Park hopper on first trip?

[terri1001]

We get them in case we miss a favorite ride. Our son loves Test Track but it closes for weather. With the park hopper we can go back another time when its open and go through the one-rider line. Then go to whatever other park we had planned for the day.

 

[shanew21]

we love PHs because while you may want to be at one park a day, IMO some parks are not full day parks. plus you may want to go to another park that may have extended EMHs or for dining.

Exactly how I feel. We get park hoppers specifically for Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Neither are full day parks for us.

Plus, we'll do EMHs at one park then hop to another for rope drop sometimes.

 

[minoh]

Absolutely...no need to invest the money now because you're not getting it back if you decide you don't want hoppers. By regular tickets and if you decide you want to hop, add them there. (Of course have money set aside for this and understand that even if it's just for the last day they will charge you the amount that you would have paid for hoppers for the full length of ticket).

So would they charge us for a full 5 days of hoppers, or just a single day hopper?

 

[smiths02]

Do you happen to know how much it is to add the hopper option?

It looks like $69 plus tax per ticket (on anything over a 4 day ticket, for tickets less than 4 days, it ranges from $50 and up)

 

[smiths02]

So would they charge us for a full 5 days of hoppers, or just a single day hopper?

I believe it's the $69 per ticket no matter when you get them or how many times you hop (if you have 5 day hoppers)

 

[LSUfan4444]

I wish I knew the trick for using them correctly

I think the key to using them "correctly" is to use them in your planning.

For example, if you want to hit a park with EMH you can start your day there for rope drop and when the crowds build leave and head to a resort (or another park) for lunch, then head to whatever afternoon park you want to that is recommended on that day where your FP+ are waiting for you.

So, rope drop Magic Kingdom on a morning EMH day. Knock out Mine Train, Splash, Thunder, Pirates, Aladdin and Jungle Cruise. Grab a Dole Whip then head to the monorial and hop over to Epcot for your lunch ADR at Akershus. After lunch take the friendship boat over to Hollywood Studios where you have FP+ for Toy Story, Tower of Terror and Star Tours and a reservation that night for the Star Wars Dessert Party.

 

[jollygreen]

I've been to Disney 3 times and had hoppers every time, although 2 of those were only 2 day trips. I don't really think they're necessary, though. I'm going again in March and just have base tickets. Part of the reason for that is that I'll be travelling with a toddler. I could easily spend the whole day at any park (AK & HS included). I think that having base tickets can be more relaxing too, if I get done at a park early, I can go back to the hotel & swim or something. When I have hoppers I feel like I need to hop so I get my money's worth. I did that during my Dec 2015 trip. It was tiring (but fun), always on the go. I'm looking forward to taking a more relaxed approach next month. But like others have said, I'd stick with the base tickets and then later if you want, add hoppers. And I don't think traveling between parks in exhausting, it's just time consuming. Going between MK and Epcot is pretty easy since you can use the monorail. HS and Epcot isn't too bad either, you can boat, bus, or even walk. Waiting for a bus can take a while, it can be hit or miss. I've had very short waits (under 5 min) and longer waits (20 min). Sitting down on a bus is nice after walking around for several hours though.

 

[nacho113]

Just wondering how useful the park hopper option is. We're going to WDW for the first time, have kids ranging in age from 6-11, and will be there for 5 days. I've planned our days so they're pretty full and have kept us within one park/day. I've planned for 1 day in each of AK, HS and EP, with 2 MK days.

My question is, with kids is it better to stick to 1 park/day? I feel tired out by the thought of going from one park to another but is there any advantage to doing that? Just wondering if park hoppers are worth the expense, and good to have in case. Or if on our first trip it makes more sense to just do 1 park at a time?

For your first trip, I'd stick with your current plan of one park per day (and 2 at MK)
There is so much to see and do in the parks beside just the rides. The themeing is amazing, there are shows, street entertainment, parades, character spots and if you plan some evening visits there are fireworks and laser light shows (Fantasmic, SW Fireworks, Illuminations, etc etc etc).
The parks are large and the heat and humidity in Florida can bring even the most ambitious people/plans to a halt so stay hydrated and pace yourself.

When the kids were younger, our plans involved an early start at Rope Drop, maybe lunch in the park, then back to our resort during the hot/busy part of the day for a little R&R, then back to the park just before (or after) supper to catch the night time features. We never seemed to need the hoppers back then.

When the kids got older, we would power through the days. Everyone knew their favorites and rode them multiple times. Again, no hoppers needed.

Recently our visits have turned into more of the "Extreme Power" days, we still like to hit all the parks and our favorite attractions but we spend less days at Disney (1-3 days) so the hoppers are now needed to get everything done that we want.
***yes you can hit 3 or 4 parks in 1 day if you have the stamina and plan for a long day (not recommended for first timers, but if you have visited in the past and know the lay of the land and pick your favorite attractions, it's do-able for a Disney vet)

 

[Catvondita]

I personally do it although there have been a few days here and there where we do stay in one park. It just allows for us to be spontaneous and also I think if you wanted to leave the park and take a break and then come back you need the park hopper. I could be wrong.

 

[marthachick]

Do you happen to know how much it is to add the hopper option?

$74 per ticket

 

[floridadream]

We love park hoppers but I think it depends on where you're staying too. For example, when we stay at Beach Club, PHs are a necessity for us because we're always walking into Epcot for dinner, to grab a snack, hit a quick ride, etc. But, if you're not within walking/monorail distance of a park, it wouldn't matter as much especially if you have your days planned like you do. Also, being a first timer with young children, it might be overwhelming to hop. I say to keep your plan and then add on once you get there if you want. Have fun!!

 

[IrishNYC]

I think the key to using them "correctly" is to use them in your planning.

For example, if you want to hit a park with EMH you can start your day there for rope drop and when the crowds build leave and head to a resort (or another park) for lunch, then head to whatever afternoon park you want to that is recommended on that day where your FP+ are waiting for you.

So, rope drop Magic Kingdom on a morning EMH day. Knock out Mine Train, Splash, Thunder, Pirates, Aladdin and Jungle Cruise. Grab a Dole Whip then head to the monorial and hop over to Epcot for your lunch ADR at Akershus. After lunch take the friendship boat over to Hollywood Studios where you have FP+ for Toy Story, Tower of Terror and Star Tours and a reservation that night for the Star Wars Dessert Party.

This is probably an exhausting day for many families with young kids. I know for mine it would have been, and it would have ruined the next day or two.

 

[Klayfish]

I think it also depends on your family and their stamina. If you've never been, WDW is a huge place. No monstrous. No wait, gigantic. Yeah, you get the picture. It's big. Lots and lots of walking. If you tire out easily (and everyone is different), then park hopper may not be a great value for you. If you don't, then maybe it is. I always recommend first timers to do as much as they can and come home tired...but there's a fine line between tired and flat out exhausted. Just be aware of how much walking you will do.

One of the reasons we like park hopper is because our days will often go like this... Plans for MK in the morning/early afternoon. So our FP+ are morning, very early afternoon. While we're sitting to eat lunch, we'll ask the kids "What do you want to do this afternoon"? There are no pre-made plans. Sometimes we decide to head back to the condo and call it a day (or maybe go to Disney Springs at night). Sometimes we decide to go back to the condo (we stay offsite), get a shower, chill and then go back to the parks. Sometimes we decide to not go back at all and go right to another park until dinner. Park hopper gives us that flexibility.

 

[GillianP1301]

We visited WDW many times without hoppers and had no issue at all. The last few trips, I have gotten the hopper and I have to say I don't think I would go without again. It's sort of one of those things that once you have them, you can't go without them. That being said, you'll be perfectly fine with or without them if you plan accordingly.

Some of the benefits for me are... flexibility, if one park is just crazier than expected or if my mood changes, I can hop. On a 9 park day vacation, I hope about half the days. I actually find it builds in a bit of a rest/break to switch parks. We drive, so it's long enough for a break, but not so long that I feel like I'm wasting too much time. I'm not sure I would be as eager to hop if I were relying on Disney transportation. Hoppers are also great if you travel at non peak times and park hours are not as long as peak times so you can hop to a park that is open later.

 

[crazylady]

I think for your first trip, you'll definitely find enough stuff in each park to keep you entertained for the day so park hoppers aren't necessary. If you happen to get bored in a park, I'm sure everyone would enjoy some relaxing time at the pool.

The only asterisk I'd add to that is that I would consider them if you were staying in the Boardwalk area or on the monorail loop. These hotels make it so easy to hop to a close by park for a couple of hours in the evening for dinner or a few rides. Hoppers are good to have but not a necessity.

 

[mom2rtk]

This is probably an exhausting day for many families with young kids. I know for mine it would have been, and it would have ruined the next day or two.

I agree. What is the correct one family is incorrect for another. I would go crazy hopping from one park to another just to eat.

 

[china mom]

I personally do it although there have been a few days here and there where we do stay in one park. It just allows for us to be spontaneous and also I think if you wanted to leave the park and take a break and then come back you need the park hopper. I could be wrong.

You can leave and re-enter the same park as many times as you want without the Park Hopper option as long as it is the same park all day long.

 

[LSUfan4444]

This is probably an exhausting day for many families with young kids. I know for mine it would have been, and it would have ruined the next day or two.

While I'm sure it might be for some, I can assure you it's not for all. We've toured like that for years and I can't say we've never had an issue but it certainly doesn't ruin any following days so long as you plan accordingly.

What exactly sounds exhausting? Arriving at rope drop? Not having a mid day break?

 

[buzznina]

Everyone tours differently. We have been AP holders for 13 years now and I can honestly say that if we had to pay for tickets we would not get the hoppers. Like you have read in some posts, if you want to get in as much as possible then PH is good. For us, we do not like to rush around and rather take it slower, not only do we cover our main rides etc. it's also a relaxing trip Nothing worse then getting back home from a "vacation" and feeling like you need a vacation to relax We have park hopped, maybe to go to a park that has PM EMH or for dinner, but to us, there is so much more to the parks then the rides and we have enjoyed the parks so much more.

 

[Gehrig1B]

We too are a hopper family. Much easier to hop now with the express buses as well. Twenty minutes or less from park to park and no security check after first entry.

we don't plan on any evening or night park time

The parks are "magical" at night and the fireworks are more amazing than anything you would see anywhere! We often hop in the evening just to see Wishes at MK or Illuminations at Epcot and now there are fireworks at HS as well.

We plan the same as many others, rope drop and hit headliners before lines get long and then off to another park to use our FP's. We will also avoid an evening EMH park until it's time for Evening EMH to begin. A others have said, hoppers add flexibility.

We did several 3 park days last month using express buses. On one day we even went back to WL for a couple hours to relax.

You will have a great time whatever you decide.