Plan for Parks

[EddieK76]

This will be our 1st ever trip to DL as we are WDW people but trying to figure out how we should do this.. Here is our initial thoughts

Fly in Sunday (rest and head to Downtown Disney for dinner)

2 days at the parks and hope to add a 3rd by getting Oogie Boogie or if we can't we will do 3 days at a park.

My question is...Should we purchase park hopper?

I do plan on doing Genie+ because we want to be able to see as much as possible at both DCA and DL since we are not frequent visitors.

What is everyones thoughts on buying park hoppers on either 2 days or 3 days depending on the outcome of OBB?

Thanks!

 

[mdmost]

I think the proximity of the two parks (walk across the Esplanade) makes a park hopper definitely worth getting. If you don't get Oogie Boogie, you then have the flexibility of leaving CA and going back over to the other park. You can also utilize the Genie+ for each park so if you miss out on riding something on your first day, say it breaks down, you can then catch it on day 2. We always get them even if we're doing 3-4 days.

 

[LKing]

The distance from the DL gate to the DCA gate is less than half the distance from the entrance of Main Street to the castle.

 

[Kit Jackson]

I would do 3 days in case something is down for a bit you have another chance to ride it on day 3. Genie+ is a smart purchase because at Disneyland it includes all PhotoPass photos (characters and locations), not just the ones from the rides.

If you can afford Park Hoppers, do it. The two parks are insanely close together.

 

[pindecisive]

If you're going in October:

October is a whole separate beast at the parks. What was once one of the most chill of months is now, imo, the most busy and packed month to visit. At only $50 a day, it's definitely worth it to have the backup of DCA. Also keep in mind, if you leave DL after 2pm, (say you need to go back to your hotel for some reason), you might have trouble getting back in depending on the crowd, so it's nice to have another option if that happens (although with the reservation system this may not happen any longer), but should the crowds just prove to be too much, it's nice to switch parks to get a breather.

If you're going in September:

I'd leave it to one park a day and add on a hopper at the gate if you really change your mind. I'd do two days in DL, and have your final day be in DCA as it's generally more chill.

 

[twodogs]

1000% PHs and G+ and 3 days. Parks are so close that you will possibly regret not getting PHs.

 

[twodogs]

It will waste a lot of time to add a PH at the gate. PH is $60 for the entire length of your ticket (so $60 for one day or $60 for a 5 day ticket). Definitely get the PH. But if you add it on day 2 of a 3 day ticket, at the gate, it is still $60 for the length of the ticket. If you think you want it, best deal is to get it with your ticket from the beginning.

 

[alleighboo]

We were WDWers in DL for the first time last October. We did almost your exact same plan and it was great. We arrived around lunch and did Trader Sam's for dinner, shopped in DTD, etc. We did 3-day parker hopper tickets and one night of Oogie Boogie. We got pretty much everything done we wanted to! We also got Genie+ and it was worth it for us for sure.

 

[EddieK76]

We were WDWers in DL for the first time last October. We did almost your exact same plan and it was great. We arrived around lunch and did Trader Sam's for dinner, shopped in DTD, etc. We did 3-day parker hopper tickets and one night of Oogie Boogie. We got pretty much everything done we wanted to! We also got Genie+ and it was worth it for us for sure.

Awesome. Where did you stay? So is it like everyone says....DL Is far better?

 

[chezcurrie]

Echoing others - 3 days with PH and G+ (book PH in advance as it is only $60/ticket regardless of your number of days), and try for OBB as it is amazing. FWIW I have done OBB and MNSSHP several times, and OBB wins hands down.

Have a fantastic trip!!

 

[alleighboo]

Awesome. Where did you stay? So is it like everyone says....DL Is far better?

We stayed at Paradise Pier. We enjoyed having EE but since everything is so close and within walking distance, we're staying at a Harbor-side hotel this next trip! It was far cheaper and since we're flying across the country, it's a good trade for us.

And yes. Yes, yes, yes! We LOVED Disneyland. As you can see, already going back in June . I'm the Disney/theme park nerd and my fiancé had sworn off WDW after a lot of hot, crowded trips. He casually mentioned he wouldn't mind trying Disneyland sometime and that's all it took for me to start planning! This June trip is a girls trip with me and my best friend and I think my fiancé is a little jealous. DL just seemed more intimate and magical. WDW feels a little more corporate and almost stressful sometimes? I still like WDW, but I'm picking DL every time now! Even going at one of the most crowded times of the year, we had a fantastic time. DCA was awesome, Oogie Boogie was so much fun...just cannot express how much we loved it!