Welcome back to planDisney, Rosa Isela! Your family's Disneyland Resort vacation is almost here. How exciting! With three days to explore and a wonderful mix of generations traveling together, you have plenty of time to enjoy both parks without feeling rushed.
Since you do not have Park Hopper tickets, my recommendation would be to spend two days at Disneyland Park and one day at Disney California Adventure Park. For many first-time visitors, a schedule like this works very well: Day 1 at Disneyland, followed by Day 2 at Disney California Adventure and then Day 3 back at Disneyland
Disneyland is the larger of the two parks and is home to many of the attractions that Guests most associate with a Disney vacation, including
Pirates of the Caribbean,
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and
Space Mountain. Having two days there allows your family to experience more attractions at a comfortable pace while also leaving time to enjoy entertainment, dining, and those unexpected magical moments that often become favorite memories.
On your Disney California Adventure day, your family can explore
Cars Land, take a stroll through
Avengers Campus, and experience attractions such as
The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure. Because your group includes both grandparents and a 12-year-old, I love that DCA offers a wonderful mix of thrilling attractions, shows, dining, and relaxing places to take a break.
The good news is that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are located directly across from one another. Both park entrances open into the Esplanade, the large plaza between the two parks. Even though your tickets only allow entry into one park per day, navigating the resort is very easy because everything is within a short walking distance.
One additional tip: try to spend at least one evening in each park. Watching
Paint the Night travel down Main Street, U.S.A. is an unforgettable Disneyland experience, while
World of Color Happiness! creates a spectacular ending to a Disney California Adventure day. Having three days gives your family the flexibility to enjoy both nighttime experiences without feeling like you have to rush from attraction to attraction.
Rosa Isela, I hope this helps you feel confident as you begin planning your park days. If any other questions come up before your visit, please stop by planDisney again. We'd be delighted to help.
May your family create wonderful memories together, discover favorite attractions in both parks, and enjoy every moment of your Disneyland Resort adventure!
David