All Day Park Hopping at Walt Disney World
October 17, 2023 by Rachel McElaney
Park Hopping Is Returning for 2024
We have exciting news for Walt Disney World guests in 2024! All day park hopping is returning!
Let’s Review Walt Disney World Vacation Package Ticket Options
If you are just beginning to make plans for your Walt Disney World vacation, you may realize that there are many different theme park ticket types to choose from.
We’ve broken down the most popular ticket types for Walt Disney World vacation packages:
What is Park Hopping?
When a guest purchases a “Park Hopper” ticket, they can start their day at one park and then (as of 2024) at any time of day, travel and enter another theme park without needing to buy a separate admission ticket for the second park!
This for example allows guests to start their day at Magic Kingdom, head over to Hollywood Studios for a few thrill rides mid-day, and then take the boat to EPCOT to soak in nightly fireworks and sample cuisine around World Showcase.
The Park Hopping option gives guests the flexibility to spend just a portion of their day in a particular park, allowing those with shorter trips to experience all four parks, or those with longer trips to revisit parks they missed attractions in earlier in the week (or experience favorites again)!
Is Parking Hopping included with my ticket?
No, the ability to enter more than one theme park each day is an upgrade to the base ticket (which allows entry to one park per day).
When can I Park Hop?
Currently, Park Hopping begins at 2:00 pm each day and is available through park close. Each guest must have a theme park reservation for their first park of the day.
Now here’s the exciting news - For 2024 Walt Disney World vacations all day Park Hopping is back! Beginning January 9, 2024, guests will be able to visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours (subject to capacity limitations).
How often can I park hop?
As much as you’d like! There are no limitations as to how many times per day you can change up the park you’re in. All day Park Hopping also makes it easier to accomplish the famed Four Parks In One Day challenge.
Should I consider Park Hopper tickets for my Walt Disney World vacation?
Adding the Park Hopper ticket may or may not be the right fit for your Walt Disney World vacation. There are occasions where we recommend considering this ticket option though!
Here are a few situations when a Park Hopper ticket might be the right ticket for your Walt Disney World vacation:
- Your vacation is short, but you still want to experience all four parks! Though we’d all love to stay at Disney forever, we only have so much vacation time! If you are planning a shorter trip and only have 3 days in the parks, a Park Hopper ticket can be a great option so you don’t miss out and you’re able to visit all four parks!
- Add in extra time at your favorite parks. There are so many incredible attractions at each park, it’s impossible to fit them all into one park day. A Park Hopper allows you to revisit a favorite park later in your trip to experience anything you missed your first day! It also allows you to enter a park for time specific attractions (without having to commit a full day to the park).
Let’s say for example you plan a vacation with 4 park days. Your first day you enter Magic Kingdom, excited to experience the Happily Ever After Fireworks (which we highly recommend!). But unfortunately the fireworks are canceled due to strong inclement weather! With a base ticket you’d be out of luck - missing the fireworks entirely or having to commit another full day to the same park (and thus skipping another theme park).
A Park Hopper ticket would allow you to visit another park during the day, say for example Animal Kingdom theme park which typically closes earlier, and then reenter Magic Kingdom later in your trip to catch that incredible nighttime fireworks spectacular. - You are visiting August through December, when extra ticketed events are historically offered at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. These events (also known as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the new for 2023 Disney’s Jollywood Nights) mean the parks close early for non party goers, and they drastically impact crowds during these months. Having a Park Hopper is a GREAT benefit in August through December, where you can use the historic crowd patterns to your advantage and visit Magic Kingdom on days that are much less crowded, while then Park Hopping to another park in the evening (so your day is not cut short!).
- You are staying at a resort in close proximity to a park. If you are staying on the monorail in the Magic Kingdom area (at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Resort or Disney’s Contemporary Resort) or at one of the beautiful EPCOT area resorts (Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club or Disney’s Boardwalk Inn), it can be really nice to have a Park Hopper ticket. Being able to actually see a theme park but not enter it is frustrating! A Park Hopper ticket gives you as the guest the option to stroll into EPCOT’s World Showcase in the morning to grab your morning espresso and croissant at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie. Or walk over to Hollywood Studios in the evening to catch a late night ride on Slinky Dog Dash or Tower of Terror.
We are very excited about the return of all day Park Hopping at Walt Disney World beginning January 2024! With the return of all day Park Hopping, the Disney Dining Plan and no longer having the need for a theme park reservation in 2024, there has never been a better time to visit Walt Disney World!
Thinking about your vacation plans for next year? Complete a no obligation quote to connect with a Be Our Guest Vacations travel professional today. They can review your ticket options in more detail to make sure you have the right vacation package elements for your family trip!