Hiya, Jeremy!
Welcome to planDisney! It sounds as if your planning is off to a great start. Adding the
Park Hopper option to your ticket purchase is a fabulous way to add a little extra magic to your stay. I love adding this option because it feels like a bonus park ticket. You can take a mid-day break between parks and start a whole new adventure that evening. During my most recent adventure to The Most Magical Place on Earth I was able to successfully
purchase an Individual Lightning Lane entry for
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind on more than one occasion, even though I was starting my day at a park other than EPCOT. Here are some pro tips to keep in mind when purchasing an Individual Lighting Lane for an experience that is at a park you will be hopping to later in the day.
- Park Hopping currently starts at 2 PM, so keep this timeframe in mind when making your purchase. Securing an Individual Lightning Lane for a time slot earlier in the day would mean missing your window! I personally booked for early evening or later, just in case I needed a little extra time in the first theme park of the day or encountered transportation delays.
- Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Collection hotel can purchase their Individual Lightning Lanes beginning at 7 AM ET, so set that alarm! Guardians is a very popular attraction, and Individual Lightning Lanes sell out often. Missing that booking window could mean there are limited return times available or no spots at all.
- Should EPCOT reach capacity for the day, Park Hopping to this location could be temporarily put on hold. This is rare but should be noted as a possibility. If a theme park has reached capacity, you will receive a push notification through My Disney Experience on your phone.
- Speaking of the My Disney Experience app, be sure to check the scheduled park hours and Park Hopping hours as your trip gets closer. Hours are subject to change, and it never hurts to double-check what time you can enter the parks before making your purchase.
When it comes to getting to EPCOT from Disney's Hollywood Studios, you will have three options.
The Disney Skyliner, boat, or scenic walk. I have tried all three and found the Skyliner to be the fastest. You will board the Skyliner at Hollywood Studios and transfer to the EPCOT line at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Then you will be on your way to EPCOT! The boats are a relaxing way to travel but will make stops at a few Walt Disney World Resort hotels along the way. The walk is beautiful but about a mile. That could be a few more steps than you were hoping to make on your journey.
I hope your upcoming adventure is memorable and magical!
We'll see ya real soon!
Tammy