Hopper Indecision

[WDWFRK]

Hello!
We have always gotten the hoppers, but I'm really questioning if we should spend the extra money for them on this trip. We like the flexibility they offer, but I don't want to keep doing something just because we've always done it that way.

Any of you that used to buy hoppers and now don't, I'd love to hear your reasons why and your post-hopper experiences.

[Disney Doll]

For me, it largely depends on where we stay. If we are on the monorail or within walking distance to EPCOT, we typically opt for a hopper because it's so quick and easy to jaunt on over to your nearest park on a whim. If we're a bit further out I don't bother. We used to get a hopper every time, but I came to realize that we often didn't use it.

[jans2kids]

Most of our trips are 8-10 days so we stopped buying the hopper just to save some money since there are 4 of us. We figured we had enough days that we could visit each park twice so there was no need to hop. This past year we did 3 trips so we had an AP and this allowed us to hop which was nice since we did a 5 day trip including Christmas day. With that we could do daytime at Epcot then hop over to HS or MK to see the nightime lights and shows.

[j2k]

In the past you could add the Hopper option once onsite if you decided you needed it. If that's still an option you could always do that if you don't already have it.

[deedee73]

We question their use each trip bc of the price increase. Our last trip we used them a few times only but the one prior we used them almost daily. I think it really depends on your plans, makeup of your traveling group, and where you are staying. If you are staying at the Epcot or MK resorts it is easy to hop over even for just a ride or 2 quickly versus staying elsewhere. Also if you have youngsters making MK your go to park it would be easy to park hop for part of your group in the late evening (bedtime) or to hit a different park after a midday break.

[#1donaldfan]

I like the option to find another park if the one we're in is crazy busy. But a couple of trips we didn't hop and we did just fine. We rope drop and pretty much do what we want by noon, then rest / swim at the resort, shower and head back for the evening .....

[mechanic]

Love hopper. Used it every day in december. Closed the MK every night.

[LandFan]

We haven't bought hoppers in years. If we have AP's then we hop - but even then we don't do it often as we find it just wastes time. We found that we don't really need them and didn't miss them when we stopped doing it.

[PopPhan]

Once the later hours start at Animal Kingdom, this might change, but I use hoppers on every trip. I spend a lot of evenings in Epcot/World Showcase for the restaurants and adult beverages, but still hit the evening shows at MK and DHS while I'm there.

Honestly, it would be up to your touring style whether or not to purchase the hopper. If you are content in one park, no matter the crowd levels or closing time, I would suggest you go without. If you find this to be a problem, add hoppers once you are there.

[WDWFRK]

Thanks for the input! I made an executive family decision yesterday to forgo the hoppers on this trip and see how we like it. We won't be able to use the hoppers for 2 of the 7 days we are there, so I think I'd rather save my $300 for something else.

[KAT1811]

If you decide once you get there that you miss the park hopping option just go to any Guest Services location ans tell them you want to add the option to your tickets. Disney is always happy to add options to your stay.