A lot has changed since I last wrote about Resort Hopping, so I thought an update was overdue. Resort Hopping is still a thing, but getting to the resorts has changed a bit. In case you don’t know what Resort Hopping is, it’s visiting one or more of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels to explore, shop, or enjoy a quick service meal.
The main recent change with Resort Hopping has to do with parking at Disney Springs. In the past, you could park at Disney Springs and then take Disney transportation to a resort of your choosing. If you’re staying on property, that’s still the case. If you have a dining or experience reservation, you’ll be allowed on Disney transportation at Disney Springs. Otherwise, you’ll have to park elsewhere to get to a resort.
Parking elsewhere means parking at a theme park. If you’re an Annual Passholder, theme park parking is included. If you aren’t an AP, you’ll have to pay to park. From the theme park, use Disney transportation to head to a resort.
Another Resort Hopping change has been in place for a few years now. You can’t park at a resort if you aren’t staying there or if you don’t have a dining or experience reservation. Having a Mobile Order isn’t good enough, it needs to be a reservation. Sometimes the Security Cast Member will allow someone to park, but don’t expect it to happen. And please, if you aren’t allowed to park, don’t take it out on the Cast Member! I have friends who are Security Cast Members and they have stories…
There are times when Resort Hopping may not be allowed. Fort Wilderness Campground will allow only guests around Halloween and Christmas. Magic Kingdom Resorts could restrict access during special fireworks shows. This is as it should be. The people staying there are paying for the view and the activities. They should be the resort’s priority.
As I mentioned, Annual Passholders can park at a theme park and take a bus to the resort. What about dates that are blocked out? Technically, they aren’t supposed to park at a theme park if they are blocked out. I’ve never seen this enforced, but that doesn’t mean it won’t change.
There are a lot of rumors that Walt Disney World plans to get rid of Resort Hopping all together. These are just rumors. It wouldn’t make sense to no longer allow it. They could limit Resort Hopping on certain dates, maybe, but not do away with it altogether. Resort Hopping keeps people on property. Disney doesn’t want guests to decide to visit Universal instead.