disneyland park vs adventure park

[starshine514]

My youngest just turned three, but was 2 during our last stint of APs (we'll begin again with her first AP in September!).

My daughter's favorite is DCA, but I'm afraid I have to side with the majority here and say DL unless your child loves Cars (mine does, she could spend all day in Carsland).

Here is my breakdown for toddlers:

DL:
Fantasyland:
Dumbo
Teacups
Casey Jr
Storybookland Boats
Carousel
It's a Small World
Alice
Snow White (maybe, that witch is a little scary)
We don't ride Peter Pan (line is too long, ride itself is fine)
We also don't ride Pinnochio or Mr Toad because my kids find them scary
Roaming characters - Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Alice & Mad Hatter

Toontown:
Gadget's Go Coaster - 35" HR - so the only toddler-friendly coaster
Mickey & Minnie's houses (M & G), play areas

Tomorrowland:
Autopia (they can drive - there is a HR, but a 2 yr old should make it)
Buzz
Astro Orbitor (maybe, this is difficult for adults to get in and out of)
Nemo Subs (maybe. We don't enjoy them)

Adventureland:
Tiki Room (a 50/50 chance of them either loving it, or being scared when we've angered the gods)
Jungle Cruise (mine don't love it, but it isn't scary - they do fire a shot in the hippo area, so prepare the kiddos)
Tarzan's Treehouse (it's a lot of steps)

New Orleans:
Pirates (my DD3 finds it scary)
Haunted Mansion (scary as well, though she likes the holiday version)

Critter Country:
Winnie the Pooh
Meeting Pooh & Friends

Main Street:
Princess Fantasy Faire (for meeting princesses and shows)
Pixie Hollow (meeting fairies)
Mickey & Friends M & Gs

Other:
Fireworks
Fantasmic! (once it returns)
Pictures in front of the castle

DCA:

Paradise Pier:
Little Mermaid
Carousel
Toy Story Mania
Golden Zephyr
Mickey's Fun Wheel (we don't ride this, we find it is a waste of time because of the length of the actual ride relative to loading/unloading time)
Zootopia & Toy Story M & Gs

Carsland:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree (32" HR - a 2 yr old should make this)
Luigi's Roadsters (32")
Cars M & Gs

Bug's Land:
All 4 rides in this area are toddler-friendly, but they are nothing too special.
Sometimes, It's Tough to be a Bug 4D show is running, but they also use the theater for movie previews. I haven't taken my youngest here yet

Hollywoodland:
Monster's Inc
Disney Jr show (haven't seen the new one)
Frozen show
Frozen M & Gs
Turtle Talk

Buena Vista Street:
Mickey & Friends M & Gs
Oswald M & G

Other:
Pixar Play Parade
World of Color

As you can see, you won't have trouble filling a day at either park.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Yeah, my kids (boys) are 11 and almost 13 and are STILL scared of:

Pirates (the drops in the dark and fire)
Mr. Toad (the creepy imagery and loudness)
Snow White (the terrifying forest scene)
Haunted Mansion (the stretching room)
Pinocchio (the creepy imagery in the Pleasure Island scene)
Matterhorn (the Yeti)

They rode all of the above when younger and they clearly were traumatized.

They won't even think about trying Indiana Jones...

I recently went with my 5 and 3 year old niece and nephew. Basically, the same rides scared them, and they are the fearless type. The day was almost ruined after Pirates...

In contrast, NOTHING at DCA scares them (and never has, and they have been going regularly to both parks since birth) They have ridden everything there (well, my oldest rode Tower of Terror at 5 and hasn't since, and the youngest never did and youngest is still afraid of Screamin because it goes upside down, but the oldest rode it twice).

Disneyland has a lot that young kids find scary.

All kids are different. My 2.5-year-old has been on every ride he is able to ride in Disney except Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland and he loves them all! Even Haunted Mansion and Pirates. My friend's 3.5-year-old likes Splash Mountain (she's tall for her age). We like DCA too but there are just fewer rides he can go on due to the height restrictions.