Park Hopper or Not?

[tarheelalum]

If you are only going for 3 days, don't waste time upgrading your tickets in the park. The lines can be long sometimes so don't waste time waiting in line to upgrade. Buy the Hoppers. You will not regret it.

 

[bouds]

Other examples of why a park hopper is handy: morning in DL, I put my kids and another adult in line for Jungle Cruise, walked over to CA and picked up a FP for RSR, and walked back. Took 15 minutes, and when I got back, they were finishing up JC. Then later that day we hopped over to CA to ride RSR. Super quick and easy way to get extra rides in for your favorites in both parks. Also, my kids can't quite stay up for the 9:45 WOC, so even if we're in CA that day, we will hop to go see Fantasmic in DL at 9. If it starts getting super crowded and hot in DL mid day, we hop over to CA to sit and rest in the lovely AC of Aladdin for an hour.

Hoppers are not necessary, and on a 3 day trip, it's completely reasonable not to get hoppers, but for most, I'd say it's worth it.

 

[larina]

Hop!

 

[ClaraOswald]

I cannot imagine going without hoppers. That is insane to me.

So yes, get hoppers!

 

[disneydadazut2]

My vote isn't as popular as the others - but depending upon the age of your ticket holders, you can save a good coin doing single day passes - then use that money for meals/snacks/souvenirs. My general rule has been to always hop when under three days, but its a coin flip AT three days.

Have a good time.

 

[ClaraOswald]

If you have very young children/toddlers...you may have a hard time filling an entire day at California Adventure. So many rides have height restrictions there.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We just returned from our 3 day visit and didn't hop once. I honestly wouldn't recommend them. We did 2 days at DLR and 1 day at CGA. Each family is different. We found there was just so much to do at both that we didn't feel the need to "hop."

CGA?

If I had to tally a vote on this based on your situation I would vote "No".

I have two exactly opposite opinions on this matter. I see merits in both options and this argument above to not get the park hoppers is as good as any.

While obviously, having the option to go back and forth is great, it's not absolutely necessary. Yes, the two parks are close together, but sometimes midday, the process of exiting one park and entering another can be a little lengthy, especially if you go from DCA to DL.

Basically, whatever you decide will be fine.

I've never had it take long to park hop. It only took the amount of time to walk there.

 

[samserena]

Totally agree - always hoppers if you can.

Just allows for that extra bit of flexibility in case plans change

 

[llump41]

The arguments for and against are equally valid. With a three day ticket the additional cost to park hop is $39 or $13/day. Very reasonable. On the but side, off-season mid-week hours are going to be 10-8 and maybe even 6 for DCA. With limited hours hopping may not make any sense. Although the parks are close, if you in Toontown walking to RSR it's a hike.

To me it boils down to will you actually hop or can that $40/tix be better spent on a sit down meal/buffet/ souvenir etc.

 

[brocklesnar69]

Hi Disneyland Friends,

We are planning a 1 time trip to Disneyland in February 2015. Spending 3 days at the parks. Do we need Park Hopper option or not. If not how to divide the 3 Days, i.e. 2 at Disneyland and 1 at Disney California Adventure. etc.

Thanks

I never go to DLR without a park hopper. There isn't a single day that I spend 100% of the day in one or the other park. I always switch parks at some point.

 

[julesann]

I think for the flexibility a parkhopper is the way to go. The savings of a 1 park/day ticket is fairly small when considering the amount of money you are spending on this vacation. And the ph gives so much added flexibility in so many ways for: crowds (I still can't predict what causes one park to be much more crowded than another); special events like WOC and Fireworks; playing the fp game and maximizing time including time to slow down and be in the moment.

 

[goooof1]

I never go to DLR without a park hopper. There isn't a single day that I spend 100% of the day in one or the other park. I always switch parks at some point.

same here!! get the hopper....you won't regret it and it is so nice to have the flexibility.