Explore the resort or park hop?

[Buttercup teacup]

Going to Disney as a group of 9, 4 adults and 5 kids, for 5 days. My sil was able to purchase 6 4 day military tickets, which automatically come with Park hoppers. We purchased the remaining 3 tickets as non hoppers. Reasoning was based on the fact that we usually stay off site and have never felt the need for the extra cost of hoppers, as all that traveling between parks seems like a hassle.

This trip however we are staying at the GF. The idea that I can just hop on the monorail whenever and head to MK is very appealing, especially on the day we do HS (I don’t know how people find enough attractions there to make it a full park day. We’ve just done that one in the afternoon on arrival day in the past.)

That being said, we are staying at the GF! This is the first on site stay for everyone. If we get done with one park for the day, should we just use that remaining time to enjoy the resort? But we also only have 4 day tickets. Without hoppers we won’t be doing AK at all.

Help?

 

[GillianP1301]

I'm a big fan of hopping and I think they are especially useful during a shorter stay like your 4 park day visit. It allows you to see all parks when you don't have the luxury of a full day in each. You could still fit in a bit of resort time by going back to resort midday between parks.

 

[wishuponastar1984]

If I were paying GF prices I would certainly want to get some enjoyment out of the resort. I suppose every family is different but even at non-Disney hotels with nice pools/beaches we can easily spend an entire day(s) just enjoying all the resort amenities.

 

[Alesia]

I've never really understood the obsession with exploring the wdw resorts. To me, they're just hotels. It gets boring pretty quickly. I would much rather spend my time in the parks.

But, you don't need to decide now. You can add park hopping at any time, so you may as well wait and play it by ear

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I've never really understood the obsession with exploring the wdw resorts. To me, they're just hotels. It gets boring pretty quickly. I would much rather spend my time in the parks.

But, you don't need to decide now. You can add park hopping at any time, so you may as well wait and play it by ear

I think the OP means exploring their own resort and enjoying the amenities of the GF. I'm also not a fan of resort hopping as "down time." I don't find the appeal either.

When staying deluxe, or even moderate (but especially deluxe), we do take time to enjoy our resort. We like pool time and do midday breaks by the pool almost daily. We like having a nice dinner at our resort.

I would still add hoppers and enjoy the resort. You can do both. We usually do an AM park, midday break at the pool and then head off to our PM park around 5ish. We get to rest, enjoy the resort and park hop.

 

[Buttercup teacup]

But, you don't need to decide now. You can add park hopping at any time, so you may as well wait and play it by ear

This is good, logical advice. Just see what we feel like doing when we get there.

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[Paul Rodgers]

I love Disney, and I love the atmosphere and the scenery, don't get me wrong. Yet I love the rides even more, and the way my family goes, they like the rides as well. So we more so follow the park hopping with whichever best Fastpass we can get.