It’s official: Beginning New Year’s Day 2021, Walt Disney World Resort Guests will once again be able to hop from one theme park to another!
But it is going to be different than it was before the pandemic, as Disney Park Pass reservations continue to help control the limited capacity. We at Inside the Magic want all hopeful Guests to enter their Walt Disney World Resort vacation with the right expectations.
So, here is what we know Guests should expect if they plan on Park Hopping at Disney World next year.
Park Pass Reservations Are Still Necessary
It isn’t Park Hopping unless you move from one Disney Park to another, after all, and Disney is still requiring that all Guests have a Park Pass reservation for one park on the day of their visit. This applies to everyone, including Disney Resort hotel Guests.
This Disney Park Pass is for the theme park you plan on visiting first that day. It is necessary to even enter the parking lot of a Disney theme park right now.
Park Hopper Option Will Cost Extra
While those with Park Hopping Passes and Tickets will be able to do so without a problem, those would-be Guests purchasing 2021 theme park tickets will have to pay extra for the Park Hopper option. Prices vary on the day of the week and time of year. Guests with valid theme park tickets that once had park hopping will be able to re-add the option but must pay the difference in cost. Click below for full details.
Learn More: Disney World Posts 2021 Ticket Info, Cost of Modified Park Hopper
No Park Hopping Before 2 pm
Once Guests arrive in their first park, they will still have to spend half of their day in that park and will not be able to enter their second park until 2 pm.
According to Disney World’s Website:
We will set specific Park Hopper hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper hours will start at 2 PM each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time. Guests will soon be able to check DisneyWorld.com/ParkHours and the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper hours, as they could start earlier at a later date, depending on the day and park.
With Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park closing as early as 5 pm, potential Guests should consider carefully which park they want to start the day in.
Park-to-Park Transportation Will Resume
While specific details are still unclear, Walt Disney World has confirmed that park-to-park transportation of some kind will return for Guests looking to Park Hop:
Park-to-park transportation is planned to resume in 2021, with operations beginning each day shortly prior to the start of Park Hopper hours.
Read More: Disney Confirms Park-to-Park Transportation Will Return!
Park Hopping and Extra Park Passes?
At the time of this article’s publication, Disney has not announced that Guests need to secure more than one Park Pass reservation for a day, potentially opening up access to all four theme parks once the clock strikes 2 pm.
Disney World states:
At this time, a park reservation is not required after the first park, however, reservation requirements are subject to change. The ability to visit another park will be subject to the park’s capacity limitations and applicable pass blockout dates.
We at Inside the Magic will update our readers if any changes regarding this policy arise.
Park Hopping and Rise of the Resistance
For those would-be Guests who thought the return of Park Hopping was their ticket into the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Disney World’s website clearly states:
If you are visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios after visiting the first park, you will not be able to join the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
All Guests looking to experience Rise of the Resistance must secure a Park Pass to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in order to secure a boarding pass.
Read More: Park Hopping Impacts Rise of the Resistance Boarding Groups
What We Do Not Know Yet About Modified Park Hopping
At this point, there are still quite a few unknowns regarding Disney World’s modified park hopping experience. We will be standing by to update our readers on any new information that comes to light, including the following:
- Is it possible to visit all four parks in a day?
- How will Walt Disney World enforce capacity restrictions if a park is still at capacity after 2 pm?
- When will the EPCOT monorail return?
Did you know you can start planning your 2021 Disney World vacation right now? If this gets you craving a trip back to Disney World, reach out to our friends at Academy Travel! Academy’s travel agents are standing by ready to help you make this Disney vacation as magical as possible! Click here to get started and receive your free, no-obligation quote today!
Do you have any lingering questions regarding Walt Disney World’s modified Park Hopping option? Leave them in the comments.