Ticketing Advice Needed

[Run Driver]

Hi, everyone,

I'm planning my family's second trip to WDW in about 4 weeks. I'm undecided about the type of tickets I should buy (i.e. park hopper, water parks, etc.). Last year, I bought the basic MYW ticket and upgraded to the hoppers. I never did any hopping though. It turned out to be a waste. I have a 6 y.o and a 4 y.o. and neither are great swimmers although my 6 y.o. expressed some interest in going to a water park this year. We're also planning on attending a Braves spring training game while we're there. Is it worth my money to buy the hoppers or should I stick with the basic ticket?

 

[jones8491]

I just ordered my tkts online as well. We opted NOT to do the Hopper option because, like you said, it's a waste! When you get to a park, why would you leave and go to another park?? You can still leave and go back to the same park w/o paying for that option! We did opt for the Water Park option, though. We have 2 teenagers that LOVE Typhoon Lagoon and Disney Quest - which are both included. We plan on taking them to Disney Quest one evening while we check out Pleasure Island! Can't Wait~
I would say if you plan to do even ONE thing on the list when you add the Water Park option, it is worth it because it is basically the same price as if you just bought a one day tkt. It just allows the option then of going to 2 or 3 of those attractions that are included. Hope this helps!

 

[Contemporary_Man]

If you don't think that you would do any park hoping, just buy the basics. You have already been once, so you have at least somewhat of an idea of how your family will want to do on the trip. Personally, I like to do one park in the morning followed by rest at the hotel and a different park at night. Doing that, it makes sense for a park hopper, but everybody has a different way of doing things. Overbuying tickets is a waste of money considering that you can always upgrade during the trip if you decide to hop.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I personally like to hop but if you have been to WDW and didn't hop than I would say stick with the base ticket. The reason I enjoy hopping is that I like to start out at one park, take a break and then maybe return to another park for dinner and evening fireworks. Also, MGM is not a park we could ever spend a whole day but we have to see Fantasmic at least twice each trip. I have toyed however with not paying the hopping upgrade for our upcoming trip. It was different when we had AP's but now that I have to pay to hop it makes me wonder if we couldn't just come up with a game plan that allows us to not hop. Another idea is that if you are staying say 7 days, you could upgrade to a 8, 9, or 10 day ticket for very little. That way if there was a day or two where you wanted to hop you could use two tickets. This only works however if you have less than 10 days you need to buy since that is the maximum number of days on any park ticket except AP's.

 

[airtime]

We are inveterate hoppers (we hop almost every day, and we traditionally hop to all four parks on our last day), and we would not dream of not having that capability. Nevertheless, if you have never hopped before, why buy it up front? Contemporary_Man has a point - you can always upgrade during your trip if you decide you want to hop.


Tim, who loves park hopping (but recommends using a car!)

 

[Kycha]

Another idea is that if you are staying say 7 days, you could upgrade to a 8, 9, or 10 day ticket for very little. That way if there was a day or two where you wanted to hop you could use two tickets. This only works however if you have less than 10 days you need to buy since that is the maximum number of days on any park ticket except AP's.

I am sure I read on another thread that you cannot go to two different parks in one day unless you have the hopper option. Someone did exactly as you suggested and when they got to the second park, they were denied entrance. I have never tried this myself, so I don't know. But if you search the forums you can get more information. I tried a search but the server is busy right now.

 

[joanchris]

We had hoppers in Oct....never hopped. If we go again, we will not get hoppers. IF you're there and feel the need to hop you can always add it while there (at the same upgrade fee for the whole length of tickets not just the days you have left), also, I remember pricing tickets (can't wait to go back) and noting that it wasn't worth it to buy the plus option (water parks etc) unless you planned on doing at least 2 things...a water park and DQ or water park 2x, etc. So you can always just buy water park tickets at the gate if you want to go (just re-check the prices since it's been a couple of months since I looked!)
I say go for the basics, especially since you've been and didn't hop last time.
Have fun!

 

[Run Driver]

Thanks to all of you. You've all been a big help to me. I will probably buy the basic ticket and upgrade at WDW, if necessary. Thanks.

 

[DizznyChick]

we're always too tired to hop-even though we have AP's
and the resort pool is enough fun for us without the water park