Disney unique to CA

Question

We are planning a trip in April this year and will be around this area on 12/13.

We have been to Disneyland Paris so wondering whether we could cover the attractions unique to California in a day? And maybe do universal or Knotts for a day as well.

I would like to go. The kids will enjoy it but are not expressing a preference between this or Knotts or Universal ( they are 10 and 7). Husband whose birthday it is will go but prefers nature and other activities.

Trying to get the right balance in our 2 week trip from SF to SD to please everyone

Answer

Visiting Disneyland in California offers some experiences and attractions that are unique compared to Disneyland Paris, so it’s possible to focus on those if you only have a day. Since your kids are 10 and 7, you can prioritize rides and shows that they can enjoy, while keeping the day manageable for adults who may not want to spend all day on theme park rides.

For a one-day California-focused Disneyland experience, you can concentrate on attractions unique to the parks in Anaheim:

Disneyland Park: This is the original Disneyland, and several rides are exclusive to California, such as:

Indiana Jones Adventure – a thrilling ride with a unique theme that isn’t in Paris.
Matterhorn Bobsleds – the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world.
Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through – different from the Paris castle experience.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – slightly different layout and theming than other parks.

Newer California Adventure rides:

Radiator Springs Racers – part of Cars Land, unique to California Adventure.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! – replaces the old Tower of Terror and has a California-specific twist.

With careful planning, you can experience the most iconic California-specific attractions in a single day by prioritizing these key rides, shows, and experiences, using Genie+ or Lightning Lane where possible to reduce wait times. For Universal Studios or Knott’s Berry Farm, these could easily fill another full day:

Universal Studios Hollywood: Offers attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World rides, and behind-the-scenes studio tours. It’s very engaging for kids and adults, though your husband might prefer shorter rides and enjoying the scenery.
Knott’s Berry Farm: Known for a mix of thrill rides and family-friendly attractions, plus Old West theming. Less crowded than Disneyland and may appeal to both kids and adults who enjoy a bit of history and nature-themed areas.

To balance the trip, you might consider:

One full day at Disneyland focusing on California-exclusive attractions.
One day at Universal or Knott’s, depending on your family’s interest in rides vs. themed areas and studio experiences.
Other days could focus on natural attractions along your route, such as Yosemite, Muir Woods, or beaches around San Diego, to satisfy your husband’s preference for nature and give variety to the trip.

Overall, it’s feasible to experience what’s unique to California Disneyland in a day, and you can dedicate another day to Universal or Knott’s without feeling rushed. Planning rides strategically and focusing on must-see attractions will help you maximize your time and keep everyone happy.

Disney unique to CA

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