Park Hopping at Walt Disney World in 2027 | New Rules & FAQs

All-day Park Hopping is back at Walt Disney World! Since January 9, 2024, guests with Park Hopper benefits have once again been able to visit multiple theme parks during regular park hours without waiting until a set afternoon start time.

Park Hopping was temporarily suspended when Disney World reopened in 2020 and later returned with additional restrictions. Those pandemic-era limits are now mostly history, and the current system works much more like the Park Hopper option longtime visitors remember.

Many guests visiting Walt Disney World love to visit multiple parks in the same day. It’s a great way to ride your favorite attractions, build your plans around park hours, and skip the things you aren’t interested in.

For example, we love rope dropping Hollywood Studios and Galaxy’s Edge in the morning, and then moving to EPCOT later in the day for dinner and a walk around World Showcase.

In this post, we’ll explain how Park Hopping works in 2027, the current rules, transportation options, Lightning Lane considerations, and whether the extra cost is worth it.

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Which Theme Parks Can I Hop to?

Guests can park hop to any of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks:

• Magic Kingdom
• EPCOT
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom

Park hopping can happen as long as the desired theme park is not at capacity at that time.

How Many Parks Can I Hop to in One Day?

There is not a restriction on the number of parks you can visit per day. In fact, it’s possible for guests to go to all 4 parks in one day.

Guests can even return to their first park of the day at any time, as long as it is not at capacity.

We tested out this to make sure it works. Starting out at Hollywood Studios we were in fact able to visit all 4 parks in the same day and then return to Hollywood Studios before the day was over!

What Time Does Park Hopping Start?

Guests with Park Hopper benefits or an Annual Pass can visit another theme park at any time during regular park hours, subject to capacity.

Most guests with standard date-based tickets do not need a theme park reservation. Annual Passholders and guests with certain non-date-based tickets may still need a reservation for their first park and must enter that park before hopping. On Annual Passholder Good-to-Go Days, no theme park reservation is required.

Make sure to check the official Walt Disney World park hours page before your visit because opening and closing times vary by date.

Before You Go

Not all tickets let guests go to multiple theme parks in the same day. If that is something you want to do, make sure you purchase a ticket with the park hopper option.

If you show up to the second theme park of the day and your ticket does not have the park hopper option, you will be turned away at the gate. Annual Passholders automatically have the ability to park hop built into their tickets.

Our Disney World Tickets Guide can help you understand the difference between all ticket types and which one is best for you.

How Does Park Hopping Work?

For most guests, the process is simple: make sure your ticket includes Park Hopper benefits, enter a Walt Disney World theme park, and then visit another park during regular operating hours.

For example, you can visit Magic Kingdom in the morning and then take the monorail to EPCOT later in the day. You can continue hopping to additional parks or return to your first park, subject to capacity.

If your Annual Pass or non-date-based admission requires a theme park reservation, you must first enter the park you reserved before hopping elsewhere. That first-park requirement does not apply on Annual Passholder Good-to-Go Days.

Park Hopping Capacity Restrictions

Park Hopping remains subject to each destination park’s capacity. In theory, you can be turned away if a park reaches its attendance limit, but Park Hopper capacity closures have been extremely rare in recent years.

If a park is temporarily unavailable, you can wait to see if access reopens later or choose another park. Check out our post on Disney World Capacity for more information.

Can I Still Get In If I Have a Dining Reservation and the Park Is at Capacity?

An Advance Dining Reservation, Droid Depot reservation, Savi’s Workshop reservation, or other pre-booked experience does not guarantee entry if Park Hopper access is restricted. Leave plenty of travel time and remember that admission remains subject to capacity.

How to Check Park Hopper Availability

The old Park Hopper capacity hotline is no longer part of Disney’s current instructions. In the event that Park Hopping becomes unavailable at a theme park, Disney says guests will be notified in real time through a push notification in the My Disney Experience app.

Download the app, enable notifications, and check it before traveling to another park. Even when no restriction has been announced, entry remains subject to the destination park’s capacity when you arrive.

Do I Still Need to Make Disney Park Pass Reservations?

Most guests with standard date-based tickets no longer need Disney Park Pass reservations. Annual Passholders and guests with certain non-date-based or special tickets may still need one for their first park, unless it is a Good-to-Go Day. Check the Annual Passholder admissions calendar here for current availability.

Do I Need Another Park Pass Reservation for the Second Park of the Day?

No. You do not make a separate reservation for the second park. If your admission requires a reservation, enter that reserved first park before hopping. After that, you can visit another park during regular operating hours, subject to capacity.

Does Park Hopping Cost Extra?

Yes. To visit multiple theme parks in one day, you must purchase the Park Hopper option in addition to your base Disney theme park admission.

Pricing varies by date and ticket length. For current 2027 multi-day tickets, Park Hopper generally adds approximately $80–$95 per person before tax for two- and three-day tickets, and approximately $90–$105 per person before tax for tickets of four through ten days. One-day pricing varies more because base admission is park-specific.

One-day pricing can also vary based on the date and starting park. Use Disney’s official ticket builder to compare the base ticket and Park Hopper prices for your exact dates.

The Park Hopper option normally applies to the entire ticket rather than one selected day. It can often be added later, but adding it after a ticket has been partially used does not necessarily result in a prorated per-day price. Check the full upgrade cost before making the change, and read our Disney World Tickets Guide for a complete breakdown.

What Is Park Hopper Plus?

Park Hopper Plus combines regular theme park hopping with a separate number of eligible water park and sports visits. Standard Park Hopper covers the four Walt Disney World theme parks only; it does not include admission to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon.

Depending on availability and operating schedules, eligible Park Hopper Plus choices may include:

• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park
• ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on eligible event days
• Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
• FootGolf at Disney’s Oak Trail
• Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course
• Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course

Golf reservations, event restrictions, operating schedules, and availability may apply. Miniature golf is limited to one round per day, and the round must begin before 4:00 pm.

Park Hopping for Annual Passholders

Park Hopping is included with Walt Disney World Annual Passes. Passholders can visit another theme park at any time during regular park hours, subject to capacity and the blockout dates associated with their pass.

Theme park reservations may still be required on certain dates. When a reservation is required and a Passholder wants to hop earlier in the day, they must enter their reserved park before hopping elsewhere.

Annual Passholders may generally enter a theme park without a reservation after 2:00 pm, except at Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays. No reservation is required on Good-to-Go Days. Applicable blockout dates and capacity restrictions still apply.

Remember that Park Hopper benefits do not guarantee entry for dining, Droid Depot, Savi’s Workshop, or other pre-booked experiences if the destination park is unavailable.

Park Hopping with Lightning Lanes

Park Hopping can work very well with Disney’s three paid Lightning Lane products, but each one follows different rules.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass

When purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass, choose one park for your initial selections and make up to three advance selections there. Those advance selections cannot be divided among multiple parks.

After redeeming your first Multi Pass selection, guests with Park Hopper benefits can use the My Disney Experience app to choose an additional available Multi Pass experience in any Walt Disney World theme park. The selection remains subject to availability and the destination park’s capacity.

The Multi Pass price is based on the park and date originally selected. There is currently no additional surcharge when hopping to a park whose Multi Pass price was higher that day.

Lightning Lane Single Pass

Guests can purchase up to two Lightning Lane Single Passes per day. They may be in different parks as long as the guest has admission that allows entry to both parks and leaves enough time to travel between them.

Lightning Lane Premier Pass

Lightning Lane Premier Pass is valid only in the one park selected for that day. Unfortunately, it does not provide Premier Pass access after hopping to a second park. So if you get the Premier Pass I would avoid park-hopping that day and it’s better to just stick to one park.

Read our Guide to Lightning Lanes for a full breakdown of these paid ride-skipping services.

Can You Do Park Hopping for Rise of the Resistance?

Yes you can. Rise of the Resistance now uses a standby queue and may also offer Lightning Lane Single Pass. Hollywood Studios does not need to be your first park just to ride it.

You can begin elsewhere and park hop to Hollywood Studios later. Afternoon waits can be long, so consider purchasing Single Pass, visiting during the final part of the evening, or allowing plenty of standby time.

Park Hopping Transportation

Guests can use complimentary Disney transportation, drive their own vehicle, or use rideshare services such as Uber, Lyft, or Minnie Van when hopping between parks.

Park-to-Park Options

Here are the primary transportation options:

Magic Kingdom

• to EPCOT – Monorail with a transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center
• to Hollywood Studios – Bus
• to Animal Kingdom – Bus

EPCOT

• to Magic Kingdom – Monorail with a transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center
• to Hollywood Studios – Disney Skyliner, FriendShip Boat, or walking path
• to Animal Kingdom – Bus

Hollywood Studios

• to Magic Kingdom – Bus
• to EPCOT – Disney Skyliner, FriendShip Boat, or walking path
• to Animal Kingdom – Bus

Animal Kingdom

• to Magic Kingdom – Bus
• to EPCOT – Bus
• to Hollywood Studios – Bus

Park-to-park buses generally begin operating around 10:00 am, but exact timing, routes, and wait times vary. Use the Get Directions feature in the My Disney Experience app or ask a Cast Member for the best current route. Give yourself plenty of time when traveling for a dining reservation, Lightning Lane return window, or nighttime spectacular.

If you drive, you generally pay for theme park parking only once that day and can show your receipt when entering another park’s lot. Standard Uber and Lyft vehicles do not drop guests directly at Magic Kingdom; they use the Transportation and Ticket Center, while Minnie Vans can use the park’s bus area.

Transportation routes can close or change because of refurbishment, maintenance, weather, or operating conditions. Check our Disney World Refurbishment and Closure Schedule and confirm current transportation before your trip.

Why Did Disney Suspend Park Hopping in the First Place?

Disney initially suspended Park Hopping after the 2020 closure because of reduced capacity, distancing rules, and the new Disney park reservation system. Limiting guests to one park made attendance easier to manage during that period.

Those restrictions were gradually relaxed, and all-day Park Hopping returned in January 2024. Capacity limits still technically apply, but the system now works much more like it did before 2020.

Touring Strategy

Going to one park in the morning and another in the evening is something we often do. The key is to use Park Hopper strategically instead of switching parks just because you can.

A smart approach is to start at a park opening earlier and finish at one closing later. Animal Kingdom often works well as a first park, while EPCOT or Magic Kingdom can be strong evening destinations. Always check the operating calendar because park hours, special events, and attraction availability vary by date.

Hollywood Studios can work well during Early Theme Park Entry or in the final hours of the evening. You no longer need to make it your first park just to ride Rise of the Resistance, so choose your order based on current waits, Lightning Lane availability, and the nighttime entertainment you want to see.

Best Park-Hopping Combinations

• EPCOT and Hollywood Studios – This is the easiest combination because you can walk, take a FriendShip Boat, or use the Disney Skyliner between the two parks.
• Animal Kingdom followed by EPCOT or Magic Kingdom – This can maximize your day when Animal Kingdom opens earlier and the other park remains open later.
• Magic Kingdom on a party day followed by another park – Magic Kingdom is often less crowded during the daytime before Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Visit earlier, then hop elsewhere before the park closes to regular guests.

Park Hopper also gives you more flexibility with hard-to-get dining reservations and Lightning Lane return times. Just avoid scheduling anything too close together because transfers can take anywhere from roughly 20 minutes to more than an hour.

Is Park Hopping Worth It in 2027?

After using Park Hopper extensively, we think it is worth the extra cost for many trips, but it isn’t necessary for everyone.

The biggest benefits are flexibility and the ability to use different park hours, dining reservations, Lightning Lane availability, and nighttime entertainment to your advantage. It is especially useful if you only have one or two park days, want to visit all four parks in fewer than four days, or are a repeat visitor focusing on selected attractions.

Park Hopper is also a great fit for guests staying at one of the EPCOT-area resort hotels. Being able to walk or use nearby transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios makes spontaneous evening visits much easier. It is also useful if you want more opportunities to dine at the EPCOT restaurants or return to a favorite park later in the trip.

On the other hand, first-time visitors with four or more park days may be better off dedicating one full day to each park. Families with young children, guests who prefer a slower pace, and anyone who dislikes transportation time may save money and energy by skipping it.

Remember that Park Hopping can be tiring, and every transfer takes time away from attractions. The goal should not be to visit as many parks as possible just to say you did it. Use the flexibility when it improves your day, and stay in one park when moving would create more stress than value.

For our travel style, the flexibility is usually worth it. For your trip, compare the total add-on cost with how many times you realistically expect to use it.

Need Help Booking Your Next Trip?

Since planning a trip to Disney World is super complicated these days, we always recommend getting help from an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner first.  They are experts and understand every one of the current deals, and how to save the most money using them.

Our favorite Disney vacation planners are our friends from Show You the World Travel.  In my opinion, they have the best service hands-down, and they take all the hard work out of planning a Disney trip.

We’ve used them countless times on our personal vacations, and they always know which package is best for us and the dates and resorts we are looking for.  Plus, whenever a new discount comes out that is a better savings than what we have, they upgrade us right away and we don’t have to lift a finger.

The best part is that using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is absolutely free, so it never costs us any money.  To me that makes it a really easy decision.

Contact Rene Cittadino and her amazing team for a free quote here to get started!

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about the Park Hopper Pass getting back to the way it used to be at Disney World FINALLY…

• Do you think Park Hopper is worth it in 2027?
• What changes would you make to the system?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂