If you’re planning a Disney World trip and trying to decide what kind of ticket to buy, you might find yourself asking, “what's the difference between Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus?”
I had the same question before my last trip, and it turns out the answer can make a big difference depending on your travel style.
I’ve used both types of tickets over the years, and while they sound similar, the extra features included in the Park Hopper Plus option aren’t always worth it for every trip.
That said, they can be a fantastic value if you're planning a longer stay or want to explore more than just the main theme parks.
Here’s what I learned from firsthand experience, plus a few strategic tips to help you decide which option fits your trip best.
Key Points
- Only get Park Hopper Plus if you’ll actually use the water parks or extras like miniature golf or ESPN Wide World of Sports. Otherwise, it’s just an upcharge.
- The “Plus” visits are separate entries, not added days—you can use them on non-park days to make the most of your ticket.
- You can upgrade your ticket later, so don’t feel pressured to choose Park Hopper Plus right away. More on that in the upgrade section below.
What's the Difference Between Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus?
Let’s start with what they have in common: both ticket types let you visit more than one Disney World park in a single day.
This means you could start your morning at Animal Kingdom, hop over to Hollywood Studios for lunch, and finish the evening with fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
This kind of flexibility is what makes the Park Hopper ticket popular, especially for people who like to move at their own pace or want to revisit favorite attractions.
The Park Hopper Plus option adds a twist. In addition to hopping between the four theme parks, you get a number of extra admissions (equal to your number of ticketed days) to other Disney experiences that many first-timers might not even know exist:
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
- ESPN Wide World of Sports (when open)
- Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course (a 9-hole walking course)
- Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland miniature golf courses (before 4 p.m.)
So, if you buy a 4-day Park Hopper Plus ticket, you get 4 days of park-hopping and 4 extra admissions to any of the above options.
These are real admissions—not just add-ons or perks—so they can save you money if you're already planning to visit a water park or try mini golf.
Here’s the official breakdown from Walt Disney World's ticket site:
“With a Park Hopper Plus ticket, you get admission to multiple theme parks per day and a certain number of visits to a water park or other Walt Disney World fun.”
Is Park Hopper Plus Worth It?
This depends entirely on how you plan to spend your non-park days.
Personally, I only buy Park Hopper Plus when I know we’re going to hit a water park or do a rest day with mini-golf.
If your group is focused on the main parks, a regular Park Hopper will probably cover all your needs.
For first-timers, it's easy to underestimate just how physically demanding the theme parks can be.
A Park Hopper Plus ticket gives you the chance to mix in lighter days—lounging at a water park or playing a round of mini golf—without feeling like you're wasting a full-price theme park day.
It’s also a great way to get more value out of your trip if you're staying longer than the number of park days you’ve booked.
When Park Hopper Plus Makes Sense
- You want to add a water park day without paying separate admission.
- You plan to take a break from the big parks mid-trip.
- You’re going during a hot month (hello, August) and water parks sound like a must.
- You want to stretch a 4-day ticket into a 6-day trip by using those “Plus” visits on off days.
When It Might Not Be Worth It
- You’re only going for a few days and want to maximize time in the main parks.
- You don’t care about water parks or golf.
- You’re already squeezing in four parks in four days and don’t need extras.
If this is your first trip to Disney World, I’d say stick with a regular Park Hopper unless you already know your group wants to include water parks or golf.
You can always add the Plus option later if it makes sense (more on that below).
You Can Always Upgrade Later
One of the nice things about Disney World tickets is that you can often upgrade them after your initial purchase.
If you start with a regular Park Hopper and decide midway through your trip that you want to add water park access, you can usually upgrade your Disney World ticket at any ticket window, guest services location, or through the My Disney Experience app, as long as your ticket is still valid and unused for the day.
I’ve done this on two different trips, and both times it took less than 10 minutes.
The key is that you have to upgrade before your last ticketed day is over. So if you’re on a 5-day ticket and it’s Day 5 at 8 p.m., don’t wait until the next morning to make the change.
This flexibility means you don’t have to commit to Park Hopper Plus if you’re unsure.
Try out your schedule, and if the water parks end up calling your name, you have options.
Use Your “Plus” Days Strategically
One thing that surprised me the first time I used Park Hopper Plus was that the “Plus” entries didn’t need to be used on the same days as your park entries.
You can stretch your vacation by doing a park on Day 1, a water park on Day 2, a regular park again on Day 3, and so on.
This can be a big deal if you're planning a week-long stay but only want to pay for, say, 4 park days.
You can use the included “Plus” visits to round out your schedule with lighter, lower-stress activities without burning a full park day.
For families with kids or anyone who wants to avoid burnout, this can make the entire trip more relaxed.
Just note that park reservations are still required for theme parks (as of now), but not for water parks or mini golf.
That gives you a little more spontaneity for those non-park days.
Other Helpful Tips on Tickets
If you’re still weighing your options, I recommend checking out a few other resources:
- Here’s a straightforward look at how Disney World ticket types work
- My guide on Disney World tickets through Costco can help you decide if it’s worth shopping around
- Don’t miss this post on how to change Disney World ticket dates if your plans shift
- If you're trying to save, check out the cheapest ways to buy Disney World tickets before booking
And if you're new to the whole process, here's my main guide to buying Disney World tickets.
It covers everything from pricing to refunds to linking them in the app.
