Park hopper help!

[25eels]

We went without PHs last year (trip paid for by in-laws) and with PHs this year (trip paid for by us!). The flexibility really enriched our overall experience! We loved being able to pop in at different parks and stay long enough to do what we wanted to then moving on.

When we didn't have PHs, we were staying at the Contemporary, and it was torturous to be so close to MK and not be able to return in the evenings! This year, we were at YC and loved being able to stroll over to Epcot after a long day.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

We have never purchased park hoppers, and have never needed them. We like to go to the parks for rope drop, go back to the room around lunch for a two hour break, then go back to the same park. Since we almost always take a mid-day break, we could park hop, but we don't. I see no reason for my family to purchase park hoppers. Other families can have different needs.

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

Love all the feedback I've gotten so far! Thank you all! But you're really not making my decision any easier since both with and without seem to have pro's and con's

 

[seashoreCM]

When a decision is that difficult I suggest this: Flip a coin.

In this case, don't buy the park hopper option yet. When you get the urge to park hop, flip the coin prior to exiting the first park.

Upon arriving at the second park, go to a ticket booth and add the park hopping and then enter the park.

3. Does anyone not like using it?

There is exactly one reason for not liking to add park hopping -- the cost.
There is exactly one reason for not liking to use park hopping -- the time and effort to.

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

When a decision is that difficult I suggest this: Flip a coin.

In this case, don't buy the park hopper option yet. When you get the urge to park hop, flip the coin prior to exiting the first park.

Upon arriving at the second park, go to a ticket booth and add the park hopping and then enter the park.


There is exactly one reason for not liking to add park hopping -- the cost.
There is exactly one reason for not liking to use park hopping -- the time and effort to.

This sounds like a good idea....I might just wait till we get there.

 

[laurie31]

I agree with flipping the coin.

Once it's in the air, you'll realize what you're hoping for.

We love park hoppers, btw.

AK closes at 5pm every day we're there. It's so nice to be able to go to another park for the evening. My kids are nowhere near ready to quit at 5pm.

Last time, we were in DHS, and it closed right after Fantasmic. However, it was evening EMH at MK, so we were able to go over and spend an AWESOME few hours in the MK riding our favorites one last time. (it was our last night).

 

[mwmom]

On our first trip 3 years ago there were 8 of us in our family who were there. We stayed off property and did not have PH. We went back to the house each day for naps/rest and returned to the same park in the evening. We didn't know any better, so we absolutely did not miss them. We had plenty to explore in each park and managed just fine.

Last year it was just DD6 and I and we stayed at WL and did have PH. I loved it and thought it was well worth the money for us. I knew we would only spend 1/2 day in HS, but didn't realize we would end up at Epcot so many times.

I really think to make your decision base it on affordability. If you can easily afford it, do it. If not or even if it is maybe, then skip it. I bet you have a great time either way!

 

[KBW]

Not to further confuse things, but...think about your overall touring strategy. We never get PHs...the reason is that we ride a lot of our "must-do" rides and collect a few FPs during the morning, go back to the resort midday to relax, nap, swim, and then head back to the same park in the evening and use our FPs. It does take more planning, but then it also frees up (for us) another $200 to put toward something else that we might not have otherwise done (like MNSSHP or an Illuminations cruise).

 

[kwdw]

Really - wait until you get there to decide.

I'm a non-park hopper most of the time. It takes a little planning with the ADR's, EMH, etc - but not really alot. You can always come and go from the same park as many times as you want in one day. It's not like you are stuck there. For example - I've done the morning EMH at MK, done lunch at the Grand Floridian, back to MK for a couple hours, back to resort for nap, over to Poly for dinner and back to the MK to end the evening.

I have park hopped - and I've had great days that way, too, but I don't need to most of the time.

I really think it's how YOU decide to tour - and you aren't really going to know that until you are there. If the need strikes you to park-hop - buy it then. Only take a couple minutes.