Maxpass or Parkhopper?

[disneymouse16]

We are planning a trip the first week in December. We will be there Tuesday to Friday, so four park days. We have had some unexpected car expenses so are looking to try and save a little on this trip. Do you think having a parkhopper or purchasing Maxpass would add the most value? There is the possibility we have to drop both which we are willing to do to make the trip happen but at this time I'm hoping to keep one and make some food sacrifices. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would choose MaxPass.

 

[DLgal]

Drop the hopper. Add the Maxpass. Maxpass is invaluable, IMO, as long as you plan to arrive early in the day every day.

 

[ImDMous]

Yeah, with 4 days you should have plenty of time to cover everything in each park without hopping. Definitely MaxPass.
Do 2 days in DL, do 1 day in CA then choose whichever you want more of for the last day.

 

[MaC410]

Even though I'll always want to have both, I feel like I wouldn't miss park hopping as much as I would miss "maxpassing" if I had to choose one. Maxpass gives you such a huge convenience and edge to get the most out of your day in the park.

 

[Geemo]

We are planning a trip the first week in December. We will be there Tuesday to Friday, so four park days. We have had some unexpected car expenses so are looking to try and save a little on this trip. Do you think having a parkhopper or purchasing Maxpass would add the most value? There is the possibility we have to drop both which we are willing to do to make the trip happen but at this time I'm hoping to keep one and make some food sacrifices. Thanks for your thoughts!

If your budget does not allow for the a Park Hopper or Max Pass, it might be worth it for one ticket to sign up for MP just to get the pictures from your trip.

 

[DisTXMom]

Is someone in your party willing to be a fastpass runner? If so, I’d probably opt for hoppers. You will likely get fewer fastpasses each dayand will have to physically get them, but you’ll be able to park hop and take advantage over which of the parks is less slammed at any point in time.

 

[Princess351]

I just had to make this same decision, as well! I chose Max Pass.

 

[hyperminimalism]

If physical impairment isn't an issue, I wouldn't opt for MaxPass and go with the Park Hopper. Here's why: You'd be paying for something that is technically already free (MP is basically electronic FP, which, I will not deny, is a nice convenience). However, if you're opting for paying for something free and totally skimping out on another entire park that has some really great rides, it seems a little to me like you're getting played. As long as you arrive early to the parks, even use a Magic Morning, and for 4 days, you'll get more bang for your buck with 2 parks, not just 1, and still not paying for something that is still free.

Buy the park hopper and use paper FP if you're not in a rush each day, which it sounds like you won't be with how long you'll be going. Also, where are you buying the tickets? Straight through Disney? If you haven't already looked around, there are other places that offer steep discounts on tickets, so maybe you won't have to choose MP or Park Hoppers.

 

[Bossy22]

I would get park hoppers. I get the convenience of max pass but if you like to do everything and not just the fast pass rides it makes very little sense to me except as a convenience. Park hopping on the other hand can save your day!

 

[DLgal]

If physical impairment isn't an issue, I wouldn't opt for MaxPass and go with the Park Hopper. Here's why: You'd be paying for something that is technically already free (MP is basically electronic FP, which, I will not deny, is a nice convenience). However, if you're opting for paying for something free and totally skimping out on another entire park that has some really great rides, it seems a little to me like you're getting played. As long as you arrive early to the parks, even use a Magic Morning, and for 4 days, you'll get more bang for your buck with 2 parks, not just 1, and still not paying for something that is still free.

Buy the park hopper and use paper FP if you're not in a rush each day, which it sounds like you won't be with how long you'll be going. Also, where are you buying the tickets? Straight through Disney? If you haven't already looked around, there are other places that offer steep discounts on tickets, so maybe you won't have to choose MP or Park Hoppers.

Maxpass and Paper Fastpass are not equivalent, though. Maxpass has Photopass added, and you can do things with MP that you cannot do with paper FP. You can get new FP every 30 or 90 min, instead of every 2 hours, depending on the return time. You can snag other people's cancelled fastpasses. You can change your fastpasses to different times, etc. Plus, you can continue to make FP when you leave the park, which is awesome. It's worth it IMO.

On the other hand, parkhopping is cool and all, but not really necessary as both parks have enough to do to keep you busy all day.

 

[pharmama]

Although I'm a dedicated parkhopper I would also vote MP if its one or the other. As mentioned, you also have the flexibility to only add it for some guests or some days as you go as well (as long as you don't purchase tickets that already have it in which case you are paying up front for all 4 days...note that there is no financial incentive or savings by doing this).

Also, are you buying discounted tickets such as through LMT Club, Undercover Tourist or the like? Make sure you check out those if you haven't as that will help the budget as well. Lots of threads on here about discount ticket options and which ones are legit.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

+1 for Maxpass. It was a game changer for us. We are too exhausted to parkhop and I think Maxpass has better value.

 

[hyperminimalism]

Maxpass and Paper Fastpass are not equivalent, though. Maxpass has Photopass added, and you can do things with MP that you cannot do with paper FP. You can get new FP every 30 or 90 min, instead of every 2 hours, depending on the return time. You can snag other people's cancelled fastpasses. You can change your fastpasses to different times, etc. Plus, you can continue to make FP when you leave the park, which is awesome. It's worth it IMO.

On the other hand, parkhopping is cool and all, but not really necessary as both parks have enough to do to keep you busy all day.

Fair enough and very valid points. I still think it's worth it to park hop, but I don't get to the parks but once a year and I want to be able to visit both of them. I couldn't imagine taking my yearly trip down and not going to DCA.

 

[DLgal]

Fair enough and very valid points. I still think it's worth it to park hop, but I don't get to the parks but once a year and I want to be able to visit both of them. I couldn't imagine taking my yearly trip down and not going to DCA.

The OP has 4 days though. It's plenty of time to visit both parks.

 

[tsumgirl]

Another vote for Maxpass. I really like the ability to pick up cancelled FPs, and found myself utilizing Photopass more since it was included.

I've done both parkhoppers and 1PPD, and the great thing about staying in one park is you find yourself doing things you may not have taken the time to do if you were parkhopping, such as Animation Academy or Mickey's Magical Map. The times I've done parkhoppers, I found myself missing those things when I got home, because it was too easy to get caught up in rides.

 

[caribbeandream]

I too did a 4-day trip. I chose both and I regret it. I would drop the park hoppers and keep Max Pass. You will be amazed how much more you will get done. And like @tsumgirl, I found myself using Photopass a lot more. Last, but not least, I will also add my vote to the LMT Club. I saved $80 using them.

 

[Where's Wall-E]

I know you're looking to save money, but could you do Hopper passes, then decide on MP on a day-to-day basis once in the parks?

 

[disneymouse16]

I get so caught up in prepaying things I didn't think about just buying the parkhoppers and deciding on maxpass as a day to day thing. That would allow us to make some adjustments on the fly. I did make a trip this last spring and was able to use Maxpass, it was definitely nice. However, last year we had purchased parkhoppers and only park hopped one day on a three day trip. Decisions decisions.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I get so caught up in prepaying things I didn't think about just buying the parkhoppers and deciding on maxpass as a day to day thing. That would allow us to make some adjustments on the fly. I did make a trip this last spring and was able to use Maxpass, it was definitely nice. However, last year we had purchased parkhoppers and only park hopped one day on a three day trip. Decisions decisions.

You can also buy one park and add hoppers when you’re there if you feel like you need it. (That’s my plan)