The Biggest Surprises from the Return of Park Hopping in Disney World!

Park Hopping has officially returned to Disney World.

Magic Kingdom

Park Hopping has been modified to fit in with the new capacity and distancing measures in Disney World. Although you can still use the feature in a similar way to before the closures, these were the surprises we found during our visit!

While the parks previously allowed guests to Park Hop throughout the day, Disney has changed the hours Park Hopping is available since the parks are only at 35% capacity.

Tree of Life

At this time, Park Hopping hours start at 2PM across the property so guests can head to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, as long as they have checked into the park where they had their original Park Pass reservation first.

Your MagicBands and Tickets Will Be Scanned Before Using Disney Transportation

Since guests are required to have a Park Hopper option on their tickets, Cast Members will greet guests at the various Disney Transportation methods to scan their MagicBands and tickets.

Cast Member scanning for Park Hopping

At this time, Disney World has designated park-to-park transportation on the buses, Skyliners, and more, as well as the regular transportation running around the property.

Disney Bus

However, the park-to-park transportation is set aside for guests who have the Park Hopper option on their tickets or Annual Passes only to help further limit capacity. Disney Transportation begins ahead of Park Hopping hours so guests can make sure they arrive to their next park right at 2PM.

Skyliner

You May Be Able to Enter a Park Before Park Hopping Hours Began

Although Disney has set up the new modified Park Hopping hours, when we arrived to our second park of the day, we were able to scan our MagicBand and enter the park 10 to 15 minutes early.

EPCOT MagicBand Scanner

We have seen this regularly during actual park hours where guests can enter the parks prior to their daily opening. However, this may not happen every time you head to Disney World, depending on the parks’ capacities. So, be sure to check out whether the parks are accepting more guests before you head to your next location!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

There’s a Phone Number You Can Call To Check a Park’s Availability

And, you can actually make a phone call to find out more details about the Park Hopping availability in Disney World! Whenever you call 407-560-5000 for more information (it’s unavailable to text), guests will receive an automated voice message that says “Greetings from Walt Disney World Resort. At this time all theme parks are available for Park Hopper access. Thank you and have a magical day.”

Park Hopping Sign

But, we were surprised to find out that My Disney Experience didn’t have much information about Park Hopping availability and capacity. As we continue to make our way around the parks, we’ll have to keep you updated on the voice message discussing limits on Park Hopping.

EPCOT

You CAN Go to All Four Parks in a Day!

Before we set off on our adventure around Disney World before Park Hopping occurred, we weren’t sure if guests would be able to visit all four parks in a day. After some extra planning, we actually were able to visit each Disney World park throughout the day!

Cinderella Castle

We recommend making sure that you plan the order of your parks, which transportation methods you’ll take, and how the Park Hopper hours in each theme park will fit into your schedule. Since there is designated park-to-park Disney Transportation, it can definitely help guests to leave their vehicle at one park before using transportation to the others.

Bus Transportation

Honorable Mention: You MUST Use Your Disney Park Pass Reservation Before Park Hopping

Although Disney released this information before Park Hopping was reinstated, so it’s not a “surprise”, it’s still VERY important to note that you must use your Disney Park Pass Reservation before Park Hopping during the day. We saw multiple guests turned away who hadn’t checked in for their initial reservation, so be sure to plan your day accordingly to take full advantage of the Park Hopping system!

Pandora

As we continue to make our way around Disney World with the modified Park Hopping measures, we’ll be sure to give you a look at everything happening in the parks!

Here are all your questions about Park Hopping answered!

Will you be Park Hopping in Disney World soon? Let us know in the comments below!

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Rachel Franko has been going to Disney Parks since she was a baby, and her love of Disney has only grown into a SLIGHT obsession since! She's been writing for AllEars since 2019 and loves sharing the magic with all the readers. When she's not writing, you can catch her heading to Disney and Universal Studios with a heart full of dreams and a backpack full of themed ears!

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One Reply to “The Biggest Surprises from the Return of Park Hopping in Disney World!”

  1. Ok this is beyond difficult for those of us…non tech savvy senior who has paid for trips to WDW from NY over 20 times. There needs to be some way to address this. Not everyone uses apps easily…or is tech savvy. Is my money no longer any good? Do I forego trips to Disney from now on? Yes, I understand I am in minority but not everyone is a millennial.