Wanted: NON-hopping trip reports

[Lora]

Does anyone have any trip reports for days that you did not hop? I'm trying to plan for a possible trip with family member who want to save $ by getting the non-hopping passes. I'd appreciate any links to any past trip reports.

 

[sameyeyam]

We don't hop! Arrive at each park EARLY, before opening. Ride all our favorites, eat a counter service lunch, then take bus back to hotel to rest in afternoon, usually around 1-2pm. Make late dinner reservations at the same park at around 7-9pm. We are rested up, park is thinning out, and we can then enjoy the evening. Usually the restaurants are less crowded at the later hours, easier to get reservations, plus buses going to parks aren't as crowded. Most people are leaving parks, not going in. Then you can stay till closing if you want.

This year we purchased the 4 day non-hopper, with a water park/plus option. This gave us a day each at MK, EP, AK, MGM, then it had I believe 3 waterpark/plus options. So we went one day each to BB & TL. Were going to do DQ, but got to tired. The waterpark options were cheaper than hopper options I believe. But it basically gave us 7 days of fun.

 

[LisaG]

Hi Lora,
I did a non-hopping trip last October, because we too wanted to save a little money. We had a great time, and did not miss hopping at all! I think you waste time when you hop from park to park. We were able to do FULL days at each park. Just make sure to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours (especially at night). We spent 6 days in the parks and stayed on site at Shades of Green.

 

[bbump]

I have written 2 trip reports (non-hopping)

We went in November 2005 (Trip Report Title: "Our Disney Adventure")
and March 2006. (Trip Report Title: "Spring Breakin in Orlando")

(Sorry, I don't know how to link the reports, but you could maybe do a search????)

We LOVE to spend a whole day exploring each park. I also agree that too much time would be wasted hopping from Park to Park! You can take lots of relaxing breaks at the parks or just take a time out to chill throughout the day!!!

Once your energy level is up again (after a Mickey Bar of course) then it's time to roll again!!!

Have fun planning!!!!

 

[skiingwife]

We didn't hop when we went on our first trip in December 2005. I also did not want to spend the extra money. I thought there would be enough to do at one park that hopping would not be necessary. I was right and I'm glad I didn't spend the money. You can read my trip report here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1029838

I still have a couple more days to finish.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

We didn't hop on our trip last August, and never missed it.

We use TGM to pick which park to go to each day, which really helped. We got to the park at opening each day, except for one day when we slept in and did WS in the evening. We stayed until we were hot and tired (usually about 4-6 hours) and then headed back to the hotel to swim, rest and get dressed for a nice dinner. We planned on going back into the parks before or after dinner but except for arrival night (when we did the FDP) and the WS night we never did. 4-6 hours in the parks was plenty! And since we'd used TGM and gotten there early we got plenty done in those hours, and enjoyed our "downtime" immensely.

We're probably going back this summer and if we do we won't be hopping this time either.

 

[Lora]

Thanks, everyone. I'm going to do the searches and follow the links. It's been a while since I've done serious trip report-reading. I'm looking forward to checking it out.

If my sister and her family join us, we will still follow our pattern of returning to our room for lunch and a break. I was just concerned about escaping crowded parks, missing shows if it rained and not having the option to go a different night. It is a big $$ savings for them, so I'm sure we can adjust.

 

[bgdiznee]

After many Disney trips with lots of park hopping my family and I took a different approach for our recent Mar 14- Mar 18 adventure. Not only did we not park hop we also avoided "extra hours" both am and pm like the plague. This is of course not for everyone, and certainly not for first timers or those with small children in their party. But with an all adult group of Disney "Vets" it was nirvana .We stayed at a monorail resort, got to our choosen non early opening (or late closing) park of choice at opening, stayed into early afternoon. Returned to our resort for pool-side naps, then returned to the same park for the evening. I can honestly say this was our very best Disney trip ever . Would we ever do parkhopping or extra hours for a future trip? Of course we would. Theres a place for every type of touring plan and thats what makes planning so much fun,trying to fit all the pieces together to give your group or family a great experience and one to remember. Theres no "right or wrong" way to tour Disney; just your way, and resources like the Dis boards are a great help to do just that.