• On Jan 26, 2021
    Danielle from WI Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi Disney Planners! Any tips for making park hopping worthwhile given all of the limitations? Thank you for your time!

    Hiya, Danielle! We love to see a returning guest hEAR at planDisney and I’m thrilled to chat with you today about your trip! 

    Danielle, I see that your Magical vacation is “just around the river bend.” I hope your excitement is building and that your suitcases are ready! Now, Danielle, let’s talk about how to make the most of your park hopping tickets

    Before we “hop” into tips, let me review a few differences since you’re a returning guest. First, you must hold a Disney Park Pass reservation for one park and visit that park before moving on. Then, beginning at 2 PM you have the option to “hop” to another park (subject to attendance availability). 

    Danielle, I’m sure this won’t come as a surprise since you’ll see this right in our name hEAR at planDisney, but I believe a good plan for the day ensures you get the most value (and of course, fun) out of those park hopper tickets. So, to that end, here are my top three tips for you to consider:

    Tip #1- Plan to start your day at one of the theme parks with earlier morning hours and/or end your day at a park with late hours. You will see that each park’s operating hours are different from one another and if you’re hoping to maximize your time inside the parks, make sure to plan accordingly! 

    Tip #2- Consider making an advanced dining reservation for lunch and not dinner. Typically my family likes to have one Table-Service meal per day. This allows us not only to enjoy great food, but an extended break where we can regroup and recharge. With the option of park hopping beginning at 2pm, a lunch reservation rather than dinner will allow you the flexibility to hop anywhere you want without worry of missing any reservations later in the evening. 

    Tip #3- Make a list of your must-do (or must-repeat) attractions and use your My Disney Experience Mobile app to track wait times throughout the day. While I love spontaneity, sometimes the excitement of the day leads to feeling overwhelmed and with the return of park hopping and your wish to maximize time, I recommend having a list that will help guide your afternoons. Keep the list brief and you’ll feel accomplished as you check-off each one!

    Danielle, I hope this helps as you’re getting ready for your visit. While not included above, I will also encourage you to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere of being back at the Walt Disney World Resort. When my family and I visited after the reopening, we made an effort to stop and take in all the little details around us and soak up the Magical ambience. I hope you are able to do the same. 

    Best wishes, Danielle, for a vacation that is straight out of a fairytale. Before I bid you farewell, I suggest you to check out the newly updated "Panel Extras" section of planDisney with more great tips from my fellow panelists like this list of Top 21 Tips for Visiting in 2021

    See ya real soon!
    Lauren
     
thumbnail image for Lauren

Meet the Panelist: Lauren, Pennsylvania

Greetings from central Pennsylvania! Hi, I’m Lauren and I can’t wait to answer all of your Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Vacation Club questions. My husband and I became Disney Vacation Club Members because we love visiting the Disney Parks and with hectic day-to-day schedules, wanted to prioritize time away for our family. The options at the Walt Disney World Resort make each trip unique and I am excited to help other families build vacations with those unforgettable moments.

Learn More About Lauren

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