To hop or not to hop...

[KimP5]

We're heading to Disney the 17th for AAU Volleyball nationals (Go Phoenix!!) This is mostly a vb trip but tournament ends 22nd and were planning to hit the parks the 23rd and 24th. We'd figured on doing Epcot and MK respectively, and have a couple ADRs booked. The family we're sharing accommodations with told me yesterday they got 2 day hoppers. They're not Disney planners. I've never done hoppers, but am now considering it, as all our kids may want to go together and also could head to Studios for ToT! I've done no touring plans at this point as was waiting to see what would happen with team. If we hang out with other family will be wandering around with no plan. Which could drive me nuts. Or could be very Zen. LOL! I need opinions. Go with flow, or plan? Hop or no hop. Budget is tight too, so hopping could cost us an ADR maybe.

 

[serenitynow]

I would keep my plans, but also get the park hoppers in case you want spend some time hopping with your roommates.
I would give up an ADR to have the freedom to park hop. If a park is too crowded, just hop. At the end of the day hop to the park with the fireworks you'd like to see. The entire resort is at hand if you have the power to come and go as you please with a park hopper.

 

[Klayfish]

Personally, I've never done WDW without hopper. We just like the freedom and flexibility it offers. Yeah, it's more money, but it's worth every penny. Some days, we don't use it, but many times we do. We have a lot of days where we'll do MK in the morning, then hop to Epcot for the afternoon (or whatever other park)

 

[lynch34]

I have young kids and they would go to Magic Kingdom all day, every day if they could. We usually end up there at some point but the hoppers allow for us to do Rope Drop at the other parks, take a break and then hit Magic Kingdom in the afternoon with FP or vice versa.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We did hoppers a couple of times when we stayed off site. Me personally I always felt rushed to get to the next park when we had the hoppers...hoppers just aren't for me I guess, lol. Plus I like to plan all my ADRs and such in the parks I am going to be in or at surrounding resorts. I just feel its more relaxing to stay in 1 park vs hop to another park. Plus I do have a child on spectrum so getting him from 1 park to another park could be very difficult for us and I am all about relaxing and taking it easy, but having a plan, lol. Personally for me if it was between hoppers and an ADR then the hoppers would have to go, lol. I love Disney dining and the theming of their restaurants. We don't have a lot of themed restaurants where I am from, so thats just a magical extra for us.

 

[littledebbie335]

I would actually suggest not getting the park hopper, since you're trying to stick to a budget and it's a short trip. There are PLENTY of things to do at Epcot and MK, so it's not like you'll be bored if you don't hop. We had park hoppers on our last trip, but the only day we used them was when AK closed very early (either 5 or 6pm), and we hopped to Epcot for dinner. It was nice, but if we hadn't had the park hopper, it wouldn't have been a big deal. Also, it might be nice to get a break from the family you're staying with and have some time to enjoy with just your family!

 

[tripletmomsrock]

On a longer trip and with smaller kids I would never hop just because 1 park seems to be enough. But with it being a short trip and young adults I think a hopper is a great option. If your budget will allow I would go for it!

 

[pens4821]

I would ask what you would like to accomplish. If you want to ride as many rides as possible in those 2 days, I would for sure get it. If there is an AM EMH, use that then use FP at the second park. If not, I'd still use FP later, and get there right at rope drop and ride as much as you could before it got crowded. If you are more looking to take it in and ride some rides at the same time, I'd take it slower and just stay in one park a day.

 

[AJA]

We no longer get the hoppers especially for 2-3 day trips (our usual now) but in your case if it's a "one time thing" with all the kids together then yes I would go ahead and add the hoppers that way the kids can make their plans together (I am assuming they are teens?) I am sure at their age they will happily give up a TS meal to have the memories with their friends.

 

[AshleeH]

I wouldn't do it. All of our recent trips have been with hoppers, but our first trip wasn't - we were there a solid week and never missed them because we planned accordingly. For such a short trip, you'll be rushed as it is with two parks in such a short timespan. Also, since it's a budget, that would be one thing easily cut. I would rather have an ADR than the "maybe" of using the hoppers.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I personally don't like to hop but I always buy the hopper option. It has come in handy on a few occasions but honestly I'd be fine without it. I think the part that always gets me is we travel with my sister and her family and she has annual passes and with that can hop. Not wanting to spoil any plans I just buy the hoppers.

 

[MouseTeens]

Based on the info provided I'd pass on the hopper. Just going to stress you out.

 

[imthemamahere]

Someone pointed out on another thread that you can add on the Park Hopper option for no additional cost while you're at Disney. So if you aren't sure you'll use it, why not wait and see? If your kids turn to you while you're at EPCOT and say they'd like to watch the fireworks at MK that night, you can add it on then. If that doesn't happen, you've saved the cost.

We always buy park hoppers - I like being able to start out in one park in the morning and switch to a different park for the afternoon/evening, based on where I want to dine and what I want to do on that particular trip. But some people feel they're more hassle than help - so it really is very much up to how you like to handle your vacation!

 

[stinkpickle]

Just wait and add the hopper when you get there and decide to use it.

 

[IsThatYouTigger]

Congratulations on the Volleyball Nationals! I played club and in college so I know how big of a deal that is! It sounds like you're torn because you want to spend time with the family but would only consider hopping because they are. How many people are in your families travel party? I ask because you could always get the park hopper for your daughter and she could hop with her teammate if you are okay with that. Could you plan on one park together either in the morning or in the afternoon and you all stay in the park you have chosen? If they decide they want to leave in the afternoon for another park or come meet you in the evening after doing another they could do so. I have always had a ticket with a park hopper because I like the flexibility it provides. If they don't have a plan though you may get annoyed if in the end you purchase the park hopper but it doesn't get used because they decide to stay in one park. Maybe purchase the base ticket and add the hopper the day of if you decide it's what you want to do...

 

[aretha30]

You can always add it on when you're there if you need it. If we were only doing a two day trip we would pass on hoppers. We always do the hoppers on our yearly vacation which is 9-11 days. We feel as if they are a real value for a longer period of time.

 

[KimP5]

I love the idea of adding it when there if we decide we want it. I'm a non-hopper/feel it would stress me out person. Some of the kids are teens and could go with their friends. The other family has 3 girls, 18, 16, and 13. Our three are 16, 12, and 6. I may very well let my two older girls hop and then have me, DH and the 6yo stay put. You all are so smart!! Love it - no idea why I hadn't thought of that.

 

[dkrauss]

I've visited WDW both ways, with and without park hoppers. It's all about the touring plan for us (my wife and I). If our plan turns out to be dominated in 1 park/per day........and we don't have an ADR setup that requires park hopping...........then we don't. We did just that last December. Our original purchase included park hoppers.........but when we put the plan together.........we found we didn't need'em. So I called Disney and got that portion of my money back! If you're not going to use it on more than 2 or 3 days of your trip..........its something to consider NOT buying them.

In the end park hoppers are overly expensive (at the moment).............If you're unsure and you can add them to your package..........DO IT! You do have a period of time (I believe 30 to 45 days prior to your trip) to cancel if you find your plan doesn't work.

Have a great trip.

Doug

 

[bopper]

Park Hopper vs. Park Plopper?

Do you visit Disney fairly often? Then this may be a time to try something different. Hang with the other family.
Would you (your family) rather be with that family or make sure to do what you want?
Have you done things with them before? Do they sort of plan or will there be a lot of "Hmm...what should we do?"
Do you think they will get up and going when you want? If you are early risers and they sleep until 10...you may go crazy.
Do you care more about rides vs. ADR? Your kids may rather go with the others rather than eat at LeCellier
Has the other family ever gone to Disney? Do they know the "top rides"?
I forget exactly how FP+ works...if you get FP at one park...you can only get more if you have used them at the first park?Would you want to be at a park with no FP?
Would you rather stay at a park than lose time on transportation to another park?
Do they like "thrill" rides? do you?

I think I would decide what is important for THIS trip...
Like "Optimize park time as we have 2 days" "Try to spend as much time with other family" "Feel free to go on our own if they are flakes".

So you could say "We are going to MK today...and will be on at 8:00am bus. Does that work for you? No? Okay call us when you get there and we can meet up. Also we didn't get park hoppers so you are on your own for the afternoon." or "We have park hoppers too and can will go with you."

If they have no clue what you are doing, then tell them you would be happy to be a tour guide.

The main thing is that if they like to sleep in, don't make reservations and don't want to plan or be informed and still want to lead, then you have to have the boundaries to say "We don't care for the Speedway and are going to Space Mountain...we will meet you when you are done."

If they are pretty reasonable then I would try to go with the flow.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We are park hoppers - for our short upcoming family trip, we'll be hopping 3 times in 4 days - one on our DHS day to spend some time in Epcot World Showcase in the afternoon and then back to DHS for the Star Wars Fireworks.

A 2nd time for morning in Epcot and then over to AK for the rest of the day ending with seeing a late show of Jungle Book Alive.

A 3rd time when we start the day at MK, then the teens want to leave and go back to DHS for a few extra rides on RnRC and TSMM and ToT and SWars and then they said they'll go back and join my husband and I in MK later. I did book their FP+ for DHS that day so we shall see if this actually happens. LOL

It works for us since we have older kids (16 and 20 year old) who know there way around and are fine with heading off without us. If they weren't ok with that, I know the 3rd hop wouldn't be happening.