Hi there Karen!
How exciting to be staying at the Walt Disney World Resort for 12 nights! This is a great question. Being from Georgia, my family is able to visit several times a year. I absolutely agree with you that the
Park Hopper Option is definitely beneficial when our time only allows for a short visit. However, we have vacationed for 8 nights on several occasions and used the Park Hopper Option on a few of our park days.
For my family, the biggest benefit of having the Park Hopper Option is the added flexibility and having the opportunity to dine at Epcot more frequently. That being said, I don't personally feel it's as necessary to add it on an extended stay since you will have the opportunity to visit each park multiple times over the duration of your trip. I honestly don't think you can go wrong either way, but I certainly understand needing to be cost effective when you are planning an extended trip.
I hope this information is helpful in making the best decision for your family. Please don't hesitate to visit us again with any additional questions that you may have. Best wishes for a magical trip, Karen!
Happy Planning,
Jodie