Disneyland/California Adventure Park/Universal Studios experts!
We fly into Anaheim on my daughter's eleventh birthday on November 11. She's a big Harry Potter fan. Would we make it to Universal Studios to celebrate her birthday there, or go to Disney and celebrate there, or just relax that day for a crazy week ahead? One day or two days at Universal?
Disney/California - would you do the 3 or 4 day pass? And one park per day or hopper?
Thanks in advance for any and all information and tips - much appreciated!

You can do universal in one day but it needs to be from opening to close so I would wait until u get a full day.
Disney -4 day park hopper passes for sure

Thank you!!

DeeAnn agreed

I would give universal 2 days if you can afford it. It can be done in 1 but as a huge Harry Potter nerd I spent most of my time doing the Harry Potter stuff during the first day, which didn't leave much time for the rest of the park. So I spent the second day seeing the rest of the park. Disney needs at least 3 days. 1 day for each park and you can do epcott in the evenings if you get a park hopper pass (or do 4 not park Hopper days and spend the 4th at Epcott).

There’s actually a two for 1 deal in for universal right now. Thanks for the tip. I think she’ll love spending the day exploring Harry Potter. Thanks also for the info about Disney! I think four days sounds like the way to go. I forgot about Epcott! Thanks!

Epcot is only in Florida/ Disney World

Oh Cheryl is right! My apologies - I misread Disney world

Universal Hollywood is a lot smaller than Orlando so I think 1 day is enough.

Tina thanks!!

Is there an Epcott in Disneyland now? I thought that was only in Disneyworld (Florida).

Only in Florida. I didn’t know either.

Both parks will be busy that day as it’s a stat-holiday (Veterans Day). Have a settle in day & maybe a nice birthday dinner, then hit the parks early the next day. Maybe explore the downtown Disney area that day, so you don’t need to on day you’re using your passes?

That’s a great idea, thanks! I’ll look into downtown Disney!

 
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I second Cheryls comment on this. Tell both parks it's her birthday and they will give her special birthday buttons and wish her a happy birthday throughout each day.

2 days for Disneyland and 2 days for California Adventure is a good amount of time to see most.

Thanks!

What time do you fly in? How many days are you in Anaheim/LA? I usually spend our arrival day in downtown Disney. I would do 3 day park hoppers for Disney, and one full day in Universal but buy an express pass. I found the EP hugely useful in Hollywood but not so much in Orlando. This would give you ample time to go through Harry Potter world and still finish other rides. Jurassic Park is closed so that’s one ride you won’t need to worry about getting on. There’s so much more sightseeing to do around Anaheim/LA compared to Orlando that I would also want to allocate some time doing that outside of Disney/Universal.

Tina We land 9:35 am if all goes well. Thanks for all the tips. I think we may take the first day to explore a bit so we can maximize our time at one of the parks.

There is a deal on now too for a Disneyland for Canadian residents 25% off but you have to buy the passes in advance. Worth looking into

Yes, I saw that as well - thanks!! Joyce

There is also city passes at Costco

For Universal get the front of the line passes. It is quite a bit more money but you can do the whole park in one day that way.

Universal I was able to do in 1 day from beginning to end though 2 would probably be better if you want to focus on Harry Potter. Ive done Disney in 2 days but it was a whirlwind. Me and my fiance are crazy so ran around the whole day lol. As such I would highly recommend 4 days. Take full advantage of the free fast passes. I get one right when I get into the park and as soon as I am eligible for the next one. And yes tell them about her birthday so she gets a pin!

I didn’t know you could get free fast passes! I also will try about her birthday as we will be a couple of days after. Thanks!!

Jillian yes! Its a pain because its for a specified time that you have to come back for later for but worth it if there is a specific ride you want to make sure you go on and because the line ups for some of these rides are so long!
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/ca/attractions/list/... lists the rides that accept fast pass. I find the cars and space one to always have a lineup of 1.5-2 hrs when I was there so I would recommend those ones for sure but would recommend doing as many of those rides as possible as I really like them all.
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right now Univeral has buy 2 days get 4 days park hopper. universal studios, island lf adventure and volcano bay. all amazing and i would take advantage of all 4 days.

Thanks for the tips!!

Sorry but once again this is for Florida. No Volcano bay at the California universal. Both parks in California are smaller & take less time then the ones in Orlando

sorry i misunderstood, i had a great time in Florida anyway

But universal does have BOGO on right now. Buy one day, get the 2nd for free. If you have the time, why not? It's just the transportation there ain't cheap.

Linda I have a little rental vehicle! Thanks!!

It took me and my bf two days to cover Disney land and one day for California adventure and one universal!

We went Nov 11th before and the lines were 4 hours long for everything. Lucky we had 5 day pass otherwise we wouldn't have seen much. We went to knotts as well and well that was another mistake. SeaWorld was the only place that the lines kinda played nice with us.
So make sure you get the cdn deal on disney passes right now and take your time. Have a magical time

Thanks!!

If you go to the ticket kiosk at Disneyland and let them know that it's your daughter's actual birthday that day (and show proof), they will let her (and usually the family as well) into to the park for free to enjoy her birthday at Disneyland. Also, once in the park, go to guest services and get her a free birthday button to pin on her - restaurants in the park usually give a free treat for the birthday celebrant and other perks throughout the day. I know from personal experience. Have a great time

Thanks so much!! It’d be so great if that happened as we’d get an extra day! Depending on timing, we may do that and see what we can make happen. Thanks again!

Free admission? I've never heard this. You must have been lucky that day!

I was very lucky. I also think it depends on who you get at the ticket kiosk.

Jillian I was very lucky. I also think it depends on who you get at the ticket kiosk.

Banana yes, that totally makes sense. No harm in asking when we’re there! I mean who denies a child’s birthday at what is supposed to be the Happiest Place on Earth?!

Jillian That was basically my strategy going into it - and they didn't deny an adult

If you are arriving at 9:30 even with transport to hotel or park, you still have a good solid 8 hrs in the park. It might be busy, but there might not be that much around Downtown Disney/ hotel to keep you busy all day. I would go for a park visit that afternoon. Stay for fireworks. Check out www.ridemax.com to plan our park strategy for maximizing rides and minimizing wait times and lines.
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I just returned from my trip to Disneyland we did a 4 day pass 2 spent at California adventure and 2 at Disneyland we only got 1 day in at universal and there is a deal buy one day get 1 day so if you can do 2 days there I highly recommend it it’s only open from 10-6 so in my personal opinion it makes sense to do 2 days at universal we did the max pass at Disneyland and California adventure it’s only an extra $10 a day per person and you get all the pics in the park free and sent to your phone
plus you can have shorter wait times for rides download the app it helps you to see what rides have the longest wait time some of the ride wait times can be over an hour so it’s easier to at least go to the ones that have less wait time and express the ones that have longer wait times sorry for the long winded post just got back yesterday lol !! Have an amazing time on your trip
and hope your daughter has an magical birthday

This is awesome - thanks so much!!

Jillian no problem have an amazing time

Uber or Lyft is an excellent option to get to/from Universal to/from Anaheim. Spend one full day at Californialand and then the next day at DL. No need for park hopper, Save your $. Surprisingly lots to do at CL. Choose single rider lines for faster access.

I just got back from my 50th bday there and we go a lot as well. It’s nice to do Universal in 2 days if you’ve never been and then no rush and maybe enjoy some downtime as well! We always stay at The Garland it’s got a free shuttle to universal and it’s so lovely and stores and restaurants in walking distance. I got a free bday button from any gift shop on Main Street. I also agree get the max pass it’s worth the extra $10 a day. Getting there right at opening time is great as you can get on lots of rides before it gets busy. I always get a five day pass but I’m a bit Disney crazy
have a wonderful time!