Uh oh! We don't support IE due to its failure to integrate new web standards.
For the best browsing experience, please use

More Info →

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search
MENUMENU
  • Crowd Calendars
        • January Crowd Calendar
        • February Crowd Calendar
        • March Crowd Calendar
        • April Crowd Calendar
        • May Crowd Calendar
        • June Crowd Calendar
        • July Crowd Calendar
        • August Crowd Calendar
        • September Crowd Calendar
        • October Crowd Calendar
        • November Crowd Calendar
        • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
        • Magic Kingdom
        • Epcot
        • Disney World Tickets
        • Hollywood Studios
        • Slinky Dog Dash
        • Animal Kingdom
        • Typhoon Lagoon
        • Blizzard Beach
        • Disney Springs
        • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
  • Resorts
        • On-Site
        • Off-Site
        • Disney World Value Resorts
        • Disney World Moderate Resorts
        • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
        • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
        • Dining Basics
        • Disney World Dining Plan Satuli Canteen
        • Disney Dining Plan
        • Animal Kingdom Disney World Dining Plan
        • Our top Table Service restaurants
        • Our top Quick Service restaurants
        • Guide to all Disney World character meals
        • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
        • 6 Step Planning Process
        • Disney binder planning workskeet
        • Planning Basics
        • Big Thunder Mountain exterior
        • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
        • Disney Movie Magic
        • Trip Planning for Families
        • Special Needs
        • Money and Shopping
        • Downloadables
  • 2021 Planner
        • Mask tips for Disney World trips
        • Cast Member with a mask
        • Step-by-step guide to the Disney Park Pass System
        • Disney Park Pass choose day
        • Where to find characters right now
        • Joy
        • 13 ways Disney World planning has changed
        • How to tour Disney World right now
        • Budgeting for food (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
        • Mask-Free Relaxation Stations (w/maps & comparisons)
        • Choosing when to visit in 2021
        • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World
        • How transportation works now
  • Mobile
      • Podcast
      • Become a WDW Prep Patron
      • About
      • Get a Quote
      • Things We Recommend
      • Contact
      • Search

Everything you need to know about Disney Park Hopper tickets

Share on pinterest
PIN
Share on facebook
FB
WDW Prep School → Planning and Tips → Featured → Everything you need to know about Disney Park Hopper tickets
  • Heather Thomas
  • June 3, 2019
  • November 20, 2020
Animal Kingdom Tree of Life

Good news! After a hiatus, we are happy to report that Park Hopper tickets will be returning for 2021.

But, there are some changes to how they will work.

Here’s what you need to know.

In this article (click for table of contents)

  • Park Hopper tickets are returning
  • How Park Hopper tickets work
    • Standard Theme Park Ticket (also called Base tickets)
    • Park Hopper tickets
    • Park Hopper Plus tickets 
    • Water Park and Sports
  • Is it worth the cost to upgrade a base ticket?
  • When should you get a Park Hopper ticket?

Park Hopper tickets are returning

When Walt Disney World reopened in July of 2020, it did so without the popular Park Hopper add-on.

However, Disney was always adamant that Park Hopper would be returning, and now we know for sure that the return date for that is January 1, 2021.

How Park Hopper tickets work

If you’re just beginning your Disney World planning, you’re probably discovering that you’ll have several different ticket upgrade options to choose from, with the most popular choices being 1 Park Per Day base tickets, Park Hopper tickets, Park Hopper Plus tickets, and the Water Parks and Sports option.

Here’s what those mean:

Standard Theme Park Ticket (also called Base tickets)

This is where you start. These tickets get you into 1 park/day. They are the least expensive option; however, like with all tickets, their price depends upon the length of the ticket as well as the initial use date.

From here, you can add on one of the options below.

Park Hopper tickets

Park Hopper tickets are an add on you can get for your base tickets. They are a set price (regardless of ticket length) and allow you to enter multiple parks each day.

However, unlike in the past, there are some new restrictions and rules to know about:

  • Starting Jan. 1, 2021, guests who purchased a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day.
  • Guests have to make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND enter that first park before visiting another.
  • At this time, a park reservation is not required after the first park; however, reservation requirements are subject to change.
  • There will be specific Park Hopper hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper hours will start at 2 p.m. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time.

Park Hopper is returning to Walt Disney World

Important things to keep in mind if you are considering purchasing Park Hopper tickets:

  • Capacity limits are still in place, so park hopping to any specific park is not guaranteed. If a park is at its capacity, park-hopping guests will not be allowed in.
  • Designated Park Hopping hours are subject to change. They could start earlier or later. Guests are advised to use the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date hours.
  • Planning to hop to Hollywood Studios and catch a ride on Rise of the Resistance? That won’t work. if you’re visiting Hollywood Studios AFTER you visit your first park, you CANNOT join the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Park Hopper Plus tickets 

Note: Water Park admission is scheduled to be available for travel beginning on March 7, 2021. Other Plus options are subject to availability, and all venues may or may not be open.

All the new rules for the Park Hopper apply. However, Park Hopper Plus tickets take park hopping one step further by also allowing you entries into the water parks (both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) plus other “Plus” options like vouchers for mini-golf, regular golf, and FootGolf at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, and entrance into the NBA Experience at Disney Springs.

The number of entrances to these “Plus” locations is equal to the length of your ticket. For example, if you have a 4 day Park Hopper Plus ticket, you get 4 days worth of entries into the main parks PLUS 4 entries into one of the “plus” locations (like the water parks). 

Water Park and Sports

Note: Water Park admission is scheduled to be available for travel beginning on March 7, 2021. Other Plus options are subject to availability, and all venues may or may not be open.

If you are interested in the “Plus” options of the Park Hopper Plus ticket, but you do not plan to hop to a different park, this might be a better deal for you.

With this ticket, you can visit only one theme park each day of your ticket.

In addition to the theme parks, based on the length of your ticket, you can also enjoy a certain number of visits to a water park or other Disney World sports-related experience, including:

  • Blizzard Beach
  • Typhoon Lagoon
  • NBA Experience (available for purchases after Feb. 11, 2020; this also is now part of the Park Hopper Plus add-on)
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
  • Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course – FootGolf and Golfing
  • Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course

(There’s a bit more to learn about tickets – including how long each one is valid for. You can find all of that info in our Complete Guide to Disney World Park Tickets.)

Is it worth the cost to upgrade a base ticket?

One nice thing about Disney World tickets is that in many instances, you can upgrade them in the parks.

That means you don’t have to decide before your trip if you will hop or not; you can wait until you are there.

However, the bad part about that is that no matter when in your trip you decide to upgrade, you’ll pay the full price.

The cost to upgrade isn’t less if you wait until the last day of your trip to add the Park Hopper option vs. doing it on the first day, so there is an advantage to upgrading earlier (rather than later) so that you can get the maximum value back out of your ticket.

We are firm believers that you don’t have to buy anything “extra” to have a magical vacation at Disney World.

Sometimes it may feel like the only way to have a good time is to dine at every character meal, go to every dessert party, and purchase every other extra or premium event that Disney offers.

But the truth is that you don’t HAVE to do any of those things, and even if you choose not to, you’ll still have a magical time. Do we like everything we just listed? Yep. They are all fun “extras,” but they are just that – extras.

Besides all the parties and desserts and princess makeovers, Park Hopper tickets are another extra that you might be considering. For most trips that span 4 or more days, they really aren’t absolutely necessary. But, depending on your situation they *might* be one splurge that makes sense.

Epcot monorail

When should you get a Park Hopper ticket?

Here are some of the top reasons when we think you should consider buying Park Hopper tickets:

  • If your trip is short and you want to still visit all 4 parks
  • If you are traveling during the holidays (or other super busy time of the year) when you might need to escape to a less busy park
  • If you know you’ll want to stay out later so you’ll be leaving a park that closes early and heading over to one that is closing later
  • If you are staying at an Epcot area resort (since it is so easy to “hop” over there for dinner or drinks in the evening)

We’re sure there are other reasons that somebody might consider buying a Park Hopper ticket, buts they definitely aren’t a necessity in most instances.

They are a nice “perk” but not something that should make or break your trip. In fact, we think that if you are in doubt, skip them and save that extra money for something else.

Hollywood Studios

 

Read this next

Popular Related Articles

Related Posts:

  • 100+ tips for your Disney World trip
  • Budgeting for food at Disney (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
  • Walt Disney World is reopening, here's what you need to know
  • 2020 Disney Dining Plan (cost, best credits, and is it worth it?)
  • How to get the Disney World resort room you want
  • Disney World FastPass+ Strategy for 2020 & 2021
  • How to rent a camper at Disney's Fort Wilderness (w/tips and a review)
  • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World

In this category

More Tips and Tricks

  • Planning and Tips
    • Basics
    • Families
    • Money and Shopping
    • Projects and Downloadables
    • Special Needs

Ready to book a trip for 2021?

The team at Small World Vacations is ready to help get you started.

Get a quote now

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Start here

  • Crowd Calendars
    • January Crowd Calendar
    • February Crowd Calendar
    • March Crowd Calendar
    • April Crowd Calendar
    • May Crowd Calendar
    • June Crowd Calendar
    • July Crowd Calendar
    • August Crowd Calendar
    • September Crowd Calendar
    • October Crowd Calendar
    • November Crowd Calendar
    • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Epcot
    • Hollywood Studios
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Typhoon Lagoon
    • Blizzard Beach
    • Disney Springs
    • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
  • Resorts
    • On-Site
    • Off-Site
    • Disney World Value Resorts
    • Disney World Moderate Resorts
    • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
    • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
    • Dining Basics
    • Disney Dining Plan
    • Our top Table Service restaurants
    • Our top Quick Service restaurants
    • Guide to all Disney World character meals
    • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
    • 6 Step Planning Process
    • Planning Basics
    • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
    • Trip Planning for Families
    • Special Needs
    • Money and Shopping
    • Downloadables
  • 2021 Planner
    • 13 ways Disney World planning has changed
    • Mask tips for Disney World trips
    • Budgeting for food (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
    • Step-by-step guide to the Disney Park Pass System
    • Choosing when to visit in 2021
    • How to tour Disney World right now
    • Mask-Free Relaxation Stations (w/maps & comparisons)
    • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World
    • Where to find characters right now
    • How transportation works now
  • Mobile

More Goodies

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search

I just got back from a five night stay at Coronado Springs and had the best time! Even though I went during the busy season I barely waited in any lines and was able to do everything I wanted!

Jonathan C.

Meet us there


IG

FB

PI

TW

YT

EM

WDWprepschool.com is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, the Walt Disney Company.

PRIVACY POLICY

© 2021 PREP SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS, INC.

WDW PREP SCHOOL ON INSTAGRAM​

It. Is. Time. 🦁 Festival of the Lion King retur It. Is. Time. 🦁 Festival of the Lion King returns this summer!

It’ll be in a modified form for safety purposes. No specific reopening date given, but so happy the list of things to look forward to keeps growing. 🙌
Officially closed for refurbishment (no reopening Officially closed for refurbishment (no reopening date available yet).

Now can we work on getting women included in the sequel?
Anybody else fall in love with the Hollywood Studi Anybody else fall in love with the Hollywood Studios decor and want to have these vintage Christmas ceramics at home? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Here’s how.

For original vintage pieces, search “Lefton Christmas ceramics” or “Napco Christmas ceramics.” These often run you $100+ and can usually be found on Etsy, eBay, and other resale stores.

For less expensive replicas, check out VermontCountryStore.com which has a small - but more affordable - collection, including the trio of candy cane girls.
It appears the Frozen promenade (cavalcade) is out It appears the Frozen promenade (cavalcade) is out at Epcot, and random popups of Anna and Elsa in Norway are in.

They haven’t been appearing as reliably as Alice, Mary Poppins, Joy, and Winnie the Pooh, but be sure to be on the lookout when passing the Royal Sommerhus in Norway where they might just show up.
Load More... Follow on Instagram