Park hopper option

[Crazynanna]

We are going to DW in May, 6 adults 5 kids ( ages from 4-9) for 6 days. Cant decide on a 4 day ticket or 5 day ( we arent doing anything on travel day and taking a break in middle of week) but do i need a hopper ticket if we are going to do genie + option? So you who travel with kids and have gone often what fo you think? Thanks

 

[DWillowBay]

You don't need a park-hopper to purchase Genie+. It has been my experience with 3 (now grown) kids that park hoppers were / are beneficial to us in case of rain in one park, but not in others.... longer lines in one park, but shorter lines in others....being too tired to stay for the evening shows/ fireworks and just doing it a different day....and other scenarios like that. But you can purchase Genie+ and use it for just one park a day, if that works best for you. In terms of 4 or 5-days...the difference in price really isn't that much. Just my humble opinion, but... more is better than less...but maybe that's just me.

 

[ShannonA11]

You don't "need" a park hopper ticket for any reason including purchasing Genie+. That said, our last couple of trips when park hopping was not available, we missed it.... A LOT. It costs $85/ticket to add the park hopper option whether you buy a 4 day ticket or a 10 day ticket the cost is the same. For our family, that are fans of starting off at 1 park in the morning, taking an afternoon break and hopping to Epcot for dinner and a few rides, we absolutely feel there is value in the park hopper tickets. But, our children are older now and can stay up later and go all day. I think they are a nice option but certainly not necessary if you are trying to stick to a budget.

 

[CynBeth]

We were glad we had it for our Thanksgiving Week trip sometimes for example could not get a ride such as Rise on our HS day but had better luck the next day with an evening time on our AK day.

 

[shawthorne44]

I'd been on the fence about park hopper, my thought was I'd add it in the parks if wanted. I bought the tickets from a discounter and the majority of the discount was on the PH tickets. So I went ahead and added PH. It was about $50 + on our 10-day tickets.

Then when we learned the G+ rules I was glad to have the park hoppers. The reason is the one G+ reservation for each ride. So, when we change parks, we'll have a fresh selection of G+ options. Of course, there might be any left at the new park.

 

[PittPantherfan]

In the past (kids same age), wouldn't go without park hopper when we stayed onsite. We would go in and out of parks at our hearts content. We'd have a general daily plan but loved just being able to go wherever/whenever. With the park reservation system, it's a little more restrictive but still going with it for a May trip.

 

[jar]

I find a PH indispensable but really don't like the 2pm restriction. IMO, if I get to AK for 7am early hours, I can't imagine wanting to stay there until I can park hop. And in the past, when staying at BW, I'd rope drop HS for a couple of hours while family members sleeping and then join them in the late morning at whatever park we were starting at.

 

[Crazynanna]

You don't need a park-hopper to purchase Genie+. It has been my experience with 3 (now grown) kids that park hoppers were / are beneficial to us in case of rain in one park, but not in others.... longer lines in one park, but shorter lines in others....being too tired to stay for the evening shows/ fireworks and just doing it a different day....and other scenarios like that. But you can purchase Genie+ and use it for just one park a day, if that works best for you. In terms of 4 or 5-days...the difference in price really isn't that much. Just my humble opinion, but... more is better than less...but maybe that's just me.

We are going to DW in May, 6 adults 5 kids ( ages from 4-9) for 6 days. Cant decide on a 4 day ticket or 5 day ( we arent doing anything on travel day and taking a break in middle of week) but do i need a hopper ticket if we are going to do genie + option? So you who travel with kids and have gone often what fo you think? Thanks

Well its unanimous: park hopper it is! Thanks everyone for your input!