Three Day Parkhopper....but I can't use MM?!?

[ccrosner]

We have been to WDW five times but haven't been to DLR for MANY years. My DD and I are going on a quick trip to California, and plan to spend 3 days/2 nights at DL and DCA. We arrive midday on a Saturday and will leave early afternoon on Monday.

I have been doing a bunch of research including running some TouringPlans scenarios. But I think I just realized this morning that I won't have the benefit of a Magic Morning given our travel plans. Can someone confirm that I am right about that? I love the idea of the 3 day parkhopper to maximize our time there but am wondering if it's worth it if I can't use the MM.

We will be there August 12 to 14, 2017.

TIA!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For your dates, your MM would be Saturday morning. MMs are on days that have the letter T in the name: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Even without MM, the parkhopper is still worth it.

 

[22Tink]

You won't regret getting the parkhopper. We dont always use our MM, but we always use parkhoppers!

 

[chickapin parterre]

by looking at your dates traveled, parkhopper is not worth the purchase, so much has changed over the decades. I would use Saturday in Disneyland and Monday in DCA, there is so much to do and have to be there at night, no reason to go back to Disneyland. Sunday is Disneyland because of folks still in the Disney properties and you will have rope drop to your advantage that morning to knock out your favorite land. And if it is hot those days, no relief in DCA

 

[wilkeliza]

The parks are so close at DL that we often find ourselves going between the two. We hardly use EMH or MM but always use our park hoppers.

 

[chickapin parterre]

yes, the parks are close, but do you have any concept on when to leave Disneyland to hop over to DCA and then when to hop back. All these folks, including myself, are strong proponents of park hoppers, have been there recently and we know the hours,the lay of the land, we can move with ease.....but basically you are a brand new visitor.....previous trip reports from brand new visitors have posted that park hoppers are a waste of time....so much to do in one day visits to each park.

 

[ccrosner]

Thanks for all of the helpful advice. The different opinions are very helpful as is the confirmation that we won't use MM.

I am a hyper-planner and know what a huge difference planning can make for a Disney trip. So while we may be overwhelmed by DCA as it will be totally new to us, I think I will go with a parkhopper so that we can make the most use of the Sunday.

Chickapin, I wasn't quite sure you meant about spending Sunday in DL because of "guests still in the Disney properties".

One new idea (though I haven't run the cost amounts yet), is to buy one day tickets for DL on Saturday, DCA on Monday and then 1 day park hopper for Sunday.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

by looking at your dates traveled, parkhopper is not worth the purchase, so much has changed over the decades. I would use Saturday in Disneyland and Monday in DCA, there is so much to do and have to be there at night, no reason to go back to Disneyland. Sunday is Disneyland because of folks still in the Disney properties and you will have rope drop to your advantage that morning to knock out your favorite land. And if it is hot those days, no relief in DCA

We found it hard to spend a whole day in DCA. So if the OP does not get PH, I would not plan on spending their one full day at DCA. The park is beautifully themed, but it only has 6 really good rides (although I could ride GotG over and over.)

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I disagree that park hoppers are not worth it. It's great to start in one park and finish in another, or watch evening entertainment wherever you want. It's also great to be able to hop over to DCA if DL is getting too crowded in the afternoons.

 

[gottalovepluto]

No MM with that schedule. But as you are running such a tight schedule I would keep the PH. You'll want the flexibility, if a major attraction or two goes down in one park you can hop to the other. If that happens without the hopper you just have to hope it comes back online that day or you might miss it. (Rides that commonly go down imho are RSR, GRR, Indy.)

 

[22Tink]

Thanks for all of the helpful advice. The different opinions are very helpful as is the confirmation that we won't use MM.

I am a hyper-planner and know what a huge difference planning can make for a Disney trip. So while we may be overwhelmed by DCA as it will be totally new to us, I think I will go with a parkhopper so that we can make the most use of the Sunday.

Chickapin, I wasn't quite sure you meant about spending Sunday in DL because of "guests still in the Disney properties".

One new idea (though I haven't run the cost amounts yet), is to buy one day tickets for DL on Saturday, DCA on Monday and then 1 day park hopper for Sunday.

I'm so glad to hear you've decided to go with the hopper. It gives you so much more flexibility! I'm not 100% sure on this because I've never priced out single day tickets (we always get multiple day hoppers) but I think you'd be better off to go with a 3 day hopper pass rather than the one day passes. It gets cheaper per day the more days you add to your ticket.

 

[ccrosner]

You're right, Tink! Would be more expensive to try to do one days and one ph day....so I am going with the three PH days!

 

[22Tink]

You're right, Tink! Would be more expensive to try to do one days and one ph day....so I am going with the three PH days!

Have a great trip!!

 

[chickapin parterre]

We found it hard to spend a whole day in DCA. So if the OP does not get PH, I would not plan on spending their one full day at DCA. The park is beautifully themed, but it only has 6 really good rides (although I could ride GotG over and over.)

6 really good rides. I guess I just don't get it. As a first time visitor to Disneyland or DCA, it should not be about 6 really good rides.

So I am going to further address on why not get a park hopper when you are visiting for only two days, for a brand new visitor, of which many are reading this thread now.

.....that is if you are not into rides..... or the situation that the OP finds themselves, arriving, in August to a very crowded weekend Disneyland/DCA, mid day, what ever that means....coming from the airport, traffic on the interstate, waiting at the hotel for other family members to arrive before entering the park...and only have one full day.......

There are windows to explore on Bunea vista street, traveling street performers, architecture, turn the corner, again, areas to explore, including the animation building. there is Broadway show to take in. There is bugsland to photograph and many photo ops for adults in area to be destroyed and no longer available. There is carsland during the day and at night, two different attractions.......I have yet to go on a ride, have yet to eat. Oh, I forgot, Characters to meet.

as a brand new visitor, you need to know when it is busy at Disneyland in order to park hop over to the hot DCA, stand in that esplande weave your way around lost, ride the 6 really good rides go back to the esplanade and stand in a hotter line, to weave your way thru the parade sitters, to a crowded park area ....and ask....what just happened. because you have no concept of how to park hop

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

6 really good rides. I guess I just don't get it. As a first time visitor to Disneyland or DCA, it should not be about 6 really good rides.

So I am going to further address on why not get a park hopper when you are visiting for only two days, for a brand new visitor, of which many are reading this thread now.

.....that is if you are not into rides..... or the situation that the OP finds themselves, arriving, in August to a very crowded weekend Disneyland/DCA, mid day, what ever that means....coming from the airport, traffic on the interstate, waiting at the hotel for other family members to arrive before entering the park...and only have one full day.......

There are windows to explore on Bunea vista street, traveling street performers, architecture, turn the corner, again, areas to explore, including the animation building. there is Broadway show to take in. There is bugsland to photograph and many photo ops for adults in area to be destroyed and no longer available. There is carsland during the day and at night, two different attractions.......I have yet to go on a ride, have yet to eat. Oh, I forgot, Characters to meet.

as a brand new visitor, you need to know when it is busy at Disneyland in order to park hop over to the hot DCA, stand in that esplande weave your way around lost, ride the 6 really good rides go back to the esplanade and stand in a hotter line, to weave your way thru the parade sitters, to a crowded park area ....and ask....what just happened. because you have no concept of how to park hop

DCA does have lots of other things to explore, but if I had less than 3 full days I would prioritize other attractions and plan on spending more time at Disneyland Park.