Hey there, TMartha Ann! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your ambitious park hopping question! It’s just a few more sleeps until Walt Disney World! How exciting!
It’s absolutely possible to visit all four Walt Disney World theme parks in a single day with the park hopper ticket option. It will be a jam-packed day, but with some planning and forethought it’s sure to be a magical one!
I visited all four Walt Disney World theme parks in a single day in 2005. I’m not sure I’d be up for the adventure now, but I was a younger and more well-rested lad back then. My big takeaway, and the focus of my advice here, is to give yourself plenty of travel time! Walt Disney World is 47 square miles and it can take a while to hop from park to park.
You'll want to start your day early to maximize your time in each park, ideally arriving before the parks open. You can find the operating hours of each park on the
Hours & Events Calendar. If you’re driving I’d recommend parking at the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) so it's easy to get back to your vehicle at the end of the day. I talked with a helpful Cast Member who told me that there is
complimentary bus service from the TTC to all Walt Disney World theme parks, but I know that many guests walk next door to the Polynesian Resort bus stop to catch a bus from there. Since bus schedules and routes are subject to change, I would strongly recommend downloading the My Disney Experience app and using the “Get Directions” feature, which you can find in the Transportation option in the map dropdown menu.
I'd suggest starting at Animal Kingdom since it closes earliest on the day of your visit. Be sure to use the My Disney Experience app to browse the list of experiences at Animal Kingdom (and all the parks) before you arrive. You’ll only have time for a handful of experiences at each park, so identifying your “must do” list and back-ups will help you get the most out of your time. You might also consider purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Lightning Lane Single Pass to limit your wait times.
Next stop? Magic Kingdom! There is complimentary bus service from Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom, which can be found at the bus loop at the front of the park. You can also take a bus from the Animal Kingdom to any Walt Disney World Resort hotel and transfer to a bus headed to the Magic Kingdom from there.
After spending some time at the Most Magical Place on Earth, you can take a bus directly from the Magic Kingdom to Hollywood Studios. You’re 3/4 of the way toward your goal! Woo hoo! When you've enjoyed the immersive worlds of Hollywood Studios, there are multiple options to get you to EPCOT. The Friendship Boats are a leisurely option, making stops at some hotels along the way, but the Skyliner will be your fastest route. Located outside the front gate of Hollywood Studios, the Skyliner will take you to EPCOT’s International Gateway.
After your time at EPCOT, you can take the monorail back to the Ticket and Transportation Center, and you’ve done it! 4 theme parks in one day! Hot dog!
I hope this helps with your park-hopping adventure. If you have any other questions, come right back to planDisney. We’re always here to help!
Magical travels!
Matt