Park Hopper or No?

[Mark86]

100% YES to the park hopper. There will be days when you want to hit more than one park and it is better to have that. You gotta take the monorail from Epcot to MK.......

[metsofny]

It also depends on restaurant reservations. If you may need to change parks to eat, hopper would be good to have.

[Mouseoholic]

Before we purchased an annual pass we always did get the parkhopper option. However, if you have a large family it could have an impact on your budget. If so, then I can understand if you decide against it. I agree with everyone else in that it is nice to have for dining reservations or to enjoy another park after one has closed. I know we like to watch Illuminations and then race back to Magic Kingdom and watch the second showing of Wishes. But that is a lot of walking especially with children. There have been times where we too have wanted to change our schedule and do something different. If we did not have the option to park hop it would not have been an option for us. Bottom line is it gives you extra flexibility and that is sometimes worth its weight in gold.

If money is not any issue, go for it!

Mouseoholic!

[RREng77]

Park hopping is an essential part of each of our trips to WDW, namely because AK closes so early. Also, makes it possible to go to start the day at AK, go to DHS after lunch, stroll over to Boardwalk/Beach/Yacht for dinner, and close the evening with Illiminations at EP. Long, but very rewarding day.

I have to say, though, if money is of even the slightest concern, play it safe to ensure you can afford a few souveniers - especially if you don't go often.

[theBIGyowski]

We're going to stick with the hopper...but mostly just to give us the freedom to hop if we want to. As for AK...the day we are going is the day they have EMH until 8PM...and we scheduled a 7:30 ADR for Boma for that night. Since no other park has EMH that evening we'll probably just go to Downtown Disney afterward or maybe Boardwalk for a nice stroll.

[MetalRage]

I always get the park hopper. Even if I don't think I'll use it, I always end up using it anyway. It's aways good to have.

[NaCler]

I agree with greendoor678. We did not add the park hopper for this last trip as we had our 2yo and changing parks mid-day is not an option when they are that young. HOWEVER, since you will be on a Honeymoon I can assume that no little ones will be with you and I would definitely recommend the park hopper.

Question: Can you get the park hopper option added for just one day or does it have to been for the duration of the ticket?

[boilerbabe]

I'm pretty sure the Park Hopper Option is a all or none deal, correct me if I'm wrong someone, but I think you have to either have the Park Hopper or you don't have it.

[theBIGyowski]

I think you can add the park hopper at any point...but once you add it...it is added for the rest of your stay.

So...if you are staying for 7 days and you decide on day 3 that you want to hop...you pay the hopper add-on fee and you can hop for the remaining 4 days. They do not prorate the add-on fee though...so the cost is theoretically spread out over fewer days.

[Len90]

I think you can add the park hopper at any point...but once you add it...it is added for the rest of your stay.

So...if you are staying for 7 days and you decide on day 3 that you want to hop...you pay the hopper add-on fee and you can hop for the remaining 4 days. They do not prorate the add-on fee though...so the cost is theoretically spread out over fewer days.

Exactly! That is why it is best to add on the hopper before you go or upon check in at your resort.

[horizons1]

Yes, you must get the hopper. The varied park hours (different daily) will make you want to bounce over to the later park lest you have to cut short on your magic.

[sandi]

We always say yes to the park hopper option!!!

[SimonTemplar]

Gotta hop!!! Like many others, I can't imagine not having the freedom to hop to another park when crowds get too large or some other "kink" appears in my plans for the day.

[mwehttam]

Always go with the hopper. We almost always hop. Usually to EPCOT at night for dinner and the entertainment.

[JimB]

Since the park tickets in the packages seem to be reduced to base tickets, it takes more homework to tailor the total package to our needs. In our case, needing the Park Hopper option (we always have gotten it) is a result of the EMH's and our ADR's. We always get it in advance because of the prorated price if you add it during your stay. (We were told the first few days are most of the total price) The only thing we are seriously considering eliminating is the Water Park option. Not going to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon during our next stay is not the end of the world for us. Even when we go, we only usually only go to one of them once during our stay. I have to check it out but if we change our minds and want to go during our stay I don't think a one day or late entry pass (I think we've seen that) is very expensive compared to the add on length of stay charge. We still have to research that one.