5 days, non hopper, what do you do?

[corinne76]

We're looking at 5 days, possible not hopping.
We are going in October and will likely do a MHP, on a separate day, so 6 days total I guess.
We plan to get in early morning, do some grocery shopping and maybe get to a park for the evening.

WWYD with the 5 days?
half day DCA that first day, and then 2 and 2 which would give us roughly equal time at each park?
or half day DL, which gives us 2 full days at DCA, 2 full and 2 half at DL.

 

[5forMickey]

I would spend the extra $39.00 and park hop, it's about $8.00 extra per day. On our last trip the kids actually wanted to spend more time at DCA which surprised me, but we always went to both parks each day.

 

[corinne76]

Yeah I may end up doing that since I can't make up my mind. Our last trip it was easy. We spent 5 1/2 days in the park. 2 full days each and a half at DL since there's more to do.

Adding in MHP gives us another half day so we could go to DCA 3 days, though we could probably get it all done in 2 full days.

Days were longer too when we last went since it was early June

 

[StellaD]

I would do the park hop too. I bought non hop tickets since I'm used toWDW and going just to one park a day. After learning more on here about how close everything is will upgrade to hoppers once I get to DL. They said just go to customer service in the park to do so. If you don't upgrade your plan sounds good to me.

 

[Blue32]

We're looking at 5 days, possible not hopping.
We are going in October and will likely do a MHP, on a separate day, so 6 days total I guess.
We plan to get in early morning, do some grocery shopping and maybe get to a park for the evening.

WWYD with the 5 days?
half day DCA that first day, and then 2 and 2 which would give us roughly equal time at each park?
or half day DL, which gives us 2 full days at DCA, 2 full and 2 half at DL.

If you decide not to hop I would opt to spend the half days in DL. We always prefer more time in DL than DCA.

For our next trip, we may forgo the park hoppers and spend that extra money toward convention twilight tickets to give us an extra day in the parks. So we would do the evening in DL and then 3 full days in DL and 2 full days in DCA.

 

[sophies*mom]

I think I'm in the minority when it comes to park hopping, I don't bother getting hoppers (I like to spend a full day at one park at a time) so I will say they aren't completely necessary unless you feel that you will want to be in both parks on the same day, for a show or parade or whatever.

I always choose more time in DL than DCA just because I feel that there's more to do there. You could always alternate days and in the end go back to the park where you feel like you missed the most or revisit the majority of your favorite rides in a certain park.

 

[corinne76]

If you decide not to hop I would opt to spend the half days in DL. We always prefer more time in DL than DCA.

For our next trip, we may forgo the park hoppers and spend that extra money toward convention twilight tickets to give us an extra day in the parks. So we would do the evening in DL and then 3 full days in DL and 2 full days in DCA.

I think I'm in the minority when it comes to park hopping, I don't bother getting hoppers (I like to spend a full day at one park at a time) so I will say they aren't completely necessary unless you feel that you will want to be in both parks on the same day, for a show or parade or whatever.

I always choose more time in DL than DCA just because I feel that there's more to do there. You could always alternate days and in the end go back to the park where you feel like you missed the most or revisit the majority of your favorite rides in a certain park.

Thanks. if we stay with non-hoppers this is what I am leaning to, more days in DL and just 2 full at DCA.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I would definitely do the first night at disneyland. There is something so magical about starting your vacation walking down mainstreet towards the castle. Then do 2 days at each.

 

[corinne76]

I would definitely do the first night at disneyland. There is something so magical about starting your vacation walking down mainstreet towards the castle. Then do 2 days at each.

I totally agree with you on first entering main street. The only reason I considered DCA that first day was because it will be a half day if anything, and doing that park would give us the same amont of time at each. But I do think DL deserves more time. I liked the way DCA seemed more laid back, but I'm pretty sure we could easily get it all done in 2 days.

 

[AmberStar]

Hoppers!!

4 years ago we went and we hardly used hoppers at all.
We went again in December and each day we hopped. About 2 or 3 pm everyday we said, lets go close down the other park then hop back over here and close down this one.

It was so easy and nice. The only day I did not hop was our last day in the parks but my husband, brother and my daughter all hopped while I waited for Fantasmic spots and rode small world as our last hurrah.

 

[rentayenta]

I'm sure I am in the minority but I am a big fan of not hopping. With 5 full days, I would do Disneyland for 3 and DCA for two.

 

[corinne76]

I'm sure I am in the minority but I am a big fan of not hopping. With 5 full days, I would do Disneyland for 3 and DCA for two.

thanks. Truth be told, I'm not a devoted fan either. I see the benefits and maybe if my kids were older we'd be more apt to go back and forth. IDK, for me it's just easier to stay in one place.

 

[Mommy26]

You already have your answer, but I have to second (3rd 4th whatever) 3 days in Disneyland 2 days in DCA.

There is more to do in Disneyland.

You could always make a list of what you want to do in each park and then decide.

For instance if you only want to ride DCA rides and skip most of Disneyland that will affect your choice.

Have fun!

 

[Davey Jones II]

Because of all the nighttime events, we feel that a park hopper is essential. There will be the new Paint the Night parade, Fantasmic and fireworks (at least on some days) at DL, WOC at DCA. You can do whichever rides you haven't gotten around to yet at either park, then hop over for ADRs and nighttime events.

 

[DahliaRW]

I agree with upgrading to a hopper. In our two past trips prior to our most recent, we rarely park hopped the first couple of days and did more towards the end of our trip. This past trip, with Carsland and all that at DCA and some of the crowds, we park hopped every single day. Our first day in the parks, it was raining, and uncrowded, so we hopped between parks to do rides that were better for rainy days, and managed to hit most of the major rides between the two parks before lunch! On the crowded days, we'd hold FP in each park and go back and forth to avoid crowds and use the FPs.

 

[gottalovepluto]

5 days- do the hopper. Definitely. We did 5 days & hopped every day, even though we didn't plan to, & all agreed we loved the freedom it gave us. (It doesn't even take 1 min to cross from 1 park to the other!)

 

[TheChapman6]

I agree that I'd spring for the hopper. Although I'm staying at the grand and can enter and exit the parks super quickly. I think it's nice when dca closes at 8 and dis eland is open til midnight there are 4 more park hours to be had. I like to start in the park with early entry and then hop when it gets crowded or check the lines app and go ride things with short wait times.

 

[corinne76]

you all make a compelling case for hoppers! I'm not sure we'll use it honestly, and now sure if DH is convinced. I may buy 5-days and check the schedule and times as we get closer, and upgrade if needed.

 

[nunzia]

I would never ever ever NOT have a hop ticket at DL. WDW folks just don't get that the two parks are right there together and it's a total waste to not be able to hop since it's so easy.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We just returned from our first trip and last trip without park hopping.

This was our longest stay. We had a five day ticket and planned to take advantage of every magic morning since we were staying on site. We arrived around noon on Friday and headed straight for DL. Saturday was a DL day. Unfortunately it rained and most of the evening entertainment was cancelled. Sunday was DCA and we made the mistake of trying to use the GC entrance at opening. Huge line and the closing of Condor Flats really created a bottleneck. Then came more rain which brought many ride closures, including Radiator Springs. It would have been nice to switch to DL. The threat of rain lingered on Monday. Monday was supposed to be a DCA day, but we made the decision to drop the magic mornings and go to DL. Crowd predictions calendars had our last two days as virtual ghost owns so we thought we would be fine. While not packed, DL was very busy on Monday and all the ride closures and short hours made for long queue lines. Thankfully the rain never came. Tuesday we returned to DCA to finish our trip, but my family agreed that we all wished we could attended the MM at DL because the crowds were still there on Tuesday.

Weather and ride closures can really complicate touring plans. Parkhopping is well worth the additional cost.