Do we need park hoppers? (How do you use yours?)

[ZoZo]

We're Food&Wine people so we hit a park at rope drop and tour until noon or 1 pm then hop to WS every day except Sat., crowds in WS are horrible there on Sat. With hoppers we catch the evening shows in parks other than the the ones we hit during the day. Our experience wouldn't be as great without Hoppers.

Bill From PA

This is exactly what we've done on several of our trips during F&W. Start out at MK, AK or DHS, then hope over to F&W each evening.

When we went on trip the end of February, we found we didn't hop nearly as much. Pretty much didn't need hoppers at all. We had bought hoppers out of habit, then realized we could have easily done without them.

One thing that's also changed our planning is FP+. We used to spontaneously park-hop in the "good old days" of paper FPs. But now, with the need to pre-plan which park and pre-book FPs, we're much less likely to spontaneously park-hop because we'd lose those "later in the day" FPs we had booked.

 

[Gehrig1B]

We always get hoppers and hop every day.

We enjoy a table service meal every day and have our favorite restaurants. We can make our ADR's 180 days out and not worry about which park we are in for dinner.

We also FP+ during the crowded times early afternoon, (sometimes rope dropping a different park) usually done by 1:30, this allows us to hop to whatever park has shorter wait times and more FP+'s available. We can follow that up with our dinner plans and/or nighttime fireworks. Out of 9-10 days we will find ourselves in 3 different parks on a single day several times. Just wish the Express transportation option still existed, that was amazing! We are all adults though, not towing along children anymore.

 

[hsmamato2]

over about a million trips,we've used hoppers maybe twice..... once b/c our camera had lost all our pics from the trip and i Wanted to hop thru the parks and get some more pics on our last day (crazy day) and once we had them and used only if the park we were at was crazy busy,then we hopped somewhere less busy...otherwise my DH hates running around...he likes to do whatever is where we are...hopping is so opposite of how he likes to tour the parks...that plus it's gotten too dang expensive so we won't bother anymore. We just plan our meals to be wherever we tour....

 

[The 6 J's]

Questions for the group because we used to be in the "like the flexibility" camp but are now in the "we'll add it if we decide we want it" camp for our trip this winter.

Can we add it by stopping by Guest Services at a park any time or better yet can we do it via the mobile app?

Also, can you look for a 4th FP+ in the app at another park (after using your 3) if you don't have park hopper?

 

[Wubar]

Also, can you look for a 4th FP+ in the app at another park (after using your 3) if you don't have park hopper?

I'm sure you could look for a 4th FP in a different park and probably even reserve it. But then how would you use it if you can't hop to that park?

 

[agavegirl1]

I don't think anyone "NEEDS" park hoppers. My first trip was one park/one day. I have since come to really like them. I used to use EMH in the AM then hop to a less busy park. Now I use them to hop to parks after I have done certain things in one park and want a few different experiences for afternoon. I also like to eat dinner in Epcot so use them for hopping for dinner. I have even used them just to monorail to Epcot to grab treats at the French Bakery for breakfast, watch Illuminations and leave. But I am a semi-retired empty nester and my priorities differ from when I was taking kids.

 

[The 6 J's]

I'm sure you could look for a 4th FP in a different park and probably even reserve it. But then how would you use it if you can't hop to that park?

There's lots of ways this could work. For example, in theory, we RD AK, do all of our FP+ by mid-day, snag a FP+ for a night time event elsewhere(remember this is in theory), head to hotel for an afternoon break. Maybe we could add PH to our tix on way out of AK or at the new park, at Guest services, or on a bus ride on the mobile app if you can do that. That's why I also asked if you can just add PH by going to Guest Services in a park or possibly via the app. Or even online on the laptop in the hotel room? But all of this is for naught if I'm prevented from exploring FP+ in other parks because I don't have PH which is why I asked that question too.

Does anyone know the answers to any of these for sure? Not trying to hijack the thread but I think its pretty relevant to whether the OP would want to buy PH ahead of time or wait to decide if they really need it.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

This is absolutely true and why neither one is the "correct" answer.

The travel time is absolutely inefficient if you are trying to maximize your park hours.

Agreed.

As I said earlier, we've tried just about every possible option; what we do changes over time and circumstances.

We modify based on many factors: crowd levels, newest attractions, weather, our group that visit, budget, which rides are new, discount deals, having a rental car, etc.

Going from the World Showcase to the BC is no big deal, but many other park/resort combos take much longer, especially if they involve a bus.

If we go to WDW Easter week with longer park hours, then leaving a park to escape the worst of the crowds makes sense, except when it didn't. Once in a while, we've encountered freakishly light crowds. Call us crazy, but we take advantage of walk-on MK Mtns! Conversely, we choose swimming over 120minute lines.

Another big reason for leaving the parks is dining. Again, all me crazy, but we dress for signature meals, and I've seen many little princesses at character meals. They're part of the fun!

My favorite days though were the ones where we didn't have ADR's to worry about and just lost track of time. My favorite WDW quote came form an older gentleman pushing a stroller while he was running towards Spce Mtn. It was long ago, but he said something close to, "Normally I'd be sleeping at this hour, but it is after midnight and I'm running for Space Mountain! This place is SO much fun!"

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Pre-kids- always hoppers. Go to one park rope drop to early afternoon, maybe go back to hotel then to another park for late afternoon to close. Sometimes skip the hotel break.

We have kids now. On DD’s first trip at 1yo we barely used the hoppers. Just for a split DHS/Epcot day. Got hoppers again in Sept (DD was now 2.5 and DS is 1yo - his first trip). Cut trip short due to Irma but realized after the two days we were there that we aren’t going to really hop until they’re older. Going in May and definitely skipping the hoppers.

 

[kangamangus]

We've done it both ways and have fun both ways. If I have to choose though I prefer to have hoppers, that way after our afternoon break the older kids can take the bus or boat to one park and other family members can go to another park.

 

[3gr8boys]

We are hoppers. My boys are 4 years apart...We sometimes split up and like the expanded options... I am planning our April 2018 trip (the boys joining in are 11 and 15) so that after spending the morning and a TS lunch together, we can follow the boys' lead. (Of course, this could change to "before spending a TS lunch and the afternoon together" once my FP window opens!) I also like that we can change our expected night show plans based on weather without having to change morning plans.

 

[Hikergirl]

We don't get hoppers because we have never been the commando family. We get to the parks early afternoon and stay til closing.
I feel more relaxed that way.

 

[Delirium]

We hop every single day. We usually go during party season so we take advantage of smaller crowds at MK on party days. Also hop to eat, watch concerts at Epcot, catch Fantasmic without having to spend all day at HS, etc.

Strange as it sounds, we simply like to mix it up each day. Some of the ambiance just isn't the same if you see the same scenery for 10-12 hours straight.

 

[amylevan]

I also like that we can change our expected night show plans based on weather without having to change morning plans.

I second this. Pre-FP+, if you wanted to change your park days you didn't lose a FOP (or other hard to get) FP. With hoppers, we can keep our morning/afternoon touring as planned, but change up our evening plans based on weather.

 

[Jessirip]

I really appreciate all the input. FWIW we discussed tonight and decided that we'd add an extra day's ticket instead (arrival day, we should be settled by 4ish) and take off the hopping option for now, for a savings of about $200 (even with the extra day). I am a little nervous without it TBH, but DH said it best, it is not like we would run out of things to do at any given park. Also with that little refund, we are getting TSA pre-checked so we're coming out about even but adding a little convenience still.

 

[LovePug]

I don't buy them.We tend to do one park per day and I can't justify the cost. If I feel the need to hop while we are there, I'll just add them on at that time.

 

[unrequited23]

I really appreciate all the input. FWIW we discussed tonight and decided that we'd add an extra day's ticket instead (arrival day, we should be settled by 4ish) and take off the hopping option for now, for a savings of about $200 (even with the extra day). I am a little nervous without it TBH, but DH said it best, it is not like we would run out of things to do at any given park. Also with that little refund, we are getting TSA pre-checked so we're coming out about even but adding a little convenience still.

I was going to say skip the hoppers but buy the Keurig...With kids that young TSA pre-check may not be that great of a value unless your family flies a lot. We traveled with our two kids (5 & 2.5) this past May and were sent to a different, shorter line at MCO. The same thing happened at our home airport (CLE) but we even got to keep are shoes on and all electronics in bags. But then again, YMMV.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I was going to say skip the hoppers but buy the Keurig...With kids that young TSA pre-check may not be that great of a value unless your family flies a lot. We traveled with our two kids (5 & 2.5) this past May and were sent to a different, shorter line at MCO. The same thing happened at our home airport (CLE) but we even got to keep are shoes on and all electronics in bags. But then again, YMMV.

I have a 2.5 YO and I signed up for Global Entry. While I don't fly with her much, it's fantastic for me, plus I still get to bring her through for Pre-Check until she's 13, so totally worth it for my mileage.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I really appreciate all the input. FWIW we discussed tonight and decided that we'd add an extra day's ticket instead (arrival day, we should be settled by 4ish) and take off the hopping option for now, for a savings of about $200 (even with the extra day). I am a little nervous without it TBH, but DH said it best, it is not like we would run out of things to do at any given park. Also with that little refund, we are getting TSA pre-checked so we're coming out about even but adding a little convenience still.

I think you made a good choice.

If your party has enough days, then adding a day is a relatively inexpensive way to get the benefit of 3 more FP.

If you feel like you've had enough of any park, then it can be fun to visit one of the hotels for a change of scene. There's live musicians in GF, animals at AKL, beautiful grounds at Coronado/Fort Wilderness, and every hotel offers quick serve dining.