Which days dilemma

[mamarulis]

Okay, I need some outside perspective. We're headed down March 1-4, staying at GCH. We will do three day hoppers, but can't decide if we hit the parks the afternoon of the 1st (a Sunday), then all of Monday and Tuesday and then get up and drive home Wednesday. Alternatively, we can just hang at the pool, downtown Disney, etc on Sunday and hit the parks all of Monday, all of Tuesday and for the first half of Wednesday, leaving about 3pm to drive home. Here's some additional info:

-since it's off-season, there are only fireworks on Sunday (although we live in Las Vegas and see fireworks all the time lol)
-that Sunday is Dapper Day
-the castle refurb is done on the 2nd and revealed on the 3rd
-my kiddos are almost 5 and almost 7

What would you do? I don't think we'll spend the money to get a 4 day hopper because we get down there at least once per year, so this isn't a "once in a lifetime trip". I'm not concerned about "being able to do everything".Thanks in advance!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Okay, I need some outside perspective. We're headed down March 1-4, staying at GCH. We will do three day hoppers, but can't decide if we hit the parks the afternoon of the 1st (a Sunday), then all of Monday and Tuesday and then get up and drive home Wednesday. Alternatively, we can just hang at the pool, downtown Disney, etc on Sunday and hit the parks all of Monday, all of Tuesday and for the first half of Wednesday, leaving about 3pm to drive home. Here's some additional info:

-since it's off-season, there are only fireworks on Sunday (although we live in Las Vegas and see fireworks all the time lol)
-that Sunday is Dapper Day
-the castle refurb is done on the 2nd and revealed on the 3rd
-my kiddos are almost 5 and almost 7

What would you do? I don't think we'll spend the money to get a 4 day hopper because we get down there at least once per year, so this isn't a "once in a lifetime trip". I'm not concerned about "being able to do everything".Thanks in advance!

Personally, I would go with the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Since you are staying at the GCH, that would give you three early entries to take advantage of. I also think Wednesday should be less crowded than the Sunday.

 

[gottalovepluto]

M-W. Hands down on that because you say Sun is Dapper Day and that's crazy busy.

 

[figment_jii]

For my family, we would always opt to go into the parks whenever possible, so we would get 4-day PH. That being said, it is likely to be pretty busy on Sunday, so you might get many attractions done. Still, my family would opt to go into the parks, do a few attractions, grab a bite to eat, and then watch fireworks because that is our favorite show at DLR. Alternatively, if you don't go in on Sunday, I would take that opportunity to watch fireworks from somewhere new (e.g., the Esplande, the parking structure, etc.).

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

For my family, we would always opt to go into the parks whenever possible, so we would get 4-day PH.

Why stop there? This is why we always buy premium APs.

That being said, it is likely to be pretty busy on Sunday, so you might get many attractions done. Still, my family would opt to go into the parks, do a few attractions, grab a bite to eat, and then watch fireworks because that is our favorite show at DLR. Alternatively, if you don't go in on Sunday, I would take that opportunity to watch fireworks from somewhere new (e.g., the Esplande, the parking structure, etc.).

Considering when the OP is going and the stated preference to not buy 4-day tickets, I was thinking they might get more bang for their buck with the Mon/Tues/Wed. The fireworks show doesn't sound very special right now since it's the 4 1/2 minute placeholder until the new 60th fireworks debut. Also, I was wondering if OP's kids are early-to-rise or late-to-bed? At 5 and 7, my boys were early-to-bed type kids still, so we were going to get better mileage out of early starts. If OP has night owls though I can see the Sunday late being a better idea than the Wednesday early.

 

[mamarulis]

My kids are definitely up at 6am kids. We typically go back to the hotel for an afternoon rest and then try to make it til close (which at this time of year is 9pm).

 

[figment_jii]

Why stop there? This is why we always buy premium APs.

True...but if someone is unsure about buying a 4-day PH, then that's a pretty big jump. I was just thinking back to the days before I had an AP, when my family would have to decide whether we wanted to go into the parks on the arrival date. We hemmed and hawed about it, but ultimately bought tickets with enough days so we could go in on the first day.

Considering when the OP is going and the stated preference to not buy 4-day tickets, I was thinking they might get more bang for their buck with the Mon/Tues/Wed.

I agree that if they are only going for 3-days, then Mon to Wed makes the most sense in terms of crowds and the likely ability to get the most attractions done.

When I looked at the price of 3-day versus 4-day PH tickets, it looks like it would cost $88 to upgrade everyone's tickets (assuming 2 adult and 2 children tickets). So it's not a small amount of money to get into the parks for part of day, but it also depends on what time they are arriving. DL was open until 11 or midnight on Sundays in Feb and March last year, so if they arrived in mid-afternoon, they might still have a good number of hours in the parks.

My kids are definitely up at 6am kids. We typically go back to the hotel for an afternoon rest and then try to make it til close (which at this time of year is 9pm).

Based on this, then I generally agree that Mon to Wed is probably a better bet because staying out late on Sunday might result in overly tired kids at the start of the trip.

 

[Aladora]

What would you do? I don't think we'll spend the money to get a 4 day hopper because we get down there at least once per year, so this isn't a "once in a lifetime trip". I'm not concerned about "being able to do everything".Thanks in advance!

Right now, Orbitz has a buy 3, get 4th day free promotion on their Disneyland Parkhoppers.

I just checked on the Disneyland website and the cost for 2 adult and 2 kids three day parkhoppers is the exact same as the Orbitz buy 3, get 4th day for the same 2 adults and 2 kids!

Orbitz Disneyland tickets

If you happen to get to Orbitz via ebates then you will save a bit more!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

True...but if someone is unsure about buying a 4-day PH, then that's a pretty big jump.

Sorry, tone is sometimes lost in a written post like this. Maybe I should have added a wink emoticon, or a just kidding or something. I wasn't by any means making a serious suggestion that the OP jump from a 3-day hopper straight to a premium AP but more making a general joke about the Disney snowball effect.

 

[figment_jii]

Sorry, tone is sometimes lost in a written post like this. Maybe I should have added a wink emoticon, or a just kidding or something. I wasn't by any means making a serious suggestion that the OP jump from a 3-day hopper straight to a premium AP but more making a general joke about the Disney snowball effect.

Ah, got it!

 

[Sbob]

Don't overlook the option of buying 'Dapper Day' conference priced tickets.
Much cheaper than 'regular' tickets

We will be there from the 1st also and have bought a 4 day park hopper via the dapper day conference pricing, and saved some $

 

[mamarulis]

Don't overlook the option of buying 'Dapper Day' conference priced tickets.
Much cheaper than 'regular' tickets

We will be there from the 1st also and have bought a 4 day park hopper via the dapper day conference pricing, and saved some $

Interesting. I looked at the "convention" priced tickets, but it says you need to be registered. From what I understand, there is no registration process for Dapper Days. Also, I think my DH would be thrilled to dress up lol.

 

[mamarulis]

Also, if one of us chose not to dress up, do you think the cast member at the entrance would give us a hard time?

 

[Aladora]

Interesting. I looked at the "convention" priced tickets, but it says you need to be registered. From what I understand, there is no registration process for Dapper Days. Also, I think my DH would be thrilled to dress up lol.

This is from the Dapper Day website:

(The Disney sales site may mention requiring "convention registration," but we do not have nor require any registration and Disney is aware of this.) A minimum two-night stay may be required depending on the dates requested.

Also:

Do I need to register?

No. We are not a standard convention and have no registration. (The Disney Group Sales websites for our discounted rooms and park tickets may mention requiring that you register with us but you can disregard this as we currently have no registration. Disney is aware of this.) For future events we may begin requiring registration to access certain discounts.

And lastly, they do say this:

Out of respect for the park and the other guests we would hope everyone would dress it up a notch, but no one will be policing "dapper" wardrobe.

 

[mamarulis]

This is from the Dapper Day website:



Also:



And lastly, they do say this:

That's very helpful, thank you so much!