Park Hopping Around the Theme Parks

Park hopping is a question that many visitors to the Magictrips.com website inquire about. What is it, should we do it, what types of tickets do you need to do this, etc. We hope by offering you this frequently asked question page you not only feel comfortable with the in's and out's of park hopping, but you are able to make the most of your time on your fabulous vacation to the most magical place on earth.

What is park hopping?

Park hopping is the ability, and desire, to visit more than one of Disney's four theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and/or Disney's Animal Kingdom - in a SINGLE day. You may wish to visit one park in the morning and a different one in the evening, you may wish to visit 3 parks in 1 day, or you may be a glutton for punishment and want to visit all 4 Disney theme parks in 1 day.

Do I need a special ticket to be able to do this?

If you have unused days on a 4, 5, 6, or 7-day park hopper ticket from a previous Walt Disney World vacation, you can use the remaining days left on those passes to enter the theme parks and park hop.

Magic Your Way tickets were introduced in January 2005. This ticket system lets you decide what ticket features best fit your Disney vacation plans. The base ticket includes admission to all 4 WDW theme parks; one park per day (i.e. no park hopping) and expires 14-days after the first use. By adding the Park-Hopper Option (extra cost to the base-ticket price is $50) you can come and go as you please through all 4 parks on the same day or every day for each day of your pass.

An Annual Passport ticket will permit you the option to park hop among the 4 parks.

Is it a hassle to park hop?

Whether or not it is a hassle to park hop depends on many factors. If you are solo, or just a couple, it will obviously be easier to park hop than if you are a family, especially a family with small children. You must know the WDW transportation system, or have your own vehicle, so you don't waste alot of time getting from park to park.

How do I know which bus, boat, or monorail will get me from park to park?

Upon check-in at your Disney resort you will receive a comprehensive Disney Transportation Guide which will detail for you all the ways to commute about Disney property.

I am not staying at a Disney resort, but I have a park hopper pass, or an Annual Passport. Can I still park hop and use Disney transportation to do so?

Absolutely! You do not have to be a Disney resort guest to take advantage of park hopping privileges, and the ticket media that allows you to park hop also allows you to use the extensive Disney transportation system.

Are there any special things I need to do when I leave one park to enter another park?

Yes, please make sure to retain your ticket and get your hand stamped upon exiting any park if you wish to return to that park or another park. Note: a hand stamp is not necessary if you have an Annual Passport.

Is it easier to hop between certain parks?

Yes. Remember that the Magic Kingdom and Epcot are both located on the monorail system, so hopping between these parks should be fairly easy, although you do have to change monorails once at the transportation and ticket center. Epcot is located quite close, within walking distance (although a bit of a trek in the Florida heat), of Disney's Hollywood Studios. Animal Kingdom is located quite far away from the other parks and you must take a bus out of there to get anywhere else.

Are there any parks that are better off done in the morning rather than in the afternoon?

Yes, keep in mind that Animal Kingdom often closes quite early, and if you get there at 3pm you may only have a couple hours to tour the park. In addition, the animals at Animal Kingdom are much more feisty in the morning, so this should be a morning adventure. On the other hand, Epcot is a park that usually stays open quite late, and it has a spectacular night time fireworks/laser display to end its day. This would probably be a park you want to save for last.

I only have 3 days to visit all 4 theme parks and want to fit in as many rides as I can. How is best to do this?

Have a plan as to what are your "must-do" rides, and by all means utilize Disney's FastPass system to avoid waiting in long lines.

Can I revisit the same park on the same day?

Yes, just make sure to keep your ticket and have your hand stamped upon leaving the park.

Do I have to go directly from one park to another; or can I spend a few hours in the morning at one, and a few hours in the evening at the other?

There is no time limit as to when you leave one park that you can reenter another park. Between parks would be an ideal time to go back to your hotel for a nap, a bite to eat, or a refreshing swim.

I have 1 park hopper pass, can my friend use it on her trip down next month if I only used 3 days of it?

No, Walt Disney ticket media are nontransferable.

Is there a limited number of times I can park hop in one day?

Nope, as long as you have a ticket that allows you to park hop you can enter and leave as many parks, as many times as you'd like.

Is there anyone that doesn't park hop? Or, is it a very popular thing to do?

Absolutely, there are people who like to stay in 1 park for an entire day and don't want to worry about wasting time on transportation between parks. Everyone is different, you may decide to park hop one day of your vacation, and stay at a park all day on another day of your vacation.

When I park hop with my small child can I take my rented stroller with me?

No, the stroller must remain in the park that you rented it from. But, keep your receipt and show it at the next park you go to for that day and you will receive another stroller from that park free of charge.

I still have a few questions which are unanswered here, where can I find information?

By all means, please visit our Magictrips Discussion Forums. Ask the experts there, they are quite knowledgeable about everything Disney and most surely will be able to help you!

Last Updated: May 17, 2009