Parkhopper opinions

[JoyAhead]

After seeing the MVMCP dates, we will definitely need hoppers. There're are 3 parties, plus rumor of the Disney cast party that week, meaning MK closes early 4 days while we are there. So we will need some evening/afternoon hopping.

 

[jvz82]

We skipped the hoppers. With 6 people in our family (4 young kids), that was a big added cost plus just the travel from one park to another was more than I wanted to deal with. I have used hoppers on other trips and they are fun but honestly the parks are overwhelming enough with a big family to try and hop around!!

But, like others mentioned, it depends on your trip. If you have dining that you are working around, or if the parks close early, it may be necessary. For us, it just wasn't. We scheduled ADRs for "off" days at other resorts, or at the parks we were at. MK did close early one night for us at 7pm, but we started that day at 6 am to get to park opening by 7am so we were done by then anyway.

 

[DrunkJam]

I think, especially with young children, park hoppers are a must.
You can escape the busy park if it is getting too much, but you won't feel bad, cos you can always go back later, or try a different park, or rest for a bit first. It Just makes everything a lot more flexible, and that has to be a plus with a small child.

I totally get where you are coming from on the planning. You need to know SO much before you go to WDW, it's crazy. it is something I really think is a negative to the whole experience if I am honest.

 

[SgtTibbs]

I did not see any mention of it in this thread, so if you are park hopping have a look at the Express Transportation option that allows you to take a direct bus directly between all four parks without ever leaving the security zone.

Here is a DisBoards thread on Express Transportation.

 

[cubed]

I've been to WDW many times as a child and as an adult but never had PH options until the trip we just took with our two boys, 5 and 2. I am so glad I listened to folks who mentioned that the flexibility was worth the cost. We ended up park hopping all but maybe 2 of the days we were on our trip (7 days in the parks). Our character meals were always at the park we went to in the morning, then we went back to the resort for a break/nap in the afternoon, then went to explore a different park for a few hours in the early evening. It's an awesome way to experience WDW, especially with littles.

 

[TLM2015]

I think, especially with young children, park hoppers are a must.
You can escape the busy park if it is getting too much, but you won't feel bad, cos you can always go back later, or try a different park, or rest for a bit first. It Just makes everything a lot more flexible, and that has to be a plus with a small child.

I totally get where you are coming from on the planning. You need to know SO much before you go to WDW, it's crazy. it is something I really think is a negative to the whole experience if I am honest.

I totally agree with this in regards to being able to hop with little kids especially at 5 I think that's a perfect age for hopping as far as not needing to carry as much gear as a baby and being able to walk for the majority of the trip. The other issue is if your 5 year old doesn't like or isn't feeling a park. When I went with my 5 year old I made the mistake of going to MK first. Don't go to MK first. She didn't want to try any other park. I had planned on going to one park per day but brought the park hoppers anyway out of habit. We went to all the parks but we always went back to MK for the evening or afternoon after we went to the other park even with ADRs at other parks. My DD fell in love with the POTC and Haunted Mansion and everything else was okay but she wanted to stay there so we did. We were at HS for our brk ADR and that's it. I couldn't get her to try any rides we were back at MK right after brk. So I think the hopper is a good idea for flexibility and you never know which park your kid might really take to.

Just don't start with MK or you'll probably never leave.

 

[kboo]

Looks like the OP has decided on hoppers - I agree - and also agree with PPs to bring a stroller. We are going to rent a double for our kids who will be almost 6 and almost 2 on our next trip. August is too hot to stick the baby in a carrier, which is what we did last time, and even though our 5yo is capable of walking MILES a day (we live in NYC and walk everywhere), she gets tired and will need a place to rest.

As for hoppers and another benefit - are you staying onsite? You mentioned character meals. Sometimes those are hard to get on the dates you want, or the date you reserved turns out to be a crappy day to tour that park, due to weather, crowds, what have you. What we've done since we have small kids and usually take a midday break, is to book 3 FP in the AM at a park we want to visit, and we'll book a TS dinner - the hard to get ones typically you get what you get. So now we're not stuck at the park where the dinner is at/near. So post-break, we go to the park where dinner is and ride a few rides before/after dinner if we want to. Another added benefit, if you are staying at an Epcot resort, is being able to go to World Showcase and get dinner at one of the casual places and just to walk around a bit.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We always get park hoppers even when the kids were little. We like to park hop and it's always nice to have the option.

I'm the only family member with an AP and still get the other family member park hopper tickets when they go.