Which Days/Which Park- Mid December

[MaxnElliesMama]

We have 5 day Hoppers with Genie+, so I know it likely isn't a huge deal, as to what parks we select for our reservation, but want to make the most of our time, and also this will be the first visit we've ever done, with the new Genie+ in play. So pretty please, give us your suggestions.

Our dates/days in December and our current reservations:
(but we can/will change if something different is better)
Friday the 15th - DCA reservation
Saturday the 16th- DL reservation
Sunday the 17th- DCA Reservation
Monday the 18th -DL Reservation
Tuesday the 19th- DL Reservation- Departure day, we have to be to SNA by 4pm.

 

[TarynM]

I think your split of 3/2 for starting parks is good but I personally always want my first day to start at Disneyland. There's just something magical about walking into Disneyland on your first day and walking down Main Street. So you could always do DL/DCA/DL/DCA/DL and just alternate each day.

 

[starlite_]

Agree with Taryn. Starting at DL is the way to go.

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

I think your split of 3/2 for starting parks is good but I personally always want my first day to start at Disneyland. There's just something magical about walking into Disneyland on your first day and walking down Main Street. So you could always do DL/DCA/DL/DCA/DL and just alternate each day.

Agree with Taryn. Starting at DL is the way to go.

Is the starting with DL based on busy-ness of the specific days of the week or due to a preference as to what park you like first? Our boys LOVE DCA, so we want to do that first-- IF the days we have picked seem okay otherwise, but for example i know DL can be super busy on Mondays, so maybe we should switch that?

Again, we have hoppers so maybe i am over thinking it and all will be well, i just haven't used Genie+ and haven't been during Christmas, so I am not sure what to expect.

 

[irlandaise]

Is the starting with DL based on busy-ness of the specific days of the week or due to a preference as to what park you like first? Our boys LOVE DCA, so we want to do that first-- IF the days we have picked seem okay otherwise, but for example i know DL can be super busy on Mondays, so maybe we should switch that?

Again, we have hoppers so maybe i am over thinking it and all will be well, i just haven't used Genie+ and haven't been during Christmas, so I am not sure what to expect.

I think the previous posters were going by personal preference rather than calculating a response based on the days of the week. DL is also my customary first-day recommendation, but you say that your boys love DCA so you've obviously been to DLR before, which changes the equation. It sounds like your kiddos will be very excited to know that they're heading for DCA first thing, so I say go with that.

 

[starlite_]

Is the starting with DL based on busy-ness of the specific days of the week or due to a preference as to what park you like first? Our boys LOVE DCA, so we want to do that first-- IF the days we have picked seem okay otherwise, but for example i know DL can be super busy on Mondays, so maybe we should switch that?

Again, we have hoppers so maybe i am over thinking it and all will be well, i just haven't used Genie+ and haven't been during Christmas, so I am not sure what to expect.

Simply preference. Starting at DCA doesn't feel like a Disney trip to me. BUT if it's your kiddos favorite then that is the way to go for your family.

Don't worry too much about it either way, since you have hoppers. Simply start at whichever park has the rides you want to go in with the least lines.

 

[maleficent55]

I’m super partial to starting in Disneyland
I need to castle and Main Street to be what greets me on every trip! Not that DCA isn’t magical in its own way but it’s just different

And then I would start in DCA on the last day because I have to end in Disneyland on every trip too!

 

[SpaceMan5]

I second, third, fourth, fifth etc the preference to start in DL first.

We all have our personal reasons, DL is where it all started, our own childhood memories, memories of taking our little ones and everything in between.

Do your research on the Disney site, watch YouTube vids of the different parks and rides, decide what makes you the happiest and rock with that.

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

I second, third, fourth, fifth etc the preference to start in DL first.

We all have our personal reasons, DL is where it all started, our own childhood memories, memories of taking our little ones and everything in between.

Do your research on the Disney site, watch YouTube vids of the different parks and rides, decide what makes you the happiest and rock with that.

We have been to Disney many times, but just never during the holidays and not with genie+ so my question was more what days based on crowd levels, etc not rides and preferences.

 

[irlandaise]

We have been to Disney many times, but just never during the holidays and not with genie+ so my question was more what days based on crowd levels, etc not rides and preferences.

Now that the hopping time is 11:00 a.m., I don't think it makes so much difference what your starting park is. You'll have starting days at both parks so you can rope drop your family's favorite rides one day or another if getting in standby lines first thing is important to you.

BTW, WDW is dropping the hopping restriction after the holidays. I wonder whether DLR will do the same.

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

Now that the hopping time is 11:00 a.m., I don't think it makes so much difference what your starting park is. You'll have starting days at both parks so you can rope drop your family's favorite rides one day or another if getting in standby lines first thing is important to you.

BTW, WDW is dropping the hopping restriction after the holidays. I wonder whether DLR will do the same.

Well wow, I feel so out of the loop and here I thought I was prepared. I thought hopping was still 1:00pm. 11:00am is a great hopper time, that’s much better!

 

[irlandaise]

Well wow, I feel so out of the loop and here I thought I was prepared. I thought hopping was still 1:00pm. 11:00am is a great hopper time, that’s much better!

It was 1:00 p.m. They just changed it earlier this year. Yes, a definite improvement!

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/park-hopper/

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Is the starting with DL based on busy-ness of the specific days of the week or due to a preference as to what park you like first? Our boys LOVE DCA, so we want to do that first-- IF the days we have picked seem okay otherwise, but for example i know DL can be super busy on Mondays, so maybe we should switch that?

Again, we have hoppers so maybe i am over thinking it and all will be well, i just haven't used Genie+ and haven't been during Christmas, so I am not sure what to expect.

We usually start at DCA, as well. My teenager is a huge Pixar and Marvel (especially Guardians of the Galaxy) fan and our toddler is a huge Cars fan. Mondays are busy in both parks, so it doesn’t matter which one you start in. It’s honestly going to be pretty crowded all of the days you will be there, so choose the order based on your preference, not on how crowded one park might be over the next. Hopping starts at 11am now so you can switch over if one park is feeling too packed.

 

[DizMe]

There are good arguments for starting at either park in your case. I'd say just go with your gut.

My personal feeling is that if it's your first time during the holidays, DL is by far the most impressive first look. The holiday feeling on Main St is the most magical IMO.

 

[SpaceMan5]

We have been to Disney many times, but just never during the holidays and not with genie+ so my question was more what days based on crowd levels, etc not rides and preferences.

Gottcha

Me personally, I wouldn't care about the crowd levels and would just start at DL

 

[MaxnElliesMama]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the input and will not worry with crowd levels much. I am so pleased hopping is 11am now! Thats fantastic!