Disney World has a ton of attractions. Sitting on 43 sq miles of property, Walt Disney World has more to explore than most vacation destinations.
With four theme parks and two water parks, deciding how to break up your day is a big task.
How many Parks do you do in one day? Should you do every theme park?
The concept of “park hopping” presents an opportunity for you to maximize your visit by experiencing multiple parks in one day.
But is it worth it? And how can you make the most of this option?
Read on for expert tips to enhance your Disney World adventure.
What is Park Hopping?
Park hopping at Disney World allows visitors to access more than one park in a single day by upgrading their tickets.
Instead of purchasing separate full-day tickets for each park, guests can opt for the park hopper upgrade, offering flexibility to move between parks throughout the day.
Despite the additional cost, the park hopper option often proves more economical than buying individual tickets for each park.
Top Tips for Park Hopping at Disney World
1. Purchase the Park Hopper Ahead of Time
Save time and avoid hassle by purchasing the Park Hopper upgrade in advance. This is also good because sometimes it can sell out on busy weekends. Always purchase things ahead of time for Disney World.
2. Rope Drop
Arrive early to make the most of your park-hopping experience. By arriving at rope drop (park opening), you can beat the crowds and maximize your time exploring each park.
Because it takes quite a bit of time to get between parks, arriving early and staying late is the best way to get the most of your time.
3. Have a Plan
Strategize your itinerary and research park attractions, entertainment, and dining options in advance. Having a plan in place will help you make the most of your time and ensure you don’t miss out on must-see experiences.
Planning ahead is also good for trying to secure virtual queue’s for rides. For the 7 AM virtual queue you don’t have to be in the Park but for the 1 PM virtual queue you do need to be scanned into the park you’re trying to get the ride for.
4. Purchase Genie+ (Park Hopper)
If you’re trying to hit all your favorite rides at multiple parks in one day then you will need Genie Plus.
Genie Plus is the paid Fastpass feature that gives you shorter wait times at top attractions.
This is an added cost and doesn’t cover a handful of rides but it’s always worth it to purchase, especially in busy seasons and if you’re time is limited at each Park.
Even if you buy a Park Hopper ticket, you will need to buy the Park Hopper Genie Plus option, not the regular Genie Plus. If you only purchase Genie Plus for one park, then it will only work at the first Park you scan into.
Be sure to purchase the park hopper option if you have a park hopper ticket so that you can book rides for different parks from anywhere on the property.
5. Limit to Two Parks in One Day
While the park hopper option grants access to all four parks, limiting your visit to two parks per day allows for a more leisurely pace and ensures you have ample time to fully immerse yourself in each park’s offerings.
We’ve done one park per day but on our last trip we weren’t able to stay as long so we did two parks in one day and it was just enough time to get all the top rides in.
If you’re a Disney World veteran and aren’t in any type of rush to get on top rides or are just there for the atmosphere then you can hit all four parks in one day.
But if you’re trying to hit every ride and have a nice meal, I would limit the park hopping between two parks each day.
6. Know Your Travel Routes
Familiarize yourself with transportation options between parks, including buses, monorails, and boats. Knowing the most efficient travel routes will help you minimize transit time and maximize park time.
Related Post: Types of Transportation Around Disney World
7. Check Daily Park Hours
Stay informed about park opening and closing times to effectively plan your park-hopping itinerary. Be mindful of any special events or park hours adjustments that may impact your visit.
Do I Still Need to Make Theme Park Reservations at Disney World?
For date-based tickets, theme park reservations are typically not required. However, for other admission types, such as annual passes, reservations may be necessary. Be sure to check the Disney World website for the most up-to-date information regarding reservation requirements.
Does Park Hopping Cost Extra?
Yes, park hopping is an additional cost on top of the regular ticket price. While it may require a higher initial investment, the flexibility and enhanced experience it offers can make it well worth the expense for many visitors.
Do I Use the Same Ticket for All Parks?
Yes, guests with park hopper tickets can use the same ticket to access all parks within the same day. Each park entry and connecting transportation point will require scanning your ticket, ensuring that only guests with park hopper passes can take advantage of this feature.
Should I Buy a Park Hopper?
Park hopping at Disney World is a great way to explore multiple parks and maximize your Disney experience.
Just be sure to keep in mind the transportation time between parks. Limiting to two parks a day works best for us, but if you’re a local then I’m sure you’re hopping around all day.
What has worked best for your family at the Parks? Have you tried park hopping or do you stick to one park per day?
Let me know if you have questions or tips to share in the comments below.
See you at the Parks!
XOXO,
Julia
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