Hey there, Marsha!
We wish you and your family a warm welcome to planDisney! We're so happy that you came to us with your question and I'm excited for you and your boys to be able to see the
Disneyland Resort all decked out for the
Holiday Season. The Cast Members do such a magical job of decorating every year that my sister has made it an annual family tradition to take her young kids and soak up some Holiday spirit!
Marsha, your answer will ultimately depend on your family and your touring style. Personally, I do think that purchasing a
Park Hopper ticket is worth it in many cases. It is a flat cost per ticket and it gives you the freedom to Hop back and forth between either Park. Since they are only separated by the Esplanade which is about 300 feet across, it is extremely easy to walk back and forth between them. I think my record is five Park Hops in a day! This is a wonderful option if you feel that there's more that you and your boys want to see in a particular Park and there wasn't enough time to experience it all the day before. Attraction wait times will vary throughout the day, and sometimes it makes sense to Hop over to the other Park because there's an attraction that you've been wanting to do with a low wait time. And if your boys find an attraction that they particularly love, you'll have the freedom to return and experience it again the next day! For mealtimes, you'll be able to pick from either Park. The
Festive Foods Marketplace will be happening at Disney California Adventure, so consider heading over there for a quick meal of Holiday inspired foods.
That being said, if you know that you are all content to stay within the same Park for the entire day and that there is very little chance of needing to Park Hop, a one park per day ticket makes sense for you. I would recommend studying the
Attractions and Entertainment at each Park and prioritizing what you and your boys would like to see most. Some of my favorites include the
Indiana Jones Adventure,
Pirates of the Caribbean,
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, and
Radiator Springs Racers. Also, be aware of the
height requirements for your younger child. If you plan on spending the entire day in the Parks, I would recommend making Rope Drop first thing in the morning because you can get a lot done before the Parks get more crowded later in the day. Finally, plan on taking a mid-day break with your kids so they have the energy to make it to the evening!
Marsha, I hope you found that answer helpful and that it gives you a better idea of which direction to take. If you have any other questions, please feel free to write to us again! There's plenty of time before your trip and we'd love to help design a magical vacation for you!
Wishing You a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow!
-Al