First time to DLR...planning help!

[punkinsmomma]

We've been to WDW several times, but this will be our first trip to DL. I have already read through the DLR Guide for WDW vets thread briefly.
Here's the info:

It will be me, DH and our 2 boys ages 7 and 4.
We are flying into San Diego on Sunday 8/12 and will spend 3 nights there doing Legoland, the Zoo and other miscellaneous sightseeing.
We will drive to LA on Wednesday and were planning to go to the Santa Monica pier that afternoon/evening. That leaves us 2 days for DLR. We are staying offsite and had planned to do 1 park/day. However, after reading through some things on here, it seems that park hopping may be the better choice. We will not have access to MM since we only have 2 days and are staying offsite.

What is our best strategy? Park hoppers? Do we start each day at DCA? Should I buy the ridemax? We have used Tour Guide Mike in the past for WDW, so I assume Ridemax is similar?

I know we won't be able to see/do it all in 2 days, but unfortunately at this time that is all we have. We *may* be back the first of December with family and will hopefully have more days then.

Also, does anyone have advice on strollers? My youngest son is turning 4 this week and doesn't normally ride in strollers anymore. However, we will be doing ALOT of walking that week. I was hoping to not have to deal with a stroller (we are leaving our 20 month old girl with the grandparents) while in the parks. When we go to WDW, I rent from an outside company that delivers to our hotel. What do you guys think...rent now or wait it out and rent from in the parks if we need it?

Thanks for any help and advice you can give. I am a huge planner but we just booked this trip 3 days ago, so I am limited on how much research and planning I can do in the next 2 weeks! I am very excited to experience DLR and I know our family will have a great time!

BTW- I'm sure I will think of more questions!

 

[skiingfast]

First thing first. Are you interested in SeaWorld in SD? If so you could get a SoCal CityPass which will have three days of hopping in DL. Then you could go to DL at night after Santa Monica and get one MM. MM is only in DL on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. You can also get the SoCal CityPass with the Zoo included. It saves money but will cost more than the zoo and a 2day one park per dayday DLR ticket. Just an option.

As for a stroller, DLR is compact, you may walk a lot still but maybe you should wait and see how you do.

 

[punkinsmomma]

We really are not interested in going to Sea World. I looked into the City Pass, but it is more $ since we don't want to do Sea World or Universal. I just don't want to add in another park day with our already full schedule.

Is it worth the extra $ to add on the hopper for only 2 days? Everything I read says that hopping is so easy, but I want to know if it's necessary to maximize what we see/do.

 

[HydroGuy]

We really are not interested in going to Sea World. I looked into the City Pass, but it is more $ since we don't want to do Sea World or Universal. I just don't want to add in another park day with our already full schedule.

Is it worth the extra $ to add on the hopper for only 2 days? Everything I read says that hopping is so easy, but I want to know if it's necessary to maximize what we see/do.

Hard call. It will depend on the person. I would say in your case it might not be worth it.

DCA will take a whole day. So just spend a day there.

 

[punkinsmomma]

What are thoughts on switching our hotel to stay onsite at PPH? DH is thinking this may be the way to go so we have early entry. It gives me heartburn to think of spending so much more $ per night, but it is only for 3 nights. Right now we are booked at the Homewood Suites, but we will move our ressie to somewhere closer (across from the DLR entrance) if we don't end up at PPH.

 

[skiingfast]

What are thoughts on switching our hotel to stay onsite at PPH? DH is thinking this may be the way to go so we have early entry. It gives me heartburn to think of spending so much more $ per night, but it is only for 3 nights. Right now we are booked at the Homewood Suites, but we will move our ressie to somewhere closer (across from the DLR entrance) if we don't end up at PPH.

If you switch you will gain 3 Extra Magic Hours and this could save you several hours of waiting in lines later in the day for the same rides.

Also from the PPH it will take almost 15 minutes to get to the gates, from the Homewood Suites about 25.