Do DLR Dis'ers Park Hop or NOT?

[Hound 109]

Most people don't hop.....which makes it better for those of us that do.

Most people don't arrive at the DL turnstile before opening....which makes the first 2 hours of touring (& FP collecting) DL blissfully uncrowded.

Most people don't get the slow loading Fantasyland rides out of the way the first hour.....which allows those of us who do get there early.... the ability to enjoy them with minimal lines (as opposed to long lines later in the day).

Most people don't understand how to collect & use FPs...which makes it better for those of us that do.

Most people don't understand that late morning thru middle of the afternoon is much more crowded at DL than at DCA....which is good for those of us who escape DL & head to DCA.


It is a very good thing that most people don't understand why (or how) to Park Hop.....but cool Dis'ers do.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Alrighty, so somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

What I'm reading is that main reason behind park hopping is that you want to get to DL early and spend the morning there... then in the early afternoon when things get busy, go over to DCA for the afternoon. Then head back to DL when things have died down.

Yey or ney?

Hopping at DLR actually makes for more efficient touring. You can collect more FPs and do more to dodge crowds. And walking from Main Street in DL into DCA is closer that walking from Main Street all the way back to Toontown or Splash Mtn in DL. It is so close it is not like you are hopping at all but more like going to a new "land".

Yeah, but Toontown or Spalsh Mountain is more likely where we'll be. There really isn't much other than shops or restaurants on Mainstreet, right?

If we had all adults I wouldn't really mind the walking.... just trying to plan things out considering that we won't be walking any faster than a (not quite) 3 year old can walk. LOL

I think you find with little one's you won't have enough to do to fill up an entire day at DCA. Because of this you can easily hop over/back over to DL to fill up the day.

Wow! Interesting! I ended up starting another thread on this. It never occurred to me that it wouldn't fill up the day. hmm...
Thanks for the tip!

Most people don't get the slow loading Fantasyland rides out of the way the first hour.....which allows those of us who do get there early.... the ability to enjoy them with minimal lines (as opposed to long lines later in the day).

We're going to get there early for MM and go right to Fantasyland.

Most people don't understand how to collect & use FPs...which makes it better for those of us that do.

OK, I need to add this on to my list of things I need to figure out. I'm "old school Disney". I spent most of my days at DL in the 70's and 80'. (Heck, I ever remember the days of handing out "tickets", but we won't go there. ).

I'll start searching some old threads to figure out how the whole FP thing works. (but if you happen to feel like throwing a tip or two my way... I'll take it. )

It is a very good thing that most people don't understand why (or how) to Park Hop.....but cool Dis'ers do.

I'm learning! I'm learning! LOL

 

[HydroGuy]

Alrighty, so somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

What I'm reading is that main reason behind park hopping is that you want to get to DL early and spend the morning there... then in the early afternoon when things get busy, go over to DCA for the afternoon. Then head back to DL when things have died down.

Yey or ney?

Ney. See below...

Yeah, but Toontown or Spalsh Mountain is more likely where we'll be. There really isn't much other than shops or restaurants on Mainstreet, right?

It does depend on what time of year you vist DLR and the age of your group (i.e., kids). Parkhopping is the most beneficial, IMO, when parks hours are longer and crowds are larger - which often go hand-in-hand. For folks who take long afternoon breaks, they are are already leaving DL or DCA mid-day for the break and returning to DL or DCA after the break. So they are already passing the other park on the way out or in from their break. We tend to work hopping into our mid-day breaks. We might hop to DCA at 10AM and then stay there until a 1PM lunch at which point we leave DCA.

Further, it is easier to catch shows and collect FPs. For instance, historically the Aladdin show does not show on Monday or Tuesdays, and lately not Wednesday either. So it is easier to work that in as part of hopping into DCA on days when it is showing.

As for FPs, since DL and DCA FP systems are not linked it is more efficient to hop into DCA right after getting FPs at DL - and vice versa.

Finally and IMO most importantly, DCA often opens an hour or two later than DL (historically DCA opens at 10AM while DL opens 8AM high season and 7AM for Magic Mornings). If you want to do DCA you could not even start until 10AM. What should you do on such days? Sit around waiting for DCA to open while DL just sits there? No way. You hit DL first before DCA. When you do that then hopping just occurs naturally. You do DL first because it is open first, then you hop to DCA if you want to do DCA. The only way to not hop is to skip 2-3 hours at DL. Make sense?

As a by-product, DCA is usually less crowded at 10AM when it opens than DL is at 10AM. And often less crowded mid-day too.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Wow, lots to think about! Thanks for the tips.

Finally and IMO most importantly, DCA often opens an hour or two later than DL (historically DCA opens at 10AM while DL opens 8AM high season and 7AM for Magic Mornings). If you want to do DCA you could not even start until 10AM. What should you do on such days? Sit around waiting for DCA to open while DL just sits there? No way. You hit DL first before DCA. When you do that then hopping just occurs naturally. You do DL first because it is open first, then you hop to DCA if you want to do DCA. The only way to not hop is to skip 2-3 hours at DL. Make sense?
.

The day of DCA was/is going to be our travel day. We're driving from (south)San Diego so depending on traffic and bathroom breaks, it'll probably take us about 2 hours.

We're planning on driving up in the AM, checking into the hotel (well, dropping off the bags at least; I know the room won't be available), and then getting to DCA right about when they open at 10:00a.

Spend the night and then the next morning, get to DL for early MM.


but now I'm rethinking everything.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

Interesting topic. We usually do DL first until shortly after lunch then would go back to the hotel for a break and hit CA in the afternoon/evening. Unless there was a particular show we wanted to see or specifically wanted to do DL, we would generally follow that schedule.
We found DL seemed to get busier and busier as the day went by and people/kids got off work and school. It worked out pretty good. Also we would be able to pick fresh bread in CA which made the rest of our day that much more enjoyable

 

[SeattleTink]

Most people don't hop.....which makes it better for those of us that do.

Most people don't arrive at the DL turnstile before opening....which makes the first 2 hours of touring (& FP collecting) DL blissfully uncrowded.

Most people don't get the slow loading Fantasyland rides out of the way the first hour.....which allows those of us who do get there early.... the ability to enjoy them with minimal lines (as opposed to long lines later in the day).

Most people don't understand how to collect & use FPs...which makes it better for those of us that do.

Most people don't understand that late morning thru middle of the afternoon is much more crowded at DL than at DCA....which is good for those of us who escape DL & head to DCA.


It is a very good thing that most people don't understand why (or how) to Park Hop.....but cool Dis'ers do.

110% agree! I love all these things....and agree that if everyone knew about this strategy it would not be as effective as it is.

Thanks to all you Dis'ers who share your strategies here on the forum! My trips to DLR are so much better now!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Wow, lots to think about! Thanks for the tips.





The day of DCA was/is going to be our travel day. We're driving from (south)San Diego so depending on traffic and bathroom breaks, it'll probably take us about 2 hours.

We're planning on driving up in the AM, checking into the hotel (well, dropping off the bags at least; I know the room won't be available), and then getting to DCA right about when they open at 10:00a.

Spend the night and then the next morning, get to DL for early MM.


but now I'm rethinking everything.

If you are arriving later in the day, then yes, going to DCA first is a good strategy since you've already missed prime time at DL. You still may want to hop over to DL anyway later on. You can get FPs for Buzz Lightyear when most other rides have run out. It got so we had a lot of them because we picked them up everytime we could. This will make Buzz a 5 minute wait for you while everyone else is waiting 30 min or more. Fantasyland will be long lines so don't be tempted by that. Wait for the next morning. Pirates is a fast loader even when the line looks long.

Does your two day park hopper say Magic Moring on it or are you staying at a Disney Hotel on site? I had thought only park hoppers of three days or more had MM so wanted to make sure about that. However, if you stay on site, then I believe you get MM automatically.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

If you are arriving later in the day, then yes, going to DCA first is a good strategy since you've already missed prime time at DL. You still may want to hop over to DL anyway later on. You can get FPs for Buzz Lightyear when most other rides have run out. It got so we had a lot of them because we picked them up everytime we could. This will make Buzz a 5 minute wait for you while everyone else is waiting 30 min or more. Fantasyland will be long lines so don't be tempted by that. Wait for the next morning. Pirates is a fast loader even when the line looks long.

Does your two day park hopper say Magic Moring on it or are you staying at a Disney Hotel on site? I had thought only park hoppers of three days or more had MM so wanted to make sure about that. However, if you stay on site, then I believe you get MM automatically.

We're staying at the Paradise Pier.

 

[skiingfast]

One of the reasons that I like to hop is that DL is open an hour before and a couple hours after DCA. I get in a lot of rides at DL with those few quietest hours of the day. In effect I am at the opening and closing of both parks in the same day.

Of course with WoC this may never again be true. I would guess that the hours of DCA are going to stretch. By the time cars land opens they may have 2 or 3 more Eticket attractions in DCA. The term half day park will no longer apply.

 

[PinkBudgie]

One of the reasons that I like to hop is that DL is open an hour before and a couple hours after DCA. I get in a lot of rides at DL with those few quietest hours of the day. In effect I am at the opening and closing of both parks in the same day.

Of course with WoC this may never again be true. I would guess that the hours of DCA are going to stretch. By the time cars land opens they may have 2 or 3 more Eticket attractions in DCA. The term half day park will no longer apply.

These next few years may change all the "rules"!

 

[Amommy21]

Why I don't hop?

Well we usually do the three day and our plan is usually

Day 1 Disneyland

Day 2 California Adventure

Day 3 Park Hop

We really enjoy going into each land, doing everything there or at least most of them, shopping, having a special snack from that land, etc. Rather than running from big attraction to big attraction we enjoy walking through the winding paths and really taking in the atmostphere, which is what separates DL from other amusement parks.

That said, now that I think about it our DCA day is often an Early Entry Day. So DH will take DS and do a favorite ride, then over to Toon Town Early Opening while I sleep in. Then we all meet in DCA... and because that park closes early we often end up at DL.

But that first day we just have to do DL for a full day... always entering main gate, walking up mainstreet, through the castle do fantasyland, then Frontier Land, New Orleans, Adventureland and Tomorrowland at nightfall. Sometimes we end up back in Adventureland.. but that's who we do it.

Our Day at DCA is slower and we think of it more like we do MGM or Hollywood studios or whatever they call it in WDW.

 

[dxcspilk]

Why I don't hop?

Well we usually do the three day and our plan is usually

Day 1 Disneyland

Day 2 California Adventure

Day 3 Park Hop

We really enjoy going into each land, doing everything there or at least most of them, shopping, having a special snack from that land, etc. Rather than running from big attraction to big attraction we enjoy walking through the winding paths and really taking in the atmostphere, which is what separates DL from other amusement parks.

That said, now that I think about it our DCA day is often an Early Entry Day. So DH will take DS and do a favorite ride, then over to Toon Town Early Opening while I sleep in. Then we all meet in DCA... and because that park closes early we often end up at DL.

But that first day we just have to do DL for a full day... always entering main gate, walking up mainstreet, through the castle do fantasyland, then Frontier Land, New Orleans, Adventureland and Tomorrowland at nightfall. Sometimes we end up back in Adventureland.. but that's who we do it.

Our Day at DCA is slower and we think of it more like we do MGM or Hollywood studios or whatever they call it in WDW.

This is our strategy for this trip. We have always ran from E ticket to E ticket in the past, including running back and forth between DL and DCA. This time we want to take our time, absorbing the atmosphere, soaking it all in. And make sure to hit every attraction, show, parade etc. that we may have passed up before. We are planning to do half of each park a day with a big afternoon break each day. And a half day of whatever the mood strikes, totaling 5 days in the park. That is not to say we won't decide we are done seeing what we want to see on a given day and head over to the other side of the park, or the opposite park. We just plan on taking it slow and enjoying every minute! It helps we are going in Sept. this time and not mid summer like all our other trips.

 

[TashaJilek]

I usually hop a few times, usually spend my last hrs in DL seeing as it's open later. Hoping is a lot of fun whats the extra mileage on your feet when you are at the parks 12+ hrs anyways lol.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I hop a LOT more in the DLR than I do in WDW. I usually hop multiple times a day, in WDW I usually hop maybe once a day. It is just to easy not to hop at the DLR.

 

[Amommy21]

This is our strategy for this trip. We have always ran from E ticket to E ticket in the past, including running back and forth between DL and DCA. This time we want to take our time, absorbing the atmosphere, soaking it all in. And make sure to hit every attraction, show, parade etc. that we may have passed up before. We are planning to do half of each park a day with a big afternoon break each day. And a half day of whatever the mood strikes, totaling 5 days in the park. That is not to say we won't decide we are done seeing what we want to see on a given day and head over to the other side of the park, or the opposite park. We just plan on taking it slow and enjoying every minute! It helps we are going in Sept. this time and not mid summer like all our other trips.

You can read my current trip report here to see how we like to enjoy the atmosphere of each land for a while. I just lOVE the way DL is set up, everything blends together and there are great transitions from land to land.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2553608

We don't really hop at WDW other thank our Animal Kingdom days because DS was small at time and couldn't do big rides, so this was not quite a full day park for us. other than that it was only when special dining was involved.

 

[garada3]

Ney. See below...

It does depend on what time of year you vist DLR and the age of your group (i.e., kids). Parkhopping is the most beneficial, IMO, when parks hours are longer and crowds are larger - which often go hand-in-hand. For folks who take long afternoon breaks, they are are already leaving DL or DCA mid-day for the break and returning to DL or DCA after the break. So they are already passing the other park on the way out or in from their break. We tend to work hopping into our mid-day breaks. We might hop to DCA at 10AM and then stay there until a 1PM lunch at which point we leave DCA.

Further, it is easier to catch shows and collect FPs. For instance, historically the Aladdin show does not show on Monday or Tuesdays, and lately not Wednesday either. So it is easier to work that in as part of hopping into DCA on days when it is showing.

As for FPs, since DL and DCA FP systems are not linked it is more efficient to hop into DCA right after getting FPs at DL - and vice versa.

Finally and IMO most importantly, DCA often opens an hour or two later than DL (historically DCA opens at 10AM while DL opens 8AM high season and 7AM for Magic Mornings). If you want to do DCA you could not even start until 10AM. What should you do on such days? Sit around waiting for DCA to open while DL just sits there? No way. You hit DL first before DCA. When you do that then hopping just occurs naturally. You do DL first because it is open first, then you hop to DCA if you want to do DCA. The only way to not hop is to skip 2-3 hours at DL. Make sense?

As a by-product, DCA is usually less crowded at 10AM when it opens than DL is at 10AM. And often less crowded mid-day too.

Would you suggest not hopping when both parks open at 10:00am?

According to information I could find online, last February both parks had scheduled opening times of 10:00am. I am wondering if we should just plan one full day for each park rather than going back and forth between the two.

 

[Hound 109]

Would you suggest not hopping when both parks open at 10:00am?

According to information I could find online, last February both parks had scheduled opening times of 10:00am. I am wondering if we should just plan one full day for each park rather than going back and forth between the two.

I agree with everything in HG's post above yours. Regarding your question above.....(imo) it kind of depends.....:

- How many days will you be at the parks?
- Which days (of the week) will you be there.
- Where will you be staying (on site / off site)?
- Will you be taking a short rest (or visiting DTD mid day)....or not?

Plus....what evening entertainment (or shows) will you be enjoying (WOC, Fireworks, Aladdin)?

Even if staying 3-4 days during offseason, I'd be hopping 3 of the 4 days. If only 2 days....I'd have a plan & would definitely be hopping each day. (& if enjoying MM, I'd be hopping as well).

 

[Disneyfriend]

Resurrecting this thread . . . lots of excellent information!

But to piggyback onto a previous thread, can you park hopping experts suggest what my strategy should be for my late September trip?

Relevant information:

• We're staying at the Grand Californian
• We'll be there for four full days, M-Th (getting in late Sunday night and *may* see fireworks only if lucky; leaving early Fri am)
• Both DL and DCA are open 10 am - 8 pm on each of the four days we'll be there
• Touring with 2 children ages 4 and 5 - trying to see a variety of children's and adult rides (both kids are over 42" tall)

I can easily see why parkhopping is beneficial when DL opens at 8 am and DCA at 10 am . . . but I'm a little foggier on how to maximize the benefits of parkhopping when the hours are the same. Anybody want to help, please?

 

[Disneyfriend]

Anybody? Tips for parkhopping during the slow season on weekdays, when both parks are open 10 am - 8pm?

 

[HydroGuy]

Resurrecting this thread . . . lots of excellent information!

But to piggyback onto a previous thread, can you park hopping experts suggest what my strategy should be for my late September trip?

Relevant information:

• We're staying at the Grand Californian
• We'll be there for four full days, M-Th (getting in late Sunday night and *may* see fireworks only if lucky; leaving early Fri am)
• Both DL and DCA are open 10 am - 8 pm on each of the four days we'll be there
• Touring with 2 children ages 4 and 5 - trying to see a variety of children's and adult rides (both kids are over 42" tall)

I can easily see why parkhopping is beneficial when DL opens at 8 am and DCA at 10 am . . . but I'm a little foggier on how to maximize the benefits of parkhopping when the hours are the same. Anybody want to help, please?

Parkhopping at DLR is sort of like "land hopping". As in, visit Fantasyland, then hop to Frontierland. Wouldn't it be strange to read about someone who plans to visit Disneyland and said "we plan to visit Fantasyland on Monday. Tuesday will be our Tomorrowland day. Then Wednesday will be our Advetureland day."? DCA and DL are like extensions of the same park. It is closer to get to get to some parts of DCA from Main Street Disneyland than to get to some locations inside Disneyland itself.

Folks park hop for the same reason they do not spend all day in a single land. Namely, you can experience a lot more if you shift from land to land, and you can also experience more if you shift from park to park.