Diehard DLR Parkhopper Thinking About Not Hopping This Summer

[HydroGuy]

Anyone who reads my posts knows that like many experienced DLR visitors around here I think parkhopping is a no brainer.

But with DCA opening at 8AM this summer and all the news stuff including Mad T Party and new dining options, as well as EMH (we are staying at the GCH), I am starting to wonder whether this is still a good idea.

The more I think about it the more it seems to me that maybe parkhopping will not hold the same value as it has in the past. We will have so much to do in DCA maybe we just will stay the whole day.

Thoughts?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Wellllll..... Wayne & I were in Cars Land this past Saturday, and we spent probably more than 6 hours there. DCA has just become more than a 1-day park.

 

[Califgirl]

I think that DCA is now a 'full day park'. The addition of Carsland and the T-party and WoC has provided so much more for guests to enjoy, that they can more easily spend an entire day at DCA and feel that it was a day well spent.

However, since the parks are steps apart, I will probably still park hop. I have my Disneyland favorites that I like to do every visit, and it would be so difficult for me to not walk over to Disneyland to visit Frontierland, Adventureland, or New Orleans Square. And it really doesn't take all that much time to go from park to park.

Of course, I park hop at WDW, too. Maybe it's just in my Disney DNA.

 

[Belle Ella]

The extend of my park hopping since I moved down here has been spending the entire day at DCA until Mad T Party (because I love it) is over at closing and then head over to Disneyland afterward. Considering the extra hours DCA will be getting I know I wont be doing any park hopping period!

I could spend all day in CarsLand and Buena Vista Street alone, seperately, I think. But at least the option is still there and easy to take if you chose to last minute, lol.

 

[indygirl99]

I am pretty much a DLR novice. Our May trip was only my 3rd trip ever.

We were there for 8 days so knew we planned to go slow and easy. Spent the first 2 days in DL taking a 3 hr midday break since finals were due that week.

On the day we decided to do rope drop in CA we spent the whole day there, no break, and that was with the walls up and Carsland not open. So I can totally see spending a full day and more in just Carsland.

We are going back in Sept again for 8 days and have planned to start at Carsland and when we feel we have done everything at least once we will then hop over to DL. We are thinking that the first 2 days will be spent just in CA and then the other days will be spent hopping as the mood hits us.

We figure with 8 days and no classes this time that we can go as slow as we want and still get to experience everything.

 

[sonnyjane]

I think I agree with the others in that now DCA can finally be called a "full-day park", BUT, that still doesn't mean I would recommend against buying hoppers. I'm the type that really wants the option to parkhop. Just knowing that I have it, even if I don't end up using it, is good to me. Sometimes I can't shake a certain craving and I like being able to hop over to the other park for lunch. I think it's still worthwhile to hop FOR ME. That said, I'm a solo traveler usually or travel with one other adult, so I am easily mobile.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Even with Carsland opening, I think Park hopping is still a no brainer. Actually maybe even BECAUSE it is opening park hopping should be a no brainer. Before we hopped to DCA when Disneyland got busy....this summer it'll likely be the reverse.

We've always done at least one full day in DCA in the past, now it'll likely be 2.

 

[DLR29]

What is the world coming to?

Just kidding. Now that DCA doesn't open at 10, it'll throw off that 1 advantage. I will still park hop, though, for FP maximization. I also think that even with Carsland, crowds (in general) will build faster at DL and it'll be beneficial to start at DL still and hop over to DCA. The Carsland crowds do necessitate (for multiple day trips) starting at DCA though at least once.

 

[rramstad]

Even with Carsland opening, I think Park hopping is still a no brainer. Actually maybe even BECAUSE it is opening park hopping should be a no brainer. Before we hopped to DCA when Disneyland got busy....this summer it'll likely be the reverse.

We've always done at least one full day in DCA in the past, now it'll likely be 2.

When I saw the initial thread, I really thought this was where HydroGuy was going with the topic.

We'll be there shortly after the 4th of July and personally I'm expecting to have to zig when everyone else is zagging... I really don't like crowds, and so I'm personally figuring that I'll probably be hopping a LOT, starting each day in DCA, and then going to DL once DCA gets ridiculous. I've even been thinking about making a big list of things I have wanted to do in DL, as I suspect that there may be days that we just go to DL and stay there, keeping ourselves away from the madness that'll be DCA.

Things will become a lot more clear in about two weeks, once DCA has been open for a bit with the new attractions, and there's a bit of a track record.

(Wanted EMH, but can't justify the $2000+ additional cost for two rooms in PPH instead of our Ramada Maingate rooms.)

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

(Wanted EMH, but can't justify the $2000+ additional cost for two rooms in PPH instead of our Ramada Maingate rooms.)

I feel ya! We are a family of 6....last time we stayed onsite (okay the ONLY time we did) my youngest was an infant and they would allow all 6 of us in one room. Now I just can't justify staying onsite, and with the price increase we aren't getting APs so no trip just me and DH.

 

[fctiger]

Well my thinking is not only is DCA a full day park, I will litterally test out that theory this weekend! My first day I will spend ALL day at and only at DCA! We plan to not go to DL at all and spend the day, from litterally opening to closing, at DCA! Naturally there is a lot of new stuff to see and yeah when you now have stuff like CL and BVS, not to mention Mad T Party, among everything else new it doesnt seem to hard to fill up the day. Look at this simple itinerary:

Mornings, 8-12:

-Breakfast, explore BVS and CL, 1-2 shows

Afternoon, 12-6:

-Lunch, parade, hit PP or HL to do 4-5 attractions, Alladin and a few more shows

Evening/Night, 6-11:

-Dinner, WOC, Mad T Party, 4+ attractions or FP returns, a few drinks at Cove bar/CCT

Last hour of the night back at CL or PP or do some last minute shopping at BVS or hit that last favorite attraction one more time or (like me) FINALLY leave the bar lol.

And with the extended crowds which will make everything a bit longer than before anyway it wont really be hard to stick it out in DCA all day any more ASSUMING there are quite a bit of shows and attractions people like to do.

That said though I will ALWAYS park hop lol. I park hop in TDL and TDS and those are BOTH full day parks and gets waaay bigger crowds than DLR, but like someone said thats the other reason why you do it. When one park is just a little too busy, you go to the other that is a bit lighter and can you some breathing room. For a decade, it was always going to DCA for that. Now it may actually be DL, at least for awhile!

 

[HydroGuy]

Two of the advantages to hopping will now be gone or almost gone.

1. As mentioned earlier by a PP, there was the fact that DL opened at 8:00 and DCA at 10:00. Since we like to start early each day that begged for hopping. Go to DL at 8AM, ride some rides, collect three FP sets, and the head to DCA.

2. DCA would close at 9PM or sometimes 10PM. That meant some time to head back into DL late at night and use FPs picked up earlier - maybe in the first two hours.

Since DCA will have EMH for us that means starting the day at DCA at 7AM. So no chance to get into DL early to grab FPs. That hugely reduces the DL FP advantage and reasons for returning to DL later in the day or evening.

I am not saying we will not hop. But as I make dining reservations and choose a night for WOC and plan to head out early for DCA EMH, I do not see a big advantage to hopping into DL. If one does it for FP increase, it seems you really are forced to hop three times. First start at DCA, hop to FL mid-day to get FPs, hop back to DCA, then back to DL in the evening to use FPs. That is a fair amount of effort for minimal gain.

 

[fctiger]

Those are all valid, but honestly the number one reason people park hop is because they do like variety! People love the fact they can do WOC at 9 p.m. and then rush and do F! at 10:30. Or eat lunch for reservations at Blue Bayou but maybe have dinner reservactions at WCT. OF course you dont HAVE to park hop to do those things, but its that flexibility why people like it in the first place, because for a lot of people out there, its not two individual parks, its one big park in a lot of peoples minds, only seperated by an esplanade and turnstyles. DLR probably the easiest for park hopping although DLPR is just as easy as well, but not as much to do in their second gate.

So its how you see it. If you are talking strictly FPs, thats a factor. But if you are talking about things as a whole, ie, shows, meals, shopping, etc along with the rides, most people will park hop to get as much variety out of their day as possible.

And I know people who park hop 4-5 times in the day so for them its not going to change much because DCA is open longer and have more to do. It may slow them down a bit but they will certainly keep doing it.

 

[disneydreamer74]

I agree that DCA has finally become a full day park!! BUT..I cannot resist the temptation to park hop!! I have my "must-do's" at DL park and my DD5 will want some of her fave Fantasyland rides before the night is over. I can see the possibility of being in DCA a full day though!!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I commented in another thread that this may be the first time we start at DCA everyday then hop over to DL later. Before it has always been the reverse. All my previous strategies are up in the air now. I can't imagine not park hopping at all, but it might happen on one day. We'll just have to see.

I'm thinking we will head to RSR first each day for a FP though. I doubt we will be able to register our APs in time get an EE so we'll already be behind the crowds everyday. At that point we'll have to take a look at afternoons in Carsland and see if the lines go down at all or are the same as morning. If so, it might make sense to go do something else during the morning where crowds aren't so big and come back to Carsland later since it will always be crowded anyway.

 

[blackjackdelta]

As much as I always seem to agree with Trey's logic, I am one who will continue to hop. First I have to watch the movie Cars and get a general idea what it is about and then adjust our plans..I have received a number of PM's requesting my yearly daily blog from the park so we will have to see how things shake out. Lots and lots of photo's.

Jack

 

[DLR29]

Two of the advantages to hopping will now be gone or almost gone.

1. As mentioned earlier by a PP, there was the fact that DL opened at 8:00 and DCA at 10:00. Since we like to start early each day that begged for hopping. Go to DL at 8AM, ride some rides, collect three FP sets, and the head to DCA.

2. DCA would close at 9PM or sometimes 10PM. That meant some time to head back into DL late at night and use FPs picked up earlier - maybe in the first two hours.

Since DCA will have EMH for us that means starting the day at DCA at 7AM. So no chance to get into DL early to grab FPs. That hugely reduces the DL FP advantage and reasons for returning to DL later in the day or evening.

I am not saying we will not hop. But as I make dining reservations and choose a night for WOC and plan to head out early for DCA EMH, I do not see a big advantage to hopping into DL. If one does it for FP increase, it seems you really are forced to hop three times. First start at DCA, hop to FL mid-day to get FPs, hop back to DCA, then back to DL in the evening to use FPs. That is a fair amount of effort for minimal gain.

See when I do my super intense days with my friends, in the past I hop 4 times and I think it's totally worth it. This is what I have done in the past:

-Start at DL and collect 3-4 FP
-Hop to DCA and collect 2-3 FP + WoC FP
-Hop back to DL and use FP while still collecting some
-Hop back to DCA and use FP and see WoC
-Hop back to DL and watch fireworks and fantasmic and use any unused FP

How this will change after June 15th, I have no idea

Also #1 is a big advantage that I will miss. But regarding #2, there will probably be days where I will be at DCA for closing, but I still like to do the 9:00 WoC and hop over to DL afterwards for a solid 2-3 more hours over there.

 

[ArchOwl]

Blasphemy!

This is really a good problem to have. It means that there is so much to see and do in DCA that it could take all day! And with the morning hours changing, the change to FP collecting does go away. But with two parks so close together, I don't see myself forgoing hopping altogether. Because DCA's hours are extended, it makes the redemption of FPs easier. DCA doesn't close at such an early hour, so I can eat dinner in DL and watch a parade or show and still get over to DCA to redeem my FPs! And with RSR being billed as so much better at night, I think that is exactly what I will be doing.

 

[bakerudall]

I am considering buying single-park tickets because of the price increase to save some cash (since I wasn't able to book my Costco package in time). The 3-day single-parkers still come with a magic morning, however:

1. Park hopping may still be necessary during off-season to catch entertainment whenever it is scheduled.

2. I'm not sure if I want to give up the freedom of spontaneous touring.

It only saves $30 per person on a 3-day, so I'm not sure if it's worth it.

 

[Carolynleanne]

HydroGuy - for the first time ever I am considering the same thing!

We have always gotten a park hopper 5 day pass for our trips. For our next trip we are planning to stay at the Grand Californian and I'm leaning towards getting a 2 day for California Adventure and 3 day for Disneyland.
So much more to do at California Adventure now we can dedicate that time to it.

Plus, with the fare increase it can save us a few bucks.