4 Day Park Hopper vs 4/5 Day Base

[magicalnemo]

Hi! Going on a 6-day trip this mid-March admidst the Spring Break crowds with a 3-year old in tow. Staying at Pop Century with a split stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Debating on a 4 day park hopper versus 4 day or possibly 5 day base (which would mean no full rest day).

4-Day Park Hopper Plan
Mo- Arrive early evening
Tu- EP
We- HS/MK
Th- Rest Day
Fr- AK day/ Animal Kingdom Lodge stay begins
Sa- MK, maybe hop to EP

5-Day Base Plan
Mo- Arrive early evening
Tu- EP
We- MK
Th- HS
Fr- AK day/ Animal Kingdom Lodge stay begins
Sa- MK

4-Day Base Plan
Mo- Arrive early evening
Tu- EP
We- HS
Th- Rest Day
Fr- AK day/ Animal Kingdom Lodge stay begins
Sa- MK

Considerations:
- Will get lightning lane passes every day
- Adults have been to AK/EP/MK already but not HS
- Went to Disneyland/California Adventures last year. With ride overlap and not huge Star Wars fans and 3 year old not into shows, HS likely closer to half day
- 3 year old very excited about Finding Nemo in EP and The Little Mermaid ride in MK, so revisits would be fun but not sure if park hopping would be too exhausting

Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!!

 

[leebee]

I'd do the 4 day base. Save the money... and if you get there and decide you want to hop, you can add the park hopper (but you'll have to pay for all the days, even if you only add it on the last day).

 

[magicalnemo]

I'd do the 4 day base. Save the money... and if you get there and decide you want to hop, you can add the park hopper (but you'll have to pay for all the days, even if you only add it on the last day)

Thanks! Yeah, can always see how the first day goes and add after that if needed. I like the idea of flexibility but not sure if it would be too exhausting. We will also be getting used to the time zone difference coming from West coast.

 

[HeiHei2018]

Magicalnemo, are you planning to go back to the hotel for afternoon naps? If not, I would skip hoppers with a 3 year old. If you are already planning afternoon breaks, hoppers can help you get more rides out of LLMP since you can get the less popular rides (Nemo and LM) on multiple days. On more crowded days, the lines for those can vary from walk on to 45 minutes.

 

[magicalnemo]

Magicalnemo, are you planning to go back to the hotel for afternoon naps? If not, I would skip hoppers with a 3 year old. If you are already planning afternoon breaks, hoppers can help you get more rides out of LLMP since you can get the less popular rides (Nemo and LM) on multiple days. On more crowded days, the lines for those can vary from walk on to 45 minutes.

Yes, planning on going back to the hotel for a break on at least the first two park days with the ease of skyliner access. The 3 year old naps perfectly fine in a stroller though, so may be something to play by ear! Good call on the availability of LLMP on those rides and taking full advantage of it, definitely a consideration. Thanks!

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

I love hopping. However, I think the best hopping is HS to/from EP, EP to/from MK, or AK and then any other park. Given your schedules, it doesn’t seem like hopping would benefit you. I would spend some time enjoying AKL after your AK day. Maybe visit DS on your rest day or do the 5 day schedule and take some longer mid-day rests.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Hopping is great but with a shorter trip and a 3yo, it may not be needed. If you want to save the $, hopping can be skipped but, if spending $ is okay, hopping broadens your options, especially staying on Skyliner line at Pop.

I will say when my dd was that age, her interests changed greatly from trip to trip. While she may not have been interested in shows one trip, even 6 months could change that.

DHS offers Disney Jr Play and Dance as well as the Frozen Sing-along. Both often huge hits with toddlers!

I agree with others who say you can try to start with a 4 Day ticket and add while there if you wish. It really is personal choice. Since 3yo naps well in the stroller you may find the trek back to the room is not needed. We used hopping time for naps on transportation then she was ready to go again. Even at 3, we were a park open to park close family, finding Pieter places in the park to rest and rejuvenate.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[magicalnemo]

I love hopping. However, I think the best hopping is HS to/from EP, EP to/from MK, or AK and then any other park. Given your schedules, it doesn’t seem like hopping would benefit you. I wouldn’t spend some time enjoying AKL after your AK day. Maybe visit DS on your rest day or do the 5 day schedule and take some longer mid-day rests.

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like it would be a safe choice to start with base tickets and get park hopper during the trip if it feels it makes sense then. DS also an agenda item for rest day!

 

[magicalnemo]

Hopping is great but with a shorter trip and a 3yo, it may not be needed. If you want to save the $, hopping can be skipped but, if spending $ is okay, hopping broadens your options, especially staying on Skyliner line at Pop.

I will say when my dd was that age, her interests changed greatly from trip to trip. While she may not have been interested in shows one trip, even 6 months could change that.

DHS offers Disney Jr Play and Dance as well as the Frozen Sing-along. Both often huge hits with toddlers!

I agree with others who say you can try to start with a 4 Day ticket and add while there if you wish. It really is personal choice. Since 3yo naps well in the stroller you may find the trek back to the room is not needed. We used hopping time for naps on transportation then she was ready to go again. Even at 3, we were a park open to park close family, finding Pieter places in the park to rest and rejuvenate.

Hope you have a great trip!

Thank you! It's true that toddler interests may change at a whim Going to start with the base ticket and then add park hopper if it feels right.
I last went to EP/AK/MK 5 years ago and did park to close with 3 day base tickets. Lots of unknown variables with the little one.

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

Thank you! It's true that toddler interests may change at a whim Going to start with the base ticket and then add park hopper if it feels right.
I last went to EP/AK/MK 5 years ago and did park to close with 3 day base tickets. Lots of unknown variables with the little one.

When my kiddo was around that age she slept in her stroller and also slept through some of the shows/dark rides. Like Under the Sea.

Most important for her was having space to safely run around so we tried to find little playground area and areas where it was not busy so she could get some energy out without being in the way. In AK she loved riding the train and going to the petting zoo. It was also quieter in that area so she could be her toddler self. In Epcot we had a great time around the jumping fountains by the Imagination Pavillion and there were very few other guests. Sometimes there are also play areas associated with the festivals.

MK has the storybook circus area as well as the Dumbo playground.

HS might be the hardest for this now. Maybe it’s quiet down by where the Racing Academy has been shut down?

 

[magicalnemo]

When my kiddo was around that age she slept in her stroller and also slept through some of the shows/dark rides. Like Under the Sea.

Most important for her was having space to safely run around so we tried to find little playground area and areas where it was not busy so she could get some energy out without being in the way. In AK she loved riding the train and going to the petting zoo. It was also quieter in that area so she could be her toddler self. In Epcot we had a great time around the jumping fountains by the Imagination Pavillion and there were very few other guests. Sometimes there are also play areas associated with the festivals.

MK has the storybook circus area as well as the Dumbo playground.

HS might be the hardest for this now. Maybe it’s quiet down by where the Racing Academy has been shut down?

Love all the tips on places for the little ones to get the wiggles out! Working with a very high energy one over here. I haven't been on the AK train so I'm excited to check that out myself. I like the idea of finding relatively quiet spaces to chill (and for toddler to run around in!) throughout the day.


Thank you!

 

[Shellyred8]

A couple of additional options for burning off energy for the days you are at Pop:
1. Head over to Art of Animation and walk around the resort. There is a walking trail around the outside of the resort and you can also walk thru the court yards to see the big statues and play areas around them. This same concept applies to Pop, but AoA has more "disney" themed stuff in the court yards.
2. Get off the skyliner at the CBR station and walk around that resort. There is a playground on the island in the middle of that resort. Maybe stop by the quick serve spot for a snack.

Have fun!

 

[magicalnemo]

A couple of additional options for burning off energy for the days you are at Pop:
1. Head over to Art of Animation and walk around the resort. There is a walking trail around the outside of the resort and you can also walk thru the court yards to see the big statues and play areas around them. This same concept applies to Pop, but AoA has more "disney" themed stuff in the court yards.
2. Get off the skyliner at the CBR station and walk around that resort. There is a playground on the island in the middle of that resort. Maybe stop by the quick serve spot for a snack.

Have fun!

Great tips, thank you! The Nemo sculptures at AoA will definitely be a hit. Excited to try resort hopping on the skyliner.

 

[2EVacations]

Love all the tips on places for the little ones to get the wiggles out! Working with a very high energy one over here. I haven't been on the AK train so I'm excited to check that out myself. I like the idea of finding relatively quiet spaces to chill (and for toddler to run around in!) throughout the day.


Thank you!

AK train is wonderful! We went when my DS was 3 and he LOVED it.