Hopping on the cheap (limping?)

[DanInMN]

For our upcoming trip I am going to buy 7 days of standard theme park tickets for 4 people. We may want to hop out of DHS after a few hours, as there isn't as much to do there anymore. Upgrading to park-hoppers would cost an additional $256 for 4 people. But how about if I just buy 8 day tickets instead (additional $40 for four) and use a day at DHS, then use another day somewhere else? I don't recall reading about anyone doing this. Your thoughts?

 

[rpb718]

You haven't read about it because it won't work as you described. No one person can use 2 days worth of a park tickets in 1 day.

 

[hakepb]

Nope, Disney figured that out a long time ago .
You can only enter 1 park per calander day if you do not have hopper tickets.

 

[monkyby87]

Yes, and honestly, if you're going for 7 days, I don't know if you really need to park hop. The fewer days you're spending the more necessary a park hopper is, but with 7 days, and HS not doing much for you, I think you'd do fine with just a park a day.

 

[uccats97]

Maybe you could try something new at HS? See a show you haven't seen yet, watch the Citizens of Hollywood streetmosphere, or dine at a restaurant you haven't tried. Perhaps you could start your day at HS, hop to Disney Springs and then return for Fantasmic! and Symphony in the Stars in the evening.

 

[DanInMN]

Bummer, another great plan shot down (by 3 of 4 reply's above).

Maybe we will just spend a few hours at DHS, and do something else the rest of the day (swimming or mini golf).

 

[monkyby87]

Maybe you could try something new at HS? See a show you haven't seen yet, watch the Citizens of Hollywood streetmosphere, or dine at a restaurant you haven't tried. Perhaps you could start your day at HS, hop to Disney Springs and then return for Fantasmic! and Symphony in the Stars in the evening.

This is a good plan. That way you aren't missing out on HS but won't feel like you're "wasting" a day either at HS. Plus, if you make this day a little low key, you'll be all the better for it, as you may want a more relaxing day compared to others.

 

[smidgy]

Bummer, another great plan shot down (by 3 of 4 reply's above).

Maybe we will just spend a few hours at DHS, and do something else the rest of the day (swimming or mini golf).

why not take the boat from DHS over to the Boardwalk.. (you want to check the entertainment schedules) but usually on weekends they hav ethe entertainers (magicians, etc) out and there is the espn club adn Jelly rollls paino bar and a few other restaurants, you cnae rent the 4 person bicycles to ride around lake crescent . you can go to Beaches and cream at the beach club for ice cream.. you can watch a movie on the beach at beach club.. you can even see thetop portions of Illuminations from the bridge between beach club and boardwalk.
Oh you mentioned minigolf. you can take the baot from DHS to the dolphin and walk to the fantasia mini golf.. then go get a sunday at beaches and cream.

 

[Dug720]

why not take the boat from DHS over to the Boardwalk.. (you want to check the entertainment schedules) but usually on weekends they hav ethe entertainers (magicians, etc) out and there is the espn club adn Jelly rollls paino bar and a few other restaurants, you cnae rent the 4 person bicycles to ride around lake crescent . you can go to Beaches and cream at the beach club for ice cream.. you can watch a movie on the beach at beach club.. you can even see thetop portions of Illuminations from the bridge between beach club and boardwalk.
Oh you mentioned minigolf. you can take the baot from DHS to the dolphin and walk to the fantasia mini golf.. then go get a sunday at beaches and cream.

If she can get an ADR at B&C...

 

[mom2rtk]

How about adding that additional day and going for a couple hours on arrival or departure day?

One thing to keep in mind is that you can add hopping at any time on your trip. So if you get there and just have to do it, you still can.

We often find that by mid-trip we need to slow down a little though.

 

[Mrsjvb]

But how about if I just buy 8 day tickets instead (additional $40 for four) and use a day at DHS, then use another day somewhere else? I don't recall reading about anyone doing this. Your thoughts?

because this is NOT allowed at all. one ticket entrance period per day. you cannot use 2 days to get into 2 different parks in the same calendar day. if you don't want to do a full day at DHS then head over to Springs. or visit other resorts.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

why not take the boat from DHS over to the Boardwalk.. (you want to check the entertainment schedules) but usually on weekends they hav ethe entertainers (magicians, etc) out and there is the espn club adn Jelly rollls paino bar and a few other restaurants, you cnae rent the 4 person bicycles to ride around lake crescent . you can go to Beaches and cream at the beach club for ice cream.. you can watch a movie on the beach at beach club.. you can even see thetop portions of Illuminations from the bridge between beach club and boardwalk.
Oh you mentioned minigolf. you can take the baot from DHS to the dolphin and walk to the fantasia mini golf.. then go get a sunday at beaches and cream.

I would TOTALLY do this. If you booked a package, you will get vouchers for free mini-golf before 4 pm. When you are done at DHS, I would go play Fantasia mini-golf! Either take the boat to Swan/Dolphin or walk. There are TONS of great places to eat in the Boardwalk area. If you don't want to make an ADR, you can always call the Swan/Dolphin restaurants day-of and get a reservation or simply walk in to Fresh (if you like salads) or the Fountain (very similar to Beaches and Cream - great ice cream!). The Boardwalk Bakery has great QS options as well. In the evening, there will magicians, jugglers and carnival games on the Boardwalk and you can rent a surrey bike. Then, if you feel like it, you can go back to DHS for the evening entertainment. You've just "hopped" to do some fun things, without paying for a hopper!

 

[HopperFan]

You don't need 3 out of 4, there is no one that will tell you they've done it ... those ticket scanners will stop you cold.

Agree that I would keep your DHS day and if you truly don't think you can stay busy all day some thoughts:
- IF the fireworks continue to be shown at the time of your trip then consider a mid-day break then go back because they are AWESOME!
- IF you can also work them out with Fantasmic that may be fun as well.
- Consider a table service at DHS, they have a few great and highly imagineered ones, 50's Prime and Sci Fi are favorites. Take your time and enjoy!
- Mid day break to Boardwalk. Boat ride is relaxing. Walk the Boardwalk. Eat lunch or early dinner.
- Beaches and Cream may be fun for your kids. We just got reservations a week out. You are going busier time so may want to look sooner.
- Pool break at your hotel mid day.
- Or if not interested in evening stuff, perfect day for you do spend time elsewhere with no ticket needed.
- Disney Springs, could spend hours there shopping and having dinner.
- Miniature Golf, Cirque, Water Parks ....
- Plan a resort dinner, AKL has some great options, get there early in daylight and check out animals and resort.
- Honestly if I were doing a half day there, I would make it the second half to include evening stuff. Book FP+ later. Use that day to sleep in, have a nice breakfast at a resort, go to a water park etc.

 

[Baklava]

For our upcoming trip I am going to buy 7 days of standard theme park tickets for 4 people. We may want to hop out of DHS after a few hours, as there isn't as much to do there anymore. Upgrading to park-hoppers would cost an additional $256 for 4 people. But how about if I just buy 8 day tickets instead (additional $40 for four) and use a day at DHS, then use another day somewhere else? I don't recall reading about anyone doing this. Your thoughts?

We spent 2 full days at DHS on our first trip and there were still a couple things we didn't make it to. You have kids who are new to Disney- remember that the old stuff isn't old to them Let them enjoy all the things you've maybe tuned out. The little touches at a Disney park are so amazing and it's fun to see them through the eyes of newbies.

I hear the Indiana Jones show is closing- if it's still there, it's lots of fun. If they like the princess thing, the Frozen sing along was hysterical, mostly because of all the little kids in the audience. They're as good as the show! The Great Movie Ride probably loses its charm after a while but as first time riders it was wonderful! We've done Muppets a zillion times at DL but my daughter hasn't and she was totally delighted which made it more fun for us. (And she loved the fountain out front.)

 

[kj2mom]

Not sure how old your girls are but for me and my teenagers it was a full day. We rode Rockin Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Star Tours, saw the Frozen processional (this was last summer), saw the Indiana Jones show, Frozen Sing a long, Lights Motor Action, Toy Story Mania, linner at Sci Fi, Beauty and the Beast, Muppets 3D, the Great Movie Ride, shopped, watched the Frozen fireworks then Fantasmic! It was an open to close day for us with just a little bit of down time between GMR and the fireworks when we got a cupcake and found a spot for the fireworks. I know this is not the experience everyone has, I am merely sharing how it worked for us.

 

[anniemae]

I would just spend as much time at DHS as you can. As others have said, there is a lot to keep you busy. We usually go to Disney Springs in the afternoon if we are done with a park. Lots of great shops, restaurants, (and Ghirardelli).