Do people "Hopalot?"

[momandseandodisney]

I would never go without a park hopper. We usually go to one of each of the parks for a full day for the first 4 days and after that we'll hop the remaining days. Sometimes we'll go to one park in the morning go back to our resort to rest or swim and then do a different park in the evening; especilly if there is EMH in the evening instead of spending tht much time in one park for one day. Or if one park is a little too crowded and you wnat to try a different one. Or if you're in one park and someone else in your party wants to go to a different park you can compromise and spend part of the day in each. I guess the only con is that it costs extra, but to me the extra cost is worth the flexibility.

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY! We never go without our hoppers

 

[I Love Pluto]

We always do hopping. Love the flexibility.

 

[JRawkSteady]

On a 9-Day trip, I usually don't hop the first 4-5 days of my trip, but then the last 4 days, I hop like mad! I like to spend all day at each park first before I take advantage. It's definitely worth it.

Nice note: Monorail from MK to Epcot, 10 minute walk (or 6 minute boat ride) from Epcot to MGM

 

[Bouncing4Tigger]

I always park hop, can't imagine not hopping.

 

[crazymama]

Thanks everyone. I am convinced. I do like the idea of psychological security knowing you can go anywhere at any time... should things not be working out at a particular park. I would also like to eat at BOTH the Primetime 50's and Sci Fi Drive in. Then we could do one each day! And, although it is more money, we are already dropping an armload just to get from British Columbia to Orlando... distance, US exchange rate etc. What's a bit more. We are staying offsite though so won't be able to take in all the EMH time. Too bad but maybe next time! Thanks again for all the input!

 

[hezreck]

We go to Disney in early Dec, when the parks close earlier. We spend the whole day away form the hotel. (No naps for us ) So when MK closes early for MVMCP, or AK closes at 5:00 we always end the day at Epcot for Illuminations. We are NEVER back at the hotel until Epcot is closed.
Our motto is early to the parks, and last to leave

 

[Sleeping Becca]

You can take a monorail to Epcot from MK but it is not a direct trip, you have to transfer monorails at the TTC.

If you are staying offsite, then you are less likely to hop. I absolutely love to hop, but we normally stay on site, and park hopping is easy and convenient. The times I've stayed offsite I did hop but not nearly as much, and could have easily done without that feature.

 

[Danemom]

Another thing is that hoppers give you more choices with dining.
We're doing an adults only trip (with free dining!) so we are excited to try a lot of new restaurants. We're making it a "value" trip so we debated on the hopper option, until we realized we would only get to go to Epcot!

 

[BlindTyldak]

We go to Disney in early Dec, when the parks close earlier. We spend the whole day away form the hotel. (No naps for us ) So when MK closes early for MVMCP, or AK closes at 5:00 we always end the day at Epcot for Illuminations. We are NEVER back at the hotel until Epcot is closed.
Our motto is early to the parks, and last to leave

Same here, we are always there in the slow season as well, so almost every day ends at Epcot. Parkhopper is essential to us!

 

[Micca]

Hopability is preferable.

 

[scrapbook35]

I feel weird visiting without the hopper option. I have guilted my dh into paying extra, and we most often do not use it.... BUTTTTTT...
Now that we use the meal plan I think you need the hopper, because you are allowed to eat wherever you want. We booked so many advanced Dining Reservations that We have to be here or we have to be there at a certain time. We must leave some room for flexibility, so we don't know what park we'll be in, (keepin' it light) ..... but we know we can "hop" over to the restaurant even if it's in MK or EPCOT. so IMO, if your getting meal plan and making many reservations, get the hopper. If your likely to eat counter service on the run... then you probably won't miss it. That's one way to look at it, if your confused......

 

[mmmcq]

When our oldest DD's were younger we spent most of our days and time in MK and barely got to MGM or Epcot at all - so we didn't buy hopper passes. Then we bought into DVC and now mostly stay near Epcot and so we discovered "Epcot at Night". We eat most of our meals there and love walking around the lake before and after dinner. Our youngest DD remembers Epcot the most - with the exception of MK castle of course.

And we do tend to hop more at the end of our trip going to MK for just an hour to ride a few things one more time or see an attraction we missed. We don't typically spend a lot of time at AK so that day is usually a 2 park day.

We can't live without hopper passes..........

 

[clonetothebone]

Like others have posted, we spend the first few days in one park only for a longer period and then hop the last few days with a nap or swimming in the middle.

As for travel time between parks the actual driving will only take 20 minutes at most (Epcot and MGM are basically across the street from each other so only a few minutes here). You might as well figure on average you are going to spend at minimum an hour by the time you get out of the first park, drive, and then get into the 2nd park.

I can't remember how many days you said you are going but if it is only 4 or 5 and at a time of year when the parks close early then I would go without it.

We have been twice both in the summer when the parks are open later and have like the flexibilty of having the hopper but can you live without it?? You bet.

 

[golden1]

Hopping can make for a nice change of pace. I especially like hopping between Epcot and MK since they are both on the Monorail and it is a quick ride over. For example, you get to MK in the AM, tour, leave when the crowds build and ride the monorail to Epcot and tour WS and watch Illuminations. Or tour Epcot FW in the AM and hop to MK for the parade and fireworks. Another nice day is hopping from AK, which closes early to Epcot or MK in the evening. I hemmed and hawed over getting the hopper and decided to go for it. I may only use it a few days of my trip but I wanted the flexibility especially with two toddlers in tow. I am spending about $4000 on this trip so another $80 isn't going to break me. However, you can definitely plan not to hop and be just fine!

 

[irisbud]

We like to hop for the restaurants as well. It makes making ADRS 6 months in advance a lot easier when in means you won't be locked into that park for the day. Also, we are going in December on this trip, and alot of the parks close pretty early, while Epcot is open until nine every night.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

We are hoppers Too!!!

If you are staying at a Deluxe resort, the parks are so close it's crazy not to. Or if you do the HDDR, Luau, Ohana, Chef Mickeys etc you can just hop over to the MK for Wishes and Spectro after Dinner.

We stay at the BW and Epcot and MGM are so close that we will go there for dinner and stay and watch illuminations or fantasmic. Its so much easier to go back to Epcot then hop a bus to the MK.

 

[bluejasmine]

We hop alot also. In fact I remember as a child when they introduced the Park Hoppers, my dad was so excited. I have never been to WDW without getting that option.

 

[kimberh]

We go to Disney 2-3 times a year. I plan what ADR's I want in the park or hotel pretty close to the park and then reenter and that is the park we do that day. We use to buy the hoppers and then use it one time or not at all. We have quit buying the hoppers. What I do buy is the 10 day no expiry. I try to get my days the cheapest I can since we do go so much and they aren't in the same calander year. One os us will have a Annual Pass to get the room discounts and perks. The parks are HUGE. If this is your first trip (sorry, i can't remember after reading 3 pages of posts) you are going to be overwhelmed with the parks. On the AK day we eat at Boma's at AKL and finish our day with the same theme. The Hotel is beautiful and worth a tour.

 

[Darkwing Duck]

We Go Every Year So We Park Hop Every Year. I Cant Remember The Last Time We Only Did One Park. This Year We Did All 4 Parks In 1 Day, Only Doing Everest, Khali River Rapids, And Dinosaur At Animal Kingdom. Plus Mk Was Open Till 2 So We Had Extra Time There.