Should I do Park-Hopper?

[texaslady22]

We're going on a trip to WDW in July. It will be.

Me
Hubby
Sister
Special-needs niece (11)
Toddler (2)

We want to do about 5 days in the parks (2 days MK, 1 day AK, 1 day DHS, 1 day EP). We will be staying off-site in a vacation home.

My niece can walk and has autism, but we'll put her in a wheelchair because she wears foot braces and walks at a snail's pace. She doesn't really have many emotional problems (like melting down with strangers or anything), but she does have to eat RIGHT THEN when she's hungry. She's completely non-verbal, but she can sign about 30 signs for needs (bathroom, pizza, etc).

My question--should we get the Park Hopper option? It would be an extra $50 per person--$200 total. Is it worth it?

 

[GoofyFairie]

This is really a personal choice. My family does it and I wouldn't go without it, but that is because it's what fits my families needs the best. I recommend that you get Disney with Disabilities and Disney with kids from your local library and read about all the rides that are available so you have an idea of what is going to appeal to your family. My family likes all the parks, but enjoys MK the most so we hit DHS, AK or Epcot in the morning, our resort in the afternoon for a break, and end our day at MK. My kids always have a smile on their face when they can ride their favorite ride before heading to the resort for a bath and bed. However, hopping requires more traveling during the day and if you aren't going to go back to your room during the day you may not want or need the hopper option. See what each park has to offer to your family before you decide. I hope that helps! Have a great trip!

 

[RevJATB]

I say go for Park Hopper too, if you can swing it. We're planning on doing so esp. since we're going in early December and AK closes so early during that time that we'd like to have the option to go to another park in the evening of the day we're going to AK. Our child tires very easily too (hypotonic), but she is small enough that she can still ride in a stroller. Still, we are planning on going back to the resort at lunchtime and have a little nap, then heading back out in the afternoon.

As far as the eating RIGHT NOW goes, I can relate, not because of my daughter but because of me. When I need to eat, I need to eat, and right away! Waiting in lines and I do not get along. I have learned that guests are permitted to bring food into the parks--anything that does not require heating. So bring some PB&J's, peanut butter crackers, fruit--whatever she likes--in a backpack so that she can eat when sne needs to and you won't have to worry if the food lines are long!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

You can add the park-hopper at any point in your trip. Our first trip we discovered that we had enough stamina for about 5 hours in the park, and that once we left we had no desire to go back.

The second year DS was a little older, we didn't go with the same friends, and our pattern was different -- we'd go for a few hours in the a.m. and then after a swim and a rest, wander over to WS for dinner and fireworks (we were at the Swan), so park hopping made sense.

On the last trip we did other things in the evening -- DQ, MNSSHP, etc . . . , again we chose not to "hop".

I'd say wait, and if at some point you find yourselves ready to try a new park that day buy it at the window.

I'd also say that there's absolutely no way I'd be hopping with a toddler, but then I'm lazy. My idea of a perfect WDW vacation is as much about sleeping in, enjoying the pool, eating good meals, as it is about parks and rides and characters.