Great Disney Vacations

Archive for August, 2008

OK, so why should you buy Disney World hopper passes (also known as park hopper passes)?  For that matter, what are they?  Here’s why they can be a great option, especially if you are staying at a Disney World resort.

Basically, Disney World hopper passes allow you to visit more than one theme park in a day.  Without the park hopper option, you can come and go as often as you please for one day at one park.

With a Disney park hopper option, you could visit all four parks in one day for one ticket!  (While I wouldn’t try that, it is possible.)

A Typical Disney World Day (No Hopper)

Let’s use Animal Kingdom for this example.  You get up early and wolf down some breakfast, just so you can get to the park when it opens.

After fighting the crowds at the gate, the Animal Kingdom opens before you.  Map in hand, you rush to the first of your “must see” attractions.  Success!  Off to the next ride!

As the day goes on, you start getting tired.  Your feet start hurting and gosh it’s hot!  The lines are getting longer and longer.  If you have children, they are probably getting pretty cranky now, but it’s only 2 PM and the park is open until 7!  So you press on.

By 5 PM everyone is cranky and hungry and there are still rides you haven’t gone one.  And what — Animal Kingdom doesn’t have fireworks?  Oh no!

A Day With Disney World Hopper Passes

Since you’re staying at a Disney World resort, you sleep in a little more, have a nice breakfast and take the complimentary Disney transportation to Animal Kingdom.

Map in hand, you stoll off to the first of your “must see” attractions, and you have a blast!  Off to the next ride!

Round about 3 PM, you’re getting tired, your feet hurt and you’re hot and sweaty.  The kids are tired and starting to get cranky.  How about back to the hotel for a dip in the pool and maybe a quick snooze before dinner?

After the cool pool, a power nap and dinner, you’re ready to take on Disney again!  This time, you head over to the Magic Kingdom to see the electric light parade and fireworks — not to mention ride a few rides.  It’s open until 9 PM, so you have several hours to play.

The Disney Park Hopper Difference

So, which sounds like the more relaxing vacation?  Okay, so my example was if you were staying on the Disney property.  But even if you were, and didn’t have the park hopper pass, let’s continue with the Animal Kindgom example.

If you go back to the resort for a dip in the pool, power nap and a quick dinner, it’s maybe 5 PM or so by the time you’re ready to go back.  If Animal Kindgom is only open until 7 PM, you have very little time left in that park for the day.

Is the Park Hopper Pass Right for You?

It is an extra cost, added to your ticket.  If you’re just going to be at Disney World one or two days, I don’t recommend it –just pick the park with the longest hours (usually Magic Kingdom or EPCOT) and see it for the day.

At three days the extra cost is better, and starting with four days, the park hopper pass is a bargain!  It’s a great way to relax on your vacation and see what you want to see, when you want to see it.

(And yes, we always add the Disney World hopper passes when we buy tickets.)

So, what exactly is the best time to plan a visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida?  For my money, it’s when the crowds have diminished and the weather gets better.  And if you’re staying in the Disney resorts, it’s when the prices go down!

Personally, I like the middle to end of September, October and January for my favorites — they have all three (fewer crowds, better weather and lower prices). 

However, if I take money out of the picture, and I just look at crowds and weather, it’s easier to name the times that I wouldn’t go.  They are: 

• The weeks before and after Easter.
• Anytime in June or July.
• From the week before Christmas through January 3rd.

These times tend to be super-busy, and the summer is hot and humid as well.

August is tricky — the weather is still hot and humid, but by the middle of the month, the crowds have all but disappeared. 

(When I worked at the Magic Kingdom, I could gauge the crowds by how many cash registers we had going at once.  By the middle of August we were down to about 4.  In June and July we had all 12 going!)

Anyway, looks like Disney World is anxious to spread the news about times with fewer crowds.  I came across this link today at the official Disney World website:  best times to go.

So, if your schedule is flexible, do consider visiting Disney during one of its off-seasons for crowds.  You’ll find it’s a whole different Disney!