Is park hopping worth the extra $$ in December?

[poppop]

(I also posted this on the Budget board, but I would appreciate any extra responses.)

We are planning a trip for the week between Christmas and New Year. (We must be crazy) There will be 4 of us , DD,DM,DD, and DNiece. DD and DNeice are both 4yrs old. We will be saying on disney property (not really sure which one yet)

It will be a rather short trip, only 5nights and 4 days, flying back on newYears eve. According to Disney's prices on their website, it will cost approx. an additional $150 to add the park hopping option to our tickets.

I've never been this time of year before. We have almost always purchased park hopper tickets in the past but we have never really analzed the cost until they came up with the new pricing structure and the Disney your way program.

Some of my concerns would be: Are the parks open late enough for park hopping to be worth it? Would early and late Extra Magic hours be in effect?

What would be the advantages and disadvantage to paying the extra $$$ for park hopping on this trip? Any and all responses are appreciated.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Being able to hop would be of benefit, I believe. YOu could take advantage of EMH and then move to a less crowded park, etc.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

We never go Christmas week, but I would assume that with the park hopping, if you find that one park is just way too crowded, you could alter your plans and head elsewhere.

We've always gotten park hoppers, even when we go in Nov and the parks close early. There is always some where else to go, and it's great to say to the kids "OK, we'll go to MK to do x and y, but then Mom and Dad get to go to Epcot for z."

You'll probably soon find out too that $150 doesn't go too far in WDW so you might as well spend it on tickets. Just my opinion, alot of people will disagree with that one I'm sure.

Best of luck and enjoy!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I've been to disney probably 10-12 trips. Sorry can't remember them all. Any way only once or twice have we park hopped. Usually it was when we had AP's and just went in for a specific parade. I think if you do EE and are actually there when it opens you can ride everything and then go back in the later hours to the same park. We've talked about going again and if we don't do the AP option, I wouldn't do the park hopper. I'd just plan differently. Besides with your 5 day trip one park for each day seems reasonable any way. Good Luck and Happy Planning!!!!!

 

[Danno Magee]

I've heard from some people that during this week the parks get so crowded that they close the gates and don't allow any more guests by about 11:00 in the morning. Is this really true? If so, does this happer ones hopes of park hopping? I'm asking because I will be there the same week (I'm generally a summer-goer, but my parents are treating us to this trip and they wanted to see what it was like at Christmas...I'm not gonna complain). Hopefully someone can offer some insight so that we don't leave the park to "hop" and then can't get in another park.

 

[Saint_Jimmy]

Defenetly get the Park hopper. But if you want acsees to it all get the "Magic your way premium" pass. That gives you acsess to it all. Trust me we have been and to get a full trip you should be able to go everywere. Oh and on more thing. Down Town disney during the day is quite boaring and quite. It's only good at night

 

[Bella2000]

I've heard from some people that during this week the parks get so crowded that they close the gates and don't allow any more guests by about 11:00 in the morning. Is this really true? If so, does this happer ones hopes of park hopping?

My understanding was the park does not close access to those staying on property. That may have changed and someone can correct me. Our family always park hops. It really depends on your plans. On say an EE day (morning) at MK we'd go early and then leave at 11A, rest at hotel and then go back later to another park. We stay in the Epcot area a lot so we may run over to Epcot for a bite to eat at the World Showcase and then go to AK or DS. So we love the flexibility to park hop but look at your family and whether you would use the feature. It was much easier on the older parkhopper tickets to have a shorter trip now it's more expensive with Magic your Way. Have you taken a look at the AAA tickets or one of the other reputable online ticket agencies - price break may not be as bad if you want to parkhop. Good Luck!

 

[mom2cookies]

HI, we just went do DW this past Christmas. Arrived Dec 26 and left Jan. 1. Alot of people were telling us we were nuts to go then. Compared to Easter , it was a breeze. The biggest mistake we made was to do MK on NYE. It was bearable, but crowded. We did not get the hopper pass, as we had gotten them at Easter and didn't use that feature. We just stayed in the park for that day and did all we wanted/could. One thing we lucked out on, PRIORITY SEATTING is a must. As we were waitting for our table (around 4:00 pm) at the Crysatl Palace, we heard the CM's telling people there weren't ANY sit down seatting available anywhere in any of the parks!!! MGM was the least crowded during the day, we didn't have long waits for anything.
We didn't get the hopper option since we just stayed in 1 park the whole day and we were able to spend the "saved" money on better souveniers, etc.
BTW the parks are beautiful, each one has themed decorated trees that have a lot of details. Take time to really look at them in the day and at night.

 

[treesinger]

Get the park hopper! That is a maddenlingly crowded week. You may want to park hop just to clear your head a bit from all of the people.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Our one and only trip was in December just prior to when you are going. We stayed at the Poly and had park hopping tickets. That was the best for us! We were hopping all over the place We loved to come back for a brief rest at the Poly and then back to another park. If one park was busy, we'd head over to another.

I'm hoping to return early next year and I will definately get the park hopper tickets.

Have a great trip! The decorations are amazing!

 

[dsnymomof4]

It would be worth it to have that flexibility. We just got back from 6 days at Pop and we park-hopped every day. We would go to one park in the morning, go back to Pop for afternoon break/swim, then decide which park we wanted to go to that evening. You never know what you might feel like doing, so at least you'll be able to have a choice.