UPDATED OCTOBER 2024. Should I get Park Hopper tickets for Disneyland? This is one of the more frequently asked questions we get from first time Disneyland visitors and those returning.
People also want to know which Disneyland Park is the best... We don't think we can choose! However, if you're not familiar with the layout of the Disneyland Resort, or just haven't been in a while, you may be asking similar questions so you know where to spend your time. We'll answer that and more in today's article.
When you're planning your vacation, you may be asking yourself, should I get Park Hopper tickets for Disneyland? The answer of course depends on what your main goal is when purchasing tickets.
The only time we ever recommend purchasing 1-Park per Day tickets instead of Park Hopper tickets is if you are on a very limited budget. The only other time we would suggest not using the Park Hopper option is if you're only going for one day. But at the same time, we always recommend visiting Disneyland for multiple days.
How Much Does A Park Hopper Ticket Cost?
Price point is often the major consideration factor when choosing between 1 park per day tickets and park hopper tickets.
Let’s break down those prices right here.
1 day Park Hopper ticket is an additional $65-$75 and is priced by date specific terms 2 day Park Hopper ticket is an additional $85 per ticket 3 day Park Hopper ticket is an additional $90 per ticket 4 day Park Hopper ticket is an additional $95 per ticket 5 day Park Hopper ticket is an additional $105 per ticket
While the choice is ultimately yours, we’ve gathered a few reasons we think it is still worth it to upgrade your ticket to a Park Hopper.
Park Hopping at Disneyland is a Breeze
Park Hopping Extends Your Park Hours
2. The Parks have different hours. Typically Disneyland Park will have longer hours than Disney California Adventure Park. This means not only does Disneyland normally open earlier than Disney California Adventure Park on select days, it also regularly stays open later.
Especially valid during Oogie Boogie Bash which runs on select nights during Halloween Time. In this case, California Adventure Park closes in the early evening, but Disneyland stays open later.
In any of these scenarios, you'll maximize your total park hours by being able to visit both parks on the same day.
Park Hopping Expands Entertainment Options
3. Theme park entertainment is not guaranteed. One of our favorite things about the Disneyland Resort is the entertainment, particularly the nighttime entertainment.
However, the nighttime entertainment is one of the more unpredictable attractions at the Resort. Fireworks, shows and parades can be canceled at a moment's notice due to weather or any unexpected events. With a Park Hopper ticket, you are giving yourself the best probability to see all of the shows you'd like to see.
For example, if you have a 1-Park per Day ticket and were planning on watching Fantastmic! on a Friday night and it's canceled, that means if you want to try to see it the next night instead, you must spend your next evening in Disneyland Park.
If you were planning on two days in a row at Disneyland, that may not interrupt your flow. But, if you were planning on spending your next day in Disney California Adventure Park, that means you won't have the chance to try to see Fantasmic!. The same is true for any of the fireworks shows, parades and World of Color.
Park Hop Your Disneyland Favorites
4. Kids can be finicky. And really, can't we all? Your kids are sure to have a favorite attraction or two. And, they may want to ride that attraction each day of your vacation.
That's likely not going to be possible without a Park Hopper ticket. For example, if your kids are obsessed with Cars Land, it might be worth visiting Cars Land each day of your Disneyland Resort vacation.
Whether it's for riding Radiator Springs Racers, grabbing lunch at Flo's V8 Cafe, or just walking down the street and waving to Lightning McQueen, your kids will love the flexibility of a Park Hopper ticket.
The same could be said for seeing Sleeping Beauty Castle. Or, grabbing a raspberry Mickey macaron that can only be found at the Jolly Holiday Bakery on Main Street U.S.A.. Maybe it's even that your kids like taking a relaxing midday break at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure Park.
Whatever it is that is your favorite thing at the entire Disneyland Resort, having a Park Hopper makes it possible to do that thing every day of your stay.
Park Hop for Lower Crowds
5. Either Park can get crowded. It's true that there just aren't many "down" times at the Disneyland Resort, and that's okay. With proper planning and a little flexibility, you can make any time you visit the Disneyland Resort enjoyable.
Part of that planning and flexibility means having a Park Hopper ticket. For example, if Disneyland starts to get too busy for your liking in the late afternoon, chances are Disney California Adventure Park may not be as busy.
You can just check the Disneyland app for ride wait times to verify and then easily hop over. Having flexible options makes busy days seem less busy.
Early Entry and Park Hoppers
Skip the Wait with Park Hopper Tickets
Lightning Lane and Mobile Ordering work for both Parks. If you're upgrading your tickets to the Lightning Lane Multi Pass service, you can use it for both parks if you have a Park Hopper ticket.
You can also order food for pick-up in one park from another park. That means that you could be eating a bread bowl in Disney California Adventure that you ordered that morning from Disneyland while making aLightning Lane reservation for Space Mountain.
Or, you could be getting ready to ride Space Mountain and make a reservation for the Incredicoaster in Disney California Adventure Park.
Combining a Park Hopper with Lightning Lane Multi Pas is the most flexible way to experience both parks at the Disneyland Resort.
Join the Conversation!
Leave A CommentAnonymousJune 21 2019
October 2019 the Halloween party is in California Adventure. This needs updating in your article.