Park Hopping!

By: Stephanie Rosenberg

I have always been a fan of park hopping. I love the flexibility it brings to each day. However, when Walt Disney World re-opened after its Covid shutdown, park hopping was limited to after 2pm. This was a way to limit crowds and keep infection down. It made sense from a health and staffing standpoint. But, time went by and there was still only park hopping after 2pm and it became harder to see the value for many guests.  

I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE, that as of January 9, 2024 all day park hopping is back. Combine this with park reservations no longer being needed for date-based tickets and the value is definitely back!

What is park hopping??? Park hopping is when you spend time in more than 1 park in a given day. For example, you start your day in Magic Kingdom but then head to Epcot for dinner. When you have base tickets, you simply go to 1 park and only that park on a given day.

Don’t get me wrong, park hopping is definitely a “nicety” not a necessity, but you can now easily make a case for purchasing this upgrade and getting really good use out of it. Here are a few reasons why: 

1. Assortment: Walt Disney World has 4 theme parks (not including water parks): Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. They are all fabulous! However, sometimes we just don’t have enough days in our vacation to spend a full day at each of these magical parks. Park hopping is a way to ensure that you get to spend time at each of these amazing spots if you don’t have enough time in your stay for 4 individual park days.

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1. Flexibility: What if you get to Hollywood Studios and your mouth is watering for a Terriyaki Chicken Bun at Epcot? If you have park hoppers, you can jump on the Skyliner or the Friendship Boat and go indulge your craving. Sometimes, unfortunately an attraction temporarily closes for a variety of reasons. I have had days where Pirates of The Caribbean has been closed the entire time I am at Magic Kingdom. With park hoppers, I can go back to Magic Kingdom another day and just do that one ride (or finish off by doubling up on some of my favorites). You can also adjust your plans on the go…purchasing the multiple park option for Genie+ is another wonderful way to help you be spontaneous when park hopping and still not have to worry about waiting in long lines.

Park hopping also allows guests staying at deluxe resorts to enjoy extended hours for deluxe guests (some nights at certain parks), even if that is not the park they chose to visit that day.

1. Dining and Enchanting Extras: Have you been dreaming of your child getting made over at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? Is your little one (or you) dying to eat at Cinderella’s Royal Table? These are two very hot commodities. It is much easier to snag a reservation for both of these fabulous venues later in your trip. But maybe you don’t want to wait to do Magic Kingdom on the last day of your trip. There is something just so magical about walking down Main Street USA and seeing Cinderella’s Castle in front of you. If you upgrade to park hoppers you can have both. You can make Magic Kingdom your first park, and then hop over another day for a magical makeover and dinner with the princesses.  

1. Nighttime Spectaculars/Fireworks: Not every park has fireworks and sometimes you just have a favorite that you would love to see over and over again. Park hopping (with valid park ticket) gives you the opportunity to hop over to a different park to see your favorites night after night.

1. The 4 park challenge. There are a variety of ways to do this, but the most common is when you have 1 snack and ride the top attraction in each of the 4 parks in 1 single day. I personally would find this exhausting, but many love the thrill and excitement and you need park hoppers to complete the challenge.

As you can see, there are many reasons why it can be advantageous to add park hoppers to your package. These are just a few ways that this upgrade can enhance your trip. Make sure to ask your travel planner how park hopper tickets could enrich your personal trip. 

 Follow all of my adventures at Walt Disney World and get more hints and tips at  https://www.facebook.com/pixiedustvacationplannersstephanie