Family needing advice - Tix

[redhead09]

So, I have finally booked our weeklong trip to WDW for the end of September w/free dining

We planned on getting a 5 day pass with no hopper. We would like to do MNSSHP on the 29th as well ( I know this is a sep. tix). Should we get a hopper added to our tickets is my question. My daughter (almost 5) is very easy going, and usually will just go with the flow. I am just worried about weather , crowds and non- buyers remorse. Plus, how does everyone do it with kids? Don't they break down and just want to sleep? Or does the excitment keep em going?

Anyone get a hopper and wish they didn't or vice versa. Advice?

TIA

 

[brymolmom]

I have two kids and we do not hop. I would usually only recommend hopping as a 'necessity' if you are staying for a short amount of time and will not be able to hit every park otherwise. How long is your stay? If it is 5 full days or longer, I would consider the hopping a 'nicety' where it MIGHT be convenient if, for example, you really want to do ONE RIDE a second time at a park on a different day - but nothing else at that park. OR if crowds get big (usually not the case end of Sept).

So if you want to keep budget tighter - leave it off. You can always add it as an afterthought if you get there and realize a need for it.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

If you are going for a week- first of all, I recommend getting length of stay tickets. The price difference between 5 and 7 days is only a couple of dollars and it will be well worth it. It rains a LOT in September (we go in Sept every year) and it's super hot...which means that an afternoon break to swim and cool off is a necessity. Because of that, we end up forking over the cash for the park hoppers "just in case" Most days we don't hop but for us the extra $150 is worth the piece of mind that if we miss something due to rain or taking a break- we can go back another day to do it.

My DD is the same age as yours. You should check out my TR from last year for some tips. There are lots of pics...especially of MNSSHP

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1960215

 

[sarahk0204]

Mid-day breaks are often helpful. Some people (us included) go back to the resort for a nap or a swim (I have girl/boy twins, age 5). Other people just schedule some down time within the park. If you leave, you can return to the SAME park that day without a park hopper.

We hop, but you can schedule things so you don't have to. It is really a personal choice.

As for MNSSHP, many people suggest not going to a park that day and instead lounging around the resort. You can get in with your ticket at 4:00 PM, so you don't "waste" a park admission, and your little one doesn't tire out too early.

 

[Carolina Mouse]

Like everyone says, its a personal opinion. Before we went the Annual Pass route, we always got the Hopper option. Sometimes, lines are so long and if we are in the Epcot for the day, but we couldn't get on Space Mountain the day before, we can hop back over. Or if the park we are in is not open late (like Animal Kingdom), we can hop to another park for the evening.

It gives you some flexibility (flexibility you don't even know you need until you get there) with your schedule.

 

[Avonlady1001]

We get hoppers. We do it b/c we mainly go w/ free dining & it gives us the option of eating where ever, when ever. We can go to MK in the day and Epcot for dinner. Also like the flexibility. If one park is too crowded, we can go elsewhere. We also like to do DHS & Animal Kingdom in the same day cause these are our 2 least fave parks.

We have a 4y/o and a 6mth old. (First time for 6mth old to WDW - he'll be one, and 4th trip for my 4y/o.) We've been at every age so far and have always hopped. Even w/ downtime back at the resort for naps.

If the hoppers weren't in the budget, though, we could totally manage without. Not necessary, just nice to have. KWIM?

I agree w/ PP about getting 7days ISO 5...difference is a few dollars.

 

[EthansMom]

In the past, we've gotten Park Hoppers. But our last trip, we opted to get no park hopping to save money. It took a bit more planning, but was totally doable without hopping.

If you get the Base ticket and change your mind, the park hopping can be added at any Guest Services for the full price difference at any time during your trip.

 

[RMulieri]

I have a 4 yr old and we always get a hopper. Only because we like the flexibility. We tend to stay at the Beach Club or in the Epcot resort area and we do one park in the morning ,then dinner, and end our day at Epcot where we simply walk back to our resort.

 

[Disneychix]

Last year for FD we got PH like we always do. It was the first year we went with DS (2yrs). I found we really didn't need them. We ate in many of the resort restaurants and we did go to MNSSHP so that acted as a 'hopper' for that day as we did another park in the morning and used our party ticket to get into the party. We did use the hoppers some of the days but I could have easily done without.

We went back in March and didn't have hoppers and felt we had a wonderful trip I was prepared to add them (as a PP mentioned) but we never felt the need to and I'm glad I saved the $50 pp!

 

[redhead09]

If you are going for a week- first of all, I recommend getting length of stay tickets. The price difference between 5 and 7 days is only a couple of dollars and it will be well worth it. It rains a LOT in September (we go in Sept every year) and it's super hot...which means that an afternoon break to swim and cool off is a necessity. Because of that, we end up forking over the cash for the park hoppers "just in case" Most days we don't hop but for us the extra $150 is worth the piece of mind that if we miss something due to rain or taking a break- we can go back another day to do it.

My DD is the same age as yours. You should check out my TR from last year for some tips. There are lots of pics...especially of MNSSHP

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1960215

Thanks for that link....BTW, I am only on page 10, and I am addicted..OMG!!!Great pics & report. Love those dresses and outfits. I have to find some now. Searching ebay!!!!

 

[Singinglizzie]

We just came back from a 5 night vacation and we did not get the park hopper, nor did we need it. We originally planned to go to each park one day and with our extra 5th day we went back to MK. I used the Unofficial Guide to WDW to help plan which park we should go to and I scheduled one table service meal in each park accordingly. The days that we went to MK and EP, we came back to our rooms mid-day since we stayed at the Poly and were able to use the monorail. It worked out super swell for us! If you have a general plan, including your meal "breaks" you might find that you won't really need a hopper either, especially with younger kids. I imagine that the park hoppers would really work well for families with teenagers or for familes that take a much longer vacation since 50 pp over 10 days is only 5.00 extra per day. Enjoy WDW!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Thanks for that link....BTW, I am only on page 10, and I am addicted..OMG!!!Great pics & report. Love those dresses and outfits. I have to find some now. Searching ebay!!!!

Glad you are enjoying it! We have a thread for custom clothing. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2144091

If you want to buy something for your DD, try Etsy, prices are a little better there than on Ebay.