Can Only *Some* on the Reservation Park Hop?

[ColoradoK]

Greetings,

We have an extended family trip coming up. 11 of us are in two adjoining family suites all on a single credit card and reservation.

A few of us are first timers wanting to take it easier (one park per day) and a few of us are up for a little more "go-go-go" (Animal Kingdom closes at 5? Onto the next park!).

My question is: can some of us have the park hopper option on our tickets and some of us not? I know if we wanted to do the dining plan then ALL of us would have to get it so is it that way with the Hopper option? I have been looking quite a lot for this answer but haven't figured out the right terms to search apparently.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Shanti]

Greetings,

We have an extended family trip coming up. 11 of us are in two adjoining family suites all on a single credit card and reservation.

A few of us are first timers wanting to take it easier (one park per day) and a few of us are up for a little more "go-go-go" (Animal Kingdom closes at 5? Onto the next park!).

My question is: can some of us have the park hopper option on our tickets and some of us not? I know if we wanted to do the dining plan then ALL of us would have to get it so is it that way with the Hopper option? I have been looking quite a lot for this answer but haven't figured out the right terms to search apparently.

Thanks in advance!

You can do this if you book a room-only resort and buy people's tickets separately, linking each ticket to your resort reservation. If you purchase a package, you'll all need the same ticket type & number of days. This is one of the many reasons why I typically recommend that people book room-only. I can't answer your question about the dining plan, as I rarely choose to use it.

 

[McKelly]

I think you can still book a package. Just don't add the Park Hopper option right away. To those that want the hopper, they can add it at the front desk of the hotel.

 

[minushka72]

You're not required to have the hopper to book the DDP. The park hoppers have been a requirement when booking the Free Dining promo, but regular DDP being a part of your package does not require park hoppers (unless I am unaware of a recent change...). I would book the package and then upgrade the tickets once you get there for the people who want Park Hopping. Just go to your resort concierge desk.

 

[AshleeH]

I ran into a similar problem today and was told by a Disney cast member to get the baseline tickets for everyone (in our case, we'll all be there for 8 days and we all want park hoppers) but some will be staying an additional two days, so instead of paying an extra $40 that would get thrown away, the CM said to tell them upon check-in that I want to upgrade two of the tickets. Saves money and hassle. Same would be true for any upgrade (park hoppers included).

 

[pezaddict231]

If you do a package, the initial tickets you buy would all the be same # of days, options, etc. I would book base tickets and upgrade to the hoppers for those that want it when they decide to park hop. The good thing about doing it this way is they will also be sure they use it. For the dining plan everyone in the same room needs to be on the same plan. Since you have 2 rooms, you should be able to do one room on the plan and one room not if you wanted to.

 

[ColoradoK]

I think you can still book a package. Just don't add the Park Hopper option right away. To those that want the hopper, they can add it at the front desk of the hotel.

Thanks, I hope this is the case! I am hesitant to make other plans just in case it can't work this way.

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks, I hope this is the case! I am hesitant to make other plans just in case it can't work this way.

It will work exactly as McKelly described. You can also add hopping to the tickets that need them if you visit guest relations in any of the parks.

 

[2forMe]

Very simple, once you arrive at WDW upgrade the tickets to add on park hoppers for those who want...might even want to wait until those people want to park hop and do it then.

 

[Neotericisis]

Everyone has your main question covered, but just FYI, Animal Kingdom is now open until 11.