Park hopper is it worth it?

[scubamouse]

We had it last year and liked it. We're not doing it this year because our kids are 6 and 4.5 so we'll do an early morning, late afternoon rest and ADRs at resort restaurants. We're going to see how it goes. Last year, hopping made for very long days for all of us. Plus our trip is long enough that I'm really trying to pace myself.

If we end up going next summer, we'll probably hop since the parks are open later, the kids will be older, and we'll definitely want to avoid the midday sun.


ETA - I think planning becomes that much more important when you don't have the hopper option.

 

[chr1972]

We just returned from a 7 day trip with the hopper. I have an 18 month old and an almost 4 year old. It was just too much to take in more than 1 park a day with 2 young kids. I will not get the hopper in the future. We got it this time because it was our first trip and we didn't know what to expect. Live and learn. For us, it was not a good decision and I wished I had saved that money for something else.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We are hopping fools. Can't imagine a trip without hopping. What if Spectro, Wishes, or Fantasmic get rained out on your designated day?

That being said, the reason hopping is so neccessary for us is because up until a few years ago, almost tickets were hoppers. So we got really used to it, it's the only way to go for us. Now, if this were my first trip and had never toured with the hopping, I could see how it could be done.

 

[sherreis]

We're starting off our trip with plans of a base ticket. If we decide to upgrade to a hopper while we're there, we'll pay for it then. We figure if we don't hop, we're able to save a lot of money.

 

[woodchuck]

I want to say thank you too all. I think after seeing all of your posts we might go with out the hopper and if we need them we can get them at a later day (save the hundred or so.)

 

[unbroken chain]

We don't get them. It's just too exhausting to go from one park to another. But if you have no children or older children, or even children who don't tire easily, it might be a good choice for you. I agree, wait and see after you get there. You can upgrade if you want. If this is your first trip, there is so much to do in each park you might not ever use the hopper option.

 

[woodchuck]

bump

 

[qman]

Our hopping habits changed between our visits.

In our first visit (2003) we spent our first five days at five different parks (the four main parks and a water park). Being the we were newbies we needed an entire day to get a feel for each park. We then hopped our last two days hitting the things we enjoyed the most.

During our second trip we hopped almost every day. Being more experienced we had a better idea of what we wanted to do and what we wanted to skip.

One more thought, the hopping option allows you more flexibility when it comes to evening fireworks and parades. If want to see "Illuminations" you are not forced to spend the entire day at Epcot (unless you want to).