Hey there, Brian! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question.
I am so excited that
park hopping has officially returned to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks. It's my preferred park touring style. My perfect Disney day looks like Magic Kingdom Park in the morning, relaxing by the pool around lunchtime and then heading off to Epcot to enjoy dinner and drinks around The World Showcase in the evening. I am really happy to be back to that little bit of normalcy.
When you purchase
theme park admission with the park hopper option that means you are able to "hop" between the 4 Walt Disney World Theme Parks (Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Epcot) in one day. Since its return, however, park hopping does look a little bit different these days.
Here is how it's currently working:
- Guests wishing to park hop must have valid standard theme park admission with the park hopper option
- Guests wishing to park hop must have a park pass reservation for the first park they are wishing to visit each day
- Guests wishing to park hop must scan in and enter the theme park with the park pass reservation prior to park hopping
- Park hopping hours currently begin at 2:00 p.m. each day and last until park closing
- Park hopping is subject to park capacity limitations at this time
To make park hopping easier in its return phase, Disney is offering complimentary park-to-park bus transportation. When you are ready to hop to a different park, around 2:00 p.m. you can head to the bus stop location marked for the park you are wishing to go to. There will be a Cast Member verifying that you do, indeed, have the park hopper option before letting you board the bus. It's just a quick scan of your MagicBand or ticket and then you'll be whisked away to your next destination. Park hopping is subject to park capacity limitations, meaning that if a park is currently full you won't be able to hop over there at that time. The Cast Member working the bus stop will be able to inform you if any park is full when you are wishing to hop. I've been park hopping for 2 months now and have not yet encountered a Walt Disney World Theme Park that is full once park hopping has started. However, you should be aware that that is a possibility.
I hope this helps clear up any confusion you may have about park hopping. Brian, if you have more questions before your trip, please do come back and
ask me.
Happy hopping!