Help on picking park days!

[204charity]

Hey everyone - we are going to be staying at the DLH on Mon, Jan 19 (MLK day) until Thurs, Jan 22. We have three nights at the resort and 3 day park hoppers.

My question is, we have TWO options for using our park days, help me decide, I am unsure how the crowds will be on the Monday being that it is MLK day and it's my DH's first time to a DIsney park I don't want him turned off of it right out of the gates so to speak. SO, anyways, with that being said, help!!!

Option #1:

Monday, check into hotel early and go right to the parks for DAY 1
Tues, DAY 2 at the park
Wed, DAY 3 at the park
Thurs, check out of the hotel in the morning & leave (no park time)

Option #2:
Monday, check into hotel and spend some time at DTD and enjoy the resort pool etc
Tues, DAY 1 at the park
Wed, DAY 2 at the park
Thurs, check out of hotel, leave bags with hotel concierge and go enjoy DAY 3 at the park and leave in the evening

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

MLK day will definitely be busier than normal, but I think that it is the weekend itself that will be mainly affected by the crowds. Nonetheless, I think option 2 is best. That way you get three mornings at the resort, and mornings are super helpful in terms of getting stuff done, especially if you take advantage of extra magic hours, which are a perk offered to DLR hotel guests which allow them to enter either disneyland or california adventure 1 hour before the general public every day of the week. Plus there is the possibility of your flight/travel being delayed on your first day. I recommend just taking it easy and relaxing on the first day and take advantage of the resort amenities and then using your three day hopper on the next 3 consecutive days.

Another option is upgrading your 3 day ticket to a 4 day ticket at the gates. The price is minimal ( only 25$ per adult ticket) AND you get more time. Three days will not be enough to do everything, and with four, you can be more relaxed and spend more time at the parks overall. But if you only have two options, go with the second one!

 

[204charity]

Thank you for your input! To many, it may not seem like a big deal to figure out how to best use these days, but it really truly is to us! LOL

We are staying with family in San Clemente while in California, so we don't have to worry about flight delays etc on check in/check out days, but regardless, I think that option #2 is where our heads are at as well. Now just to confirm what time actual check in is!!

 

[SMD]

The Monday after a half marathon is typically crowded both in the parks and around the resort as many runners hang around for the extra day as a reward. If you plan to do a resort day, you might want to look into reservations for anywhere you want to eat, especially Napa Rose which seems to be a popular way for runners to reward themselves.

 

[204charity]

The Monday after a half marathon is typically crowded both in the parks and around the resort as many runners hang around for the extra day as a reward. If you plan to do a resort day, you might want to look into reservations for anywhere you want to eat, especially Napa Rose which seems to be a popular way for runners to reward themselves.

Oh good call on the dining reservations for our check-in date! Never even thought of that. I'll look into that right away!!