park hopping?

[dec2901]

To park hop or to not park hop, that is the question? What is your advice?

 

[Lila95]

We love the park hopper option. There were days we started at one park, went back to the resort to swim, and then off to another park for the evening. On our last day we started at Animal Kingdom, took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom for a few hours, and then ended with dinner and fireworks at Epcot. I think it's a great option.

 

[tiberius]

We almost always park-hop (maybe even always, I can't exactly remember). It gives you much more flexibility, especially during times of year when the parks tend to close earlier in the day.

 

[jemiaule]

We tend to park hop a good portion of days. Usually we will start off at one park in the morning, break for lunches then naps and then do a different park in the evening.

We generally follow the rule that is the park had extra magic hours in the morning we do not go there in the AM but do head back in the PM. Maybe it is just perception but the crowds feel lighter - seems a lot of folks head out early because they got there earlier in the day.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We always park hop and probably wouldn't have it any other way. Maybe something strange going on would make us change it. Like the OP said, it just gives you so many more options. Especially in the real busy months there when the parks get very crowded.

 

[hniki234]

I love the park hopping option. I always add that on. The only day we don't park hop is the first day and that's because we usually spend the first day in MK. We hit two to three parks the rest of the days. I say go for it if you can!

 

[Smileybug]

I have to agree with everyone. We always use the hopper option. We are just bouncy people!!

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

It is very very rare that I remain in just one park in a day. I usually hop between MK and Epcot. I dont care much for MGM so I dont spend alot of time there.

 

[spima3]

To park hop or to not park hop, that is the question? What is your advice?

Well, I seem to be the exception, but when we went we didn't get the park hoppers and didn't miss them. If you are trying to cut unnecessary costs, I would consider park hoppers to be one of them.

I think if you are an infrequent visitor to WDW, they really aren't necessary at all. If we didn't spend an entire day at a park and went back in the evening, we just went back to the same one we were at during the am; we sure didn't see it all in a half day. And it saved us money, which always makes me happy!

lori

 

[Disney4Drew]

We leave on Saturday and opted to not add the hoppers. I thought the park hours were too limited to hop especially with a 3 year old in tow. This is his first trip, so we want to take our time and enjoy one park at a time. I think it all depends on the people who are going and the time of year! Good luck with your decision!

 

[garris3404]

We love the flexibility. We usually park hop on helf the days.

 

[rie'smom]

We usually don't hop. Last trip I bought the park hopper just in case and we used it once-mainly because we figured we should get some use out of it.

 

[Bill From PA]

For years our strategy has been to get to a park other than Epcot for rope drop, tour there until we've had our fill or the crowds become unbearable, usually around 1 pm., then we hop to Epcot and finish the day there. Our thinking is that Epcot is really 2 parks, FW and WS, and the WS part is huge and handles crowds well. Also, WS has our favorite libations and we've stayed at Swan, Dolphin or BWV the last 6 years so we're close to home at Epcot.

Bill From PA

 

[JMCDisneyBound]

I agree with all of the posters that park hopping is great for flexibility. One thing I will add that was not mentioned, is that it is also great for ADR's because you can eat anywhere and not be tied to having to be in that park for the entire day!!!

 

[bryandog1974]

my wife and I are planning to spend to spend 5 or 6 days during our upcoming vacation at Disney parks and we didnot get the park hopper. I think what time of year you are going makes a big difference. We are going here at the end of November/ beginng of December and most of the parks hours on those days are 9-6pm. It really is tough to do a majority of the big attractions in one day at any of these parks let alone leaving and hopping to another park. Also weather you are renting a car or staying on property without a car should factor in to your decision.

 

[spima3]

We love the flexibility. We usually park hop on helf the days.

I'm all for flexability, as long as it doesn't cost me extra!

For first timers, I think it is a real waste of money. Our very first trip ever was in Oct, so we didn't have to wait for anything and often were out of the parks in the late afternoons. My kids did not want to return to any of the parks later in the evening; WDW is tiring even if you're having fun. We went back to MK only because we were near there and I wanted to see the fireworks in the evening. Another evening we did DTD, but only my oldest DD went with me. The other kids didn't even want to do that.

Everyone is different and you have to make allowances for "your" family's style. But I have to say, we were constantly told by everyone that hoppers were a must, and we would have wasted money for nothing, or like another poster, ended up using it only because we spent money on it.
lori

 

[U2_rocks!]

If money is an issue, you really don't need it. You can plan a good itinerary without it. If you want to take midday breaks, just go back to the same park again later - no need to go to another park.

Park hopping is only essential if you have a short trip and you know you only want a 1/2 day in a particular park and don't want to waste the other half of the day i.e. you want to use that time in another park.

Park hopping can be nice to have, but it does put your overall ticket cost quite a bit higher - you have to decide if the benefits are worth that to you. With park hopping, if you enter a park and it quickly becomes a madhouse, you can hop to another. But if you do your research, or get Tour Guide Mike or use Touring Plans etc., you can figure out in advance which parks will be better on which days, so you might not need the hopping option. Also, if you're going at a slower time this probably won't be an issue.

Another hopping benefit is if you like to spend several evenings at Epcot (in the WS, for example) but you like your mornings somewhere else.

Bottom line: there are benefits, but it comes at a cost. It is usually not absolutely necessary if you plan accordingly, but it's a nice perk if you don't mind the extra cost.

You can add it at any time during your trip, so if you're not sure, try planning without it, and add it if you need to when you're there.

 

[lpbm4]

This will be our 1st trip to WDW and we will not be park hopping. There will be enough excitement for us as is with our 5 1/2yr old and almost 4yr old. I couldn't imagine going to more than 1 park in a day. We'll go back to the same park on the same day. Also, we're trying to cut costs and as a pp said, this was a great way to save some $$.

A friend of mine who frequents WDW, thinks we're crazy for not buying hoppers. I think we'll be just fine.

 

[I'm No Fool]

I'd say if you're staying for 3 days or less it's not worth it. But if you're staying 4 or more days then the extra $40 a person is worth it, compared to all the other costs associated with a trip to WDW.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I get it but haven't hopped yet! But there may be that first time someday!