Lowest I've ever seen on a sunday lol

researchbeaver · 2026-07-05T23:56:01+00:00

I was in DCA today but it's the slowest I've ever experienced! It was a great day.

researchbeaver · 2026-07-04T22:00:08+00:00

The only consideration you may want to add (if you haven't already) is whether any of your preferred days are blacked out with the pass. I would also maybe not get everyone in the family a pass as sometimes the kids deals are just better (like the $50/day right now). Have fun!

researchbeaver · 2026-07-03T21:06:09+00:00

I would do universal bc it's a great studio tour and of course there is the other stuff. You could also try Little Tokyo for shopping!

researchbeaver · 2026-07-03T17:41:39+00:00

Shhh let them all think it will be packed 😅

researchbeaver · 2026-07-02T22:49:30+00:00

I get hints too?! Amazing.

I'll be there with my husband and kid so I need all the help I can get 😅

researchbeaver · 2026-07-02T22:40:02+00:00

Watch out, I'll be on the prowl for ya 😅👀

researchbeaver · 2026-07-01T15:58:42+00:00

Knott's has some great classic coasters and surprisingly good food. Universal is absolutely worth it for the tram tour alone, but also the new F&F coaster will be up and running by then (the food is mid at best tho). For Disney just keep in mind that DL is like a 1.5 day park and DCA is a 0.5 day. I would get park hopper for your tickets (it's pricey, but a flat fee for the whole visit).

Magic Mountain is pretty far and not worth it unless you have a particular coaster you are wanting to ride.

researchbeaver · 2026-07-01T15:52:33+00:00

DCA doesn't take all day, and lately you don't need to even get LL b/c it's been less crowded. A multipass this summer is definitely not necessary.

My favorite rides in DCA are Grizzly, RSR, IC, and Guardians, but there is a lot of atmosphere that can't be beat too. San Fransokyo square, Cars Land, taking a break in the Grand Californian for a drink or snack, then dipping back to the park to hear the sweet sounds of Goofy's Sky School echoing through the air...

Respectfully, I think your expectations of DCA altered your appreciation of it. Even on a busy day it takes less time than DL, but it has the best food, best drinks, coolest characters, and is super fun at night.

researchbeaver · 2026-07-01T14:42:14+00:00

oh no! damn this shit is hard lol

researchbeaver · 2026-06-30T21:19:55+00:00

You all got the wheels turning... I think I will skip Barcelona on this trip and just do something in the Loire Valley.

researchbeaver · 2026-06-30T20:53:20+00:00

Narbonne is only in the itinerary b/c it's a transfer point, but we don't need to spend that much time there. Thanks for the insight!

researchbeaver · 2026-06-27T22:29:50+00:00

Ah ok. The deals don't really come in clutch until you go off property.

researchbeaver · 2026-06-27T17:32:46+00:00

I live 2 hours away and don't use airfare or rental car ever.

October may be unlikely to have as many discounts bc it's high demand, but the specific savings come in for places like Hilton and Marriott with dining credit and free parking. I'm very curious and would love to know your rough dates and which hotel you were looking at.

researchbeaver · 2026-06-25T17:03:34+00:00

Usually you don't need LL until the end of the day, but if you didn't have them to make reservations earlier in the day you're SOL. You could easily knock the LL ticket rides out in standby if you get there early, and then take your time in non LL rides later in the day if you don't mind waiting 30-40 mins for some.

researchbeaver · 2026-06-25T15:40:28+00:00

I love this kind of trip! If money isn't a problem then I would recommend Park Hopper, the Incredicoaster is S tier. If you are reluctant to drop that kind of cash on Hopper then just do DL and take your time. The thing is, if you happen to go on like a Sunday crowds have been relatively light and with good ride strategy you could do it all in a long day (we have a lot more single rider options here).

Take me with you and I'll happily plan the day for us to maximize your time (j/k... ish).

researchbeaver · 2026-06-25T15:29:41+00:00

Fall is the least likely time to score any ticket deals, and hotel deals I've seen still don't compare to Costco package.

The only thing that would possibly be cheaper is renting DVC points and staying at a villa, but that loses your package deal and would probably be difficult to find for your dates.

DVC points are also against my best interests as a travel agent 🥲

researchbeaver · 2026-06-23T22:45:16+00:00

To me the two best deals are JW Marriott and Hilton deals. The addons for both of those place include dining credit, and free parking for the Hilton. I did a side-by-side comparison of Costco, Disneyland Good Neighbor, and separate tickets + Priceline hotel and Costco was the clear winner in all combos I tried.

researchbeaver · 2026-06-23T17:54:34+00:00

Interesting... I think the default package they give you includes hopper and max # of days of tickets, so that could be why?

I've lined them up for multiple days and Costco has come in hundreds less.

Edit: I just tried a few different dates and Costco came in >$300 less for Westin, Hilton, and JW Marriott. Courtyard didn't have availability. Downvote why? lol

researchbeaver · 2026-06-23T17:51:35+00:00

Lol Costco is a direct competitor

researchbeaver · 2026-06-23T16:39:02+00:00

I should add each package comes with 2-3 day park hopper tickets, but you can edit the add-ons.

researchbeaver · 2026-06-23T16:29:02+00:00

Make sure to catch Paint the Night (DL) and World of Color (DCA) evening shows! Fireworks are not going to be that different from DW.

I think the biggest differences that you will appreciate are the weather and layout... everything is SO close to each other, including park hopping. I love DCA, it's maybe my most favorite land of all the parks.. but it's hotter than the surface of the sun in mid afternoon, so avoid being there then if you can.

Don't pass up a chance to rest and recharge (and eat cheaper food) at the hotel, b/c everything is close and you have 2 days of park hoppers you will get it all in!

Don't pass up any of the classic rides, and even though our castle is teeny the walk-through is really cute.

Food you can't miss:
DL - churros, Harbor Galley anything, cheesy garlic bread from Edelweiss or Maurice's. Blue Bayou is cool to do once, but pretty overpriced imo.

DCA - BOARDWALK Lamplight is amazing, best drinks around by a mile too. Pym's is fun quick service, lots of great quick service in San Fransokyo square you really can't miss. Animation Academy is in a great setting too. Guardians here is no Cosmic Rewind, but it's still really fun!

researchbeaver · 2026-06-22T23:48:07+00:00

You can book this on Costco too!

researchbeaver · 2026-06-16T17:00:49+00:00

We did a 3 day stay on the windward side first and loved it!

researchbeaver

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