Newbie question about tickets

[Jeslynb]

Hi there, everyone. DH and I are planning our first trip to WDW with our two small boys. I've researched the different ticket options and have one question:

If we purchase the base ticket *without* the park-hopper option, can we leave a park and return to the same park the same day? I.e., if we leave MK to take naps and want to return in the afternoon, can we do that with the base ticket, or do we need the PH?

Thanks in advance. More questions to follow, I'm sure.


-Jes

 

[dnoyes]

You should be able to go back in on the same day, I think they may even stamp your hand if you ask them at the gate. But, the park hoppers are well worth the extra money.

 

[Jeslynb]

You think? I haven't been since I was a child - this is our first trip with children. I can't imagine going to more than one park in a day, but the Park Hopper must be so popular for a reason. Thanks for the tip.

 

[JoanieS]

This is our first trip with kids too! We opted for the park hopper so we can schedule around ADR's and EMH better. I fully expect to be at the park at opening, but back to the hotel around lunch, then back to the parks later in the afternoon (of course, best laid plans and all...). The hopper will give us more flexibility!

 

[guelde96]

Yes you can go in and out of the same park as many times as you would like in a day. The park hopper allows you to go in and out of all 4 parks for as many days as your ticket is for.

You need to decide if the park hopper is right for your family. It cost about $45.00 extra per ticket. We use to always do the park hopper. I have mixed feelings about it. The convenience is nice. I think it is over priced. Usually I feel like I have wasted money when I have bought the park hopper. Using only 2-3 times in a 7 day vacation. Our last trip we stayed for 10 days. We decided not to get the park hopper. I kind of missed it. Did not need it. However, I do like the freedom. You have to decide what is best for your family.

 

[pat fan]

HI! I'm a mom of two boys too! Ours were 7 & 10 on our first trip as a family and now they're almost 16 & 19!!!!

Anyway...yes, you can go to say, MK in the morning, leave and go back to the MK at night with a standard ticket. But... I do recommend the hopper and here's why. If you want to take advantage of EMH's (and I recommend you do, at least in the morning) the way to get the most out of your time is to go to say MK for EMH, leave around noon when it gets crowded and go to your hotel and nap/swim or whatever. Then, because EMH tends to load up a park with extra guests, go to a different park in the evening, preferably one that had EMH the day before. It will be less crowded and let you have a better touring experience.

It's just my opinion, but that's how we've done it on all of our trips and it's worked really well for us. Besides, most of the parks are split into sections. This way, you can parcel out how you tour and be more efficient. Example Epcot. You can do World Showcase one day and Future World on a different day. Same for MK. If you choose to do a morning EMH, I'd hit Fantasyland first, then Tomorrowland on one day, and Adventureland and Frontierland another day. There are a ton of rides that get very long lines very quickly and this way you are using your EMH's to the max and getting the most stuff done with the least standing in line. I don't know the ages of your boys, but long lines can be a bummer, especially in the heat!

 

[wilde_oscar]

yes on the returning to the same park... in fact, if you can rouse everyone early and get to the parks at opening, you can get a lot more done by noon, then the rest of the day.