Visiting on a Magic Morning day without MM

[disneysailor]

We will be visiting Disneyland early August. If we decide to visit for two days instead of three and therefore will not have MM (and probably not hopper tickets either), would it be better to go to Disneyland on a Monday when there is not MM admission, or on a Tuesday when there is MM admission? I'm sure both will be crowded, but I am trying to figure out which would be less crowded. I tried doing a search and although I am sure the information is here somewhere, I've been unable to find it. Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[skiingfast]

I wouldn't avoid DL on a MM day, little reason to do so. In fact Tuesday is usually quieter than a Monday.

If you don't go to MM but go to DL on a MM day, just go left. MM is only in Tommorowland and Fantasyland. Nobody extra will be in Adventurland and Frontierland. In a couple hours the parks will be balanced out and it will be crowded everywhere equally. Then you can go back to Fantasyland and Tommorowland.

Just remember that Star Tours FPs have been running out in late morning.

 

[bumbershoot]

I only avoid Fantasyland, in the morning, on MM days when I don't have access.

Everyone there for MM will likely be stuck in a line at the end of the MM hour, so if I'm in position to go to a *different* land as the park opens, it's a good thing!

 

[sonnyjane]

If you do decide to cut your trip from 3 days to 2, I still strongly recommend getting a hopper ticket. It is very easy to hop between the two parks and it's extremely helpful to be able to collect Fastpasses in each park and bounce back and forth to use them. The parks are just across from each other. I feel the best use of your time and money is to get a park hopper. Sure hoppers cost more, but the value gained by being able to access either park whenever you like is greater than the cost difference.

 

[disneysailor]

Thank you for all of the great advice! Having been to Disney World many times, I think the two days might be doable and afford us time to squeeze in some other activities (yet to be determined!). We have two free one day tickets to use, but will all have at hopper tickets for at least one of the days, which should help.

 

[skiingfast]

Having been to Disney World many times, I think the two days might be doable

This is common thinking, but far from correct.

Can you do WDW in two days? Those two DL parks have almost as many things in them as the WDW 4.

If you want to see other things in California it's a great idea. Just realize 2 days without hopping is going to be only a weak highlight tour.

This is why hopping for 3 days would make a greatly positive difference.

 

[sonnyjane]

Thank you for all of the great advice! Having been to Disney World many times, I think the two days might be doable and afford us time to squeeze in some other activities (yet to be determined!). We have two free one day tickets to use, but will all have at hopper tickets for at least one of the days, which should help.

This is common thinking, but far from correct.

Can you do WDW in two days? Those two DL parks have almost as many things in them as the WDW 4.

If you want to see other things in California it's a great idea. Just realize 2 days without hopping is going to be only a weak highlight tour.

This is why hopping for 3 days would make a greatly positive difference.

I hope you take this sage advice! If you want to do other things in southern California that's fine, but I wouldn't give yourself anything less than two full days at the parks. I was just reading in another new post today that someone recently returned and found that after 5 days in the parks, they still didn't get to do everything! Don't rob yourself of Disneyland time!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I hope you take this sage advice! If you want to do other things in southern California that's fine, but I wouldn't give yourself anything less than two full days at the parks. I was just reading in another new post today that someone recently returned and found that after 5 days in the parks, they still didn't get to do everything! Don't rob yourself of Disneyland time!

We did 6 days in September 2009 and didn't do EVERYTHING...we came close but fell short a ride or 2 and a couple of shows.

 

[bumbershoot]

I spent 18 days total in the parks one year, and still haven't come close to doing everything I WANT to do, let alone *everything*.

 

[wdwfan22]

At the risk of repeating others, you will be amazed at how many more rides and attractions DL has in their 2 parks, especially DL, compared to DW. As a veteran on both parks, Magic Kingdom can be done pretty easily in a day or 2 (if the lines are not too long), whereas DL has soo many more rides. 3 days is really preferable, and a park hopper as DL isnt nearly the same as at DW.

At DW it is a lengthy proposition to hop between parks, at DL it is almost like going from land to land in the Magic Kingdom. A quick walk between the parks can get you to some amazing rides with low lines. Wait til you see Soarin with 30 min (or less, although sometimes more) lines. Something unheard of at Epcot. Well worth hopping at DL.

 

[mousterpiece]

To echo the other posters, if you have the opportunity to do three days in August, you'll be happy you did. You can absolutely get a lot done in two days at both parks (or everything, depending on how many are in your party--I don't see any mention of it in your original post), but having 3 days is better so you don't feel as rushed.

Speaking, of course, only for myself and my wife, we're able to do everything we want to in both parks in 2 days but if you have kids, I can imagine the challenge would be much more difficult.