Should we park hop in August or NOT? Super confused...

[lilandvisma]

We will be at WDW the last week in August. 3 kids, staying at a monorail resort. We have all been multiple times, so the whole MUST SEE/DO everything feeling is not as huge as what it used to be in the past, if that makes sense

With the heat in mind, would it be best to stick to 1 park per day? We are probably going to take more breaks as opposed to "hopping" this visit? We are also planning on a water park for one day as well as 1 day of NADA planned (usually ends up being Disney Springs, nice dinner, swimming...)

What do you guys think? 3 day park hoppers or stick with 4 parks, 1 per day?

Sorry guys, I'm sure this has been asked a million times on here. BUT! I value my fellow Dis'ers opinions! Thanks !!!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Actually you can wait until you're at WDW to make the decision, AND if you don't want to hop day #1, you can still change your mind and add the hoppers on day #2.
So, my advice would be to wait until your on property and decide what you want.
Because you're on the monorail, and you already know you are taking midday breaks, you could plan MK for day 1, no hopper needed, then Epcot day 2, again no hopper needed, then day 3, get a hopper and split your time between AK and HS...
Imho

 

[glassslippergirl]

I'm of two minds in your dilemma (as are you-- hence, the dilemma, right?).

I would normally say more park days are better than fewer, so four park days without hoppers is a better option.

However, you are staying at a monorail resort. Especially if it's the Contemporary, it would be so awesome to treat MK like a second "home." With hoppers, you could go to a choice park during the day, then just pop into MK on the way to your hotel for one more ride, one more show, one more Dole Whip.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

How many days will you be there for? The price difference between 4 days and say 7 days is minimal. I'd add extra days instead of park hopper and enjoy your proximity to MK, even if you use a park day just for an evening.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We always get Park hopper. It offers unlimited freedom fir those so inclined.

 

[aretha30]

We always add the hoppers. It gives us the freedom to hop over to whatever park we like to after our break each day. Being on the monorail means you have the flexibility to be at MK or Epcot in just a few minutes.

 

[Mikeb1892]

How many days will you be there for? The price difference between 4 days and say 7 days is minimal. I'd add extra days instead of park hopper and enjoy your proximity to MK, even if you use a park day just for an evening.

Can you do this? I didn't think this was allowed.

 

[rpb718]

How many days will you be there for? The price difference between 4 days and say 7 days is minimal. I'd add extra days instead of park hopper and enjoy your proximity to MK, even if you use a park day just for an evening.

This is not allowed, probably just because it would be cheaper to do.

 

[siskaren]

How many days will you be there for? The price difference between 4 days and say 7 days is minimal. I'd add extra days instead of park hopper and enjoy your proximity to MK, even if you use a park day just for an evening.

You can't buy extra days to park hop - if you try to enter a second park, the tap style will not give you the green light.

 

[North of Mouse]

How many days will you be there for? The price difference between 4 days and say 7 days is minimal. I'd add extra days instead of park hopper and enjoy your proximity to MK, even if you use a park day just for an evening.

Can you do this? I didn't think this was allowed.

This is not allowed, probably just because it would be cheaper to do.

You can't buy extra days to park hop - if you try to enter a second park, the tap style will not give you the green light.

What does it matter if the OP wants to just go to a park in the afternoon instead of 'all' day. It's still just going to one park a day. She would be buying a 7 day instead of a 4 day. We've done that before so know it is allowed. Mostly, though, we just get the hopper and 'hop' wherever and whenever we want to go.

 

[ArwenMarie]

More days is better in August IMO

 

[LovePug]

I wouldn't bother with the hopper in this situation. I'd get the 4 days and do a park per day.

 

[lilandvisma]

We will be there for 7 nights. I'm still torn on what to do...if I am reading things right, I can always add the park option on even after we get there? I've either done one or the other in the past so didn't know that was really an option. So, say I have 4 days, and use 2...then decide to add the park hopper option on while we are there for days 3 and 4, I can?

 

[LorrieAnn5]

We will be there for 7 nights. I'm still torn on what to do...if I am reading things right, I can always add the park option on even after we get there? I've either done one or the other in the past so didn't know that was really an option. So, say I have 4 days, and use 2...then decide to add the park hopper option on while we are there for days 3 and 4, I can?

Yes you can add on Hopper after you use part of the current ticket.
If it's between buying a 7 day ticket and buying a shorter, hopper ticket, I would rather have a 7 day ticket and stick to one park per day (with no rest days).

 

[Ensusieasm]

We will be at WDW the last week in August. 3 kids, staying at a monorail resort. We have all been multiple times, so the whole MUST SEE/DO everything feeling is not as huge as what it used to be in the past, if that makes sense

With the heat in mind, would it be best to stick to 1 park per day? We are probably going to take more breaks as opposed to "hopping" this visit? We are also planning on a water park for one day as well as 1 day of NADA planned (usually ends up being Disney Springs, nice dinner, swimming...)

What do you guys think? 3 day park hoppers or stick with 4 parks, 1 per day?

Sorry guys, I'm sure this has been asked a million times on here. BUT! I value my fellow Dis'ers opinions! Thanks !!!

If you are staying a week, you could get an adult three day ticket with hopper for 345. A 6 day adult ticket without hopper is 355. Only 10 dollars more for double the park time! ( prices are before tax )

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I know that a non-hopper ticket will not let you visit more than one park a day, they are very clear on that. My point was, a 4 day ticket vs a 7 day ticket, even doing 1 park a day, is a minimal change in overall cost. I'd rather have days that I can go to the park, even if it just for part of the day, then having days where I could not while trying to fit everything into 4 days. 7 days allows for a slower pace, which is ideal in August.

 

[JaimeK]

I'd definitely do the 7 day ticket instead of park hopping. I'd rather go to a park for 4 hours and have the rest of the day free for swimming and relaxing than have a few crazy busy two-park days with days off between.

 

[Oneanne]

I always park hop... particularly during August when there are hotel/pool/nap breaks during the heat of mid-day, and then I always seem to end up at EPCOT in the evening.

 

[colleen0928]

We will bet there the week of 8/20 and I was doing the same mental gymnastics. Difference being we don't go to Disney very often (haven't been since 2009) and it is likely our last trip and the only trip my kids will remember, so I want to make sure we get in as much fun as we possibly can without stressing out over it. I wound up getting a good deal on 5 day PH/WP tickets before prices went up, so I jumped at it.

What I am feeling now is peace of mind. August weather is unpredictable, so I like the thought that we can rearrange the itinerary a bit if we need to so we don't miss out on the things I think my family will like most. Also, lurking on these boards has made me a bit leary about the fact that Disney feels okay about changing things (hours/show times/hard ticket parties) at the last minute, which makes me twitchy about having to commit to things even 30 days in advance, so having hoppers makes me feel a little more in control of my vacation.

That being said, the price of the hoppers over the waterpark only option (which I definitely wanted) was only $4/ticket, so it was a no brainier for me. Having it allows me to stress less for a grand total of $16, which is probably worth my sanity . I have always enjoyed my Disney vacations, but planning this one is making me a bit nuts. I cannot wait to get there so I can start enjoying myself and stop obsessing over it!

I don't know what I would do in your shoes, but it is great to know that you have the flexibility to add them later if you want.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

We will bet there the week of 8/20 and I was doing the same mental gymnastics. Difference being we don't go to Disney very often (haven't been since 2009) and it is likely our last trip and the only trip my kids will remember, so I want to make sure we get in as much fun as we possibly can without stressing out over it. I wound up getting a good deal on 5 day PH/WP tickets before prices went up, so I jumped at it.

What I am feeling now is peace of mind. August weather is unpredictable, so I like the thought that we can rearrange the itinerary a bit if we need to so we don't miss out on the things I think my family will like most. Also, lurking on these boards has made me a bit leary about the fact that Disney feels okay about changing things (hours/show times/hard ticket parties) at the last minute, which makes me twitchy about having to commit to things even 30 days in advance, so having hoppers makes me feel a little more in control of my vacation.

That being said, the price of the hoppers over the waterpark only option (which I definitely wanted) was only $4/ticket, so it was a no brainier for me. Having it allows me to stress less for a grand total of $16, which is probably worth my sanity . I have always enjoyed my Disney vacations, but planning this one is making me a bit nuts. I cannot wait to get there so I can start enjoying myself and stop obsessing over it!

I don't know what I would do in your shoes, but it is great to know that you have the flexibility to add them later if you want.

I used to go to WDW like this, but the introduction of FP+ has sure taken a great deal of spontaneity out of a trip. It can be very difficult to re-arrange a plan while you are there, as if it includes going to a new park, or changing the days you are going, good luck getting anything you really want with FP+ during a trip. Possible yes, likely no. That is probably my biggest gripe about FP+ is that any changes in a plan are at a whole different level.