Parking if Resort Guest and the August Crowds Hopping Question

[DisneyVillianCadet]

We will be staying at Pop during our next stay and will have a car because of a side trip to or two from the world.

First visit in summer and the talk of the crowds have me worried (and the long lines for Disney transport!!!) I am considering driving everywhere, Is Parking at all the parks included if you are a resort guest?

We always had Park Hoppers in the past but never used them. We always visited during the off season and the crowds never really drove me from one Park to another. Out of all of our trips the one time we Hopped was to leave a closed MK to see Illuminations at Epcot. So for this trip I bought Base ticket with Plus Pack (never have been to the water parks) - Should I SERIOUSLY reconsider and add the Hopper (I could spend the $105 <$35 x3 > elsewhere on the trip. I guess if the crowds are heavy and with the heat I could possibl see going to a EMH park early and late only with a non EMH park in the middle....or is that insane?

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, DisneyVillianCadet!

Yes, parking at the parks is included for all resort guests. I have never found the transportation lines to be completely horrible. You may have to wait a bus or two when the parks close, but they keep them coming at night, so it shouldn't take too long to get on a bus.

I have always been a park hopper, taking advantage of early entry in the mornings. I personally like the ability to park hop. It's nice to be able to go to the Magic Kingdom bright and early in the morning, and move over to Epcot later in the day when the Magic Kingdom gets crowded. If it were me, I'd spend the $35 per person to get the hopping priveleges, but if you don't think you're going to hop, it wouldn't be worth it.

I found the evening extra magic hours to be a disappointment when I was down there last weekend. The lines were pretty bad, especially at MGM. The line for the Rock 'N Roller Coaster was a hour, and Tower of Terror was 40 minutes at Midnight last Sunday. There were loads of people, and there were lots of cranky kids (and adults) being pushed beyond their limit.

Hope that helps

Karen

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I completely agree with the previous poster. Park Hopping is a great option to have, especially when going during a busy season. We were at WDW in June and always got to a park at opening. We did a lot of things the first couple of hours at every park we hit early. The Magic Kingdom is great early as long as you go LEFT and stay away from Tomorrowland. Frontierland and Fantasy Land were empty while the other side (Space Mtn) was jammed. We then left the park for a break and went to another park (NOT an evening EMH park) later in the day.
I also agree that Disney transportation is great. Sure it is busy at peak times but don't think trying to get out of a parking lot with thousands of other people is any better. Disney adjusts the buses to take care of the peak times and they do an awesome job. The best suggestion is to avoid peak times. If you stay until park closing just let the masses out first. After Wishes at the MK one night we just sat on a bench near the castle for a while. By the time we got to the bus stop it was nice and quiet.

 

[sanibelover]

You can always add hopping after you get there. If you decide you would like to hop, just add it then, if not, you saved yourself $105.