You can park hop at any time during operating hours after tapping in to your first park. As of Jan 9, 2024 you no longer have to wait till 2 p.m.
- Understanding the Current Disney World Park Hopper Rules
- How Park Hopping Has Evolved
- Park Hopping Disney World Terms You Should Know
- How to Park Hop at Disney World: Step-by-Step
- July 2025 Change for Annual Passholders
- Pro Tips for Park Hopping Like a Pro
- Park Capacity
- Frequently Asked Questions About Park Hopping
Park hopping Walt Disney World can be a little confusing, particularly since the rules have changed several times and the information you find may be up to date.
The Disney World Park Hopper perk is popular for Guests who want to experience the best of Disney across multiple parks in a single day. While park hopping rules have changed a few times over the years, the current system gives you more flexibility than ever before, if you know how to make the most of it.
Understanding the Current Disney World Park Hopper Rules
As of January 9, 2024, and into 2025, Disney World Guests with Park Hopper tickets or Annual Passes can hop to a second (or third, or even fourth!) theme park at any time during that park’s normal operating hours. There’s no longer a specific time you have to wait for, as long as you’ve scanned into your first park. Previously, the Disney World Park Hopper Rules required you to wait until 2:00 p.m. to hop.
To use the Park Hopper benefit, you must enter the first park you’ve reserved for the day before you can visit another. Once you’ve tapped into your initial park, you’re free to hop to any of the other three parks whenever you’d like, as long as capacity allows. You’ll receive real-time updates via the My Disney Experience app if a park becomes unavailable due to crowd levels.
How Park Hopping Has Evolved
The Disney World Park Hopper has seen a few updates over the past few years. Prior to 2020, Guests could park hop freely throughout the day without a specific time restriction. During the phased reopening of Walt Disney World, the Park Hopper benefit returned but with a 2:00 p.m. restriction in place. Then, in January 2024, that time limit was lifted for most ticket holders, bringing back much of the flexibility that Guests enjoyed in the past. Today, you can hop as soon as you tap into your your reserved starting park.
Park Hopping Disney World Terms You Should Know
The Disney World Park Hopper Option
The Disney World Park Hopper Option is a ticket upgrade that allows you to visit multiple theme parks in a single day. If you are an Annual Passholder, this is included in your pass.
What is the 2pm rule at Disney World?
If it’s past 2:00 p.m. you can enter any park on any day without a reservation except Magic Kingdom on the weekend. For Magic Kingdom, you must have a reservation, if you are entering it as your first park, at any time on Saturdays or Sundays. However, you can park hop over to Magic Kingdom any day of the week, at any time, as long as you’ve tapped into another Walt Disney World theme park first.
Theme Park Reservations
Theme Park Reservations are currently required for certain types of tickets and for Annual Passholders. Annual Passholders are still required to have a park reservation for all parks prior to 2 p.m. and Magic Kingdom any time on the weekends.
Good to go Days
Good-to-go days refer to specific days when Annual Passholders can enter parks without a reservation.
Capacity Limitations
Even with a Park Hopper ticket or Annual Pass, you may not be able to enter a park if it’s at full capacity.
How to Park Hop at Disney World: Step-by-Step
To get started, make a reservation for the first park you want to visit (if required for your ticket type), then show up and tap in. After that, you’re free to visit other parks anytime they’re open. Disney’s internal transportation, including buses, the Monorail, and the Disney Skyliner typically starts running prior to parks opening, allowing you to begin your hop any time.
For example, if you start your morning at Magic Kingdom and are ready to head to EPCOT by mid-morning, as long as EPCOT is not at capacity, you can park hop over there any time you wish. You can repeat this process throughout the day as long as each park you visit has not reached its maximum capacity.
July 2025 Change for Annual Passholders
For visits before July 20, 2025, you can enter any park after 2:00 PM without a reservation, except Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays, which still require one.
However, starting July 20, 2025, due to the debut of the new Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade at Magic Kingdom, Passholders will need a reservation to enter Magic Kingdom at any time of day. However, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom will continue to allow afternoon entry without a reservation on select days. Always check for applicable blockout dates and current reservation requirements before heading out.
Pro Tips for Park Hopping Like a Pro
To make the most of your Park Hopper ticket, plan your day around key attractions and transportation availability. A popular strategy is to start at a park with a morning draw, like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which opens early and empties out by afternoon, then hop to EPCOT or Magic Kingdom later in the day.
Make sure your My Disney Experience app is up to date, as it will help you check park hours, transport options, dining availability, and capacity status in real time.
Park Capacity
While park hopping is generally smooth and open throughout the day, there’s always a chance a park could reach capacity. This has been very rare lately but if it were to happen, Disney will temporarily suspend Park Hopper entry to that location. The good news is you’ll be notified right away through the My Disney Experience app. This capacity concern is most likely during holidays or special events like New Year’s Eve, the Fourth of July, etc…
To reduce the risk of being turned away, avoid peak hopping times, around mid-afternoon, during busy seasons, or plan to hop earlier in the day when parks are less likely to be full. If you’re unsure about a specific park’s status, check with a Cast Member or use the app before you make the trip across the resort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Park Hopping
When can you park hop at Disney World?
You can park hop as early as you tap into your reserved starting park, there is no longer a time restriction to park hopping at Walt Disney World.
How many parks can you visit in one day with Disney World Park Hopper?
With a Park Hopper ticket, you’re free to explore all four Walt Disney World theme parks in a single day if you’d like. There is no limit on how many parks you can visit.
Do I need a reservation for every park I plan to visit?
No, just the first park. After entering your reserved park, you can visit other parks without additional reservations, as long as they’re not at capacity.
What are the Park Hopper rules?
The guidelines for Park Hopper have changed in recent years. Currently, after you’ve entered your first park of the day, you’re welcome to visit any of the other three parks at any point during operating hours. If you have a date-based ticket or an Annual Pass, all you need to do is scan into your starting park and then you’re free to head to another park whenever you’re ready.
How many times can you park hop in a day?
There is currently no limit to the number of times you can park hop at Disney World, as long as you meet the reservation requirements.
Can I make dining reservations at another park before hopping?
You can book a table-service restaurant at another park but be aware that park hopping is still subject to capacity. If you’re not allowed into the second park, you may miss your reservation, so always check availability before booking.
What if a park reaches capacity before I arrive?
You’ll get a real-time alert through the My Disney Experience app if a park is no longer accepting Park Hopper Guests. This is why it’s smart to plan your route and hop earlier when possible.