Is Park Hopping Worth $175 these days, given these circumstances?

[UrsulasShadow]

A previous poster suggested adding on hopper options later, if it appears you really are going to use it. Have you considered this, bicker, or is it more expensive to add it on later? I understood it to mean that it would cost the same as if you added it on at original purchase time. That way you would be able to make your decision onsite, when it's clearer what will and will not work for your family. (Oh, and that's one BIG baby you have there, bicker!)

So, is this your second original post, then?

 

[Lucky4me]

As far as your relatives, I'd have them buy 6 day expiring hoppers.
If for some reason they didn't use all the days, they could add the no expire to use at another time. If it's winter and they're kids-sick happens.

6 Day Magic Your Way Adult MSD
FKO01 - Expiry w/ Park Hopping
Review Item $223.00/ $446.00
6 Day Magic Your Way Child ages 3 -9 MSD
FKO11 - Expiry w/ Park Hopping
Review Item $187.00 / $187.00
Total $633.00

Grand Total $633.00

 

[NancyIL]

When we first went to WDW for more than a daytrip (1996), they had a 4-day value pass - which was one day at each of the (then) 3 parks and 1 day to return to any one park. We were fine with going to one park, taking a break, and returning to the same park. Now that I've had hoppers, and in the past few years - an annual pass...I couldn't go back to non-hoppers. $35 plus tax per person is a lot for the park hopping option if you're just going for a few days, but well worth it for 5 or more days. To me it isn't a question of "is it worth $175?" - rather, "is it worth $7/day to be able to go elsewhere?"

 

[dcgrumpy]

My sister and I were just discussing this a few minutes ago. My family has AP's but she needs to buy tickets. Between us we'll have a 1yo, 2 2yo's, and a 5yo. I've found on my last few trips that we don't hop as much because everything takes a lot longer with little kids. DS would hang out by the trains in Epcot all day if we let him. It also depends what time of year you are going and the park hours.

We decided that she would buy tickets without the hopper option and then if we decide we want to hop one day she'll upgrade.

Personally I would do 2 days at MK and 2 at Epcot. I know a lot of people say their kids get bored at Epcot, but mine love it.

 

[bicker]

My understanding is that we can add the park-hopping option on later, at $35 per ticket, just the same as getting it in advance.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Yeah, it's $35 either way

 

[UrsulasShadow]

My understanding is that we can add the park-hopping option on later, at $35 per ticket, just the same as getting it in advance.

Well, that makes it easier to make the decision. Postpone adding the hopping feature until you know you'll use it. Try to do without, until it's clear that your trip would be better with it. Fit it into your budget, and if you don't end up using it, you're $175 richer!

 

[C.Ann]

I don't do the water parks (don't think you mentioned them either - just wanted to clarify my response to include that though) and my theory is that I get down to WDW so infrequently I like to allow myself as much flexibility as possible.. So to me - yes - it would be worth the extra money..

Hope you have a great time!

 

[disneyfan61]

We have ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS HOPPED.
Could not live without that option.
What happens if you get to the second day and plan on AK and it is pouring down rain after an hour.... then say to yourself "most of the attractions at MGM are indoors, let's go there?" But you don't have the hopper option??
Or you enter MK only to find it unbearably crowded that day (for whatever reason?!) and you want to hop to Epcot thinking it might not be so bad over-there?
I just always like the freedom a hopper gives you!
It's worth the extra $$

Cindyfan-I totally agree!! We have ALWAYS done the hopper tickets & will continue to do so. We like doing the EMH in the a.m. then resting then doing another park in the evening. Would not do it any other way!!

 

[bytheblood]

For our family it is. Especially seeing how ADRs are now 180 days out and park schedules with EMH are only 45-60 days prior to month of arrival.

 

[bicker]

We stopped bothering with the water parks when we realized that the resort pools are more-than-enough fun.

 

[ryley26]

We were always big hopper fans even purchased the option this time. After are trip this we sat down and thought about are ten day trip and we hopped only once. We will buy an annual pass without the hopper option. We also go back to swim in the afternoon with the kids and just return to the same park.

 

[oxfordcircus]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard that you can purchase extra days and just use two admissions in two different parks on the same day. For the OP, where you want to spend 6 days in the park, you could buy an 8 day pass for $6 more than a 6 day pass.

 

[beattyfamily]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard that you can purchase extra days and just use two admissions in two different parks on the same day. For the OP, where you want to spend 6 days in the park, you could buy an 8 day pass for $6 more than a 6 day pass.

Nope, Disney has updated their computers and they will not allow this. If you've already used one day admission (without a hopper feature) it will not let use another day admission at another park in the same day. Thus, if you really want to park hop, you must buy the feature. Disney's thought of everything.

 

[oxfordcircus]

I just read the rest of the thread and saw that. That's too bad!

 

[Merriwind]

A few thoughts--

We just returned from WDW with my sister, BIL and their 2 boys--Benjamin, 4 and Nicholas, almost 3. They did purchase hopper passes, but only used them once to return to Epcot to finish eating around the world at F&W. To be honest, the boys were so tired (cranky) I don't think hopping was any great thrill for them. They would have been just as happy at Roaring Forks and playing Lincoln Logs in the WL lobby.

Every child, however, is different. We personally love hopping, as we often dine and spend our evenings in Epcot. Thankfully DD7 loves this arrangment as much as we do. Getting an early start to touring, breaking around lunch and heading back to a park (usually Epcot) for the evening works great for us, but not everyone. Dsis's boys would have done better with a get a slow start in late morning, tour until around dinner and head back to the hotel schedule. I'm telling you, those Lincoln Logs in the lobby were my Dnephews favorite part of WDW. Kids can surprise you!

Since the cost is the same whether you add hopping now or later, I would wait. See how the group works the first days. If you need to hop, add hopping. If not, you're on your way to paying for CRT!

BTW, we'll be at WDW the same weekend as you, celebrating DD's 8th bday on 1/13. We'll be at CRT on the 16th, no chance of switching to an Incredibles meal for us!

Enjoy your trip whatever you decide.