings, the surroundings, the landscaping, the flowers and plants. Shoot you can spend half a day at the winery area learning about all the varieties of grapes that are grown in Califorinia. Same goes for the farming area. TALK TO THE CAST MEMBERS!!! Talk to the people in the Baudin Bakery and the Mission Tortilla Factory. There is a LOT to learn in DCA!

[PeoplemoverMatt]

In order to fully experience any theme park, you must open yourself to every single last little detail about the park. Judging a park on attractions alone is like going to a baseball game & going home complaining that there weren't enough home runs. Be observant to the themeing, the aura music, the shows, the rides of course, the layout, and find out what's around every single corner & in every last nook & cranny. The most interesting things in any park are least known & almost never seen. Wrap yourselves around the park. Look for the things you've never done & never seen, no matter what they are. After all, how can you judge something as not worth your time when you have no idea what it is?

-- PMM

[iamvince]

Thanks to everyone for their comments =] Perhaps I'm still too young. Maybe in time I'll learn to 'slow down' and appreciate everything for what it's worth. As soon as I get my AP I'll try to join the 'normals' that also have AP's.

Offtopic: What's the best AP plan to get?

[ttztotdca50]

If you go at least two times a month, than a Premium is definately for you.

[xfkirsten]

I agree with everyone else - DCA isn't really a "race through the rides" type park. Personally, I use it as a place to relax. I'll get a margarita (ice cream if you're underage) and kick back and watch the world go by for awhile.

I also agree with the Magic of Animation building - that main entrance room is just fantastic! My friends and I have spent many hours sitting in there, chatting, enjoying the ambiance, and occasionally singing along. I've also found it's a wonderfully inspiring place to get out my sketch pad and just draw.

Catch a show! Aladdin is a wonderful way to cool down in the air conditioning and get some fun entertainment. Drawn to the Magic is a cute little street show that adds a little more flair to Hollywood Pictures Backlot. And of course Disney's Electrical Parade is always a fun one if you're in the park on a day when it's running.

Go see some characters! I've found that DCA often has quite a few of them out (although it seems to be rather hit or miss) - I've seen afternoons where there's three or more characters that aren't that common (Hercules, Mulan, etc.) lined up along Hollywood Pictures Backlot. The Fab Five are a great bet here, too - you're liable to have a lot shorter wait to meet Mickey and the gang at DCA than you are in DL.

Be a kid again! Seriously, some of the most fun times I've had at DCA are when I played around like a 6-year old. From exploring the Challenge Trail, to going on the bumper cars in A Bug's Land, to riding the carousel, there's quite a bit to do if you're not worried about looking "cool" - and it's a ton of fun!

I think my biggest suggestion, though, like everyone else says, is just to slow down. Take it all in, enjoy the sights, the smells, the food. It's a great place to take an enjoyable breather, or just spend an afternoon relaxing.

[tinytim603]

question do you go by your self? take some friends with you that helps.
take a break dont go as much that helps to?

[debijeanm]

Originally Posted by iamvince

Thanks to everyone for their comments =] Perhaps I'm still too young. Maybe in time I'll learn to 'slow down' and appreciate everything for what it's worth. As soon as I get my AP I'll try to join the 'normals' that also have AP's.

Offtopic: What's the best AP plan to get?

This past year I had a SoCA Select. I went to DL 11 times, paying $10 parking each time. That brought the cost of visiting for the year to $229. There were so many block-out days (including virtually every Saturday, many Sundays and all "holiday" weekdays) that I couldn't enjoy the park with my Premium AP family members who went on off-season weekends. I decided the extra $100 (when you renew you can upgrade to a premium for only $329) was worth it to have no block-out dates (you get free parking with the Premium). Also, you get lots of discounts on food and merchandise with the Premium. With all the 50th souvenirs I bought last year I could probably have paid for most of the the difference in discounts. If you don't live close enough to the park to come more than two or three times in the year, though, you might look at the Deluxe with parking.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Premium is the best AP plan around. I can give you several cost comparisons & even a copy of the Powerpoint presentation I gave to the chair of my college's Business Dept. regarding them. He said it impressed him.

-- PMM

[benihodge]

I like to change it up each time I go to California Adventure so I can experience it differently each time. Like for instants I might want to go to a show first when I get in the park or go on Grizzly River Run but I always try something different when I go and I also do this at DisneyLand too it really breaks up the manotany.

[Steeeve]

There are lots of details and funny things at DCA so I end up laughing at a lot of stuff when I'm there. From the fake billboards, to the muppets, to the witty CM comments.