Hey Lauren!
How exciting to be visiting the
Walt Disney World Resort with another family in September! As a mom of four children myself, I have always found the
Park Hopper Option to be very beneficial even when my children were toddlers. Although I have never felt the need to "park hop" on the days we visited Magic Kingdom Park, we often do so when visiting the other 3 theme parks. I have found the Park Hopper Option allows for greater flexibility when booking
Advanced Dining Reservations and
FastPass+ selections.
When my children were toddlers, we would often visit one theme park in the morning and then head back to our Disney Resort hotel for an afternoon nap. In the evening, we would visit a different park in order to experience a few of the nighttime activities or enjoy a Table-Service meal in that particular theme park. That being said, if you will be there for several days and have ample time designated for each park, I do think you can experience everything on your "must do" list without needing to add the Park Hopper Option.
I hope this helps in making the best decision for your family. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to visit us again. Best wishes for a magical trip, Lauren!
Happy Travels,
Jodie