To buy Park Hopper Option or Not?

[beattyfamily]

We always buy park hoppers and always will. I don't even look at the other price options. I just treat the tickets (and budget for) as if they never changed it to have an 'option'.

I couldn't live without it. I have 2 girls ages 6 and 9 and never found it difficult to park hop with them.

I love being able to do EMH morning in one park, leave around 12:00p, rest, swim etc...and then head to MGM for Fantasmic.

Or do a park in the am and then in the PM head to MK for Spectro/Wishes.

I've entered a park in the am only to find out it is PACKED so I turn and walk out and head to another park.

It is not very difficult or time consuming to park hop.

I LOVE it!

 

[tjmw2727]

I have decided not to get the park hopper this next trip. I am purchasing a 10-day pass with the water parks and more option. We will be at Disney for 11 days/10 nights, but have other activities planned. So for a few dollars more than the 7-day park hopper pass I originally planned to purchase we will still be able to "hop" to a different park 3 out of 7 days.
snip

Sorry, your pass will not work that way. Think of your MYW ticket as entrance to the major theme parks for X number of days, not X number of entries. Once you use your ticket at a theme park your ticket is tagged to you and that park. Only you can use it to re-enter and only at that park unless its a park hopper. You just can't use two days on your ticket on one day. You can use a water park option or DQ option and a theme park admission on the same day maybe that is what you meant?

For reference, here is the link to the FAQ on the official Disney website:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...tateProvince=DE

Per the official site:
"Magic Your Way base tickets give each member of your travel party entry to one theme park a day each day of your ticket."

A better explanation although not an "official" website is at allears:
http://allearsnet.com/pl/ticket.htm#8

"Am I allowed to use two days off of my MYW Base ticket (non-hopping) if I decide I want to go to a second park on the same day as the first?

No you are not. The tickets are sold and the computer system is based on the number of days you have, not the number of park visits. Once you have used a non-park hopping ticket at any park, the computer system will not let you use it at another park on the same day."

In short if you want to park hop you must add on the park hopper feature.

HTH
TJ

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We ALWAYS have gotten the hopper...would not even consider not getting it!

 

[mommy*RN]

Thanks for your posts! I wasn't very clear about my meaning...so I apologize. I meant we would "hop" between Disney parks, waterparks, Disney Quest and some off-site activities I had planned (SeaWorld, etc.). Plus we have a seperate pass for MNSSHP so that day we can go to a different park in the AM and then MK at night. I did talk to DH and he doesn't want me buying the 10 day pass tho...he said there will be days we won't want to go to the parks...he is such a buzz kill!

Sorry if my message was unclear! I figured Disney wouldn't allow park hopping without the special pass considering adding the park hopper option costs more then adding a day or two to the pass. I hope I didn't mislead anyone! Thanks to all who replied to clear up my message!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks for your posts! I wasn't very clear about my meaning...so I apologize. I meant we would "hop" between Disney parks, waterparks, Disney Quest and some off-site activities I had planned (SeaWorld, etc.). Plus we have a seperate pass for MNSSHP so that day we can go to a different park in the AM and then MK at night. I did talk to DH and he doesn't want me buying the 10 day pass tho...he said there will be days we won't want to go to the parks...he is such a buzz kill!

Sorry if my message was unclear! I figured Disney wouldn't allow park hopping without the special pass considering adding the park hopper option costs more then adding a day or two to the pass. I hope I didn't mislead anyone! Thanks to all who replied to clear up my message!

Great plan, we do that as well on longer trips!

I had a feeling that was your intention but I just wasn't sure. I posted to let you know, just in case, as well as others who read the thread. It comes up often so if I can save someone the stress and embarrasment by letting them know ahead of time I will try and do that.

TJ

 

[mareed]

Thanks for your posts! I wasn't very clear about my meaning...so I apologize. I meant we would "hop" between Disney parks, waterparks, Disney Quest and some off-site activities I had planned (SeaWorld, etc.). Plus we have a seperate pass for MNSSHP so that day we can go to a different park in the AM and then MK at night. I did talk to DH and he doesn't want me buying the 10 day pass tho...he said there will be days we won't want to go to the parks...he is such a buzz kill!

Do you realize that it's only $9 more for a 10 day pass compared to a 7 day pass? I'd really consider going ahead and getting the 10 day pass so you could go to the park for just a short time on some of the days. Disney's 10 day pass is really quite a good deal, I think!

 

[kpk89]

We love to hop, hop, hop! I agree with a previous poster, though -- if you're not certain that you'll use it, just wait and see. You could add it if the need arises.

Have a great trip!!

 

[mommy*RN]

Do you realize that it's only $9 more for a 10 day pass compared to a 7 day pass? I'd really consider going ahead and getting the 10 day pass so you could go to the park for just a short time on some of the days. Disney's 10 day pass is really quite a good deal, I think!

I'm 100% with you here! My DH is NOT helping with the planning except for dictating how the $$$ should be spent. I think I may go ahead and purchase the 10 day pass and not tell him till we are there...he'll never know! I can't believe he is worrying about such a small amount of $$$...especially when you break it down that the resort costs are where most the $$$ is going! MEN!

Thanks again for all the information! This is why ! People like you!

 

[jenr812]

My kids are about the same age as yours (12, 7, and 3) and when we were there last year, we were glad to have the hoppers, especially towards the end of our trip when everyone had their favorites that they wanted to see/go on again. Plus with a range of ages like that, it was easy to please everyone everyday We considered skipping it to save the money, but wouldn't even consider that now.

 

[tjmw2727]

My kids are about the same age as yours (12, 7, and 3) and when we were there last year, we were glad to have the hoppers, especially towards the end of our trip when everyone had their favorites that they wanted to see/go on again. Plus with a range of ages like that, it was easy to please everyone everyday We considered skipping it to save the money, but wouldn't even consider that now.

ITA - you can also split up if you have enough adults. When we travel with bil's family we often start out at one park, do a pool break and then split up for a few of the evenings. DH and BIL take the older kids to one park for some of the thrill type rides and to stay out for a fireworks show etc. SIL and I take the younger kids where they want to go and usually head back to the resort earlier. The next split up evening we switch around so sil and I get the thrills and fireworks!

TJ

 

[momto2girls]

I would wait before deciding on the park hopper option. You can always add it at any time.

We were just at WDW in January/February and we didn't get the park hopper. My kids were 2 and 5 and we felt that it was just too time consuming to hop from park to park with them. We were perfectly content to choose one park per day and never felt the need to add it.