California Adventure is a unique park experience that can only be found in California, while Disneyland park is very similar to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. If you go to Disney World quite often, I would take the chance to do California Adventure while you are in CA.

If your child is 5, Disneyland is ideal. Totally ideal.
Hope you have a wonderful time there. We absolutely love it.

Disneyland! And I agree that the Pirates and small world rides at Disneyland are way better than the one at Disneyworld.

Definitely choose Disneyland over California Adventure!!

Disneyland is a way better destination since it is much larger, has the best rides, shows & attractions.

Your son will love the rides plus there is a certain nostalgia in Disneyland since Walt himself was there to dedicate it personally. His original office/apt are still located on Main St.

California Adventure is fun too, but mostly in a carnival-type way. In fact, the Disney family originally objected to California Adventure because they said that was something Walt wouldn't have wanted at all.

I've gone on Splash Mountain & Big Thunder Mountain at both Disneyworld and Disneyland and they are both pretty identical.

*WARNING: The Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland reigns supreme over the one at Disneyworld.
Ditto for It's a Small World.

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I would recommend Disneyland over DCA. If your kid is really into Cars (and can tolerate a relatively fast roller coaster), then you might want to reconsider, but if I had to choose I'd go with Disneyland.

I've been to both twice in the last 3 years, and this is exactly right. I'd also check out your kid's height if you are leaning towards DCA, because there are more rides restricted to taller kids there.

Totally Disneyland over CA Adventure especially for that age group. There was much more to do at Disneyland. Just get there at rope drop and run for Peter Pan. That line is long!

Anonymous wrote:we were just in San Diego and our 8 and 5 year olds loved every moment at Lego Land - it's in Carlsbad so not that far from LA. something worth thinking about.

we also were able to get discounted tickets for Lego Land, the SD Zoo and SD Safari Park on line (we built our own package) and they have an LA option to explore:

https://www.undercovertourist.com/san-diego/

I used to live in the next town over from there, and I agree-if you think you will ever want to do Legoland, do it now. Your child is the perfect age for it. In 2 years, he will be too old.

Disneyland, no question.

we were just in San Diego and our 8 and 5 year olds loved every moment at Lego Land - it's in Carlsbad so not that far from LA. something worth thinking about.

we also were able to get discounted tickets for Lego Land, the SD Zoo and SD Safari Park on line (we built our own package) and they have an LA option to explore:

https://www.undercovertourist.com/san-diego/

We did a day in Disneyland last month. I definitely recommend it over CA from prior year's experience. Just note that several rides are closed for construction of the new Star Wars areas.

We just visited both in December. There is much more to do at Disneyland, than at California Adventure. There are Wikipedia pages for both parks, if you want to take a look at what is on offer.

We really enjoyed the major headliners at CA, but there are only a few (Soarin', Tower of Terror, Carsland). Disneyland has many more (Indiana Jones ride, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Pirates, Jedi Training)

Yeah, I would recommend Disneyland over DCA. If your kid is really into Cars (and can tolerate a relatively fast roller coaster), then you might want to reconsider, but if I had to choose I'd go with Disneyland.

No chance at discounted tickets. I haven't heard of them for a while, and when they existed you had to show a drivers license/proof of address for the person using them.

I'd do Disneyland. California adventure is fun, but it's not quintessential Disney. It's half carnival (a la Santa Cruz), part Hollywood appealing to the non little kid crowd, and part little kid. All of Disneyland on the other hand, is good for a 5 year old.

I would look at the rides at each and decide based on what your child is interested in. One park has a cars ride, one has a bug's life,etc.

Hi,

We will be visiting LA this summer. If we have to pick one of the Disney parks to visit due to budget constraints, would we be better off visiting Disneyland Park or Disney's California Adventure Park? Our child is 5. As luck would have it, we went to Disney World on Florida last year around this time. DC rode on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain and loved it. Also, we will be staying with friends. Any chance they could get us discounted tickets for California residents?