Should I get a Park Hopper Ticket?

Heading to Walt Disney World® Resort for your next vacation but on the fence about upgrading to a Park Hopper Option ticket? Answer a few questions to see what option is best for you and your family!

But first - What is a Park Hopper Option ticket?

Basically, this option allows you to visit multiple Walt Disney World theme parks each day of your tickets. Parks included are Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There is no limit to the number of parks you can visit - visit two, three, or all four in just one day (subject to availability)! (As of February 2023, Guests are required to make a theme park reservation for the first park they plan to visit. After visiting the first park, Guests may visit the next park starting at 2 pm.).

Now, onto the questions to help you decide if Park Hopper option is best for you!

Are you limited on time or planning a shorter vacation?

While many of us wish we could spend weeks in Walt Disney World, it isn’t always possible. (I can’t be the only one!). If you are planning only 2-3 days in the parks and want to see all four, then a Park Hopper option will allow you to cover more ground than a standard ticket. Without it, you’ll need to decide which park(s) you’re willing to skip on this trip. Decide what is most important to you. Are you only interested in two parks - then skip the Park Hopper. Is your plan to ride the most popular attractions only - then Park Hopper will give you the flexibility you need!

Will you have a stroller?

Guests of Walt Disney World can enjoy in complimentary theme park transportation! These include Boat, Bus, Skyliner, and Monorail (depending on which park your leaving and which you are visiting next). By 2 pm, transportation will be available park to park, making hopping even easier.

Be prepared to fold up your stroller for most transportations (especially if it’s a side-by-side stroller). This means removing all items from the under basket, unclipping those popcorn buckets, and carrying those sleepy kids. While it may not seem too strenuous, it can be a pain having to rearrange your life after a busy morning in the parks just to head to another (and wait in line for transportation). I do find this much easier now that my children are older and we have less bags (no more potty training or millions of diapers to carry!).

If you do Park Hop with a stroller, I recommend:

• Hopping between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios via the Skyliner (side-by-side strollers must be folded)

• Hopping between Magic Kingdom and EPCOT via the Monorail. You’ll need to get to the Ticket and Transportation Center (via ferry boat or monorail) then hop on the EPCOT monorail. Depending on how crowded it is, you may not need to fold up your side-by-side stroller.

• Hopping between Animal Kingdom and any other park via bus (there are no other options and all strollers must be folded)

Is this your first visit?

There is so much to see and do in Walt Disney World that it is impossible to see it all in one visit, and I highly recommend not trying! The best way to do that is NOT getting a Park Hopper option. Devoting one day to each park (ideally two to Magic Kingdom) allows you to be immersed in the lands without the stress of getting to the next park. On your first visit, skip Park Hopper and live in the moment as much as possible. Give up trying to do it all and just enjoy the experience - trust me!

Are you on a strict budget?

Adding a Park Hopper option is an additional cost and must be added to every person in your party for every day of your vacation. Depending on the size of your travel party and the length of your vacation, this could add hundreds of dollars to your total vacation. Be sure to consider this added cost as you budget your vacation. You may find that you’d rather spend those funds on something else - like Genie+ (gain access to Lighting Lane Entrances at select attractions), a Character Dining experience (avoid lines to meet characters by meeting them at meals), or upgrading to a Deluxe Resort (experience extended evening hours at select parks on select days).

Still not sure?

I personally love Park Hopping! I love the flexibility of being able to head to a new park in the afternoon. However, depending on my vacation plans and who I’m traveling with, I may not get a Park Hopper on one trip, but get it on another. Everyone’s situation and every vacation is different. What works for one, may not work for the other. Contact me to get started on your vacation planning and I’ll help make your next adventure memorable! My services are complimentary when you book a package!