Disneyland vs California Adventure: Where to go??

So many people have asked me, "Should I go to Disneyland or California Adventure?" The easy answer is both of them! Especially with the pass hopper tickets that are available for not a whole lot more than the regular price of admission to just one of the Parks. But understandably, there are occasions where going to both is not possible. So I will give some pro's and con's of each park, and offer some opinions as well.

Disneyland:

Disneyland is my personal favorite park of the two. Maybe it's because Disneyland is the park I went to as a child (CA adventure wasn't around then - it opened in 2001). Or maybe it's because I'm not a thrill seeker and I find joy in the "magical feeling" that can only be found at Disneyland.

Disneyland is definitely the park to go to if you have little kids. The rides, especially in Fantasyland are perfect for all age groups, but especially ages 6 and under. My family has gone the past two years. In 2012 we had 2 adults, an 18 year old, 15 year old, 12 year old, 9 year old, 6 year old, 5 year old, and 3 year old. Even with all of the older kids, in 2012 we spent 72% of our time on rides at Disneyland (yes, I am a stats nerd and have everyone keep track of each and every ride they go on, tallying them all up at the end of the trip). 28% of our time was spent in Fantasyland alone, which is saying something considering that there are 16 total "lands" at Disneyland and California Adventure.

For the adventurous, Disneyland boasts Space Mountain, The Matterhorn, Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones, and Splash Mountain, to name a few. For those with a flair for the historical, there are 14 rides still in operation that were apart of the opening of Disneyland in 1955. They include: In Fantasyland - Casey Jr Circus Train, King Arthur Carousel, The Tea Cups (mad tea party), Mr Toad's Wild Ride, Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White's Scary Adventure, and Storybook Land Canal Boats; In Tomorrowland - Autopia; In Adventureland - The Jungle Cruise; In Frontierland - Mark Twain River Boat and The Golden Horseshoe Stage; and in Main Street - The Disneyland Railroad, the Fire Engine and The Main Street Cinema. Many of those original rides are my kids favorite rides today!

My favorite time at Disneyland is the night time when the lights light up main street and the park seems to come to life. At night time, Disneyland is home to the Fantasmic show, fireworks, and a new show called "The Magic, the Memories, and You at It's a Small World. I love Fantasmic - even more than the new World of Color in California Adventure (I'm definitely in the Minority with that opinion though) but there are sequences in it that would be scary to my little kids so I haven't taken them to see it yet.

The feeling at Disneyland is one that can't be imitated anywhere. From walking under Sleeping Beauty's Castle to enter Fantasyland to watching the park come to life at night time, I get butterflies every time I go. Definitely don't miss going to this park!

California Adventure:

California Adventure has become a much better park as a result of a $1.1 Billion renovation project which, for the most part, was completed in June 2012. Previous to this, it was just another thrill park that could be found anywhere and, because of that, didn't bring the revenue in that was expected. But with the addition of the Little Mermaid Ride in 2011 and Cars Land in 2012, it has become much more unique and Disney themed.

Still, it is targeted more at young adults and adults with the more thrill-seeking rides such as California Screemin' and The Tower of Terror (my older kid's 2 favorites).  My little kids love Bug's Land which has rides for younger visitors. Cars Land was also amazing and the only thing that kept us from spending more time there were the 2 1/2 hours waits for the Radiator Springs Racers ride (1 1/2 hour fast pass wait, plus 1 hour wait to get the fast pass). All the kids LOVED that ride and as emotionally attached as I am to the rides at Disneyland, I will have to say that the Radiator Springs Racers ride is probably the best ride at either park - as well it should be with close to $300 million spent on it alone. The kids also loved Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, but we didn't have a chance to get to Luigi's Flying Tires.

Beer is also sold at California Adventure (it is not at Disneyland) which in my opinion takes away from the family atmosphere. Overall, California Adventure has come along way especially with the addition of Cars Land and the addition of the new Disney Theme to more of the rides there, but still doesn't have that magical Disney feeling.

Summary:

Go to both parks if time and money permit, but make sure not to miss Disneyland!!