Hiya, Michael! We're so glad you stopped by with your question.
There's so much to see, do, and
eat at
Walt Disney World that you sometimes just need to have that
park hopper option to make sure you squeeze it all in during your vacation. Having the park hopper allows you to visit one theme park early in the day, then after 2 PM, hop over to any of the other theme parks.
Basically, Michael, with the
theme park reservation system, you'll make the reservation for the park you want to visit first. You do need to go to that park at some point to scan in. Once you've scanned in at the park where you made your reservation, you do not need another reservation at any other theme park to hop to them. Once you hit 2 PM, you are free to move around the World.
I hope you'll get to see some of the amazing new nighttime shows taking place at Walt Disney World during this trip. The park hopper tickets will make it easier to see something in the morning, then hop over to
EPCOT for a dining reservation and the brand new
Harmonious nighttime show. Or maybe you could spend some time with the
Dark Side at
Disney's Hollywood Studios, take a swim break at your resort, then end the day at
Magic Kingdom Park for
Disney Enchantment.
Michael, I wish you a practically perfect vacation!
Anna