To hop or not to hop

[Mickeefan]

That is the question? I'll be arriving around noon on a Wednesday and leaving late afternoon the following Sunday. Is it worth paying a little bit extra for the "luxury" of hopping between parks? This trip is myself and a 12-year-old first-timer. All opinions welcome!

 

[ReninDetroit]

YES!!!!!

Imagine this: starting out with EMH in MK, riding the mountains first then all your other favorites until lunchtime. After lunch, go back to your hotel for a dip in the pool to cool you off from the (unpleasant) Floride heat, then after dinner back out to Epcot until bedtime!

WHAT could be better?

 

[eeyore45]

At $35 its what $7 a day extra? I agree with the above poster - for us it is freedom, esp on our last days, we tend to "go back and do it one last time' So we may hit Animal Kingdom Safari, Kalli River, than hop over to MGM etc, etc... I

 

[fanofdisney]

Hop, hop, hop!

Freedom!

 

[ReninDetroit]

At $35 its what $7 a day extra? I agree with the above poster - for us it is freedom, esp on our last days, we tend to "go back and do it one last time' So we may hit Animal Kingdom Safari, Kalli River, than hop over to MGM etc, etc... I

Exacly. On our last day we always to Test Track and Universe of Energy in Epcot, then a few rides in MK, Kilimanjaro in AK, and over to MGM for Millionaire, the Great Movie Ride, and the Backlot Tour.

 

[keishashadow]

Even though we've always purchased some form of park hopper ticket, we haven't always used the perc.

On early entry days we usually leave the park in the afternoon for a swim and rest before heading back to the same park, usually to use the Fast Passes we got before we left for our break. When the parks have reduced hours during the slow periods, we just stay at the early entry park until shortly before closing and eat dinner at one of the resorts.

Since we're morning people, we haven't tried the extended hour perc yet.

If you're considering adding on an option, IMO buy the longest non-expiration ticket you can afford. The cost drops dramatically, and you have tickets for your next trip.

At all costs, avoid falling into the trap of thinking you must do it all - trust me, you won't. Just enjoy the magic you do experience. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[floridagirrl2]

SO worth it. I could never understand the attraction. My DH was DYING to park hop. We're Florida residents, so it made the most sense to purchase Florida Resident Seasonal Passes to be able to hop. Now, about 1 1/2 years and 10 trips to WDW later (after not having been terrribly impressed on my last visit to Epcot 13 years before), I'm totally hooked. YOU MUST HOP!

 

[bytheblood]

Always hop! If the park is too busy, you can always leave and go to another.

Also, there may be attractions at one park in the morning that you would like to see and something you want to see elsewhere at night. Or character breakfast at one park and fireworks show in the evening at another. Always, always, always hop!!!

 

[S. C.]

Hop, hop, hop!

Freedom!

 

[weluvpluto]

Also remember most days AK closes earlier than the other parks. You could do AK, then go to MGM for Fantasmic that night. I would hate not being able to hop

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I also live the hopping-lifestyle.

On my solo trips, it's not even a question - I usually visit a minimum of 3 parks a day. One in the AM, one in the afternoon, and usually a third to see the night-time show.

It really is the best way to avoid the crowds. Quite often I'll afternoon hop over to AK for the last two hours before they close - although the safari isn't as active, the rest of the park is usually virtually empty after the parade. I rode Dinosaur eight times one afternoon and still had time to catch the last Safari of the day - and I didn't arrive until after 3PM.

It's not for everyone - and for first time visitors I'd recomend keeping it to two parks a day just so you don't feel as if you had a "jumbled" experience; however, once you have "seen it all" on previous trips, park hopping is so much fun. In MK and it's busy and you want out? Hmmm...let's hit MGM and do the GMR. Or go to Epcot and get a snack in WS.

Traveling between parks is really easy, and although people tell you to schedule at least an hour to do so most of the time I have found it's much quicker than that.

I'd much rather pay the extra for PH and skimp a bit somewhere else - the freedom is amazing.

N.E.D.