Skipping Park Hopper?

[PlutoTheDog89]

Going December 30th and 31st. We know it'll be crowded. We've been to Disney World many times during Christmas week. Overall, we'll be happy to get on a few rides and just experience it all.

The more and more I try and develop a "best case scenario," yet realistic plan, the more I realize we won't be able to theoretically park hop. Even if we get a TON done on 12/30 in Disneyland, the FP for rides we want to go on will be gone by the afternoon in DCA.

So - do we go DL on 12/30 and DCA on 12/31 and just skip the park hopper...or get the park hopper and just try and do as much as possible? Cost isn't a big deal - this is a "once in a lifetime" kinda trip.

 

[dieumeye]

If cost isn’t an issue, then definitely get Park Hopper and MaxPass. Park Hopper will give you so much more flexibility.

And having MaxPass will allow you to book FP’s for either park no matter where you are, so you could book an evening FP at DCA even if you spend the morning and afternoon at DL.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Well, something to consider if if you’re going to get MaxPass, which enables you to get fastpasses on the app via your phone. Once you scan in to one park, you can get FPs in either park. So in theory, you could scan into DL, and collect FP in both parks, planning your DCA fastpasses for the afternoon (just watch the return times so you can pull those at the appropriate times.

if you don’t want to get MaxPass, I think park hopping in not really necessary, especially so such a busy time of year (although even if you’re not park hopping MaxPass would still be extremely helpful due to the crowds).

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

If cost isn’t an issue, then definitely get Park Hopper and MaxPass. Park Hopper will give you so much more flexibility.

And having MaxPass will allow you to book FP’s for either park no matter where you are, so you could book an evening FP at DCA even if you spend the morning and afternoon at DL.

Yeah, we plan on getting MaxPass - I'm just wondering whether or not to do Park Hopper

 

[jbh275]

I would do the Park Hopper. You'll find time to hit both parks both days. And you might regret not getting the hopper when you find you want to see a show in the other park.

 

[dieumeye]

Yeah, we plan on getting MaxPass - I'm just wondering whether or not to do Park Hopper

MaxPass is way more useful with park hopper since you can book FPs in either park. If cost is not an issue you should definitely get park hopper. Hopping between DL and DCA is extremely easy because it takes only a minute to walk from the gate of one park to the other. It’s not like WDW where the parks are all far apart.

 

[Pamela M]

Unlike Disneyworld Disneyland is very easy to park hop. The 2 parks entrances are right across from each other - you are with in the security check point bubble so you don't have to go through security.

Not sure of your touring style but I don't think that DCA is a full day park.

Depending on when you arrive or leaving the anahiem area I would recommend splurging on a 3 day park hopper. If you arrive at 3-4pm you still have lots of time to get in and ride some rides that evening. I wouldn't buy Maxpass for that day - just hit the rides that don't have max pass.

One other tip - I recommend getting fastpasses for Radior Springs early (they run out FAST), Same with Haunted Mansion (it has an overlay so it's very popular), Matterhorn (they've been running one track), and Space Mountain(always popular).

Also if you want to eat at a sit down restaurant be sure to get a reservation- I've heard there is less table service restuarants at DL vs WDW.

 

[AndrewC]

I usually always get a park hopper. Disneyland and DCA are very close compared to WDW. It's totally do able to bounce back and fourth a couple times a day, and I have before. That said, it's still a bit of a hike if you're in adventure land or GE and then need to get to Cars land or something... probably 15 minutes at least with crowds. However, with MaxPass you can make fastpass reservations right from you phone and as soon as you enter either park, including the monorail station stop at DTD. Even if fastpasses for DCA are late in the day return I would jump on them. Get a RSR and then as soon as you can get another get a Guardians. If returns are 6pm later on those then just enjoy at Disney the most you can and then head over to DCA later in the day. There should be a handful of rides you can do without toooo much wait (Little Mermaid, Monster's Inc, possibly Incredicoaster) and then you'll be able to use your fastpasses on RSR and Guardians. If you can get one for Midway Mania then go for it, but personally I think the other two should be first on your list. Try to get a dessert package for World of Color one of the nights and that'll be a super enjoyable way to see the show, even if the park is totally packed.

 

[Becca1007]

So to give some perspective on distances for park hopping... I timed this on our last trip. From Toy Story Midway Mania to Gadgets Go Coaster in Toontown. 0.8 miles and 14:59 minutes. Started at 8:37am on a day when DCA had EMH and opened at 8am for regular guests and DL opened at 8am.

This was walking with a 4 year old, so we aren't running/power walking through the park.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Going December 30th and 31st. We know it'll be crowded... So - do we go DL on 12/30 and DCA on 12/31 and just skip the park hopper...or get the park hopper and just try and do as much as possible? Cost isn't a big deal - this is a "once in a lifetime" kinda trip.

If cost really isn't an issue (and you've said that it isn't), then why even question getting the hoppers? Having park hoppers isn't solely about doing "as much as possible." More importantly, it is a valuable resource which gives you a "release valve" on some of the crowding pressure in the parks since you know you'll be visiting during the busiest week of the year at DLR. If the crowds start getting to you in one park, hop to the other park for a while. You don't have to hop to get more done -- just go to the other park for more space and less pressure and just to relax for a bit -- go get something to eat (Holiday Food Festival will be running in DCA) or to go shopping or to walk around or just to rest for a while. Or, you could ride some rides if you want or if you have some FPs to use. Why would you deny yourself this option during what you already know will be the busiest week of the year in the parks?

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

If cost really isn't an issue (and you've said that it isn't), then why even question getting the hoppers? Having park hoppers isn't solely about doing "as much as possible." More importantly, it is a valuable resource which gives you a "release valve" on some of the crowding pressure in the parks since you know you'll be visiting during the busiest week of the year at DLR. If the crowds start getting to you in one park, hop to the other park for a while. You don't have to hop to get more done -- just go to the other park for more space and less pressure and just to relax for a bit -- go get something to eat (Holiday Food Festival will be running in DCA) or to go shopping or to walk around or just to rest for a while. Or, you could ride some rides if you want or if you have some FPs to use. Why would you deny yourself this option during what you already know will be the busiest week of the year in the parks?

I guess my question is will we be able to park hop? I've heard DL will typically hit capacity by the afternoon, so I wonder if we go over to DCA if we'll be able to get back in...but that's a great point on escaping the crowds a bit.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I guess my question is will we be able to park hop? I've heard DL will typically hit capacity by the afternoon, so I wonder if we go over to DCA if we'll be able to get back in...but that's a great point on escaping the crowds a bit.

Even if a gate closure should happen at DL while you are at DCA, it wouldn't last all day. Gate closures usually last a few hours, at most -- usually only until the parade or the fireworks end and lots of people leave the park, after which the Fire Marshall allows more people to enter DL And closures don't usually happen every day of Christmas Week. So, even if a gate closure were to happen while you were at DCA, you should still be able to get back into DL at some point later that same day.

 

[MonocularVision]

I will chime in and say we typically don’t hop even with PH tickets or APs. We prefer to plan our days around one park and don’t like the transition. I only mention this since the large majority of folks here seem to operate differently.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I will chime in and say we typically don’t hop even with PH tickets or APs. We prefer to plan our days around one park and don’t like the transition. I only mention this since the large majority of folks here seem to operate differently.

While I agree with you, the OP's specific situation is a little different since he will be visiting at the end of December during the busiest week of the year in the parks. Having the option to hop, especially since it will be within the budget, will be very helpful instead of being locked in the crowds in one park only. And if a gate closure were to happen while the OP is outside DL, he and his family could go to DCA. They wouldn't be stuck outside DL waiting until the gates reopen.

 

[Jason2015]

On a two day journey my family usually skips the park hopping and just focuses on one park per day. Though MaxPass is a must.

 

[crystal1313]

On a two day journey my family usually skips the park hopping and just focuses on one park per day. Though MaxPass is a must.

We do the same. I was super nervous about it the first time we tried....but realized we got more done because we focused only on one park.

 

[MonocularVision]

While I agree with you, the OP's specific situation is a little different since he will be visiting at the end of December during the busiest week of the year in the parks. Having the option to hop, especially since it will be within the budget, will be very helpful instead of being locked in the crowds in one park only. And if a gate closure were to happen while the OP is outside DL, he and his family could go to DCA. They wouldn't be stuck outside DL waiting until the gates reopen.

I get the logic but as others have stated, we feel focusing per park is more efficient. YMMV though and I have never been in the parks during that time. I do wonder though how fast you can get in between parks during that time. The times we have hopped, we have sometimes had to wait in the line to get in.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I do wonder though how fast you can get in between parks during that time. The times we have hopped, we have sometimes had to wait in the line to get in.

We are in the parks on NYE most years and haven't had trouble park hopping. There may be a line at the turnstiles for either park throughout the day, but the lines move quickly enough. DLR knows to staff for crowds on NYE! If Main Street and the Hub area become parking lots for fireworks viewing, the ability to hop to DCA becomes a very welcome option. We usually start out in DL, but spend the later parts of the day in DCA and hop back to DL at night after the fireworks.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

We are in the parks on NYE most years and haven't had trouble park hopping. There may be a line at the turnstiles for either park throughout the day, but the lines move quickly enough. DLR knows to staff for crowds on NYE! If Main Street and the Hub area become parking lots for fireworks viewing, the ability to hop to DCA becomes a very welcome option. We usually start out in DL, but spend the later parts of the day in DCA and hop back to DL at night after the fireworks.

Cool, so I think the "move" is doing DLR on 12/30 then hopping over to DCA in the afternoon, then back to DLR for the nighttime shows and dinner at Blue Bayou.

On 12/31, we'll start at DLR and book a FP for RSR in DCA the moment we enter the park. We'll spend the morning doing things we missed or didn't see the first day - maybe actually stopping to smell the roses and get photos/ride less-popular rides, etc... then make our way over to DCA for the afternoon and evening.

I'm wondering if we should take some time to go to Grand Californian or Disneyland resort to rest our feet and sit a while.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Cool, so I think the "move" is doing DLR on 12/30 then hopping over to DCA in the afternoon, then back to DLR for the nighttime shows and dinner at Blue Bayou.

On 12/31, we'll start at DLR and book a FP for RSR in DCA the moment we enter the park. We'll spend the morning doing things we missed or didn't see the first day - maybe actually stopping to smell the roses and get photos/ride less-popular rides, etc... then make our way over to DCA for the afternoon and evening.

I'm wondering if we should take some time to go to Grand Californian or Disneyland resort to rest our feet and sit a while.

Hopping on NYE should be fine as long as you are aware of the possibility that you might not get back into DL for some part of the day/evening. But everything should work out fine in the end. Have fun!