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Is the Disney World Park Hopper Ticket Worth the Extra Cost?

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida consists of four theme parks:  Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.  The iconic Magic Kingdom is the most visited park in the world.  The main two ticket options for families visiting Walt Disney World are the single park ticket or the park hopper ticket.  The single park ticket allows you to visit a single park.  The park hopper pass allows you to visit any of the parks at any time during the day.  The park hopper pass is significantly more expensive, though.  Is the Disney World park hopper ticket worth the extra cost?

The Short Answer

Usually not.

Allow me to explain.

Cost

A single day ticket to Magic Kingdom, not during peak days like New Years,  costs $110.  A single day park hopper ticket, giving access to all four parks, costs a full $50 more, $160.  The gap in price between the two tickets narrows the longer you stay.  Most families will stay in the parks for 3 to 7 days.  From day 4 on, the difference in price stays $69.  For a family of four, that is almost $280.

Non-Peak Magic Kingdom Ticket Price

•   Days                 Single Park              Park Hopper
• 1                            $110                                $160
• 2                              202                                  257
• 3                              290                                  345
• 4                              325                                  394
• 5                              340                                  409
• 6                              355                                   424
• 7                              370                                   439
• 8                              380                                   449
• 9                              390                                   459
• 10                             400                                   469

Time

Magic Kingdom is what most of us think about when talking about Walt Disney World.  It is the best park with the most to see and do.  Even while rushing, it can be very hard to cover the entire park in a day.  I recommend taking it slower.  As Walt Disney said, “the magic is in the detail.”  Touring the park slower, enjoying the atmosphere and attractions, can easily fill two days.  You will be less stressed and get more out of your holiday.

Epcot is the second most popular park.  It takes a full day to completely tour.  Neither Hollywood Studios nor Animal Kingdom currently have enough to do to fill a full day.  Both are expanding over the next few years.  So, this may change.

Getting from one park to the next takes at minimum a half hour.  It more commonly will take closer to an hour.  You have to leave the first park.  Then walk to the bus stop or monorail station.  Next, you have to wait.  If the line is short, and you are lucky, then this may take only a little time.  If the line is long or the bus has just left, then you may wait a while.  Transport time between parks is from 15 to 30 minutes.  Once you arrive at the second park, you have to walk to the entrance.  Finally, you have to go through the bag check and park entrance.

All of the above adds up.  When time is precious, this is a waste of time.  It is also generally not very relaxing.

Exceptions

1.  As you can see, after the first couple of days, there is almost no difference in the increase of ticket price.  If you are staying for more than 4 days, and certainly, if you are staying over a week, then it might not be a bad idea..
2. You are determined to visit every park in a 2 or 3 day stay.  I really do not recommend this, though.  You will be rushed, stressed, tired, and not enjoy it as much.
3. You want to start as early and end as late as possible.  As each of the parks have different opening and closing times, this can expand your day by a few hours.
4. Money is not an issue.  Lucky!!

Touring Recommendations

1 Day  –  Magic Kingdom.  You cannot miss Magic Kingdom!

2 Days –   One day at Magic Kingdom and one at Epcot.  Or, two days at Magic Kingdom if you are a classic Disney fan or have younger kids.

3 Days – Two days at Magic Kingdom and one at Epcot.  Or one at Magic Kingdom, one at Epcot, and one at Animal Kingdom (especially after it begins to stay open into the night.)

4 Days – Two days at Magic Kingdom, one at Epcot, and 1 at Animal Kingdom.

*Hollywood Studios is so depleted right now, that unless you have a park hopper ticket, you will not get your money’s worth.

5 days or more – Visit all 4 parks.  The park hopper ticket becomes more reasonable the longer you stay.

• Again, take your time.  Walt Disney World is best enjoyed at a slower pace, taking in the details.
• If you are worried about missing out on Hollywood Studios, don’t!  Visit the other parks, don’t rush and wear yourself and your kids out.   When you come back, you can visit it then.  Within the next 2-3 years, Hollywood Studios will have added Toy Story Land and Stars Wars Land.  It will likely then be worth the price.