4 Day Park Hopper

[eskgwin]

I am planning on getting the 4 day park hopper for our trip to DL in July. I have 3 children ages 8,8,10. Do you think there is enough to do at each park for 2 days a piece? We have never been to DL, but have been to DW 3 years ago. Thanks.

Allyson

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Definitely, remember you are going during peak crowd times so you will need the extra time to see everything.

Check out the stickys at the top of the forum. There is very useful information about fastpasses and dealing with crowds.

 

[roxydotty]

I think 4 days is enough. You don't need 2 full days at Calif. Adv. More like 3 days at Disneyland and 1 at Calif. Adv. You can hop back and forth between both parks and spend the majority of your time at Disneyland.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Four days sounds pretty good to me. : From my experience, three days for a first visit in the summer is a little too short.

BTW, you're WDW experience will be helpful for visiting DLR:

1) Go to the parks early (it's best to be at the gates at least 30 minutes early)
2) Take advantage of the Magic Mornings (whenever you get the privilege). MM lets you enter Fantasyland and Tomorrowland one hour before DL's regular opening time. MM days are Sat, Sun, Tues., and Thurs.
3) Use FastPass (at DLR you can also use the FP after the one-hour return time, until closing time)

Unlike WDW, park hopping is much easier at DLR. DL and DCA share the same entrance plaza (they call it the Esplanade), and you can walk from DL to DCA in just a minute or two. Instead of going to DL on one day, and going to DCA on another (like you probably would do if you were park hopping at WDW), at DLR most people* like to start every day early at DL and then hop to DCA later in the day. The general idea is if you start your day at DCA when it opens (10:00 a.m.), then you would miss the first 2 hours at DL. (FYI, the DCA gates usually open at 9:30 a.m., and they open Soarin' early.)

There's a lot of really good info in the "HydroGuy Tips Compilation" sticky at the top of this forum.

HTH

* ETA: "most people" = "IMO the more experienced people"

 

[pixiewings71]

4 days is good!! Remember to hop between parks and have fun!!

 

[Hound 109]

Four days sounds pretty good to me. : From my experience, three days for a first visit in the summer is a little too short.

BTW, you're WDW experience will be helpful for visiting DLR:

1) Go to the parks early (it's best to be at the gates at least 30 minutes early)
2) Take advantage of the Magic Mornings (whenever you get the privilege). MM lets you enter Fantasyland and Tomorrowland one hour before DL's regular opening time. MM days are Sat, Sun, Tues., and Thurs.
3) Use FastPass (at DLR you can also use the FP after the one-hour return time, until closing time)

Unlike WDW, park hopping is much easier at DLR. DL and DCA share the same entrance plaza (they call it the Esplanade), and you can walk from DL to DCA in just a minute or two. Instead of going to DL on one day, and going to DCA on another (like you probably would do if you were park hopping at WDW), at DLR most people like to start every day early at DL and then hop to DCA later in the day. The general idea is if you start your day at DCA when it opens (10:00 a.m.), then you would miss the first 2 hours at DL. (FYI, the DCA gates usually open at 9:30 a.m., and they open Soarin' early.)

There's a lot of really good info in the "HydroGuy Tips Compilation" sticky at the top of this forum.

HTH

I agree.

Just wanted to clarify that "most people" don't start at DL early then hop to DCA.....which is why it's a recommended strategy for many who read & post here. 4 days is perfect.....but each day:

- Start at DL at opening (or MM opening).
- Tour & collect FPs for later that evening.
- Hop to DCA after 2-4 hours.
- Enjoy DCA for 2-4 hours.
- Take a break. (nap, swim, etc.) during the crowded afternoon)
- Head back to DL (or DCA) in the evening (with the FPs collected earlier).

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[DisneyLover4Ever!]

When my family went the first time to DL we hada 4 day hopper and it was almost the perfect amount of time, DL and DCA definately have enough to do in four days. Have a great trip!

 

[jemilah]

we have 4 day hoppers for our next trip, I am sure even with 4 days we won't see everything.

 

[stacymomof2]

We are doing 4 days. We'll be spending about 2 3/4 days in DL (we are going on our arrival day!) and then 1 day at DCA...

I think it'll be perfect for us (of course, they aren't expecting huge crowds either)