To hop, or not to hop?

daisyd · 09-20-2005

This is my question

I'd like some advise, please.

For those of you that travel during the slow season, do you parkhop? Or is there just not enough time in the day to do it? What would you reccommend to a first timer?

We have 3 kids that will be nearly 3 years, nearly 12 years and 4 years old when we go. We are not commandos and are looking forward to taking it easy. We are hoping for a day each at MGM and AK, one or two at Epcot, two at MK and a day off to relax (DS11 and DH will spend some time at DQ that day). The difference is only about $110 for us to get the hoppers, but I don't want to spend it if it will be a waste. Do my park plans look realistic, or will it be a mistake if I don't plan to hop?

Any opinions would be appreciated

**cinderbella** · 09-20-2005

It depends on the type of family/person you are honestly.
When the Dave and I go. We hop. We hop like it's going out of style. Mostly to take avantage of Extra Magic Hours. We also hop because we like to make most of our dinner PS's in EPCOT's world showcase. Also, some days we would start off at MK and it would be a lot busier than we thought, so we'll leave and go somewhere else until later in the night, and then we'd go back to MK. This would even happen in the slow season. Say you have a PS at EPCOT at night and you spend the whole day at EPCOT , and you're content and set in doing that..then non-parkhoppers would work fine. Also, I am not sure because I dont have any kids, but I think it would be hard to spread out EPCOT over two days with 2 small kids and a 12 year old..

skwak · 09-20-2005

You should definitely park hop some. Even if you just spend the day at one park and then go to a later closing park to watch fireworks.

The flexibility that it affords you is well worth the $$.

**MissDisney** · 09-20-2005

We ALWAYS hop -- two parks per day, with a big break in the middle for lunch, quiet time by the pool, and a few minutes of mental wellness... Our first park is usually a rope-drop effort, or close to it, and then we leave around 11:30 or 12:00. We go to our second park around 3:00 or even later if we plan to stay for fireworks.
We devised this plan when we first took our little kids, so they could rest and be fresh later in the day -- but it still works for us perfectly, even though the kids can now outlast us any day!

chris5568 · 09-20-2005

We hop too, we go to one park in the morning and another at night.

daisyd · 09-20-2005

Thank you all!

Don't tell anyone Cinderbella, but I feel really silly as I hadn't taken EMH's into consideration

Thank you for reminding me, lol. Skwak I like the idea of going back for fireworks, and Miss Disney and chris5568, I like the plans you use. It's how we did DL this summer and it worked out well for us.

Re Epcot, I am afraid one day won't be enough, but maybe two full days is too much. If we hop, I have the option to leave the park and not feel like I HAVE to stay there.

I guess I know what we need to do! It now seems so simple, like I should have known before I started the thread. But sometimes putting it down in front of me is the only way I can see it, lol.

Thanks again

disneycouple30 · 09-20-2005

We hop alot also. Even this coming Dec trip with our grown up kids and grandkid we will hop. We might be at AK in the morning then off after a break to Epcot or DS for a evening meal. Or off to MK for the parade and fireworks. We hardly ever stay in one pack for the whole day. Like they said above it might get to crowdwd so he leave for another park. Our grandson loves Epcot.

**cinderbella** · 09-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisyd

Thank you all!

Don't tell anyone Cinderbella, but I feel really silly as I hadn't taken EMH's into consideration

Thank you for reminding me, lol. Skwak I like the idea of going back for fireworks, and Miss Disney and chris5568, I like the plans you use. It's how we did DL this summer and it worked out well for us.

Re Epcot, I am afraid one day won't be enough, but maybe two full days is too much. If we hop, I have the option to leave the park and not feel like I HAVE to stay there.

I guess I know what we need to do! It now seems so simple, like I should have known before I started the thread. But sometimes putting it down in front of me is the only way I can see it, lol.

Thanks again

I won't tell!
Either way, hopping or not, you'll have an excellent time!!

Erin · 09-20-2005

I was always afraid of hopping, but we got a small taste of it last March, and I AM SOLD!

Hopping is fun!

mickeymommy · 09-20-2005

I think you'll really like the flexibility of hopping. I wouldn't go any other way, it's too easy! Have a great time!

**WishUponAStar** · 09-20-2005

I have definately always been a hopper. We are notorious for making dinner priority seating for EPCOT a lot but only like to go to AK during the first couple hours it's open. I also love to take advantage of the EMHs and I may not have necassarily even been in the same park that day.

WDWaddict · 09-20-2005

We have yet to park hop in all our trips except the recent Disneyland/DCA trip. Next time in WDW we may hop b/c the kids are older(didn't want to deal w/ dragging the stroller and back pack on the bus or monorail and having to wait in the line to go into another park) We usually like to stay in the park the whole day though and get the most out of our day...to us, park hopping is just too much of a pain but we will do it on MGM day b/c there are only 3 or 4 attractions we do there, then we'll go to another park for the rest of the day. But we make our PS depending on the park we planned for that day so that we don't HAVE to hop parks, then get to our meals somewhere else. It is just more relaxing for us to do one park a day and have our meals in that park or at a nearby resort.

**ddoll** · 09-20-2005

We're actually not real big hoppers. There are days when we go back to the hotel and then return to the same park.

But I wouldn't want to NOT have the ability to hop either.

For a first timer it might be different, though.

dznygrl · 09-20-2005

I am, like, the biggest hopper EVER.

I don't know why, but hopping makes it extra fun for me!

So I'm ALWAYS an advocate of park hopping. Just don't do 3 parks a day, every day like I usually do.

I swear I WILL NOT do that next time, if I have to force myself to buy tickets without the Park Hopper option!!! Seriously....waaaaay too exhausting.

But 2 parks per day is perfect! My favorite day is MK in the morning, then hopping over to MGM at lunchtime.

Caroline's Mom · 09-20-2005

I love to hop too! There are days when you just want to hit the highlights and hopping is perfect for that! My family usually with hit MGM in the morning and after lunch hit Epcot or whatever. I love the flexiblility.

09-20-2005	#1 (permalink)
daisyd Dreams do come true! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: somewhere between here and there Posts: 2,348	To hop, or not to hop? This is my question I'd like some advise, please. For those of you that travel during the slow season, do you parkhop? Or is there just not enough time in the day to do it? What would you reccommend to a first timer? We have 3 kids that will be nearly 3 years, nearly 12 years and 4 years old when we go. We are not commandos and are looking forward to taking it easy. We are hoping for a day each at MGM and AK, one or two at Epcot, two at MK and a day off to relax (DS11 and DH will spend some time at DQ that day). The difference is only about $110 for us to get the hoppers, but I don't want to spend it if it will be a waste. Do my park plans look realistic, or will it be a mistake if I don't plan to hop? Any opinions would be appreciated __________________ R2G your avatars rock! DL--too many times to count WDW--just once, Oct 2006

09-20-2005	#2 (permalink)
cinderbella Crackhead Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: south carolina Posts: 6,031	Re: To hop, or not to hop? It depends on the type of family/person you are honestly. When the Dave and I go. We hop. We hop like it's going out of style. Mostly to take avantage of Extra Magic Hours. We also hop because we like to make most of our dinner PS's in EPCOT's world showcase. Also, some days we would start off at MK and it would be a lot busier than we thought, so we'll leave and go somewhere else until later in the night, and then we'd go back to MK. This would even happen in the slow season. Say you have a PS at EPCOT at night and you spend the whole day at EPCOT , and you're content and set in doing that..then non-parkhoppers would work fine. Also, I am not sure because I dont have any kids, but I think it would be hard to spread out EPCOT over two days with 2 small kids and a 12 year old.. __________________ WDW Restaurants and Resorts Moderator Bella I Deltaco. My Disney Countdown Counting down to: I am done with Grad School in... 255 days 2 hours 38 minutes

09-20-2005	#3 (permalink)
skwak Pay me in Disney Dollars! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,282	Re: To hop, or not to hop? You should definitely park hop some. Even if you just spend the day at one park and then go to a later closing park to watch fireworks. The flexibility that it affords you is well worth the $$. __________________ 2008 Apr. ~ Our New Vacation Home 2007 Dec. ~ Swan & VWL 2007 Aug. ~ POR & Contemporary 2006 Nov. ~ SSR, ASM and 7 Days on the Disney Magic! 2005 Oct. ~ VWL 2005 Apr. ~ BWV 2004 Oct. ~ OKW 2004 Sept. ~ SSR 2003 Oct. ~ POR & Caribbean Beach 2002 Sept. ~ POR & AKL 2001 March ~ ASSports 2000 Feb. ~ All Star Sports & Coronado Springs

09-20-2005	#4 (permalink)
MissDisney Mrs. Captain Jack Sparrow Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Aboard the Black Pearl in Tortola Posts: 7,019	Re: To hop, or not to hop? We ALWAYS hop -- two parks per day, with a big break in the middle for lunch, quiet time by the pool, and a few minutes of mental wellness... Our first park is usually a rope-drop effort, or close to it, and then we leave around 11:30 or 12:00. We go to our second park around 3:00 or even later if we plan to stay for fireworks. We devised this plan when we first took our little kids, so they could rest and be fresh later in the day -- but it still works for us perfectly, even though the kids can now outlast us any day! __________________ Moderator If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. Disneyland Hotel 1987; Dixie Landings 1993; Dixie Landings 1997; Caribbean Beach 1998; Boardwalk Villas 1999; Vistana Resort 2001; Dixie Landings 2002; Vistana Resort 2002; Marriott Imperial Palm Villas 2004; Vistana Resort 2006; Marriott Cypress Harbour 2007; Boardwalk Villas DVC trip TBA "Welcome Home" to us!

09-20-2005	#5 (permalink)
chris5568 Big Cheese Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Va. Posts: 827	Re: To hop, or not to hop? We hop too, we go to one park in the morning and another at night. __________________ Chrissy http://www.myspace.com/chrissy505 http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZchris5568_2007

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > WDW Theme Parks
To hop, or not to hop?

09-20-2005	#6 (permalink)
daisyd Dreams do come true! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: somewhere between here and there Posts: 2,348	Re: To hop, or not to hop? Thank you all! Don't tell anyone Cinderbella, but I feel really silly as I hadn't taken EMH's into consideration Thank you for reminding me, lol. Skwak I like the idea of going back for fireworks, and Miss Disney and chris5568, I like the plans you use. It's how we did DL this summer and it worked out well for us. Re Epcot, I am afraid one day won't be enough, but maybe two full days is too much. If we hop, I have the option to leave the park and not feel like I HAVE to stay there. I guess I know what we need to do! It now seems so simple, like I should have known before I started the thread. But sometimes putting it down in front of me is the only way I can see it, lol. Thanks again __________________ R2G your avatars rock! DL--too many times to count WDW--just once, Oct 2006

09-20-2005	#7 (permalink)
disneycouple30 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Saxton, Pa Posts: 419	Re: To hop, or not to hop? We hop alot also. Even this coming Dec trip with our grown up kids and grandkid we will hop. We might be at AK in the morning then off after a break to Epcot or DS for a evening meal. Or off to MK for the parade and fireworks. We hardly ever stay in one pack for the whole day. Like they said above it might get to crowdwd so he leave for another park. Our grandson loves Epcot. __________________

09-20-2005	#9 (permalink)
Erin Born in the Briar Patch Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pomona Park, Florida Posts: 9,464	Re: To hop, or not to hop? I was always afraid of hopping, but we got a small taste of it last March, and I AM SOLD! Hopping is fun! __________________ You really should be listening to Blue October

09-20-2005	#10 (permalink)
mickeymommy Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 467	Re: To hop, or not to hop? I think you'll really like the flexibility of hopping. I wouldn't go any other way, it's too easy! Have a great time! __________________ Jane :) Some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug. 2006 - Disneyland - offsite 2005 - All Star Music (DS's 1st WDW trip!) 2002 - offsite 2000 - Yacht Club

09-20-2005	#11 (permalink)
WishUponAStar cupcake eating beatboxer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Red, white, & Jersey 'til I die! Posts: 9,230	Re: To hop, or not to hop? I have definately always been a hopper. We are notorious for making dinner priority seating for EPCOT a lot but only like to go to AK during the first couple hours it's open. I also love to take advantage of the EMHs and I may not have necassarily even been in the same park that day. __________________ Disneyland & College Program Moderator My Disney Countdown Counting down to: BOO w/ Mickey's Crew 38 days 13 hours 38 minutes

09-20-2005	#12 (permalink)
WDWaddict Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hawaii Posts: 495	Re: To hop, or not to hop? We have yet to park hop in all our trips except the recent Disneyland/DCA trip. Next time in WDW we may hop b/c the kids are older(didn't want to deal w/ dragging the stroller and back pack on the bus or monorail and having to wait in the line to go into another park) We usually like to stay in the park the whole day though and get the most out of our day...to us, park hopping is just too much of a pain but we will do it on MGM day b/c there are only 3 or 4 attractions we do there, then we'll go to another park for the rest of the day. But we make our PS depending on the park we planned for that day so that we don't HAVE to hop parks, then get to our meals somewhere else. It is just more relaxing for us to do one park a day and have our meals in that park or at a nearby resort. __________________ June 1992~WDW 1996/1998/2001~Disneyland Nov 2002~WDW Nov 2003(twice)~WDW December 2004~POFQ February 2005~Pop Century June 2005~Disneyland June 2008~Disneyland(Disneyland Hotel!)/San Francisco/Redwoods/Oregon Coast My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Moving to Fort Belvoir, VA 213 days 13 hours 38 minutes

09-20-2005	#13 (permalink)
ddoll Your Friendly Singing Mod Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: RI Posts: 4,410	Re: To hop, or not to hop? We're actually not real big hoppers. There are days when we go back to the hotel and then return to the same park. But I wouldn't want to NOT have the ability to hop either. For a first timer it might be different, though. __________________ DVC, Disney Co Moderator • 3/96 Offsite • 9/98 Villa • 10/98 Dixie Landings • 8/00 Villa • 6/01 Disneyland, CA • 5/02 Villa • 6/03 Villa • 11/03 Wilderness Lodge • 8/04 PopCentury, Swan and Royal Pacific • 12/04 Swan • 8/05 Swan and Hard Rock Hotel • 11/05 Swan • 1/06 Swan • 9/06 Disneyland, CA• 12/06 Swan & HRH • 1/07 Swan • 10/07 Hard Rock Hotel • 12/07 Hard Rock and Swan • 1/08 Boardwalk• 10/08 Villa My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Playing Tourguide to WDW Newbies 58 days 20 hours 38 minutes

09-20-2005	#14 (permalink)
dznygrl aka dizzygirl Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Beaver State Posts: 8,470	Re: To hop, or not to hop? I am, like, the biggest hopper EVER. I don't know why, but hopping makes it extra fun for me! So I'm ALWAYS an advocate of park hopping. Just don't do 3 parks a day, every day like I usually do. I swear I WILL NOT do that next time, if I have to force myself to buy tickets without the Park Hopper option!!! Seriously....waaaaay too exhausting. But 2 parks per day is perfect! My favorite day is MK in the morning, then hopping over to MGM at lunchtime. __________________ Proud former 2-time Disneyland CM Pass the Tab and Deltaco Dizzygirl & Bella = MB BFF 2000 ~ off-site 2002 ~ Polynesian 2003 ~ All-Star Movies 2008 ~ All-Star Music

09-20-2005	#15 (permalink)
Caroline's Mom Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 26	Re: To hop, or not to hop? I love to hop too! There are days when you just want to hit the highlights and hopping is perfect for that! My family usually with hit MGM in the morning and after lunch hit Epcot or whatever. I love the flexiblility.

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