Suggestions for splitting a 3 day pass

[Nicoleclaw]

We will be spending 3 days at Disneyland this July (Tuesday-Thursday). We will be driving cross country for 3 weeks, and are trying to save $$ where we can. We normally don't do park hoppers for FL because it is not easy to park hop there. I know it will be a good deal easier to do so and we are debating if we should get the hoppers, and if not, how to split the three days between the 2 parks. The kids will be 11 and 8 years old. The 11 year old will probably do space mountain and the like with dad. We will be able to get to the parks at opening to get a lot done. Thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[figment_jii]

When are you going in July? The days around the 4th are usually very busy and DLR's 60th anniversary on July 17, so high crowds are expected for the anniversary. If you're gping anytime near those dates, I would plan on very high crowds.

Regardless of when you go, I still think you can get a fair amount done if you get there pre-opening, but I would expect crowds to steadily bulid throughout the day. Usually the first 1 to 2 hours are okay, but that can vary considerably.

If you are staying off-site, I would probably opt to start the day in the non-EMH/MM park. If you're not going to get PH, I would do two days at DL and one-day at DCA. Keep in mind that the two parks are only 110 yards apart, so PH is very easy (it's like walking from World Showcase to Future World in Epcot). I would high recommend getting PH because of the flexibility it gives you.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

We will be there the week after the anniversary and we are staying at the Tropicana. Thanks for the info!

 

[sonnyjane]

Big advocate of hoppers!

 

[Jkpark]

If you aren't sure you will be hopping, get the non-hopper. Once there, you can always upgrade your tickets if hopping makes sense.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

That is what I am thinking...start with the regular pass, but which park do I only plan one day for?

 

[sonnyjane]

That is what I am thinking...start with the regular pass, but which park do I only plan one day for?

Really up to you. Most would probably say DL-DCA-DL. You don't have to decide when you buy the ticket though. You just purchase one-park tickets and then wherever you use it that day, that's your choice.

 

[drm11981]

I really don't think DCA is big enough or the rides are cool enough to bank on spending an entire day there without wanting to go back to DL. I usually buy one park passes and if we want to hop, upgrade on the day we want to go to another park. I would get one park passes for sure. Maybe on the middle day you do DCA and call it an early night and go have a nice dinner in DTD as a family.

 

[figment_jii]

I would also probably opt to go to DL on the first day and then DCA on the second day. Then leave the third day open for either DL or DCA, depending on which one has more things you want to do. The only major drawback to this is that your first day (Tuesday) is typically DL's EMH/MM morning and Wednesday is typically DCA's EMH morning. If you go the park that is having an EMH/MM, then that will negate a lot of the benefit of getting to the parks early (especially DCA). I think it's less of an issue in DL because EMH/MM is limited to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, but in DCA it includes Carsland and TSMM (which is usually where guests head at opening).

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

If you buy a 3-day or more ticket online before you go, you get one magic morning to spend at DL park. You will definitely want to use that, since you can get so much done! Now, because of the magic morning and extra magic hour schedule, you will need to plan out which days you visit which parks beforehand, if you want to avoid crowds ( DL early entry is available tuesday, thursday, and saturday, while DCA early entry, only for onsite guests, is available monday, wednesday, friday, and sunday ) You will be going midweek, so you will be able to avoid some of the crowds that way.

On tuesday, your first day, I recommend using your MM and spending the day at DL park. Then on wednesday, do DL again, since DCA will have early entry and carsland will already be packed. Then on your last day, do DCA, as DL will have early entry. Usually people with three days spend 2 days at DL, and 1 day at DCA, which is a good way to split your time, but if you feel the need to revisit another park, upgrade to the hoppers.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Thank you everyone for the advice!