Disney World remains one of the top U.S. travel destinations for families and adults alike. It’s a place where nostalgia combines with a fantastical escape to create a magical adventure for all ages. It’s also a travel destination that requires some meticulous pre-travel planning, particularly when purchasing theme park tickets.
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the ticket options, look no further, because we’re here to compare two popular Disney World theme park tickets: Disney Park Hopper vs Park Hopper Plus, providing the details and insights you need to find the perfect ticket for your vacation needs.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker who wants to conquer all the rides or a leisurely traveler looking to cool off at the water parks, we’ll break down the differences between these two ticket options and help you find the one that suits your Disney dreams.
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Understanding the Differences Between Disney Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus Tickets
When it comes to exploring the wonders of Walt Disney World, having the right ticket can make all the difference.
The Disney Park Hopper ticket allows you to visit multiple parks on the same day. When compared to the standard base ticket, a park hopper ticket provides astounding flexibility. You can start your day at one park, hop over to another for lunch, and end the day with a dazzling fireworks show at a different park.
Park hopper tickets can be purchased for a single day or multiple days up to 10. While tickets do expire, guests do not have to use multi-day park hopper tickets on consecutive days, providing you with greater flexibility to explore the Orlando area. How many days your ticket will cover before expiring depends on the length of your ticket as shown in the chart below:
| Ticket Duration | Valid Use Period |
| 1-Day Ticket | Only on the start date & park selected (Not available as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company Package) |
| 2-Day Ticket | May be used for 2 days begining on or up to 4 days after start date |
| 3-Day Ticket | May be used for 3 days begining on or up to 5 days after start date |
| 4-Day Ticket | May be used for 4 days begining on or up to 7 days after start date |
| 5-Day Ticket | May be used for 5 days begining on or up to 8 days after start date |
| 6-Day Ticket | May be used for 6 days begining on or up to 9 days after start date |
| 7-Day Ticket | May be used for 7 days begining on or up to 10 days after start date |
| 8-Day Ticket | May be used for 8 days begining on or up to 12 days after start date |
| 9-Day Ticket | May be used for 9 days begining on or up to 13 days after start date |
| 10-Day Ticket | May be used for 10 days begining on or up to 14 days after start date |
On the other hand, the Park Hopper Plus ticket provides guests with all of the privileges associated with the Park Hopper pass but amps up the excitement on your Disney vacation by opening doors to the water parks, golf courses, mini-golf courses, and other exciting activities within the Walt Disney World Resort.
Benefits of the Disney Park Hopper Plus Ticket
Since the Park Hopper Plus offers the freedom to create your own itinerary and maximize your time at the parks, it is ideal for travelers who plan to spend a week or more at Disney World or those who want only a limited time enjoying rides and attractions. This premier ticket offers a host of activities in addition to admission to Disney parks, including entrance to:
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
- Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course – FootGolf
- Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course (prior to 4:00 PM)
- Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course (prior to 4:00 PM)
The length of your ticket determines how many times you will be able to visit any of the experiences offered through the Park Hopper Plus ticket. Guests will be able to select one experience from the list for each day of their park hopper ticket. For example, if you purchase a 6-day Park Hopper Plus ticket, you will be able to enjoy one attraction from the list above each of the 6 days.
You may select any experience as many times as you’d like. If you’re a water parks type of person, you can easily spend every day of your trip visiting either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon in addition to Disney’s theme parks. On the other hand, if you’re a golf enthusiast, it’s simple to combine a morning tee-time with park visits.
Sample Itineraries Utilizing the Disney World Park Hopper Plus Ticket
To shine a clearer light on the Park Hopper Plus ticket and its world of possibilities, let’s take a look at some sample itineraries.
2-Day Disney World Park Itinerary Using Park Hopper Plus
Day One
- Morning: Visit Hollywood Studios
- Hop to EPCOT for lunch at Space 220
- Afternoon: Spend a few hours playing mini golf at Winter Summerland
- Spend the evening watching fireworks at Magic Kingdom and riding popular rides.
Day Two
- Morning: Visit EPCOT
- After Lunch hop to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park
6-Day Disney World Park Itinerary Using Park Hopper Plus
Day One
- Morning: Visit Hollywood Studios
- Hop to EPCOT for lunch at Space 220
- Afternoon and evening: Explore the World Showcase and stay for Luminous The Symphony of Us
Day Two
- Spend the day at Hollywood Studios Park
Day Three
- Spend the Day at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
Day Four
- Enjoy Early Theme Park Entry at Magic Kingdom
- Enjoy an Afternoon T-time at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
- Revisit Magic Kingdom for Happily Ever nighttime show and other attractions
Day 5
- Use Early Theme Park Entry, Lighting Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass to experience EPCOT’s most popular attractions with little wait
- Visit Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park in the afternoon
- Spend the evening Watching Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Day 6
- Visit a few parks, schedule a t-time, catch an even at ESPN Wide World of Sports or anything else you have time for before you depart for home.
The Park Hopper Plus ticket provides a wide array of recreational activities for those who want to take a break from the theme parks and try something different. It’s the perfect ticket for those looking to add some variety to their Disney vacation and create memories that go beyond the traditional park experience.
Which Ticket Is Right For Families With Young Children?
Since the Disney Park Hopper ticket allows you to visit multiple parks in a day, it can offer a lot of fun for kids who are eager to explore different attractions. However, don’t forget the sheer enthusiasm most young children have for the parks when planning your activities.
For many young children, visiting Minnie and Mickey and exploring the sights and theming of a Disney park can take all day, leaving you little time for water parks or other fun unless you’re planning a trip of a week or more.
On the other hand, if your child is too short to enjoy many of the attractions that tend to exhibit long lines, you might find yourself ready to exit a park earlier in the day. Younger children may also need a break from the excitement, making mini golf or a relaxing wade into the shores of Typhoon Lagoon’s wave pool a welcome change.This can be especially beneficial during hot summer months when youngsters and adults alike may need a refreshing escape from the heat.
When deciding on whether you should purchase the Park Hopper Ticket or the Park Hopper Plus, keep in mind the personality of your children and how they’re most likely to enjoy Disney World the most.
Which Ticket Is Right for Thrill-Seekers and Adventure Enthusiasts?
If you’re an adrenaline junkie who loves thrilling rides and immersive experiences, the Disney Park Hopper ticket could be the best option for you, since you can hop from park to park to take in the most thrilling attractions, multiple times.
However, if you’re looking for a different kind of adventure, the Park Hopper Plus ticket offers the opportunity to try out some of Disney’s water-based thrills, such as Summit Plummet at Disney’s Blizzard Beach, a near-vertical, freefall waterslide. Since thrill seekers also covet a ride on Typhoon Lagoon’s Humunga Kowabunga—offering a near vertical 5-story drop in the dark—a Park Hopper Plus ticket could extend your options to Disney’s watery thrills.
Which Ticket Is Right for Those Who Want to Experience Water Parks and Other Recreational Activities?
If your idea of a perfect Disney vacation involves splashing around in water parks, playing mini-golf with your family, or trying your hand at golf, then the Park Hopper Plus ticket is the way to go. With this ticket, you have the flexibility to explore not only the four main theme parks but also the water parks, golf courses, and mini-golf courses. It allows you to create a well-rounded vacation experience that includes both the excitement of the theme parks and the leisurely enjoyment of many additional recreational activities.
Comparing the Costs of Disney Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus Tickets
When planning your Disney vacation, it’s important to consider the costs associated with each ticket option. The prices of the Disney Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus tickets may vary depending on factors such as the time of year, the length of your visit, and any promotions or discounts that may be available.
Typically, the Park Hopper Plus ticket is priced slightly higher than the regular Park Hopper ticket, since it includes access to the water parks, golf courses, and other recreational activities. This should be automatically seen as a deal breaker. Instead, weigh the additional cost against the value you will receive from the extra experiences. If you and your family are avid water park enthusiasts or enjoy playing golf, the Park Hopper Plus ticket may provide excellent value for the money.
Before making your decision, compare the costs of both ticket options and consider your budget, the length of your stay, and the activities that interest you the most. Also, keep in mind that both the Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus tickets can be combined in a Disney World package reservation including one of Disney’s resort hotels. By staying onsite, you’ll have easy access to Disney’s resort transportation, making it quick and easy to travel from your hotel to the theme parks and water parks.
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Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision for Your Disney Vacation
With a choice between the Disney Park Hopper ticket and the Park Hopper Plus ticket, we always purchase the Park Hopper ticket. We enjoy the added flexibility of park hopping but rarely visit water parks or enjoy golfing.
When making your own decision, consider factors such as the ages and interests of your travel companions and your appetite for the experiences included with the Park Hopper Plus ticket. However, 2 factors will play the biggest part in helping you make the right decision: the length of your trip and your budget.
It’s difficult enough to visit the 4 main theme parks and see all of the attractions in less than 5 days, particularly if you’re visiting Disney World for the first time. With limited time, it’s also unlikely that you will have the hours necessary to fit water parks and golf into your schedule. Save the Park Hopper Plus ticket for another time when you can add more days to your schedule.
On the other hand, a Park Hopper ticket can provide more flexibility to fit in the many attractions you’ll want to see in the limited time that you have. This is especially true when visiting for the first time.
We highly advise a Park Hopper ticket purchase for any Disney World first timers embarking on a limited stay. We also advise this type of ticket for returning guests who intend to only ride certain attractions during the time that they have.
With a Disney World base ticket, you’ll need to spend an entire day at each park, even if you’ve experienced every attraction you want to visit. However, by park hopping, you can easily schedule your itinerary to include only the rides you plan to experience.
By selecting the right ticket, you can ensure that your Disney vacation is everything you dreamed of and more.
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