Richard,
Thanks for asking your question to planDisney!
Park hopping is such a great way to get even more out of your day at
Walt Disney World. Of course, as you mentioned, hopping can start at 2 pm, and you do have to go your original park where you have made a Theme Park Reservation first. But currently that system does not have the ability to reserve a second park for the day, so there is nothing for you to do. If you have booked that primary park for the day, you are all set!
There are a few things to consider when you are planning to do some park hopping.
HOPPING TIP #1While you are not guaranteed to be able to get into any given park when you are hopping, since the second park has to have available space, I have never had a problem getting in to a second park on my travels. If you were trying to get into the Magic Kingdom on a super busy day, like Christmas Day, you likely would have a problem, but most days you should be fine.
HOPPING TIP #2How will you know if that next park has available space? When getting ready to park hop, just call
(407) 560-5000. That is the
Park Hopping Hotline (or at least that is what I call it!), and it will tell you the status of all the parks, and if the park you want to hop to has space.
BONUS DOUG TIP!I find that park hopping is at its most convenience when you are moving between
Disney's Hollywood Studios and
EPCOT, or the
Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. These two routes, which are served by the Disney Skyliner and the monorail respectively, are easier because you are dealing with these convenient transportation services. But don't avoid hopping from
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park to any of the other parks via bus, as it is not as active in the evening hours.
Please feel free to
write me back directly if you have any follow-up questions.
Have a Magical Vacation!Doug