To Park Hop or Not to Park Hop that is the question!!!

[disneyfan328]

Ok, so I am in the very early stages of planning a possible 2009 trip (may have to wait until 2010 we'll see) and I wanted to know from all of you veterans and experts out there - Is it really worth buying the Park Hopper option for the tickets???

It is a difference of about 250.00 for our family (estimating costs by the info out there and help from MJ - thanks Terrisue!) When we went the last time we did pay for it - however with all of my obsessive planning and ADR's we didn't need it and never used it. I know that there are certain shows/parades that are only on certain nights or so many times a week like Fantasmic and Spectromagic so I would really have to plan it out well to make it work.

How many of you buy the hopping option and end up not using it, or wouldn't go to Disney without it and why? The money we save could mean a day at Seaworld which is something that although Non Disney is something that we really want to do. I just don't want to miss out on anything at Disney either

Also if we do just standard tickets can you add just a one day pass to the waterpark? If so how much extra is that usually?
Not sure if I should have posted this in the planning Forum or not so if that's where it should be please move

OK so to add some information here becuase of the varied responses -

Cast is
myself - 35 only been to Disney twice
DH - 39 only been to Disney twice
DD - 19 only been to Disney twice
DD - 8 1/2 Only been to Disney once
DS - 6 1/2 Only been to Disney once

We definetly plan on visiting at a slower time if possible. Maybe Sept/Oct or Feb?May?
We will most likely be on a ddp but it will probably be the new Quick service plan if that is available when we get all of the decisions made so more than likely no ADR's this time.

for AK I can see a 1/2 day but would probably head back for a swim and then do DTD that night and eat there for the evening. I guess at this point I am leaning more toward not getting them, but from the first 18 responses I guess that is not the norm for Disney. Hours for the parks will be shorter when we go so doing a 2nd Park in the eveing probably wouldn't work out anyway unless it is EMH. Keep the responses coming though it is definetly giving me some things to think about.


Now after reading a lot of the responses I guess my biggest question is this -

If we park hop and are staying ON property - don't we have to take the bus back to the hotel to get a bus to another park? Being that we plan on going when it is a slow time wouldn't that take up a lot of time? Or would we be better off to take a bus to a monorail resort and then head to the TTC and catch a bus to another resort - again this still seems like it would eat up a lot of time especially if the parks aren't open late - is it really worth it? on 1/2 day parks I would rather head to the hotel to swim or to DTD maybe.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

I would never go without it. We had an occurance where MK was so crowded that we were miserable and we left and went to a less crowded park...also, we've spent the day in one park but had ADRs for dinner in another park or just planned a nighttime activity in another park , like Illuminations....of course, there are days we stay put in the first park we go to, I guess for me its one of those I'd rather have it and not use it, than need it and not have it.

[GrumpyFan]

As with a lot of things, it depends. For WDW, it really depends on your touring style, your family's preferences and your stamina. Usually we will add on park hoppers, plus water parks and more, because there are six of us, two of which are teenagers. At times we might split up and go to separate parks, then meet back up for dinner at a particular park/location. So, having this option makes it great and easy for everybody to do what they want.

There have been times though, when it was just my wife and I, and we didn't get the park hopper because we were going at a much slower pace and didn't really want to jump around. However, once my wife and I went down for a day and a half, and got the park hopper, and did all 4 parks in that day and a half. It was fun, but quite tiring.

So, you can see, it really just depends on how you want to spend your time. I will also advise, that if it's a busy time of year, having the hopper option makes it easy to jump to another park if the one you're in gets too crowded. Sometimes this works, and you can get away from the crowds, other times it's like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

If you've never been to Seaworld, saving the money and doing that is a good choice that you'll probably enjoy. As for adding on water parks, I'm pretty sure you can do that once you're there at the front desk. Or, you could order them online from Disney or a ticket agent. But, don't wait until you go to the water park, or you'll pay more.

[MauiMouse]

I have always park hopped.

I will be going with a family this trip (coming up shortly) that won't have park hopper tickets. Will it be different for me, most definitely. But I think that it should be okay. I actually have an AP, so I guess if I want I can go on my own and park hop in the morning, before meeting up with them later.

Did I answer your question, probably not. Again this family that I'm going with, never park hop. They have little children and spend the days at one park. Me on the other hand I like to ability to park hop where I want when I want. So I guess it all depends on your family. I've always had the park hopper ability and have always used it.

It would probably be cheaper just to go to the Water Park and purchase your ticket there.

[LuvsTigger80]

I wouldn't go without it!! Our first trip was in April of 08 and we use the park hopper almost every day. we would spend the morning half in one park...go back to the hotel for a nap or just to rest...then go back to another park at night. I was very happy that we had it. It made our trip less stressful.

[Imagineer1981]

HOP HOP HOP!!

We always have park hoppers. You never know if you are going to go to a park that is completely crowded and want to leave or as some state DHS and AK are half day parks and you could do AK in the am and go see Wishes or Fantasmic or Illuminations the same night!!

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

We've always used the park hopper, usually because we want to eat in Epcot too many times!!

Having the park hopper really does give you a lot more flexability, especially, as you said, with the number of nighttime events that only happen on certain days.

The Water Parks option is $50/ticket, but a 1-day waterpark ticket is only $40, so if you're only going to the 1 waterpark, you're better off buying the ticket at the waterpark.

[DNS]

We always buy the park hopper tickets/option and we always use it. We have made many trips 7 - 10 days a trip and I doubt there has been more than two days we have not used the park hopper. However, if money was very tight, I would not add it. It is something that can drop some $$ off vacation costs. I think it depends on individual vacations and how many days you think you would really use it.

[Nascfan]

This is another one of those questions where there is no right or wrong answer. What I do, what MauiMouse does, what any other Intercotee does may or may not be what's best for your family.

There are many considerations to take into account, such as how your family tours, the amount of planning you want to do, the time of year. From what you said, you can and do plan well. That may allow you to save the money and not hop. I have to concur with GrumpyFan that time of year is very important. During busier times it may be much more advantageous to have the hopping option than slower times of the year.

As for us, we hop. It's worth it to us. We go in the summer and it's more crowded and warm. So if one seems crowded, we like the option to hop to another park. We like to take midday breaks and go to another park in the evening, or a different one for EMH. This past June, we hopped 4 of our 7 park days. We were at Epcot and MK 4 times each, on different days, and Studios twice. So it was well worth the money for us. If you're trying to save for something else, it may not be worth it to you.

In regards to the water park, you can purchase a one day pass at your concierge desk of your resort. That is what we did and I believe they were in the mid $30 range per person. One thing to take into consideration, if you plan to spend more than one trip to a water park, or water park and Disney Quest, it is cheaper to add the option on. But, if you truly plan only one trip to a water park, it is cheaper to purchase a one day pass. That saved us approximately $9 per person.

Enjoy planning and have fun!

[Diznee4Me]

Another Hopper here! I really like having the choice to switch parks through out the day.

I just can't enter a park at 8AM and stay until midnight. With a hopper you can visit a park in the morning and later in the week visit it at night. The parks have a totally different atmosphere at different times of day.

[CleveSJM]

We used to always Hopper, now we don't.

Couple key decision factors.

1. We have been down many times now and know we can hit a park in a day. For rookies or people really trying to maximize every minute (like we used to) I'd say get the hopper.
2. We don't go during busy seasons. Hopping is more necessary during busy times to avoid excessive crowds.

Without a hopper, its more relaxing for us as well. I'm not thinking about where to go, transport to/from, etc. I just live with my park du hour and enjoy.

Also, we use the party tickets to "hop" on a day if we can. One park in the morning and MK for the party. Works great.

PS - And the hopper $ savings spends nicely for souvenirs.

[Rich Mc]

HOP----HOP----HOP:
We always Park Hop! We like to go to Animal Kingdom in morning then go back to resort for a quick break and a swim.Then head out to another Park for dinner and spent the evening at one of the Parks that stays open later!

[wdwfansince75]

A party of five....never went with a group that small! Hard to create a plan that 12-15 people will accept without hopping.
We have always hopped.....Partially because we all like to do our own thing at WDW....some of us are ride crazies, and some just like to let the magic happen....strolling, and seeing what happens. This year, we were a little more restricted....DW and DW's BF were in ETV, and DS#2 and DDiL #2 had DGS#4, at 6 months, with them, so some of us hopped very little. I, on the other hand, hopped every day, as did DS#1 and his family (DDiL#1, DGS#2, DGS#3, and DGD#3). I like to do the parks early, hitting AM EMH park as often as I can....

Hoppers are important if:

• You have group that likes to do their own thing, but plan meals or special events together
• You are there when some parks may become very crowded...holidays or special events
• You are staying at MK resorts, and like to finish the day there
• You are staying at EPCOT/DHS resorts, and find it convenient to finish the day there
• You have teenagers who like to avoid rest of family....note that this is also an arguement against hoppers.
• You love AM EMH, but some of your party want to start later, at a non-EMH park....
• or You (or some of your group) tend to do both AM and PM EMH
• You are addicted to EPCOT for meals, but only need one or two days to experience rest of EPCOT

Hoppers are less important if:

• Your group always stays together
• You like to do the whole day in one park
• You plan your ADR's for the park, or close to the park, you will be in that day.....
• Plan your parks, then plan your ADR's

If you think you may not need it, I would not purchase the park hopper option ahead of time....You can see how the first day or so goes, then upgrade if necessary....at the first park you hop to. (Note that for SoG, you can only upgrade there)

Also, if you only plan to do one day at the water parks, just buy a one day pass there, or at a lobby concierge.

[Lynn J Mc]

We always park hop and sometimes hit 3 parks in one day. I have watched Illuminations and then made it back to MK to see the late fireworks. But it sounds like you don't really need it and could get to go to Sea World. Something I have never done and probably won't ever get to do unless Disney buys the place! Have a great time.

[caryrae]

It's personal preference of course. We never get the Hopping option. Would rather save the money, plus we can easily spend a day at each park exploring every area going on attrations more than once ect. I just feel for us it is a waste time hopping to another park. Either way you decide will be fine.

You can buy 1 day water park tickets at our sponsor site http://www.officialticketcenter.com/...d_tickets.aspx

adult $39.75 child $33.00

[disneygeek84]

According to my parents, there was only one time that we went and didn't park hop and my mom said Never Again!

Now that they have EMH in the evening as well as the morning, we tend to skip whatever park has Morning EMH. We spend all morning in one park, eat an early lunch, maybe ride a ride or two and then either head to a different park (if we're on the dinning plan, then whatever park we have ADR in) or head back to the resort to take a nap or change clothes, and then off to our other park. And generally we try to make ADR wherever they're having evening EMH.

This is what we've done since I can remember and I find it the only way to go. BUT, with that being said, it's something that works with MY family and it won't work for everyone's family. We've just always done it because we've always gone back to the resort to take a nap in the afternoon, so my parents always said, well, why not just go to another park? So that's how it works in my house.


And to answer another of your questions, Yes, you can get a one day ticket to one of the water parks. I'm not sure how much they are, we don't usually go to the water parks, but you can buy just a one day ticket without having to add the WPF&M option onto your package.

[SBETigg]

For me, it would be such a letdown to stick to one park per day. WDW is so much better for us when we can hit one park in the morning, and another in the late afternoon/evening. If you do one park a day, you get everything done, but you miss out on some of the joy of spontaneity and redoing favorite attractions on other days.

Without hopping, I think you're more likely to view the parks as if mapped on a checklist- been there, done that. With hopping, the whole world is open to you at any given time, so it changes the way you approach your vacation. You can visit more randomly without worrying about having to fit it all in because it's your only chance, or last chance, in that park. You have the freedom of knowing you can change plans and go back, revisit favorites on a whim.

[Marker]

Having made several trip to WDW, I always get park hoppers, and frequently use them. It's nice to have the flexability to adjust depending on crowd levels, ADRs, or just I'm in the mood to do.

HOWEVER, if I were making my first trip to WDW, especially with young kids, I really don't think I would appreciate the need.

For new visitors, there is plenty to see to keep you busy for the entire day, especially if you take you time to enjoy where you are. And with kids, you move even slower.

Having been there multiple times, I know where things are, know what I like, and will often pick and choose. But a less frequent visitior will enjoy a more relaxed pace, and the delight of discovering what's there.

[Disney fans..]

We always use the Park Hopper!

We normally go to a park during the day but then head over to Epcot to eat supper. Also, we are not the biggest fans of AK so we usually only stay 1/2 a day there and them scoot over to another park.

[dnickels]

Since you say you do obsessive planning it's probably not worth it to you.

I'm more of a maybe I'll go here, now I feel like going here, fly by the seat of my pants person so I do it all the time, but if you're the type that plans out your whole day, lunches, dinners, etc. then it's probably not worth the extra $$.