Which day is best

Question

So I am making a trip to California this fall and will be there for almost 2 weeks with my Mom. My sister is going to a wedding in Las Vegas with her husband, my 7 year old nephew, and 20 year old niece. I have convinced my Sister to join me at Disney for one day. My niece may end up staying longer. And my mom and I are planning on a few days at Disney. I live in Florida so my family has been to Disney world many times. Since we only have one day with everyone I am trying to plan things. My sister is not a fan of theme parks but wants to go for my nephew. So I am trying to figure things out so that I can get the most done for my nephew but take it easy for my sister. Since we are very familiar with Disney world I want to prioritize things that are different. We will probably be buying lightning pass. We will also have park hopper. We are not staying on Disney property. I am leaning towards rope dropping dca so that we can get Pixar pier done before it gets busy. The only hesitation that I am having is if we go to dl first is that we have the option of going to the plaza for a late breakfast after a few rides. My sister is looking at coming either 10/6 or the 10/7.

10/6 - pro - both parks open all day

Con - dca has early entry and Pixar pier may have long lines at rope. Also the day before and after are oogie boogie nights and if anything like magic kingdom I would expect it to be very busy

10/7 - pro - should be slower at dca

Con- only a three hour window to ride monsters after dark, dl expected to be busy in the evening.

Am I missing any pros or cons? Any advice for us first timers? Thanks!

Answer

For your one-day Disneyland/California Adventure visit with your family, it’s important to balance maximizing rides for your 7-year-old nephew while keeping your sister and mom comfortable. Both dates you mentioned have pros and cons. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

October 6

Pros:
- Both parks are open all day, giving you flexibility to park hop as needed.
- DCA early entry allows access to popular attractions like Pixar Pier before the crowds swell, especially helpful if you plan to rope drop.
- Opportunity to hit headliners like Incredicoaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, and Guardians early in the morning.
Cons:
- Early entry may attract a lot of locals and hotel guests, which could still mean long lines at Pixar Pier despite rope drop.
- Oogie Boogie Bash at DCA the day before and after could make the park busier than usual, similar to Magic Kingdom peak days.
- If your group wants a late breakfast at Plaza Inn in DL, starting at DCA could make scheduling tricky, though you could park hop mid-morning.

October 7

Pros:
- Potentially slower crowds at DCA, especially in the morning, making rides like Monsters, Inc., Incredicoaster, and Toy Story more accessible without long waits.
- Easier for a relaxed start for your sister and mom since you can enter later.
Cons:
- DL evening may be busy, especially around fireworks or parade times, which can make hopping over for rides more hectic.
- Limited three-hour window for attractions like Monsters, Inc. after dark may restrict timing if you want to experience night rides.
- Shorter early access to popular rides on Pixar Pier if you don’t rope drop DCA.

Additional Considerations:

With Genie+ / Lightning Lane, you can strategically book top attractions at both parks to minimize wait times regardless of which day you choose.
Since your group includes first-time Disneyland visitors and your sister prefers a slower pace, a slightly less busy day (likely 10/7) could be more enjoyable for everyone.
Check the park calendar for any special events, ride closures, or seasonal overlays that may affect lines or photo opportunities.
Consider starting at DL for a late breakfast and then park hopping to DCA if you want flexibility for a more relaxed morning for your sister and mom.

Recommendation: If your priority is a smoother, less crowded experience for your sister and mom while still letting your nephew hit major attractions, October 7 may be the better choice. You may have to plan ride timing carefully for evening attractions but can leverage Lightning Lane to maximize efficiency. October 6 could work if your group is prepared for a busier, more energetic day and wants to hit Pixar Pier first thing.