Park hopping is back! For the first time since Walt Disney World reopened following the closure due to COVID-19 precautions, guests will be allowed to visit more than one park per day. For the last several months the only option for park visitors has been the single park ticket. Beginning January 1, 2021, park hopping will once again be an option for Walt Disney World Resort visitors. Here are a few things you need to know.
What is Park Hopping?
First, let’s start with the basics and talk about what is Park Hopping. In a nutshell, a Park Hopper ticket allows guests to visit more than one park (park hop) a day. Whereas the single park, or base ticket, requires guests to select the one park you will visit that day and that is the only park you can enjoy that day.
What are the new rules for Park Hoppers?
Park Hopping Starts at 2:00 pm
There are a few notable changes for park hopping. The biggest change is that guests will not be allowed to visit the second park until 2:00 pm or later. In the past, there was not any restriction on what time you could visit the second park. We are assuming that this change is being implemented to continue to control the number of people entering the parks especially Hollywood Studios, which we will talk about in just a minute.
Park Reservations
Guests will still be required to secure a Park Reservation for the first park you plan to visit that day. Park reservations will not be required for any other parks you plan to go to that day. One key thing to note with park reservations is you will be REQUIRED to visit that first park before you can park hop to the second park. So for example, if you secure a park reservation for the morning for Magic Kingdom and then plan to head to Animal Kingdom later in the afternoon, you will need to check-in at Magic Kingdom that morning. If you don’t visit that first park, your ticket will not work once you arrive at Animal Kingdom.
How does park hopping impact Hollywood Studios’ Rise of the Resistance?
Right now Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios is wildly popular. Guests are able to try to secure a Boarding Group to ride the attraction beginning at 7:00 am and 1:00 pm. Please know that if you are park hopping to Hollywood Studios at 2:00 pm you will NOT be eligible to try to secure a Boarding Group at 1:00 pm. Only guests that have a park reservation for Hollywood Studios that day will be able to try to snag a Boarding Group that day.
A Few Unknowns
There a few things we still are uncertain about involving the new process for park hopping. First, Disney did not specifically mention whether guests will be able to visit more than two parks per day. In the past, those with a park hopper ticket had the ability to visit all four parks if you had the time and the energy.
Since the reopening of Walt Disney World, transportation from park to park has not been provided because honestly there has not been a need for it. With the return of park hopping we are making the assumption that Disney will once again be offering park-to-park transportation however this information was not mentioned in the initial information announcing the return of park hopping. Hopefully, we will hear more about that soon.
It is exciting to see the return of Park Hopping. We have to admit, we like the feeling of the return of some level of “normalcy” to Walt Disney World.
Let us know if you have any questions about park hopping or want to chat about planning a Walt Disney World vacation. You can reach us at natalie@castleandcruiseadventures.com.