Do DLR Dis'ers Park Hop or NOT?

[tlynk]

We usually start at Disneyland, take an afternoon break, and then head to California Adventure. After California Adventure closes we race back to Disneyland. We find Disneyland too crowded during mid day through early evening. I think it is time to get my Disneyland fix soon.

 

[Judy from Boise]

we almost always do both parks each day, some times we double hop ! I like the food better in DCA, plus it never feels crowded.

 

[jemilah]

We hop too!

 

[jernysgirl]

Ok, so I took a really great shop just to prove to all those who have yet to visit DLR and are wondering how close the parks actually are.

This pick is taken INside the DL, on the train, waiting at the train station. Going from the bottom of the pic up, you can see the extra set of tracks, then the tip of Tink's head (which is next to the Mickey flowers), then the main entrance booths. If you look right in the middle of the metal gate, you can see some of the CALIFORNIA letters decked out in blue for YOMD, and you can also see the GG Bridge which is INside DCA. The parks really are close!

 

[mariezp]

We usually start our day at DL. Then we hop over to CA for 2-3 hours. After that we take our afternoon break. When we head back, we go back to DL for the remainder of the evening.

We can usually see everything we want in 2 or 3 trips. (Aladdin, Playhouse Disney, Soarin, Bugs Land, King Triton, Jumpin Jellyfish, the Animation Studio and ELP, if it happens to be running)

 

[Leofoenget]

It's almost like DCA is another LAND. Good idea. I will most likely do this next month when ridemax gives me like 3 hours of "free time"

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We always park hop, sometimes a few times a day. They are so close, I can't see why not? I know we've talked to several people in lines who were saying tomorrow is their day for DCA. I don't know, I don't think I could just dedicate a whole day over there. Better to just hop back and forth.

 

[Gymfan15]

When I lived in Cali and had AP's, the rate that we hopped was totally up to us...sometimes we spent all day at Disneyland, somedays at DCA, some days we hopped once, sometimes we hopped like bunnies.

For example, when I was there a few weeks ago. Friday was our first day, and we started out at Disneyland (to rent a wheelchair and so I could pick up my Thunder Mountain FP's, woot!) and then we went over to DCA. We stayed there until it was time for the first Disneyland parade, at which time we hopped over to watch it. When it was over, we went back to DCA for PPP, and then my cousin and I hopped back one more time to catch the PC pre-parade I missed. Went back to DCA, stayed the the rest of the day, and only went back to Disneyland to return the wheelchair.

On Monday, we stayed at Disneyland all day; didn't hop once, and on Tuesday we started at Disneyland, went over to DCA for the bulk of the day and then went back to Disneyland when DCA closed.

So, it's totally subjective...the parks are ridiculously close so you can do it as much as you want. Of course, it is a bit of walking and can cost time (i.e. from Small World to Screamin' can take 20 minutes if there's crowds). So plan out your day...but really, it's not a huge deal.

 

[wendylady36]

We always hop in my family. We've been to the parks so many times though. I'm sure first timers want to experience Disneyland more then DCA, because you know DCA is always being talked about in the best of ways

 

[Vacation Dad]

We hop. We go to DL in the morning, and then as we leave for a lunch break (we always stay at the BWPPI right across the street), we go to DCA to get fastpasses and ride a few rides – especially Grizzly RR. That way if we get soaked on the ride, and we always do, we can change into dry clothes during lunch at the hotel.

 

[DLovinFam]

We park hop.....

 

[Jenn1116]

Am I weird? I don't really hop much. I usually have three full days for the parks. 2 at DL and 1 at CA. This is because there are a lot more must-dos in DL for me and DD. On DCA day, we start at DL and head over to CA mid morning around the time it opens. When DCA closes, we head back to DL, so that's the only time I actually hop. We also take a few hours rest time back at the hotel in the afternoon, which makes hopping a little more difficult IMO.

I'd probably hop more if I had a FP runner...

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Another hopper here! We usually did DL from opening till after lunch, then naps at the hotel and returned to DCA for the afternoon, returning to DL later in the evening when crowds were lighter (or, more accurately, when CA closed and they kindly asked us to leave! ) A few days we hopped more than once - DL for the first few hours, head to DCA for opening, spend a couple hours there, hop back to DL to use some previously collected FP's, naps, DCA for PPP, then back to DL again....

Hopping was FUN!!

 

[Grumpy'sWife4Ever]

On our last trip, we didn't do much at DCA. Our kids were 8, 5, and almost two, and there was SO much to see at DL that we only bopped over to DCA for an afternoon. That was when we discovered the Bug's Land water attractions, which I wish we had known about earlier in the day when it was 100+ degrees..... Truly, we missed a lot at both parks because it was so blasted hot we had to leave for a big chunk of every afternoon.

Our next trip will be much better planned out (hence all the time I am spending on this board ) and I know a lot more about DCA and what they have to offer. Plus it will be in March, so hopefully NOT in excess of 100 degrees! In my heart I am still a DL loyalist through and through - I have to start AND end my days there. But I am not opposed to heading across the way for more chances at magic....

 

[ozvisiter]

Hi, we are visiting in 9 days (yeah), if I want to park hop do I need to get my hand stamped as I leave one park, before entering the other?

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Hi, we are visiting in 9 days (yeah), if I want to park hop do I need to get my hand stamped as I leave one park, before entering the other?

Yes, if you intend to go back into the park you just left, you do need to get your hand stamped. If you have an AP then you don't need to get the hand stamp.

 

[ozvisiter]

What about if you are not intending to go back. Will they ask to see a hand stamp at your second park for the day or is the ticket you used earlier in the day all they need to see? Sorry if I' m asking silly questions and thanks for clarrifying as I'd hate to have to use an extra day on my ticket just to park hop....

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

What about if you are not intending to go back. Will they ask to see a hand stamp at your second park for the day or is the ticket you used earlier in the day all they need to see? Sorry if I' m asking silly questions and thanks for clarrifying as I'd hate to have to use an extra day on my ticket just to park hop....

No, they won't ask to see a hand stamp to enter the 2nd park for the day. You use the same ticket to go from one park to the other, and you don't need a hand stamp unless you want to go back to the park you just left. However, even if I intend to stay at one park, sometimes things happen (ride closure, insane lines, cancellation of shows due to rain, etc.) that have caused me to change my mind once I get in the 2nd park. I would get a hand stamp for both parks upon leaving just in case you change your mind and want to go back to the other park.
Also, are you not planning on picking up any FP for rides at both parks? That would require park hopping and you would need a hand stamp to get back in to both parks.

 

[ozvisiter]

Thank you so much- I am no longer confused. I will get hand stamps just to be on the safe side....

 

[mechurchlady]

I asked an CM at DLR about hand stamps. Normally they leave a tiny bit of flourescent ink even if you scrub real hard. I explained why I was asking so she would know I was not crazy. What would happen if the hand stamp dissappeared and she said they would let the person in if the entrance medium was valid. From her body language it was like no way does that disappear.