1 day, does it make sense to get Park Hopper?

[A&Amomma]

Hello,

My family of 4 (kids are adults, 20 and 18) have 1 day to go to Disneyland before we head on a cruise. Sadly the day we have is December 27th, which I know is going to be very very busy. We are planning to get to the park for rope drop. Does it make sense to get Park Hopper? We know we will not be able to go on many rides, but are just happy to have the experience. We have been to WDW in the past, but a long time ago (kids were 12 and 10 that time).

So yes to Park Hopper? If so, then which park should we start in?

Lightening Lane passes make sense, or since it's so busy, not even worth it?

Thanks for any information.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Yes, start at Disneyland, definitely get LL.

Watch a YouTube by FreshBaked Disney for a Rope Drop strategy and then use LL to stack other rides for later in the day while you go through your rope drop.

 

[elvispursley]

Personally, i’d skip hoppers and focus my time at DL. Id definitely get LL

 

[KimberMama]

Hmm, I would usually say skip the park hopper for just one day, especially a really busy day. But if you are going rope drop to close (or at least late evening), the park hopper would let you see Cars Land decked out in it’s holiday finery, and that’s probably my favorite decorated part of DCA. So my vote would be get park hoppers if you aren’t going to be back any time soon. The parks are so close to each other, it doesn’t take long.

 

[tamitru32]

I would, but that's how I roll. And it's much easier to hop at DL than WDW so you could actually go back and forth a few times if you wanted to. If it feels too busy in one park it's nice to switch for a bit.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would just do Disneyland and definitely get LL. Regardless of how busy it is, you should get on plenty of rides if you rope drop and use LL effectively. Definitely learn how to use it. There are some good posts in this forum.

 

[LKing]

Are you a regular at WDW? Meaning, have you already done SWGE and attractions that are essentially the same at both locations? If you have, then you might be able to skip some of DL to do DCA. If not, there is plenty to do in DL to fill a day.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I started off doing one day park hoppers. I found it too stressful. I felt I couldnt fully enjoy the park I was as it felt like I was missing something in the opposite park. I felt I had to leave where I was as I had paid for the park hopper option.

Doing a one park only ticket I enjoyed my day far more. If I want to just sit and chill and watch some entertainment I could, without feeling I was wasting precious time and missing something in the opposite park.

 

[Wildcat1144]

I would go all day at Disneyland with LL, unless you're a major Cars fan.

Like Bad Pink Tink said, it's kinda of nice not worrying about having to get over to the other park and allows you to be more present at DL which is the whole dang point.

Have fun!

 

[BobaFettFan]

Toss up. I have park hoppers due to FOMO but the trip is like %80 Disneyland and then seeing what's up at California Adventure.


If there was a meteor that took out DCA, I'd still go to Disneyland and feel content. I would rather have a fulfilling day at Disneyland and watch the fireworks than ditch to go get and cram rides from across the esplanade.


If you look at it as an addition to your trip, it's a no brainier. If you look at is as a "one day Disney trip" you'd go park hopper.


I feel the best bet is to align yourself mentally with "this is a massive addition to the trip" mentality and have one amazing day in one park.

 

[BobaFettFan]

Oh I forgot the second part of your question.

Yes, get LL.

Do the book them but don't use them trick to make your evening super fun no matter how busy it gets!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Guardians, Incredicoaster, All of Cars Land, soon to be closed Monster’s Inc, Spiderman, Soarin in an airplane hanger, Silly Swings…. and the food (Taco’s, Ghirardelli, Carthay Circle) at San Fransoyoko….

Single park only if someone is only going for one day… you guys are killing me….

 

[A&Amomma]

Great information. Thank you all. Seems that the best choice is to stay at one park for the day with LL.

In answer to @LKing no we are not regulars at WDW. We are from Canada and the last time we were there was 2017, so it's been a while! We did almost all the main rides at that time, but honestly don't remember them too well HAHA.

I need to read up on the LL as I remember the last trip I was able to book the ride times ahead of time for WDW.

Thank you all for your input!! It's a lot of money for one day so I appreciate the information.

 

[Aspencreek]

Staying the whole day in DL with LL would also be my vote. There's sooo much to do for one day there that I'd never feel bad skipping DCA (unless there are rides over there that are must do ones.) But otherwise there are so many great things to see and do that we sometimes go for 3 days and never go over to DCA.

As for LL, at DL/DCA you can't book them in advance. You can only book them for people in the party who have entered the park.

 

[A&Amomma]

@Aspencreek appreciate it, thank you.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Hello,

My family of 4 (kids are adults, 20 and 18) have 1 day to go to Disneyland before we head on a cruise. Sadly the day we have is December 27th, which I know is going to be very very busy. We are planning to get to the park for rope drop. Does it make sense to get Park Hopper? We know we will not be able to go on many rides, but are just happy to have the experience. We have been to WDW in the past, but a long time ago (kids were 12 and 10 that time).

So yes to Park Hopper? If so, then which park should we start in?

Lightening Lane passes make sense, or since it's so busy, not even worth it?

Thanks for any information.

I would just stick to one park. Park hopping really isn’t the best off a single day.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I'd definitely start at DL and do LL for sure. As for the park hopping, really depends what your family likes. If they're really into thrill rides or Cars, it might be worth it. Cars Land is pretty cool at night. Personally I'd skip DCA and save the $260 or so it's going to cost you for 4 hoppers, but I don't go on a lot of the rides at DCA that you might like.

I definitely agree that DL only would be a lot less stressful.

 

[AstroBlasters]

such terrible advice. I’m out.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I think it really depends on how much of an issue the extra cost is and how late you are planning to stay in the parks. But Disneyland and DCA are so close, to me it's all one big park. If I'm only going to go once every 10 years I would spring for the park hoppers, especially since it's only 1 day, even just to go on a couple rides and check out Carsland and such, since who knows when you will ever be there again.

 

[Pluto468]

Personally, I would do Disneyland only and get LL. I think it makes for a more relaxing day, and Disneyland has so much to see and do. On some trips I've had hoppers and didn't even go to DCA because I can't tear myself away from Disneyland, but that might just be me lol.

If cost isn't an issue you could get the hoppers and have the option to pop over to DCA if Disneyland gets too busy or if you have Cars/Avengers fans in your family. Or if you don't think you'll be in CA again for a long time you might want to check out DCA even for a couple of hours.

Either way, you'll have a blast!