Hi Brittany!
Thanks for bringing this question to planDisney! I don’t want to be that person that says, “It depends,” but…I really think it depends!
I personally love having a
park hopper and the flexibility it brings along with it. It allows us to return to parks later in the trip if my boys fall in love with something early on or miss something they really want to do. It also lets us see whatever nighttime show our heart desires no matter where we spend our day or pop in for dinner at any park. And we can start and end our trip at Magic Kingdom, which feels like quintessential Disney to me.
I think park hoppers are especially beneficial if you’ll be staying at a resort that’s close to a theme park or two. For example, the
Boardwalk is my absolute favorite resort! And to be able to head over to Epcot in the evenings for dinner and let my boys have fun in one of the play areas is just the best after a busy day at a different park. It makes for such a laid-back end to the day!
Now, I will say that having a
one park per day ticket can streamline things when it comes to planning your park days. You also wouldn’t have to spend time getting from one park to another during the day, and you’ll really be immersed in the park that you visit.
One thing to think about when making your decision is adding some rest time throughout your trip. If your total trip time will be the same no matter what, I’d lean toward the 5-day park hopper so you have a rest day in there. With how busy park days can feel, it’s nice to be able to relax for a day about halfway through the trip. Then, when it’s time to head back to the parks the next day, everyone has renewed energy.
On our rest days, we almost always spend time at the resort pool, take advantage of the fun activities the
resort offers, and enjoy a
character meal or dining experience like
Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue. Those days are some of our favorite days of our trips!
I truly don’t think you can go wrong either way. I’d base the decision on your priorities and how you want your park days to look. Hopefully that at least gives you some guidance, though!
If you have any other questions, we’re always happy to help!
Jenn J.