By Dr. Jenna Liphart Rhoads
You may have heard of the popular term “park hopping” while researching for your Disney vacation. Simply put, park hopping means to go to more than one Walt Disney World or Disneyland park in one day. At first glance, this may seem like an easy enough activity to accomplish but it actually takes quite a bit of strategy and planning to do it effectively and make the most of your time. Especially when at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Keep reading to learn all about park hopping and when it is (or is not) a good strategy to use during your magical vacation.
What is needed to park hop? To be able to park hop, each guest needs a “park hopper” ticket instead of a standard entry ticket. This type of ticket is slightly more expensive than a standard “one park per day” ticket, and the price variation depends on the season and day.
When can I park hop? As of January 2024, guests with a park hopper ticket can “hop” between any of the theme parks (note: this does not include the water parks) at any time during operating hours. Make sure to verify each park’s operating hours on the exact dates of your visit because hours vary slightly from day to day.
Where can I park hop? Walt Disney World Resort guests with a valid park hopper ticket can move between all four parks: EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Water parks, the golf courses, and mini putt are not included.
When is park hopping a good strategy? Park hopping can be an excellent way to maximize your time and experiences by being able to move between parks during the day to hit priority rides and experiences. This can also be a good idea for guests who do not want to be limited to the food options only in one park for the entire day. For example, many guests like to eat around the world at EPCOT in the evening after spending time at another park during the day,
When is park hopping not a good idea? Guests may want to skip park hopping if they are looking for a more relaxed Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Due to the park hopper ticket option being more expensive than a standard ticket, guests who have a park hopper ticket often feel obligated to “make the most” of their park days and move between multiple parks. For guests who need to have resort breaks, park hopper tickets may not be worth the extra expense.
How do I travel between the parks? In the afternoon, there may be bus service between parks but sometimes there is not. It is best to check into this option during your trip as bus availability between parks varies widely. If interpark bus service is not available, guests can ride a bus to Disney Springs or a Walt Disney World Resort and then transfer to another bus or available form of transportation (Monorail, Skyliner, or boats) to their desired theme park. The skyliner and Friendship boats are available to ride between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and the monorail is available to move between Magic Kingdom and EPCOT (remember to transfer monorail lines at the Ticket and Transportation Center). The only way to get to Animal Kingdom is by bus. Lastly, guests can also choose to pay to use the Minnie Van service (through Lyft) to move between parks as well.
Other park hopping tips and tricks!
- Make sure to make a plan with the rest of your travel party so everyone knows which experiences to prioritize at each park.
- Map out the best way to get to each park ahead of time.
- Check the park operating hours the day before and plan to start at the parks that close earlier. Animal Kingdom often closes much earlier than the other parks and opens earlier as well.
Now that you have learned the ins and outs of park hopping at Walt Disney World resorts, you can decide if park hopping is right for you and your travel group to make the most of your magical vacation!
For more on-site tips to make your Disney vacation the most magical it can be, please contact us at Royal Carriage Vacations about planning your magical Disney vacation!
