Many Disney fans are making their first return trip to Disney World since the pandemic-related closures in 2020. If this describes you, then you are going to find many things changed in Disney World, and one thing that’s important to know for your trip planning is that Park Hopping works differently today!
Welcome to Disney World
When Disney World first re-opened in 2020, Park Hopping was suspended. The option to “hop” between Disney World parks returned in 2021, with a few modifications. We’ve been Park Hopping ever since, and we have the answers to ALL your questions!
What time does Park Hopping start?
Guests can transfer to a different theme park after 2PM and until closing time. Disney has stated that these hours could change depending on the theme park and hours, but so far, they have remained unchanged since Jan. 1, 2021. The hours for Park Hopping are available on the official Disney World calendar online and on the My Disney Experience app. We also write weekly Disney Parks hours posts here on DFB, so you can make sure you are up to date on park pass availability and hours.
Spaceship Earth
Be sure to check these hours before making any solidified plans! Disney could change the time period at any point in the future.
Do I need to make multiple Disney Park Pass Reservations?
All guests with the Park Hopping option must make one Disney Park Pass reservation, and you do not need to make another reservation if you plan to transfer to another park. In order to use your Park Hopper, you must first enter the theme park that you have reserved. Then, you can go to another park after 2PM!
Hey there!
That means that even if you arrive at Disney World after 2PM, you must still enter the park you reserved before you’re able to Park Hop. As long as the park you want to hop to is open and not at capacity, you can visit that park after 2PM or after your first park visit.
Which theme parks can I “hop” to?
Those with the Park Hopper ticket option can hop to any of the four theme parks provided their park of choice is open not at capacity.
Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom
It’s always a good idea to check Disney World’s park hours before making your Park Hopping plans. For example, do you want to Park Hop to a park that closes at 7PM — when it’s already after 2PM?
Can I enter a theme park that is at full capacity?
The caveat is that you cannot enter a theme park that has reached capacity. For example, say you have a reservation for Magic Kingdom and start your day there. Then, you wish to transfer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the afternoon, but the park has reached capacity. You will not be able to enter Hollywood Studios if it is at capacity.
Cinderella Castle
Keep in mind that a theme park can reach its capacity limit at any time. So, yes, you could hear that Disney’s Hollywood Studios HAS capacity as you leave Magic Kingdom and, while you’re making your way over, it could fill up. But Disney has said that an at-capacity park will not admit any more guests. Do the parks reach capacity often? It happens occasionally during holidays and particularly busy periods, but it’s important to note that a park being closed to Park Hoppers is often a temporary thing — when other guests leave the park, more can be admitted.
How do I know if a theme park reaches capacity?
You can check on Park Hopper availability in Disney World by calling the capacity number at (407) 560-5000. A pre-recorded message will play that will inform you if any parks are unavailable.
Park Hopper
It’s much easier to call that number before finding out you can’t enter a park at the gates!
How many theme parks can I “hop” to?
As of right now, guests can hop to as many theme parks as they want. This could change in the future, but for now, there are no stipulations on how many times you can move. So, you can park hop to all four parks in one day if you want!
Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom
That said, it will take up a lot of your day trying to transfer between parks.
Can I “hop” back to my first park of the day?
Yes! After you leave your first park of the day, you are welcome to return whether you have entered another park or not. Your Disney Park Pass reservation remains valid.
Animal Kingdom entrance
We have not encountered the situation yet, but a Cast Member has told us that once Park Hopper hours start, you will not be able to re-enter your first park if it hits capacity after you leave — even with a Disney Park Pass reservation.
Does Park Hopping cost extra?
Yes, Park Hopping is considered a ticket “add-on.” Meaning, this is an added benefit that guests can use at an additional price. You can add the Park Hopping option to any ticket.
Bus transportation at Disney World
To view all park ticket prices, head to the Disney World website.
What forms of transportation are available?
Disney buses run between the parks beginning shortly before Park Hopping hours start at 2PM. Additionally, the Skyliner, Friendship Boats, and a walking path are available as an option to get between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The monorail will take you back and forth between EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, and you are also welcome to drive a personal vehicle or use a rideshare service between the parks, as always.
The Monorail is a great way to park hop between EPCOT and Magic Kingdom.
Minnie Vans are returning soon to Disney World, and they can also be a great way to travel around Disney World!
Do you feel like the added price of Park Hopper is worth it with the modifications?
The Park Hopping option now comes with a handful of caveats and modifications. With all the new stipulations, is the added price really worth it? Some guests may think that the additional price is not worth it at this time. You can’t switch to another until park after 2PM, and you’re not guaranteed that the parks will have available capacity for you, though this is not a frequent occurrence.
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
On the other hand, you can visit more than one park per day. This can be worth the cost for some guests as they may want to experience multiple parks per day.
World Showcase Lagoon
Additionally, it really depends on your plans. You may not want to use an hour of your time on Disney transportation, rather than inside a park.
Why you’ll pay MORE to get LESS now in Disney World!
And remember, to enter a Walt Disney World theme park, guests are currently required to have a Disney Park Pass Reservation.
Our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is also a fantastic resource for getting the most out of your Disney World trip. This super helpful ebook has over 800 pages of easy-to-navigate planning tips, snack recommendations, budgeting tools, special deals, and SO MUCH MORE! We also created it with YOU in mind. (Need to save money? ✅ Have picky eaters in your family? ✅ Not sure how to start planning? ✅) There’s something in there for everyone! 
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How does Park hopping work for annual passholders? If I don’t have and initial reservation for a park before 2 pm, can I still hop to multiple Parks after 2 p.m.?
We are annual pass holders. Will we have to pay extra to park hop?
Hi, I’m looking to visit Disney during my vacation in may. And I don’t know where to start. I’ve watched a bunch of your video but I’m still
Completely lost lol. Would love your help planning our dream vacation
If I am planning on a six-day ticket, do I have to buy a park hopper for all six days or maybe just the last two?
What if the second park is at capacity but you have a dining reservation? Will they allow you in the park?
Can you make a dinning reservation at a park other than the one you have a park pass reserved? Say I want to eat dinner at Epcot but want to start my day at Animal Kingdom. Will I be able to schedule a time for dinner in EPCOT if that is a park I plan to hop to?
So there’s no way to make a reservation for dinner at any other park than the one you had a reservation at because there’s no guarantee you’ll get into the second park. Also, even if you make a dinner reservation in your original park, hop to another park, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get back into that first park for your reservation. That will make things a bit tricky.
Scott, your Advance Dining Reservations are not dependent on your Park Pass, so yes, you can make your ADR for a park OTHER than the one you will visit using your pre-made DPP.
Jay, typically Disney requires Park Hopper to be added to a full reservation. You could call to see if there’s any way to do this, though.
Nichole, we have not had an opportunity to test this yet, but we have it on our radar to see how it plays out.
We just returned from Disney on 12/30. The boats are running from HS to Epcot with their normal stops
Any ideas about how it will work once Blizzard Beach opens? Will you need to have a park reservation for the water park? And will it need to be the first park of the day or could you hop to it after 2? Some researched information regarding the water parks would REALLY be appreciated!! Especially for summer 2021. Thanks.
Are park reservations here to stay or are they just for the virus problem?
Essie, we don’t know if the Disney Park Pass will end up being a permanent feature, but we are also curious about that.
Linda, you can still make the ADR, but we don’t know yet if an ADR guarantees you entry if the park is full. We are working on finding out for you.
I was told that if you have a dining reservation at a park and it is the park you initially reserved, you will be allowed to hop back even if it is at capacity. If you have a dining reservation and the park you need is at capacity but it is not your initially reserved park, a cast member will help you to cancel your reservation so that you will not lose your deposit. I just came back and no park was at capacity any day all week after two.
What if you have dinner reservations in a park that you want to hop to but that park is at capacity? Will they let you in?
Maryann, we have yet to have this situation happen to us, so we can’t confirm yet. We have seen situations where the Mexico pavilion in EPCOT has been at capacity inside, and folks with reservations were allowed entry. We wonder if this might also be how they handle park entry, but we just haven’t been in that situation yet. We will update as soon as we can confirm.
What happens if you have a park hopper option but no parks are available during your stay? Refund or out the money?
Ralph, to my knowledge, our team has yet to see this be an issue, so I can’t say for sure.
We just returned from a seven day stay at WDW. The parks were very crowded….we all agreed there is no way they are holding to 35% capacity! We did not get a park hopper, but left the park at noon each day..just to get a break from the crowds and sixty minute ride waits, and then we returned in the evening. We never had an issue getting back into the park. I personally think that the parks are losing enough people by 2 pm due to the crowded conditions that park capacity isn’t an issue for park hopping. Even with the crowds, we had a great time ! But we go about once a year and truly missed our Disney fix! However, we agreed we won’t return until it is fully open and fast passes…or something similar … have been reinstated. Standing in line at each ride for sixty minutes is too much.
How easy is it/ can you add a park hopper to your ticket if you bought a one day park pass but decide you want to hop to another park?
KC, I’m not sure. I’d recommend calling Disney to see if they can tell you over the phone.
If you are staying at a Disney Resort and go back to the room midafternoon, would you have to go back to the original park before hopping to a new one or could you go directly to the new one if it is after two?
Can you park hop to blizzard beach? For example…start at animal kingdom at 9, then head to blizzard beach at 11 when it opens then head to Epcot when the water park closes?
Jennifer, you can not. Water parks require their own separate ticket.
Chris, you could go directly to your second park.
How long do the buses run after park closure if I used park hopper option and my car is at another park?
Lynn, Disney says an hour after Park closing.
I’m planning to visit WSW during Thanksgiving and website shows Magic Kingdom is fully booked. Can I go to, for example, Animal Kingdom with a regular ticket and during the day, inside the park, buy the park hopper option? So I don’t have to pay in advance for something that I don’t know I’ll be able to do?
thanks,
Edgar
Park hopping use to be so much easier when you could hop anytime of the day. When parks close at 9:00 pm or earlier, that dosen’t give you much time to hop. And with reservations required and possiblt capacities, it makes it even worse.