Buying Tickets Soon

[Frozen2014]

We'll be purchasing our tickets soon for our summer trip (as to get the Canadian discount deal).

i know it's been posted before, but just getting opinions again...

1. Is 4 days too much for last week in August (hopefully crowds are a little less as many states have returned to school)
2. Do you still recommend park hoppers if we get 4 days?

We are booked at Desert Inn and Suites so are near by if we want to return to the hotel (i guess for a swim at indoor pool). We do like shows and are not necessarily rope drop people (but also won't be staying to close as we have kids). We are flying to LA, spending 4 days there and then heading to Anaheim for Disney. Have never been to Disneyland but we went to Disney World 2 years ago, but I know it's very different with 4 parks.

I'm only second guessing since I've spoken with two Canadian friends who both say that we can do the parks in 1-2 days.

 

[jcarwash]

In my opinion, I don't think there's a notion of "too much" or "too many" days at Disneyland.

Whenever I have used 4 or 5 day tickets, it's been great to make sure to do everything we want to do, plus revisit things more than once if we want.

In general I don't like buying park hoppers at either WDW or DLR, and so for me I'd just do two days each with a 4 day base ticket.

Sure, you can "do" the parks in 1 or 2 days, but I think you'll have a wonderful, relaxing, immersive time with 4 days.

 

[MICKEYFIL]

I usually go for four or five days, because if I am travelling down to the states I want to make it worth while. I have traveled once with park hoppers and three times without and will likely not buy park hoppers again as it just seems easier to stay in one park rather then running back and forth. I found it harder enjoy everything when planning my day across so many rides and variables. Save the money and buy a dole whip.

 

[JanJan324]

I think you'll definitely want 4 days. Especially if you are wanting afternoon breaks and aren't going to be there for rope drop or park closing. You don't want to be rushed, and there really is a lot to do there. With 4 days you can take your time and relax without feeling as rushed. As for the park hoppers, we rarely get those. Yes, they are close(compared to WDW), but it simplifies things if you aren't running back and forth.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

As someone who grew up in Southern California, and still has family in that area, I have frequently gone (and will continue to go) to Disneyland for one-day trips. One day is great if you've been to Disneyland before, want to go to just one park, and want to ride some (not all) attractions, have a couple of quick meals and maybe squeeze in some souvenir shopping. But I only get the basics done on one-day trips!

I much prefer when I can plan a family trip of 4-5 days. If you want to soak in the atmosphere, watch any shows like Frozen or Mickey and the Magical Map, enjoy non-ride attractions like the Animation Academy, stop to watch a musical group or other street performing group, or enjoy one or more table service restaurants, I highly recommend at least three days. Three jam-packed days can be pretty exhausting if you go open to close with no breaks. Four or five days makes for a much more relaxed, less frenzied-feeling trip. Definitely plan for four days if you don't plan to stay until closing time or if you plan to take mid-day breaks. My family does start to get pretty tired with even "leisurely" days by day five, but no one ever complains that we stayed for that fifth day.

Edited to add that our family always buys and utilizes park hoppers. We consider DLR one big park because it's so easy to cross from DL to DCA. Since you can hold fast passes from both parks at the same time (the systems are not connected), my DH or I will run over to the opposite park of the one we entered to pick up fast passes. We continue to do that throughout the day. We also like being able to move away from the crowds if one park seems to crowded.

 

[VandVsmama]

I don't think that 4 days is too much. For our family, 1-2 days at DL is definitely not enough. We are not So Cal locals, so when we go to DL, we have to travel to get there (via an all-day car ride).

FWIW, DL (between DL itself & DCA) has either the same # of slightly more attractions at DL Resort than all 4 of the WDW parks put together. Taking 4 days at DL is great because it gives you more time. You won't feel quite as rushed. If you want to go on a favorite attraction multiple times, then you can do that without having to feel like you're sacrificing other attractions.

I definitely recommend getting park hoppers for a 4-day visit.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you for the replies. I definitely feel better. Our family likes shows so we would want to catch what we can between the two parks. I should note too that it is our first Disneyland trip and most likely our only (since we are coming all the way from Ontario Canada)

SO I guess the big question is if we bother with park hoppers. Not even sure if we'll take a break away from the parks (but being across the street it is an option). I know it's an advantage since you can hold FP at both parks, but wondering if, like said on here, we'll want to run back and forth. I can't conceptualise how far apart the parks actually are. I am reading however that there is a marathon going on when we go (Tues Aug 29-Fri Sept 1) so not sure if that will bring in the crowds, making park hopper better. (But...we won't have wifi so can't check the app wait times)

 

[Aladora]

We'll be purchasing our tickets soon for our summer trip (as to get the Canadian discount deal).

i know it's been posted before, but just getting opinions again...

1. Is 4 days too much for last week in August (hopefully crowds are a little less as many states have returned to school)
2. Do you still recommend park hoppers if we get 4 days?

We are booked at Desert Inn and Suites so are near by if we want to return to the hotel (i guess for a swim at indoor pool). We do like shows and are not necessarily rope drop people (but also won't be staying to close as we have kids). We are flying to LA, spending 4 days there and then heading to Anaheim for Disney. Have never been to Disneyland but we went to Disney World 2 years ago, but I know it's very different with 4 parks.

I'm only second guessing since I've spoken with two Canadian friends who both say that we can do the parks in 1-2 days.

We're Canadians who go once or twice a year and we always got for 4 or 5 days each so no, I don't think 4 days is too much! Also, I absolutely recommend parkhoppers, we often hop more than once each day. It is really nice to be able to pop over to one park if the other one is getting busy or if you just feel like going on a specific ride. Hopping in DL is a very different beast to WDW. We did not hop when we went to WDW, the parks are just too far apart. DL/DCA entrances are only around 100m apart!

 

[22Tink]

We'll be purchasing our tickets soon for our summer trip (as to get the Canadian discount deal).

i know it's been posted before, but just getting opinions again...

1. Is 4 days too much for last week in August (hopefully crowds are a little less as many states have returned to school)
2. Do you still recommend park hoppers if we get 4 days?

We are booked at Desert Inn and Suites so are near by if we want to return to the hotel (i guess for a swim at indoor pool). We do like shows and are not necessarily rope drop people (but also won't be staying to close as we have kids). We are flying to LA, spending 4 days there and then heading to Anaheim for Disney. Have never been to Disneyland but we went to Disney World 2 years ago, but I know it's very different with 4 parks.

I'm only second guessing since I've spoken with two Canadian friends who both say that we can do the parks in 1-2 days.

We're from Canada, also going near the end of August and I've already purchased our 5 day hoppers. Definitely spring for the hoppers if your budget allows! We always get hoppers because it's so easy to hop in DL and it gives you so much more freedom to do what you want. Hopping in DL is nothing like in WDW. The parks are so close together, just a quick walk across the esplanade. Downtown Disney branches off of the same esplanade so it's all right there. No car, bus, monorail or boat required to go back and forth! Have a great trip!!

 

[prestoncaldwell]

I'd never buy hoppers for WDW, but I'd recommend them for Disneyland, if for no other reason than being able to jump parks on a whim or for a dining option. You walk from one park to the other at DL, unlike boats, trains, and automobiles to get around the parks at WDW.

 

[VandVsmama]

If you're standing at the DL main gate and you turn around, you can see the DCA main gate and it takes way less than 5 min to walk to the other gate. If you're all the way back at It's A Small World, it might take you 15-20 min to walk to the DCA gate.

And it would only take you 5 min if it was a super busy day and the Esplanade was mobbed with people.

 

[VandVsmama]

Also, time it takes to walk from the Toy Story parking lot bus drop off (which is also right near the ART bus drop offs) to DL or DCA main gate? 5 min max.

 

[Frozen2014]

Great replies. We'll need to decide soon. Sounds like park hoppers aren't required for 4 days when hopefully crowds will be lessening, but good for flexibility. I do want to purchase tickets soon due to 25℅ savings and in case park tickets rise in February.

If you're standing at the DL main gate and you turn around, you can see the DCA main gate and it takes way less than 5 min to walk to the other gate. If you're all the way back at It's A Small World, it might take you 15-20 min to walk to the DCA gate.

And it would only take you 5 min if it was a super busy day and the Esplanade was mobbed with people.

Thank you. This puts the distance in perspective.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I'm a WDW girl and went to DLR for the first time in late June 2013 and I'll be going back in late June of this year.

I bought a 4 day park hopper and I felt like I really didn't need it.

This time I'm getting a 3 day park hopper.
Honestly I probably don't need more than a 2 day park hopper but I like the thought of having 2 days to get everything done and then having one more day to just wonder and see my favorite attractions again.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks. Think we're leaving to 4 days. DH may not even do 4 days straight, but I'm sure there are things we can do outside of Disney for a break (even if he wants to Uber to a mall or Huntington Beach for one afternoon...I assume these are options without a car?). I did the math and it's only $120 additional if we get park hoppers (or about $160 CAD), so I think it's worth it.

 

[Butterfly123]

I think that's a great choice. We love hoppers. Often the first day we spend the whole day at Disneyland, but the next three days, or four depending on how long we stay, we hop a lot. Often it's to see a show or parade, or to get something to eat at a different park, or to move to a different park if the crowds are high. Have fun!