Park hopping at capacity

[DizFan13]

For our holiday trip this year, we are there during one of the busiest weeks, December 19-23. We've been early in December, but never this close to Christmas week before.

I know the crowds will be maxed, and I'm wondering if those of you with experience visiting during that time can help me decide if I should buy hoppers or not. We always buy hoppers and move between the parks many times a day, but if the parks reach capacity, is there a chance that we will end up not being able to reenter?

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Last year, those days were not terribly busy at all. It was the first year of the Signature/Signature Plus split, and the week before Christmas benefitted from most APs being blocked without many tourists in yet. While you might have bigger crowds than last year, I'd be very, very surprised if you hit capacity. Even prior to last year's new AP blackout period, the week BEFORE Christmas has not experienced closures. Now, Christmas Day and the following week - that's a whole other story...

I'd definitely buy hoppers, which will help in terms of large crowds, but I would not be concerned about capacity closures.

 

[Malcon10t]

I doubt you will have problems. And if you do, all you need to do is wait til after the parade, and gates reopen as people leave. We always park hop.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Those are the BEST days to have park hoppers IMO so you can adjust your touring in either park based on real time conditions.

 

[katiexlovesxdisney]

Those are the BEST days to have park hoppers IMO so you can adjust your touring in either park based on real time conditions.

We were there the week of Christmas 2015, up to and including Christmas Day, and I completely agree! The busier the parks were, the more we hopped

 

[Lesley Wake]

If you are worried, make sure you have entered both parks early. The first phase of park closures is no new guests, i.e., Disneyland has high crowds, only guests who have entered DL earlier that day can re-enter. If you had only visited DCA that day, you wouldn't be able to get into DL.

But like others said, those days shouldn't be as bad. It's the week after Christmas until NYE that may reach capacity!

 

[DizFan13]

Thanks so much, everyone! DH and I can't imagine how to do DLR and not be bouncing back and forth. We're excited to try the MaxPass system, too, and that seems prime for hopping. Thanks again for the reassurance!

 

[SteveMP]

One thing I do suggest is if you park hop while waiting for a FP time, don't wait til the last minute to hop back over. Almost missed my time last year expecting a quick hop and running into a longer than expected lines at the gate. There may be random long lines due to parades, fireworks, etc.

 

[DizFan13]

Oh, good advice! We've run into the same issue in the past using paper FPs. I'm just planning on throngs of people and long waits everywhere we go.

 

[mpadilla89]

Yes like others said we always get park hoppers especially during the holidays. Just having the option to do one or the other at any time helps. When the crowds start filling in at DL we head over to DCA. for some reason DCA no matter how busy always seems more manageable to me

 

[DizFan13]

This is the longest stretch we've gone without going to DLR (last trip was October 2014), and I'm trying to wrap my mind around all the changes. We'll definitely go for the hoppers; I'm relieved that's not another thing I need to change!