Worth it to do Park Hopper for a 2-day trip?

With only two days, look into doing a dining package for F! (a better show at DL). That way you'll get a nice break for a meal and a great viewing spot to boot. PTN in DCA also has dining packages, but I don't know that they'll be as necessary for a good view since that parade route is long. It shouldn't be too hard to find a good spot, but if you want the luxury of seated viewing, look into the PTN dessert reception at the Sonoma Terrace. WOC may be down for refurb during your dates. (If it isn't, go for the Dessert Party viewing!)
 
I think its worth it but I would try to spend most of the time at DL. So just half a day at DCA if it were me. Definitely do Radiator Springs/ Carsland, Guardians at DCA. The pier I think is going through some renovations so not everything there may be open.
 
Worth is a very subjective term. Disneyland is pure entertainment so many could argue just entrance alone is not worth the price. But to me, if all you have is 2 days then yes, making everyone moment count us worth the extra $40!
 

no...should we have been? haha. My son is 4 and cars-obsessed so regardless of which park we're in we try to do RSR every day.

I get it....my obsession is with GRR 5-7 seven times a day....depending on the line. But without GRR and Crush...I would never park-hop, even Cadillac range does not inspire me, for we have a real "test track" at home. Plus, I know when it is crowded at Disneyland and time to rest on calmer sidewalks.

But the observation I want to make, with only two days, AS A FIRST TIME VISITOR, unless you have a written plan from someone else, park hopping becomes a strategic waste.....when do you leave Disneyland, can't say crowded, because there is no history of what crowded looks like, what % of attractions have been completed in Disneyland, have you had lunch, dinner...what do those plans look like, fireworks vs WOC, which parade do you want to see , light events like shaboom or NOS pre Fantastimic? Also, there is Disneyland at night...Smallworld, Toontown, matterhorn riding, autopia riding, the train, canal boat, Jungle cruise,....those attractions at night are magical within themselves... Where as DCA as a first time visitor.. can .fall into the pitfalls like we all have at DCA, and not know any better....a first time visitor can have a full Day at DCA without hopping, especially with the maxpass for RSR, two in the day, one or two a night, Pixar coaster at night, goofy flight school at night, all the window shopping GOG at night. all the street performer shows.

and this is written basically for folks who are reading here to plan future trips, on a budget....FIRST TIME AND ONLY TIME VISITOR...each park offers a full day, more so once Pixar Pier is done, weather warms up for GRR and outdoor eating is pleasant.
 
With only two days, look into doing a dining package for F! (a better show at DL). That way you'll get a nice break for a meal and a great viewing spot to boot. PTN in DCA also has dining packages, but I don't know that they'll be as necessary for a good view since that parade route is long. It shouldn't be too hard to find a good spot, but if you want the luxury of seated viewing, look into the PTN dessert reception at the Sonoma Terrace. WOC may be down for refurb during your dates. (If it isn't, go for the Dessert Party viewing!)

Thank you for this! I'm definitely looking to eat at the park to minimize excursions out. I mean, with such little time, every moment is precious. Yeah, I wasn't going to go to F because I've seen it at WDW, but I'm leaning towards it now.
 
I think its worth it but I would try to spend most of the time at DL. So just half a day at DCA if it were me. Definitely do Radiator Springs/ Carsland, Guardians at DCA. The pier I think is going through some renovations so not everything there may be open.

Yes, That's what I heard. Awhile back I remember being at DHS in Florida. I believe it wasn't too long after it was renamed from MGM. Frankly at the time a lot was closed off. No Tower of terror, no Roller coaster. It's much better now, but I remember at THAT time it was truly a half-day park
 
I get it....my obsession is with GRR 5-7 seven times a day....depending on the line. But without GRR and Crush...I would never park-hop, even Cadillac range does not inspire me, for we have a real "test track" at home. Plus, I know when it is crowded at Disneyland and time to rest on calmer sidewalks.

But the observation I want to make, with only two days, AS A FIRST TIME VISITOR, unless you have a written plan from someone else, park hopping becomes a strategic waste.....when do you leave Disneyland, can't say crowded, because there is no history of what crowded looks like, what % of attractions have been completed in Disneyland, have you had lunch, dinner...what do those plans look like, fireworks vs WOC, which parade do you want to see , light events like shaboom or NOS pre Fantastimic? Also, there is Disneyland at night...Smallworld, Toontown, matterhorn riding, autopia riding, the train, canal boat, Jungle cruise,....those attractions at night are magical within themselves... Where as DCA as a first time visitor.. can .fall into the pitfalls like we all have at DCA, and not know any better....a first time visitor can have a full Day at DCA without hopping, especially with the maxpass for RSR, two in the day, one or two a night, Pixar coaster at night, goofy flight school at night, all the window shopping GOG at night. all the street performer shows.

and this is written basically for folks who are reading here to plan future trips, on a budget....FIRST TIME AND ONLY TIME VISITOR...each park offers a full day, more so once Pixar Pier is done, weather warms up for GRR and outdoor eating is pleasant.

So here's the thing. The way I envision it is that DL is basically at LEAST a 1.25 day and DCA .75 day. I was going to hit up the items that were NOT at WDW and, if i had time, hit up the similar ones (like Star Tours) only if I had time. So I was going to do 1 regular day ticket (focused only on DL) and 1 regular Park hopper for DCA and anything leftover from DL. We're a pair of fit young adults and we'd probably skip the things like dumbo and the tea cups. When I calculated it up it seems that this would have been more expensive than just 2-day park hopper.
 
So here's the thing. The way I envision it is that DL is basically at LEAST a 1.25 day and DCA .75 day. I was going to hit up the items that were NOT at WDW and, if i had time, hit up the similar ones (like Star Tours) only if I had time. So I was going to do 1 regular day ticket (focused only on DL) and 1 regular Park hopper for DCA and anything leftover from DL. We're a pair of fit young adults and we'd probably skip the things like dumbo and the tea cups. When I calculated it up it seems that this would have been more expensive than just 2-day park hopper.

Two day hoppers will be cheaper than two one day tickets with hopper added to one day. The hopper is a $50 add-on, for the duration of the ticket.
 
Two day hoppers will be cheaper than two one day tickets with hopper added to one day. The hopper is a $50 add-on, for the duration of the ticket.

This is very true- thank you Twitch!
 
I could fill a day at DCA. But the question is will one day be enough at DL? Given 2 days, with much of Paradise Pier still boarded up, I would definitely want more than half of my time to be at DL. I would definitely get the park hoppers.
 
Ok folks- so here’s what I decided. This sounds a bit unusual but here it goes.

So I’m going with my friend. We’re flying in from different cities. We’ll be touring Friday and Saturday full days.

Thought about 2-day park hoppers. But I went with 3 days in order to get magic morning on one day. I know it sounds crazy to do that but this is the only time I envision we’ll go to Disneyland because we’re pretty much WDW folks and if not, I’d want to visit DisneySea next.

So getting 3-day pass for full two days seems excessive but staying on property is waaaaay to much for me (also have a bigger trip lined up overseas this year). And considering this was the only time in the near foreseeable future I’d visit, I’m willing to shell out the extra $140 or so to get that extra hour to get as much done as possible.Actually while my friend will have 2 days I’ll have a half day in that 3rd day so I’ll scope out the park ahead time to be efficient.
 
Ok folks- so here’s what I decided. This sounds a bit unusual but here it goes.

So I’m going with my friend. We’re flying in from different cities. We’ll be touring Friday and Saturday full days.

Thought about 2-day park hoppers. But I went with 3 days in order to get magic morning on one day. I know it sounds crazy to do that but this is the only time I envision we’ll go to Disneyland because we’re pretty much WDW folks and if not, I’d want to visit DisneySea next.

So getting 3-day pass for full two days seems excessive but staying on property is waaaaay to much for me (also have a bigger trip lined up overseas this year). And considering this was the only time in the near foreseeable future I’d visit, I’m willing to shell out the extra $140 or so to get that extra hour to get as much done as possible.Actually while my friend will have 2 days I’ll have a half day in that 3rd day so I’ll scope out the park ahead time to be efficient.

As a WDW vet, the extra half-day for you will be beneficial... things aren’t always where you expect to find them!!

The following won’t matter if you decide to do MaxPass, but one of my biggest frustrations the first few times was *finding* the FP distribution machines. RSR is the worst culprit, but sometimes they aren’t in intuitive locations.
 
We never get hoppers at WDW, but have always gotten them at DLR. It's so easy to hop.
 
Ok folks- so here’s what I decided. This sounds a bit unusual but here it goes.

So I’m going with my friend. We’re flying in from different cities. We’ll be touring Friday and Saturday full days.

Thought about 2-day park hoppers. But I went with 3 days in order to get magic morning on one day. I know it sounds crazy to do that but this is the only time I envision we’ll go to Disneyland because we’re pretty much WDW folks and if not, I’d want to visit DisneySea next.

So getting 3-day pass for full two days seems excessive but staying on property is waaaaay to much for me (also have a bigger trip lined up overseas this year). And considering this was the only time in the near foreseeable future I’d visit, I’m willing to shell out the extra $140 or so to get that extra hour to get as much done as possible.Actually while my friend will have 2 days I’ll have a half day in that 3rd day so I’ll scope out the park ahead time to be efficient.
A 3day ticket purchased prior to arrival includes 1 Magic Morning (MM) to Disneyland.
Disneyland's MM are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
 
Always park hop if possible. You may kick yourself for going all that way and not being able to see everything you would like to. There are so many great things in each park.
 
A 3day ticket purchased prior to arrival includes 1 Magic Morning (MM) to Disneyland.
Disneyland's MM are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.


Yep, looking to go on Saturday. It'll be crowded on that day for sure. Wondering if MM occurs on Saturday will that mean DCA is less crowded that day? Its like that at WDW, but that may be because it's hard to park hop at WDW
 
Yep, looking to go on Saturday. It'll be crowded on that day for sure. Wondering if MM occurs on Saturday will that mean DCA is less crowded that day? Its like that at WDW, but that may be because it's hard to park hop at WDW
It doesn't work that way at DLR. The parks are so close together that it's almost like one big park. Crowds flow between the parks pretty freely. Just because one park has early entry doesn't mean it will stay busier during the day.

However, DCA does tend to absorb the crowds better, so it might make it the better choice on a really busy day.
 
We always park hop in DL...and conversely never do in WDW. Even with 4 kids, even on our first visit. I think park hoppers are ALWAYS worth it at DL. It is nice to have the flexibility. Good luck and have an amazing first visit.
 


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