2 or 3 day tickets?

[wilma-bride]

DH and I are heading to DL after our Panama Canal cruise in May. We are driving up from San Diego on Friday 15th, so we are unlikely to arrive until mid afternoon. We have 2 nights at Grand Californian Villas and our flight home is from LAX on Sunday 17th at 5, so we will most likely have to leave by lunchtime.

So, my question is, do we get 3 day tickets on the basis that we will only have 1 full and 2 half days? Or do I just get 2 day tickets and do the parks on Saturday and Sunda, working on the basis that it will be really busy by the time we actually arrive on the Friday - it would also mean that we could take a more leisurely drive up and stop somewhere for lunch along the way. DH is also concerned that we will finish our nice, relaxing holiday by running ourselves ragged trying to fit too much into the last couple of days.

I think I have already accepted the fact that we won't be able to see/do everything in the short time that we have anyway. And we are planning a West Coast trip in a year or so, so we will go back. I just wonder if we will be missing anything by only having one night in the park, such as parades, fireworks, shows, etc. It is £26 (approx $40) each for the extra day so would it be worth it?

So, for all the DL experts out there, should we go for 3 day tickets or just stick to the 2 day tickets and resign ourselves to having just one and a half days in the parks. And, as a supplementary question, would it be more advantageous to have the hopper facility since we do have such a short time?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[thewelts]

In my opinion, you should absolutely invest in the 3-day tickets with a Hopper option. The Grand Californian is conveniently located next to both parks -- you can easily benefit.

On the night you arrive. I would consider the World or Color or Aladdin show. Treat yourself to a nice dinner in the park... perhaps the WOC dining package with reserved viewing?

During your full day, you can easily hop back and forth between parks to enjoy your favorite attractions. You can easily pop back into the hotel for breaks during the day. We love to grab a fast pass for Grizzly River Run before lunch, and then ride in our swimsuits as it is located very close to the Grand Californian pool.

You have plenty of time to enjoy both parks on your last day and get to do the things you did not have time for the day before.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I agree and the difference between the two tickets is so minimal that you may as well enjoy the evening in the parks.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I would get the 3 day. I think you'd be surprised what you can get done in just a few nighttime hours. Also, getting the fireworks done that night will free up time for you to run around and ride stuff with short wait times the next night.

 

[DahliaRW]

I totally agree with the 3 day tickets. You can go, enjoy dinner and one of the nighttime entertainment options Friday. Then Saturday ride rides in the evening or catch the show in the other park. You may want to even book a Fantasmic Dining package or WOC dining package that first night. And then Saturday and Sunday take advantage of the early entry offered by staying onsite.

 

[grnflash]

Agree with everyone else. The park will be open until 11 or 12mid on Friday. Arriving mid-afternoon, for the additional $40, that's still lots of time to enjoy lots of magic!

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks for all your comments, looks like it's unanimous then