Do You Park Hop

[ArthurKing1220]

We always park hop when we're on vacation -- it's become an integral part of our experience. But we don't really park hop to try and experience attractions at multiple parks in a single day. We like to pick a single park to focus on for the day, but then we'll tend to park hop in the late afternoon or evening for purposes of dining / shopping / an evening show. E.g., spend the day at MK, then park hop in evening over to Epcot for dinner and shopping and fireworks -- maybe catch a ride or two but that's not the focus. Or spend the day at AK, then park hope over to DHS in the evening for dinner and Fantasmic. That's our usual park hop philosophy.

 

[mummabear]

We have always purchased them. I think with DL being our home park it has always seemed like a must. However on our last trip we realised while we did not the amount it cost us per hop (since we only did it maybe 3 times across 28 days) was quite high and that next time we probably will not. We mostly use it to hop to MK after AK shuts

 

[moriaw76]

We use the hoppers. We spend the majority of our time in the parks and take advantage of EMH hours. We never spend a whole day at DAK so the hoppers come in handy for those days.

 

[bastos]

Since you are offsite, I wouldn't do it.

With that said, you are doing a pretty good job planning and splitting. The concerns I would have would be the time AFTER Animal Kingdom - you may not fill up the entire day - AND with Hollywood Studios. You MIGHT not have enough time there to see everything. Depending on whether or not you are rope drop people - and/or spend the ENTIRE day in the park, etc.

But you could probably save the $ on tickets - and easily see most of what you'd want to see.

 

[SmallWorld71]

We used to get Hoppers, but found we rarely used them.

We really only used them for dining, so now we've changed our dining style. Instead of deciding where we want to eat and working the schedule around that, we decide where we are going to be. Then we decide where it would be convenient to eat. If there is nowhere in the park, then we pick a resort as we don't need hoppers for that.

On our AK day, we either go to DTD, a meal like the HDDR or a meal at another resort. Or, if we are tired by that point, just chill at our resort.

We didn't get hoppers on our last trip and didn't miss them at all. I can't see getting them again, especially now that FP+ is in place as it just wouldn't match our touring style.

 

[Squirlz]

We always do. We stay at BWI so I like to go to EPCOT in the evening for dinner and Illuminations no matter where we've been during the day.

 

[disney debi]

We are not hoppers. We purchased the option several times and realized we never used it. With 2 days each for mk and ep, and especially because you are staying offsite, it doesn't really seem like you would need them. You could always just purchase base tickets and if you change your minds later, just upgrade to hoppers.

 

[summermac]

I always try to cheap out and not get them. Then I end up getting them. We tend to find ourselves in Epcot about 3 night each trip so...

 

[Legendteri]

We have only been once, but like you we were there for 6 days with 2 days in ML, 2 in EP and 1 in the others. We were also offsite as well. I am glad we chose not to park hop. I specifically chose each day according to Josh's recommendations and didn't have any problems with crowds.

However, I had two little ones so I was happy going back to our hotel after spending 9 or 10 hours in a park.

 

[summerskye]

We always do. We stay at BWI so I like to go to EPCOT in the evening for dinner and Illuminations no matter where we've been during the day.

We do the same. We stay at BWV and find ourselves slipping over to EPCOT many evenings. Mainly due to the live music in the UK. (cold beer doesn't hurt either) Wife and kids usually hit a ride or two, then we all enjoy Illuminations and head back to the hotel.

 

[china mom]

When friends ask me about park hopping, I usually tell them that if they don't go to Disney often, then don't plan on park hopping. You will spend too much valuable time transitioning between parks and will miss ride time.

OTOH, we go frequently and don't have the need to see and do everything each trip. Park hoppers are included annual passes so we don't have to decide between budget and flexibility. We hop like rabbits. I may make a different decision if we ever forgo the annual passes and get regular tickets.

 

[momofmaz]

We have only been once but we park hopped then and plan to in the future as well. I think park hopping is key to seeing as much as you want, especially with toddlers, but not running down your batteries.

 

[librarymom2007]

The first year we went we got park hoppers. This was in 2011 when you could go without all the planning you have to do now (FP+). We really just wanted to play it all by ear and we hopped several times. We went again in early 2013 and got hoppers but we planned a lot more because we had more knowledge of the parks and what we wanted to do. We hopped only one time. We are going this June and we plan so much now we don't need to hop so we declined to get them.

 

[Robo]

We park hop.

 

[dalayney]

I noticed that people that go often, (once a year or more) seem to park hop more than those who don't go as much. Sometimes I think it really depends on if this is a "once in a lifetime" type trip, once every 5 years, type of trip... As, it's easy NOT to park hop if you don't go often, because in a way, there's more to "soak up" and you're not there just to ride your favorites, or see your favorite attractions only. People seem to tour every little thing to soak up every bit of each park. If you know you'll be back next year, you're more likely to skip something, or only do those few items you want and then hit the next park. (I hope I am making sense and not sounding stupid, lol) Not saying all people do this.


We don't park hop. And we stay for at least a week, the last 2 trips were 10 days, and 14 days. On AK day, we end up at DTD that night. Or this time, we plan to resort hop and check out the lobbys as we'll be going in December.

We don't park hop, as we just love to milk every tiny thing out of the parks. Yes, we are there at rope drop and try and squeeze in as many rides as possible the first half of the day... but the rest of the day we really take our time. It's in the details, and to me, if I was hopping around all over the place, I would not be able to enjoy the "little things" as much.

But we also plan our days out. We use Josh's easy wdw crowd calendars, and plan our eating around what park we will be at for the day, and do reservations according to that. The guy knows his crowds.

 

[disnut8]

We hop like rabbits.

My new phase at Disney World when the crowds are getting to me "We are rabbits!" as we head to another park.

 

[DisneyQueen1320]

We normally park hop, but I'm thinking this year we are going to save money and just plan a little more.
We like to eat at Epcot, but instead we might go to Downtown Disney instead.

 

[JimS4210]

We always Park Hop because no matter which park we're in we head to World Showcase for dinner.

MK in the morning, nap and swim in the afternoon, dinner at Rose and Crown followed by Illuminations is pretty much the perfect day for me...

Jim

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I think Park Hopping is an essential part of the WDW experience. One thing to consider is how far your villa will be from WDW. My first 2 trips ('97 & '98) were offsite, and I park hopped. All of my subsequent trips have been on property, and have included the PH option. I also spring for the water park & more option whenever I go.

 

[scholastica]

I never recommend newbies to park hop unless they are adults only. I think it is nice to be able to do it, but I think you have enough day there that you can skip them. That said I will probably hop on my next trip because I didn't find AK to be a full day park. Plus I also like the option of checking out other nighttime shows for a change of pace.

If I was trying to cut corners, skip it.