Hi, Cindy! Welcome (back) to planDisney.
This is one of those details that can get a little confusing when planning a Disney trip, especially if it's your first time. Think of the
Park Hopper Option as an add-on to your
ticket rather than a completely separate ticket. It's a way to give yourself more flexibility during your visit without having to buy multiple base tickets.
Here's how it works: you start by purchasing your base ticket, whether it's for a single day or multiple days. If you want the freedom to visit more than one park in a single day, you add the Park Hopper option on top of that base ticket. You can do this when you first buy your ticket, or even later through your
My Disney Experience account. Disney makes it pretty easy to upgrade your ticket if you decide to add the Park Hopper Option at a later date. Once it's added, you'll be able to move between parks on the same day, giving you the chance to catch a morning ride at one park and an evening show at another.
Just a heads-up: if you purchase a multi-day ticket, the Park Hopper has to be added to the entire ticket—you can’t pick and choose which days get it. It’s all or nothing! Keep in mind that the Park Hopper cost isn’t a flat rate; it varies depending on how many days your ticket is. So adding it to a multi-day ticket can add up pretty quickly.
If you do decide to upgrade your ticket once you've made your purchase, take advantage of the "Modify Ticket" tool in My Disney Experience. It shows your options clearly and can help you decide whether the Park Hopper makes sense for your trip.
Mike