In this state, you can find more than a handful of theme parks ranging from Disneyland Parks, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, Pacific Fair, Six Flags Magic Mountains, Legoland and more.
Tourists' three most popular theme parks are Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Universal Studios Hollywood. Most tours would include one destination in the itinerary. It would not be surprising to add all three goals to the list for those who opt for self-drive holidays. This goes the same for us.
If time is a constraint and you have to choose between the three options, which one should you choose. We give you a rundown of the top three theme parks and analyse which one is the best choice for you.
For our readers, we have specially curated discounted tickets from Disneyland Park, Disney Adventure Park and Universal Studios Hollywood from Klook.
Disneyland Park is the original Disneyland and the only one where construction was overseen by Walt Disney himself. It is the one that kicked off the magic of Disney around the globe. If you are a Disney fan, this face alone warrants at least one visit to Disneyland Park.
Disney Parades are legendary. With your favourite characters in a song and dance routine, it never fails to delight. The show changes according to festivals and the Christmas period would be one of the best times to enjoy it.
Sleeping Beauty
The parade occurs at different times, including in the evening. Watch both performances if you can!
Disney Rides
Disney rides are usually themed to favourite Disney characters. However, unique to Disneyland Park is the Matterhorn Ride.
Check out the video here.
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Other rides unique to Disneyland Park would be Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and the Disneyland Railroad, with a particular segment on prehistoric dinosaurs.
Coming up in Summer 2019, you can explore an all-new Star Wars Land inside Disneyland Park. It's a chance for you to venture to a galaxy far, far away, in the backyard of Disney. This will definitely be a hit among Star Wars Fans.
Cut the queue
One of the 'hidden secrets' to queues in Disneyland is the use of the Fastpass. Get a Fastpass for a popular ride to ensure you skip the queues. Single-rider lines also help you get to the rides much faster. These options are helpful, especially since Disneyland has the largest crowd among all three theme parks.
Download the Disney App and use Disney Maxpass to get Disney Fastpass. It will cost extra if you take this option.
Take photos with Disney Characters
Say Cheese
Taking photos with Disney Characters is another must-do in Disneyland Park. How many times can you say that you had mingled with Disney stars? Longer hours to play
When we were there last winter, Disneyland Park opened till 12am. It has the longest opening hours among all three parks, making it a great one-stop entertainment area for the family.
Small Small World
Disneyland comes alive at night with the glittering lights around the park.
Fireworks
Disneyland Fireworks
Cap off the day with the popular fireworks. Stand on the castle's right side for a better view, as the left side is covered by trees. Downtown Disney
After a full day of play, stop by Downtown Disney for shopping and late-night supper.
MAYBE SOME OTHER TIME...
Similar shows and rides in other Disneyland
If you had been to other Disneyland around the world, you probably would find Disneyland Park very familiar. There are identical rides and similar shows. Even the parades looked vaguely familiar.
Tamer Rides
Disneyland Park is perfect for families with young kids. For older kids or teens, they might find the rides less challenging compared to other theme parks around the vicinity,
No Carnival Games
Other than the shooting gallery, there are no carnival games around the park. It is not a deal-breaker, but compared with other theme parks with one, it would generally increase the fun quotient during a visit.
DISNEY ADVENTURE PARK
Disney Adventure Park is located just beside Disneyland Park. If you are heading to Disneyland, we recommend you add Disney Adventure Park to your itinerary; it is a brand new adventure compared to Disneyland Park.
A different Disney Experience unique to Disney Adventure Park
Disneyland is more of a kids-friendly, feel-good theme park. Disney Adventure Park adds a darker edge and a more grown-up vibe.
Rides are more geared towards older kids.
If Disneyland rides are too kiddish, Disney Adventure Park would be what Disney is like all grown up. Rides are tied to Disney characters. The most popular rides are the Increicoaster, Radiator Springs Racer, Toy Story Midway Mania and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Compared to Disneyland, the rides here up the thrill factor, and screams can be heard more often here compared Disneyland Park. Great for older kids!
Carnival Games
The games of Pixar Pier are a hit among kids. Choose from 4 classical carnival games and stand a chance to take home a Disney theme prize.
Musical
Frozen the musical
An entire musical in a theme park?
Only in Disney Adventure Park. We watched Frozen, an hour-long musical at Disney Adventure Park, and it was a treat!
Marvel Characters
If you are a Marvel fan, prepare your cameras. At the park, you would catch Marvel stars like Captain America, Spiderman, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Skip the queues
Buddy Pass Disney Adventure Park
Fast passes are available at Disney Adventure Park. In addition, cast members would hand out Buddy Pass ( for 2 ) to get ahead of the queue on some rides. Similar to Disneyland Park, you could also download the app to use the Max Pass to get the Fast pass ( extra cost).
Free Food
Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop
Do you know you could get free food in Disney Adventure Park?
Head for the bakery tour to get your bread or to the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop for your free chocolate.
Bakery Tour: Disney Adventure Park
MAYBE SOME OTHER TIME...
First-timers to Disney might be better off starting with Disneyland.
Disney Adventure Park has more thrilling rides and is not the typical Disneyland. However, if it is your first visit to Disney Theme park, Disneyland should be first. After all, it is the happiest place on Earth.
Shorter parades
The parades at Disney Adventure Park are on a smaller scale and are shorter compared to the ones at Disneyland. Disneyland would be one up on this.
Limited Photo Ops with Mickey and friends
Compared to Disneyland, we spotted fewer Disney characters roaming the park. So if you are looking to take photos with Disney Characters for the perfect Instagram shot, Disneyland would be a better bet.
Shorter Hours
Compared to Disneyland, the park closes an hour or two earlier than Disneyland on most days. So plan your trip well to enjoy all the rides in the park.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
The next popular destination next to Disneyland would be Universal Studios Hollywood. This film studio and theme park have a lot to offer those seeking rides and a different kind of theme park experience. Get your discounted tickets to Universal Studios from Klook. LET'S GO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Hogwarts School
Disneyland may have the Sleeping Beauty Castle, but Universal Hogwarts school is just as impressive. Together with the Hogwarts Express, it brings Harry Potter magic to the masses.
Who could resist taking a photo with the Hogwarts Express or choosing your own magical wand?
To make the experience more interactive, use the wands and bring magic to life at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The rides there are a must-do too. So take flight with Harry and soar above Hogwarts on the Forbidden Journey.
Credit: Universal Studios Hollywood
Or take the flight of the Hippogriff.
Other than rides and magic, you have to have a taste of the smooth Butterbeer too. After all, how many places would allow a kid to drink 'beer'?
Last, stay for the night during winter and see the castle come alive with fireworks and snow.
Great for Carnival Games lovers
Being avid carnival fans, we think the carnival game at Universal Studios Rocks!
Over a dozen carnival games with Universal theme-related toys are to be won. You can opt to have a go at The Simpson Plaza or head to Super Silly fun land to try your luck. Among the three theme parks, it has the best carnival games and prizes.
It's easy to win too. You get Buy 1 Get 1 pass once you play the carnival games to make it more worthwhile for a game or two.
Different Rides
The rides are unique to Universal Studios too. Universal Studios Hollywood Rides are more high-tech, combing Virtual Reality and 4 D to bring you a different kind of ride experience.
Studio Tours
The Studio Tour is exclusive to Universal Studios. This world-famous Studio Tour brings you behind the scene of a working studio.
Experience a flash flood, an earthquake, see a plane wreck, check into Bates hotel and come face to face with King Kong 3D and Fast and Furious Finale.
This one-of-a-kind experience should not be missed and is only available in Universal Studios Hollywood. So even if you had been to Universal Studios Osaka or Universal Studios Singapore, a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood would still prove refreshing with the Studio Tour.
Smaller Crowds
Compared to the Disney theme parks, the crowd is lighter at Universal Studios Hollywood. You do not need a fast pass here as most queues are below the 1-hour mark. However, if you are going during the peak period, we strongly suggest you take the Universal Express Pass to skip the lines; it will make your trip worthwhile.
Catch current and retired Hollywood animal actors at Universal. These cute animals will entertain you with their antics. Universal City
After your day at Universal Studios, head to Universal Studios City for a meal, shop for sweets or catch a show in this mini-city,
MAYBE SOME OTHER TIME...
Rides are more base on Virtual Reality.
Most of the rides at Universal Studios are either 3D or Virtual Reality. While it is nice, it can be dizzy if you have too much of it.
No Parades
There are no parades at Universal Studios Hollywood. This is probably why Universal Studios Hollywood closes the earliest among all three theme parks. It may close early, but the shorter queues mean that you can probably sit on all rides in a day.
No Fast Pass
There are no fast passes for Universal Studios. During the peak period, it could post an issue. Universal Studios does provide Express passes, and you should get those during these times.
Smaller-scale compared to other Universal Studios.
Compared to other Universal Studios, it is on a smaller scale regarding the number of rides. Thankfully, the Studio Tours made up for the lesser rides during our visit.
WHICH PARK SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
The theme park suitable for you would be dependent on your travel companions. For families with toddlers, Disneyland would be appropriate. Disneyland Adventure Park and Universal would be better for families with older kids.
For a unique experience, Disney Adventure Park would not disappoint. For a chance to sit on all the rides in one visit, Universal Studios Hollywood would be a great option. Disneyland would be the first port of call for the true blue Disney fans.
Which theme park would you choose?
Our verdict
We had an equal measure of fun in all three parks. Our suggestion... visit all three theme parks if you can!
Disclosure The post contains affiliate links. You would not pay a penny more if you made a purchase through the links. We do get a small commission which helps keep the lights on. Do support us if you like this review. This review was done at our own expense...
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