Park Hopper and 5 day tickets

[WeloveDisneyTooMuch]

First time poster, and first time going to Disneyland (California). We are staying on property and bought 5 days of tickets. My family and I are thinking of adding the PK, BUT is having the Park Hopper worth it? We plan on doing rope drop to make use of the early entry for each park, so trying to understand the value of it.

We never use park hopper when we go to WDW. We plan on using the ILL for Radiator Springs and maybe Rise. I would think that the two parks have more than enough to do for a full day at each.

 

[irlandaise]

That's so exciting that you're going to Disneyland for the first time!

It's true that you can find plenty to occupy your time in both parks, but just checking--are you aware how incredibly easy it is to get between parks? Sometimes you may just get a hankering for a ride or a restaurant in the other park, and you can hop right over there in just a few minutes.

 

[sophy1996]

Yes, unlike WDW, it takes only a few minutes to walk across the plaza to the other park.

 

[Aladora]

We always add hoppers to our DL tickets, it is SO easy to get between the two parks that we often find ourselves going between the two multiple times a day. We find it really helpful for those times that one park might be a bit busier so we hop over to the other.

 

[starlite_]

We would find it worth it if the budget allowed for it. But as you said, there is more than enough to do in each park, so it is not necessary.

 

[OlliePop27]

I agree with the other posters that it's worth it to add park hoppers if within the budget. It is nothing like WDW. The two parks are steps apart and are really like one big park.

However, I am going to disagree with other posters about each park having enough to do for a full day. I do not believe that to be the case with California Adventure. It has far less rides and attractions than Disneyland, especially if you have any kids less than 40" tall. DCA overall has more thrill rides, which may or may not be of interest to everyone in your party. Disneyland is more of a mix of ride types.

Since it's your first visit to Disneyland, you can likely fill one entire day with California Adventure, but I think two full days would be tough. If you end up not adding hoppers, consider 4 days at DL and 1 at DCA.

Just my two cents. Some people love DCA rides, so they might want to spend more time there. One of the nice things about hoppers is you don't have to decide in advance.

 

[Dr. G]

For a trip that long and with it being your first time going, I'd definitely add Parkhoppers if the budget allows. After a day in each park you'll know what you want to repeat etc. You may not parkhop the first day in each park, but would likely want to later in your trip. I consider the two parks more like one big park. I "think" (hopefully someone can confirm...) that you can add parkhopping part way through your trip. IF that is the case, you could start without the hopping then add it during the trip if you find yourself wanting it. Congrats on your first Disneyland trip!

 

[sophy1996]

For a trip that long and with it being your first time going, I'd definitely add Parkhoppers if the budget allows. After a day in each park you'll know what you want to repeat etc. You may not parkhop the first day in each park, but would likely want to later in your trip. I consider the two parks more like one big park. I "think" (hopefully someone can confirm...) that you can add parkhopping part way through your trip. IF that is the case, you could start without the hopping then add it during the trip if you find yourself wanting it. Congrats on your first Disneyland trip!

You can add it, though you lose some value because it’s the same cost whether you add it before or during the trip. I think the problem might be park reservations. I believe one-park and park hopper are in different buckets, and you may lose your reservations when you switch ticket types. So you would need to be sure parkhopper reservations are available for the rest of the trip before switching.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Parkhopping is incredible easy. Going from one park to another is like walking across a parking lot. It takes very little time. Also, it gives you more flexibility. If multiple rides are down in one park, you can go to the other park. Having a park hopper gives you the flexibility to return when the rides are back up whether it's the same day or another day. If one park seems busier than another and the other has shorter wait times, you can go to the other park with the shorter wait times.

If you can afford it, do it. It is absolutely worth the money.

 

[mwilliamson]

I have always had a park hopper when we go because I like to be able to eat at restaurants in both parks and my kids will want to jump from one park to the other to ride their favorite rides. I also will spend the day in one park and then go to the other to watch a night time show or parade. I also love California Adventure in the evening to be able to walk around with an adult beverage and enjoy the lights! You mentioned staying on property, not sure which hotel you are at, but if you are at the Grand Californian I sometimes even used the dedicated entrance to california adventure, did one ride there and then park hopped over to disneyland immediately (assuming its after 11am)

 

[sophy1996]

You can add it, though you lose some value because it’s the same cost whether you add it before or during the trip. I think the problem might be park reservations. I believe one-park and park hopper are in different buckets, and you may lose your reservations when you switch ticket types. So you would need to be sure parkhopper reservations are available for the rest of the trip before switching.

Just to add, staying on property means better reservation availability so it may not matter.

 

[WeloveDisneyTooMuch]

Thank you to everyone's help on this. I am going to go with the flexibility to move from one park to the other. Cost isn't an issue, just thought it might not be needed. Once i read the posts on being able to move from one park at night to the other to see the night time show or just enjoy the pier area, that helps make the decision to buy it. Even going from one park to eat at the other is a good thought as well when there is a break in the day or multiple rides are down. We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel, we jumped on the summer sale discount to go there.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[katyringo]

Yes to the hopper! Maybe the first 2 days you don't hop and focus on each seperate park, but then you have 3 MORE days... and it's so easy to hop back and forth to favorites.

 

[goooof1]

Flexibility !!!! yes, so worth it !

 

[purple figment]

Glad you've decided to add the hopper. With the parks so close together - an average walker can make it across in less than a minute - you'll find it very easy to go from one park to the other. We often go back and forth several times a day.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thank you to everyone's help on this. I am going to go with the flexibility to move from one park to the other. Cost isn't an issue, just thought it might not be needed. Once i read the posts on being able to move from one park at night to the other to see the night time show or just enjoy the pier area, that helps make the decision to buy it. Even going from one park to eat at the other is a good thought as well when there is a break in the day or multiple rides are down. We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel, we jumped on the summer sale discount to go there.

Thanks again everyone.

You won’t regret it. Just the flexibility on the nighttime entertainment alone is worth it, as well as the ability to move freely to ride favorite rides or grab food.

 

[gisele2]

For 5 days at new years eve, is Genie plus worth it?

 

[hawkeyesparks]

I did park hopper my first time and it was nice, but after the fact I saw that it really wasn’t necessary. My family is going this week and we dropped the park hopper

 

[bfrosty]

What time does park hopper start? Is it not till 2pm still? or did they change it? TIA

 

[sophy1996]

What time does park hopper start? Is it not till 2pm still? or did they change it? TIA

At DLR it is 11 am.