Park hopper or more tickets?

[SonicSculptor]

I'm wondering, concerning park hopping. I read somewhere that >65% of people actually use the park hopper option. I question it's value & whether I really need it everyday. My question: Can you purchase extra Magic Day Base Tickets Days(say 8 for a 5 day trip, and cash an extra ticket day to enter another park? I realize that would(at best) allow you entry into two parks on that given day? Would this work? I certainly don't need to hop my first & last day as i'm arriving late & leaving early.
If this strategy could work, it's certainly cheaper. Although somewhat restricted. Is it forbidden?
I'm staying 4 nights, & four parks to visit. Would I really want to jump around that much? Doesn't it take a bit of time to "change parks"?

Secondly, if I had Magic Day Base tickets for 5 days. On Day 4, i wish to park hop, would I then only pay to upgrade the last two days of my tickets?

Thanks to anyone that can help.

 

[tampabrad]

1. No matter when you upgrade, you pay to hop for how ever many days the original ticket was for. Costs $54 no matter what.

2. You can not use two days worth of tickets on one ticket media on the same day. You would have to buy two seperate tickets which would be more that $54.

3. I like to park hop. EMH at a different park I am in during the day. Going to a park that may be open later. Going to dinner or to see a nighttime show.

 

[sbkline]

Whether or not the parhopper is worth the money is something only you and your party can decide. Last year, my wife and I and our son went for 9 nights and I decided that $45 X 3 (last year's park hopper price) wasn't worth it for us for only one or two possible days to parkhop. I decided for $135, I could just shuffle the itinerary around such that we don't need to parkhop. However, this year, we are going for 10 nights and I decided this time that it IS worth it. Because there are certain days that I want to do evening or morning extra magic hours and try certain restaraunts and the only way to make everything work is to parkhop.

In your case, for only 4 nights, I would think that you could manage just fine without parkhopping, but the question is, do you only spend a half day at Animal Kingdom or HollyWood Studios as many do? If so, are you going to want to go back into Magic Kingdom or Epcot to finish up things that you didn't have time to do on the first visit? Do you have certain restaraunts that you want to try that will require that you re-enter a particular park after doing another park that day? If the answer is yes to either of those questions, the next question is, is it worth it to you to pay $54 bucks per person to have the parkhopping option, or would you rather pocket that cash and make do with one park per day? There is no right or wrong answer, it just depends on what your preferences are.

 

[CleveRocks]

A base ticket is a "one park per day" ticket. If you try to enter a second park on the same day, the turnstile won't unlock and you will be denied admission.

If you want to go to a second park on the same day, then you have to buy the Park Hopper option.

As mentioned earlier, the park hopper option costs a flat rate of $54, whether it's a 1-day ticket or a 10-day ticket or anything in-between.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

If we were just talking MK and Epcot, I'd be fine without park hopping — but most people are going to be hard pressed to make a whole day out of DHS or DAK.

Even if you don't feel bored at the lack of rides in those parks, and can happily spend a whole day going to stage shows or poking around nature preserves, you're still going to have to contend with DAK's late afternoon closing time and — unless you pick a Fantasmic! day — leave DHS earlier than you'd probably care for.

At that point, you can either hop over to MK or Epcot, or find something outside the parks (or off property completely) to occupy your time. For a non-planner like me, it's worth it just to invest in park hopping instead of having to figure out what to do after visiting a "second tier" theme park.

 

[crispy]

I agree that whether you use the hopper pass or not depends on your traveling party. At this point in time, we don't park hop because we have two young children who are usually in bed by 9pm so it's just an unnecessary expense for us. I imagine that in a few years when they are older, we will start hopping again because we will be able to keep them out later.

 

[Kev1417]

Just a quick question. is the 10 day ticket the most days you can get? I am looking to go for 2 weeks this Sept. is there a 14 day ticket available or do i have to get a 10 day plus a 3 day ticket, each with the park hopper option on them? thanks! :wave:

 

[Master Yoda]

Just a quick question. is the 10 day ticket the most days you can get? I am looking to go for 2 weeks this Sept. is there a 14 day ticket available or do i have to get a 10 day plus a 3 day ticket, each with the park hopper option on them? thanks! :wave:

The only tickets that will exceed 10 days are only available to UK residents. If you are going for 13 days you would be much better of just buying an annual pass. This give you AP benefits such as room discounts (if available), merchandise discounts, as well as the ability to purchase the Tables in Wonderland discount dining card.

 

[Kev1417]

Thanks Yoda! Question though. What is the tables in wonderland card? how much to they run?

 

[bgraham34]

Thanks Yoda! Question though. What is the tables in wonderland card? how much to they run?

TIW is $75. You must be a Annual Pass Holder or Florida resident to get one. This gives you 20% off sit down meals and beverages at the WDW resort

 

[Master Yoda]

TIW is $75. You must be a Annual Pass Holder or Florida resident to get one. This gives you 20% off sit down meals and beverages at the WDW resort

What he said...the only other thing to add is it covers nearly every table service restaurant on property and a few of the counter service ones. It includes all meals and beverages including alcohol. Also a mandatory 18% gratuity is added to table service meals.

 

[slappy magoo]

Hold off on buying the park hopper until/unless you realize you want or need it. Last trip, our first with our baby, we would often go back to a park after an afternoon rest, but didn't miss the park hopper all that much. When our kid gets older, and can enjoy much more and tour at a quicker pace, I'm sure we'll consider getting it again.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Keep in mind you dont need the park hopper to go back to the same park you visited earleir in the day, only to attend another park within the same calendar day. I think Master Yoda is right on the money here, get the Annual pass, it probably will be close in terms of cost and the park hopper is included in the pricing on that, you dont need to add it separately. Have a great time!!! Marie

 

[Rob562]

I agree with the Annual Pass over getting a 10-day and a 3-day ticket. The AP is within $14 of the price of those other two tickets combined, even before you start talking about park-hopping.

Something else not mentioned is that if you're staying off-site, you get free parking with the AP, which would be a savings of $15/day. (Though in reality you only need 1 adult AP in the group to get free parking...)

-Rob

 

[steveford]

More than 10 day pass

Just a quick question. is the 10 day ticket the most days you can get? I am looking to go for 2 weeks this Sept. is there a 14 day ticket available or do i have to get a 10 day plus a 3 day ticket, each with the park hopper option on them? thanks! :wave:

Hi, as someone has already stated on this thread I am aware that that tickets bought in the UK or through a UK ticket agent with give you what is called the Ultimate ticket which gives you all the hopper options and access to all the parks, water parks & Disneyquest. I think they used to call it length of stay pass when you were staying in property but now even staying out of property you can buy them. As most UK guests stay for 2 weeks its very good value and even do one for 3 weeks for about £240.00 (approx $400.00)